Page:Richard II (1921) Yale.djvu/26

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been validated.
14
The Life and Death of

Of you, my noble cousin, Lord Aumerle; 64
Not sick, although I have to do with death,
But lusty, young, and cheerly drawing breath.
Lo! as at English feasts, so I regreet
The daintiest last, to make the end most sweet: 68
O thou, the earthly author of my blood,
Whose youthful spirit, in me regenerate,
Doth with a two-fold vigour lift me up
To reach at victory above my head, 72
Add proof unto mine armour with thy prayers,
And with thy blessings steel my lance's point,
That it may enter Mowbray's waxen coat,
And furbish new the name of John a Gaunt, 76
Even in the lusty haviour of his son.

Gaunt. God in thy good cause make thee prosperous!
Be swift like lightning in the execution;
And let thy blows, doubly redoubled, 80
Fall like amazing thunder on the casque
Of thy adverse pernicious enemy:
Rouse up thy youthful blood, be valiant and live.

Boling. Mine innocency and Saint George to thrive! 84
[He takes his seat.]

Mow. [Rising.] However God or fortune cast my lot,
There lives or dies, true to King Richard's throne,
A loyal, just, and upright gentleman.
Never did captive with a freer heart 88
Cast off his chains of bondage and embrace
His golden uncontroll'd enfranchisement,

67 regreet: salute
69 thou: Gaunt
70 regenerate: born again
73 proof: impenetrability
75 waxen: become soft as wax
76 furbish: brighten
77 lusty: vigorous, manly
haviour: conduct
84 to thrive: help me to succeed
90 enfranchisement: release