Since it hath been beforehand with our griefs.- But when it first did help to wound itself. Now these, her princes, are come home again, And we shall shock them: naught shall make us rue, [Exeunt. THE LIFE AND DEATH OF KING RICHARD II. FOR the incidents in the life of Richard II., the "most admirable of all Shakspeare's purely Historical Plays," the Poet was chiefly indebted to Holinshed. It is a vivid and faithful picture of the reign of that unfortunate monarch, whose character is drawn with a fidelity and beauty of execution which renders it invaluable as a mere historical portrait. The other characters are also faithful embodiments, while the real incidents of Richard's eventful life are portrayed with such perfect truth, that the whole Play forms a glowing picture of the most romantic and picturesque period of English History. The Play is the introductory one to the series of dramatic histories of the wars of York and Lancaster, while together they form a faithful narrative of the whole prolonged civil contest. The history of Richard II., as comprised in this Play, embraces only the last two years of his life, commencing in the year 1398, and ending with the murder of Richard at Pomfret Castle toward the end of the year 1400. PERSONS REPRESENTED. KING RICHARD THE SECOND. EDMUND OF LANGLEY, Duke of York, Uncles to the King. JOHN OF GAUNT, Duke HENRY BOLINGBROKE, Duke of Hereford, son to John of Gaunt; afterwards King Henry IV. DUKE OF AUMERLE, son to the Duke of York. THOMAS MOWBRAY, Duke of Norfolk. DUKE OF SURREY. EARL OF SALISBURY. EARL BERKLEY. LORD ROSS. LORD WILLoughby. BISHOP OF Carlisle. ABBOT OF WESTMINSTER. Sir PIERCE OF Exton. Sir STEPHEN SCROOP. Captain of a Band of Welshmen. QUEEN TO KING RICHARD. DUCHESS OF York. Lady attending on the Queen. Lords, Heralds, Officers, Soldiers, Gardeners, Keeper, Messenger, Groom, and other Attendants. SCENE,-Dispersedly in ENGLAND and WALES. ACT I. SCENE I.-London. A Room in the Palace. Enter KING RICHARD, attended; JOHN OF GAUNT, and other K. Rich. Old John of Gaunt, time-honor'd Lancaster, K. Rich. Tell me, moreover, hast thou sounded him, Or worthily, as a good subject should, 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, And frowning brow to brow, ourselves will hear Th' accuser, and th' accused, freely speak: [Exeunt some Attendants. High-stomach'd are they both, and full of ire, In rage deaf as the sea, hasty as fire. Re-enter Attendants with BOLINGBROKE and NORFOLK. Boling. Many years of happy days befall -My gracious sovereign, my most loving liege! Nor. Each day still better other's happiness; Until the heavens, envying earth's good hap, Add an immortal title to your crown! K. Rich. We thank you both: yet one but flatters us, As well appeareth by the cause you come; Namely, to appeal each other of high treason. Cousin of Hereford, what dost thou object Against the duke of Norfolk, Thomas Mowbray ? Tendering the precious safety of my prince, And wish, (so please my sovereign) ere I move, What my tongue speaks, my right-drawn sword may prove. Nor. Let not my cold words here accuse my zeal: 'Tis not the trial of a woman's war, The bitter clamor of two eager tongues, Can arbitrate this cause betwixt us twain; The blood is hot that must be cool'd for this: I do defy him, and I spit at him; Call him a slanderous coward, and a villain : Boling. Pale trembling coward, there I throw my gage, Disclaiming here the kindred of the king; And lay aside my high blood's royalty, Which fear, not reverence, makes thee to except: Nor. I take it up; and by that sword I swear, Which gently laid my knighthood on my shoulder, I'll answer thee in any fair degree, Or chivalrous design of knightly trial: And when I mount, alive may I not light, If I be traitor, or unjustly fight! K. Rich. What doth our cousin lay to Mowbray's charge? It must be great, that can inherit us So much as of a thought of ill in him. Boling. Look, what I speak, my life shall prove it true;— Fetch from false Mowbray their first head and spring. K. Rich. How high a pitch his resolution soars!— And bid his ears a little while be deaf, Till I have told this slander of his blood, How God, and good men, hate so foul a liar. K. Rich. Mowbray, impartial are our eyes and ears: Nor. Then, Bolingbroke, as low as to thy heart, Upon this overweening traitor's foot, |