Richard II
Text Circles Dramatis Personae Synopsis All Definitions

Share
All
text
First folio
Modern text
Definitions
Key line
Enter Bullingbrooke, Enter Bolingbroke, now King Henry, with Harry R2 V.iii.1.1
Percie, and other Lords.Percy and other lords R2 V.iii.1.2
Bul. KING HENRY 
Can no man tell of my vnthriftie Sonne?Can no man tell me of my unthrifty son?unthrifty (adj.)

old form: vnthriftie
prodigal, profligate, wasteful		R2 V.iii.1
'Tis full three monthes since I did see him last.'Tis full three months since I did see him last. R2 V.iii.2
If any plague hang ouer vs, 'tis he,If any plague hang over us, 'tis he.plague (n.)
calamity, affliction, scourge		R2 V.iii.3
I would to heauen (my Lords) he might be found:I would to God, my lords, he might be found. R2 V.iii.4
Enquire at London, 'mongst the Tauernes there:Inquire at London 'mongst the taverns there; R2 V.iii.5
For there (they say) he dayly doth frequent,For there, they say, he daily doth frequent R2 V.iii.6
With vnrestrained loose Companions,With unrestrained loose companions, R2 V.iii.7
Euen such (they say) as stand in narrow Lanes,Even such, they say, as stand in narrow lanes R2 V.iii.8
And rob our Watch, and beate our passengers,And beat our watch, and rob our passengers,passenger (n.)
wayfarer, traveller, passer-by		R2 V.iii.9
watch (n.)
watchmen, officers, street patrol
Which he, yong wanton, and effeminate BoyWhich he – young wanton, and effeminate boy – effeminate (adj.)
feeble, soft, unmanly		R2 V.iii.10
wanton (n.)
spoilt child, pampered baby, weakling
Takes on the point of Honor, to supportTakes on the point of honour to supporttake (v.)
swear, take an oath		R2 V.iii.11
So dissolute a crew.So dissolute a crew. R2 V.iii.12
Per. PERCY 
My Lord, some two dayes since I saw the Prince,My lord, some two days since I saw the Prince, R2 V.iii.13
And told him of these Triumphes held at Oxford.And told him of those triumphs held at Oxford.triumph (n.)

old form: Triumphes
public festivity, pageant, display of celebration, tournament		R2 V.iii.14
Bul. KING HENRY 
And what said the Gallant?And what said the gallant?gallant (n.)
fine gentleman, man of fashion		R2 V.iii.15
Per. PERCY 
His answer was: he would vnto the Stewes,His answer was he would unto the stews,stew (n.)

old form: Stewes
brothel, house of ill-repute		R2 V.iii.16
And from the common'st creature plucke a GloueAnd from the commonest creature pluck a glove, R2 V.iii.17
And weare it as a fauour, and with thatAnd wear it as a favour; and with that R2 V.iii.18
He would vnhorse the lustiest Challenger.He would unhorse the lustiest challenger.lusty (adj.)
vigorous, strong, robust, eager		R2 V.iii.19
Bul. KING HENRY 
As dissolute as desp'rate, yet through both,As dissolute as desperate. Yet through bothdesperate (adj.)

old form: desp'rate
disregarding, careless, reckless		R2 V.iii.20
I see some sparkes of better hope: which elder dayesI see some sparks of better hope, which elder years R2 V.iii.21
May happily bring forth. But who comes heere?May happily bring forth. But who comes here? R2 V.iii.22
Enter Aumerle.Enter Aumerle, amazedamaze (v.)
confuse, perplex, bewilder		R2 V.iii.23
Aum. AUMERLE 
Where is the King?Where is the King? R2 V.iii.23
Bul. KING HENRY 
What meanes our Cosin, that hee stares / And lookes so wildely?What means our cousin, that he stares and looks so wildly? R2 V.iii.24
Aum. AUMERLE 
God saue your Grace. I do beseech your MaiestyGod save your grace. I do beseech your majesty R2 V.iii.25
To haue some conference with your Grace alone.To have some conference with your grace alone. R2 V.iii.26
Bul. KING HENRY 
Withdraw your selues, and leaue vs here alone:Withdraw yourselves, and leave us here alone. R2 V.iii.27

