Monologue

Bolingbroke Monologue from Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Oxford 1911)/Volume 4/The Tragedy of King Richard the Second

From Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Oxford 1911)/Volume 4/The Tragedy of King Richard the Second by Oxford 1911

male · defiant · 2:04 min

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: (To NORTHUMBERLAND.) Noble lord, :Go to the rude ribs of that ancient castle; :Through brazen trumpet send the breath of parley :Into his ruin'd ears, and thus deliver: :Henry Bolingbroke :On both his knees doth kiss King Richard's hand, :And sends allegiance and true faith of heart :To his most royal person; hither come :Even at his feet to lay my arms and power, :Provided that my banishment repeal'd :And lands restor'd again be freely granted; :If not, I'll use the advantage of my power :And lay the summer's dust with showers of blood :Rain'd from the wounds of slaughtered Englishmen; :The which, how far off from the mind of Bolingbroke :It is, such crimson tempest should bedrench :The fresh green lap of fair King Richard's land, :My stooping duty tenderly shall show. :Go, signify as much, while here we march :Upon the grassy carpet of this plain. :Let's march without the noise of threat'ning drum, :That from this castle's totter'd battlements :Our fair appointments may be well perus'd. :Methinks King Richard and myself should meet :With no less terror than the elements :Of fire and water, when their thund'ring shock :At meeting tears the cloudy cheeks of heaven. :Be he the fire, I'll be the yielding water; :The rage be his, whilst on the earth I rain :My waters; on the earth, and not on him. :March on, and mark King Richard how he looks.

About this piece

Bolingbroke approaches the castle to negotiate with King Richard, expressing his loyalty while simultaneously threatening violence if his demands are not met.

30s · determination · power · betrayal · honor · revenge

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