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[G].
[D] Lord Berkley.] Earl Berkley. Capell. om. Rowe. See note (1).
SCENE I. _London_. KING RICHARD'S _palace_.
_Enter_ KING RICHARD, JOHN of GAUNT, _with other_ Nobles _and_ Attendants.[692]
_K. Rich._ Old John of Gaunt, time-honour'd Lancaster, Hast thou, according to thy oath and band,[693] Brought hither Henry Hereford thy bold son,[694] Here to make good the boisterous late appeal, Which then our leisure would not let us hear,[695] 5 Against the Duke of Norfolk, Thomas Mowbray?[696]
_K. Rich._ Tell me, moreover, hast thou sounded him, If he appeal the duke on ancient malice;[697] Or worthily, as a good subject should, 10 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,[698] 15 And frowning brow to brow, ourselves will hear The accuser and the accused freely speak:[699] High-stomach'd are they both, and full of ire, In rage deaf as the sea, hasty as fire.
_Boling._ Many years of happy days befal[701] 20 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![702]
_K. Rich._ We thank you both: yet one but flatters us, 25 As well appeareth by the cause you come;[703] Namely, to appeal each other of high treason.[704] Cousin of Hereford, what dost thou object Against the Duke of Norfolk, Thomas Mowbray?
_Boling._ First, heaven be the record to my speech! 30 In the devotion of a subject's love,[705] Tendering the precious safety of my prince, And free from other misbegotten hate,[706] Come I appellant to this princely presence.[707] Now, Thomas Mowbray, do I turn to thee, 35 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.[708] Thou art a traitor and a miscreant, Too good to be so and too bad to live,[709] 40 Since the more fair and crystal is the sky,[709] The uglier seem the clouds that in it fly.[709] Once more, the more to aggravate the note,[709][710] With a foul traitor's name stuff I thy throat;[709] And wish, so please my sovereign, ere I move,[709] 45 What my tongue speaks my right drawn sword may prove.[709]