But time will not permit :-All is uneven, [Exeunt YORK and Queen. Bushy. The wind sits fair for news to go to Ireland, But none returns. For us to levy power, Proportionable to the enemy, Is all impossible. Green. Besides, our nearness to the king in love, Is near the hate of those love not the king. Bagot. And that's the wavering commons for their love Lies in their purses; and whoso empties them, Bushy. Wherein the king stands generally condemn'd. Bagot. If judgment lie in them, then so do we, Because we ever have been near the king. Green. Well, I'll for refuge straight to Bristol castle ; The earl of Wiltshire is already there. Bushy. Thither will I with you: for little office Bagot. No, I'll to Ireland to his majesty. We three here part, that ne'er shall meet again. Bushy. That's as York thrives to beat back Bolingbroke. Green. Alas, poor duke the task he undertakes Bushy. Farewell at once; for once, for all, and ever. [Exeunt. SCENE III. The Wilds in Glostershire. Enter BOLINGBROKE and NORTH UMBERLAND, with Forces. Boling. How far is it, my lord, to Berkley now? I am a stranger here in Glostershire. These high wild hills, and rough uneven ways, Making the hard way sweet and délectable. From Ravenspurg to Cotswold, will be found Than hope enjoy'd: by this the weary lords North. It is my son, young Harry Percy, Percy. I had thought, my lord, to have learn'd his health of you. North. Why, is he not with the queen ? Percy. No, my good lord; he hath forsook the court, Broken his staff of office, and dispers'd The household of the king. North. What was his reason? He was not so resolv'd, when last we spake together. To offer service to the duke of Hereford; What power the duke of York had levied there; Nor. Then learn to know him now; this is the duke. Which elder days shall ripen, and confirm To more approved service and desert. Boling. I thank thee, gentle Percy; and be sure, I count myself in nothing else so happy, As in a soul rememb'ring my good friends; My heart this covenant makes, my hand thus seals it. North. How far is it to Berkley? And what stir Keeps good old York there, with his men of war? Percy. There stands the castle, by yon tuft of trees, Mann'd with three hundred men, as I have heard: And in it are the lords of York, Berkley, and Seymour; None else of name, and noble estimate. Enter Ross and WILLOUGHBY. North. Here come the lords of Ross and Willoughby, Bloody with spurring, fiery-red with haste. Boling. Welcome, my lords: I wot, your love pursues A banish'd traitor; all my treasury Is yet but unfelt thanks, which, more enrich'd, Ross. Your presence makes us rich, most noble lord. Enter BERKLEY. North. It is my lord of Berkley, as I guess. Berk. My lord of Hereford, my message is to you. Boling. My lord, my answer is-to Lancaster; And I am come to seek that name in England: And I must find that title in your tongue, Before I make reply to aught you say. Berk. Mistake me not, my lord: 'tis not my meaning, To raze one title of your honour out : To you, my lord, I come, (what lord you will,) From the most glorious regent of this land, The duke of York; to know, what pricks you on And fright our native peace with self-born arms. Enter YORK, attended. Boling. I shall not need transport my words by you; Here comes his grace in person.—My noble uncle! [Kneels. [6] i. e. Time of the king's absence. JOHNS York. Show me thy humble heart, and not thy knee, Whose duty is deceivable and false. Boling. My gracious uncle ! York. Tut, tut! Grace me no grace, nor uncle me no uncle :7 I am no traitor's uncle; and that word-grace, Why have those banish'd and forbidden legs Frighting her pale-fac'd villages with war, And ostentation of despised arms? Com'st thou because the anointed king is hence? And in my loyal bosom lies his power. Were I but now the lord of such hot youth, As when brave Gaunt, thy father, and myself, Boling. My gracious uncle, let me know my fault; On what condition 8 stands it, and wherein ? York. Even in condition of the worst degree, In gross rebellion, and detested treason: Thou art a banish'd man, and here art come, Before the expiration of thy time, In braving arms against thy sovereign. Boling. As I was banish'd, I was banish'd Hereford; But as I come, I come for Lancaster. And, noble uncle, I beseech your grace, Look on my wrongs with an indifferent eye :9 (7) The reading of the folio is preferable: Tut, tut grace me no grace, nor uncle me. RITSON. (8) It should be in what condition,' i. e. in what degree of guilt. The particles in the old editions are of little credit. JOHNS. (9) i. e. with an impartial eye. Every juryman (says Sir Edward Coke,) ought to be impartial and indifferent. MAL. To upstart unthrifts? Wherefore was I born? And yet my letters-patent give me leave: To my inheritance of free descent. North. The noble duke hath been too much abus'd. To find out right with wrong,-it may not be ; North. The noble duke hath sworn, his coming is I cannot mend it, I must needs confess, Boling. An offer, uncle, that we will accept. (1) To what purpose serves birth and lineal succession? I am duke of Lancaster by the same right of birth as the king is king of England. JOHNS. (2) A law phrase belonging to the feudal tenures. STEEV. |