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Richard II (Quarto 1, 1597)

Author: William Shakespeare
Editor: Catherine Lisak
Peer Reviewed
The Tragedie of
Mowb. Each day still better others happines,
Vntill the heauens enuying earths good hap,
Adde an immortall title to your Crowne.
30King. We thanke you both, yet one but flatters vs,
As well appeareth by the cause you come,
Namely to appeale each other of high treason:
Coosin of Herford, what dost thou obiect
Against the Duke of Norffolke Thomas Mowbray?
35Bull. First, heauen be the record to my speech,
In the deuotion of a subiects loue,
Tendring the pretious safetie of my Prince,
And free from other misbegotten hate,
Come I appellant to this princely presence.
40Now Thomas Mowbray do I turne to thee,
And marke my greeting well: for what I speake
My body shall make good vpon this earth,
Or my diuine soule answer it in heauen:
Thou art a traitour and a miscreant,
45Too good to be so, and too bad to liue,
Since the more faire and cristall is the skie,
The vglier seeme the cloudes that in it flie:
Once more, the more to aggrauate the note,
With a foule traitors name stuffe I thy throte,
50And wish (so please my Soueraigne) ere I moue,
What my tong speaks, my right drawen sword may proue.
Mow. Let not my cold wordes here accuse my zeale,
Tis not the triall of a womans warre,
The bitter clamour of two eger tongues
55Can arbitrate this cause betwixt vs twaine,
The bloud is hote that must be coold for this,
Yet can I not of such tame patience boast,
As to be huisht, and naught at all to say.
First the faire reuerence of your Highnesse curbs me,
60From giuing reines and spurres to my free speech,
Which else would post vntill it had returnd,
These termes of treason doubled downe his throat:
Setting aside his high blouds royaltie,
And