RICHARD        And though you think that all—as you have done— Have torn their souls by turning them from us And we are barren and bereft of friends, Yet know my master, God omnipotent, Is mustering in his clouds on our behalf Armies of pestilence, and they shall strike Your children yet unborn and unbegot That […]

RICHARD        [to Northumberland] We are amazed, and thus long have we stood To watch the fearful bending of thy knee, Because we thought ourself the lawful king. And if we be, how dare thy joints forget To pay their awful duty to our presence? If we be not, show us the hand of God That […]

The trumpets sound [a] parley without and answer within. Then a flourish. Enter on the walls Richard, Carlisle, Aumerle, Scroop, Salisbury BOLINGBROKE          See, see King Richard doth himself appear, As doth the blushing discontented sun From out the fiery portal of the east When he perceives the envious clouds are bent To dim his glory and […]

BOLINGBROKE          Go signify as much while here we march Upon the grassy carpet of this plain. Let’s march without the noise of threatening drum, That from this castle’s tottered battlements Our fair appointments may be well perused. Methinks King Richard and myself should meet With no less terror than the elements Of fire and water […]

BOLINGBROKE          If not, I’ll use the advantage of my power And lay the summer’s dust with showers of blood Rained from the wounds of slaughtered Englishmen; The which, how far off from the mind of Bolingbroke It is such crimson tempest should bedrench The fresh green lap of fair King Richard’s land, My stooping duty […]

BOLINGBROKE          [to Northumberland] Noble lord, Go to the rude ribs of that ancient castle, Through brazen trumpet send the breath of parley Into his ruined ears, and thus deliver: Henry Bolingbroke, On both his knees doth kiss King Richard’s hand And sends allegiance and true faith of heart To his most royal person, hither come […]

BOLINGBROKE          Mistake not, uncle, further than you should. YORK                          Take not, good cousin, further than you should, Lest you mistake. The heavens are o’er our heads. BOLINGBROKE          I know it, uncle, and oppose not myself Against their will. Enter Percy But who comes here? Welcome, Harry. What, will not this castle yield? PERCY                        The castle […]

Enter with drum and colours, Bolingbroke, York, Northumberland, attendants [and soldiers] BOLINGBROKE                      So that by this intelligence we learn The Welshmen are dispersed and Salisbury Is gone to meet the King, who lately landed With some few private friends upon this coast. NORTHUMBERLAND            The news is very fair and good, my lord. Richard not far […]

RICHARD        [To Aumerle] Beshrew thee, cousin, which didst lead me forth Of that sweet way I was in to despair. What say you now, what comfort have we now? By heaven, I’ll hate him everlastingly That bids me be of comfort any more. Go to Flint Castle, there I’ll pine away— A king, woe’s slave, […]

SCROOP          Men judge by the complexion of the sky The state and inclination of the day— So may you by my dull and heavy eye My tongue hath but a heavier tale to say. I play the torturer by small and small To lengthen out the worst that must be spoken: Your uncle York is […]