Page 2876 - Shakespeare - Vol. 1

Or being open, put into his hands
That knows no touch to tune the harmony. [165]
Within my mouth you have engaol’d my tongue,
Doubly portcullis’d with my teeth and lips,
And dull unfeeling barren ignorance
Is made my gaoler to attend on me.
I am too old to fawn upon a nurse, [170]
Too far in years to be a pupil now.
What is thy sentence then but speechless death,
Which robs my tongue from breathing native breath?

RICHARD

It boots thee not to be compassionate.
After our sentence plaining comes too late. [175]

MOWBRAY

Then thus I turn me from my country’s light,
To dwell in solemn shades of endless night.

RICHARD

Return again, and take an oath with thee.
Lay on our royal sword your banish’d hands.
Swear by the duty that you owe to God - [180]
Our part therein we banish with yourselves -
To keep the oath that we administer:
You never shall, so help you truth and God,
Embrace each other’s love in banishment,
Nor never look upon each other’s face, [185]
Nor never write, regreet, nor reconcile
This lowering tempest of your home-bred hate,
Nor never by advisèd purpose meet
To plot, contrive, or complot any ill
’Gainst us, our state, our subjects, or our land. [190]

BOLINGBROKE

I swear.

MOWBRAY

And I, to keep all this.