KING RICHARD the Second. JOHN OF GAUNT, Duke of Lancaster, EDMUND OF LANGLEY, Duke of York, uncles to the King. HENRY, surnamed BOLINGBROKE, Duke of Hereford, son to John of Gaunt; afterwards KING HENRY IV. DUKE OF AUMERLE, son to the Duke of York. THOMAS MOWBRAY, Duke of Norfolk. DUKE OF SURREY. EARL OF SALISBURY. LORD BERKELEY. BUSHY, BAGOT, GREEN, servants to King Richard. EARL OF NORTHUMBERLAND. HENRY PERCY, surnamed Hotspur, his son. LORD WILLOUGHBY. LORD FITZWATER. Bishop of Carlisle. Abbot of Westminster. SIR STEPHEN SCROOP. SIR PIERCE of Exton. Captain of a band of Welshmen. QUEEN to King Richard. DUCHESS OF YORK. DUCHESS OF GLOUCESTER. Lady attending on the Queen. Lords, Heralds, Officers, Soldiers, two Gardeners, Keeper, Messenger, Groom, and other Attendants. SCENE: England and Wales. THE TRAGEDY OF ACT I. SCENE I. London. KING RICHARD's palace. Enter KING RICHARD, JOHN OF GAUNT, with other Nobles and Attendants. K. Rich. Old John of Gaunt, time-honour'd Lancaster, Hast thou, according to thy oath and band,* Brought hither Henry Hereford thy bold son, Here to make good the boisterous late appeal, Which then our leisure would not let us hear, Against the Duke of Norfolk, Thomas Mowbray? Gaunt. I have, my liege. *Bond. K. Rich. Tell me, moreover, hast thou sounded him, If he appeal* the duke on ancient malice; *Accuse. 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. And frowning brow to brow, ourselves will hear 20 Enter BOLINGBROKE and MOWBRAY. Boling. Many years of happy days befal My gracious sovereign, my most loving liege! Mow. 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. Cousin of Hereford, what dost thou object *Accuse. Against the Duke of Norfolk, Thomas Mowbray? Boling. First, heaven be the record to my speech! In the devotion of a subject's love, 30 Tendering the precious safety of my prince, may prove. 40 Mow. 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, 50 The blood is hot that must be cool'd for this: First, the fair reverence of your highness curbs me 60 Call him a slanderous coward and a villain: |