Nahum Tate [1681], The History of King Richard The Second. Acted at the Theatre Royal, Under the Name of the Sicilian Usurper. With a Prefatory Epistle in Vindication of the author. Occasion'd by the prohibition of this play on the Stage. By N. Tate (Printed for Richard Tonson, and Jacob Tonson [etc.], London) [word count] [S31300].
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The History of King Richard the Second
note
Introductory matter
SONG For the Prison SCENE in the last ACT. [secondary verse]
1.
Retir'd from any Mortals sight
the Pensive Damon lay,
He blest the discontented Night,
And Curst the Smiling Day.
The tender sharers of his Pain,
His Flocks no longer Graze,
But sadly fixt around the Swain,
Like silent Mourners gaze.
2.
He heard the Musick of the Wood,
And with a sigh Reply'd,
He saw the Fish sport in the Flood,
And wept a deeper Tyde.
In vain the Summers Bloom came on,
For still the Drooping Swain,
Like Autumn Winds was heard to Groan,
Out-wept the Winters Rain.
3.
Some Ease (said he) some Respite give!
Why, mighty Powrs, Ah why
Am I too much distrest to Live,
And yet forbid to Dye?
Such Accents from the Shepherd flew
Whilst on the Ground He lay;
At last so deep a Sigh he drew,
As bore his Life away.
-- --
The Persons Names, together with those under which the Play was Acted.
King Richard [King Richard the Second],
Gaunt [John of Gaunt],
York [Edmund of Langley],
Bullingbrook [Henry Bolingbroke],
Northumberland [Earl of Northumberland].
Piercie [Henry Percy].
Ross [Lord Ross].
Willoughby [Lord Willoughby].
Carlile [Bishop of Carlisle].
Aumarl [Duke of Aumerle].
Exton [Sir Pierce of Exton].
Oswald.
Alcidore.
Cleon.
Vortiger.
Hermogenes.
Queen,
Dutchess of York [Duchess of York].
Aribell.
Ladies, Gardiners, Souldiers, Messengers, Guards, Attendants.
[Thomas Moubray], [Duchess of Gloucester], [Lord Marshall], [Lady], [Gentleman], [Rabble 1], [Rabble 2], [Rabble 3], [Rabble 4],
[Rabble 5], [Rabble 6], [Rabble 7], [Gardener], [Servant], [Servant 2], [Earl of Salisbury], [Sir Stephen Scroop], [Messenger]
-- --
TO My Esteemed Friend George Raynsford, Esq;
SIR,
I wou'd not have you surpriz'd with this Address, though I
gave you no warning of it. The Buisiness of this Epistle is
more Vindication than Complement; and when we are to
tell our Grievances 'tis most natural to betake our selves to
a Friend. 'Twas thought perhaps that this unfortunate Offspring
having been stifled on the Stage, shou'd have been buried
in Oblivion; and so it might have happened had it drawn its
Being from me Alone, but it still retains the immortal Spirit of
its first-Father, and will survive in Print, though forbid to
tread the Stage. They that have not seen it Acted, by its being
silenc't, must suspect me to have Compil'd a Disloyal or Reflecting
Play. But how far distant this was from my Design and Conduct
in the Story will appear to him that reads with half an Eye. To
form any Resemblance between the Times here written of, and the
Present, had been unpardonable Presumption in Me. If the Prohibiters
conceive any such Notion I am not accountable for That.
I fell upon the new-modelling of this Tragedy, (as I had just before
done on the History of King Lear) charm'd with the many Beauties
I discover'd in it, which I knew wou'd become the Stage; with
as little design of Satyr on present Transactions, as Shakespear
himself that wrote this Story before this Age began. I am not ignorant
of the posture of Affairs in King Richard the Second's Reign,
how dissolute then the Age, and how corrupt the Court; a Season
that beheld Ignorance and Infamy preferr'd to Office and Pow'r,
exercis'd in Oppressing, Learning and Merit; but why a History
of those Times shou'd be supprest as a Libel upon Ours, is past my
-- --
Understanding. 'Tis sure the worst Complement that ever was
made to a Prince.
O Rem ridiculam, Cato, & jocasam,
Dignámque Auribus, & tuo Cachinno.
Ride, quicquid amas, Cato, Catullum
Res est Ridicula, &c.
Our Shakespear in this Tragedy, bated none of his Characters
an Ace of the Chronicle; he took care to shew 'em no worse Men
than They were, but represents them never a jot better. His
Duke of York after all his buisy pretended Loyalty, is found
false to his Kinsman and Sovereign, and joyn'd with the Conspirators.
His King Richard Himself is painted in the worst Colours
of History. Dissolute, Unadviseable, devoted to Ease and
Luxury. You find old Gaunt speaking of him in this Language
—Then there are found
Lascivious Meeters, to whose Venom sound
The open Ear of Youth do's always Listen.
Where doth the World thrust forth a Vanity,
(So it be New, there's no respect how Vile)
That is not quickly buzz'd into his Ear?
That all too late comes Counsel to be heard.
without the least palliating of his Miscarriages, which I have
done in the new Draft, with such words as These.
Your Sycophants bred from your Child-hood with you,
Have such Advantage had to work upon you,
That scarce your Failings can be call'd your Faults.
His Reply in Shakespear to the blunt honest Adviser runs thus.
And Thou a Lunatick Lean-witted-fool, &c.
Now by my Seat's right Royal Majesty,
Wer't Thou not Brother to great Edward's Son.
The Tongue that runs thus roundly in thy Head
Shou'd run thy Head from thy unreverent Shoulders.
On the contrary (though I have made him express some Resentment)
yet he is neither enrag'd with the good Advice, nor deaf
to it. He answers Thus—
—Gentle Unkle;
Excuse the Sally's of my Youthfull Blood.
We shall not be unmindfull to redress
(However difficult) our States Corruptions,
And purge the Vanities that crowd our Court.
-- --
I have everywhere given him the Language of an Active, Prudent
Prince. Preferring the Good of his Subjects to his own private
Pleasure. On his Irish Expedition, you find him thus be
speak his Queen—
Though never vacant Swain in silent Bow'rs
Cou'd boast a Passion so sincere as Mine,
Yet where the Int'rest of the Subject calls
We wave the dearest Transports of our Love,
Flying from Beauties Arms to rugged War, &c.
Nor cou'd it suffice me to make him speak like a King (who as
Mr. Rhymer says in his Tragedies of the last Age considered, are
always in Poëtry presum'd Heroes) but to Act so too, viz. with
Resolution and Justice. Resolute enough our Shakespear (copying
the History) has made him, for concerning his seizing old Gaunt's
Revennues, he tells the wise Diswaders,
Say what ye will, we seize into our Hands
His Plate, his Goods, his Money and his Lands.
But where was the Justice of this Action? This Passage I confess
was so material a Part of the Chronicle (being the very Basis of
Bullingbrook's Usurpation) that I cou'd not in this new Model so
far transgress Truth as to make no mention of it; yet for the honour
of my Heroe I suppose the foresaid Revennues to be Borrow'd
only for the present Exigence, not Extorted.
Be Heav'n our Judge, we mean him fair,
And shortly will with Interest restore
The Loan our suddain Streights make necessary.
My Design was to engage the pitty of the Audience for him in
his Distresses, which I cou'd never have compass'd had I not before
shewn him a Wise, Active and Just Prince. Detracting Language
(if any where) had been excusable in the Mouths of the Conspirators:
part of whose Dialogue runs thus in Shakespear;
North.
Now afore Heav'n 'tis shame such Wrongs are born
In him a Royal Prince and many more
Of noble Blood in this Declining Land:
The King is not Himself, but basely led
By Flatterers, &c.
Ross.
The Commons He has pil'd with grievous Taxes
And lost their Hearts, &c.
Will.
And daily new Exactions are devis'd
As Blanks, Benevolences, and I wot not what;
-- --
But what o' Gods Name doth become of This?
North.
War hath not wasted it, for warr'd he has not;
But basely yielded upon Comprimize.
That which his Ancestours atchiev'd with Blows
More has He spent in Peace than they in War, &c.
with much more villifying Talk; but I wou'd not allow even Traytors
and Conspirators thus to bespatter the Person whom I design'd
to place in the Love and Compassion of the Audience. Ev'n this
very Scene (as I have manag'd it) though it shew the Confederates
to be Villains, yet it stings no Aspersion on my Prince.
Further, to Vindicate ev'n his Magnanimity in Regard of his
Resigning the Crown, I have on purpose inserted an intirely new
Scene between him and his Queen, wherein his Conduct is sufficiently
excus'd by the Malignancy of his Fortune, which argues indeed
Extremity of Distress, but Nothing of Weakness.
After this account it will be askt why this Play shou'd be supprest,
first in its own Name, and after in Disguise? All that I can answer
to this, is, That it was Silenc'd on the Third Day. I confess, I expected
it wou'd have found Protection from whence it receiv'd Prohibition;
and so questionless it wou'd, cou'd I have obtain'd my
Petition to have it perus'd and dealt with according as the Contents
Deserv'd, but a positive Doom of Suppression without Examination
was all that I cou'd procure.
The Arbitrary Courtiers of the Reign here written, scarcely did
more Violence to the Subjects of their Time, then I have done to
Truth, in disguising their foul Practices. Take ev'n the Richard
of Shakespear and History, you will find him Dissolute, Careless,
and Unadvisable: peruse my Picture of him and you will say, as
Æneas did of Hector, (though the Figure there was alter'd for
the Worse and here for the Better) Quantum mutatus ab illo!
And likewise for his chief Ministers of State, I have laid Vertues
to their Charge of which they were not Guilty. Every Scene is
full of Respect to Majesty and the dignity of Courts, not one alter'd
Page but what breaths Loyalty, yet had this Play the hard fortune
to receive its Prohibition from Court.
For the two days in which it was Acted, the Change of the Scene,
Names of Persons, &c. was a great Disadvantage: many things
were by this means render'd obscure and incoherent that in their
native Dress had appear'd not only proper but gracefull. I call'd
my Persons Sicilians but might as well have made 'em Inhabitants
-- --
of the Isle of Pines, or, World in the Moon, for whom as Audience
are like to have small Concern. Yet I took care from the
Beginning to adorn my Prince with such heroick Vertues, as afterwards
made his distrest Scenes of force to draw Tears from the
Spectators; which, how much more touching they would have been
had the Scene been laid at Home, let the Reader judge. The additional
Comedy I judg'd necessary to help off the heaviness of the
Tale, which Design, Sir, you will not only Pardon, but Approve.
I have heard you commend this Method in Stage writing, though
less agreeable to stricktness of Rule; and I find your Choice confirm'd
by our Laureat's last Piece, who confesses himself to
have broken a Rule for the Pleasure of Variety. * noteThe
Audience (says he) are grown weary of melancholly
Scenes, and I dare prophesie that few Tragedies
(except those in Verse) shall succeed in this Age if they
are not lightned with a course of Mirth.
And now, Sir, I fear I have transgrest too far on your patience. Distress was always Talkative: he pleas'd to call to Mind your
beloved Virgil's Nightingall when rob'd of her young.
Qualis populeâ mœrens Philomela sub Umbrâ,
Amissos queritur Fœtus, quos durus Arator
Observans, Nido implumes detraxit; at Illa
Flet noctem, ramoque sedens, miserabile Carmen
Integrat, & mœstis late loca Questibus implet.
This Simile you know, Sir, is occasion'd by Orpheus his lamenting
the Loss of Euridice, which the Mythologists expound the Fruit of
his Labours. You find Virgil himself elsewhere condoling his Oppression
by Arrius. Such are the Complaints of our Spencer defrauded
by Cecill. With these, the melancholly Cowley joyns his
Note; and, as Mr. Flatman says, 'tis the Language of the whole
Tribe.
I heard 'em Curse their Stars in ponderous Rhymes,
And in grave Numbers grumble at the Times.
Poetry and Learning, ev'n in Petronius his time, was a barren
Province, when Villany of any sort was the thriving Trade.
Qui Pelago credit magno, se sœnore tollit,
Qui pugnat & Castra petit præcingitur Auro;
Vilis Adulator picto jacet Ebrius ostro;
Et qui sollicitat Nuptas, ad præmia peccat:
Sola pruinosis horret Facundia pannis.
-- --
Or to go a step higher in Antiquity—
Quid est, Catulle, quod moraris emori?
Sellâ in Curuli Struma Nonius sedet,
Quid est, Catulle, quod moraris emori?
Aristotle himself confesses Poetry a better School of Vertue than
Philosophy. Our own Sir Philip Sidney's learn'd Defence of it, is
Demonstration what rewards are due, and our late incomparable
Author of Hudibras, is no less Demonstration what returns are
made to the best Masters of it. Not Greece or Rome can boast a
Genius like His; yet after all, his Poverty was a greater Satyr
on the Age than his Writings.
Once more, Sir, I beg your Pardon for digressing, and dismiss
you to the following Poem, in which you will find some Master
Touches of our Shakespear, that will Vie with the best Roman
Poets, that have so deservedly your Veneration. If it yield you
any Diversion I have my Desire, who covet all Opportunities of
shewing my self gratefull for your Friendship to me, which I am
proud of, and amongst the many whom your ingenious and obliging
Temper had devoted to you, there is none that more prizes your
Conversation, than
Your obliged Friend
and humble Servant,
N. Tate.
-- --
PROLOGUE.
To what a wretched state are Poets born,
Split on the Rocks of Envy or of Scorn?
Ev'n to the best the promis'd Wreath's deny'd,
And just Contempt attends on all beside.
This one wou'd think shou'd lessen the Temptation,
But they are Poëts by Predestination.
The fatal Bait undaunted they persue;
And claim the Laurel as their Labour's Due.
But where's the Use of Merit, or of Laws,
When Ingnorance and Malice judge the Cause?
'Twixt these, like Æsop's Husband, Poëts fare,
This pulls the black and that the silver Hair,
Till they have left the Poëm bald and bare.
Behold the dreadfull spot they ought to fear,
Whole Loads of Poët-bane are scattered here.
