THE LIFE AND DEATH

OF

KING RICHARD II.

BY

WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE.

From the Text of the Rev. Alexander Dyce's
Second Edition.

of Lancaster, EDMUND OF LANGLEY, duke of York,

HENRY, surnamed Bolingbroke, duke of Hereford, son to John of Gaunt; afterwards King Henry IV.

LORD FITZWATER.

Bishop of Carlisle.
Abbot of Westminster.

Lord Marshal.

DUKE OF AUMERLE, son to the SIR STEPHEN SCROOP.

Duke of York.

SIR PIERCE of Exton.

THOMAS MOWBRAY, duke of Nor- Captain of a band of Welshmen.

folk.

Lords, Heralds, Officers, Soldiers, two Gardeners, Keeper, Messenger, Groom, and other Attendants.

SCENE

dispersedly in England and Wales.

ACT I.

SCENE I. London. A room in the palace.

Enter King RICHARD, attended; GAUNT, and other Nobles. K. Rich. Old John of Gaunt, time-honour'd Lancaster, Hast thou, according to thy oath and band,

Brought hither Henry Hereford thy bold son,
Here to make good the boisterous late appeal,
Which then our leisure would not let us hear,
Against the duke of Norfolk, Thomas Mowbray?
Gaunt. I have, my liege.

K. Rich. Tell me, moreover, hast thou sounded him, If he appeal the duke on ancient malice;

Or worthily, as a good subject should,

On some known ground of treachery in him?

Gaunt. As near as I could sift him on that argument, On some apparent danger seen in him

Aim'd at your highness,

no inveterate malice.

K. Rich. Then call them to our presence: face to face, And frowning brow to brow, ourselves will hear

Th' accuser and th' accusèd freely speak:

[Exeunt some Attendants. High-stomach'd are they both, and full of ire, In rage deaf as the sea, hasty as fire.

Re-enter Attendants, with BOLINGBROKE and NORFOLK.
Boling. May many years of happy days befal
My gracious sovereign, my most loving liege!
Nor. Each day still better other's happiness;
Until the heavens, envying earth's good hap,
Add an immortal title to your crown!

K. Rich. We thank you both: yet one but flatters us, As well appeareth by the cause you come;

Namely, t' appeal each other of high treason.
Cousin of Hereford, what dost thou object

Against the duke of Norfolk, Thomas Mowbray?

Boling. First, - heaven be the record to my speech! In the devotion of a subject's love,

Tendering the precious safety of my prince,
And free from other misbegotten hate,
Come I appellant to this princely presence.
Now, Thomas Mowbray, do I turn to thee,
And mark my greeting well; for what I speak