100 We'll keep him here: then what is that to him? But now I know thy mind; thou dost suspect And that he is a bastard, not thy son: Sweet York, sweet husband, be not of that mind: Not like to me, or any of my kin, And yet I love him. York. Make way, unruly woman. 110 [Erit. Duch. After, Aumerle! mount thee upon his horse; And beg thy pardon ere he do accuse thee, I doubt not but to ride as fast as York: And never will I rise up from the ground Till Bolingbroke have pardon'd thee. Away, be gone! SCENE III. A royal palace. [Exeunt. Enter BOLINGBROKE, PERCY, and other Lords. Boling. Can no man tell me of my unthrifty son? I would to God, my lords, he might be found: Percy. My lord, some two days since I saw the prince, And told him of those triumphs held at Oxford. Boling. And what said the gallant? Percy. His answer was, he would unto the stews, And from the common'st creature pluck a glove, And wear it as a favour; and with that He would unhorse the lustiest challenger. 10 Boling. As dissolute as desperate; yet through both 20 I see some sparks of better hope, which elder years Enter AUMERLE. Aum. Where is the king? Boling. What means our cousin, that he stares and looks So wildly? Aum. God save your grace! I do beseech your majesty, To have some conference with your grace alone. Boling. Withdraw yourselves, and leave us here alone. [Exeunt Percy and Lords. What is the matter with our cousin now? Aum. For ever may my knees grow to the earth, My tongue cleave to my roof within my mouth, Unless a pardon ere I rise or speak. Boling. Intended or committed was this fault? If on the first, how heinous e'er it be, To win thy after-love I pardon thee. Aum. Then give me leave that I may turn the key, That no man enter till my tale be done. Boling. Have thy desire. York. [Within] My liege, beware: look to thyself; Thou hast a traitor in thy presence there. Boling. Villain, I'll make thee safe. 30 40 [Drawing. Aum. Stay thy revengeful hand; thou hast no cause to fear. York. [Within] Open the door, secure, foolhardy king: Shall I for love speak treason to thy face? Open the door, or I will break it open. Enter YORK. Boling. What is the matter, uncle? speak; Recover breath; tell us how near is danger, That we may arm us to encounter it. York. Peruse this writing here, and thou shalt know The treason that my haste forbids me show. Aum. Remember, as thou read'st, thy promise pass'd: I do repent me; read not my name there; My heart is not confederate with my hand. York. It was, villain, ere thy hand did set it down. Fear, and not love, begets his penitence: Boling. O heinous, strong and bold conspiracy! O loyal father of a treacherous son! From whence this stream through muddy passages Thy overflow of good converts to bad, York. So shall my virtue be his vice's bawd; 70 Duch. [Within] What ho, my liege! for God's sake, let me in. Boling. What shrill-voiced suppliant makes this eager cry? Duch. A woman, and thy aunt, great king; 'tis I. Speak with me, pity me, open the door: A beggar begs that never begg'd before. Boling. Our scene is alter'd from a serious thing, Enter DUCHESS. Duch. O king, believe not this hard-hearted man! Love loving not itself none other can. 80 York. Thou frantic woman, what dost thou make here? Shall thy old dugs once more a traitor rear? 90 Duch. Sweet York, be patient. Hear me, gentle liege. Boling. Rise up, good aunt. [Kneels. Not yet, I thee beseech: For ever will I walk upon my knees, And never see day that the happy sees, Till thou give joy; until thou bid me joy, 100 He prays but faintly and would be denied; Our knees shall kneel till to the ground they grow: Our prayers do out-pray his; then let them have 110 Duch. Nay, do not say, "stand up;" Say "pardon" first, and afterwards "stand up." An if I were thy nurse, thy tongue to teach, Pardon" should be the first word of thy speech. I never long'd to hear a word till now; Say "pardon," king; let pity teach thee how: No word like "pardon" for kings' mouths so meet. York. Speak it in French, king: say, "pardonne moi." Ah, my sour husband, my heard-hearted lord, Boling. I pardon him, as God shall pardon me. Yet am I sick for fear: speak it again; Twice saying "pardon" doth not pardon twain, Boling. I pardon him. Drch. With all my heart A god on earth thou art. 120 130 Boling. But for our trusty brother-in-law and the abbot, With all the rest of that consorted crew, Destruction straight shall dog them at the heels. Good uncle, help to order several powers To Oxford, or where'er these traitors are: They shall not live within this world, I swear, SHAK. II.-5 140 Your mother well hath pray'd, and prove you true. Duch. Come, my old son: I pray God make thee new. [Exeunt. Exton. Didst thou not mark the king, what words he spake, "Have I no friend will rid me of this living fear?" Was it not so? Serv. These were his very words. Erton. "Have I no friend?" quoth he: he spake it twice, And urged it twice together, did he not? Serv. He did. Exton. And speaking it, he wistly look'd on me; SCENE V. Pomfret castle. Enter KING RICHARD. 10 [Exeunt. K. Rich. I have been studying how I may compare I cannot do it; yet I'll hammer it out. My brain I'll prove the female to my soul, And these same thoughts people this little world, As thus, Come, little ones," and then again, 10 20 |