SCENE I.-London. Privy Council Chamber,
Westminster.

Nobles.

K. Richard.

ALD John of Gaunt, time-honour'd Lancaster,
Hast thou, according to thy oath and bond,
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.

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 argu

ment,

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' accusèd freely speak :-

[Exeunt 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, t' appeal each other of high treason.-
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,
And free from other misbegotten hate,
Come I appellant to this princely presence.-
Now, Thomas Mowbray, do I turn to thee,
And mark my greeting well; for what I speak
My body shall make good upon this earth,
Or my divine soul answer it in heaven.
Thou art a traitor and a miscreant,

Too good to be so, and too bad to live,—

And wish,—so please my sovereign,—ere I move, What my tongue speaks, my right-drawn sword may

prove.

Nor. Let not my cold words here accuse my zeal First, the fair reverence of your highness curbs me