Richard II

Share
First folio
Modern text

Definitions

Key line

Enter Richard.Enter Richard alone R2 V.v.1.1
Rich. RICHARD 
I haue bin studying, how to compareI have been studying how I may comparestudy (v.)
deliberate, meditate, reflect [on]
R2 V.v.1
This Prison where I liue, vnto the World:This prison where I live unto the world; R2 V.v.2
And for because the world is populous,And for because the world is populous, R2 V.v.3
And heere is not a Creature, but my selfe,And here is not a creature but myself, R2 V.v.4
I cannot do it: yet Ile hammer't out.I cannot do it. Yet I'll hammer it out.hammer out (v.)
puzzle out, work hard at, work out
R2 V.v.5
My Braine, Ile proue the Female to my Soule,My brain I'll prove the female to my soul, R2 V.v.6
My Soule, the Father: and these two begetMy soul the father, and these two beget R2 V.v.7
A generation of still breeding Thoughts;A generation of still-breeding thoughts,generation (n.)
family, progeny
R2 V.v.8
still-breeding (adj.)

old form: still breeding
always reproducing, perpetually generating
And these same Thoughts, people this Little WorldAnd these same thoughts people this little world, R2 V.v.9
In humors, like the people of this world,In humours like the people of this world.humour (n.)

old form: humors
mood, disposition, frame of mind, temperament [as determined by bodily fluids]
R2 V.v.10
For no thought is contented. The better sort,For no thought is contented; the better sort, R2 V.v.11
As thoughts of things Diuine, are intermixtAs thoughts of things divine, are intermixed R2 V.v.12
With scruples, and do set the Faith it selfeWith scruples, and do set the word itselfscruple (n.)
scrupulousness, introspective doubt
R2 V.v.13
word (n.)
word of God
Against the Faith: as thus: Come litle ones: Against the word; as thus: ‘ Come, little ones ’; R2 V.v.14
& then again,And then again, R2 V.v.15
It is as hard to come, as for a Camell‘ It is as hard to come as for a camel R2 V.v.16
To thred the posterne of a Needles eye.To thread the postern of a small needle's eye.’postern (n.)

old form: posterne
entrance, side gate, back door
R2 V.v.17
thread (v.)

old form: thred
trace a path through, make a way through
Thoughts tending to Ambition, they do plotThoughts tending to ambition, they do plot R2 V.v.18
Vnlikely wonders; how these vaine weake nailesUnlikely wonders – how these vain weak nails R2 V.v.19
May teare a passage through the Flinty ribbesMay tear a passage through the flinty ribs R2 V.v.20
Of this hard world, my ragged prison walles:Of this hard world, my ragged prison walls,ragged (adj.)
rough-hewn, dilapidated, rugged
R2 V.v.21
And for they cannot, dye in their owne pride.And for they cannot, die in their own pride. R2 V.v.22
Thoughts tending to Content, flatter themselues,Thoughts tending to content flatter themselvescontent (n.)
acceptance, acquiescence
R2 V.v.23
That they are not the first of Fortunes slaues,That they are not the first of Fortune's slaves,Fortune (n.)
Roman goddess, shown as a woman at a spinning-wheel, or controlling a rudder, and as blind
R2 V.v.24
Nor shall not be the last. Like silly Beggars,Nor shall not be the last; like seely beggars,silly (adj.)
helpless, defenceless, vulnerable
R2 V.v.25
seely (adj.)
miserable, pathetic; or: simple-minded
Who sitting in the Stockes, refuge their shameWho, sitting in the stocks, refuge their shamerefuge (v.)
shelter from, take refuge from
R2 V.v.26
That many haue, and others must sit there;That many have, and others must sit there. R2 V.v.27
And in this Thought, they finde a kind of ease,And in this thought they find a kind of ease, R2 V.v.28
Bearing their owne misfortune on the backeBearing their own misfortunes on the back R2 V.v.29
Of such as haue before indur'd the like.Of such as have before endured the like.like, the
the same
R2 V.v.30
Thus play I in one Prison, many people,Thus play I in one person many people, R2 V.v.31
And none contented. Sometimes am I King;And none contented. Sometimes am I king. R2 V.v.32
Then Treason makes me wish my selfe a Beggar,Then treasons make me wish myself a beggar; R2 V.v.33
And so I am. Then crushing penurie,And so I am. Then crushing penury R2 V.v.34
Perswades me, I was better when a King:Persuades me I was better when a king. R2 V.v.35
Then am I king'd againe: and by and by,Then am I kinged again; and by and by R2 V.v.36
Thinke that I am vn-king'd by Bullingbrooke,Think that I am unkinged by Bolingbroke,unking (v.)

