But basely yielded upon compromise
That which his ancestors achiev'd with blows.
More hath he spent in peace than they in wars. 256
Ross. The Earl of Wiltshire hath the realm in farm.
Willo. The king's grown bankrupt, like a broken man.
North. Reproach and dissolution hangeth over him.
Ross. He hath not money for these Irish wars, 260
His burdenous taxations notwithstanding,
But by robbing of the banish'd duke.
North. His noble kinsman: most degenerate king!
But, lords, we hear this fearful tempest sing, 264
Yet seek no shelter to avoid the storm;
We see the wind sit sore upon our sails,
And yet we strike not, but securely perish.
Ross. We see the very wrack that we must suffer; 268
And unavoided is the danger now,
For suffering so the causes of our wrack.
North. Not so: even through the hollow eyes of death
I spy life peering; but I dare not say 272
How near the tidings of our comfort is.
Willo. Nay, let us share thy thoughts, as thou dost ours.
Ross. Be confident to speak, Northumberland:
We three are but thyself: and, speaking so, 276
Thy words are but as thoughts; therefore, be bold.
North. Then thus: I have from Port le Blanc, a bay
254 compromise; cf. n.
267 strike: lower sail
securely: in false confidence
268 wrack: destruction
269 unavoided: unavoidable
270 suffering: bearing patiently
