Page 675 - Shakespeare - Vol. 2

Which the proud soul ne’er pays but to the proud.

WORCESTER
Our house, my sovereign liege, little deserves [10]
The scourge of greatness to be used on it −
And that same greatness too which our own hands
Have holp to make so portly.

NORTHUMBERLAND
My lord −

KING
Worcester, get thee gone, for I do see [15]
Danger and disobedience in thine eye.
O, sir, your presence is too bold and peremptory,

And majesty might never yet endure
The moody frontier of a servant brow.
You have good leave to leave us: when we need [20]
Your use and counsel, we shall send for you.
Exit Worcester.

You were about to speak.

NORTHUMBERLAND
Yea, my good lord.
Those prisoners in your highness’ name demanded
Which Harry Percy here at Holmedon took,

Were, as he says, not with such strength denied [25]
As is deliverèd to your majesty.
Either envy, therefore, or misprision
Is guilty of this fault, and not my son.

HOTSPUR
My liege, I did deny no prisoners.

But I remember, when the fight was done, [30]
When I was dry with rage and extreme toil,
Breathless and faint, leaning upon my sword,

Came there a certain lord, neat and trimly dressed,