to ask for in advance

to bespeak the reader's patience.

to reserve beforehand; engage in advance; make arrangements for

to bespeak a seat in a theater.

Literary . to speak to; address.

to show; indicate

This bespeaks a kindly heart.

Obsolete . to foretell; forebode.

verb

argue , attest , betoken , mark , point to , testify , witness , engage , reserve , lecture , prelect , speak , accost , address , announce , arrange , ask , cite , discuss , exclaim , foretell , hint , imply , indicate , request , show , stipulate