Hot.
We'll fight with him to-night.

Wor.
It may not be.

Dow.
You give him then advantage.

Ver.
Not a whit.

Hot.
Why say you so? looks he not for supply?

Ver.
So do we.

Hot.
His is certain, ours is doubtful.

Wor.
Good cousin be advis'd, stir not to-night.

Ver.
Do not, my lord.

Dow.
You do not counsel well;
You speak it out of fear, and from cold heart.

Ver.
Do me no slander, Dowglas: by my life,
And I dare well maintain it with my life,
If well-respected honour bid me on,

I hold as little counsel with weak fear,
As you, my lord, or any Scot that lives.
Let it be seen to-morrow in the battel,
Which of us fears.

Dow.
Yea, or to-night.

Ver.
Content.

Hot.
To-night, say I.

Ver.
Come, come, it may not be: I wonder much,
Being men of such great leading as you are,
That you foresee not what impediments
Drag back our expedition; certain horse
Of my cousin Vernon's are not yet come up,
Your uncle Worcester's horse came but to-day,
And now their pride and mettle is asleep,
Their courage with hard labour tame and dull,
That not a horse is half, half of himself.

Hot.
So are the horses of the enemy
In gen'ral, journey-bated, and brought low:
The better part of ours are full of rest.

Wor.
The number of the King's exceedeth ours:
For God's sake, cousin, stay 'till all come in. [The Trumpet sounds a parley.

Previous section

Next section