Where e'er it lights the sad Effects we find,
Tho' on the tender Hearts of Woman-kind.
The Men (whose Talents they themselves mistake,
Or misapply, for Contradiction sake.)
Spight of their Stars must needs be Critiques still,
Nay, tho' prohibited by th' Irish Bill.
Blest Age! when all our Actions seem design'd
To prove a War 'twixt Reason and Mankind!
Here an affected Cocquet perks and prunes,
Tho' she's below the Level of Lampoons,
Venting her Fly-blown Charms till her Own Squire
Is grown too nice and dainty to Admire.
There a pretending Fop (a Man of Note
More for his thread-bare Jest than Gawdy Coat)
Sees every Coxcomb's Mirth, yet wants the Sense
To know 'tis caus'd by his Impertinence.
Nor rests the Mighty Grievance here alone;
For not content with Follys of our own,
We plunder the fair Sex of what we can,
Who seldom miss their dear Revenge on Man.
Their property of Falshood we invade,
Whilst they usurp our Mid-night Scouring Trade.
-- --
SONG for the third ACT. [secondary verse]
I.
Love's Delights were past Expressing
Cou'd our happy Visions last.
Pity 'tis they fly so fast;
Pity 'tis so short a Blessing.
Love's Delights were past expressing
Cou'd our happy Visions last;
Tide's of Pleasure in possessing
Sweetly Flow, but soon are past.
Love's Delights, &c.
II.
Calms in Love are fleeting Treasure,
Only Visit and Away;
Hasty Blessing we enjoy,
Tedious Hours of Grief we Measure:
Calms in Love are fleeting Treasure,
Only Visit and Away,
Sighs and Tears fore-run the Pleasure,
Jealous Rage succeeds the Joy.
Calms in Love, &c.
-- 1 --
d.
THE HISTORY OF King Richard the II
ACT I.
Scene 1
SCENE a Chamber of State. King Richard, John of
Gaunt, Northumberland, Piercie, Ross, Willoughby,
with other Nobles and Attendants.
King
Old John of Gaunt time honour'd Lancaster;
Hast thou according to thy Oath and Bond
Brought hither Harry Herford thy bold Son,
Here to make good th'Impeachment lately charg'd
Against the Duke of Norfolk Thomas Mowbray?
Gaunt.
I have my Liege.
King.
Hast thou moreover sifted him to find
If he Impeach the Duke on private malice;
Or worthily as a good Subject shou'd.
Gaunt.
As far as I can sound him in the Business
On some Apparent danger from the Duke
Aim'd at your Highness, no Inveterate Malice!
King.
Then set 'em in our presence Face to Face;
And Frowning, Brow to Brow, our self will hear
Th' Accuser and the Accus'd both freely speak;
High-Stomacht are they both and in their Rage
Deaf as the storming Sea, hasty as Fire.
-- 2 --
Bulling-brook and Mowbray from several Entrances.
Bull.
Now many years of happy day's befal
My gracious Soveraign my most honour'd Liege.
Mow.
Each day exceeding th' others happiness
Till Heav'n in Jealousie to Earth's success
Add an immortal Title to your Crown.
King.
Cousin of Herford what dost thou object
Against the Duke of Norfolk Thomas Mowbray?
Bull.
First then be Heav'n the Record to my speech,
That in devotion to a Subjects love
(Not on Suggestions of a private Hatred)
Come I Appealant to this Princely presence.—
Now Thomas Mowbray do I turn to Thee,
And mark my greeting well; for what I speak
My Body shall make good upon this Earth,
Or my divine Soul answer it in Heav'n:
Thou art a Trayter to the King and State,
A foul Excrescence of a Noble Stem;
To Heav'n I speak it, and by Heav'n 'tis true,
That thou art Treason spotted, false as Hell,
And wish (so please my Soveraign) ere we move,
What my Tongue speaks, my right drawn Sword may prove.
Mow.
Let not the coldness of my Language draw
My Sov'reign Liege your Censure on my Zeal,
'Tis not the Tryal of a Womans War,
The senseless clamour of contending Tongues
Can arbitrate the Diff'rence 'twixt us Two,
The Blood is hot that must be cool'd for this:
The Reverence of this Presence curbs my speech,
That else had shot like Lightning and return'd
This charge of Treason, to the sland'rers Throat:
Set but aside his high Blood's Royalty,
And let him be no Kins-man to the King.
Allow me this, and Bulling-brook's a Villain;
Which to maintain I will allow him odds,
Pursue him bare-foot to the farthest North,
Whose Chastisement I tamely now forbear,
Bull.
White-liver'd Coward there I throw my Gage,
Disclaiming my Relation to the King,
-- 3 --
Which Fear, not Reverence make thee to object;
If guilty Dread has left thee so much strength,
Stoop and take up forthwith my Honour's Pawn;
By that and all the Rights of Knight-hood else
I will make good against thee Arm to Arm
What I have said, and Seal it with thy Soul.
Mow.
I seize it Herford as I wou'd seize Thee,
And by the Sword that laid my Knight-hood on me
I'll answer thee in any Knightly Tryal
As hot in Combate as thou art in Brawl.
King.
What do's our Cousen lay to Norfolk's Charge?
Bull.
First then I say (my Sword shall prove it true)
That Mow-bray has receiv'd eight thousand Nobles
In Name of Lendings for your Highness Service,
All which for lew'd Employments he detains
Like a false Traytor and injurious Villain;
Besides I say and will in Combate prove,
That all the Treasons, Plots, Conspiracies
Hatcht for these eighteen years within this Realm,
Fetcht from false Mowbray their first Spring and Head:
Farther I say, and on his Heart will prove it,
That he did Plot the Duke of Gloster's Death,
Whose Martial Ghost to me for Vengeance cryes,
And by the glorious Worth of my Descent
This Arm shall give it, or this Blood be spent.
King.
How high a Pitch his Resolution Soars.
Thomas of Norfolk what say'st thou to this?
Mow.
O let my Sov'raign turn away his Face
And bid his Ear a little while be Deaf,
Till I have told this slander of his Blood,
How Heav'n and good men hate so foul a Lyar.
King.
Now by our Sceptres Awe I tell thee Mowbray,
Were he my Brother, nay my Kingdoms Heir,
Our Blood shou'd nothing priviledge him, nor bend
Our upright Soul from Justice.
Mow.
Then Bulling-brook as low as to thy Heart
Thou ly'st; Three parts of my Receits for Callice
I have disburst amongst his Highness Souldiers;
The Rest I by the King's consent reserv'd
Upon remainder of a dear Account,
-- 4 --
Since last I went to fetch the Queen from France.
First swallow down that Lye—for Gloster's Death
I slew him not, but rather to my fault
Neglected my Sworn Duty in that Case,
Compassion being here all my Offence.
And for the rest of thy perfidious Charge,
It Issues from the rancour of a Villain,
The flowing Gall of a degenerate Traytor,
In proof of which I summon thee to Combate,
Beseeching of his Majesty the Grace
To my wrong'd Fame t'appoint our Tryal-day
Where Herford's Blood shall for his slanders pay,
And wash the Poyson of his Tongue away.
King.
Rash men, thus long we have giv'n you the hearing,
Now let the pleasure of your King be heard;
And know our Wisdom shall prescribe a way
To purge this Choller without letting Blood,
Forget, forgive, conclude and be agreed,
Gaunt, see this difference end where it begun,
Wee'l calm the Duke of Norfolk, you your Son.
Gaunt.
To be a Peace-maker becomes my Age
Throw down my Son the Duke of Norfolk's Gage.
King.
And Norfolk throw down his.
Gaunt.
When Harry when?
Obedience bids, I shou'd not bid again.
King.
Will Norfolk when the King commands be slow?
Mow.
My self dread Sov'raign at your feet I throw;
My Life you may command, but not my Shame,
I cannot give, nor will you ask my Fame;
I am Impeacht, disgrac't before my King,
Pierc't to the Soul with Slanders Venom'd Sting,
Incurable but by the Traytor's Blood
That breath'd the Poyson.
King.
Rage must be withstood;
Give me his Gage, Lyons make Leopards tame.
Mow.
Yes, but not change their Spots, take but my shame,
And I resign my Gage; my dear dread Lord,
The purest Treasure Mortal times afford
Is spotless honour; take but that away
Men are but guilded Loam and painted Clay.
-- 5 --
King.
Cousin, throw down his Gage, do you begin,
Bull.
Just Heav'n defend me from so foul a sin.
Condemn not Sir your Blood to such disgrace!
Shall I seem brav'd before my Father's Face?
No, Royal Sir, ere my Blaspheaming Tongue
Shall do my Loyalty so foul a wrong,
Or sound so base a Parle, by th' Roots I'le tear
The slavish Herrald of so vile a fear,
And spit it bleeding where the worst disgrace,
And slanders harbour, ev'n in Mowbray's face.
King.
Now by my Scepter you have wak't my spleen,
And since we sue in vain to make ye friends,
Prepare to meet before us in the Lists,
You shall, and he that bauk's the Combat, dies.
Behold me give your head-long fury Scope,
Each to chastise the others guilty Pride.
What Council cannot, let the Sword decide.
[Exeunt.
SCENE the Second.
Enter Dutchess of Glocester in Mourning.
Dutch.
How slow alas the hours of Sorrow fly,
Whose Wings are dampt with Tears! my dear, dear Gloster,
I have more than a Widdows loss to mourn,
She but laments a Death; but I a Murder.
[Enter Gaunt.
Gaunt.
When Sister will you find the way to comfort?
Dutch.
When Gaunt has found the way to Vengeance, Comfort
Before that hour were Guilty.
Edwards seven Sons (whereof thy self art one)
Where as seven Viols of his sacred Blood,
Or seven fair Branches springing from one Stock;
Some of those Streams by natures course are dry'd,
Some of those Branches by the Destinies cut;
But Thomas, my dear Lord, my Life, my Gloster,
One flourishing Branch of that most Royal Stem,
Is hew'd and all his verdant Leaves disperst,
By envies hand and Murders bloody Axe.
Gaunt.
Sister, the part I have in Gloster's Blood,
Do's more sollicite me than your exclaims,
To stir against the Butchers of his life;
-- 6 --
But since Revenge is Heav'ns Prerogative,
Put we our Quarrel to the will of Heav'n.
Enter York.
York.
Save ye Sister—very hot! oh! hot weather and hot
work: come Brother, the Lists are ready; the Fight will be worth
the while: besides your concern there is somewhat more than ordinary.
I'faith now I cou'd be content to have Harry scape; but for all
that I wou'd have the Traytor die.
Gaunt.
Cou'd my impartial eye but find him such,
Fell Mow-bray's Sword should come to late.
Dutch.
Where shall my Sorrows make their last complaint,
If York deny me too?
York.
What wou'd our Sister?
Dutch.
Revenge, and speedy for my Glosters death.
York.
Why there 'tis—Revenge, ho! a fine morsel for a Lady
fasting, Gloster was my Brother, true—but Gloster was a Traytor
and that's true too—I hate a Traytor more than I love a
Brother.
Dutch.
A Traytor York?
York.
'Tis somewhat a course name for a Kinsman, but yet to
my thinking, to raise an Army, execute Subjects, threaten the
King himself, and reduce him to answer particulars, has a very
strong smatch with it—go too, you are in fault, your complaints
are guilty; your very Tears are Treason. No remedy but
Patience.
Dutch.
Call it not patience, York, 'tis cold despair,
In suffering thus your Brother to be slaughter'd,
You shew the naked path to your own Lives;
Ah! had his fate been yours my Gloster wou'd
Have set a Nobler Prince upon your Lives.
York.
This Air grows infectious: will you to Brother.
Dutch.
But one word more, grief ever was a Talker,
But I will teach him silence; of you both
I take eternal leave. Comforts wait on you
When I am laid in Earth: to some dark Cell
Will I betake me, where this weary Life
Shall with the taper waste: there shall I greet,
No Visitant but Death—adieu! my Lords!
If this Farewell your Patience has abus'd,
Think 'twas my last, and let it be excus'd.
[Exeunt.
-- 7 --
SCENE the Third.
A Pavilion of State before the Lists.
Marshal and Aumerle from several Entrances.
Marsh.
My Lord Aumerle is Harry Herford arm'd?
Aum.
Yes, at all points and longs to enter in,
Marsh.
The Duke of Norfolk sprightfully and bold
Waits but the Summons of the Appealants Trumpet,
But see, the King.
Flourish, Enter King, Queen attended, Gaunt, York,
Pierce, Northumberland, &c. who place themselves to
view the Combat. Mowbray brought in by a Herald.
King.
Marshal demand of yonder Combatant,
Why he comes here, and orderly proceed
To swear him in the justice of his cause.
Marsh.
In the Kings name say who thou art and what's thy Quarrel?
Speak truly on thy Knighthood and thy Oath,
So Heav'n defend thee and thy Valour.
Mow.
Hither is Mowbray come upon his Oath,
To justifie his Loyalty and truth,
Against false Bullingbrook that has appeal'd me,
And as I truly fight defend me Heav'n.
Trumpet again. Bullingbrook and Herald.
King.
Demand of yonder Knight why he comes here,
And formally according to our Law,
Depose him in the justice of his Cause.
Marsh.
Thy name, and wherefore thou art hither come
Before King Richard in his Royal Lists,
Speak like a true Knight: so defend thee Heav'n,
Bull.
Harry of Herford, Lancaster and Derby,
Stands here in Arms to prove on Thomas Mowbray,
That he's a Traytor to the King and State,
And as I truly fight defend me Heav'n.
But first Lord Marshal I entreat the Grace
To kiss my Soveraigns hand and do him homage,
For Mowbray and my self are like to men
That vow along and weary Pilgrimage,
-- 8 --
Therefore shou'd take a ceremonious leave
And tender farewel of our several Friends.
Marsh.
Th'Appealant in all duly greets your Highness,
Craving to kiss your hand and take his leave.
King.
