Page 2867 - Shakespeare - Vol. 1

Men are but gilded loam, or painted clay.
A jewel in a ten-times barr’d-up chest [180]
Is a bold spirit in a loyal breast.
Mine honour is my life, both grow in one.
Take honour from me, and my life is done.
Then, dear my liege, mine honour let me try.
In that I live, and for that will I die. [185]

RICHARD

Cousin, throw up your gage. Do you begin.

BOLINGBROKE

O God defend my soul from such deep sin!
Shall I seem crest-fallen in my father’s sight?
Or with pale beggar-fear impeach my height
Before this outdar’d dastard? Ere my tongue [190]
Shall wound my honour with such feeble wrong,
Or sound so base a parle, my teeth shall tear
The slavish motive of recanting fear
And spit it bleeding in his high disgrace
Where shame doth harbour, even in Mowbray’s face. [195]

Exit Gaunt.

RICHARD

We were not born to sue, but to command;
Which since we cannot do to make you friends,
Be ready as your lives shall answer it
At Coventry upon Saint Lambert’s Day.
There shall your swords and lances arbitrate [200]
The swelling difference of your settled hate.
Since we cannot atone you, we shall see
Justice design the victor’s chivalry.
Lord Marshal, command our officers-at-arms
Be ready to direct these home alarms. [205]

Exeunt.

Scene II IT

Enter John of Gaunt with the Duchess of Gloucester.