Internet Shakespeare Editions

Author: William Shakespeare
Editor: Catherine Lisak
Peer Reviewed

Richard II (Quarto 1, 1597)

The Tragedie of
But I bethinke me what a weary way
From Rauenspurgh to Cotshall will be found,
1115In Rosse and Willoughby wanting your company,
Which I protest hath very much beguild,
The tediousnesse and processe of my trauell:
But theirs is sweetned with the hope to haue
The present benefit which I possesse,
1120And hope to ioy is little lesse in ioye,
Then hope enioyed: by this the weary Lords
Shall make their way seeme short as mine hath done,
By sight of what I haue, your noble company.
Bull. Of much lesse value is my company,
1125Then your good wordes. But who comes here?
Enter Harry Persie.
North. It is my sonne young Harry Persy,
Sent from my brother Worcester whencesoeuer.
Harry, how fares your Vnckle?
1130H.Per. I had thought my Lord to haue learned his health(of you.
North. Why is he not with the Queene?
H.Per. No my good Lord, he hath forsooke the court,
Broken his staffe of office and disperst
1135The houshold of the King.
North. What was his reason, he was not so resolude,
When last we spake togither?
H Per. Because your Lowas proclaimed traitor,
But he my Lo:is gone to Rauenspurgh,
1140To offer seruice to the Duke of Hereford,
And sent me ouer by Barckly to discouer,
What power the Duke of Yorke had leuied there,
Then with directions to repaire to Rauenspurgh.
North. Haue you forgot the Duke of Herefords boy?
1145H.Per. No my good Lo: for that is not forgot,
Which nere I did remember, to my knowledge
I neuer in my life did looke on him.
North. Then learne to know him now, this is the Duke.
1150H.Per. My gratious Lo: I tender you my seruice,
Such as it is, being tender, raw, and young,
Which elder daies shal ripen and confirme
To