We will descend and fould him in our Arms;
Now Cousin, as thy Cause is just,
So be thy Fortune in this Royal Fight;
Farewel my Blood, which if thou chance to shed,
Lament we may, but not revenge the dead.
Bull.
No noble eye be seen to loose a Tear
On me if I be foil'd by Mowbrays Arm;
As confident as is the Faulcon's flight
At tim'rous Birds do I with Mowbray fight.
O thou the gen'rous Author of my Blood,
[To Gaunt.
Whose youthful Spirit enflames and lifts me up
To reach at Victory above my Head,
Add proof to this Armour with thy Pray'rs,
And with thy Blessings point my vengeful Sword
To furbish new th'illustrious name of Gaunt.
Mow.
However Heaven or Fortune cast my Lot,
There lives or dies a just and loyal man:
Never did wretched Captive greet the hour
Of freedom with more welcome or delight
Than my transported soul do's celebrate
This Feast of battle—Blessing on my King,
And peace on all.
King.
Farewell my Lord.
Virtue and Valour guard thee: Marshal finish.
Marsh.
Harry of Herford, Lancaster and Derby,
Receive thy Sword and Heav'n defend thy Right,
Fear this to Mowbray.
Mow.
Curse on your tedious Ceremonies, more
To us tormenting then t'expecting Bridegrooms.
The signal for Heav'ns sake.
Marsh.
Sound Trumpets, and set forward Combatants.
Stay, stay, the King has thrown his Warder down.
King.
Command the Knights once more back to their Posts,
And let the Trumpets sound a second charge,
Whilst with our Lords we briefly do advise.
-- 9 --
Another flourish after which the King speaks.
Command 'em to resigne their Arms, and listen
To what we with our Council have Decreed,
For that our Eyes detest the spectacle
Of Civil Wounds, from whence the dire infection
Of general War may spring, we bar your Combat,
Suppress those Arms that from our Coast wou'd fright
Fair Peace, and make us wade in Kinsmen's Blood:
And lest your Neighbour-hood cause after-broils,
We banish you our Realms to different Climes,
You Bullingbrook on pain of Death,
Till twice five Summers have enircht our Fields.
Bull.
And must this be your Pleasure? well!
Your pleasure stand, 'twill be my comfort still,
The Sun that warms you here, shall shine on me
And guild my Banishment.
King.
Mowbray for thee remains a heavier doom,
The slow succeeding hours shall not determine
The dateless limit of thy dear exile,
The hopeless word of never to return,
Breath we against thee upon pain of Death.
Mow.
A heavy Sentence my most Sov'raign Lord,
The Language I have learnt these Forty years,
My native English must I now forgo?
I am too old to fawn upon a Nurse,
And learn the Prattle of a forraign tongue.
What is thy Sentence then, but speechless Death?
You take the cruelst way to rob my Breath.
King.
Complaint comes all too late where we decree.
Mow.
Then thus I turn me from my Countries light,
Pleas'd with my doom because it pleas'd the King,
Farewell my Lord, now Mowbray cannot stray,
Let me shun England, all the worlds my way.
King.
Return again and take an Oath with thee.
Lay on our Royal Sword your banisht Hands,
Swear by the duty that you owe to Heav'n
Nere to embrace each others love in Banishment,
Nor ever meet, nor write to reconcile
This lowring tempest of your home-bred hate,
Nor Plot to turn the edge of your Revenge,
-- 10 --
On Us, our State, our Subjects and our Land.
Bull.
I Swear.
Mow.
And I to keep all this!
Bull.
By this time Mowbray, had the King permitted,
One of our Souls had wandered in the Air,
As now our flesh is doomd on Earth to wander,
Confess thy Treason ere thou fly the Land;
Since thou hast far to go, bear not along
Th'incumbring Burden of a guilty Soul.
Mow.
No Bullingbrook, if ever I were false,
Let Heav'n renounce me as my Country has;
But what thou art, Heav'n, Thou and I do know,
And all (my heart forbodes) too soon shall rue.
My absence then shall yet this comfort bring,
Not to behold the Troubles of my King.
[Exit.
King.
Uncle within thy tear-charg'd Eyes I read
Thy hearts fell sorrow, and that troubled Look,
Has from the number of his Banisht years
Pluckt four away; Six frozen Winters spent,
Return with welcome from thy Banishment.
Gaunt.
I thank my Liege, that in regard to me,
He cuts off four years from my Sons exile,
But small advantage shall I reap thereby,
For ere those slow six years can change their Moons,
My inch of Taper will be spent and done,
Nor Gaunt have life to welcom home his Son.
King.
Despair not Uncle, you have long to live.
Gaunt.
But not a Minute King that thou canst give.
King.
Thy Son was banisht upon advice,
To which thy Tongue a party—Verdict gave,
Gaunt.
My interest I submitted to your Will,
You urg'd me like a Judge, and I forgot
A Father's Name, and like a strict Judge doom'd Him.
Alas I look'd when some of you should say,
I was too strict to make my Own away!
But all gave leave to my unwilling Tongue,
To do my ag'd heart this unnatural wrong.
King.
Now for the Rebels that hold out in Ireland,
And turn our mild forbearance to contempt,
Fresh forces must be levi'd with best speed,
-- 11 --
Ere farther leisure yield them further strength,
We will our self in person to this War,
And quench this flame before it spread too far.
Ex. with Attendants.
Gaunt.
O to what purpose dost thou hoard thy words,
When thou shouldst breath dear farewels to thy Friends
That round thee, all like silent Mourners gaze.
Bull.
They will not censure me whose scanty time
And breath's too little to take leave of you.
My dear Companions you have known my Heart
Too long, to doubt it on a silent grief—
Ha! by my swelling blood my Father's pale!
How fare's your honour? good my Lords your hands.
Gaunt.
I feel a heaviness like Death, and hope
It is no counterfeit—All shall be well.
Bull.
By Heav'n it shall—I feel my veins work high,
And conscious glory kindling in my brest,
Inspires a Thought to vast to be exprest;
Where this disgrace will end the Heav'ns can tell,
And Herford's Soul divines, that 'twill be well!
A Beam of royal splendor strikes my Eye,
Before my charm'd sight, Crowns and Scepters fly;
The minutes big with Fate, too slowly run,
But hasty Bullingbrook shall push 'em on.
[Ex.
The End of the First Act.
ACT II.
Scene 1
A Chamber.
Gaunt Sick, to him York.
York.
Now Brother, what cheer?
Gaunt.
Why well, 'tis with me as old Gaunt cou'd wish.
York.
What, Harry sticks with you still; well I hear he's safe in
France and very busie.
Gaunt.
My Blood were never Idle.
-- 12 --
York.
I fear too busie; come, he's a par'lous Boy, I smell a confed'racy
betwixt him and his Companions here, Mischief will come
on't, cut him off I say; Let him be Kites-meat—I would hang
a Son, to kill a Traytor.
Gaunt.
Go sleep good York and wake with better thoughts.
York.
Heav'n grant we sleep not all 'till Alarums wake us.
I tell you Brother I lik'd not the manner of his departure, 'twas the
very smooth smiling Face of Infant Rebellion; with what familiar
Courtesie did he caress the Rabble?
What reverence did he throw away on Slaves?
Off goes his Bonnet to an Oysterwench,
A Brace of Dray-men bid God speed him well
And had the Tribute of his supple knee,
Then shakes a Shoo-maker by the waxt Thumbs,
With thanks my Country-men, my Friends, my Brothers,
Then comes a Peal of sighs wou'd knock a Church down,
Roguery, mechanick Roguery! rank Treason,
Gaunt.
My sickness grows upon me, set me higher.
York.
Villany takes its time, all goes worse and worse in Ireland,
Rebellion is there on the Wing, and here in the Egg; yet still
the Court dances after the French Pipe, Eternal Apes of Vanity:
Mutiny stirring, Discipline asleep, Knaves in Office, all's wrong;
make much of your Sickness Brother: if it be Mortal, 'tis worth a
Duke-dome.
Gaunt.
How happy Heav'n were my approaching death
Cou'd my last words prevail upon the King,
Whose easie gentle Nature has expos'd
His unexperienc'd Youth to flatterers frauds;
Yet at this hour, I hope to bend his Ear
To Councel, for the Tongues of dying men
Enforce attention like deep Harmony:
Where words are scarce, th'are seldom spent in Vain,
For they breath Truth, that breath their Words in Pain.
Enter King, Queen, Northumberland, Ross, Willoughby, Piercye, &c. With Guards and Attendants.
Queen.
How fares our Noble Uncle Lancaster?
King.
How is't with aged Gaunt?
Gaunt.
Ag'd as your Highness says, and Gaunt indeed.
-- 13 --
Gaunt, as a Grave whose Womb holds nought but Bones,
King.
Can sick men play so nicely with their Names?
Gaunt.
Since thou dost seek to kill my Name in me,
I mock my Name great King to flatter thee.
King.
Should dying men then, flatter those that Live?
Gaunt.
No, no, Men living flatter those that dye.
King.
Thou now a dying sayst, thou flatter'st me.
Gaunt.
Oh! no, Thou dyest though I the sicker am,
King.
I am in health breath, free but see thee ill
Gaunt.
Now he that made me knows I see thee ill.
Thy death-bed is no less than the whole Land,
Whereon thou ly'st in Reputation sick.
Yet hurri'd on by a malignant fate
Commit'st thy annoynted Body to the Cure
Of those Physitians that first Poyson'd thee!
Upon thy Youth a Swarm of flatterers hang
And with their fulsome weight are daily found
To bend thy yielding Glories to the ground.
King.
Judge Heav'n how poor a thing is Majesty,
Be thou thy self the Judge, when thou sick Wight
Presuming on an Agues Priviledge
Dar'st with thy Frozen admonition,
Make pale our Cheek, but I excuse thy weakness.
Gaunt.
Think not the Ryot of your Court can last,
Tho fed with the dear Life blood of your Realms;
For vanity at last preys of it self.
This Earth of Majesty, this seat of Mars,
This Fortress built by Nature in the Floods,
Whose Rocky shores beat back the foaming Sedge,
This England Conqu'rour of the Neighbring Lands,
Makes now a shameful Conquest on it self.
York.
Now will I stake (my Liege) my Soul upon't;
Old Gaunt is hearty in his wishes for you,
And what he speaks, is out of honest Zeal,
And tho thy Anger prove to me as Mortal,
As is to him this sickness, yet blunt York
Must Eccho to his words and cry,
Thou art abus'd and flatter'd.
King.
Gentle Uncle,
Excuse the sallies of my youthful Blood,
-- 14 --
I know y'are Loyal both and mean us well,
Nor shall we be unmindful to redress,
(However difficult) our States corruption,
And purge the Vanities that Crown'd our Court.
Gaunt.
My gracious Liege your Pardon, this bold duty,
Was all that stood betwixt my Grave and me,
Your Sycophants bred from your Child-hood with you,
Have such advantage had to work upon you,
That scarce your failings can be call'd your faults;
Now to Heav'ns care and your own Piety,
I leave my sacred Lord, and may you have
In life that peace that waits me in the Grave.
King.
Thanks my good Uncle, bear him to his Bed,
[Exit Gaunt.
Attend him well, and if a Princes Prayers
Have more than common interest with Heav'n,
Our Realm shall yet enjoy his honest Councel.
And now my Souldiers for our Irish Wars,
We must suppress these rough prevailing Kerns,
That live like Venom, where no Venom else
But only they have priviledg to live.
But first our Uncle Gaunt being indispos'd,
We do create his Brother both in Blood
And Loyalty our Uncle York,
Lord Governour of England, in our absence
Observe me Lords, and pay him that respect
You give our Royal Presence.
[Enter Northumberland.
North.
My Liege old Gaunt commends him to your Highness.
King.
What says our Uncle?
North.
Nothing; all is said.
His Tongue is now a stringless instrument,
But call'd on your lov'd name and blest you dying.
King.
The ripest fruit falls first and so doe's He,
His course is done, our Pilgrimage to come,
So much for that; return we to our War
And cause our Coffers with too great a Court
And liberal Largess, are grown somewhat Light:
Prest with this exigence, we for a time
Do seize on our dead Uncles large Revenues
In Herford's absence.
York.
O my Liege pardon me if you please, if not, I please not
-- 15 --
to be pardon'd, spare to seize the Royalties and Rights of banisht
Herford, I fear already he's too apt t'engage against your Power,
and these proceedings will give countenance and growth to his
Designs, forbear to draw such Dangers on your Head.
King.
Be Heav'n our judge we mean him nothing fowl
But shortly will with interest restore
The Loan our sudden streights make necessary.—
Weep not my Love nor drown with boding Tears,
Our springing Conquest, bear our absence well,
Nor think that I have joy to part with Thee,
Tho never vacant Swain in silent Bowers,
Cou'd boast a passion so sincere as mine,
Yet where the int'rest of the Subject calls,
We wave the dearest Transports of our Love
Flying from Beauty' Arms to rugged War;
Conscience our first, and Thou our second Care.
[Exeunt.
Manent, Morthumberland, Piercy, Ross, Willoughby.
North.
Well Lords, the Duke of Lancaster is dead.
Will.
And living too if Justice had her right,
For Herford then were more than a bare Name,
Who now succeeds departed Gaunt in nothing,
But in his mind's rich Virtues, the Kings pleas'd
To have occasion for his temporal wealth!
O my heart swells, but let it burst with silence,
Ere it be disburden'd with a liberal tongue.
Perc.
Now rot the tongue that scants a Subjects freedom,
Loosers at least are priviledgd to talk,
And who accounts not Herfords looss his own
Deserves not the esteem if Herford's friend.
There's none of us here present but did weep
At parting, and if there be any one
Whose tears are not converted now to fire
He is a Crocadile.
North.
The fate of Bullingbrook will soon be ours,
We hear the Tempest sing yet seek no shelter,
We see our wreck and yet securely perish,
A sure, but willful Fate—for had ye Spirits
But worthy to receive it, I cou'd say
How near the tidings of our comfort is.
-- 16 --
Pierc.
