The Works of William Shakespeare [Cambridge Edition] [Vol. 4 of 9]Shakespeare, William
General
The Works of William Shakespeare [Cambridge Edition] [Vol. 4 of 9]
Shakespeare, William
English drama
_K. Rich._ Marshal, ask yonder knight in arms,[821]
Both who he is and why he cometh hither
Thus plated in habiliments of war,[822]
And formally, according to our law,[823]
Depose him in the justice of his cause. 30
_Mar._ What is thy name? and wherefore comest thou hither,
Before King Richard in his royal lists?
Against whom comest thou? and what's thy quarrel?[824]
Speak like a true knight, so defend thee heaven!
_Boling._ Harry of Hereford, Lancaster and Derby[825] 35
Am I; who ready here do stand in arms,[826]
To prove, by God's grace and my body's valour,[827]
In lists, on Thomas Mowbray, Duke of Norfolk,[828]
That he is a traitor, foul and dangerous,[829]
To God of heaven, King Richard and to me; 40
And as I truly fight, defend me heaven!
_Mar._ On pain of death, no person be so bold
Or daring-hardy as to touch the lists,[830]
Except the marshal and such officers
Appointed to direct these fair designs. 45
_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
That vow a long and weary pilgrimage;
Then let us take a ceremonious leave 50
And loving farewell of our several friends.
_Mar._ The appellant in all duty greets your highness,[831]
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,[832] 55
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.[833]
_Boling._ O, let no noble eye profane a tear
For me, if I be gored with Mowbray's spear:[834] 60
As confident as is the falcon's flight
Against a bird, do I with Mowbray fight.
My loving lord, I take my leave of you;
Of you, my noble cousin, Lord Aumerle;
Not sick, although I have to do with death,[835] 65
But lusty, young, and cheerly drawing breath.[835][836]
Lo, as at English feasts, so I regreet[835]
The daintiest last, to make the end most sweet:[835][837]
O thou, the earthly author of my blood,[838]
Whose youthful spirit, in me regenerate, 70
Doth with a twofold vigour lift me up[839]
To reach at victory above my head,[840]
Add proof unto mine armour with thy prayers;
And with thy blessings steel my lance's point,
That it may enter Mowbray's waxen coat,[841] 75
And furbish new the name of John a Gaunt,[842]
Even in the lusty haviour of his son.[843]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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