Page 2865 - Shakespeare - Vol. 1

Now by my sceptre’s awe I make a vow
Such neighbour nearness to our sacred blood
Should nothing privilege him, nor partialize [120]
The unstooping firmness of my upright soul.
He is our subject, Mowbray, so art thou.
Free speech and fearless I to thee allow.

MOWBRAY

Then, Bolingbroke, as low as to thy heart
Through the false passage of thy throat thou liest. [125]
Three parts of that receipt I had for Calais
Disburs’d I duly to his highness’ soldiers.
The other part reserv’d I by consent
For that my sovereign liege was in my debt
Upon remainder of a dear account [130]
Since last I went to France to fetch his queen:
Now swallow down that lie. For Gloucester’s death,
I slew him not, but to my own disgrace
Neglected my sworn duty in that case.
For you, my noble lord of Lancaster, [135]
The honourable father to my foe,
Once did I lay an ambush for your life,
A trespass that doth vex my grievèd soul;
But ere I last receiv’d the sacrament
I did confess it, and exactly begged [140]
Your grace’s pardon, and I hope I had it.
This is my fault. As for the rest appeal’d,
It issues from the rancour of a villain,
A recreant and most degenerate traitor,
Which in myself I boldly will defend, [145]
And interchangeably hurl down my gage
Upon this overweening traitor’s foot,
To prove myself a loyal gentleman
Even in the best blood chambered in his bosom.
In haste whereof most heartily I pray [150]
Your highness to assign our trial day.

RICHARD

Wrath-kindled gentlemen, be rul’d by me:
Let’s purge this choler without letting blood.
This we prescribe, though no physician;