Give us thy thoughts and rate 'em as thou wilt,
Here's Blood for'em, but point us to the veins
That hold the richest, we will empty those,
To purchase 'em.
North.
Hold generous Youth.
This gallantry unlocks my inmost Brest,
Seizing a secret dearer than my heart.
Attend me Lords, I have from Port le Blanc
This very day receiv'd intelligence,
That our wrong'd Herford with Lord Rainold Cobham,
Sir Thomas Arpingham, bold Sir John Rainston,
Sir Robert Waterton, Quaint, Norbery,
With eight tall Ships, three thousand men in Arms,
Design with speed to touch our Northern shore,
If then you have a spark of British glory,
To imp our drooping Countries broken Wing,
Joyn hands with me and post to Ravenspurg.
Ross.
Now business stirs and life is worth our while.
Will.
Nature her self of late hath broke her Order,
Then why should we continue our dull Round?
Rivers themselves refuse their wonted course,
Start wide or turn on their own Fountain heads;
Our Lawrels all are blasted, rambling Meteors
Affright the fixst inhabitants of Heav'n.
The pale fac't Moon looks bloody on the Earth,
And lean-lookt Prophets whisper dreadful change.
Pierc.
Away, let's post to th' North, and see for once
A Sun rise there; the glorious Bulling-brook.
For our Return will not pass a thought,
For if our Courtiers passage be withstood,
We'll make our selves a Sea and sail in Blood.
[Exeunt.
Enter Queen Attended.
Lady.
Despair not Madam.
Queen.
Who shall hinder me?
I will despair and be at enmity,
With flattering hope, he is a Couzener,
A Parasite, a keeper back of Death,
That wou'd dissolve at once our pain and Life,
Which lingring hope holds long upon the Rack;
-- 17 --
Yet Murders at the last the cruel'st way.
Lady.
Here comes the Duke.
[Enter York and Servants.
Queen.
With signs of War about his aged neck,
And full of careful business are his looks.
York.
Death and confusion! oh!—set my Corsleet right, fetch
my commanding Sword: scour up the brown Bills, Arm, Arm,
Arm.
Queen.
Now Uncle for Heav'ns sake speak comfort.
York.
Comforts in Heav'n, and we are on the Earth, nothing but
crosses on this side of the Moon; my heart stews in Choller, I shall
dissolve to a Gelly. That your Husband shou'd have no more wit
than to go a Knight Erranting whilst Rogues seize all at home, and
that I shou'd have no more wit than to be his Deputy at such a proper
time: to undertake to support a crazy Government, that can
scarce carry my own Fat: Well Sirrah, have you given my Son
orders to strengthen his Forces? if he prove a Flincher too.—
Gent.
My Lord I know not how he stands affected,
Not well, I fear, because at my Arrival
He was withdrawn, at least pretended so
So that I cou'd not give him your Commands.
York.
Why so? go all which way it will, the Nobles are all fled,
and hide themselves like my ungracious Rascal, or else strike in
with the Rebels; the Commons find our Exchequer empty and
revolt too, and a blessed bargain I have on't.
Queen.
Alass my Bank and Jewels are dispos'd off
For the Kings wants already, and to wait
Till fresh recruits come from our Fathers Court,
I fear will lose our Cause.
York.
Get thee to Plashy to my Sister Gloster,
Her Coffers I am sure are strongly lin'd,
Bid her send me presently 50000. Nobles.
Hold—take my Ring, fly if thou lov'st thy Head.
Gent.
My Lord I had forgot to tell you that to day
Passing by there I was inform'd—
But I shall grieve you to report the rest.
York.
What is't Knave?
Gent.
An hour before I came the Dutches Dy'd,
Her Son your Nephew ere her Blood was cold,
Makes all secure and flies to Bullingbrook.
York.
Death what a tide of woes break upon us at once. Perverse
-- 18 --
Woman to take this time to Die in, and the varlet her Son
too to take this time to play the villain in: wou'd to Heav'n the
King had cut off my Head as he did my Brothers, Come Sister
—Couzen I would say, pray Pardon me, if I know how to order
these perplext Affairs, I am a Sturgeon. Gentlemen go Muster
up your Men, and meet me at Barkley Castle. I should to
Plashie too, but time will not suffer; the Wind's cross too, and
will let us hear nothing from Ireland, nor boots it much, if they
have no better News for us, than we have for them. All's wrong,
Oh! fie, hot! hot!
[Exeunt.
SCENE the Third.
The Field, Flourish Enter. Bullingbrook, Northumberland, Piercy, and the Rest with their Powers.
Bull.
And thus like Seamen, scatter'd in a Storm
Meet we to Revel on the safer Shore;
Accept my worthy Friends, my dearest thanks,
For yet my Infant Fortunes can present
Returns no Richer but when these are Ripe,—
North.
Your Presence was the Happiness we sigh'd for,
And now made Rich in that we seek no more.
Enter Ross, and Willoughby.
Bull.
My Lords, y'are well return'd, what News from Wales,
We hear that Salisbury has Levi'd there
Full 40000 on the Kings behalf.
Ross.
My Lord, that Cloud's disperst, the Welshmen hearing
That all the North here had resign'd to you,
Disperst themselves and part are hither fled.
Will.
Fortune so Labours to Confirm your Pow'r
That all Attempts go cross on the Enemies side.
Enter York and Servants.
Bull.
But see our Uncle York, come as I guess
To Treat with us, being doubtful of his strength,
His hot and testie humour else wou'd nere
Salute us but with Blows; be ready Guards
When I shall give Command—My Noble Uncle.
-- 19 --
York.
Shew me thy humble Heart and not thy Knee,
Whose Duty's feign'd and false.
Bull.
My Gracious Uncle.
York.
Tut, tut, Grace me no Grace, and Uncle me no Uncle,
I am no Traytors Uncle, I renounce thee,
Why have these banisht and forbidden Feet
Dar'd once to touch a Dust of English ground,
But more then why, why have they dar'd to march
So many Miles upon her Peaceful Bosom,
Frighting her pale-fac't Villages with War?
Com'st thou because th'annointed King is hence,
Why graceless Boy the King is left behind
And in my Loyal Bosom lies the Power:
Were I but now the Lord of such hot Youth,
As when brave Gaunt thy Father and my Self
Rescu'd the Black Prince, that young Mars of Men,
O then how quickly should this Arm of mine,
(Now Pris'ner to the Palsie) Chastise thee,
And this raw Crew of hot-braind Youth about thee?
Your Boys should have Correction, much Correction.
Bull.
Why reverend Uncle, let me know my fault
On what Condition stands it and wherein?
York.
Even in Condition of the worst Degree,
In gross Rebellion and detested Treason,
Thou art a Banisht Man and here art come,
Before the Expiration of thy time,
In braving Arms against thy Sovereign.
Bull.
As I was Banisht, I was Banisht Herford,
But as I come I come for Lancaster,
Look on my wrongs with an indifferent Eye,
You are my Father, for methinks in you,
I see Old Gaunt Alive: O then my Father
Will you permit that I shall stand Condemnd
A wandring Vagabond, my Rights and Royalties
Snatcht from my Hand perforce and giv'n away
To up-start Unthrifts? wherefore was I Born?
If that my Cousen King, be King of England,
It must be granted I am Duke of Lancaster,
York.
Thy words are all as false as thy Intents,
The King but for the Service of the State,
-- 20 --
Has Borrow'd thy Revenue for a time,
And Pawn'd to me his Honour to repay it,
Which I as Gaunt Executour allow'd.
Bull.
Then Uncle I am sorry you have drawn the Guilt on your
own head, and that of Course Justice must fall there too; we must
Commit you to our Guards Custody.
York.
Perfidious Villain,
Now he that has a Soul give me a Sword!
And since my Followers are too few to Engage,
Give but this Villain here and me a Ring,
And if you do not see a Traytor Cudgell'd,
As a Vile Traytor should, I'll give ye leave
To hang my Brawn i'th' Sun.
North.
The Duke has sworn he comes but for his own,
And in that Claim we all resolve to Assist him.
York.
What says Northumberland? thou rev'rend Rebel,
Think what a Figure makes thy Beard amongst
This Callow Crew; allow that he were wrong'd,
As on the Kings Faith and mine he is not,
Yet in this kind to come with threatning Arms,
To Compass right with wrong, it may not be;
And you that do abet him in this sort
From the hoar'd Head to the raw beardless Chin,
Cherish Rebellion, and are Rebels all.
Bull.
We have not leisure to debate; strike Drums.
York.
Now the Villains Curse light on thee, and if thou dost
seize the Crown, mayst thou be more Plagu'd with being King,
than I am with being Deputy.
SCENE the Fourth.
Enter Rabble]
A Shoomaker, Farrier, Weaver, Tanner, Mercer, Brewer, Butcher, Barber, and infinite others with a Confused Noise.
1.
Silence hea! I Revelation Stitch Command Silence.
All.
Peace hoa!
1.
Am I not Nobly Descended and Honourably Born?
2.
Right, the Field is Honourable, and there was he Born under
a Hedge.
-- 21 --
1.
Have I not born Commission with Watt Tyler (witness our
luminary lost in that Service) and was I not president at Jack
Straw's Councel, to kill all the Nobility and Clergy; but the
Fryers mendicant, that in our Reign wou'd soon have starv'd
out o'th' way?
All.
Hum! hum! hem!
1.
What place then do our guifts desere at such a season, where
the temporal King is absent and Usurpers invade?
2.
Why, it behoveth thee to take unto thee a good Conscience,
and make thy self King.
1.
Simon Shuttle, I never lik't thy Politicks, our meanest Brethren
pretend to the spirit of Governing, our Talent is to govern
the Governour; therefore as Bullingbrook shall approve
himself to our liking, we will fix him upon the last of the Government,
or cast him out amongst the shreds and shavings of
the Common-wealth.
4.
But pray Neighbour, what is this same Common-wealth?
3.
You may see it at Smithfield all the Fair-time, 'tis the Butt End
of the Nation.
5.
Peace hea! hear Master Revelation expound it.
1.
Why the Common-wealth is a-Kin to your-a-republick, like
Man and Wife, the very same thing, only the Common-wealth is
the Common-wealth and the Republick is the Republick.
2.
What an excellent Spirit of knowledge is here?
3.
Wee'l have no more Bills nor Bonds, but all shall be reduc't
to the Score and Tally.
4.
No Physick, but what shall be administer'd in a Horn.
5.
We'l have Priviledges taken off, and all sorts compell'd to pay
their Debts.
7.
I except against that, I would rather break, than have gentlemen
out of my debt; it gives us priviledg of being Sawcy: how
are we fain to cringe 'till we have got them into our Books? and then I
warrant we can cock up with the best of 'em. I hate mortally to
be paid off, it makes a man such a sneaking Rascal.
1.
We will have strict and wholsom Laws—
6.
Laws, Strict Laws, so will there be no mischief done, and our
Profession starve. I'll ha' no Laws.
Others,
no Laws, no Laws, no Laws.
Others,
Laws, Laws, Laws.
They Scuffle.
1.
Hark, Bullingbrook approaches, put your selves in posture,
-- 22 --
and Sow-gelder, wind me a strong Blast to return their Complement.
Flourish here.]
Enter Bullingbrook with his Army.
North.
Behold my Lord an Object strange and suddain,
The Rabble up in Arms to mock your pow'rs.
As once the Indian Apes are said to have done
To Alexander's Army.
Pierc.
Death my Lord.
Permit me play for once the Scavinger,
And sweep this Dirt out of your way.
Bull.
Gently my valiant Piercy.
Rage is the proper weapon of these Bruits,
With which 'tis odds, they foil us, Rainston go to'em,
Bespeak 'em fair, and know what caus'd this Tumult.
1.
Oh an envoy! know of him his Quality.
4.
'Tis Sir John Rainston, I have wrought for him.
1.
Down on thy knee; now (because we will observe Decorums
of State) rise up Sir John Drench and Treat with him.
Bull.
Hold Rainston, we will treat with 'em in person,
For in their looks I read a sober judgment,
All carefull to preserve the publick weal,
Chiefly this awful man, to whose grave Censure
We do refer the justice of our Arms.
2.
Goodly! what a gracious person he is.
Bull.
I weep for joy, to see so brave a spirit,
So jealous of your Liberty and Rights.
Trust me my Countrymen, my Friends, my Brothers,
'Tis worthy of the fame the world affords you,
And that curst Limb that stirs against your Priviledges,
Why, let it Rot, tho' it were this right hand.
All.
A Bullingbrook! a Bullingbrook! &c.
Bull.
Mistake not my dear Countrymen our purpose,
You think perhaps cause we are now arriv'd,
With formal Arms, in absence of the King,
That we take this occasion to Usurp,
Alas we harbour no such foul design.
1.
How's that? not usurp? hear ye that Neighbours? he refuses
to Usurp.
Others,
Fall on then, he is not for our turn, down with him.
-- 23 --
1.
Sir, we shall give you to understand that we want a Usurper,
and if you refuse to usurp you are a Traytor, and so we put our
selves in Battail array.
Bull.
Yet hear me—what you mean by Usurpation,
I may mistake, and beg to be informd.
If it be only to ascend the Throne,
To see that justice has a liberal course,
In needful Wars to lead you forth to Conquest,
And then dismiss you laden home with Spoils;
If you mean this, I am at your disposal,
And for your profit am content to take
The burden of the State upon my hands.
All,
A Bullingbrook, a Bullingbrook, &c.
1.
One word of caution Friend, be not Chicken-hearted, but pluck
up a Spirit for the work before thee; it was revealed to me that now
there should arise a Son of Thunder, a second Tyler—and I am
resolv'd the vision shall not Lie; therefore I say again pluck up a
Spirit; otherwise I shall discharge my Conscience and usurp my
Self.
Bull.
Friends think me not made of such easie phlegm,
That I can timely pocket wrongs; if so
Why come I thus in Arms to seek my Right?
