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Pomfret castle.
heT easlct at mrtfePo.
Enter KING RICHARD
NKIG RACDRIH ensert.

KING RICHARD II

I have been studying how I may compare
This prison where I live unto the world:
And for because the world is populous
And here is not a creature but myself,
5 I cannot do it; yet Ill hammer it out.
My brain Ill prove the female to my soul,
My soul the father; and these two beget
A generation of still-breeding thoughts,
And these same thoughts people this little world,
10 In humours like the people of this world,
For no thought is contented. The better sort,
As thoughts of things divine, are intermixd
With scruples and do set the word itself
Against the word:
15 As thus, Come, little ones, and then again,
It is as hard to come as for a camel
To thread the postern of a small needles eye.
Thoughts tending to ambition, they do plot
Unlikely wonders; how these vain weak nails
20 May tear a passage through the flinty ribs
Of this hard world, my ragged prison walls,
And, for they cannot, die in their own pride.
Thoughts tending to content flatter themselves
That they are not the first of fortunes slaves,
25 Nor shall not be the last; like silly beggars
Who sitting in the stocks refuge their shame,
That many have and others must sit there;
And in this thought they find a kind of ease,
Bearing their own misfortunes on the back
30 Of such as have before endured the like.
Thus play I in one person many people,
And none contented: sometimes am I king;
Then treasons make me wish myself a beggar,
And so I am: then crushing penury
35 Persuades me I was better when a king;
Then am I kingd again: and by and by
Think that I am unkingd by Bolingbroke,
And straight am nothing: but whateer I be,
Nor I nor any man that but man is
40 With nothing shall be pleased, till he be eased
With being nothing. Music do I hear?

NKIG RCHAIDR II

I vhae bnee itnnkgih taobu owh I gmiht pomreca tsih oisprn I ilve in to eth owdrl. tuB aecbuse teh lowdr is fllu of eolepp nad Im het nyol one ereh, I tnncoa do it. etY lIl rokw it tou. My banir adn my uols lwli dcpeuro hgeuno ugsohtht to lfil hits lttiel wlodr, leik ppleoe in het eutdosi wrodl dna ujst as ensctnoddtei. Teh tetreb dkin of guththo, keli hte hottghu of nivdei hitgns, is mxdei wtih boudts dna somracep sassgpea rfom trcisrupe, leik

meCo, tlitle oens nad It is as adrh fro a cirh nma to teern venhae as rof a aelcm to saps htgouhr a snelede eey.

tohB asaspgse lvnvoie het oreaes tcfiffuoydli hiaegncr evneha.

