Mojo, The Bard, & Me

 

Mowbray, you overween to take it so;

This offer comes from mercy, not from fear:

-Westmoreland

King Henry the Fourth Part II   Act IV, Scene i, Line 149

 

Okay, I think I got it. It was confusing because in the line previous to today’s Totally Random line Mowbray has said

But he hath forced us to compel this offer;

And compel means be forced to, so it seems like the line says he’s forced us to be forced this offer. But I think it should be read that he’s forced us to be compelled to accept this offer. Yeah, that’s it. And by the way, overween means to presume too much.

So, Westmoreland has come to tell the rebel force that Prince John wants to listen to their grievances and grant them if they’re reasonable. Mowbray’s response is that they’re being forced to do this

And it proceeds from policy, not love.

To which Westmoreland replies with today’s line. There, does it make sense now?

Ahh, you overween to think that there's going to be a picture here, because there is not.