King
thus shall King Richard suit his princely train
despite his uncle's pride. embrace us, gentlemen.
sir Edward Bagot, Bushy, Greene, and Scroope,
your youths are fitting to our tender years
and such shall beautify our princely throne.
fear not my uncles, nor their proudest strength
for I will buckler ye against them all.

Green
thanks, dearest lord, let me have Richard's love
and like a rock unmoved my state shall stand
scorning the proudest peer that rules the land.

Bushy
your uncles seek to overturn your state,
to awe ye like a child, that they alone
may at their pleasures thrust you from the throne.

Scroope
as if the sun were forced to decline
before his dated time of darkness comes.

Bagot
sweet King, set courage to authority
and let them know the power of majesty.

Green
may not the lion roar, because he is young?
what are your uncles but as elephants
that set their aged bodies to the oak?
you are the oak against whose stock they lean:
fall from them once, and then destroy them ever.
be thou no stay, King Richard, to their strength
but as a tyrant unto tyranny,
and so confound them all eternally.

Tresilian
law must extend unto severity
when subjects dare to brave their sovereign.

King
Tresilian, thou art lord chief justice now,
who should be learned in the laws but thee?
resolve us therefore what thou thinkest of them
seek to subvert their King and sovereign.

Tresilian
as of the King's rebellious enemies:
as underminers of his sacred state;
which, in the greatest prince or mightiest peer
that is a subject to your majesty,
is nothing less than treason capital,
and he a traitor that endeavours it. [Bushy reads a book]

King
attaint them then, arrest them and condemn them.

Green
hale them to the block and cut off all their heads,
and then King Richard claim the government.

King
see it be done, Tresilian, speedily.

Tresilian
that course is all too rash, my gracious lord.

All
too rash for what?

Tresilian
it must be done with greater policy
for fear the people rise in mutiny.

King
ay, there is the fear: the commons love them well
and all applaud the wily Lancaster,
the counterfeit relenting Duke of York
together with our fretful uncle Woodstock
with greater reverence than King Richard's self.
but time shall come, when we shall yoke their necks
and make them bend to our obedience.
how now, what readest thou, Bushy?

Bushy
the monument of english chronicles,
containing acts and memorable deeds
of all your famous predecessor Kings.

King
what findest thou of them?

Bushy
examples strange and wonderful, my lord.
the end of treason even in mighty persons:
for here it is said your royal grandfather
although but young, and under government,
took the protector then, proud mortimer,
and on a gallows fifty foot in height
he hung him for his pride and treachery.

King
why should our proud protector then presume
and we not punish him, whose treason is vilder far
than ever was rebellious mortimer's?
prithee read on. examples such as these
will bring us to our Kingly grandsire's spirit.
what is next?

Bushy
the battle full of dread and doubtful fear
was fought betwixt your father and the french.

Bushy
then the black prince, encouraging his soldiers,
being in number but 7750, gave the onset to the
french King's puissant army, which were numbered to
68000, and in one hour got the victory, slew 6000 of
the french soldiers, took prisoners of Dukes, earls,
knights and gentlemen to the number 1700, and of
the common sort 10000; so the prisoners that were
taken were twice so many as the englishmen were in
number. besides, the thrice renowned prince took with
his own hand King John of France and his son prisoners.
this was called the battle of poitiers, and
was fought on monday the nineteenth of september, 1356,
my lord.

King
a victory most strange and admirable.
never was conquest got with such great odds.
oh, princely Edward, had thy son such hap,
such fortune and success to follow him,
his daring uncles and rebellious peers
durst not control and govern as they do.
but these bright shining trophies shall awake me,
and as we are his body's counterfeit,
so will we be the image of his mind,
and die but we will attain his virtuous deeds.
what next ensues, good Bushy? read the rest.

Bushy
here is set down, my princely sovereign,
the certain time and day when you were born.

King
our birthday sayest thou? is that noted there?

Bushy
it is, my lord.

King
prithee let me hear it,
for thereby hangs a secret mystery
which yet our uncle strangely keeps from us.
on, Bushy.