Exeunt Harry Percy and the other lords R2 V.iii.27
What is the matter with our Cosin now?What is the matter with our cousin now? R2 V.iii.28
Aum. AUMERLE 
For euer may my knees grow to the earth,For ever may my knees grow to the earth, R2 V.iii.29
My tongue cleaue to my roofe within my mouth,My tongue cleave to my roof within my mouth, R2 V.iii.30
Vnlesse a Pardon, ere I rise, or speake.Unless a pardon ere I rise or speak. R2 V.iii.31
Bul. KING HENRY 
Intended, or committed was this fault?Intended or committed was this fault? R2 V.iii.32
If on the first, how heynous ere it bee,If on the first, how heinous e'er it be R2 V.iii.33
To win thy after loue, I pardon thee.To win thy after-love I pardon thee.after-love (n.)
later gratitude, future loyalty		R2 V.iii.34
Aum. AUMERLE 
Then giue me leaue, that I may turne the key,Then give me leave that I may turn the key R2 V.iii.35
That no man enter, till my tale be done.That no man enter till my tale be done. R2 V.iii.36
Bul. KING HENRY 
Haue thy desire. Have thy desire. R2 V.iii.37
Yorke withiu.Aumerle locks the door. The Duke of York knocks at R2 V.iii.38.1
the door and crieth R2 V.iii.38.2
Yor. YORK  
(within) R2 V.iii.38.3
My Liege beware, looke to thy selfe,My liege, beware, look to thyself,liege (n.)
lord, sovereign		R2 V.iii.38
Thou hast a Traitor in thy presence there.Thou hast a traitor in thy presence there. R2 V.iii.39
Bul. KING HENRY  
(to Aumerle) R2 V.iii.40.1
Villaine, Ile make thee safe.Villain, I'll make thee safe!safe (adj.)
harmless, not dangerous		R2 V.iii.40
Aum.AUMERLE 
Stay thy reuengefull hand, thou hast no cause to feare.Stay thy revengeful hand, thou hast no cause to fear. R2 V.iii.41
Yorke. YORK 
Open the doore, secure foole-hardy King:Open the door, secure foolhardy King.secure (adj.)
over-confident, unsuspecting, too self-confident		R2 V.iii.42
Shall I for loue speake treason to thy face?Shall I for love speak treason to thy face? R2 V.iii.43
Open the doore, or I will breake it open.Open the door, or I will break it open. R2 V.iii.44
Enter Yorke.King Henry opens the door. Enter York R2 V.iii.45
Bul. KING HENRY 
What is the matter (Vnkle) speak, recouer breath,What is the matter, uncle? Speak, recover breath, R2 V.iii.45
Tell vs how neere is danger,Tell us how near is danger, R2 V.iii.46
That we may arme vs to encounter it.That we may arm us to encounter it. R2 V.iii.47
Yor. YORK 
Peruse this writing heere, and thou shalt knowPeruse this writing here, and thou shalt know R2 V.iii.48
The reason that my haste forbids me show.The treason that my haste forbids me show. R2 V.iii.49
Aum. AUMERLE 
Remember as thou read'st, thy promise past:Remember, as thou readest, thy promise passed. R2 V.iii.50
I do repent me, reade not my name there,I do repent me. Read not my name there. R2 V.iii.51
My heart is not confederate with my hand.My heart is not confederate with my hand.hand (n.)
handwriting		R2 V.iii.52
Yor. YORK 
It was (villaine) ere thy hand did set it downe.It was, villain, ere thy hand did set it down. R2 V.iii.53
I tore it from the Traitors bosome, King.I tore it from the traitor's bosom, King. R2 V.iii.54
Feare, and not Loue, begets his penitence;Fear, and not love, begets his penitence. R2 V.iii.55
Forget to pitty him, least thy pitty proueForget to pity him lest thy pity prove R2 V.iii.56
A Serpent, that will sting thee to the heart.A serpent that will sting thee to the heart. R2 V.iii.57
Bul. KING HENRY 
Oh heinous, strong, and bold Conspiracie,O, heinous, strong, and bold conspiracy!strong (adj.)
flagrant, barefaced; or: resolute, determined		R2 V.iii.58
O loyall Father of a treacherous Sonne:O loyal father of a treacherous son, R2 V.iii.59
Thou sheere, immaculate, and siluer fountaine,Thou sheer immaculate and silver fountainsheer (adj.)

