Act IVScene IV
York. A Room in the Archbishop’s Palace
Enter the Archbishop of York and Sir Michael.
Archbishop
Hie, good Sir Michael; bear this sealed briefWith winged haste to the Lord Marshal,This to my cousin Scroop, and all the restTo whom they are directed. If you knewHow much they do import, you would make haste.
Sir Michael
My good lord,I guess their tenour.
Archbishop
Like enough you do.Tomorrow, good Sir Michael, is a dayWherein the fortune of ten thousand menMust bide the touch; for, sir, at Shrewsbury,As I am truly given to understand,The King with mighty and quick-raised powerMeets with Lord Harry. And, I fear, Sir Michael,What with the sickness of Northumberland,Whose power was in the first proportion,And what with Owen Glendower’s absence thence,Who with them was a rated sinew too,And comes not in, o’er-rul’d by prophecies,I fear the power of Percy is too weakTo wage an instant trial with the King.
Sir Michael
Why, my good lord, you need not fear,There is Douglas and Lord Mortimer.
Archbishop
No, Mortimer is not there.
Sir Michael
But there is Mordake, Vernon, Lord Harry Percy,And there is my Lord of Worcester, and a headOf gallant warriors, noble gentlemen.
Archbishop
And so there is. But yet the King hath drawnThe special head of all the land together:The Prince of Wales, Lord John of Lancaster,The noble Westmoreland, and warlike Blunt,And many more corrivals and dear menOf estimation and command in arms.
Sir Michael
Doubt not, my lord, they shall be well opposed.
Archbishop
I hope no less, yet needful ’tis to fear;And to prevent the worst, Sir Michael, speed.For if Lord Percy thrive not, ere the KingDismiss his power he means to visit us,For he hath heard of our confederacy,And ’tis but wisdom to make strong against him.Therefore make haste. I must go write againTo other friends; and so, farewell, Sir Michael.
Exeunt.