By envy's hand, and murder's bloody axe. Ah, Gaunt! his blood was thine; that bed, that womb, That mettle, that self-mould, that fashioned thee, breath'st, Yet art thou slain in him; thou dost consent What shall I say? To safeguard thine own life, His deputy anointed in his sight, Hath caused his death; the which, if wrongfully, An angry arm against his minister. Duch. Where then, alas! may I complain myself? Gaunt. To Heaven, the widow's champion and defence. Duch. Why, then, I will. Farewell, old Gaunt. Thou go'st to Coventry, there to behold Our cousin Hereford and fell Mowbray fight; Be Mowbray's sins so heavy in his bosom, A caitiff, recreant to my cousin Hereford! 1 1 To complain is commonly a verb neuter; but it is here used as a verb active. It is a literal translation of the old French phrase me complaindre, and is not peculiar to Shakspeare. Farewell, old Gaunt; thy sometime brother's wife, Gaunt. Sister, farewell; I must to Coventry. Not with the empty hollowness, but weight. For sorrow ends not when it seemeth done. And what cheer there for welcome, but my groans? [Exeunt. SCENE III. Gosford Green, near Coventry. Lists set out, and a throne. Heralds, &c. attending. Enter the Lord Marshal, and Aumerle.3 Mar. My lord Aumerle, is Harry Hereford armed? Aum. Yea, at all points; and longs to enter in. 1 Her house in Essex. 2 In our ancient castles the naked stone walls were only covered with tapestry or arras, hung upon tenterhooks, from which it was easily taken down on every removal of the family. 3 The duke of Norfolk was earl marshal of England; but being himself one of the combatants, the duke of Surry (Thomas Holland) officiated. Shakspeare has made a slight mistake by introducing that nobleman as a distinct person from the marshal in the present drama. Edward, duke of Aumerle (so created by his cousin-german, Richard II., in 1397), was the eldest son of Edward, duke of York, fifth son of Edward III., officiated as high constable at the lists of Coventry. He was killed at the battle of Agincourt, in 1415. 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 armor, 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 To swear him in the justice of his cause. Mar. In God's name, and the king's, say who thou art, And why thou com'st, thus knightly clad in arms? 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. 1 The duke of Hereford, being the appellant, entered the lists first, according to the historians. 2 "His succeeding issue" is the reading of the first folio: the quartos all read my. VOL. III. 47 Trumpet sounds. Enter BOLINGBROKE, in armor ; preceded by a Herald. K. Rich. Marshal, ask yonder knight in arms, Both who he is, and why he cometh hither And formally, according to our law, Depose him in the justice of his cause. Mar. What is thy name? and wherefore com'st thou hither, Before king Richard, in his royal lists? Against whom com'st 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 valor, To God of heaven, king Richard, and to me: Mar. On pain of death, no person be so bold, 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 ; For Mowbray, and myself, are like two men 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, As confident, as is the falcon's flight 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. my blood, Whose youthful spirit, in me regenerate, [TO GAUNT. Add proof unto mine armor with thy prayers; Gaunt. Heaven in thy good cause make thee prosperous! Be swift like lightning in the execution; And let thy blows, doubly redoubled, Of thy adverse, pernicious enemy. 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, There lives or dies, true to king Richard's throne, Never did captive with a freer heart Cast off his chains of bondage, and embrace |