old form: sheere
pure, translucent, unadulterated		R2 V.iii.60
From whence this streame, through muddy passagesFrom whence this stream through muddy passages R2 V.iii.61
Hath had his current, and defil'd himselfe.Hath held his current and defiled himself –  R2 V.iii.62
Thy ouerflow of good, conuerts to bad,Thy overflow of good converts to bad,convert (v.)

old form: conuerts
change, transform, alter		R2 V.iii.63
And thy abundant goodnesse shall excuseAnd thy abundant goodness shall excuse R2 V.iii.64
This deadly blot, in thy digressing sonne.This deadly blot in thy digressing son.digressing (adj.)
transgressing, offending, wrong-doing		R2 V.iii.65
Yorke. YORK 
So shall my Vertue be his Vices bawd,So shall my virtue be his vice's bawdbawd (n.)
pimp, procurer, pander, go-between		R2 V.iii.66
And he shall spend mine Honour, with his Shame;An he shall spend mine honour with his shame,and, an (conj.)
if, even if		R2 V.iii.67
As thriftlesse Sonnes, their scraping Fathers Gold.As thriftless sons their scraping fathers' gold. R2 V.iii.68
Mine honor liues, when his dishonor dies,Mine honour lives when his dishonour dies, R2 V.iii.69
Or my sham'd life, in his dishonor lies:Or my shamed life in his dishonour lies. R2 V.iii.70
Thou kill'st me in his life, giuing him breath,Thou killest me in his life – giving him breath, R2 V.iii.71
The Traitor liues, the true man's put to death.The traitor lives, the true man's put to death. R2 V.iii.72
Dut. DUCHESS OF YORK  
Dutchesse within. (within) R2 V.iii.73
What hoa (my Liege) for heauens sake let me in.What ho, my liege, for God's sake let me in! R2 V.iii.73
Bul. KING HENRY 
What shrill-voic'd Suppliant, makes this eager cry?What shrill-voiced suppliant makes this eager cry?eager (adj.)
impetuous, fierce, impassioned		R2 V.iii.74
Dut. DUCHESS OF YORK 
A woman, and thine Aunt (great King) 'tis I.A woman, and thy aunt, great King. 'Tis I. R2 V.iii.75
Speake with me, pitty me, open the dore,Speak with me, pity me, open the door! R2 V.iii.76
A Begger begs, that neuer begg'd before.A beggar begs that never begged before. R2 V.iii.77
Bul. KING HENRY 
Our Scene is alter'd from a serious thing,Our scene is altered from a serious thing, R2 V.iii.78
And now chang'd to the Begger, and the King.And now changed to ‘ The Beggar and the King.’ R2 V.iii.79
My dangerous Cosin, let your Mother in,My dangerous cousin, let your mother in. R2 V.iii.80
I know she's come, to pray for your foule sin.I know she is come to pray for your foul sin. R2 V.iii.81
Enter Dutchesse.Aumerle admits the Duchess. She kneels R2 V.iii.82
Yorke. YORK 
If thou do pardon, whosoeuer pray,If thou do pardon, whosoever pray, R2 V.iii.82
More sinnes for this forgiuenesse, prosper may.More sins for this forgiveness prosper may. R2 V.iii.83
This fester'd ioynt cut off, the rest rests sound,This festered joint cut off, the rest rest sound; R2 V.iii.84
This let alone, will all the rest confound.This let alone will all the rest confound.confound (v.)
destroy, overthrow, ruin		R2 V.iii.85
Dut. DUCHESS OF YORK 
O King, beleeue not this hard-hearted man,O King, believe not this hard-hearted man. R2 V.iii.86
Loue, louing not it selfe, none other can.Love loving not itself, none other can. R2 V.iii.87
Yor. YORK 
Thou franticke woman, what dost yu make here,Thou frantic woman, what dost thou make here?make (v.)
do, have to do		R2 V.iii.88
Shall thy old dugges, once more a Traitor reare?Shall thy old dugs once more a traitor rear? R2 V.iii.89
Dut. DUCHESS OF YORK 
Sweet Yorke be patient, heare me gentle Liege.Sweet York, be patient. Hear me, gentle liege.gentle (adj.)
well-born, honourable, noble		R2 V.iii.90
Bul. KING HENRY 
Rise vp good Aunt.Rise up, good aunt! R2 V.iii.91.1
Dut. DUCHESS OF YORK 
Not yet, I thee beseech.Not yet, I thee beseech. R2 V.iii.91.2
For euer will I kneele vpon my knees,For ever will I walk upon my knees, R2 V.iii.92
And neuer see day, that the happy sees,And never see day that the happy sees R2 V.iii.93
Till thou giue ioy: vntill thou bid me ioy,Till thou give joy, until thou bid me joy R2 V.iii.94
By pardoning Rutland, my transgressing Boy.By pardoning Rutland, my transgressing boy. R2 V.iii.95
Aum. AUMERLE 
Vnto my mothers prayres, I bend my knee.Unto my mother's prayers I bend my knee. R2 V.iii.96
He kneels R2 V.iii.97.1
Yorke. YORK 
Against them both, my true ioynts bended be.Against them both my true joints bended be.true (adj.)
loyal, firm, faithful in allegiance		R2 V.iii.97
He kneels R2 V.iii.98.1
Ill mayst thou thrive if thou grant any grace.ill (adv.)
badly, adversely, unfavourably		R2 V.iii.98
Dut. DUCHESS OF YORK 
Pleades he in earnest? Looke vpon his Face,Pleads he in earnest? Look upon his face. R2 V.iii.99
His eyes do drop no teares: his prayres are in iest:His eyes do drop no tears, his prayers are in jest; R2 V.iii.100
His words come from his mouth, ours from our brest.His words come from his mouth, ours from our breast. R2 V.iii.101
He prayes but faintly, and would be denide,He prays but faintly, and would be denied;faintly (adv.)
timidly, half-heartedly, without conviction		R2 V.iii.102
deny (v.)