Bushy
upon the third of april 1365 was lord Richard, son to
the black prince, born at Bordeaux.

King
stay; let me think awhile. read it again.

Bushy
upon the third of april 1365 was lord Richard son to
the black prince born at Bordeaux.

King
1365? what year is this?

Green
it is now, my lord, 1387.

King
by that account, the third of april next
our age is numbered two and twenty years.
oh treacherous men that have deluded us,
we might have claimed our right a twelvemonth since!
shut up thy book, good Bushy. Bagot, Greene,
King Richard in his throne will now be seen.
this day I will claim my right, my Kingdom's due.
our uncles well shall know they but intrude:
for which we will smite their base ingratitude.
[A knock within. Bagot to the door and returns]
Bagot
Edmund of Langley, Duke of York, (my lord)
sent from the lord protector and the peers
doth crave admittance to your royal presence.

King
our uncle Edmund. so. were it not he
we would not speak with him, but go admit him.
Woodstock and Gaunt are stern and troublesome
but York is gentle, mild and generous;
and therefore we admit his conference.
Enter York
Bagot
he comes, my lord.

King
methinks it is strange, my good and reverent uncle,
you and the rest should thus malign against us,
and every hour with rude and bitter taunts
abuse King Richard and his harmless friends.
we had a father, that once called ye brother:
a grandsire too, that titled you his son;
but could they see how you have wronged King Richard
their ghosts would haunt ye; and in dead of night
fright all your quiet sleeps with horrid fears.
I pray, stand up, we honour reverend years
in meaner subjects. good uncle, rise and tell us:
what further mischiefs are there now devised
to torture and afflict your sovereign with?

York
my royal lord, even by my birth I swear,
my father's tomb, and faith to heaven I owe,
your uncles' thoughts are all most honourable.
and to that end the good protector sends me
to certify your sacred majesty
the peers of England now are all assembled
to hold a parliament at Westminster,
and humbly crave you highness would be there
to sit in council touching such affairs
as shall concern your country's government.

King
have they so soon procured a parliament?
without our knowledge too? it is somewhat strange.
yet say, good uncle, we will meet them straight.

York
the news to all will be most wished and welcome.
I take my leave, and to your grace I swear
as I am subject loyal, just and true,
we will nothing do to hurt the realm nor you.

King
we shall believe you, uncle. go attend him. [Exit York]
yes, we will meet them, but with such intent
as shall dismiss their sudden parliament
till we be pleased to summon and direct it.
come, sirs, to Westminster, attend our state.
this day shall make you ever fortunate.
the third of april, Bushy, note the time,
our age accomplished, crown and Kingdom is mine.

Exeunt

[Act II, Scene 2: Westminster]
Flourish [of trumpets]. Enter Lancaster, Arundel, Surrey: The Queen and Duchess of Gloster: Woodstock [with] petitions and the mace: Cheyney. York meets them in haste.
Woodstock
Now, brother York, what says King Richard, ha?

York
his highness will be here immediately.

Woodstock
go, cousin Surrey, greet the parliament,
tell them the King is coming, give these petitions
to the knights and burgesses of the lower house,
sent from each several shire of all the Kingdom.
these copies I will keep, and show his highness.
pray make haste.

Surrey
I will, my lord. Exit

Queen
pity King Richard's youth, most reverend uncles
and in your high proceedings gently use him.
think of his tender years: what is now amiss
his riper judgment shall make good and perfect
to you, and to the Kingdom's benefit.

York
alack, sweet Queen. you and our lord the King
have little cause to fear our just proceedings.
we will fall beneath his feet, and bend our knees
so he cast off those hateful flatterers
that daily ruinate his state and Kingdom.

Woodstock
go in, sweet ladies, comfort one another.
this happy parliament shall make all even
and plant sure peace betwixt the King and realm.
may heaven direct your wisdoms to provide
for England's honour and King Richard's good.

York
believe no less, sweet Queen. attend her highness.
Flourish [of trumpets]. Exeunt [Queen and Duchess]
Arundel
the King is come, my lords.

