Enter HENRY BOLINGBROKE and NORTHUMBERLAND, with Forces HENRY BOLINGBROKE How far is it, my lord, to Berkeley now? NORTHUMBERLAND Believe me, noble lord, I am a stranger here in Gloucestershire:
These high wild hills and rough uneven ways Draws out our miles, and makes them wearisome, And yet your fair discourse hath been as sugar, Making the hard way sweet and delectable.
But I bethink me what a weary way From Ravenspurgh to Cotswold will be found In Ross and Willoughby, wanting your company, Which, I protest, hath very much beguiled The tediousness and process of my travel:
But theirs is sweetened with the hope to have The present benefit which I possess;
And hope to joy is little less in joy Than hope enjoy'd: by this the weary lords Shall make their way seem short, as mine hath done By sight of what I have, your noble company. HENRY BOLINGBROKE Of much less value is my company Than your good words. But who comes here?
Enter HENRY PERCY NORTHUMBERLAND It is my son, young Harry Percy, Sent from my brother Worcester, whencesoever.
Harry, how fares your uncle? HENRY PERCY I had thought, my lord, to have learn'd his health of you. NORTHUMBERLAND Why, is he not with the queen? HENRY PERCY No, my good Lord; he hath forsook the court, Broken his staff of office and dispersed The household of the king. NORTHUMBERLAND What was his reason?
He was not so resolved when last we spake together. HENRY PERCY Because your lordship was proclaimed traitor.
But he, my lord, is gone to Ravenspurgh, To offer service to the Duke of Hereford, And sent me over by Berkeley, to discover What power the Duke of York had levied there;
Then with directions to repair to Ravenspurgh. NORTHUMBERLAND Have you forgot the Duke of Hereford, boy? HENRY PERCY No, my good lord, for that is not forgot Which ne'er I did remember: to my knowledge, I never in my life did look on him. NORTHUMBERLAND Then learn to know him now; this is the duke. HENRY PERCY My gracious lord, I tender you my service, Such as it is, being tender, raw and young:
Which elder days shall ripen and confirm To more approved service and desert. HENRY BOLINGBROKE I thank thee, gentle Percy; and be sure I count myself in nothing else so happy As in a soul remembering my good friends;
And, as my fortune ripens with thy love, It shall be still thy true love's recompense:
My heart this covenant makes, my hand thus seals it. NORTHUMBERLAND How far is it to Berkeley? and what stir Keeps good old York there with his men of war? HENRY PERCY There stands the castle, by yon tuft of trees, Mann'd with three hundred men, as I have heard;
And in it are the Lords of York, Berkeley, and Seymour;
None else of name and noble estimate.
Enter LORD ROSS and LORD WILLOUGHBY NORTHUMBERLAND Here come the Lords of Ross and Willoughby, Bloody with spurring, fiery-red with haste. HENRY BOLINGBROKE Welcome, my lords. I wot your love pursues A banish'd traitor: all my treasury Is yet but unfelt thanks, which more enrich'd Shall be your love and labour's recompense. LORD ROSS Your presence makes us rich, most noble lord. LORD WILLOUGHBY And far surmounts our labour to attain it. HENRY BOLINGBROKE Evermore thanks, the exchequer of the poor;
Which, till my infant fortune comes to years, Stands for my bounty. But who comes here?
Enter LORD BERKELEY NORTHUMBERLAND It is my Lord of Berkeley, as I guess. LORD BERKELEY My Lord of Hereford, my message is to you. HENRY BOLINGBROKE My lord, my answer is--to Lancaster;
And I am come to seek that name in England;
And I must find that title in your tongue, Before I make reply to aught you say. LORD BERKELEY Mistake me not, my lord; 'tis not my meaning To raze one title of your honour out:
To you, my lord, I come, what lord you will, From the most gracious regent of this land, The Duke of York, to know what pricks you on To take advantage of the absent time And fright our native peace with self-born arms.