Enter the ARCHBISHOP of York, MOWBRAY, HASTINGS, and others
ARCHBISHOP of York, MOWBRAY, HASTINGS, and others enter.
ARCHBISHOP
What is this forest called?
ARCHBISHOP
What's the name of this forest?
HASTINGS
'Tis Gaultree Forest, an 't shall please your Grace.
HASTINGS
Gaultree Forest, your grace.
ARCHBISHOP
Here stand, my lords, and send discoverers forth
To know the numbers of our enemies.
ARCHBISHOP
Stop here, sirs. Send out scouts to find out how many soldiers our enemy has.
HASTINGS
5
We have sent forth already.
HASTINGS
We've already done that.
ARCHBISHOP
'Tis well done.
My friends and brethren in these great affairs,
I must acquaint you that I have received
New-dated letters from Northumberland,
Their cold intent, tenor, and substance, thus:
10
Here doth he wish his person, with such powers
As might hold sortance with his quality,
The which he could not levy; whereupon
He is retired, to ripe his growing fortunes,
To Scotland, and concludes in hearty prayers
15
That your attempts may overlive the hazard
And fearful melting of their opposite.
ARCHBISHOP
Well done. My friends and brothers in this great undertaking, I have to share with you that I've received new letters from Northumberland. They have a chilling purpose, tone, and content. He says that he wishes he could be here in person, with an army as strong someone of his rank should have, but he couldn't raise one. So he's going to go to Scotland to increase his power. He prays that your armies will prevail against the terrible power of the enemy.
MOWBRAY
Thus do the hopes we have in him touch ground
And dash themselves to pieces.
MOWBRAY
And with that, any hope we had for him is thrown to the ground and dashed to pieces.
