Green. We have: whereon the earl of Worcester Hath broke his staff, resign'd his stewardship, And all the household servants fled with him To Bolingbroke. Queen. So, Green, thou art the midwife to my woe, And Bolingbroke my sorrow's dismal heir: Queen. Who shall hinder me? Who gently would dissolve the bands of life, Enter York. Green. Here comes the duke of York. Uncle, For heaven's sake, speak comfortable words. York. Should I do so, I should belie my thoughts: Comfort's in heaven; and we are on the earth, Where nothing lives but crosses, care, and grief. Your husband he is gone to save far off, Whilst others come to make him lose at home: Enter a Servant. Serv. My lord, your son was gone before I came. York. He was?-Why, so!--go all which way it will! The nobles they are fled, the commons cold, Get thee to Plashy, to my sister Gloster; Serv. My lord, I had forgot to tell your lordship: To-day, as I came by, I called there ; But I shall grieve you to report the rest. York. What is it, knave? Serv. An hour before I came, the duchess died. York. God for his mercy! what a tide of woes Comes rushing on this woeful land at once! I know not what to do:-I would to God, untruth had not provok'd him to it,) The king had cut off my head with my brother's.What, are there posts despatch'd for Ireland?— How shall we do for money for these wars? (So my Come, sister,-cousin, I would say: pray, pardon me. Go, fellow, [To the Servant.] get thee home, provide some carts, And bring away the armour that is there.— [Exit Servant. Gentlemen, will you go muster men? if I know How, or which way, to order these affairs, Thus thrust disorderly into my hands, Never believe me. Both are my kinsmen ;The one's my sovereign, whom both my oath And duty bids defend; the other, again, Is my kinsman, whom the king hath wrong'd; Whom conscience and my kindred bids to right. Well, somewhat we must do.-Come, cousin, I'll Dispose of you:-Go, muster up your men, And meet me presently at Berkley-castle. I should to Plashy too ; But time will not permit :-All is uneven, [Exeunt York and Queen. Bushy. The wind sits fair for news to go to Ireland, But none returns. For us to levy power, Proportionable to the enemy, Is all impossible. Green. Besides, our nearness to the king in love, Is near the hate of those love not the king. Bagot. And that's the wavering commons: for their love Lies in their purses; and whoso empties them, Bagot. If judgment lie in them, then so do we; Green. Well, I'll for refuge straight to Bristol castle; The earl of Wiltshire is already there. Bushy. Thither will I with you: for little office The hateful commons will perform for us; Except like curs to tear us all to pieces.— Bagot. No; I'll to Ireland to his majesty. We three here part, that ne'er shall meet again. Bushy. That's as York thrives to beat back Bolingbroke. Green. Alas, poor duke! the task he undertakes, Is-numb'ring sands, and drinking oceans dry; Where one on his side fights, thousands will fly. Bushy. Farewell at once; for once, for all, and ever. Green. Well, we may meet again. Bagot. I fear me, never. [Exeunt. SCENE III.-The Wilds in Glostershire. Enter BOLINGBROKE and Northumberland, Boling. How far is it, my lord, to Berkley now? I am a stranger here in Glostershire. These high wild hills, and rough uneven ways, From Ravenspurg to Cotswold, will be found North. It is my son, young Harry Percy, Percy. I had thought, my lord, to have learn'd his health of you. North. Why, is he not with the queen? Enter York, attended. Boling. I shall not need transport my words by you; Here comes his grace in person. My noble uncle! [Kneels. York. Show me thy humble heart, and not thy knee, Whose duty is deceivable and false. Boling. My gracious uncle! York. Tut, tut! Grace me no grace, nor uncle me no uncle :' -grace, Why have those banish'd and forbidden legs Frighting her pale-fac'd villages with war, And ostentation of despised arms? Com'st thou, because the anointed king is hence? Were I but now the lord of such hot youth, Boling. My gracious 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 banish'd man, and here art come, Before the expiration of thy time, In braving arms against thy sovereign. |