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  • 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.
    Through casements darted their desiring eies
    Vpon his visage, and that all the walles
    With painted imagery had said at once,
    Iesu preserue the welcome Bullingbrooke,
    2385Whilst he from the one side to the other turning
    Bare-headed, lower than his prowd steedes necke
    Bespake them thus; I thanke you countrymen:
    And thus still doing, thus he passt along.
    Du. Alac poore Richard, where rode he the whilst?
    2390Yorke As in a Theater the eies of men,
    After a well-graced Actor leaues the stage,
    Are ydly bent on him that enters next,
    Thinking his prattle to be tedious;
    Euen so, or with much more contempt mens eies
    2395Did scowle on gentle Ric. no man cried, God saue him,
    No ioyfull tongue gaue him his welcome home,
    But dust was throwen vpon his sacred head:
    Which with such gentle sorrow he shooke off,
    His face still combating with teares and smiles,
    2400The badges of his griefe and patience,
    That had not God for some strong purpose steeld
    The hearts of men, they must perforce haue melted,
    And Barbarisme it selfe haue pittied him:
    But heauen hath a hand in these euents,
    2405To whose high will we bound our calme contents.
    To Bullingbrooke are we sworne subiects now,
    Whose state and honour I for ay allow.
    Du. Here comes my sonne Aumerle.
    2410Yorke Aumerle that was,
    But that is lost, for being Richards friend:
    And Madam, you must call him Rutland now:
    I am in parleament pledge for his truth
    And lasting fealtie to the new made king.
    2415Du. Welcome my sonne, who are the violets now
    That strew the greene lap of the new come spring.
    Au. Madam, I know not, nor I greatly care not,
    God knowes I had as leife be none as one.
    Yorke