old form: denide
refuse, rebuff, reject
We pray with heart, and soule, and all beside:We pray with heart and soul, and all beside. R2 V.iii.103
His weary ioynts would gladly rise, I know,His weary joints would gladly rise, I know; R2 V.iii.104
Our knees shall kneele, till to the ground they grow:Our knees shall kneel till to the ground they grow. R2 V.iii.105
His prayers are full of false hypocrisie,His prayers are full of false hypocrisy,false (adj.)
sham, spurious, not genuine, artificial		R2 V.iii.106
Ours of true zeale, and deepe integritie:Ours of true zeal and deep integrity. R2 V.iii.107
Our prayers do out-pray his, then let them haueOur prayers do outpray his: then let them have R2 V.iii.108
That mercy, which true prayers ought to haue.That mercy which true prayer ought to have. R2 V.iii.109
Bul. KING HENRY 
Good Aunt stand vp.Good aunt, stand up! R2 V.iii.110.1
Dut. DUCHESS OF YORK 
Nay, do not say stand vp.Nay, do not say ‘ Stand up!’ R2 V.iii.110.2
But Pardon first, and afterwards stand vp.Say ‘ Pardon ’ first, and afterwards, ‘ Stand up!’ R2 V.iii.111
And if I were thy Nurse, thy tongue to teach,An if I were thy nurse thy tongue to teach,an if (conj.)
if		R2 V.iii.112
Pardon should be the first word of thy speach.‘ Pardon ’ should be the first word of thy speech. R2 V.iii.113
I neuer long'd to heare a word till now:I never longed to hear a word till now. R2 V.iii.114
Say Pardon (King,) let pitty teach thee how.Say ‘ Pardon,’ King. Let pity teach thee how. R2 V.iii.115
The word is short: but not so short as sweet,The word is short, but not so short as sweet. R2 V.iii.116
No word like Pardon, for Kings mouth's so meet.No word like ‘ Pardon ’ for kings' mouths so meet.meet (adj.)
fit, suitable, right, proper		R2 V.iii.117
Yorke. YORK 
Speake it in French (King) say Pardon'ne moy.Speak it in French, King: say, ‘ Pardonne-moi.’ R2 V.iii.118
Dut. DUCHESS OF YORK 
Dost thou teach pardon, Pardon to destroy?Dost thou teach pardon pardon to destroy? R2 V.iii.119
Ah my sowre husband, my hard-hearted Lord,Ah, my sour husband, my hard-hearted lord! R2 V.iii.120
That set's the word it selfe, against the word.That sets the word itself against the word. R2 V.iii.121
Speake Pardon, as 'tis currant in our Land,Speak ‘ Pardon ’ as 'tis current in our land; R2 V.iii.122
The chopping French we do not vnderstand.The chopping French we do not understand.chopping (adj.)
[unclear meaning] equivocating, chopping and changing		R2 V.iii.123
Thine eye begins to speake, set thy tongue there,Thine eye begins to speak. Set thy tongue there; R2 V.iii.124
Or in thy pitteous heart, plant thou thine eare,Or in thy piteous heart plant thou thine ear, R2 V.iii.125
That hearing how our plaints and prayres do pearce,That hearing how our plaints and prayers do pierce,plaint (n.)
lamentation, expression of sorrow		R2 V.iii.126
Pitty may moue thee, Pardon to rehearse.Pity may move thee pardon to rehearse.rehearse (v.)
pronounce, speak, utter		R2 V.iii.127
Bul. KING HENRY 
Good Aunt, stand vp.Good aunt, stand up. R2 V.iii.128.1
Dut. DUCHESS OF YORK 
I do not sue to stand,I do not sue to stand. R2 V.iii.128.2
Pardon is all the suite I haue in hand.Pardon is all the suit I have in hand.suit (n.)