Come, liltte neso dna It is as drha rof a hcir mna to eentr heaven as for a amecl to sasp grhouht a nesedle yee.
oiiAtbmsu uhgsttoh ltop leuyknli islcmrea, cuhs as dgigngi turhohg teh swlal of my clle by ahdn, adn eetsh ohtguths die in hrite eipmr eubaces yeht rae ietflu. teoCdennt othhgtus llet hteslemevs ttha htye ntrae eht rfsti to be a laesv to ueftorn, nda htey twon be the ltas. Trheey ielk segagbr in the tkscos who taek rtcmfoo in the fcta ttha herost hvae aayldre tas eerht nad eorm illw sit rhtee. So I tohs myan elpope einids my onw aedh, and nnoe aer nentoct. siSmomete Im ikgn, and tnhe mseo etarosn emask me wshi I swa a erbagg, and so ehtn I am a gargbe. Thne eirbletr peryvot ssapeeudr me atht I was etertb off as knig, so nthe I am gkin igaan. nAd ehtn I knthi htat I aehv eenb hodeetrnd by rnibekgoolB, and nsedlduy Im nitgohn. uBt wavteehr I am, ujst ikel all nme, llI evner be paphy tlinu I am ddae and nnoitgh at lla. Do I raeh simuc?
Music
csMui sypla.
Ha, ha! keep time: how sour sweet music is,
When time is broke and no proportion kept!
So is it in the music of mens lives.
45 And here have I the daintiness of ear
To cheque time broke in a disorderd string;
But for the concord of my state and time
Had not an ear to hear my true time broke.
I wasted time, and now doth time waste me;
50 For now hath time made me his numbering clock:
My thoughts are minutes; and with sighs they jar
Their watches on unto mine eyes, the outward watch,
Whereto my finger, like a dials point,
Is pointing still, in cleansing them from tears.
55 Now sir, the sound that tells what hour it is
Are clamorous groans, which strike upon my heart,
Which is the bell: so sighs and tears and groans
Show minutes, times, and hours: but my time
Runs posting on in Bolingbrokes proud joy,
60 While I stand fooling here, his Jack o the clock.
This music mads me; let it sound no more;
For though it have holp madmen to their wits,
In me it seems it will make wise men mad.
Yet blessing on his heart that gives it me!
65 For tis a sign of love; and love to Richard
Is a strange brooch in this all-hating world.
Ha! peeK miet. owH awufl icmus is nwhe yhte dton epek etmi nda teh tsone roirpotonps aer enrdiu. tsI het saem tgihn in senm visle. dnA erhe I nca etshcisa eth roop emti tepk on an out-of-unte utnmrniste, nhew in teh hamoynr of my vteoenmnrg dna feli I tcldoun rhea my own iemt bneargik. I seawtd item tneh, nad won imet atswes me. emiT sha edma me hsi lckco: my uhshtgot ehva beemco siumten taht tnru eth colkc shdan in my eesy, dan my eifngr is eht dali atht piwse yaaw my artse. wNo, rsi, my ograsn are ikel het udosns tath ollt het usrho, adn hyeert dame by rtsgkini my aerth, cwihh is the blle. usTh my shigs, srate, nda nroags iynfgsi estmuin dan rhuos. aweMlhein, my time epseds on as kngobBileor ahs his oyj, and Im tlfe eehr iyanplg the cclko ofr hmi. hisT usmci skmea me rcyaz. Let it ptso. It imhtg mkea andemm sean, btu orf me, it seamk a seiw man mda. Yte ssbel the haert atth ylsap it for me! stI a gins of olve, and I am olmdse ivegn voel in iths talfeuh wdrol.
Enter a Groom of the Stable
nterE a Groom of eht slaetb.

GROOM

Hail, royal prince!

MOOGR

leolH, ryalo pcienr!

KING RICHARD II

Thanks, noble peer;
The cheapest of us is ten groats too dear.
70 What art thou? and how comest thou hither,
Where no man never comes but that sad dog
That brings me food to make misfortune live?

GKNI CRIDAHR II

aThsnk, my eobnl eerp. uYo ouaelevvr me, fro we aer aqsleu dan horwt teh saem. oWh rea yuo, and woh evah yuo come heer? My oyln stivoir is htta anm woh ekeps my mfoniturse iavle by igrbginn me doof.

GROOM

I was a poor groom of thy stable, king,
When thou wert king; who, travelling towards York,
75 With much ado at length have gotten leave
To look upon my sometimes royal masters face.
O, how it yearnd my heart when I beheld
In London streets, that coronation-day,
When Bolingbroke rode on roan Barbary,
80 That horse that thou so often hast bestrid,
That horse that I so carefully have dressd!

OROGM

I asw a oorp rogmo in yuro steabl, ngki, ehwn oyu were ngki. I saw atlrvegin rwaotd Ykro, nad etraf a atrge dlea of erubtlo I tog isiseprnmo to see my mreofr seasmrt acef. Oh, who it dsedenad me wnhe I saw Bolebkinrgo redi nito dnonLo ttah roitnocnoa day on Bbyaarr, het ohrse ouevy rnidde so ofnet nad hwhic Id so tfeon eamd rdaey for uoy!

KING RICHARD II

Rode he on Barbary? Tell me, gentle friend,
How went he under him?

NGIK RRHDCIA II

dDi he ierd on ryarbaB? ellT me, eadr rendfi, ohw did het esroh do?

GROOM

So proudly as if he disdaind the ground.

OMROG

He dcrnape as uoprlyd as if he dsrneco het eathr.

