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And alfo fee that justice might be had On those the Duke of Glo'fter's death procur'd, And such remov'd from council as were bad; His coufin Henry would, he there affur'd, On humble knees before his grace be glad To ask him pardon, to be well fecur'd, And have his right and grace reftor'd again : The which was all he labour'd to obtain. XXIII.

And therefore doth an enterparle exhort; Persuades him leave that unbefeeming place, And with a princely hardiness refort Unto his people, that attend his grace. They meant his public good, and not his hurt; And would moft joyful be to see his face.

He lays his foul to pledge, and takes his oath, The hoft of Chrift, an hoftage for his troth.

XXIV.

This proffer, with such proteftations, made Unto a king that so near danger stood, Was a fufficient motive to perfuade, When no way elfe could fhew a face fo good: Th' unhonourable means of safety bad Danger accept, what majefty withstood. "When better choices are not to be had, "We needs must take the seeming best of bad."

XXV.

Yet ftands h' in doubt a while what way to take; Conferring with that small remaining troop Fortune had left; which never would forfake Their poor, diftreffed Lord; nor ever stoop To any hopes the stronger part could make : Good (d) Carlisle, Ferby, and Sir Stephen Scroope, With that most worthy (e) Montague, were all That were content with majesty to fall.

(c) The Earl of Northumberland fent to the King, from Penry Bolingbroke, now Duke of Lancafter. (d) The Bishop of Carlifle.

(e) Montague Earl of Salisbury.

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Nor truft this fubtle agent, nor his oath. “You know his faith-You try'd it beforehand. "His fault is death-And now to lose his troth, "To fave his life, he will not greatly stand. Nor truft your kinfman's proffer; fince you both "Shew, blood in princes is no ftedfast band. **What though he hath no title?—He hath might: "That makes a title, where there is no right, XXXVII.

Thus he. When that good (i) bishop thus replies,

Out of a mind that quiet did affect: "My lord, I must confefs, as your cafe lies, "You have great cause your subjects to suspect, " And counterplot against their subtleties, "Who all good care and honefty neglect; "And fear the worst what insolence may do, * Or armed fury may incense them to.

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"And now it may be, fearing the fuccefs "Of his attempts, or with remorfe of mind, "Or elle diftrufting fecret practices, "He would be glad his quarrel were refign'd; "So that there were fome orderly redress "In those disorders, which the realm did find: “And this, I think, he now fees were his best; "Since further actions further but unrest. XLIV.

"And for th' impoffibility of peace, "And reconcilement, which my lord objects; "I think, when dying injury fhall cease, "(The caufe pretended) then furcease th' effects: "Time, and fome other actions, may increase, "As may divert the thought of these respects; "Others (4) law of forgetting injuries, "May ferve our turn in like calamities.

XLV.

"And for his oath, in confcience and in sense, "True honour would not fo be found untrue, "Nor fpot his blood with such a foul offence

Against his foul, against his God, and you. "Our Lord forbid, that ever with th' expence "Of heav'n, and heav'nly joys, that shall enfue, Mortality should buy this little breath, "T' endure the horror of etemal death.

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XLVI.

"And therefore, as I think, you safely may "Accept this proffer, that determine shall "All doubtful courses by a quiet way; "Needful for you, fit for them, good for all. (*) Lex Amneftiae,

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"And God vouchfafe, the force that here you

" bring

"Beget not England greater injuries."

LXVII.

Sick of delay, and longing to behold Her long-mifs'd love in fearful jeopardies:

And fo they part.The duke made hafte from To whom although it had in fort been told

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LXXXI.

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