Definition of Satire
The Earl of Westmoreland, an ally of King Henry V, satirizes the interference of the church in state matters when speaking to Richard Scrope, the Archbishop of York. Westmoreland has agreed to meet with the rebel leaders, including the Archbishop, Sir Ralph Hastings, and Lord Mowbray. Addressing the Archbishop in particular, he states:
You, Lord Archbishop,
Whose see is by a civil peace maintained,
Whose beard the silver hand of peace hath touched,
Whose learning and good letters peace hath tutored,
Whose white investments figure innocence,
The dove and very blessèd spirit of peace,
Wherefore do you so ill translate yourself
Out of the speech of peace, that bears such grace,
Into the harsh and boist’rous tongue of war,
Turning your books to graves