No sirs, to give you proof that Bullingbrook
Can do bold justice, here stands one Example:
This bold presumer that dares call in question,
The courage of the Man you choose for King,
Shall die for his Offence, Guards hang him up.
1.
Why Neighbours will ye thus give up your Light? who shall
reveal to ye, to save you from the Poyson of the Whore and the
Horns of the Beast.
2.
He had no Vision to foretel this, therefore deserves Hanging
for being a false Prophet.
Bull.
Thus as a Ruler, justice bids me doom,
But for my private part I weep to think
That Blood shou'd be the Prologue to my Reign.
4.
Good Prince he weeps for him! Neighbour Revelation depart
in peace. For thy honour it will be recorded that Bullingbrook
was Crown'd and thou hang'd all on a Day.
1.
What a spirit of delusion has seiz'd ye? why thus will this
rav'nous Storck devour ye all! do, do, deliver me to the Gibbet, and
-- 24 --
let the next turn be yours, thus shall these Nobility Rascals hold
you in Slavery, seize your Houses over your heads, hang your Sons
and ravish your Daughters.
All,
Say ye so? they must excuse us for that: fall on Neighbors.
A Rescue, a Rescue, &c.
Bull.
Hold Gentlemen, if I have done ye wrong,
The fault is mine and let me suffer for't;
But be not thus injurious to your selves,
To fling your naked Breasts on our Swords points.
Alas it will not be within my Pow'r,
To save ye, when my Troops are once enrag'd.
Therefore give up this vile Incendiary,
Who as you see, to save his miscreant Life,
Seeks to expose all yours—trust me I weep
To think that I must loose a Member—but
Let justice have its course.
All,
Ay, ay, Let justice have it's course, hang, hang him up.
A Bullingbrook, a Bullingbrook, a Bullingbrook, &c,
[Exeunt.
ACT the Third.
SCENE the First.
Enter King Richard, Aumerle, Carlile, &c. Souldiers.
King.
Barklay-Castle, call you this at hand?
Aum.
The same my Lord, how brooks your Grace the Air,
After long tossing on the breaking Seas.
King.
Needs must I like it well, I weep for joy
To stand upon my Kingdom once again,
Dear Earth I do salute thee with my Hand,
Tho' Rebells wound thee with their Horses hoofs;
Feed not thy Sov'raigns foes my gentle earth,
-- 25 --
Nor with thy fragrant sweets refresh their sense,
With Thorns and Brambles Choak their Treacherous way;
And when they stoop to Rob thee of a Flow'r,
Guard it I pray thee with a lurking Adder!
Serpents with Serpents fitly will engage—
Mock not my senseless Conjuration Lords,
This Earth shall have a feeling, and these Stones
Rise Souldiers Arm'd before their Native King,
Shall falter under foul Rebellious Arms.
Carlile.
Doubt not my Lord, the Conduct and the Courage
With which you have supprest one Rebel Crew,
Will Crown your Temples with fresh Lawrells here;
How have we else Employ'd our absent time
But Practising the way to Victory.
Aum.
I fear my Lord that we are too remiss
Whilst Bullingbrook through our security,
Strengthens himself in substance and in Friends.
King.
Desponding Cousin dost thou not consider
That when the searching Eye of Heav'n is hid,
Then Thieves and Robbers do securely Range,
Alarm with Cryes of Murther starting sleep,
And fill with Out-rages the guilty Shades,
But when the Day's discov'ring Rays return,
Firing the proud tops of the Eastern Pines,
And dart their Lightnings through each Guilty Nook
Then Murders, Treasons, and detested Crimes,
Dismantled from the Cloak of Night, stand bare,
And Tremble at their own Deformity!
So, when this Thief Night-rev'ling Bullingbrook
Shall see our Beams of Majesty return'd,
His Treasons shall sit blushing on his Face,
Not able to endure the sight of Day.
Carl.
Not all the Waters of th'unfathom'd Sea
Can wash the Balm from an Annointed King.
King.
Move we secure then in our Royal Right,
To th' Traytors Executions, not to Fight.
[Exeunt.
-- 26 --
SCENE The Second.
A Garden.
Queen Dutches of York, and other Ladies.
Queen.
Our Uncle York's delay brings fresh suspition,
That we are Pris'ners in a larger Chain;
Besides I fear that our Intelligence
Is Smooth'd and Tamper'd ere it reach our Ear.
Dutch.
Our Servants wear a doubtful Countenance,
Struck with a gen'ral fear whilst they observe
Fresh Prodigies start forth with ev'ry Hour.
The frighted Springs retreat to Earth agen,
The Seasons change their Courses, as the Year
Had found some Months asleep and leapt them over.
Qu.
Here come the Gardiners; let us step aside,
They'l talk of State, for every one do's so
Before a Change, and dullest Animals
Have oft the earliest sense of Alterations.
Enter Gardiner and Servant.
Gard.
Support those Vines, and Bind those Peaches up,
Then like an Executioner
Cut off the Heads of Sprigs that grow too fast,
And look too lofty in our Commonwealth,
All must be even in our Government.
But now we speak of Execution,
2.
Are Bushie Green and th' Earl of Wiltshire Dead?
Serv.
By Bullingbrook's Command they have lost their Heads;
The King is Landed, but it seems too late
To Head the Forces rais'd by Salisbury
Who had disperst themselves ere he arriv'd.
Qu.
Then all our fears are true, we are betray'd.
Dutch.
Patience dear Madam, we may get hear further.
Serv.
Think you the King will be depos'd?
Gard.
Deprest he is already, and 'tis fear'd
His fortune will decline from bad to worse,
Do what we can, you see our Lawrels wither,
Our Sun-flowers all are blasted, streams run backward,
These Prodigies forbode some dreadful change,
'Tis thought at last the King will be depos'd.
-- 27 --
Queen.
I'm prest to death with silence—boding Peazant,
More senseless then the Plants or Earth thou tend'st,
Darst thou divine the downfall of a King?
Old Adams likeness set to dress this Garden,
What Eve, what Serpent has seduc'd thy soul,
To prophesie this second fall of Man?
Gard.
Pardon me Madam, little joy have I
To breath this News, but fear you'll find 'em true.
Queen.
Come Ladies, let us post to meet the King,
This Scretch-Owl yet amongst his boding cries,
Has sung the glad news of the Kings Arrival!
Which otherwise we were forbid to know;
Thou fear'st lest York shou'd meet with Bushies Fate,
Suspend thy Tears, the heavy time may come,
That thou wilt blush to see thy York alive;
If Richard fall, 'tis Treason to survive.
Exeunt
SCENE the Third.
A Heath.
King, Aumerle, Carlile, Souldiers.
King.
Command a hault, we will a while refresh,
Our sultry March, a cool breez fanns this Air—
The last expresses we receiv'd from Wales,
Spoke of full 20000 fighting men,
Did it not Lords?
Aum.
And some odd Troops besides.
King.
Nor will our Uncle York be negligent,
To muster up what Force he can,
Sure we shall blush my Lords, at our own strength,
Heaping such numbers for so just a cause.
Aum.
Sir, doubt not but the active Foe will find
Business enough t'employ our outmost Numbers.
Enter Salisbury.
I fear me we shall more want Hands than Work.
King.
See Cousen who comes here, i'th 'very Minute
To clear thy doubts, our trusty Salisbury.
Welcome my Lord, how far off lies your Power?
Sal.
My gracious Lord, no farther off nor nearer
Then this weak Arm, discomfort guides my tongue,
And bids me speak of nothing but despair.
I fear my noble Lord one day too late,
-- 28 --
Has clouded all your happy days on earth!
O call back yesterday, bid time return,
Thou shalt have 20000 Fighting men,
To day to day! one luckless day too late,
O'rethrows thy Friends, thy Fortune and thy State;
Our Welchmen Miss-inform'd that you were dead,
Are gone to Bullingbrook disperst and fled.
Aum.
Comfort my Liege, why looks your Grace so pale?
King.
But now the blood of 20000 men,
Did triumph in my Face and they are fled,
Have I not reason think you to look pale?
My Fortune like a wife that has arriv'd
The hardness to have once prov'd open false,
Will set no Limits to her treach'rys now:
But turn to every upstart that will court her,
Now all that will be safe fly from my side,
For time has set a blast upon my Pride.
Aum.
My Liege remember who you are.
King.
I had forgot my self, am I not King?
Awake thou sluggard Majesty thou sleep'st!
Is not the Kings name 40000 names,
Arm, arm my Name! a puny Subject strikes
At thy great glory! look not to the ground
Ye favourites of a King;
See Salisbury, our hasty Scroop brings Balm
To salve the Wound thy piercing tidings gave.
[Enter Scroop.
Come on thou trusty Souldier; oh draw near!
Thou never shew'dst thy self more seasonably,
Not when the flying Battle thou hast turn'd,
And from the hands of Conquest forc't the Day.
Scroop.
More health and happiness befall my Liege,
Then my care-burden'd Tongue has to deliver.
King.
How's that? I charge thee on thy Soul speak comfort.
Ha! wilt thou not speak Comfort? then speak Truth.
My ear is open and my heart prepar'd,
The worst thou canst unfold is worldly loss,
Say, is my Kingdom lost? why 'twas my Care;
And what loss is it to be rid of Care?
Strives Bullingbrook to be as great as we?
If Heav'n approve his hopes, why let 'em thrive!
-- 29 --
Revolt our Subjects? that we cannot mend,
To Heav'n they first were false and then to us!
Then give thy heavy heart as heavy speech,
Cry Woe, Destruction, Ruin, Loss, Decay,
The worst is Death, and Death will have his Day.
Scroop.
I'm glad to find your Highness so prepar'd,
Like a fierce sudden Storm that swells the Floods,
As if the world were all dissolv'd to Tears,
So rages Bullingbrook above his bounds,
Cov'ring the fearful Land with clashing Arms;
Old Sires have bound their hairless Scalps in steel,
Boys leave their sports and tune their tender Pipes
To the big voice of War, and strut in Armour;
The very Beadsmen learn to bend their Bows,
The very Women throw their Infants by,
Snatch rusty Bills and flock to the mad War,
And all goes worse than I have Power to tell.
King.
Too well, alas, thou tell'sta Tale so Ill!
Where is the Earl of Wiltshire, Bushie, Bagot?
That they have let these mischiefs spread so far,
If we prevail their Heads shall answer for't!
I warrant they have made peace with Bullingbrook.
Scroop.
Peace have they made with him indeed.
King.
Oh Villains Vipers, damn'd without redemption!
Dogs, quickly won to fawn on any Comer,
Snakes in my Heartsblood warm'd to sting my Heart,
Wou'd they make Peace? eternal Hell make War
Upon their spotted souls for this Offence.
Scroop.
Again uncurse their Souls, their Peace is made
With Heads and not with Hands, those whom you curse
Are butcher'd in your Cause, beheaded all
And with their last breath wisht your Arms success.
Aum.
Where is the Duke my Father with his Forces?
King.
No matter where; of Comfort no man speak;
Let's talk of Graves, of Worms and Epitaphs,
Make Dust our paper, and with rainy eyes
Write sorrow on the bosom of the earth!
For Heav'ns sake let's sit upon the ground,
And tell sad stories of the Death of Kings,
How some have been depos'd, some slain in War,
-- 30 --
Some poyson'd by their Wives, some sleeping kill'd;
All murther'd: for within the hollow Crown
That rounds the mortal Temples of a King,
Keeps death his Court, and there the Antique sits,
Scoffing his State, and grinning at his Pomp!
Allowing him a short fictitious Scene,
To play the Prince, be fear'd, and kill with looks,
'Till swell'd with vain conceit the flatter'd thing
Believes himself immortal as a God;
Then to the train fate's Engineer sets fire,
Blows up his pageant Pride and farewell King.
Cover your heads and mock not flesh and blood,
With solemn reverence, throw away Respect,
Obeysance, Form and Ceremonious Duty,
For you have but mistook me all this while,
I live with bread like you, feel Wants, tast Grief,
Therefore am I no King, or a King nothing.
Aum.
Give to the Foe my Lord, this cold despair,
No worse can come of Fight, of Death much better.
My Fathers Troops are firm let's joyn with them,
And manage wisely that last stake o'th' War,
Want's craft can make a body of a limb.
King.
You chide me well, proud Bullingbrook I come,
[Rises.
To change blows with thee for our day of Doom,
This Ague-fit of fear is overblown,
An easie task it is to win our own;
Say, Scroop, where lies our Uncle with his Pow'r?
My fir'd heart now longs for the fatal hour.
Scroop.
Men by the Skies complexion judge the day,
So may you by my dull and heavy eye,
Find that my tongue brings yet a heavier Tale,
I play the Torturer by small and small!
Your Uncle York treating with Bullingbrook,
Was seiz'd by him, and's still kept close Confin'd
So that the strength which he was must'ring up,
Is quast and come to nought.
King.
Thou hast said enough,
Beshrew thee Cousin that didst lead me forth
Of that sweet I was in to despair!
What say ye now? what comfort have ye now?
-- 31 --
By Heav'n I'll hate him everlastingly,
That bids me be of comfort any more!
Enter Queen, Dutchess, Ladies and Attendants.
Now by despair my Queen and her fair train!
Come to congratulate our Victory,
And claim the triumph we at parting promis'd;
Go tell 'em Lords, what feats you have perform'd,
And if ye please tell my adventures too,
You know I was no Idler in the War.
Oh! torture, now I feel my miseries sting,
And this appearance strikes me dead with shame
Queen.
Welcome my Lord,
This minute is our own, and I'll devote it all
To extasie, the Realm receives her King,
And I my Lover,—thou dost turn away!
Nor are they tears of joy which thou dost shed,
I give thee welcome, thou reply'st with sighs!
King.
What language shall my bankrupt fortunes find,
To greet such Heavenly excellence as thine?
I promiss'd thee success and bring thee Tears!
O couldst thou but devorce me from thy Heart!
But oh! I know thy virtue will undoe thee,
Thou wilt be still a faithful constant Wife,
Feel all my Wrongs and suffer in my Fall?
