DRAMATIS PERSONE KING RICHARD the Second JOHN OF GAUNT, Duke of Lancaster, uncles to the King HENRY, surnamed BOLINGBROKE, Duke of Hereford, son to John of DUKE OF AUMERLE, son to the Duke of York THOMAS MOWBRAY, Duke of Norfolk Lords, Heralds, Officers, Soldiers, two Gardeners, Keeper, Messenger, Groom, and other Attendants SCENE: England and Wales SYNOPSIS By J. ELLIS BURDICK ACT I Thomas Mowbray, the Duke of Norfolk, is accused before Richard II by Henry, surnamed Bolingbroke, of using for dishonorable purposes money which should have been used for the king's soldiers, and also of high treason. The two nobles are given permission to settle their dispute by arms, but just at the moment when the charge is sounded for them to begin, the king decrees that both shall be exiled, Bolingbroke for six years and Mowbray for life. The king is glad to thus be free of Bolingbroke's presence, for he has feared his popularity with the masses. John of Gaunt, father of Bolingbroke, is taken seriously ill shortly after his son's banishment and sends for Richard. ACT II On his death-bed, John of Gaunt accuses the king of being careless of the welfare of his country and people. After Gaunt's death, the angry king seizes his estates. Bolingbroke uses this wrong as an excuse for invading England while the king is absent on a campaign in Ireland. Many of the nobles join him, and to them he says that he has come for his inheritance only. АСТ III Richard hears of the rebellion and returns from Ireland, but as he is not strong enough to subdue Bolingbroke, he is forced to treat with him at Flint Castle in Wales. Bol ingbroke sends word to the king that he is ready to lay his arms and power at the king's feet if the latter will repeal his sentence of banishment and restore his lands. Richard consents to this and the two journey to London together. ACT IV But once in London, Bolingbroke confronts Richard with formal charges, forces him to abdicate, and orders him to be imprisoned in the Tower. He himself ascends the throne as Henry IV. ACT V Bolingbroke changes his mind and Richard is taken to Pomfret instead of to the Tower. Henry IV pardons the Duke of York's son for his part in a conspiracy against his life. Richard is slain in his prison with the new king's consent, who, to ease his conscience, plans a voyage to the Holy Land. THE TRAGEDY OF KING RICHARD II ACT FIRST SCENE I London. King Richard's palace. Enter King Richard, John of Gaunt, with other Nobles and Attendants. K. Rich. Old John of Gaunt, time-honor❜d Lancaster, Hast thou, according to thy oath and band, 1. "Old John of Gaunt"; Gaunt was only fifty-eight years old at the time when the play opens, but Shakespeare refers to him throughout as an old man.-I. G. 2. "Band" and bond were anciently used in the same sense, both of them being from the verb to bind.-Of course Lancaster had on a former occasion pledged himself, had given his oath and bond, that his son should appear for combat at the time and place appointed. This was in accordance with ancient custom.-H. N. H. Gaunt. I have, my liege. K. Rich. Tell me, moreover, hast thou sounded him, If he appeal the duke on ancient malice; 10 On some known ground of treachery in him? Gaunt. As near as I could sift him on that argument, On some apparent danger seen in him. Aim'd at your highness, no inveterate malice. K. Rich. Then call them to our presence; face to face, And frowning brow to brow, ourselves will The accuser and the accused freely speak: Enter Bolingbroke and Mowbray. Boling. Many years of happy days befal 20 My gracious sovereign, my most loving liege! Mow. Each day still better other's happiness; Until the heavens, envying earth's good hap, K. Rich. We thank you both: yet one but flatters us, 20. "Bolingbroke"; Henry Plantagenet, eldest son of John of Gaunt, was surnamed Bolingbroke from having been born at the town of that name in Lincolnshire.-H. N. H. "Many years of happy days befal"; Pope suggested "May, many”; Tate, "Now many"; Collier, "Full many"; others suggest that "years" is to be read as a dissyllable. No change is necessary; the emphatic monosyllabic foot at the beginning of the speech is not very remarkable, and may easily be paralleled.—I. G. |