old form: vn-king'd
depose, dethrone, deprive of kingship
R2 V.v.37
And straight am nothing. But what ere I am, MusickAnd straight am nothing. But whate'er I be,straight (adv.)
straightaway, immediately, at once
R2 V.v.38
Nor I, nor any man, that but man is,Nor I, nor any man that but man is, R2 V.v.39
With nothing shall be pleas'd, till he be eas'dWith nothing shall be pleased, till he be eased R2 V.v.40
With being nothing. Musicke do I heare?With being nothing. (The music plays) Music do I hear. R2 V.v.41
Ha, ha? keepe time: How sowre sweet Musicke is,Ha, ha; keep time! How sour sweet music is R2 V.v.42
When Time is broke, and no Proportion kept?When time is broke, and no proportion kept.proportion (n.)
proper rhythm, correct value [of notes]
R2 V.v.43
time (n.)
rhythm, tempo, measure
So is it in the Musicke of mens liues:So is it in the music of men's lives; R2 V.v.44
And heere haue I the daintinesse of eare,And here have I the daintiness of ear R2 V.v.45
To heare time broke in a disorder'd string:To check time broke in a disordered string,check (v.)
rebuke, scold, reprimand
R2 V.v.46
time (n.)
rhythm, tempo, measure
string (n.)
stringed instrument
But for the Concord of my State and Time,But for the concord of my state and time, R2 V.v.47
Had not an eare to heare my true Time broke.Had not an ear to hear my true time broke.time (n.)
circumstance, particular occasion
R2 V.v.48
I wasted Time, and now doth Time waste me:I wasted time, and now doth time waste me; R2 V.v.49
For now hath Time made me his numbring clocke;For now hath time made me his numbering clock.numbering (adj.)

old form: numbring
counting out, measuring
R2 V.v.50
My Thoughts, are minutes; and with Sighes they iarre,My thoughts are minutes, and with sighs they jarjar (v.)

old form: iarre
[unclear meaning] make tick; strike; make discordant
R2 V.v.51
Their watches on vnto mine eyes, the outward Watch,Their watches on unto mine eyes, the outward watchwatch (n.)
time interval, period of time
R2 V.v.52
watch (n.)
dial, clock face
Whereto my finger, like a Dialls point,Whereto my finger, like a dial's point,point (n.)
finger, hand, pointer
R2 V.v.53
dial (n.)

old form: Dialls
watch, timepiece, pocket sundial
Is pointing still, in cleansing them from teares.Is pointing still in cleansing them from tears.still (adv.)
constantly, always, continually
R2 V.v.54
Now sir, the sound that tels what houre it is,Now, sir, the sound that tells what hour it is R2 V.v.55
Are clamorous groanes, that strike vpon my heart,Are clamorous groans which strike upon my heart, R2 V.v.56
Which is the bell: so Sighes, and Teares, and Grones,Which is the bell. So sighs, and tears, and groans R2 V.v.57
Shew Minutes, Houres, and Times: but my TimeShow minutes, times, and hours. But my timetime (n.)
time interval, specific period of time
R2 V.v.58
Runs poasting on, in Bullingbrookes proud ioy,Runs posting on in Bolingbroke's proud joy,post (v.)

old form: poasting
hasten, speed, ride fast
R2 V.v.59
While I stand fooling heere, his iacke o'th' Clocke.While I stand fooling here, his jack of the clock.jack (n.)