old form: suite
formal request, entreaty, petition		R2 V.iii.129
Bul. KING HENRY 
I pardon him, as heauen shall pardon mee.I pardon him as God shall pardon me. R2 V.iii.130
Dut. DUCHESS OF YORK 
O happy vantage of a kneeling knee:O happy vantage of a kneeling knee!vantage (n.)
advantage, benefit, advancement, profit		R2 V.iii.131
Yet am I sicke for feare: Speake it againe,Yet am I sick for fear. Speak it again. R2 V.iii.132
Twice saying Pardon, doth not pardon twaine,Twice saying pardon doth not pardon twain, R2 V.iii.133
But makes one pardon strong.But makes one pardon strong. R2 V.iii.134.1
Bul. KING HENRY 
I pardon him with all my hart.With all my heart R2 V.iii.134.2
I pardon him. R2 V.iii.135.1
Dut. DUCHESS OF YORK 
A God on earth thou art.A god on earth thou art! R2 V.iii.135.2
York, Duchess of York, and Aumerle stand R2 V.iii.136
Bul. KING HENRY 
But for our trusty brother-in-Law, the Abbot,But for our trusty brother-in-law and the Abbot, R2 V.iii.136
With all the rest of that consorted crew,With all the rest of that consorted crew,consorted (adj.)
conspiring, associated, in league together		R2 V.iii.137
crew (n.)
gang, mob, ring
Destruction straight shall dogge them at the heeles:Destruction straight shall dog them at the heels.straight (adv.)
straightaway, immediately, at once		R2 V.iii.138
Good Vnckle helpe to order seuerall powresGood uncle, help to order several powerspower (n.)

old form: powres
armed force, troops, host, army		R2 V.iii.139
several (adj.)

old form: seuerall
various, sundry, respective, individual
To Oxford, or where ere these Traitors are:To Oxford, or where'er these traitors are. R2 V.iii.140
They shall not liue within this world I sweare,They shall not live within this world, I swear, R2 V.iii.141
But I will haue them, if I once know where.But I will have them if I once know where. R2 V.iii.142
Vnckle farewell, and Cosin adieu:Uncle, farewell; and cousin, adieu. R2 V.iii.143
Your mother well hath praid, and proue you true.Your mother well hath prayed; and prove you true. R2 V.iii.144
Dut. DUCHESS OF YORK 
Come my old son, I pray heauen make thee new.Come, my old son. I pray God make thee new.old (adj.)
degenerate, lapsed, unregenerate		R2 V.iii.145
ExeuntExeunt R2 V.iii.145
 Previous Act V, Scene III Next  
x

Jump directly to