Internet Shakespeare Editions

Toolbox




Jump to line
Help on texts

About this text

  • Title: Richard II (Quarto 1, 1597)
  • 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
    Peer Reviewed

    Richard II (Quarto 1, 1597)

    King Richard the second.
    Of you (my noble cousin) Lord Aumarle,
    Not sicke although I haue to do with death,
    But lusty, yong and cheerely drawing breth:
    Loe, as at English feasts so I regreet
    365The daintiest last, to make the end most sweet.
    Oh thou the earthly Authour of my bloud,
    Whose youthfull spirite in me regenerate
    Doth with a two-fold vigour lift me vp,
    To reach at Victory aboue my head:
    370Adde proofe vnto mine armour with thy prayers,
    And with thy blessings steele my launces point,
    That it may enter Mowbraies waxen cote.
    And furbish new the name of Iohn a Gaunt,
    Euen in the lustie hauiour of his sonne.
    375Gaunt. God in thy good cause make thee prosperous,
    Be swift like lightning in the execution,
    And let thy blowes doubly redoubled,
    Fall like amaZing thunder on the caske
    Of thy aduerse pernitious enemy,
    380Rowze vp thy youthfull bloud, be valiant and liue.
    Bul. Mine innocence and saint George to thriue.
    Mowb. How euer God or Fortune cast my lot,
    There liues or dies true to King Richards throne,
    A loyall, iust, and vpright Gentleman:
    385Neuer did captiue with a freer heart
    Cast off his chaines of bondagee, and embrace
    His golden vncontrould enfranchisment,
    More than my dauncing soule doth celebrate
    This feast of battle with mine aduersarie,
    390Most mighty Liege, and my companion Peeres,
    Take from my mouth the wish of happy yeeres,
    As gentle, and as iocund as to iest
    Go I to fight, truth hath a quiet brest.
    King. Farewell (my Lord) securely I espie,
    395Vertue with Valour couched in thine eie,
    Order the triall Martiall, and beginne.
    Mart. Harry of Herford, Lancaster and Darby,
    Receiue
    B 3