[York.] Should I do so, I should belie my thoughts: A servant enters, who tells York that his son, whom he had sent him to, was gone before he came: York continues : He was? why so! go all which way it will. The nobles, they are fled, the commons cold, And will I fear revolt on Hereford's side. Sirrah, Get thee to Plashy, to my sister Gloster, And bid her send me quick a thousand pound: [Servant.] My lord, I had forgot to tell your lordship: But I shall grieve you to report the rest. [York.] What is it, knave? [Servant.] An hour before I came, the duchess died. If I know Come, sister, cousin, I would say,-pray pardon me. And duty bid defend: the other, again, He is my kinsman, whom the king hath wrong'd; But time will not permit. All is uneven, THE DECLENSION OF RICHARD'S FORTUNE, HIS DEPOSITION AND DEATH; THE RISE OF BOLINGBROKE'S AFFAIRS, AND THE ACCESSION OF THE HOUSE OF LANCASTER; REPRESENTED BY SCENES SUPPOSED TO OCCUR IN GLOUCESTERSHIRE, IN WALES, AND IN LONDON. HISTORICAL MEMORANDUM. After Richard had landed in Wales, and was almost deserted by his army, he fled privately to the isle of Anglesey, with a purpose of reaching Ireland or France: but Northumberland treacherously got possession of his person, and carried him to Bolingbroke at Flint Castle, who was aware of the whole transaction. Shakspeare represents the facts somewhat differently, but truly in the main. His representation, likewise, of the manner of the king's death, though for a long time the popular account, has yielded to the belief that Richard was starved to death in Pomfret castle. Bolingbroke with his force is on his way through the wilds of Gloucestershire; and we may suppose that, on the occasion of a temporary halt, he and Northumberland are in conversation; during which, other persons come up: Bolingbroke first speaks: [Bolingbroke.] How far is it, my lord, to Berkeley now? [Northumberland.] Believe me, noble lord, I am a stranger here in Gloucestershire. These high wild hills, and rough uneven ways, Draw out our miles, and make them wearisome; And yet your fair discourse hath much beguil'd The tediousness of travel. Who comes hither? [a pause.] It is my son, young Harry Percy: Harry, how fares your uncle Worcester ? [Hot.] I ha'd thought, my lord, to ha've heard his health of you. [Northumberland.] Why, is he not with the queen? [Hotspur.] No, my good lord; he hath forsa'en the court, Broken his staff of office, and dispers'd The household of the king. [Northumberland.] What was his reason? [Hotspur.] Because your lordship was proclaimed traitor : [North.] Have you forgot the duke of Hereford, boy? [North.] Then learn to know him now: this is the duke. [Hotspur.] My gracious lord, I tender you my service, Such as it is, bei'ng tender, raw, and young. [Bolingbroke.] I thank thee, gentle Percy; and be sure And, as my fortune ripens with thy love, Keeps good old York there? [Hotspur.] There stands the castle by yon tuft of trees, Mann'd with three hundred men, as I have heard ; Bolingbroke advances to receive them, and spears: [Bolingbroke.] Welcome, my lords of Ross and Willoughby. I wot your love pursues a banish'd traitor. My treasury as yet is only thanks [Ross.] Your presence makes us rich, most noble lord. [Bolingbroke.] Evermore thanks, the' exchequer of the poor; Which, till my infant fortune comes to years, Stands for more bounty. But here comes one that seems not of our party. [a pause.] [Berkeley.] My lords, I have a message to deliver [Bolingbroke.] I answer to no name but Lancaster ; [Berkeley.] Mistake me not, my lord; 'tis not my meaning To raze one title of your honour out. To you, my lord (what lord you will), I come, To fright with arms a nation lull'd in peace. [Bolingbroke.] I shall not need transport my words by you; For here in person comes his grace of York. [a pause.] My noble uncle, thus I bend my knee. [York.] Show me thy humble heart, and not thy knee, Whose duty is deceivable and false. [Bolingbroke.] My gracious uncle! Grace me no grace, nor uncle me no uncle: Why have those banish'd and forbidden legs So many miles upon her peaceful bosom, Were I but now the lord of such hot youth, [Bolingbroke.] My gracious uncle, let me know my fault. [York.] Fault ! Why gross rebellion and detested treason. Why art thou come Before the expiration of thy time, With braving arms against thy absent sovereign? [Bolingbroke.] As I was banish'd, I was banish'd Hereford; It must be granted I am duke of Lancaster. I am denied to sue my livery here, And yet my letters-patent give me leave. Το my inheritance of free descent. The speech is followed by a general expression of approbation from the lords present, and a call upon the duke to make common cause with them; to which York replies: |