Percy. No, my good lord; he hath forsook the court, Broken his staff of office, and dispers'd The household of the king. What was his reason? North. He was not so resolv'd, when last we spake together. Percy. Because your lordship was proclaimed traitor. But he, my lord, is gone to Ravenspurg, North. Have you forgot the duke of Hereford, boy? Percy. No, my good lord; for that is not forgot, Which ne'er I did remember: to my knowledge, I never in my life did look on him. North. Then learn to know him now; this is the duke. Percy. My gracious lord, I tender you my service, Such as it is, being tender, raw, and young; Boling. I thank thee, gentle Percy; and be sure, North. How far is it to Berkley? And what stir Keeps good old York there, with his men of war? Percy. There stands the castle, by yon tuft of trees, Mann'd with three hundred men, as I have heard: And in it are the lords of York, Berkley, and Sey mour; None else of name, and noble estimate. Enter Ross and WILLOUGHBY. North. Here come the lords of Ross and Willoughby, Bloody with spurring, fiery-red with haste. Boling. Welcome, my lords: I wot, your love pursues A banish'd traitor; all my treasury Is yet but unfelt thanks, which, more enrich'd, Ross. Your presence makes us rich, most noble lord. Willo. And far surmounts our labour to attain it. Boling. Evermore thanks, the exchequer of the poor; Which, till my infant fortune comes to years, Enter BERKLEY. North. It is my lord of Berkley, as I guess. you. Boling. My lord, my answer is-to Lancaster; And I am come to seek that name in England: And I must find that title in your tongue, Before I make reply to aught you say. Berk. Mistake me not, my lord; 'tis not my meaning, To raze one title of your honour out: To you, my lord, I come, (what lord you will,) From the most glorious regent of this land, The duke of York; to know, what pricks you on To take advantage of the absent time,3 And fright our native peace with self-born arms. Enter YORK, attended. Boling. I shall not need transport my words by you; Here comes his grace in person. My noble uncle! [Kneels. York. Show me thy humble heart, and not thy knee, Whose duty is deceivable and false. Boling. My gracious uncle!— York. Tut, tut! Grace me no grace, nor uncle me no uncle: Why have those banish'd and forbidden legs So march many miles upon her peaceful bosom; Frighting her pale-fac'd villages with war, And ostentation of despised arms ?5 Com'st thou because the anointed king is hence? Why, foolish boy, the king is left behind, And in my loyal bosom lies his power. Were I but now the lord of such hot youth, 3 the absent time,] i. e. time of the king's absence. 5 And ostentation of despised arms?] The meaning of this probably is-a boastful display of arms which we despise. Boling. My gracious uncle, let me know my fault; On what condition stands it, and wherein ? York. Even in condition of the worst degree,- In braving arms against thy sovereign. Boling. As I was banish'd, I was banish'd Hereford; But as I come, I come for Lancaster. And yet my letters-patent give me leave: To 6 8 my inheritance of free descent. indifferent eye:] i. e. with an impartial eye. 7 To rouse his wrongs,] i. e. the persons who wrong him. to sue my livery here,] A law phrase belonging to the feudal tenures. North. The noble duke hath been too much abus'd. Ross. It stands your grace upon, to do him right. Willo. Base men by his endowments are made great. York. My lords of England, let me tell you I have had feeling of my cousin's wrongs, North. The noble duke hath sworn, his coming Boling, An offer, uncle, that we will accept. 9 It stands your grace upon, to do him right.] i. e. it is your interest, it is matter of consequence to you. |