There is the sting and venom of my Fate,
When I shall think that I have ruin'd Thee.
Queen.
I ask no more my Lord, at Fortunes hands
Then priviledge to suffer for your sake!
Who wou'd not share your Grief to share your Love?
This Kingdom yet, which once you did prefer
To the worlds sway, this Beauty and this Heart
Is Richards still, millions of Loyal thoughts
Are always waiting there to pay you homage.
That glorious Empire yields to you alone,
No Bullingbrook can chase you from that Throne.
King.
We'll march no farther, lead to th' Castle here.
[Exeunt.
-- 32 --
SCENE the Fourth.
A Castle.
Flourish. Enter Bullingbrook, York, Northumberland, Piercy, Willoughby, &c.
North.
The News is very fair and good My Lord,
Richard within this Fort has hid his head.
York.
It would become the Lord Northumberland
To say King Richard, that so good a King
Should be compell'd to hide a sacred Head,
And Thou have leave to shew a Villains Face!
Bull.
Mistake not Uncle farther then you shou'd.
York.
Talk not thou Traytor farther then thou shoud'st.
[Enter Ross.
Bull.
What say'st thou Ross? will not this Castle yield?
Ross.
My Lord the Castle Royally is man'd
Against your entrance, for the King and Queen
But newly are arriv'd and enter'd there,
With them the Lord Aumerle, Lord Salisbury,
Sir Stephen Scroop, besides a Clergy-man
Of holy rev'rence, whom I cannot learn.
North.
I know him, 'tis the Bishop of Carlile.
Bull.
Go Northumberland, through the ribs of this Castle,
With brazen Trumpets sound the breath of Parle,
Say thus—that Bullingbrook upon his knees
Kisses King Richards hands with true allegiance,
And that with thoughts of Peace he's hither come.
Ev'n at his feet to lay his Arms and Pow'r,
Provided his Revenues be restor'd,
His Banishment repeal'd; let this be granted
Or else he'l use th'advantage of his Power,
And lay the Summers Dust with show'rs of Blood:—
Enter King above Aumerle, Carlile, &c.
But see where on the walls he do's appear,
As do's the blushing discontented Sun,
When envious Clouds combine to shade his Glory.
York.
O my dear Liege, Heav'n guard your Majesty,
'Fore Heav'n, my old heart leaps at sight of you,
Think not that falsly I gave up your Pow'r,
If any Villain of 'em dares to say it,
-- 33 --
I'le call that Villain Lyar to his teeth,
He is a Rogue, tho' it be Bullingbrook!
Lo, here I kneel, and pay thee Homage as a true
Subject shou'd before the Rebels Faces.
King.
Rise York, I know thy truth, and pity thee.
We are amaz'd, and thus long have we stood
To watch the fearful bending of his knee;
Because We thought Our Self his lawful King.
Tell Bullingbrook, for yond' methinks is he,
That every stride he makes upon Our Land
Is dangerous Treason: He is come t' unfold
The purple Testament of bleeding War:
But e're the Crown he seeks shall bind his Brow,
A thousand Orphan'd Widowed Mothers Tears
Shall wash from Earth their Sons and Husbands Blood
North.
Heaven forbid our Lord the King
Shou'd thus with civil Arms be rusht upon;
Lord Bullingbrook does humbly kiss your Hand,
And swears his coming hither has no other scope
Then to demand his Royalties, and beg
Enfrancisement from Exile; grant but this,
His Glitt'ring Arms he will commend to Rust.
King.
Northumberland say thus,—The King complies
With his Demands; and so commend us to him.
We do debase Our Self Cousin, do we not,
To look so peaceful and to speak so fair?
Shall we call back Northumberland, and send
Defiance to the Traytor's Heart, and Die.
Aum.
No, good my Lord, let's fight with gentle words,
Till time lend Friends, and Friends their conquering Swords.
King.
That ere this power-chang'd Tongue
That laid the Sentence of dread Banishment
On yond proud Man, shou'd take it off agen.
O that I were as great
As is my Grief, or lesser than my Name!
That I could quite forget what I have been,
Or not remember what I must be now.
Aum.
Northumberland comes back from Bullingbrook.
King.
What must the King do now? Must he forgo
The Name of King? O' God's Name let it pass,
-- 34 --
I'll give my Jewels for a set of Beads,
My gilded Palace for a Hermitage,
My Robes of Empire for an Alms-man's Gown,
My figur'd Goblets for a Dish of Wood,
My Scepter for an humble Palmers Staff,
My Subjects for a pair of Poor Carv'd Saints,
And my large Kingdom for a little Grave,
A little, very little obscure Grave!
Aumarle, Thou weep'st; my tender hearted Cousin,
Wee'l joyn our Royal with thy Loyal Tears,
Our sighs and they shall lodge the Summer Corn
And make a Dearth in this revolting Land.
North.
My Lord he thanks your Highness and begs leave
To speak with you, Sir please you to come down:
Hee'll wait your Majesty ith' Court below.
King.
Down, down, I come like Blazing Phaeton,
Wanting the Menage of unruly Steeds;
Down pomp, down swelling stubborn Heart, down King,
For Night-Owls shriek where Mounting Larks should sing.
[Exeunt from above.
Re-enter Bullingbrook and his Company in the Court.
Bul.
Northumberland to London, with all speed,
Summon a Parliament i'th' Commons Name,
In Order to the Kings Appearance there;
[Enter King attended.]
But see—his Highness comes, stand all apart
And shew fair Duty to his Majesty.
York runs over to the King, kneels and kisses his Hand.
York.
Now left the Rebels seize me if they can,
For here I'll perish by my Sovereign's side.
King.
Fy Cousin, you debase your princely Knee
And make our Earth too proud with Kissing it;
Methinks my Heart had rather feel your Love,
Then thus in Eye behold the Courtesie:
Up Cousen, up—Your Heart is up, I know
Bul.
My gracious Lord I come but for my own.
King.
And to that Title who must set the Bounds?
-- 35 --
Bul.
Nor even to that do I lay farther claim,
Than my true Service shall deserve your Love.
King.
Well you deserve, they best deserve to have,
That know the strongest surest way to get;
But Heav'n rules all—good Uncle dry your Tears—
Cousin I am to young to be your Father
Tho' you are Old enuff to be my Heir!
Methinks one Person's wanting yet
To this fair Presence, our Old Loyal Gaunt,
He was thy Father Herford, was he not?
Excuse me Cousin, Tears but ill become
A King, at least when Friends and Kinsmen meet,
And yet I cannot chuse but weep to think,
That whilst you press and I permit this Scorn;
What Plagues we heap on Children yet unborn.
[Exeunt.
ACT IV.
Scene 1
Enter York, Aumarle in their Parliament Robes, Two Messengers from Bullingbrook.
York.
Tut, tut, tut, tell not me of Patience, 'tis a Load a
Burden that Knaves will never cease to lay on
whilst Asses will carry it! nothing but Villany
in this versal World, and nothing plagues me
but that I can't turn Villain too, to be Reveng'd.
Aum.
Perfidious Bullingbrook to bow the knee,
And do Obeysance to our Royal Master;
To treat of Peace and tend him all the way
With duteous Ceremony humblest Service,
Yet basely to confine him after all,
To call a Senate in King Richard's Name
Against King Richard, to depose King Richard,
Is such a Monster of curst usurpation,
As nere was practis'd in the barb'rous Climes,
Where Subject her'd and Courts themselves are Savage.
-- 36 --
York,
Out on this Sultry Robe! O Spleen! Spleen!-Fat and
Vexation will be the Death of me,—Behold this Brace
Of Raizor-nos'd Rascals, you'd swear that a split
Groat made both their Faces; lean Pimps,
That cou'd scarce stop a Cranny in a Door:
Why? they are forsooth no less than Rogues of State.
Mess.
My Lord, this is no Answer to our Message.
York.
I, the Message! I had rather you had brought me—
Poyson; for certain 'twas sent to be the Death of me: Thou
know'st Boy, on what Account we are going this Morning.
Wou'd you think it, this Traytor Bullingbrook has sent for me;
for me, I say, sent by these Rogues for me, to confer with him
in private before the House sits.
Aum.
That was indeed provoking.
York.
Nay, let honest men judge if Murder was not in his
heart, and that he thought the Message wou'd make me Die
with Choller.—Now should I clap this pair of Arrows to a
Bow-string and shoot 'em back to the Usurper.—Go tell the
Knave your Master, He's a Fool to send for me, I renounce him:
Speak with him in private before the House sits. Why? I
wou'd not meet him there but to shew my self for Richard, and
then tell him he'l see one that that hates a Traytor, be Bullingbrook
what he will.
[Exit.
Enter Dutchess of York.
Dutch.
Aumarle, come back, by all the Charms of Duty,
I do conjure you temper your rash Father,
His Zeal can do th' abandoned King no good;
But will provoke th' usurper to our ruin.
Aum.
Already, I have prest beyond his Patience,
What can our poor Endeavours help the King
When he himself comply's with his hard fortune;
He comes this Morning to Resign the Crown.
Dutch.
Where then is that amazing Resolution,
That in his Non-age fir'd his Youthful Brest:
To face Rebellion and strike dead the Monster,
When Tyler's Deluge cover'd all the Land?
Or where the fury that supprest the Kerns;
Whilst numbers perisht by his Royal Arm?
-- 37 --
Aum.
With such Malignant fortune he is prest,
As renders bravest Resolution vain;
By force and fraud reduc't to that Distress,
That ev'n ith' best opinion of his Friends
He is advis'd to yield his Scepter up,
This poor reserve being all, to make that seem
As voluntary, which perforce must be;
But how resents the Queen this strange Oppression?
Dutch.
As yet the worst has been dissembled to her,
A slumber now has seiz'd her wakeful Lids:
But heere she comes, I must attend, Away.
[Ex. Aum.
Enter Queen supported by Ladies.
Qu.
Convey me to my Lord, or bring him hither,
Fate labours in my Brest and frights my Dreams;
No sooner sleep can seize my weeping Eyes,
But boding Images of Death and Horrour
Affright the Infant slumber into Cries,
A Thousand forms of ruin strike my thoughts;
A Thousand various Scenes of Fate are shewn,
Which in their sad Catastrophe agree,
The Moral still concludes in Richard's fall.
Dutch.
How shall we now dare to inform her Grief
Of the sad Scene the King must Act to day?
Qu.
Ev'n now amidst a Chaos of distraction,
A Towring Eagle wing'd his cloudy way,
Pursu'd by rav'nous Kites, and clamorous Daws,
That stript th' imperial Bird of all his Plumes,
And with their Numbers sunk him to the ground:
But as I nearer drew, the Figure chang'd,
My Richard there lay weltring in his gore!
So dreamt Calphurnia, and so fell Cæsar.
Enter a Lady.
Lad.
Madam, the King is coming.
Qu.
Thou bring'st a welcom hearing, and already
I feel his powerful influence chase my fears,
For grief it self must smile when Richard's by.
Enter King in Mourning.
Oh Heav'n is this? is this my promis'd joy!
Not all the terrours of my sleep presented
-- 38 --
A Spectacle like this! O speak, my Lord!
The Blood starts back to my cold Heart; O speak!
What means this dark and mournful Pageantry,
This pomp of Death?
King.
Command your Waiters forth,
My space is short, and I have much to say.
Qu.
Are these the Robes of State? Th' imperial Garb,
In which the King should go to meet his Senate?
Was I not made to hope this Day shou'd be
Your second Coronation, second Birth
Of Empire, when our Civil Broils shou'd sleep,
For ever husht in deep Oblivion's Grave?
King.
O Isabel! This Pageantry suits best
With the black Day's more black Solemnity;
But 'tis not worth a Tear, for, say what part
Of Life's vain Fable can deserve a Tear,
A real Sorrow for a feign'd Distress!
My Coronation was (methinks) a Dream,
Think then my Resignation is no more.
Qu.
What Resignation? Mean you of the Crown?
Will Richard then against himself conspire?
Th'Usurper will have more excuse than he:
No, Richard, never tamely yield your Honours,
Yield me; yield if you must your precious Life,
But seize the Crown, and grasp your Scepter dying.
King.
Why dost thou fret a Lyon in the Toil
To Rage, that only makes his Hunters sport?
Permit me briefly to recount the steps,
By which my Fortune grew to this distress.
Then tell me, what cou'd Alexander do
Against a Fate so obstinate as mine.
Qu.
Oh Heav'n! Is awful Majesty no more?
King.
First, had I not bin absent when th' Invader
Set footing here; or if being then in Ireland,
The cross Winds not forbad the News to reach me;
Or when the shocking Tidings were arriv'd,
Had not the veering Winds agen obstructed
My passage back, 'till rumour of my Death
Disperst the Forces rais'd by Salisbury;
Or when these hopes were perisht, had not Baggot,
-- 39 --
Bushie, and Green, by Bullingbrook been murder'd,
Old York himself (our last reserve) surpriz'd,
There were some scope for Resolution lest.
But what curst Accident i'th' power of Chance,
That did not then befall to cross my Wishes;
And what strange hit could Bullingbrook, desire,
That fell not out to push his Forttnes on;
Whatever outmost Fate cou'd do to blast
My hopes was done; what outmost Fate cou'd do
T' advance proud Bullingbrooks as sure befell.
Now which of these Misfortunes was my fault?
Or what cou'd I against resisting Heav'n!
Qu.
Oh my dear Lord, think not I meant t'upbraid
[Weeps over him.]
Your Misery—
Death seize my Youth, when any other passion
For injur'd Richard in my Brests finds room,
But tendrest Love and Pity of his Woes.
King.
That I resign the Crown with seeming will,
Is now the best my Friends can counsel me,
Th' usurping House decrees it must be done,
And therefore best that it seem Voluntary.
Qu.
Has Loyalty so quite renounc't the World,
That none will yet strike for an injur'd King?
King.
Alas! my sinking Barque shall wreck no more
My gen'rous Friends, let Crowns and Scepters go
Before I swim to 'em in Subjects blood.
The King in pity to his Subjects quits
His Right, that have no pity for their King!
