Act I, Scene 4

The court.

[Enter KING RICHARD II, with BAGOT and GREEN at one] [p]door; and the DUKE OF AUMERLE at another]

• King Richard II. We did observe. Cousin Aumerle,
  How far brought you high Hereford on his way? 615

• Duke of Aumerle. I brought high Hereford, if you call him so,
  But to the next highway, and there I left him.

• King Richard II. And say, what store of parting tears were shed?

• Duke of Aumerle. Faith, none for me; except the north-east wind,
  Which then blew bitterly against our faces, 620
  Awaked the sleeping rheum, and so by chance
  Did grace our hollow parting with a tear.

• King Richard II. What said our cousin when you parted with him?

• Duke of Aumerle. 'Farewell:'
  And, for my heart disdained that my tongue 625
  Should so profane the word, that taught me craft
  To counterfeit oppression of such grief
  That words seem'd buried in my sorrow's grave.
  Marry, would the word 'farewell' have lengthen'd hours
  And added years to his short banishment, 630
  He should have had a volume of farewells;
  But since it would not, he had none of me.

• King Richard II. He is our cousin, cousin; but 'tis doubt,
  When time shall call him home from banishment,
  Whether our kinsman come to see his friends. 635
  Ourself and Bushy, Bagot here and Green
  Observed his courtship to the common people;
  How he did seem to dive into their hearts
  With humble and familiar courtesy,
  What reverence he did throw away on slaves, 640
  Wooing poor craftsmen with the craft of smiles
  And patient underbearing of his fortune,
  As 'twere to banish their affects with him.
  Off goes his bonnet to an oyster-wench;
  A brace of draymen bid God speed him well 645
  And had the tribute of his supple knee,
  With 'Thanks, my countrymen, my loving friends;'
  As were our England in reversion his,
  And he our subjects' next degree in hope.

• Green. Well, he is gone; and with him go these thoughts. 650
  Now for the rebels which stand out in Ireland,
  Expedient manage must be made, my liege,
  Ere further leisure yield them further means
  For their advantage and your highness' loss.

• King Richard II. We will ourself in person to this war: 655
  And, for our coffers, with too great a court
  And liberal largess, are grown somewhat light,
  We are inforced to farm our royal realm;
  The revenue whereof shall furnish us
  For our affairs in hand: if that come short, 660
  Our substitutes at home shall have blank charters;
  Whereto, when they shall know what men are rich,
  They shall subscribe them for large sums of gold
  And send them after to supply our wants;
  For we will make for Ireland presently. 665
  [Enter BUSHY]
  Bushy, what news?

• Bushy. Old John of Gaunt is grievous sick, my lord,
  Suddenly taken; and hath sent post haste
  To entreat your majesty to visit him. 670

• King Richard II. Where lies he?

• Bushy. At Ely House.

• King Richard II. Now put it, God, in the physician's mind
  To help him to his grave immediately!
  The lining of his coffers shall make coats 675
  To deck our soldiers for these Irish wars.
  Come, gentlemen, let's all go visit him:
  Pray God we may make haste, and come too late!

• All. Amen.

[Exeunt]