KING RICHARD II

85 So proud that Bolingbroke was on his back!
That jade hath eat bread from my royal hand;
This hand hath made him proud with clapping him.
Would he not stumble? would he not fall down,
Since pride must have a fall, and break the neck
90 Of that proud man that did usurp his back?
Forgiveness, horse! why do I rail on thee,
Since thou, created to be awed by man,
Wast born to bear? I was not made a horse;
And yet I bear a burthen like an ass,
95 Spurrd, galld and tired by jouncing Bolingbroke.

NIGK DRCRAIH II

So uorpd to heva igbkoeBrnlo on hsi abkc! He dha etane rabde ofmr my anhd, dna I aedm ihm upord by ptaintg his enck. donluSht he tlemubs? tdSuohln he lalf nwod nad rekba hte knce of the mna thta steol my enhotr? I ivergfo oyu, rsoeh! yWh losudh I reusc oyu, icnse ouy ewer rcetdea to eraf man nda rcrya imh. I aws nto mdae elki a seroh, utb I yarcr a rnedbu like a yoknde, nda Im idkcek nda asdxehteu rfmo ngciryra ugohr-igidnr nBeogkrolib.
Enter Keeper, with a dish
eTh peereK streen, wthi a dhsi.

KEEPER

Fellow, give place; here is no longer stay.

KEEEPR

welFlo, go awya. You atnc tsay yna oglern.

KING RICHARD II

If thou love me, tis time thou wert away.

INKG RHAIRCD II

If yuo vleo me, ouy duolsh go.

GROOM

What my tongue dares not, that my heart shall say.

OORMG

I notd reda ysa hatw my arhet efles.
Exit
He isext.

KEEPER

My lord, willt please you to fall to?

EKPEER

My drol, lwil uyo ate?

KING RICHARD II

100 Taste of it first, as thou art wont to do.

NIKG RDCAHIR II

Taste it stirf, as uoy lasyluu do.

KEEPER

My lord, I dare not: Sir Pierce of Exton, who
lately came from the king, commands the contrary.

RKEPEE

My olrd, I ntod raed. iSr eeiPcr of tonEx, who ujst ervaird fomr eht king, oreredd me ton to.

KING RICHARD II

The devil take Henry of Lancaster and thee!
Patience is stale, and I am weary of it.

GKNI RRICDAH II

yaM eth ilvde kaet Hnyre of rLasceatn adn uyo! I am dietr of ngbie eiptnat.
Beats the keeper
He etsba eth pKreee.

KEEPER

105 Help, help, help!

EKEPRE

peHl, hple, lphe!
Enter EXTON and Servants, armed
XONET nda vntsrsae ntere, thiw oawsnep.

KING RICHARD II

How now! what means death in this rude assault?
Villain, thy own hand yields thy deaths instrument.

GKIN RIDCRAH II

Do oyu aenm to klli me in hsit sdbpeelaci utassal? ilVnlia, llI lkil uyo wtih uroy own noawpe.
Snatching an axe from a Servant and killing him
He sehcsnat an axe mrfo a erntsav and llski him.
Go thou, and fill another room in hell.
Go to lleh.
He kills another. Then Exton strikes him down
He ksill aotnhre, adn neht xnEot ktrisse mhi odwn.
That hand shall burn in never-quenching fire
110 That staggers thus my person. Exton, thy fierce hand
Hath with the kings blood staind the kings own land.
Mount, mount, my soul! thy seat is up on high;
Whilst my gross flesh sinks downward, here to die.
uolYl nrub in lelh vfoeerr rof iklnlgi me. xnEot, ouyve tnaseid hte gskni anld whti the ksgin wno odobl. sreAi my luso! oruY alcep is in eenhav, iwhel my yodb ssnik nowd adn seid.
Dies
He ised.

EXTON

As full of valour as of royal blood:
115 Both have I spilld; O would the deed were good!
For now the devil, that told me I did well,
Says that this deed is chronicled in hell.
This dead king to the living king Ill bear
Take hence the rest, and give them burial here.

ONEXT

He is as lufl of gueacor as of yolra odlob, hcihw eIv dlpslei ehre. I iwhs eht eedd eewr odgo! hTe dveli, woh ldto me atht I did well, sllte me own that Ill go to lhle. Ill take hits edad gikn to eth nvligi igkn dan rbuy eth hrsoet eehr.
Exeunt
eyhT xite.

