Good uncle, let this end where it begun : Gaunt. To be a make-peace shall become my age: -Throw down, my son, the duke of Norfolk's gage. K. Rich. And, Norfolk, throw down his. Gaunt. When, Harry? when? Obedience bids, I should not bid again. K. Rich. Norfolk, throw down; we bid; there is no boot. Nor. Myself I throw, dread sovereign, at thy foot: My life thou shalt command, but not my shame: The one my duty owes; but my fair name, (Despite of death, that lives upon my grave,) To dark dishonour's use thou shalt not have. I am disgrac'd, impeach'd, and baffled here; Pierc'd to the soul with slander's venom'd spear ;The which no balm can cure, but his heart-blood Which breath'd this poison. K. Rich. Rage must be withstood: Give me his gage :-Lions make leopards tame. Nor. Yea, but not change their spots: take but my shame, And I resign my gage. My dear dear lord, The purest treasure, mortal times afford, Mine honour is my life; both grow in one; In that I live, and for that will I die. K. Rich. Cousin, throw down your gage; do you begin. Bol. O, God defend my soul from such foul sin! Shall I seem crest-fallen in my father's sight? Or with pale beggar-fear impeach my height. Before this outdar'd dastard? Ere my tongue And spit it bleeding in his high disgrace, Where shame doth harbour, even in Mowbray's face, [Exit Gaunt. K. Rich. We were not born to sue, but to command: Which since we cannot do to make you friends, Be ready, as your lives shall answer it, At Coventry, upon Saint Lambert's day; There shall your swords and lances arbitrate The swelling difference of your settled hate; Since we cannot atone you, we shall see Justice design the victor's chivalry. -Marshal, command our officers at arms Be ready to direct these home-alarms. [Exeunt. SCENE II.-The same. A Room in the Duke of Lancaster's Palace. Enter Gaunt, and Duchess of Gloster. Gaunt. Alas! the part I had in Gloster's blood To stir against the butchers of his life. Or seven fair branches springing from one root: Vol. 3. P One phial full of Edward's sacred blood, What shall I say? to safeguard thine own life, His deputy anointed in his sight, Hath caus'd his death: the which if wrongfully, 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. Our cousin Hereford and fell Mowbray fight: That they may break his foaming courser's back, And throw the rider headlong in the lists, A caitiff recreant to my cousin Hereford ! Gaunt. Sister, farewell: I must to Coventry: it falls, Not with the empty hollowness, but weight: And what cheer there for welcome but my groans? [Exeunt. SCENE III-Gosford Green, near Coventry. Lists set out, and a Throne. Heralds, &c. attending. Enter the Lord Marshal, and Aumerle. Mar. My lord Aumerle, is Harry Hereford arm'd? Aum. Yea, at all points; and longs to enter in. 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. Then enter Norfolk in armour, preceded by a Herald. 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: Who hither come engaged by my oath, (Which, heaven defend, a knight should violate !) To God, my king, and my succeeding issue, And, as I truly fight, defend me heaven! Trumpet sounds. [He takes his seat. 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, |