Woodstock
stand from the door then: make way, Cheyney.
[Trumpets] sound a flourish. Enter King, Bagot, Bushy, Greene, Scroope and others.
Green
yonder is your uncles, my lord.

King
ay, with our plain protector!
full of complaints, sweet Greene, I will wage my crown.

Bagot
give them fair words, and smooth awhile.
the toils are pitched, and you may catch them quickly.

King
why, how now, uncle? what, disrobed again
of all your golden rich abiliments?

Woodstock
ay, ay, good coz, I am now in my tother hose,
I am now myself, plain Thomas, and by the rood
in these plain hose I will do the realm more good
than these that pill the poor, to jet in gold.

King
nay, be not angry, uncle.

Woodstock
be you then pleased, good coz, to hear me speak
and view thy subjects' sad petitions.
see here, King Richard, whilst thou livest at ease
lulling thyself in nice security,
thy wronged Kingdom is in a mutiny.
from every province are the people come
with open mouths exclaiming on the wrongs
thou and these upstarts have imposed on them.
shame is deciphered on thy palace gate,
confusion hangeth over thy wretched head,
mischief is coming and in storms must fall:
the oppression of the poor to heaven doth call.

King
well, well, good uncle, these your bitter taunts
against my friends and me will one day cease.
but what is the reason you have sent for us?

Lancaster
to have your grace confirm this parliament
and set your hand to certain articles
most needful for your state and Kingdom's quiet.

King
where are those articles?

Arundel
the states and burgesses of the parliament
attend with duty to deliver them.

York
please you ascend your throne. we will call them in.

King
we will ask a question first, and then we will see
them; for trust me, reverent uncles, we have sworn
we will not sit upon our royal throne
until this question be resolved at full.
reach me that paper, Bushy. hear me, princes:
we had a strange petition here delivered us.
a poor man's son, his father being deceased,
gave him in charge unto a rich man's hands
to keep him and the little land he had
till he attained to one and twenty years.
the poor revenue amounts but to three crowns,
and yet the insatiate churl denies his right
and bars him of his fair inheritance.
tell me, I pray: will not our english laws
enforce this rich man to resign his due?

Woodstock
there is no let to bar it, gracious soverign.
afore my god, sweet prince, it joys my soul
to see your grace in person thus to judge his cause.

York
such deeds as this will make King Richard shine
above his famous predecessor Kings
if thus he labour to establish right.

King
the poor man then had wrong, you all confess?

Woodstock
and shall have right, my liege, to quit his wrong.

King
then, Woodstock, give us right, for we are
wronged.
thou art the rich, and we the poor man's son.
the realms of England, France, and Ireland
are those three crowns thou yearly keepest from us.
is it not a wrong when every mean man's son
may take his birthright at the time expired,
and we, the principal, being now attained
almost to two and twenty years of age
cannot be suffered to enjoy our own
nor peaceably possess our father's right?

Woodstock
was this the trick, sweet prince! alack the day,
you need not thus have doubled with your friends.
the right I hold, even with my heart I render
and wish your grace had claimed it long ago.
thou hadst rid mine age of mickle care and woe.
and yet I think I have not wronged your birthright:
for if the times were searched I guess your grace
is not so full of years till april next.
but be it as it will. lo, here, King Richard,
I thus yield up my sad protectorship:
a heavy burthen has thou taken from me.
long mayst thou live in peace and keep thine own
that truth and justice may attend thy throne.
Gives the Mace up
King
then in the name of heaven we thus ascend it
and here we claim our fair inheritance
of fruitful England, France, and Ireland,
superior lord of scotland; and the rights
belonging to our great dominions.
here, uncles, take the crown from Richard's hand
and once more place it on our Kingly head.
this day we will be new enthronished.

Woodstock
with all our hearts, my lord. trumpets, be ready.
A Flourish
All
long live King Richard, of that name the second
the sovereign lord of England's ancient rights!