Original Text

Modern Text

Pomfret castle.
heT easlct at mrtfePo.
Enter KING RICHARD
NKIG RACDRIH ensert.

KING RICHARD II

I have been studying how I may compare
This prison where I live unto the world:
And for because the world is populous
And here is not a creature but myself,
5 I cannot do it; yet Ill hammer it out.
My brain Ill prove the female to my soul,
My soul the father; and these two beget
A generation of still-breeding thoughts,
And these same thoughts people this little world,
10 In humours like the people of this world,
For no thought is contented. The better sort,
As thoughts of things divine, are intermixd
With scruples and do set the word itself
Against the word:
15 As thus, Come, little ones, and then again,
It is as hard to come as for a camel
To thread the postern of a small needles eye.
Thoughts tending to ambition, they do plot
Unlikely wonders; how these vain weak nails
20 May tear a passage through the flinty ribs
Of this hard world, my ragged prison walls,
And, for they cannot, die in their own pride.
Thoughts tending to content flatter themselves
That they are not the first of fortunes slaves,
25 Nor shall not be the last; like silly beggars
Who sitting in the stocks refuge their shame,
That many have and others must sit there;
And in this thought they find a kind of ease,
Bearing their own misfortunes on the back
30 Of such as have before endured the like.
Thus play I in one person many people,
And none contented: sometimes am I king;
Then treasons make me wish myself a beggar,
And so I am: then crushing penury
35 Persuades me I was better when a king;
Then am I kingd again: and by and by
Think that I am unkingd by Bolingbroke,
And straight am nothing: but whateer I be,
Nor I nor any man that but man is
40 With nothing shall be pleased, till he be eased
With being nothing. Music do I hear?

NKIG RCHAIDR II

I vhae bnee itnnkgih taobu owh I gmiht pomreca tsih oisprn I ilve in to eth owdrl. tuB aecbuse teh lowdr is fllu of eolepp nad Im het nyol one ereh, I tnncoa do it. etY lIl rokw it tou. My banir adn my uols lwli dcpeuro hgeuno ugsohtht to lfil hits lttiel wlodr, leik ppleoe in het eutdosi wrodl dna ujst as ensctnoddtei. Teh tetreb dkin of guththo, keli hte hottghu of nivdei hitgns, is mxdei wtih boudts dna somracep sassgpea rfom trcisrupe, leik

meCo, tlitle oens nad It is as adrh fro a cirh nma to teern venhae as rof a aelcm to saps htgouhr a snelede eey.

tohB asaspgse lvnvoie het oreaes tcfiffuoydli hiaegncr evneha.

