+ Marshal, command our officers at arms Be ready to direct these home-alarms. [Exeunt. The same. SCENE II. A Room in the Duke of Lancaster's Palace. Enter GAUNT, and Duchess of Gloster.3 4 Gaunt. Alas! the part I had in Gloster's blood To stir against the butchers of his life. Duch. Finds brotherhood in thee no sharper spur ? +"Lord Marshal,”. 3 MALONE. Duchess of Gloster.] The Duchess of Gloster was Eleanor Bohun, widow of duke Thomas, son of Edward III. 4 Gloster. the part-] That is, my relation of consanguinity to Ah, Gaunt! his blood was thine; that bed, that womb, What shall I say? to safeguard thine own life, Gaunt. Heaven's is the quarrel; for heaven's substitute, His deputy anointed in his sight, Hath caus'd his death: the which if wrongfully, may never lift 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: A caitiff recreant to my cousin Hereford! 5 thou dost consent, &c.] i. e. assent. 6 A caitiff-] Caitiff originally signified a prisoner; next a slave, from the condition of prisoners; then a scoundrel, from the qualities of a slave. Gaunt. Sister, farewell: I must to Coventry: As much good stay with thee, as go with me! Duch. Yet one word more; Grief boundeth where it falls, Not with the empty hollowness, but weight: I take my leave before I have begun; For sorrow ends not when it seemeth done. And what cheer there for welcome, but my groans? SCENE III. Gosford Green, near Coventry. [Exeunt. Lists set out, and a Throne. Heralds, &c. attending. 7 Enter the Lord Marshal', and AUMERLE.8 Mar. My lord Aumerle, is Harry Hereford arm'd? Aum. Yea, at all points; and longs to enter in. Lord Marshal,] Shakspeare has here committed a slight mistake. The office of lord marshal was executed on this occasion by Thomas Holland, duke of Surrey. Our author has inadvertently introduced that nobleman as a distinct person from the marshal, in the present drama. Mowbray duke of Norfolk was the earl marshal of England; but being himself one of the combatants, the duke of Surrey officiated as earl marshal for the day. 8 Aumerle.] Edward duke of Aumerle, so created by his cousin Mar. The duke of Norfolk, sprightfully and bold, Stays but the summons of the appellant's trumpet. Aum. Why then, the champions are prepar'd 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. NORFOLK, in armour, preceded by a Herald. Then enter K. Rich. Marshal, demand of yonder champion Mar. In God's name, and the king's, say who thou art, And why thou com'st, thus knightly clad in arms: Against what man thou com❜st, and what thy quarrel: Speak truly, on thy knighthood, and thy oath; + And so defend thee heaven, and thy valour! 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. german, King Richard II. in 1397. He was the eldest son of Edward of Langley duke of Norfolk, fifth son of Edward the Third, and was killed in 1415, at the battle of Agincourt. He officiated at the lists of Coventry, as high constable of England. "As so," i. e. as you hope that heaven and your valour may defend you. Malone. Trumpet sounds. Enter BOLINGBROKE, in armour ; preceded by a Herald. K. Rich. Marshal, ask yonder knight in arms, Both who he is, and why he cometh hither 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 comest 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 valour, To God of heaven, king Richard, and to me; And, as I truly fight, defend me heaven! Mar. On pain of death, no person be so bold, Except the marshal, and such officers 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 And loving farewell, of our several friends. Mar. The apellant 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, Lament we may, but not revenge thee dead. |