Languages & literature > Shakespeare's Richard II

Or worthily, as a good subject should,
On some known ground of treachery in him ?
Gaunt. As near as I could sift him on that argument—
On some apparent danger seen in him
Aim’d at your highness—no inveterate malice.
K. Rich. Then call them to our presence ; face to face,
And frowning brow to brow, ourselves will hear
The accuser and the accused freely speak :—
[Exeunt some Attendants.
High-stomach’d are they both, and full of ire,
In rage deaf as the sea, hasty as fire.
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Re-enter Attendants, with Bolingbroke and Norfolk.
Boling. Many years of happy days befall t . 20
My gracious sovereign, my most loving liege !
Nor. Each day still better other’s happiness ;
Until the heavens, envying earth’s good hap,
Add an immortal title to your crown !
K. Rich. We thank you both : yet one but flatters us,
As well appeareth by the cause you come ;
Namely, to appeal each other of high treason.—
Cousin of Hereford, what dost thou object
Against the Duke of Norfolk, Thomas Mowbray ?
Boling. First (Heaven be the record to my speech!),
In the devotion of a subject’s love,
Tendering the precious safety of my prince,
And free from other misbegotten hate,
Come I appellant to this princely presence.
Now, Thomas Mowbray, do I turn to thee,
And mark my greeting well; for what I speak
My body shall make good upon this earth,
Or my divine soul answer it in heaven.
Thou art a traitor, and a miscreant;
/'Too good to be so, and too bad to live ;
Since the more fair and crystal is the sky,
The uglier seem the clouds that in it fly.
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