Internet Shakespeare Editions

Author: William Shakespeare
Editor: Catherine Lisak
Peer Reviewed

Richard II (Quarto 1, 1597)

The Tragedie of
I would attach you all, and make you stoope
Vnto the soueraigne mercie of the king;
But since I cannot, be it knowen vnto you,
1270I do remaine as newter, so fare you well,
Vnlesse you please to enter in the castle,
And there repose you for this night.
Bull. An offer vncle that we will accept,
But we must winne your Grace to go with vs,
1275To Bristow castle, which they say is held
By Bushie, Bagot, and their complices,
The caterpillers of the commonwealth,
Which I haue sworne to weede and plucke away.
Yorke It may be I will go with you, but yet Ile pawse.
1280For I am loath to breake our countries lawes,
Nor friends, nor foes to me welcome you are:
Things past redresse, are now with me past care. Exeunt.

Enter erle of Salisbury and a Welch captaine.
1285Welch. My lord of Salisbury, we haue stayed ten dayes,
And hardly kept our countrymen together,
And yet we heare no tidings from the King,
Therefore we will disperse our selues, farewell.
Salis. Stay yet another day, thou trustie Welchman,
1290The King reposeth all his confidence in thee.
Welch. Tis thought the King is dead; we wil not stay,
The bay trees in our country are al witherd,
And Meteors fright the fixed starres of heauen,
The pale-facde moone lookes bloudie on the earth,
1295And leane-lookt prophets whisper fearefull change,
Rich men looke sad, and ruffians daunce and leape,
The one in feare to loose what they enioy,
The other to enioy by rage and warre:
These signes forerunne the death or fall of Kings.
1300Farewell, our countrymen are gone and fled,
As well assured Richard their King is dead.
Salis. Ah Richard! with the eies of heauy mind
I see thy glory like a shooting starre
Fall