Flourish of trumpets. Enter King Richard, who takes his seat on his throne; Gaunt, and several noblemen, who take their places. A trumpet is sounded, and answered by another trumpet within. Then enter Norfolk in armour, preceded by a herald. K. Rich. Marshal, demand of yonder champion The cause of his arrival here in arms: Ask him his name; and orderly proceed To swear him in the justice of his cause. Mar. In God's name, and the king's, say who thou art, And why thou com'st, thus knightly clad in arms : Against what man thou com'st, and what thy quar rel: Speak truly, on thy knighthood, and thy oath ; Who hither come engaged by my oath (Which, heaven defend, a knight should violate!), Both to defend my loyalty and truth, To God, my king, and my succeeding issue, [He takes his seat. Trumpet sounds. Enter Bolingbroke, in armour; preceded by a herald. K. Rich. Marshal, ask yonder knight in arms, Both who he is, and why he cometh hither Thus plated in habiliments of war; And formally according to our law Depose him in the justice of his cause. Mar. What is thy name? and wherefore com'st thou hither, Before King Richard, in his royal lists? Against whom comest thou; and what's thy quarrel? Speak like a true knight, so defend thee heaven! Boling. Harry of Hereford, Lancaster, and Derby, Am I; who ready here do stand in arms, To prove, by heaven's grace, and my body's valour, To God of heaven, King Richard, and to me; Mar. On pain of death, no person be so bold, Boling. Lord marshal, let me kiss my sovereign's hand, And bow my knee before his majesty: For Mowbray, and myself, are like two men Then let us take a ceremonious leave, And loving farewell, of our several friends. Mar. The appellant in all duty greets your high ness, Aud craves to kiss your hand, and take his leave. K. Rich. We will descend, and fold him in our arms. Cousin of Hereford, as thy cause is right, Farewell, my blood; which if to-day thou shed, Boling. O, let no noble eye profane a tear Against a bird, do I with Mowbray fight.- of you; Of you, my noble cousin, lord Aumerle : Not sick, although I have to do with death; The daintiest last, to make the end most sweet: [To Gaunt. Whose youthful spirit, in me regenerate, Gaunt. Heaven in thy good cause make thee prosperous! Be swift, like lightning, in the execution; Of thy adverse pernicious enemy: Rouse up thy youthful blood, be valiant, and live. Boling. Mine innocency, and Saint George to [He takes his seat. thrive! Nor. [Rising ] However heaven, or fortune, cast my lot, There lives or dies, true to King Richard's throne, A loyal, just, and upright gentleman: Never did captive with a freer heart Cast off his chains of bondage, and embrace • Yielding. * Helmet. + Brighten up. K. Rich. Farewell, my lord: securely I espy [The King and the Lords return to their seats. Mar. Harry of Hereford, Lancaster, and Derby, Receive thy lance: and God defend the right! Boling. [Rising.] Strong as a tower in hope, I cry-amen. Mar. Go bear this lance [To an officer.] to Thomas duke of Norfolk. 1 Her. Harry of Hereford, Lancaster, and Derby, Stands here for God, his sovereign, and himself, On pain to be found false and recreant, To prove the duke of Norfolk, Thomas Mowbray, A traitor to his God, his king, and him, And dares him to set forward to the fight. 2 Her. Here standeth Thoinas Mowbray, duke of Norfolk, On pain to be found false and recreant, Mar. Sound, trumpets; and set forward, comba tants. [A charge sounded. Stay, the king hath thrown his warder down. K. Rich. Let them lay by their helmets and their spears, And both return back to their chairs again :Withdraw with us :-and let the trumpets sound, While we return these dukes what we decree. [A long flourish. [To the combatants. Draw near, Of civil wounds plough'd up with neighbours' swords; And for we think the eagle-winged pride Of sky-aspiring and ambitious thoughts, To wake our peace, which in our country's cradle Might from our quiet confines fright fair peace, But tread the stranger paths of banishment. Boling. Your will be done: This must my comfort be, That sun, that warms you here, shall shine on me; And those his golden beams, to you here lent, Shall point on me, and gild my banishment. K. Rich. Norfolk, for thee remains a heavier doom, Which I with some unwillingness pronounce: The fly-slow hours shall not determinate Breathe I against thee, upon pain of life. Nor. A heavy sentence, my most sovereign liege, And all unlook'd for from your highness' mouth: A dearer merit, not so deep a maim As to be cast forth in the common air, Have I deserved at your highness' hand. The language I have learn'd these forty years, |