Page 840 - Shakespeare - Vol. 3

ACT III IT

Scene I IT

Flourish. Enter the Duke of Florence, and the two French Lords, with a
troop of soldiers.

DUKE
So that from point to point now have you heard
The fundamental reasons of this war,

Whose great decision hath much blood let forth,
And more thirsts after.

FIRST LORD
Holy seems the quarrel
Upon your grace’s part, black and fearful [5]
On the opposer.

DUKE
Therefore we marvel much our cousin France

Would in so just a business shut his bosom
Against our borrowing prayers.

SECOND LORD
Good my lord,
The reasons of our state I cannot yield, [10]

But like a common and an outward man
That the great figure of a council frames
By self-unable motion; therefore dare not
Say what I think of it, since I have found

Myself in my incertain grounds to fail [15]
As often as I guessed.