Internet Shakespeare Editions

Author: William Shakespeare
Editor: Catherine Lisak
Peer Reviewed

Richard II (Quarto 1, 1597)

King Richard the second.
Against thy entrance.
Bull. Royally, why it containes no King.
H.Per. Yes (my good Lord,)
1610It doth containe a King, King Richard lies
Within the limites of yon lime and stone,
And with him are the Lord Aumerle, Lord Salisbury,
Sir Stephen Scroope, besides a cleargie man
Of holy reuerence, who I cannot learne.
1615North. Oh belike it is the bishop of Carleil.
Bull. Noble Lords,
Go to the rude ribbes of that ancient Castle,
Through brazen trumpet send the breath of parlee
Into his ruinde eares, and thus deliuer.
1620H. Bull. on both his knees doth kisse king Richards hand,
And sends allegeance and true faith of heart
To his most royall person: hither come
Euen at his feete to lay my armes and power:
Prouided, that my banishment repeald,
1625And lands restored againe be freely granted;
If not, Ile vse the aduantage of my power,
And lay the summers dust with showres of bloud,
Rainde from the wounds of slaughtered English men,
The which, how farre off from the minde of Bulling.
1630It is, such crimson tempest should bedrench
The fresh greene lap of faire King Richards land:
My stooping duety tenderly shall shew:
Go signifie as much while here we march
Vpon the grassie carpet of this plaine;
1635Lets march without the noyse of threatning drumme,
That from this Castels tottered battlements
Our faire appointments may be well perusde.
Me thinkes King Richard and my selfe should meete
With no lesse terrour than the elements
1640Of fire and water, when their thundring shocke
At meeting teares the cloudie cheekes of heauen.
Be he the fire, Ile be the yeelding water;
The rage be his, whilst on the earth I raigne.
My