Let me be blest with cool Retreat and thee,
Thou World of Beauty, and thou Heav'n of Love,
To Bullingbrook I yield the Toils of State:
And may the Crown sit lighter on his Head
Than e're it did on Richard's.
Qu.
Destiny
Is Tyrant over King's; Heav'n guard my Lord.
King.
Weep not my Love, each Tear thou shedst is Theft,
For know, thou robb'st the great ones of their due;
Of Pomp divested we shou'd now put off,
It's dull Companion Grief—Farewel my Love:
Thy Richard shall return to thee again,
The King no more.
-- 40 --
Qu.
In spight of me, my sorrow
In sad Prophetic Language do's reply
Nor Richard, nor the King.
[Exeunt severally.
Scene 2
SCENE the Parliament.
Bullingbrook, Northumb. Piercie, York, Aumarle, Carlile, with other Nobles and Officers making a full House.
North.
Great Duke of Lancaster, I come to thee
From Richard, who with free and willing Soul
Adopts thee Heir, and his high Scepter yields
To the possession of thy Royal Hand;
Ascend his Throne descending now from him,
And long live Henry of that Name the Fourth.
Bull.
Richard Consents, and Lords I have your Voices,
In Heav'ns Name therefore I ascend the Throne.
Carl.
No, hasty Bullingbrook, in Heav'ns Name stay,
Tho' meanest of this Presence, yet I'll speak
A Truth that do's beseem me best to speak,
And wou'd to God, the noblest of this presence
Were enuff noble to be Richard's Judge:
What subject can give sentence on his King!
And who sits here that is not Richard's Subject?
Theeves are not judg'd, but they are by to hear,
Th' indictment read, and Answer to their Charge,
And shall the Figure of Heav'ns Majesty,
His Captain, Steward, Deputy, Elect,
Anointed, Crown'd and planted many years,
Be judg'd by Subject and inferiour Breath,
And he not present! o' forbid it God!
That in a Christian Climate Souls refin'd,
Shou'd Plot so heinous black obscene a deed;
I speak to Subjects, and a Subject speaks,
Stir'd up by Heaven thus boldly for his King.
York.
Now by my Life, I thank thee honest Prelate,
My Lords what say ye to the Bishops Doctrine,
Is't not Heavenly true? you know it is;
Nor can ev'n graceless Herford's self gain say't.
-- 41 --
Carl.
My Lord of Hereford here whom you call King,
Is a foul Traytor to proud Herford's King,
And if you Crown him, let me prophesie,
The blood of English shall manure the Land,
And future Ages groan for this foul Deed:
And if you rear this House against its self,
It will the wofullest Division prove
That ever yet befell this guilty Earth.
Prevent, resist it, stop this breach in Time
Lest Childrens Children, curse you for this Crime.
North.
Well have you argu'd, Sir, and for your pains
Of Capital Treason we Arrest you here;
My Lord of Westminster, be it your care
To keep him safely till his Day of Tryal.
Wil't please you Lords to grant the Common's Suit?
York.
First let me move and yield some Knave a Seat.
Bull.
Bring hither Richard, that in open view
He may surrender so shall we proceed
Without suspition.
King Richard brought in.
King.
Alack why am I sent for to the King,
Before I have shook off the Regal thoughts
With which I Reign'd—as yet I have not learnt
T' insinuate, flatter, bow, and bend the Knee,
Give sorrow leave a while to tutor me
To this submission—Yet I well remember
The favours these Men! were they not mine?
To do what service am I sent for hither?
North.
To do that Office of your own good will,
Which weary'd Majesty did prompt thee to
The Resignation of thy Crown and State
To Henry Bullingbrook.
King.
My own good Will?
Yes, Heav'n and you know with what sort of Will!
You say it is my Will: why be it so,
Give me the Crown—come Cousin seize the Crown
Upon this side my Hand, on that side thine.
Now is this Crown a Well wherein two Vessels
That in successive Motion rise and fall,
-- 42 --
The emptier ever dancing in the Air,
Th' opprest one down, unseen and sunk, that Vessel
Dejected, prest and full of Tears am I,
Drinking my Griefs whilst Herford mounts on high.
Bull.
I thought you had been willing to Resign.
King.
My Crown I am, but still my Griefs are mine.
Bull.
Are you contented to Resign or no?
King.
Yes—No—yet let it pass,
From off my Head I give this heavy weight,
And this unwieldy Scepter from my Hand;
So with my Tears I wash my Balm away,
With my own breath release all duteous Oaths,
My Pomp and Majesty for ever quit,
My mannors, Rents, Revenues I forego,
My Acts, Decrees and Statutes I repeal,
Heav'n pardon all Oaths that are broke to me;
Heav'n keep unbroke all Vows are made to thee
Make me that nothing have, to covet nought,
And thee possest of all that all hast sought:
What more remains?
North.
No more, but that you read
This Bill of Accusations charg'd upon your Crimes.
King.
Distraction! made my own accuser too
To read a bead-roll of my own defaults,
Read it my self? by piece-meal to unrauel
My weav'd-up follies? why, Northumberland,
If thy Offences were upon Record,
Wou'd it not shame thee in so full a Presence
To read a Lecture of 'em? if thou shou'dst,
There wou'dst thou find one heynous Article,
Containing the deposing of a King:
And cracking the strong warrant of an Oath,
Markt with a blot damn'd in the book of Heav'n,
Nay all of you that stand and look upon me,
Waiting to see my Misery bait it self;
Like Pilates have betray'd me to my Cross,
And water cannot wash away your sin.
North.
My Lord dispatch, read ore the Articles.
King.
My Eyes are full of Tears! I cannot see.
North.
My Lord—
-- 43 --
King.
No Lord of thine thou false insulting Man;
Nor no Man's Lord—I have no Name, no Title,
Let me Command a Mirrour hither streight,
That it may shew me what a Face I have
Since stript and Bankrupt of it's Majesty.
Bul.
Fetch him a Glass.
North.
In the mean time read o're this Paper.
King.
Hell!—for a Charm to lay
This foul Tormenting Fiend.
Bul.
Urge it no more Northumberland.
Nor.
The Commons Sir will not be satisfi'd,
Unless he Read, Confess, and Sign it too.
King.
They shall be satisfi'd, I'le Read enuff
When I shall see the very Book indeed
Where all my faults are writ, and that's my Self,
Give me that Mirrour—
[Views himself in the Glass.
No deeper wrinkles yet? has Sorrow struck
So many many blows upon these Cheeks and made
No deeper wounds?—O' flattring Instrument,
Like to my followers in prosperity,
So shall just Fate dash them as I dash thee:
[Breaks it.
So Pomp and Fals-hood ends—I'll beg one Boon,
Then take my leave and trouble you no more,
Shall I obtain it?
Bul.
Name it fair Cousin.
King.
Fair Cousin?—I am greater than a King!
For when I was a King my Flatterers
Were then but Subjects, being now a Subject
I have a King here for my Flaterer.
'Tis onely leave to go.
Bul.
Whether?
King.
Why, from your sight and then no matter where
Bul.
Convey him to the Tower.
King.
Ha! ha! my fortune's Malice now
Is grown so strange that 'tis become my sport;
Convey, Convey, Conveighers are you all
That rise thus nimbly on your Monarchs fall.
Bul.
Lords, I shall study to requite your Favours:
On Wednesday next we Solemnly set down
Our Coronation, so prepare your selves.
-- 44 --
All,
Long live King Bullingbrook, Henry the Fourth.
York.
Well, my Allegiance follows still the Crown,
True to the King I shall be, and thereon
I kiss his Hand; 'tis equally as true
That I shall always Love and Guard the King,
As that I always shall hate Bullingbrook.
The King's Sacred, be Herford what he will
Yet 'tis no Treason sure to pity Richard.
Bul.
Break up the Assembly, so wee'll pass in state
To greet the Loves of our expecting Subjects,
Lead there and bid our Trumpets speak.
Ex. Bullingbrook attended; shouts without.
York.
Peace Hell-hounds or your own breath Poyson ye.
King.
Good Uncle give 'em way, all Monsters Act
To their own kind, so do the Multitude.
Shout again.
Carl.
Why impious hardned wretches, Brands for Hell?
Forbear this barb'rous Out-rage, Tears of Blood
Can never wash this Monstrous Guilt away.
King.
What must I then preach Patience to my Priest?
Let no Man's wrongs complain whilst mine are silent,
How think ye my good Friends, will not
Succeeding Ages call this Day to witness
What Changes sway the World; your King must pass
A Spectacle of scorn through crouded streets,
That at the same time view th' usurpers Triumph;
Heav'n shut thy Eye till this dire Scene be past,
The light that sees it, sure will be the last.
Ex. Guarded.
-- 45 --
ACT V.
Scene 1
Enter Dutchess and Aumarle.
Dutch.
At that sad passage Tears broke off your Story,
Where rude misgovern'd Hands from Windows threw
Rank weeds and rubbish on King Richard's Head.
Aum.
Then as I said, the haughty Bullingbrook
Mounted upon an hot and fiery Steed,
Which his aspiring Rider seem'd to know,
With slow but stately pace kept on his Course;
Whilst all Tongues cry'd, God save King Bullingbrook!
You wou'd have thought the very Windows spoke,
So many greedy looks of young and old,
Through Casements darted their desiring Eyes:
You wou'd have thought the very Walls themselves,
With all their painted Imag'ry, had cry'd,
Hail to the King, all Hail to Bullingbrook!
Whilst bending lower than his Coursers neck,
The Rabble he saluted on each side;
Thus praising and thus prais'd he past along.
Dutch.
Alas, poor Richard! where rides he the while?
Aum.
As in the Theatre the Eyes of Men,
After a well-grac't Actor leaves the Stage,
Are idly bent on him that enters next,
With such contempt they turn'd their Eyes from Richard,
No joyful Tongue gave him his welcome home;
But Dust was thrown upon his sacred Head,
Which with such gentle sorrow he shook off,
His Face still combating with Smiles and Fears,
(The Badges of his Grief and Patience)
That had not Heav'n for some strange purpose steel'd
The Hearts of Men, they must of force relented,
And Cruelty it self have pity'd him.
-- 46 --
Enter York.
York.
What, in Tears still? Well, Heav'ns will must be—
mark me Boy, I cannot blame thy grieving for Richard, because
I do it my self; neither can I blame thee for not loving Bullingbrook,
because I cannot do it my self: But to be true to him (or
rather to our Oath, being now his sworn Subjects) I conjure
thee. This I speak, because the King suspects thee, and made
me even now pledge for thy truth and fealty: Bear you well
therefore in this new Spring of Government, lest you be cropt
before your time—Well, what News from Oxford Boy? Hold
th'intended Triumphs there? 'Tis said our new King will grace
them with his Presence.
Aum.
They hold, my Lord, for certain—and as certain
This upstart King shall die if he comes there.
York.
Ha! come nearer, what Seal is that which hangs out
from thy Bosom? Ha! lookst thou pale? Let me see the writing.
Aum.
I do beseech your Grace to pardon me;
It is a matter of small consequence,
Which for some reasons I wou'd not have seen.
York.
Which for some reasons! Sir, I mean to see,
[Snatches it.
Just as I fear'd, Treason, foul Treason, Villain Traytor.
Dutch.
What's the matter my Lord, good York inform me.
York.
Away fond Woman, give me my Boots, saddle my Horse.
Dutch.
The matter, Son.
Aum.
Good Madam, be content.
It is no more than my poor Life must Answer.
Dutch.
Thy Life!
[Servant enters.
Hence Villain, strike him Aumarle.
York.
My Boots I say, I will away to th' King.
Dutch.
Why York, what wilt thou do?
Wilt thou not hide the Trespass of thine own?
York.
Peace Woman, or I will impeach thee too;
Wou'dst thou conceal this dark Conspiracy?
A dozen of 'em here have tane the Sacrament,
And interchangeably set down their Hands
To kill the King at Oxford.
Dutch.
He shall be none;
We'll keep him here, then what's that to him?
York.
Tho' I love not Bullingbrook, yet I hate Treason, and will
impeach the Villa
-- 47 --
Dutch.
Our Son, our only Son, our Ages comfort;
Is he not thine own?
York.
Wife, I believe it, therefore I impeach him; were
he none of mine, let his own Father look to him; but since
he is my Villain, I'll see the Villain orderd: My Horse, I say.
Dutch.
Hadst thou groan'd for him, York, as I have done—
York.
And art e'en like to groan for him again. Away.
[Exit.
Dutch.
Haste thee Aumarle, mount thee upon his Horse;
Spur post, and get before him to the King,
And beg thy pardon e're he come t' accuse thee:
Born on the wings of Mother's love I'll fly,
And doubt not to prevent thy Father's speed;
On thy behalf i'll with the King prevail,
Or root into the ground whereon I kneel.
[Exeunt.
SCENE the Second.
Enter Queen in Mourning attended.
Qu.
This way the King will come, this is the way
To Julius Cæsar's ill erected Tow'r,
To whose flint Bosom my dear injur'd Lord
Is deem'd a Pris'ner by proud Bullingbrook!
Here let us rest, if this rebellious Earth
Have any resting for her true King's Queen.
[Sits down.
This Garb no less befits our present state,
Than richest Tissue did our Bridal day;
Thus dead in Honour, my Lord and I
Officiate at our own sad Funeral.
Enter King Richard guarded, seeing the Queen, starts, she
at the sight of him, after a pause he speaks.
King.
Give grief of a Tongue, art thou not Isabel,
The faithful Wife of the unfortunate Richard?
Qu.
O! can I speak and live? Yet silence gives
More tort'ring Death! O thou King Richard's Tomb,
And not King Richard!—On thy sacred Face
I see the shameful Marks of fowlest usage;
Thy Royal Cheeks soil'd and besmear'd with Dust,
Foul Rubbish lodg'd in thy anointed Locks;
O thou dishonour'd Flower of Majesty!
-- 48 --
Lean on my Brest whilst I dissolve to Dew,
And wash thee fair agen with Tears of Love.
