The
characters of Hotspur and Prince Henry are two of the most beautiful
and dramatic, both in themselves and from contrast, that ever were
drawn. They are the essence of chivalry. We like Hotspur the best
upon the whole, perhaps because he was unfortunate.--The characters
of their fathers, Henry IV and old Northumberland, are kept up
equally well. Henry naturally succeeds by his prudence and caution
in keeping what he has got; Northumberland fails in his enterprise
from an excess of the same quality, and is caught in the web of his
own cold, dilatory policy. Owen Glendower is a masterly character.
It is as bold and original as it is intelligible and thoroughly
natural. The disputes between him and Hotspur are managed with
infinite address and insight into nature. We cannot help pointing
out here some very beautiful lines, where Hotspur describes the
fight between Glendower and Mortimer.
--When on the gentle Severn's sedgy bank,
In single opposition hand to hand,
He did confound the best part of an hour
In changing hardiment with great Glendower:
Three times they breath'd, and three times did they drink,
Upon agreement, of swift Severn's flood;
Who then affrighted with their bloody looks,
Ran fearfully among the trembling reeds,
And hid his crisp head in the hollow bank,
Blood-stained with these valiant combatants.
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