swered by another trumpet within. Then enter NORFOLK in armour, preceded by a Herald. K. Rich. Marshal, demand of yonder champion Mar. In God's name, and the king's, say who thou art, Nor. My name is Thomas Mowbray, duke of Norfolk, Who hither come engaged by my oath, (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, Depose him in the justice of his cause. Mar What is thy name? and wherefore com'st thou hitler, 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, 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, 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 gor'd with Mowbray's spear; Against a bird, do I with Mowbray fight. My loving lord, [To Lord Marshal.] I take my leave of you ; Of you, my noble cousin, lord Aumerle:- The daintiest last, to make the end most sweet: Doth with a two-fold vigour lift me up To reach at victory above my head,— Add proof unto mine armour with thy prayers; Even in the lusty 'haviour of his son. Gaunt. Heaven in thy good cause make thee prosperous! Be swift like lightning in the execution; Rouse up thy youthful blood, be valiant and live. Boling. Mine innocency, and Saint George to thrive! [He takes his seat. Nor. [Rising.] However heaven, or fortune, cast my lot, Cast off his chains of bondage, and embrace As gentle and as jocund, as to jest, Go I to fight; Truth hath a quiet breast. [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, 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, Attending but the signal to begin. Mar. Sound, trumpets; and set forward, combatants [4 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. For that our kingdom's earth should not be soil'd Of civil wounds plough'd up with neighbours' swords; Of sky-aspiring and ambitious thoughts, To wake our peace, which in our country's cradle 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 The dateless limit of thy dear exíle ;The hopeless word of-never to return Breathe I against thee, upon pain of life. |