Digital facsimile of the Bodleian First Folio of Shakespeare's plays, Arch. G c.7
Title: Search
King. King.
King. Euen as men wrackt vpon a Sand, that looke to be washt off the next Tyde.
Bates. Bates.
Bates. He hath not told his thought to the King?
King. No: nor it is not meet he should: for though I speake it to you, I thinke the King is but a man, as I am: the Violet smells to him, as it doth to me; the Element shewes to him, as it doth to me; all his Sences haue but humane Conditions: his Ceremonies layd by, in his Na- kednesse he appeares but a man; and though his affecti- ous are higher mounted then ours, yet when they stoupe, they stoupe with the like wing: therefore, when he sees reason of feares, as we doe; his feares, out of doubt, be of the same rellish as ours are: yet in reason, no man should possesse him with any appearance of feare; least hee, by shewing it, should dis-hearten his Army.
Bates. He may shew what outward courage he will: but I beleeue, as cold a Night as 'tis, hee could wish him- selfe in Thames vp to the Neck; and so I would he were, and I by him, at all aduentures, so we were quit here.
King. By my troth, I will speake my conscience of the King: I thinke hee would not wish himselfe any where, but where hee is.
Bates. Then I would he were here alone; so should he be sure to be ransomed, and a many poore mens liues saued.
King. I dare say, you loue him not so ill, to wish him here alone: howsoeuer you speake this to feele other mens minds, me thinks I could not dye any where so con- tented, as in the Kings company; his Cause being iust, and his Quarrell honorable.
Williams. Williams.
Williams. That's more then we know.
Bates. I, or more then wee should seeke after; for wee know enough, if wee know wee are the Kings Subiects; if his Cause be wrong, our obedience to the King wipes the Cryme of it out of vs.
Williams. But if the Cause be not good, the King him- selfe hath a heauie Reckoning to make, when all those Legges, and Armes, and Heads, chopt off in a Battaile, shall ioyne together at the latter day, and cry all, Wee dy- ed at such a place, some swearing, some crying for a Sur- gean; some vpon their Wiues, left poore behind them; some vpon the Debts they owe, some vpon their Children rawly left: I am afear'd, there are few dye well, that dye in a Battaile: for how can they charitably dispose of any thing, when Blood is their argument? Now, if these men doe not dye well, it will be a black matter for the King, that led them to it; who to disobey, were against all pro- portion of subiection.