But empty lodgings and unfurnish'd walls,' 8 And what hear there for welcome, but my groans? SCENE III. Gosford Green, near Coventry. Lists set out, and a Throne. Heralds, &c., attending. Enter SURREY, as Lord Marshal, and AUMERLE.' Sur. My lord Aumerle, is Harry Hereford arm'd ? Aum. Yea, at all points, and longs to enter in. 7 In the ancient English castles the naked stone walls were only covered with tapestry or arras, hung upon tenterhooks, from which it was easily taken down on every removal of the family. The offices were the rooms designed for keeping the various stores of provisions. They were always situate within the house, on the ground floor, and nearly adjoining each other. When dinner had been set on the board by the sewers, the proper officers attended in each of these offices. Sometimes, on occasions of great festivity, these offices were all thrown open to all comers to eat and drink at their pleasure. The duchess therefore laments that, in consequence of the murder of her husband, all the hospitality of plenty is at an end; the walls are unfurnished, the lodging rooms empty, and the ofices unpeopled. 8 In all modern editions until Mr. Collier's this is printed cheer; following Malone, who says that the quarto of 1597 has hear, and all the other old copies cheer. The truth is, they all have hear, thus leaving no authority for cheer but one of Malone's mistakes. H. The official actors in this scene are thus spoken of by Hosinshed: "The duke of Aumarle that daie, being high constable of England, and the duke of Surrie marshall, placed themselves betwixt them, well armed and appointed; and when they saw their time, they first entered the listes with a great companie of men apparelled in silk sendall, imbrodered with silver, both richlie and Sur. The duke of Norfolk, sprightfully and bold, Stays but the summons of the appellant's trumpet. Aum. Why, then, the champions are prepar'd, and stay For nothing but his majesty's approach. Flourish. Enter King RICHARD, who takes his seat on the Throne; LANCASTER, BUSHY, BAGOT, GREEN, and Others, who take their places. A Trumpet is sounded, and answered by another Trumpet within. Then enter NORFOLK in armour, preceded by a Herald. Rich. Marshal, demand of yonder champion Sur. In God's name, and the king's, say who thou art, And why thou com'st thus knightly clad in arms: Nor. My name is Thomas Mowbray, duke of curiouslie, everie man having a tipped staffe to keep the field in order." Aumerle was the oldest son of the duke of York, and was killed at the battle of Agincourt, in 1415. Norfolk was by inheritance earl marshal of England; but, being one of the parties in the combat, of course he could not serve in that office. Surrey, who acted as marshal in his stead, was half-brother to the king. being the son of Joan, the Fair Maid of Kent, by her first husband, Sir Thomas Holland. While serving in that office he is addressed as Marshal, or Lord Marshal; and in the old copies the prefix to his speeches is Mar.: for which cause the Poet has generally been thought to have made a slight mistake in representing the lord marshal on this occasion as another person than the duke of Surrey. H. 2 The duke of Hereford, being the appellant, entered the lists first, according to the historians. Who hither come engaged by my oath, To God, my king, and my succeeding issue," A traitor to my God, my king, and me: Trumpets sound. Enter BOLINGBROKE, in armour, preceded by a Herald. Rich. Marshal, ask yonder knight in arms Depose him in the justice of his cause. Sur. What is thy name, and wherefore com'st thou hither, Before King Richard in his royal lists? Against whom com'st thou, and what's thy quarrel? Speak like a true knight, so defend thee Heaven! Bol. Harry of Hereford, Lancaster, and Derby, To God of heaven, King Richard, and to me: Sur. On pain of death, no person be so bold, 3 Norfolk's issue were in peril of attainder, so that he might fitly come for their sake, among other reasons. H. Bol. Lord marshal, let me kiss my sovereign's hand, And bow my knee before his majesty: For Mowbray and myself are like two men And loving farewell of our several friends. Sur. The appellant in all duty greets your high ness, And craves to kiss your hand, and take his leave. Farewell, my blood; which if to-day thou shed, Bol. O! let no noble eye profane a tear Against a bird do I with Mowbray fight.[To SUR.] My loving lord, I take my leave of you ;Of you, my noble cousin, Lord Aumerle; Not sick, although I have to do with death, But lusty, young, and cheerly drawing breath. The daintiest last, to make the end most sweet: Doth with a twofold vigour lift me up To reach at victory above my head, Add proof unto mine armour with thy prayers; 4 Waxen and waxy were sometimes used in the sense of soft, pliable, yielding. Thus Bishop Hall, speaking of an inconstant person: "Finally, he is servile in imitation, waxey to perswasions, And furbish new the name of John of Gaunt, Lan. God in thy good cause make thee prosperous ! Be swift like lightning in the execution; Rouse up thy youthful blood, be valiant and live. Never did captive with a freer heart Cast off his chains of bondage, and embrace Rich. Farewell, my lord: securely I espy Sur. Harry of Hereford, Lancaster, and Derby, Receive thy lance; and God defend the right! 6 witty to wrong himself, a guest in his own house, an ape of others, and, in a word, any thing rather than himself." H. 5 To jest, in old language, sometimes signified to play a part in a masque. Thus in the old play of Hieronymo : "He promis'd us, in honour of our guest, To grace our banquet with some pompous jest." And accordingly a masque is performed. 6 So in the first quarto: in the other old copies thy right. H. |