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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)

    The Tragedie of
    I doubt not but to ride as fast as Yorke,
    And neuer will I rise vp from the ground,
    Till Bullingbroke haue pardoned thee: away, be gone.
    Enter the King with his nobles.
    King H. Can no man tell me of my vnthriftie sonne?
    Tis full three moneths since I did see him last,
    If any plague hang ouer vs tis he:
    2500I would to God my Lordes he might be found:
    Inquire at London, mongst the Tauernes there,
    For there (they say) he daylie doth frequent,
    With vnrestrained loose companions,
    Euen such (they say) as stand in narrow lanes,
    2505And beate our watch, and rob our passengers,
    Which he yong wanton and effeminate boy,
    Takes on the point of honour to support so dissolute a crew.
    H. Percie My Lord, some two dayes since I saw the prince,
    2510And tould him of those triumphes helde at Oxford.
    King. And what said the gallant?
    Per. His answer was, he would vnto the stews,
    And from the commonst creature plucke a gloue,
    And weare it as a fauour, and with that,
    2515He would vnhorse the lustiest Challenger.
    King H. As dissolute as desperat, yet through both,
    I see some sparkes of better hope, which elder yeares,
    May happily bring foorth. But who comes heere?
    Enter Aumerle amazed.
    2520Aum. Where is the King?
    King H. What meanes our cosen, that he stares and lookes(so wildly.
    Aum. God saue your grace, I doe beseech your Maiestie,
    To haue some conference with your grace alone.
    2525King. Withdrawe your selues, and leaue vs here alone.
    What is the matter with our cosen nowe?
    Aum. For ouer may my knees growe to the earth,
    My tongue, cleaue to my rooffe within my mouth,
    Vnlesse a pardon ere I rise or speake.
    2530King Intended, or committed, was this fault?
    If on the first, how heynous ere it be
    To