LORD MARSHAL Sound, trumpets, and set forward, combatants! A charge sounded Stay. The King hath thrown his warder down. RICHARD Let them lay by their helmets and their spears And both return back to their chairs again. Withdraw with us and let the trumpets sound While we return these dukes what we decree. A long […]
Continue ReadingAlmost time for the combat (but not quite – more ritual…) (1.3.97-116) #KingedUnkinged
RICHARD Farewell my lord. Securely I espy Virtue with valour couchèd in thine eye. Order the trial, Marshal, and begin. LORD MARSHAL Harry of Hereford, Lancaster and Derby, Receive thy lance, and God defend the right. BOLINGBROKE Strong as a tower in hope, I cry amen. LORD MARSHAL [to an attendant] Go bear this lance […]
Continue ReadingMowbray, unexpectedly lyrical (1.3.85-96) #KingedUnkinged
MOWBRAY However God or Fortune cast my lot, There lives or dies, true to King Richard’s throne, A loyal, just and upright gentleman. Never did captive with freer heart Cast off his chains of bondage and embrace His golden uncontrolled enfranchisement More than my dancing soul doth celebrate This feast of battle with mine adversary. […]
Continue ReadingGaunt: paternal pride and encouragement (1.3.78-84) #KingedUnkinged
GAUNT God in thy good cause make thee prosperous! Be swift like lightning in the execution And let thy blows, doubly redoubled, Fall like amazing thunder on the casque Of thy adverse pernicious enemy. Rouse up thy youthful blood, be valiant and live. BOLINGBROKE Mine innocence and Saint George to thrive! (1.3.78-84) It’s clear where […]
Continue ReadingAsking his father’s blessing, and aspiring to victory (1.3.69-77) #KingedUnkinged
BOLINGBROKE [To Gaunt] O thou, the earthly author of my blood, Whose youthful spirit in me regenerate, Doth with a twofold vigour lift me up To reach at victory above my head, Add proof unto my armour with thy prayers, And with thy blessings steel my lance’s point That it may enter Mowbray’s waxen coat […]
Continue ReadingBolingbroke, winning the farewells (1.3.59-68) #KingedUnkinged
BOLINGBROKE O, let no noble eye profane a tear For me, if I be gored with Mowbray’s spear. As confident as is the falcon’s flight Against a bird do I with Mowbray fight. [To Lord Marshal] My loving lord, I take my leave of you, [To Aumerle] Of you, my noble cousin, Lord Aumerle, Not […]
Continue ReadingA pilgrimage, a farewell, a descent, an embrace (1.3.46-58) #KingedUnkinged
BOLINGBROKE Lord Marshal, let me kiss my sovereign’s hand And bow my knee before his majesty, For Mowbray and myself are like two men That vow a long and weary pilgrimage; Then let us take a ceremonious leave And loving farewell of our several friends. LORD MARSHAL The appellant in all duty greets your highness […]
Continue ReadingEverything is polite and orderly – how long will that last? (1.3.31-45) #KingedUnkinged
LORD MARSHAL [to Bolingbroke] What is thy name, and wherefore com’st thou hither Before King Richard in his royal lists? Against whom com’st thou, and what’s thy quarrel? Speak like a true knight, so defend thee heaven. BOLINGBROKE Harry of Hereford, Lancaster and Derby Am I, who ready here do stand in arms To prove […]
Continue ReadingMore formalities, much armoured clanking (1.3.16-30) #KingedUnkinged
MOWBRAY My name is Thomas Mowbray, Duke of Norfolk, Who hither come engaged by my oath— Which God defend a knight should violate— Both to defend my loyalty and truth To God, my King and my succeeding issue, Against the Duke of Hereford that appeals me, And by the grace of God and this mine […]
Continue ReadingThe formalities begin (this goes on a bit…) (1.3.7-15) #KingedUnkinged
RICHARD Marshal, demand of yonder champion The cause of his arrival here in arms. Ask him his name and orderly proceed To swear him in the justice of his cause. LORD MARSHAL [to Mowbray] In God’s name and the King’s, say who thou art, And why thou com’st thus knightly clad in arms, Against what […]
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