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Richard II Translation Act 1, Scene 4

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Original

Translation

Enter KING RICHARD II, with BAGOT and GREEN at one 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?

KING RICHARD II

We did observe—[he sees Aumerle]. Cousin Aumerle, how far did you go with mighty Hereford on his journey?

DUKE OF AUMERLE

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

DUKE OF AUMERLE

I brought mighty Hereford—if you call him that—just to the next highway, and left him there.

KING RICHARD II

And say, what store of parting tears were shed?

KING RICHARD II

And tell me, how many tears were shed when you left him?

DUKE OF AUMERLE

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

DUKE OF AUMERLE

None in fact. Except when the northeast wind blew bitterly against our faces, making our eyes water.

KING RICHARD II

What said our cousin when you parted with him?

KING RICHARD II

What did our cousin say when you left him?

DUKE OF AUMERLE

'Farewell:' And, for my heart disdained that my tongue 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, He should have had a volume of farewells; But since it would not, he had none of me.

DUKE OF AUMERLE

"Farewell." And, since I hated to say goodbye without meaning it, I pretended to be so sorry for him that I couldn't even speak. Indeed, if the word "farewell" could lengthen hours and add years to his short banishment, I would have said volumes of "farewells." But since it would not, he got no goodbye from 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. 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, 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 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.

KING RICHARD II

He is our cousin, cousin... But it's doubtful that he'll come visit us in a friendly way when he comes home from banishment. Ourself and Bushy, Bagot here and Green observed how he courted the love of the common people. He seemed to become very popular with them by acting humble and familiar. He threw away his respect on slaves, wooing poor craftsmen with crafty smiles and patience in the face of his bad luck, as if he wanted to make them love him instead of me. He took his hat off for some girl selling oysters. A pair of lowly cart-drivers told him godspeed, and he bowed to them and said "Thanks, my countrymen, my loving friends," as if all of England were his, and he were heir to the throne.

GREEN

Well, he is gone; and with him go these thoughts. 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.

GREEN

Well, he is gone, and these thoughts should go with him. Now as for the situation in Ireland—we must do something to manage the rebels, my liege. If we wait too long they’ll use the extra time to their advantage against us.

KING RICHARD II

We will ourself in person to this war: 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, 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.

KING RICHARD II

We will go in person to this war: and since we’re a little short on funds (having spent generously on entertainment for the court and gifts for our friends), we have no choice but to raise taxes to fund our war. If that still isn’t enough, we'll order our proxies back home to demand large sums of gold from rich men across the kingdom, and send the money to us abroad: for we will be leaving to travel to Ireland very soon.

Enter BUSHY

BUSHY enters.

KING RICHARD II

Bushy, what news?

KING RICHARD II

Bushy, what's the 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.

BUSHY

Old John of Gaunt is deathly sick, my lord; it came on suddenly. He has sent a message asking your majesty to visit him.

KING RICHARD II

Where lies he?

KING RICHARD II

Where is he?

BUSHY

At Ely House.

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 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!

KING RICHARD II

Well, God hopes the doctor will help him to his grave immediately! The money in his coffers will pay for coats for our soldiers in these Irish wars. Come, gentlemen, let's all go visit him: pray God we may get there quickly, but come too late!

ALL

Amen.

ALL

Amen.

Exeunt

All exit.