King
we thank ye all. so. now we feel ourself.
our body could not fill this chair till now,
it was scanted to us by protectorship.
but now we let ye know King Richard rules
and will elect and choose, place and displace
such officers as we ourself shall like of.
and first, my lords, because your age is such
as pity it were ye should be further pressed
with weighty business of the common weal,
we here dismiss ye from the council table
and will that you remain not in our court.
deliver up your staves. and hear ye, Arundel,
we do discharge ye of the admiralty.
Scroope, take his office and his place in council.

Scroope
I thank your highness.

York
here, take my staff, good cousin. York thus leaves
thee. thou leanest on staves that will at length
deceive thee.

Lancaster
there lie the burthen of old Lancaster;
and may he perish that succeeds my place!

King
so, sir, we will observe your humour.
sir henry Greene, succeed our uncle York,
and Bushy take the staff of Lancaster.

Bushy
I thank your grace: his curses fright not me.
I will keep it to defend your majesty.

Woodstock
what transformation do mine eyes behold
as if the world were topsy-turvy turned!
hear me, King Richard.

King
plain Thomas, I will not hear ye.

Green
ye do not well to move his majesty.

Woodstock
hence, flatterer, or by my soul I will kill thee!
(shall England, that so long was governed
by grave experience, of white-headed age,
be subject now to rash unskilful boys?)
then force the sun run backward to the east,
lay atlas' burthen on a pigmy's back,
appoint the sea his times to ebb and flow;
and that as easily may be done as this.

King
give up your council staff, we will hear no more.

Woodstock
my staff, King Richard? see, coz, here it is:
full ten years' space within a prince's hand,
a soldier and a faithful councillor,
this staff hath always been discreetly kept;
nor shall the world report an upstart groom
did glory in the honours Woodstock lost;
and therefore, Richard, thus I sever it.
there, let him take it, shivered, cracked and broke
as will the state of England be ere long
by this rejecting true nobility.
farewell, King Richard. I will to plashey, brothers,
if ye ride through essex, call and see me.
if once the pillars and supporters quail
how can the strongest castle choose but fail?

Lords
and so will he ere long. come, come, let us leave
them.

Bushy
ay, ay, your places are supplied sufficiently.
Exeunt the Lords [with Arundel]
Scroope
old doting graybeard!
before god, my lord, had they not been your uncles
I had broke my council staff about their heads.

Green
we will have an act for this: it shall be henceforth
counted high treason for any fellow with a gray beard
to come within forty foot of the court gates.

Bagot
ay, or a great-bellied doublet. we will alter
the Kingdom presently.

Green
pox on it, we will not have a beard amongst us, we will
shave the country and the city too, shall we not,
Richard?

King
do what ye will, we will shield and buckler ye.
we will have a guard of archers to attend us;
and they shall daily wait on us and you.
send proclamations straight in Richard's name
to abridge the laws our late protector made.
let some be sent to seek Tresilian forth.

Bagot
seek him! hang him, he lurks not far off I warrant.
and this news come abroad once, ye shall have him
here presently.

King
would he were come. his counsel would direct you
well.

Green
troth, I think I shall trouble myself but with a
few counsellors. what cheer shall we have to dinner,
King Richard?

King
no matter what today. we will mend it shortly.
the hall at Westminster shall be enlarged
and only serve us for a dining room,
wherein I will daily feast ten thousand men.

Green
an excellent device! the commons have murmured
against us a great while, and there is no such means as
meat to stop their mouths.

Scroope
sfoot, make their gate wider. let us first
fetch their money and bid them to dinner afterwards.

Green
'sblood, and I were not a councillor, I could find
in myself to dine at a tavern today, sweet King.
shall us be merry?

Scroope
we must have money to buy new suits, my lord.
the fashion that we wear are gross and stale.
we will go sit in council to devise some new.

All
a special purpose to be thought upon!
it shall be the first thing we will do.

King
come, wantons, come. if Gloucester hear of this
he will say our council guides us much amiss.
dismiss the parliament our uncles called,
and tell the peers it is our present pleasure
that each man parts unto his several home.
when we are pleased, they shall have summons sent
and with King Richard hold a parliament.
set forward.

Green
you of the council march before the King;
I will support his arm.

King
gramercy, Greene.

Trumpets sound [a] flourish. Exeunt.