INDUCTION. Warkworth. Before Northumberland's Castle. Enter RUMOUR, painted full of Tongues. Rum. Open your ears; For which of you will That the blunt monster with uncounted heads, Among my houshold? Why is Rumour here? Who, in a bloody field by Shrewsbury, Hath beaten down young Hotspur, and his troops, Even with the rebels' blood. But what mean I To noise abroad, that Harry Monmouth fell Under the wrath of noble Hotspur's sword; tongues They bring smooth comforts false, worse than true wrongs. [Exit. SECOND PART OF KING HENRY IV. ACT THE FIRST. SCENE 1. Warkworth. Before Northumberland's Castle. The Porter before the Gate; Enter Lord L. Bard. WHO keeps the gate here, ho? Where is the earl? Port. What shall I say you are? L. Bard. Tell thou the earl, That the lord Bardolph doth attend him here. Port. His lordship is walk'd forth into the or chard; Please it your honour, knock but at the gate, And he himself will answer. L. Bard. Enter NORTHUMBERLAND. Here comes the earl. North. What news, lord Bardolph ? every minute now Should be the father of some stratagem': Important or dreadful event. L. Bard. Noble earl, I bring you certain news from Shrewsbury. L. Bard. As good as heart can wish Prince Harry slain outright; and both the Blunts North. Saw How is this deriv'd? from Shrewsbury? you the field? came you L. Bard. I spake with one, my lord, that came A gentleman well bred, and of good name, sent On Tuesday last to listen after news. L. Bard. My lord, I over-rode him on the way; And he is furnish'd with no certainties, More than he haply may retail from me. Enter TRAVERS. North. Now, Travers, what good tidings come with you? Tra. My lord, sir John Umfrevile turn'd me back With joyful tidings; and, being better hors'd, Out-rode me. After him, came, spurring hard, A gentleman almost forspent with speed, That stopp'd by me to breathe his bloodied horse: He ask'd the way to Chester; and of him I did demand, what news from Shrewsbury. He told me, that rebellion had bad luck, 1 And that young Harry Percy's spur was cold: North. Ha! Again. Said he, young Harry Percy's spur was cold? Of Hotspur, coldspur? that rebellion Had met ill-luck! L. Bard. My lord, I'll tell you what ; If my young lord your son have not the day, Upon mine honour, for a silken point 2 I'll give my barony: never talk of it. North. Why should the gentleman, that rode by Travers, Give then such instances of loss? L. Bard. 3 Who, he? He was some hilding 3 fellow, that had stol'n Spoke at a venture. Look, here comes more news. Enter MORTon. North. Yea, this man's brow, like to a title-leaf, Foretells the nature of a tragick volume: So looks the strond, whereon the imperious flood Say, Morton, didst thou come from Shrewsbury? North. How doth my son, and brother? Thou tremblest; and the whiteness in thy cheek Is apter than thy tongue to tell thy errand. Even such a man, so faint, so spiritless, 2. Lace tagged. 3 Hilderling, base, cowardly. |