Enter HENRY BOLINGBROKE, HENRY PERCY, and other Lords HENRY BOLINGBROKE Can no man tell me of my unthrifty son?
'Tis full three months since I did see him last;
If any plague hang over us, 'tis he.
I would to God, my lords, he might be found:
Inquire at London, 'mongst the taverns there, For there, they say, he daily doth frequent, With unrestrained loose companions, Even such, they say, as stand in narrow lanes, And beat our watch, and rob our passengers;
Which he, young wanton and effeminate boy, Takes on the point of honour to support So dissolute a crew. HENRY PERCY My lord, some two days since I saw the prince, And told him of those triumphs held at Oxford. HENRY BOLINGBROKE And what said the gallant? HENRY PERCY His answer was, he would unto the stews, And from the common'st creature pluck a glove, And wear it as a favour; and with that He would unhorse the lustiest challenger. HENRY BOLINGBROKE As dissolute as desperate; yet through both I see some sparks of better hope, which elder years May happily bring forth. But who comes here?
Enter DUKE OF AUMERLE DUKE OF AUMERLE Where is the king? HENRY BOLINGBROKE What means our cousin, that he stares and looks So wildly? DUKE OF AUMERLE God save your grace! I do beseech your majesty, To have some conference with your grace alone. HENRY BOLINGBROKE Withdraw yourselves, and leave us here alone.
Exeunt HENRY PERCY and Lords What is the matter with our cousin now? DUKE OF AUMERLE For ever may my knees grow to the earth, My tongue cleave to my roof within my mouth Unless a pardon ere I rise or speak. HENRY BOLINGBROKE Intended or committed was this fault?
If on the first, how heinous e'er it be, To win thy after-love I pardon thee. DUKE OF AUMERLE Then give me leave that I may turn the key, That no man enter till my tale be done. HENRY BOLINGBROKE Have thy desire. DUKE OF YORK [Within] My liege, beware; look to thyself;
Thou hast a traitor in thy presence there. HENRY BOLINGBROKE Villain, I'll make thee safe.
Drawing DUKE OF AUMERLE Stay thy revengeful hand; thou hast no cause to fear. DUKE OF YORK [Within] Open the door, secure, foolhardy king:
Shall I for love speak treason to thy face?
Open the door, or I will break it open.
Enter DUKE OF YORK HENRY BOLINGBROKE What is the matter, uncle? speak;
Recover breath; tell us how near is danger, That we may arm us to encounter it. DUKE OF YORK Peruse this writing here, and thou shalt know The treason that my haste forbids me show. DUKE OF AUMERLE Remember, as thou read'st, thy promise pass'd:
I do repent me; read not my name there My heart is not confederate with my hand. DUKE OF YORK It was, villain, ere thy hand did set it down.
I tore it from the traitor's bosom, king;
Fear, and not love, begets his penitence:
Forget to pity him, lest thy pity prove A serpent that will sting thee to the heart. HENRY BOLINGBROKE O heinous, strong and bold conspiracy!
O loyal father of a treacherous son!
Thou sheer, immaculate and silver fountain, From when this stream through muddy passages Hath held his current and defiled himself!
Thy overflow of good converts to bad, And thy abundant goodness shall excuse This deadly blot in thy digressing son. DUKE OF YORK So shall my virtue be his vice's bawd;
And he shall spend mine honour with his shame, As thriftless sons their scraping fathers' gold.
Mine honour lives when his dishonour dies, Or my shamed life in his dishonour lies: