Be ready to direct these home-alarms. [Exeunt. Marshal, command our officers at arms SCENE II-The same. A Room in the Duke of LANCASTER'S Palace. Enter GAUNT, and Duchess of GLOSTER. Gaunt. Alas! the part* I had in Gloster's blood Duch. Finds brotherhood in thee no sharper spur? Or seven fair branches springing from one root: One flourishing branch of his most royal root,- Is hack'd down, and his summer leaves all faded, By envy's hand, and murder's bloody axe. Ah, Gaunt! his blood was thine; that bed, that womb, Made him a man; and though thou liv'st, and breath'st, In some large measure to thy father's death, What shall I say? to safeguard thine own life, Gaunt. Heaven's is the quarrel; for heaven's substitute, His deputy anointed in his sight, Hath caused his death: the which if wrongfully, Let heaven revenge; for I may never lift An angry arm against his minister. Duch. Where then, alas! may I complain myself? Duch. Why then, I will. Farewell, old Gaunt. Gaunt. Sister, farewell; I must to Coventry: As much good stay with thee, as go with me! Duch. Yet one word more;-Grief boundeth where it falls, Not with the empty hollowness, but weight: I take my leave before I have begun; For sorrow ends not when it seemeth done. Unpeopled offices, untrodden stones? And what cheer there for welcome, but my groans? The last leave of thee takes my weeping eye. SCENE III-Gosford Green, near Coventry. [Exeunt. Lists set out, and a Throne. HERALDS, &c. attending. Mar. My lord Aumerle, is Harry Hereford arm'd? Aum. Why then, the champions are prepared, and stay For nothing but his majesty's approach. 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, Nor. My name is Thomas Mowbray, duke of Norfolk; (Which, heaven defend, a knight should violate!), 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 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; And, as I truly fight, defend me heaven! Mar. On pain of death, no person be so bold, Or daring-hardy, as to touch the lists; Except the marshal, and such officers Appointed to direct these fair designs. 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 highness, And 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, So be thy fortune in this royal fight! Farewell, my blood; which if to-day thou shed, Boling. O, let no noble eye profane a tear For me, if I be gored with Mowbray's spear; As confident as is the falcon's flight Against a bird, do I with Mowbray fight.———— My loving lord [To Lord MARSHAL], I take my leave of you; The daintiest last, to make the end most sweet: Add proof unto mine armour with thy prayers; [To GAUNT. Gaunt. Heaven in thy good cause make thee prosperous! Be swift like lightning in the execution; And let thy blows, doubly redoubled, Fall like amazing+ thunder on the casque Of thy adverse pernicious enemy: Rouse up thy youthful blood, be valiant and live. Boling. Mine innocency, and Saint George to thrive ! [He takes his seat. Cast off his chains of bondage, and embrace K. Rich. Farewell, my lord: securely I espy Order the trial, marshal, and begin. [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, * Yielding. + Stunning. + Play a part in a mask. To prove the duke of Norfolk, Thomas Mowbray, And dares him to set forward to the fight. 2 Her. Here standeth Thomas Mowbray, duke of Norfolk, Mar. Sound, trumpets; and set forward combatants. [4 Charge sounded. Stay, the king hath thrown his warder* down. A long flourish. [To the Combatants. And list, what with our council we have done. Of civil wounds plough'd up with neighbours' swords With rival-hating envy, set you on To wake our peace, which in our country's cradle Till twice five summers have enrich'd our fields, Shall not regreet our fair dominions, 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, Nor. A heavy sentence, my most sovereign liege, *Truncheon. |