2 Their armed staves in charge, their beavers down,' West. You speak, lord Mowbray, now you know not what: The earl of Hereford was reputed then But, if your father had been victor there, Cried hate upon him; and all their prayers, and love, 3 • Their armed staves in charge, &c.] An armed staff is a lance. To be in charge, is to be fixed in the rest for the encounter. their beavers down,] Beaver meant properly that part of the helmet which let down, to enable the wearer to drink; but is confounded both here and in Hamlet with visiere, or used for helmet in general. 4 + sights of steel,] i. e. the perforated part of their hel mets, through which they could see to direct their aim. 3 The earl of Hereford-] This is a mistake of our author's. He was Duke of Hereford. That might so much as think you enemies. West. Mowbray, you overween, to take it so; Mowb. Well, by my will, we shall admit no parley. West. That argues but the shame of your offence: A rotten case abides no handling. Hast. Hath the prince John a full commission, In very ample virtue of his father, To hear, and absolutely to determine Of what conditions we shall stand upon? West. That is intended in the general's name: I muse, you make so slight a question. Arch. Then take, my lord of Westmoreland, this schedule; For this contains our general grievances : Each several article herein redress'd; All members of our cause, both here and hence, 6 substantial form;] That is, by a pardon of due form and legal validity. 7 awful banks again,] i. e. the proper limits of reverence. West. This will I show the general. Please you, lords, In sight of both our battles we may meet: And either end in peace, which heaven so frame! Which must decide it. Arch. My lord, we will do so. Exit WEST. Mowb. There is a thing within my bosom, tells me, That no conditions of our peace can stand. Hast. Fear you not that: if we can make our peace Upon such large terms, and so absolute, Our peace shall stand as firm as rocky moun tains. Mowb. Ay, but our valuation shall be such, Arch. No, no, my lord; Note this,-the king is Of dainty and such picking grievances:2 8 consist upon,] Perhaps the meaning is, as our conditions shall stand upon, shall make the foundation of the treaty. A Latin sense. 9 nice,] i. e. trivial. That, were our royal faiths martyrs in love,] Royal faith means, the faith due to a king. 2 picking grievances:] Picking means piddling, insigni ficant. 3 And therefore will he wipe his tables clean;3 To new remembrance: For full well he knows, Hast. Besides, the king hath wasted all his rods Arch. "Tis very true: And therefore be assur'd, my good lord marshal, Our peace will, like a broken limb united, Mowb. Be it so. Here is return'd my lord of Westmoreland. Re-enter WESTMORELAND. West. The prince is here at hand: Pleaseth lordship, your To meet his grace just distance 'tween our armies? Mowb. Your grace of York, in God's name then 'set forward. wipe his tables clean;] Alluding to a table-book of slate, ivory, &c. Arch. Before, and greet his grace :-my lord, we come. SCENE II. [Exeunt. Another Part of the Forest. Enter, from one side, MOWBRAY, the Archbishop, HASTINGS, and Others: from the other side, Prince JOHN of LANCASTER, WESTMORELAND, Officers, and Attendants. P. John. You are well encounter'd here, my cousin Mowbray : 4 Good day to you, gentle lord archbishop: Between the grace, the sanctities of heaven, an iron man,] i. e. clad in armour, |