Speak, pardon, as 'tis current in our land; That, hearing how our plaints and prayers do pierce, Boling. Good aunt, stand up. Duch. I do not sue to stand, Pardon is all the suit I have in hand. Boling. I pardon him, as God shall pardon me. Boling. I pardon him. Duch. With all my heart A god on earth thou art. 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.- To Oxford, or where'er these traitors are: Your mother well hath pray'd, and prove you true. [Exeunt. SCENE IV.-Enter EXTON, and a Servant. Exton. Didst thou not mark the king, what words he spake? Have I no friend will rid me of this living fear? Serv. Those were his very words. Exton. Have I no friend? quoth he: he spake it twice, And urg'd it twice together; did he not? Serv. He did. Exton. And, speaking it, he wistfully look'd on me; As who should say,—I would, thou wert the man That would divorce this terror from my heart; Meaning, the king at Pomfret. Come, let's go; I am the king's friend, and will rid his foe. SCENE V.-Pomfret. [Exeunt. The dungeon of the castle. Enter King RICHARD. K. Rich. I have been studying how I may compare This prison, where I live, unto the world: And, for because the world is populous, And here is not a creature but myself, I cannot do it;-Yet I'll hammer it out. My brain I'll prove the female to my soul; My soul, the father: and these two beget A generation of still-breeding thoughts, And these same thoughts people this little world; In humours, like the people of this world, For no thought is contented. The better sort,— As thoughts of things divine,- are intermix'd With scruples, and do set the word itself Against the word: As thus, - Come, little ones; and then again, It is as hard to come, as for a camel Thoughts tending to ambition, they do plot With nothing shall be pleas'd, till he be eas'd My thoughts are minutes; and, with sighs, they jar Is pointing still, in cleansing them from tears. Groom. Hail, royal prince! K. Rich. Thanks, noble peer; The cheapest of us is ten groats too dear. K. Rich. Rode he on Barbary? Tell me, gentle friend, How went he under him? Groom. So proudly, as if he disdain'd the ground. K. Rich. So proud that Bolingbroke was on his back! That jade hath eat bread from my royal hand; This hand hath made him proud with clapping him. Would he not stumble? Would he not fall down, (Since pride must have a fall,) and break the neck Of that proud man that did usurp his back? Forgiveness, horse! why do I rail on thee, Since thou, created to be aw'd by man, Wast born to bear? I was not made a horse; And yet I bear a burden like an ass, Spur-gall'd, and tir'd, by jauncing Bolingbroke. Enter Keeper, with a dish. Keep. Fellow, give place; here is no longer stay. shall say. Keep. My lord, will't please you to fall to? [Exit. K. Rich. Taste of it first, as thou art wont to do. Keep, My lord, I dare not; sir Pierce of Exton, who Lately came from the king, commands the contrary. K. Rich. The devil take Henry of Lancaster, and thee! Patience is stale, and I am weary of it. Keep. Help, help, help! [Beats the Keeper. Enter EXTON, and Servants, armed. K. Rich. How now? what means death in this rude assault? |