DUKE OF AUMERLE, son to the Duke of Captain of a band of Welshmen. York. QUEEN to King Richard. DUCHESS OF GLOUCESTER. Lady attending on the Queen. ACT I. Lords, Heralds, Officers, Soldiers, two Gardeners, Keeper, Messenger, Groom, and other attendants. SCENE: England and Wales. SCENE I. London. A room in the Palace. Enter KING RICHARD, attended; JOHN OF GAUNT, and other Nobles, with him. K. RICH. Old John of Gaunt, time-honour'd Lancaster, Which then our leisure would not let us hear, Against the Duke of Norfolk, Thomas Mowbray ? K. RICH. Tell me, moreover, hast thou sounded him, 5 10 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, 15 And frowning brow to brow, ourselves will hear The accuser and the accuséd freely speak: Enter BOLINGBROKE and NORFOLK. BOLING. Many years of happy days befal 20 K. RICH. We thank you both: yet one but flatters us, 25 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, Come I appellant to this princely presence. 35 40 Once more, the more to aggravate the note, With a foul traitor's name stuff I thy throat; And wish, so please my sovereign, ere I move, 45 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: The blood is hot that must be cooled for this: 50 |