PERSONS REPRESENTED. King RICHARD the second. EDMUND OF LANGLEY, duke of York, uncles to the king. HENRY, surnamed BOLINGBROKE, duke of Hereford, Duke of SURREY. Earl of SALISBURY. Earl BERKLey. Lords, Heralds, Officers, Soldiers, two Gardeners, Keeper, Messenger, Groom, and other Attendants. SCENE-dispersedly in England and Wales. THE LIFE AND DEATH OF KING RICHARD II. ACT I. SCENE I.-London. A Room in the Palace. Enter King RICHARD, attended; JOHN of GAUNT, and other Nobles, with him. King Richard. OLD John of Gaunt, time-honour'd Lancaster, K. Rich. Tell me, moreover, hast thou sounded him, If he appeal the duke on ancient malice; Or worthily as a good subject should, On some known ground of treachery in him? Gaunt. As near as I could sift him on that argument,On some apparent danger seen in him, Aim'd at your highness, no inveterate malice. K. Rich. Then call them to our presence; face to face, And frowning brow to brow, ourselves will hear Th' accuser, and th' accused, freely speak: [Exeunt some Attendants. -High-stomach'd are they both, and full of ire, In rage deaf as the sea, hasty as fire. Re-enter Attendants with BOLINGBROKE and NORFOLK, Boling. May many years of happy days befal My gracious sovereign, my most loving liege! Nor. Each day still better other's happiness; Until the heavens, envying earth's good hap, Add an immortal title to your crown! K. Rich. We thank you both: yet one but flatters us, As well appeareth by the cause you come; Namely, to appeal each other of high treason. [1] When these public challenges were accepted, each combatant found a pledge for his appearance at the time and place appointed. Band and bond were formerly synonymous. STEEVENS. Cousin of Hereford, what dost thou object Against the duke of Norfolk, Thomas Mowbray ? Boling. First, (heaven be the record to my speech!) In the devotion of a subject's love, Tendering the precious safety of my prince, What my tongue speaks, my right-drawn sword may prove. Nor. Let not my cold words here accuse my zeal : 'Tis not the trial of a woman's war, The bitter clamour of two eager tongues, Can arbitrate this cause betwixt us twain : First, the fair reverence of your highness curbs me And let him be no kinsman to my liege, I do defy him, and I spit at him; Call him a slanderous coward, and a villain : Drawn in a right or just cause. JOHNSON. That is, not habitable, uninhabitable. JOHNSON. |