Internet Shakespeare Editions

About this text

  • Title: Richard II (Modern)
  • Editor: Catherine Lisak
  • ISBN: 978-1-55058-436-3

    Copyright Internet Shakespeare Editions. This text may be freely used for educational, non-proift purposes; for all other uses contact the Coordinating Editor.
    Author: William Shakespeare
    Editor: Catherine Lisak
    Not Peer Reviewed

    Richard II (Modern)

    [2.4]
    Enter [the] Earl of Salisbury and a Welsh Captain.
    1285Welsh Captain
    My lord of Salisbury, we have stayed ten days
    And hardly kept our countrymen together,
    And yet we hear no tidings from the King.
    Therefore we will disperse ourselves. Farewell.
    Salisbury
    Stay yet another day, thou trusty Welshman.
    1290The King reposeth all his confidence in thee.
    Welsh Captain
    'Tis thought the King is dead. We will not stay.
    The bay trees in our country are all withered,
    And meteors fright the fixèd stars of heaven;
    The pale-faced moon looks bloody on the earth,
    1295And lean-looked prophets whisper fearful change;
    Rich men look sad, and ruffians dance and leap,
    The one in fear to lose what they enjoy,
    The other to enjoy by rage and war.
    These signs forerun the death or fall of kings.
    1300Farewell. Our countrymen are gone and fled,
    As well assured Richard their king is dead.
    [Exit.]
    Salisbury
    Ah, Richard! With the eyes of heavy mind
    I see thy glory like a shooting star
    Fall to the base earth from the firmament.
    1305Thy sun sets weeping in the lowly west,
    Witnessing storms to come, woe, and unrest.
    Thy friends are fled to wait upon thy foes,
    And crossly to thy good all fortune goes.
    [Exit.]