Gaunt. To be a make-peace shall become my age:160
Throw down, my son, the Duke of Norfolk's gage.
K. Rich. And, Norfolk, throw down his.
Gaunt. When, Harry, when?[753]
Obedience bids I should not bid again.
K. Rich. Norfolk, throw down, we bid; there is no boot.
Mow. Myself I throw, dread sovereign, at thy foot.165
My life thou shalt command, but not my shame:
The one my duty owes; but my fair name,
Despite of death that lives upon my grave,[754]
To dark dishonour's use thou shalt not have.
I am disgraced, impeach'd and baffled here;170
Pierced to the soul with slander's venom'd spear,
The which no balm can cure but his heart-blood[755]
Which breathed this poison.
K. Rich. Rage must be withstood:
Give me his gage: lions make leopards tame.[756]
Mow. Yea, but not change his spots: take but my shame,[757]175
And I resign my gage. My dear dear lord,[758]
The purest treasure mortal times afford
Is spotless reputation: that away,
Men are but gilded loam or painted clay.[759]
A jewel in a ten-times-barr'd-up chest[760]
Is a bold spirit in a loyal breast.180
Mine honour is my life; both grow in one;
Take honour from me, and my life is done:
Then, dear my liege, mine honour let me try;
In that I live and for that will I die.185
K. Rich. Cousin, throw up your gage; do you begin.[761]
Boling. O, God defend my soul from such deep sin![762]
Shall I seem crest-fallen in my father's sight?
Or with pale beggar-fear impeach my height[763]
Before this out-dared dastard? Ere my tongue[764]190
Shall wound my honour with such feeble wrong,[765]
Or sound so base a parle, my teeth shall tear[766]
The slavish motive of recanting fear,
And spit it bleeding in his high disgrace,
Where shame doth harbour, even in Mowbray's face.[767]195
[Exit Gaunt.