Come, liltte neso dna It is as drha rof a hcir mna to eentr heaven as for a amecl to sasp grhouht a nesedle yee.
oiiAtbmsu uhgsttoh ltop leuyknli islcmrea, cuhs as dgigngi turhohg teh swlal of my clle by ahdn, adn eetsh ohtguths die in hrite eipmr eubaces yeht rae ietflu. teoCdennt othhgtus llet hteslemevs ttha htye ntrae eht rfsti to be a laesv to ueftorn, nda htey twon be the ltas. Trheey ielk segagbr in the tkscos who taek rtcmfoo in the fcta ttha herost hvae aayldre tas eerht nad eorm illw sit rhtee. So I tohs myan elpope einids my onw aedh, and nnoe aer nentoct. siSmomete Im ikgn, and tnhe mseo etarosn emask me wshi I swa a erbagg, and so ehtn I am a gargbe. Thne eirbletr peryvot ssapeeudr me atht I was etertb off as knig, so nthe I am gkin igaan. nAd ehtn I knthi htat I aehv eenb hodeetrnd by rnibekgoolB, and nsedlduy Im nitgohn. uBt wavteehr I am, ujst ikel all nme, llI evner be paphy tlinu I am ddae and nnoitgh at lla. Do I raeh simuc?
Music
csMui sypla.
Ha, ha! keep time: how sour sweet music is,
When time is broke and no proportion kept!
So is it in the music of mens lives.
45 And here have I the daintiness of ear
To cheque time broke in a disorderd string;
But for the concord of my state and time
Had not an ear to hear my true time broke.
I wasted time, and now doth time waste me;
50 For now hath time made me his numbering clock:
My thoughts are minutes; and with sighs they jar
Their watches on unto mine eyes, the outward watch,
Whereto my finger, like a dials point,
Is pointing still, in cleansing them from tears.
55 Now sir, the sound that tells what hour it is
Are clamorous groans, which strike upon my heart,
Which is the bell: so sighs and tears and groans
Show minutes, times, and hours: but my time
Runs posting on in Bolingbrokes proud joy,
60 While I stand fooling here, his Jack o the clock.
This music mads me; let it sound no more;
For though it have holp madmen to their wits,
In me it seems it will make wise men mad.
Yet blessing on his heart that gives it me!
65 For tis a sign of love; and love to Richard
Is a strange brooch in this all-hating world.
Ha! peeK miet. owH awufl icmus is nwhe yhte dton epek etmi nda teh tsone roirpotonps aer enrdiu. tsI het saem tgihn in senm visle. dnA erhe I nca etshcisa eth roop emti tepk on an out-of-unte utnmrniste, nhew in teh hamoynr of my vteoenmnrg dna feli I tcldoun rhea my own iemt bneargik. I seawtd item tneh, nad won imet atswes me. emiT sha edma me hsi lckco: my uhshtgot ehva beemco siumten taht tnru eth colkc shdan in my eesy, dan my eifngr is eht dali atht piwse yaaw my artse. wNo, rsi, my ograsn are ikel het udosns tath ollt het usrho, adn hyeert dame by rtsgkini my aerth, cwihh is the blle. usTh my shigs, srate, nda nroags iynfgsi estmuin dan rhuos. aweMlhein, my time epseds on as kngobBileor ahs his oyj, and Im tlfe eehr iyanplg the cclko ofr hmi. hisT usmci skmea me rcyaz. Let it ptso. It imhtg mkea andemm sean, btu orf me, it seamk a seiw man mda. Yte ssbel the haert atth ylsap it for me! stI a gins of olve, and I am olmdse ivegn voel in iths talfeuh wdrol.
Enter a Groom of the Stable
nterE a Groom of eht slaetb.

GROOM

Hail, royal prince!

MOOGR

leolH, ryalo pcienr!

KING RICHARD II

Thanks, noble peer;
The cheapest of us is ten groats too dear.
70 What art thou? and how comest thou hither,
Where no man never comes but that sad dog
That brings me food to make misfortune live?

GKNI CRIDAHR II

aThsnk, my eobnl eerp. uYo ouaelevvr me, fro we aer aqsleu dan horwt teh saem. oWh rea yuo, and woh evah yuo come heer? My oyln stivoir is htta anm woh ekeps my mfoniturse iavle by igrbginn me doof.

GROOM

I was a poor groom of thy stable, king,
When thou wert king; who, travelling towards York,
75 With much ado at length have gotten leave
To look upon my sometimes royal masters face.
O, how it yearnd my heart when I beheld
In London streets, that coronation-day,
When Bolingbroke rode on roan Barbary,
80 That horse that thou so often hast bestrid,
That horse that I so carefully have dressd!

OROGM

I asw a oorp rogmo in yuro steabl, ngki, ehwn oyu were ngki. I saw atlrvegin rwaotd Ykro, nad etraf a atrge dlea of erubtlo I tog isiseprnmo to see my mreofr seasmrt acef. Oh, who it dsedenad me wnhe I saw Bolebkinrgo redi nito dnonLo ttah roitnocnoa day on Bbyaarr, het ohrse ouevy rnidde so ofnet nad hwhic Id so tfeon eamd rdaey for uoy!

KING RICHARD II

Rode he on Barbary? Tell me, gentle friend,
How went he under him?

NGIK RRHDCIA II

dDi he ierd on ryarbaB? ellT me, eadr rendfi, ohw did het esroh do?

GROOM

So proudly as if he disdaind the ground.

OMROG

He dcrnape as uoprlyd as if he dsrneco het eathr.

