Page 2863 - Shakespeare - Vol. 1

The blood is hot that must be cooled for this.
Yet can I not of such tame patience boast
As to be hush’d, and naught at all to say.
First, the fair reverence of your highness curbs me
From giving reins and spurs to my free speech, [55]
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 I spit at him, [60]
Call him a slanderous coward, and a villain;
Which to maintain I would allow him odds,
And meet him, were I tied to run afoot
Even to the frozen ridges of the Alps,
Or any other ground inhabitable [65]
Where ever Englishman durst set his foot.
Meantime, let this defend my loyalty:
By all my hopes most falsely doth he lie.

BOLINGBROKE

Pale, trembling coward, there I throw my gage,
Disclaiming here the kindred of the King, [70]
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 of knighthood else, [75]
Will I make good against thee, arm to arm,
What I have spoke or thou canst worse devise.

MOWBRAY

I take it up; and by that sword I swear,
Which gently laid my knighthood on my shoulder,
I’ll answer thee in any fair degree [80]
Or chivalrous design of knightly trial;
And when I mount, alive may I not light
If I be traitor or unjustly fight!

RICHARD

What doth our cousin lay to Mowbray’s charge?
It must be great that can inherit us [85]