Mojo, The Bard, & Me

 

Today’s Totally Random Lines

  

Well, lords, we have not got that which we have:

‘Tis not enough our foes are this time fled,

Being opposites of such repairing nature.

 

 Earl of Salisbury

King Henry the Sixth Part II     Act V, Scene iii,  Line 21

 

Well, it’s only three lines; at least we can say that. But I’ll admit that they are a little confusing. First, context: Salisbury is one of the elder statesmen of the York faction and they’ve just defeated King Henry & Co. at the battle of St. Albans. The King’s forces are in retreat. Okay, now the three lines.

We have not got that which we have. Hmmm. We have not got that which we have. This is the beginning of the thought, so we’re not missing something from the previous line. Hmmm, a bit confusing, eh?

Let’s move to the next line and see if that brings us any clarity. These two are pretty clear – Pete’s version: It’s not enough that we’ve got them on the run, because retreating is not in their nature. And then the thought that is not stated, but implied: if retreat is not in their nature, than this ‘retreat’ is simply the prelude to their next action.

Okay, does that give clarity to we have not got that which we have. I think it does. I think Salisbury is saying that we’ve won the battle but not the war. We’ve not got (complete) victory yet, even though we have victory (in this battle).

How’s that? I think it’s pretty good. And since it’s a nice short scene, and it’s Saturday morning, I think I’ll listen to the scene. Good day to you.

Here, from my sticker book, is a V for victory. But since it stands for a victory that they have, but don't have, it's a V with a very squirrelly little guy in it. 

Also, in keeping with the have but don't have theme, it's a sticker, but it's not been taken out of the book. So it a sticker that's not been stuck. Therefore, is it really a sticker?

Did you get that? Or did you not get that? Perhaps you got it, but didn't get it?

Should I stop now?