old form: iacke
figure of a man who strikes a bell on the outside of a clock
R2 V.v.60
This Musicke mads me, let it sound no more,This music mads me. Let it sound no more;mad (v.)
madden, exasperate, infuriate
R2 V.v.61
For though it haue holpe madmen to their wits,For though it have holp madmen to their wits, R2 V.v.62
In me it seemes, it will make wise-men mad:In me it seems it will make wise men mad. R2 V.v.63
Yet blessing on his heart that giues it me;Yet blessing on his heart that gives it me; R2 V.v.64
For 'tis a signe of loue, and loue to Richard,For 'tis a sign of love, and love to Richard R2 V.v.65
Is a strange Brooch, in this all-hating world.Is a strange brooch in this all-hating world.strange (adj.)
rare, singular, exceptional
R2 V.v.66
all-hating (adj.)
hating everything, hateful
brooch (n.)
jewel, ornament
Enter Groome.Enter a Groom of the stable R2 V.v.67
Groo. GROOM 
Haile Royall Prince.Hail, royal prince!royal (adj.)
kingly; also: to the value of the English coin worth half a pound
R2 V.v.67.1
Rich. RICHARD 
Thankes Noble Peere,Thanks, noble peer. R2 V.v.67.2
The cheapest of vs, is ten groates too deere.The cheapest of us is ten groats too dear.groat (n.)
fourpenny piece
R2 V.v.68
What art thou? And how com'st thou hither?What art thou, and how comest thou hither R2 V.v.69
Where no man euer comes, but that sad doggeWhere no man never comes but that sad dogsad (adj.)
dismal, morose, sullen
R2 V.v.70
dog (n.)

old form: dogge
fellow, individual
That brings me food, to make misfortune liue?That brings me food to make misfortune live? R2 V.v.71
Groo. GROOM 
I was a poore Groome of thy Stable (King)I was a poor groom of thy stable, King, R2 V.v.72
When thou wer't King: who trauelling towards Yorke,When thou wert king; who travelling towards York R2 V.v.73
With much adoo, at length haue gotten leaueWith much ado at length have gotten leave R2 V.v.74
To looke vpon my (sometimes Royall) masters face.To look upon my sometimes royal master's face.sometimes (adj.)
sometime, former, at one time
R2 V.v.75
O how it yern'd my heart, when I beheldO, how it earned my heart when I beheldearn (v.)

old form: yern'd
grieve, sadden, wound
R2 V.v.76
In London streets, that Coronation day,In London streets, that coronation day, R2 V.v.77
When Bullingbrooke rode on Roane Barbary,When Bolingbroke rode on roan Barbary,roan (adj.)

old form: Roane
with a coat of mixed colour
R2 V.v.78
That horse, that thou so often hast bestrid,That horse that thou so often hast bestrid, R2 V.v.79
That horse, that I so carefully haue drest.That horse that I so carefully have dressed!dress (v.)

old form: drest
[of horses] train, break in; groom
R2 V.v.80
Rich. RICHARD 
Rode he on Barbary? Tell me gentle Friend,Rode he on Barbary? Tell me, gentle friend,gentle (adj.)
courteous, friendly, kind
R2 V.v.81
How went he vnder him?How went he under him? R2 V.v.82
Groo. GROOM 
So proudly, as if he had disdain'd the ground.So proudly as if he disdained the ground. R2 V.v.83
Rich. RICHARD 
So proud, that Bullingbrooke was on his backe;So proud that Bolingbroke was on his back! R2 V.v.84
That Iade hath eate bread from my Royall hand.That jade hath eat bread from my royal hand;jade (n.)

old form: Iade
worn-out horse, hack, worthless nag
R2 V.v.85
This hand hath made him proud with clapping him.This hand hath made him proud with clapping him.clap (v.)
pat, slap on the back [as an endearment]
R2 V.v.86
Would he not stumble? Would he not fall downeWould he not stumble, would he not fall down –  R2 V.v.87
(Since Pride must haue a fall) and breake the neckeSince pride must have a fall – and break the neck R2 V.v.88
Of that proud man, that did vsurpe his backe?Of that proud man that did usurp his back? R2 V.v.89
Forgiuenesse horse: Why do I raile on thee,Forgiveness, horse! Why do I rail on thee,rail (v.)

old form: raile
rant, rave, be abusive [about]
R2 V.v.90
Since thou created to be aw'd by manSince thou, created to be awed by man,awe (v.)

old form: aw'd
control, restrain, master
R2 V.v.91
Was't borne to beare? I was not made a horse,Wast born to bear? I was not made a horse, R2 V.v.92
And yet I beare a burthen like an Asse,And yet I bear a burden like an ass, R2 V.v.93
Spur-gall'd, and tyrd by iauncing Bullingbrooke.Spurred, galled, and tired by jauncing Bolingbroke.gall (v.)

