Languages & literature > Shakespeare's Richard II

46
KING RICHARD IT.
[Act IT.
140
Vf ■
And yet my letters-patents give me leave :
My father’s goods are all distrain’d and sold ;
And these, and all, are all amiss employ’d.
,. , What would you have me do j 1 am a subject,
And challenge law : atforneyS are denied me ;
And therefore personally 1 lay my claim
To my inheritance offree descent.
North. The noble duke hath been too much abus’d.
Ross. It stands your grace upon to do him right.
Willo. Base men by his endowments are made
great.
York My lords of England, let me tell you this—
I have had feeling of my cousin’s wrongs,
And labour’d all I could to do him right:
But in this kind to come, in braving arms,
Be his own carver, and cut 'out his way,
To find out right with wrong—it may not be ;
And you that do abet him in this kind
Cherish rebellion, and are rebels all.
North. The noble duke hath sworn his coming is ;
But for his own : and, for the right of that,
We all have strongly sworn to give him aid ;
And let him ne’er see joy that breaks that oath !
York. Well, well, I see the issue of (these arms
I cannot mend it, I must needs confess,
Because my power is weak, and all ill left:
But, if I could, t>y Him that gave me life, 155
I would attach you all, and make you stoop i
Unto the sovereign mercy of the king ;
But, since I cannot, be it known to you,
I do remain as neuter. So, fare you well;—
Unless you please to enter in the castle, , 160
And there repose you for this night.
Boling. An offer, uncle, that we will accept.
But we must win your grace to go with us
To Bristol Castle ; which, they say, is held
. I
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