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- Act 4 Scene 4
-
- The Archbishop of York (who supports the rebels
- against the King) is sending letters to his friends,
- asking for assistance. He explains that the rebels
- are not as powerful as they had hoped to be, and he
- is afraid that they will be defeated by the KingÆs
- army.
- 1 Hie: hurry.
- sealed brief: letter with the ArchbishopÆs seal.
- 2 winged haste: as fast as if you could fly.
- the Lord Marshal: Thomas Mowbray, Duke of
- Norfolk.
- 3 my cousin Scrope: several members of
- the Scrope family supported the rebelsÆ cause; the
- Archbishop himself was Lord Scrope.
- 4 directed: addressed.
- 5 How . . . import: how important they are.
- 7 tenor: purpose.
- 10 bide the touch: be tested.
- 12 quick-raised power: an army which has
- been very quickly formed. 13
- Lord Harry: Hotspur (Lord Harry Percy).
- 15 Whose army was the largest.
- 17 rated sinew: valuable source of strength.
- 18 comes not in: will not be joining the
- rebels.
- oÆer-ruled by prophecies: deterred by evil omens.
- 20 wage: fight.
- instant: immediate.
- 24 head: army.
- 26 drawn . . . together: assembled the finest
- army of the country.
- 30 mo: more.
- corrivals: partners.
- dear: noble.
- 31 estimation: high reputation.
- command in arms: experienced warriors.
- 32 they . . . opposÆd: their opponents will
- fight well.
- 33 needful Ætis: it is necessary.
- 35 thrive not: does not conquer.
- ere: before.
- 37 our confederacy: our plotting with the
- rebels.
- 38 make strong: defend ourselves strongly.
-