Since we can not atone you, we shall see Lord marshal, command our officers-at-arms [Exeunt. SCENE II.-The same. A Room in the DUKE OF 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, Gaunt. God's is the quarrel; for God's substitute, Hath caus'd his death: the which, if wrongfully, Duch. Where, then, alas, may I complain myself? Be Mowbray's sins so heavy in his bosom Farewell, old Gaunt: thy sometimes brother's wife 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; And what hear there for welcome, but my groans? 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? Mar. The Duke of Norfolk, sprightfully and bold, Stays but the summons of the appellant's trumpet. Aum. Why, then, the champions are prepar'd, 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 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 quarrel: Speak truly, on thy knighthood and thine oath; As so defend thee heaven and thy valour! Nor. My name is Thomas Mowbray, Duke of Norfolk; Who hither come engaged by my oath, Which God defend a knight should violate!— To God, my king, and his succeeding issue, A traitor to my God, my king, and me: And as I truly fight, defend me heaven! Trumpet sounds. Enter BOLINGBROKE in armour, K. Rich. Marshal, ask yonder knight in arms 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 God's grace and my body's valour, That he's a traitor, foul and dangerous, 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 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, [To GAUNT. The daintiest last, to make the end more sweet:- Add proof unto mine armour with thy prayers; That it may enter Mowbray's waxen coat, And furbish new the name of John o' Gaunt, Even in the lusty 'haviour of his son. Gaunt. God 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 O thy adverse pernicious enemy: Rouse up thy youthful blood, be valiant and live. Boling. Mine innocency and Saint George to thrive! Nor. However God or fortune cast my lot, Cast off his chains of bondage, and embrace Go I to fight: truth hath a quiet breast. K. Rich. Farewell, my lord: securely I espy Virtue with valour couched in thine eye.Order the trial, marshal, and begin. Mar. Harry of Hereford, Lancaster, and Derby, Receive thy lance; and God defend the right! Boling. Strong as a tower in hope, I cry amen. 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, And dares him to set forward to the fight. 2 Her. Here standeth Thomas Mowbray, Duke of Norfolk, On pain to be found false and recreant, Both to defend himself, and to approve Henry of Hereford, Lancaster, and Derby, To God, his sovereign, and to him disloyal; Attending but the signal to begin. Mar. Sound, trumpets; and set forward, combatants. [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. Draw near, [A long flourish. [To the combatants. And list what with our council we have done. |