old form: gall'd
chafe, rub, make sore
R2 V.v.94
jauncing (adj.)

old form: iauncing
prancing, romping, gambolling
Enter Keeper with a Dish.Enter Keeper to Richard with meatmeat (n.)
food, nourishment
R2 V.v.95.1
Keep. KEEPER  
(to Groom) R2 V.v.95.2
Fellow, giue place, heere is no longer stay.Fellow, give place. Here is no longer stay.place (n.)
way, room
R2 V.v.95
Rich. RICHARD  
(to Groom) R2 V.v.96
If thou loue me, 'tis time thou wer't away.If thou love me, 'tis time thou wert away. R2 V.v.96
Groo. GROOM 
What my tongue dares not, that my heart shall say. What my tongue dares not, that my heart shall say. R2 V.v.97
Exit.Exit R2 V.v.97
Keep. KEEPER 
My Lord, wilt please you to fall too?My lord, will't please you to fall to?fall to, fall to it (v.)

old form: too
set to work, begin eating
R2 V.v.98
Rich. RICHARD 
Taste of it first, as thou wer't wont to doo.Taste of it first, as thou art wont to do.wont (v.)
be accustomed, used [to], be in the habit of
R2 V.v.99
Keep.KEEPER 
My Lord I dare not: Sir Pierce of Exton,My lord, I dare not. Sir Pierce of Exton, R2 V.v.100
Who lately came from th' King, commands the contrary.Who lately came from the King, commands the contrary. R2 V.v.101
Rich. RICHARD  
(attacks the keeper) R2 V.v.102
The diuell take Henrie of Lancaster, and thee;The devil take Henry of Lancaster, and thee. R2 V.v.102
Patience is stale, and I am weary of it.Patience is stale, and I am weary of it. R2 V.v.103
Keep. KEEPER 
Helpe, helpe, helpe.Help, help, help! R2 V.v.104
Enter Exton and Seruants.The murderers, Exton and servants, rush in R2 V.v.105.1
Ri. RICHARD 
How now? what meanes Death in this rude assalt?How now! What means death in this rude assault?rude (adj.)
violent, harsh, unkind
R2 V.v.105
Villaine, thine owne hand yeelds thy deaths instrument,Villain, thy own hand yields thy death's instrument. R2 V.v.106
He snatches a weapon from a servant and kills him R2 V.v.107.1
Go thou and fill another roome in hell.Go thou, and fill another room in hell.room (n.)

old form: roome
place, space
R2 V.v.107
Exton strikes him He kills another servant. Here Exton strikes him R2 V.v.108.1
downe.down R2 V.v.108.2
That hand shall burne in neuer-quenching fire,That hand shall burn in never-quenching fire R2 V.v.108
That staggers thus my person. Exton, thy fierce hand,That staggers thus my person. Exton, thy fierce handstagger (v.)
make stagger, cause to reel
R2 V.v.109
Hath with the Kings blood, stain'd the Kings own land.Hath with the King's blood stained the King's own land. R2 V.v.110
Mount, mount my soule, thy seate is vp on high,Mount, mount, my soul. Thy seat is up on high, R2 V.v.111
Whil'st my grosse flesh sinkes downward, heere to dye.Whilst my gross flesh sinks downward here to die. R2 V.v.112
He dies R2 V.v.112
Exton. EXTON 
As full of Valor, as of Royall blood,As full of valour as of royal blood. R2 V.v.113
Both haue I spilt: Oh would the deed were good.Both have I spilled. O, would the deed were good! R2 V.v.114
For now the diuell, that told me I did well,For now the devil, that told me I did well, R2 V.v.115
Sayes, that this deede is chronicled in hell.Says that this deed is chronicled in hell. R2 V.v.116
This dead King to the liuing King Ile beare,This dead King to the living King I'll bear. R2 V.v.117
Take hence the rest, and giue them buriall heere. Take hence the rest, and give them burial here. R2 V.v.118
Exit.Exeunt with the bodies R2 V.v.118
 Previous Act V, Scene V Next  
x

Jump directly to