Page:Richard II (1921) Yale.djvu/44

32

I am the last of noble Edward's sons,

Of whom thy father, Prince of Wales, was first;

In war was never lion rag'd more fierce,

In peace was never gentle lamb more mild,

Than was that young and princely gentleman.

His face thou hast, for even so look'd he,

Accomplish'd with the number of thy hours;

But when he frown'd, it was against the French,

And not against his friends; his noble hand

Did win what he did spend, and spent not that

Which his triumphant father's hand had won:

His hands were guilty of no kindred blood,

But bloody with the enemies of his kin.

O, Richard! York is too far gone with grief,

Or else he never would compare between.

K. Rich. Why, uncle, what's the matter?

York. O! my liege.

Pardon me, if you please; if not, I, pleas'd

Not to be pardon'd, am content withal.

Seek you to seize and gripe into your hands

The royalties and rights of banish'd Hereford?

Is not Gaunt dead, and doth not Hereford live?

Was not Gaunt just, and is not Harry true?

Did not the one deserve to have an heir?

Is not his heir a well-deserving son?

Take Hereford's rights away, and take from Time

His charters and his customary rights;

Let not to-morrow then ensue to-day;

Be not thyself; for how art thou a king

But by fair sequence and succession?

Now, afore God,—God forbid I say true!—

If you do wrongfully seize Hereford's rights,

Call in the letters-patents that he hath

 178 Accomplish'd, etc.: at your age

191 royalties: prerogatives

198 ensue: succeed

203 letters-patents; cf. n.

