So thus did both these nobles die, He had a bow bent in his hand, Against Sir Hugh Montgomery This fight did last from break of day For when they rang the evening-bell, With brave Earl Percy there was slain Sir Robert Ratcliffe, and Sir John, And with Sir George and stout Sir James, For Witherington needs must I wail, And with Earl Douglas there was slain Sir Charles Currel, that from the field Sir Charles Murray of Ratcliffe, too, Sir David Lamb, so well esteemed, And the Lord Maxwell, in like wise, Of fifteen hundred Englishmen, Next day did many widows come, They washed their wounds in brinish tears, Their bodies, bathed in purple blood, They bore with them away; They kissed them dead a thousand times, When they were clad in clay. This news was brought to Edinburgh, "Oh heavy news!" King James did say; "Scotland can witness be, I have not any captain more Of such account as he." Like tidings to King Henry came, Within as short a space, That Percy of Northumberland Was slain in Chevy Chase. "Now God be with him!" said our king, "Sith 'twill no better be; I trust I have within my realm, "Yet shall not Scot or Scotland say, But I will vengeance take; I'll be revengèd on them all, This vow full well the king performed, In one day fifty knights were slain, And of the rest of small account, Thus ending the hunting of Chevy Chase Made by the Lord Percy. God save our king! and bless this land In plenty, joy, and peace; And grant, henceforth, that foul debate 'Twixt noble men may cease. THE BANISHMENT OF BOLINGBROKE, AFTERWARDS KING HENRY IV. A.D. 1398. (SCENE-The King's palace. Present KING RICHARD II., JOHN OF GAUNT, ATTENDANTS, &c.) K. Rich. Old John of Gaunt, time-honoured Lancaster, Hast thou, according to thy oath and bond, Brought hither Henry Hereford, thy bold son ; Here to make good the charge he lately urged Against the Duke of Norfolk, Thomas Mowbray ? Gaunt. I have, my liege. (Enter BOLINGBROKE and NORFOLK.) Bol. May many years of happy days befall Add an immortal title to your crown! K. Rich. We thank you both; yet one but flatters us, As plainly shows the cause for which you come, Which is to charge each other with high treason.Cousin of Hereford, what dost thou object Against the Duke of Norfolk, Thomas Mowbray ? Bol. First,-Heaven be the witness of my speech !— With the devotion of a subject's love, Tendering the precious safety of my prince, Or my divine soul answer it in heaven. Nor. Let not my cold words here accuse my zeal: 'Tis not the trial of a woman's war, The bitter clamour of two eager tongues, Can arbitrate this cause betwixt us twain : Call him a slanderous coward and a villain. Bol. Pale trembling coward, there I throw my gage, Disclaiming here my kindred to the king ; If guilty dread hath left thee so much strength, Nor. I take it up; and, by that sword I swear, Or chivalrous design of knightly trial; And, when I mount, alive may I not light, In earnest haste most heartily I pray Your highness to assign our trial-day. K. Rich. Wrath-kindled gentlemen, be ruled by me; Let's purge this choler without letting blood: |