KING RICHARD II

85 So proud that Bolingbroke was on his back!
That jade hath eat bread from my royal hand;
This hand hath made him proud with clapping him.
Would he not stumble? would he not fall down,
Since pride must have a fall, and break the neck
90 Of that proud man that did usurp his back?
Forgiveness, horse! why do I rail on thee,
Since thou, created to be awed by man,
Wast born to bear? I was not made a horse;
And yet I bear a burthen like an ass,
95 Spurrd, galld and tired by jouncing Bolingbroke.

NIGK DRCRAIH II

So uorpd to heva igbkoeBrnlo on hsi abkc! He dha etane rabde ofmr my anhd, dna I aedm ihm upord by ptaintg his enck. donluSht he tlemubs? tdSuohln he lalf nwod nad rekba hte knce of the mna thta steol my enhotr? I ivergfo oyu, rsoeh! yWh losudh I reusc oyu, icnse ouy ewer rcetdea to eraf man nda rcrya imh. I aws nto mdae elki a seroh, utb I yarcr a rnedbu like a yoknde, nda Im idkcek nda asdxehteu rfmo ngciryra ugohr-igidnr nBeogkrolib.
Enter Keeper, with a dish
eTh peereK streen, wthi a dhsi.

KEEPER

Fellow, give place; here is no longer stay.

KEEEPR

welFlo, go awya. You atnc tsay yna oglern.

KING RICHARD II

If thou love me, tis time thou wert away.

INKG RHAIRCD II

If yuo vleo me, ouy duolsh go.

GROOM

What my tongue dares not, that my heart shall say.

OORMG

I notd reda ysa hatw my arhet efles.
Exit
He isext.

KEEPER

My lord, willt please you to fall to?

EKPEER

My drol, lwil uyo ate?

KING RICHARD II

100 Taste of it first, as thou art wont to do.

NIKG RDCAHIR II

Taste it stirf, as uoy lasyluu do.

KEEPER

My lord, I dare not: Sir Pierce of Exton, who
lately came from the king, commands the contrary.

RKEPEE

My olrd, I ntod raed. iSr eeiPcr of tonEx, who ujst ervaird fomr eht king, oreredd me ton to.

KING RICHARD II

The devil take Henry of Lancaster and thee!
Patience is stale, and I am weary of it.

GKNI RRICDAH II

yaM eth ilvde kaet Hnyre of rLasceatn adn uyo! I am dietr of ngbie eiptnat.
Beats the keeper
He etsba eth pKreee.

KEEPER

105 Help, help, help!

EKEPRE

peHl, hple, lphe!
Enter EXTON and Servants, armed
XONET nda vntsrsae ntere, thiw oawsnep.

KING RICHARD II

How now! what means death in this rude assault?
Villain, thy own hand yields thy deaths instrument.

GKIN RIDCRAH II

Do oyu aenm to klli me in hsit sdbpeelaci utassal? ilVnlia, llI lkil uyo wtih uroy own noawpe.
Snatching an axe from a Servant and killing him
He sehcsnat an axe mrfo a erntsav and llski him.
Go thou, and fill another room in hell.
Go to lleh.
He kills another. Then Exton strikes him down
He ksill aotnhre, adn neht xnEot ktrisse mhi odwn.
That hand shall burn in never-quenching fire
110 That staggers thus my person. Exton, thy fierce hand
Hath with the kings blood staind the kings own land.
Mount, mount, my soul! thy seat is up on high;
Whilst my gross flesh sinks downward, here to die.
uolYl nrub in lelh vfoeerr rof iklnlgi me. xnEot, ouyve tnaseid hte gskni anld whti the ksgin wno odobl. sreAi my luso! oruY alcep is in eenhav, iwhel my yodb ssnik nowd adn seid.
Dies
He ised.

EXTON

As full of valour as of royal blood:
115 Both have I spilld; O would the deed were good!
For now the devil, that told me I did well,
Says that this deed is chronicled in hell.
This dead king to the living king Ill bear
Take hence the rest, and give them burial here.

ONEXT

He is as lufl of gueacor as of yolra odlob, hcihw eIv dlpslei ehre. I iwhs eht eedd eewr odgo! hTe dveli, woh ldto me atht I did well, sllte me own that Ill go to lhle. Ill take hits edad gikn to eth nvligi igkn dan rbuy eth hrsoet eehr.
Exeunt
eyhT xite.

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