That they may break his foaming courser's back, With her companion, Grief, must end her life. Not with the empty hollowness, but weight: For sorrow ends not when it seemeth done. And what hear there for welcome but my groans? SCENE III.-Open Space near Coventry. Lists set out, and a Throne. Heralds, &c., attending. Enter the LORD MARSHAL and AUMerle. Mar. My lord Aumerle, is Harry Hereford arm'd? Aum. Yea, at all points; and longs to enter in. Mar. The duke of Norfolk, sprightfully and bold, Stays but the summons of the appellant's trumpet. Aum. Why, then the champions are prepared, 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 The cause of his arrival here in arms: Ask him his name; and orderly proceed 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's 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, 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, Both who he is, and why he cometh hither Thus plated in habiliments of war ; And formally according to our law 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 heaven's grace, and my body's valour, In lists, on Thomas Mowbray duke of Norfolk, That he's a traitor, foul and dangerous, To God of heaven, king Richard, and to me; And, as I truly fight, defend me heaven! Mar. On pain of death, no person be so bold, Or daring-hardy, as to touch the lists, Except the marshal, and such officers Appointed to direct these fair designs. Boling. Lord marshal, let me kiss my sovereign's hand, And bow my knee before his majesty : 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 Farewell, my blood; which if to-day thou shed, Against a bird, do I with Mowbray fight.— [To LORD MARSHAL.] My loving lord, I take my leave of you; Of you, my noble cousin, lord Aumerle :Not sick, although I have to do with death; But lusty, young, and cheerly drawing breath. Lo, as at English feasts, so I regreet The daintiest last, to make the end most sweet: [To GAUNT.] O thou, the earthly author of my blood, Whose youthful spirit, in me regenerate, Gaunt. Heaven in thy good cause make thee Be swift like lightning in the execution; Of thy adverse pernicious enemy : Rouse up thy youthful blood, be valiant and live. Boling. My innocency, and Saint George to [He takes his seat. thrive. Nor. [rising.] However heaven, or fortune, cast my lot, There lives, or dies, true to king Richard's throne, A loyal, just, and upright gentleman : Cast off his chains of bondage, and embrace 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. [to an Officer.] Go bear this lance to Thomas, duke of Norfolk. 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, A traitor to his God, his king, and him, 2 Her. Here standeth Thomas Mowbray, duke of Norfolk, On pain to be found false and recreant, |