King.
Join not with Grief fair Innocence
To make my end more wretched, learn dear Saint
To think our former State a happy Dream,
From which we wake into this true distress!
Thou most distrest, most Virtuous of thy sex,
Go Cloyster thee in some Religious house,
This vicious World and I can nere deserve thee!
For Shrines and Altars keep keep those precious Tears,
Nor shed that heav'nly Dew on Land accurst.
Lad.
Never did sorrow triumph thus before.
King.
Convey thee hence to France,
Think I am Dead, and that ev'n now thou tak'st
As from my Death-bed the last living leave.
In Winters tedious Nights sit by the fire,
With good Old Matrons, let them tell thee Tales
Of woful Ages long ago betide,
And ere thou bid good Night, to quit their Griefs,
Tell thou the lamentable fall of Me!
And send the Hearers weeping to their Beds.
Qu.
Rob not my Virtue of its dearest Triumph!
Love like the Dolphin shews it self in storms:
This is the Season for my Truth to prove,
That I was worthy to be Richard's Wife!
And wou'd you now command me from your Presence,
Who then shall lull your raging Griefs asleep,
And wing the hours of dull Imprisonment?
King.
O my afflicted Heart!
Qu.
No, with my Lord i'll be a Pris'ner too,
Where my officious Love shall serve him with
Such ready care, that he shall think he has
His num'rous Train of waiters round him still;
With wond'rous Story's wee'll beguile the day,
Despise the World and Triumph over fortune,
Laugh at fantastic life and die together.
King.
Now Heaven I thank thee, all my Griefs are paid!
I've lost a single frail uncertain Crown,
And found a Virtue Richer than the World:
Yes, Bird of Paradise, wee'll pearch together,
Sing in our Cage, and make our Cell a Grove.
-- 49 --
Enter Northumberland, Guards.
North.
My Lord, King Bullingbrook has chang'd his Orders,
You must to Pomfrett Castle, not to th' Tower;
And for you, Madam, he has given Command
That you be instantly convey'd to France.
King.
Must I to Pomfrett, and my Queen to France?
Patience is stale, and I am weary ont't,
Blood, Fire, rank Leprosies and blewest Plagues—
Qu.
But This was wanting to compleat our Woe.
King.
Northumberland Thou Ladder by whose Aid
The mounting Bullingbrook ascends my Throne,
The Time shall come when foul Sin gath'ring Head
Shall break in to Corruption, Thou shalt think,
Tho he divide the Realm and give thee half,
It is too little, helping him to All:
He too shall think that thou which knewst the Way
To plant unrightful Kings, wilt know agen
To cast him from the Throne he has Usurpt:
The Love of wicked Friends converts to Fear,
That Fear to Hate, that still concludes in Death.
North.
My guilt be on my head, so to our business.
Take leave and part.
King.
Doubly Divorc't! foul Fiends ye violate
A two-fold Marriage, 'twixt my Crown and me,
And then betwixt me and my tender Wife;
Oh Isabel, oh my unfortunate Fair,
Let me unkiss the Oath that bound our Loves,
And yet not so, for with a Kiss 'twas made.
Part us Northumberland, me towards the North
Where shiv'ring Cold and Sickness pines the Clime;
My Queen to France, from whence set forth in Pomp
She hither came, deckt like the blooming May,
Sent back like weeping Winter stript and Bare.
Qu.
For ever will I clasp these sacred Knees,
Tear up my Brest and bind them to my Heart!
Northumberland allow me one short minute
To yield my Life and Woes in one Embrace.
One Minute will suffice.
North.
Force her away.
-- 50 --
King.
Permit yet once our Death-cold Lips to joyn,
Permit a Kiss that must Divorce for ever,
I'll ravish yet one more, farewell my Love!
My Royal Constant Dear farewel for ever!
Give Sorrow Speech, and let thy Farewell come,
Mine speaks the Voice of Death, but Thine is Dumb.
Ex. Guarded several Ways.
SCENE the Third.
Bull.
Can no man tell of my ungracious Son,
My Young misgovern'd and licentious Harry?
If any Plague hang over us 'tis He!
Enquire amongst the Taverns where he haunts
With loose Companions, such as beat Our Watch
And rob Our Passengers, which he rash Boy
Mistakes for Feats of Gallantry and Honour.
Pierc.
My Lord, some two days since I saw the Prince,
And told him of those Turnaments at Oxford.
Bull.
And what said the Gallant?
Pierc.
His Answer was, He wou'd to a Brothell
And from the common'st Creature snatch a Glove,
To wear it as a Mistress favour, and
With that unhorse the lustiest Challenger.
Bull.
As dissolute as desperate.
Enter Aumarl.
Aum.
Where's the King?
Bull.
What means our Cousin that he looks so wildly?
Aum.
My Lord, I humbly beg the favour of a word in private
with your Majesty.
King.
Withdraw my Lords; now Cousin to your business.
Aum.
For ever may my knees root to this Earth,
And let Eternal silence bind my Tongue,
Unless you pardon e're I rise or speak.
Bull.
Intended or committed was this fault?
If but the first, how heynous e're it be,
To win thy future Love I pardon Thee.
Aum.
Then Sir, permit me to make fast the door,
That no man Enter e're my Tale be done.
Bull.
Have thy Desire.
York within.
-- 51 --
York.
Beware my Liege, look to thy Life, thou hast a
Traytor in thy Presence.
Bull.
Ha! Villain I'll secure Thee.
Aum.
Stay thy revengeful Hand, Thou hast no cause to fear.
York.
Open the Door, or I will force my Passage.
Bull.
The Matter, Uncle, speak, recover Breath.
York.
Peruse this Writing and read there my Bus'ness.
Aum.
Remember as thou read'st thy promise past,
I do repent me, read not my Name There,
My Heart is not Confederate with my Hand.
York.
'Twas Villain when thy Hand did set it down,
I tore it from the Traytors Bosom, King,
Pardon the Villain, do, and in Return be Murder'd.
Bull.
O heynous black Conspiracy! Why Uncle can
This Kindness come from Thee? Let me Embrace Thee.
York.
Embrace not me, It was no Kindness, I owe thee no kindness,
It was my Love to Truth, and Hate to Murder.
Bull.
Give it what Name thou wilt, it shall excuse
This deadly blott in thy transgressing Son.
York.
So shall my Virtue be his Vices Bawd:
Thou kill'st me if he live, sparing his Life
The Traytor scapes, the True Man's put to Death.
Dutchess within.
Dutch.
What hoa my Liege, for Heav'ns sake let me in,
Speak with me, pity me, Open the Door.
Bull.
My dang'rous Cousin let your Mother in,
I know she's come to Entreat for you.
York.
If thou dost pardon whosoever prays,
Thy Mercy makes thee Traytor to thy self.
Dutch.
O King believe not this hard-hearted Man.
York.
Thou frantick Woman what makes thee here?
Wilt thou once more a Traytor nourish?
Dutch.
Dear York be patient, hear me gentle Liege.
Bull.
Rise up good Aunt.
Dutch.
No, never more I'll rise,
'Till thou uncharm me from the Ground with sounds
Of Pardon to my poor transgressing Son.
Aum.
And to my Pray'rs, I bend my Knee.
York.
Against 'em Both my Old stiff Joynts I bend.
-- 52 --
Dutch.
Pleads he in Earnest, see, his Eyes are dry.
His Pray'rs come from his Mouth, ours from the Heart;
He beggs but faintly, and wou'd be deny'd.
His weary Joynts wou'd gladly rise I know,
Our Knees shall bend, till to the Earth they grow;
Deny him, King, he kneels in pain to crave
A Boon, that wou'd dismiss him to the Grave:
Granting his Suit, the Suer you destroy,
But yielding ours, you give your Beggar's Joy.
Bull.
Good Madam rise up.
Dutch.
Nay do not say rise up,
But pardon first, and then we rise indeed.
The word is short, but endless Comfort brings,
Pardon, the Language both of Heav'n and Kings.
Bull.
I pardon him as Heav'n shall pardon me.
Dutch. Aum.
Thanks Gracious Liege, a God on Earth thou art.
York.
So much for that,—one word at parting King, Let me
tell thee King, 'twas none of these Politicks that made thee
King, and so farewell to Court.
[Exit.
Bull.
But for the Rest of this Consorted Crew,
Our Justice shall o're-take 'em—injur'd Richard,
Thy wrongs already are too deep reveng'd,
As yet the Crown's scarce settled to my Brow,
When Royal Cares are rooted in my Heart.
Have I no Friend, my Lords, in this fair Train?
No Friend that to his Monarch's Peace will clear
The Way, and ridd me of this Living Fear?
[Exit.
Scene 4
SCENE, A Prison.
King Richard, Solus.
Rich.
I have bin studying how to compare
This lonesom Prison to the populous World,
The Paradox seems hard; but thus I'll prove it,
I'll call my B ain the Female to my Soul;
My Soul the Father, and these Two beget
A Generation of succeeding Thoughts,
-- 53 --
Th'Inhabitants that stock this little World
In humours like the People of the World,
No Thought Contented: for, the better sort
As Thoughts of things Divine, are mixt with doubts
That set the Faith it self against the Faith,
Thoughts tending to Ambition, they are plotting
Unlikely Wonders, how these poor weak Hands
May force a passage through these stubborn flints;
And cause they cannot, Die in their own Pride,
Thoughts tending to Content are whispring to me,
That I am not the first of Fortunes Slaves,
And shall not be the Last; poor flatt'ring Comfort,
Thus I and every other Son of Earth
With nothing shall be pleas'd, till we be eas'd
With being nothing.
A Table and Provisions shewn.
What mean my Goalers by that plenteous Board?
For three days past I've fed upon my Sighs,
And drunk my Tears; rest craving Nature, rest,
I'll humour thy dire Need and tast this food,
That only serves to make Misfortune Live.
[Going to sit, the Table sinks down.
Thus Tantalus they say is us'd below;
But Tantalus his Guilt is then his Torture.
I smile at this fantastick Cruelty.
Ha, Musick too!—Ev'n what my Torturers please.
[Song and soft Musick, after which a Messenger Enters.
Mess.
Hail Royal Sir, with dang'rous difficulty
Gives him Letters.
I've enter'd here to bear These to your hand;
O killing Spectacle!
Rich.
From whom?—my Queen,
My Isabell, my Royal wretched Wife?
O Sacred Character, oh Heav'n-born Saint!
Why! here are words wou'd charm the raging Sea,
Cure Lunaticks, dissolve the Wizzard's Spell,
Check baleful Planets, and make Winter bloom.
How fares my Angel, say, what Air's made rich
With her arrival, for she breathes the Spring.
What Land is by her presence priviledged
-- 54 --
From Heavn's ripe Vengeance? O my lab'ring Heart!
Inn, hide Thee, and prepare in short to Answer
To th'infinite Enquiries that my Love
Shall make of this dear Darling of my Soul.
Whilst undisturb'd I seize the present Minute
To answer the Contents of this blest Paper.
[Ex. Mess.
Sits down to write, Enter Exton and Servants.
Furies! what means this Pageantry of Death?
Speak thou the foremost Murderer, thy own hand
Is arm'd with th'Instrument of thy own Slaughter,
Go Thou and fill a room in Hell,
[Kills 4 of them.
Another Thou.
Exton here strikes him down.
That hand shall burn in never quenching Fire,
That staggers thus my Person, cruel Exton,
The blackest Fiend shall see thee lodg'd beneath him.
The Damn'd will shun the Villain whose curst Hand
Has with the King's blood stain'd the King's own Land.
[Dies.
Ext.
Hast and convey his Body to our Master
Before the very Rumour reach his Ear.
As full of Valour as of Royal Blood,
Both have I spilt, O that the Deed were Good.
Despair already seizes on my Soul;
Through my dark Brest Eternal Horrours roul:
Ev'n that false Fiend that told me I did well,
Cry's now, This Deed is Register'd in Hell.
[Ex.
Scene 5
SCENE a Palace. Bullingbrook, Lords and Attendants.
Bull.
Our last Expresses speak the Rebels high,
Who have consum'd with Fire Our Town of Gloster.
Enter Northumberland and Pierce.
Welcome Northumberland, what News?
North.
Health to my Liege, I have to London sent
The Heads of Spencer, Blunt and Salsbury.
Pierc.
Broccas and Scelye too are headless Trunks,
The dang'rous Chiefs of that consorted Crew
That sought your Life at Oxford.
Ross.
Our Abbot griev'd to see his Plott defeated,
-- 55 --
Has yielded up his Body to the Grave.
But here's Carlile yet living to receive
Your Royal Doom.
Bull.
Carlile I must confess,
Thô thou hast ever bin my Enemy,
Such sparks of Honour always shin'd in Thee,
As priviledg Thee from our Justice now;
Choose out some secret place, some reverend Cell,
There live in peace, and we shall not disturb
The Quiet of thy Death—what suddain Damp
Congeals my Blood—ha Exton? then comes Mischief.
Enter Exton and Servants bearing in a Coffin.
Ext.
Great Sir, within this Coffin I present
Thy bury'd Fear, possess the Crown secure,
Which breathless Richard never more will claim.
Bull.
Exton I thank thee not, for thou hast wrought
A Deed of Slaughter fatal for my Peace,
Which Thou and I, and all the Land shall rue.
Ext.
From your own Mouth, my Lord, did I this Deed.
Bull.
They love not Poyson that have need of Poyson,
Nor do I Thee, I hate his Murderer.
Tho' I did wish him Dead: Hell thank thee for it,
And guilt of Royal Blood be thy Reward;
Cursing and Curst go wander through the World,
Branded like Cain for all Mankind to shun Thee.
Wake Richard, wake, give me my Peace agen,
And I will give Thee back thy ravisht Crown.
Come Lords prepare to pay your last Respects
To this great Hearse, and help a King to Mourn
A King's untimely Fall: O tort'ring Guilt!
In vain I wish The happy Change cou'd be,
That I slept There, and Richard Mourn'd for Me. |
