BOLINGBROKE Pale trembling coward, there I throw my gage, Disclaiming here the kindred of the King, And lay aside my high blood’s royalty, Which fear, not reverence, makes thee to except. If guilty dread have left thee so much strength As to take up mine honour’s pawn, then stoop. By that and all the rites […]
Continue ReadingMowbray, not holding back (1.1.54-68) #KingedUnkinged
MOWBRAY First, the fair reverence of your highness curbs me From giving reins and spurs to my free speech, Which else would post until it had returned These terms of treason doubled down his throat. Setting aside his high blood’s royalty, And let him be no kinsman to my liege, I do defy him and […]
Continue ReadingI want to FIGHT, not TALK – but seeing as HE started it… (1.1.47-53) #KingedUnkinged
MOWBRAY Let not my cold words here accuse my zeal. ’Tis not the trial of a woman’s war, The bitter clamour of two eager tongues, Can arbitrate this cause betwixt us twain. The blood is hot that must be cooled for this. Yet can I not of such tame patience boast As to be […]
Continue ReadingTraitor! Choke on that! (but icily polite) (1.1.35-46) #KingedUnkinged
BOLINGBROKE 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 heaven. Thou art a traitor and a miscreant! Too good to be so and too bad to live— Since the more fair […]
Continue ReadingFlattery, loyalty – and treason (1.1.25-34) #KingedUnkinged
RICHARD We thank you both—yet one but flatters us, As well appeareth by the cause you come, Namely, to appeal each other of high treason. Cousin of Hereford, what dost thou object Against the Duke of Norfolk, Thomas Mowbray? BOLINGBROKE First, heaven be the record to my speech: In the devotion of a subject’s love, […]
Continue ReadingA summons to the royal presence (1.1.15-24) #KingedUnkinged
RICHARD Then call them to our presence. Face to face, And frowning brow to brow, ourselves will hear The accuser and the accusèd freely speak. High-stomached are they both and full of ire, In rage deaf as the sea, hasty as fire. Enter Bolingbroke and Mowbray BOLINGBROKE Many years of happy days befall My gracious […]
Continue ReadingAncient malice, or knowledge of treachery? (1.1.8-14) #KingedUnkinged
RICHARD 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 Aimed at your highness, no inveterate […]
Continue ReadingAnd we’re off: a quarrel, with a back-story (1.1.1-7) #KingedUnkinged
Enter King Richard, John of Gaunt with other nobles [including Lord Marshal] and attendants. RICHARD Old John of Gaunt, time-honoured Lancaster, Hast thou, according to thy oath and bond, Brought hither Henry Hereford, thy bold son, Here to make good the boist’rous late appeal, Which then our leisure would not let us hear, Against the […]
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