KING Richard the Second.

Duke of York,

Uncles to the

}

John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, J
Bolingbroke, Son to John of Gaunt, afterwards King

King.

Henry the Fourth.

Aumerle, Son to the Duke of York.
Mowbray, Duke of Norfolk.
Earl of Salisbury.
Lord Berkley.

Bushy,

Bagot,
Green,

Servants to King Richard.

Heralds, two Gardiners, Keeper, Meffenger, Groom, and other Attendants.

SCENE, difperfedly, in feveral Parts of England.

Of this the Editions, earlier bald. than the first Folio, are,

I. 4to, by Valentine Simmes, for Andrew Wife, 1598, of which I have a collation by Mr. Theo

II. 4to, for Mathew Law, 1615, from which the first Folio was printed.

The LIFE and DEATH of

KING RICHARD

ACT I. SCENE I.

The COURT.

Enter King Richard, John of Gaunt, with other Nobles and Attendants.

II.

King RICHARD.

O

LD John of Gaunt, time-honour'd Lancaster, Haft thou, according to thy oath and bond, Brought hither Henry Hereford thy bold fon, Here to make good the boift'rous late Appeal, Which then our leifure would not let us hear, Against the Duke of Norfolk, Thomas Mowbray? Gaunt. I have, my liege.

K. Rich. Tell me moreover, haft thou founded him,

The Life and Death of King Richard II.] But this Hiftory comprizes little more than the Two laft Years of this Prince. The Action of the Drama begins with Bolingbroke's appealing the Duke of Norfolk, on an

Accufation of high Treafon, which fell out in the Year 1398; and it clofes with the Murder of King Richard at Pomfret-Caftle towards the End of the Year 1400, or the Beginning of the enfuing Year.

THEOBALD.

If he appeal the Duke on ancient malice,
Or worthily, as a good Subject should,
On fome known ground of treachery in him?
Gaunt. As near as I could fift him on that argu-

ment,

On fome apparent Danger feen in him
Aim'd at your Highnefs; no invet'rate malice.
K. Rich. Then call them to our prefence; face to
face,

And frowning brow to brow. Ourfelves will hear
Th' accufer, and th' accufed freely speak.-
High-ftomach'd are they Both, and full of ire;
In rage, deaf as the fea; hafty as fire.

SCENE II.

Enter Bolingbroke and Mowbray.

Boling. May many years of happy days befal
My gracious Sovereign, my most loving Liege!

Mowb. Each day ftill 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 caufe you come;
Namely, t'appeal each other of high Treafon.
Coufin of Hereford, what doft thou object
Against the Duke of Norfolk, Thomas Mowbray?

Boling. Firft (Heaven be the record to my fpeech!) In the devotion of a Subject's love, Tend'ring the precious fafety of my Prince, And free from other mif-begotten hate, Come I Appellant to this princely prefence. -Now, Thomas Mowbray, do I turn to thee, And mark my Greeting well; for what I fpeak, My body fhall make good upon this earth, Or my divine foul anfwer it in heav'n. Thou art a traitor and a mifcreant;