Famous quotes from Richard II

Richard II opens Shakespeare’s Henriad tetralogy of English history plays (the others are Henry IV, Part 1; Henry IV, Part 2; and Henry V). The play is one of Shakespeare’s most eloquent, including the oft quoted “This blessèd plot, this earth, this realm, this England“ and “For God’s sake, let us sit upon the ground and tell sad stories of the death of kings.” Below are some of the most well-known lines, in order of their appearance in the play.

Forget, forgive; conclude and be agreed.
Our doctors say this is no month to bleed.
—King Richard, Act 1, Scene 1

We were not born to sue, but to command.
—King Richard, Act 1, Scene 1

King Richard: Why uncle, thou hast many years to live.
Gaunt: But not a minute, king, that thou canst give.
—Act 1, Scene 3

This blessèd plot, this earth, this realm, this England
—Gaunt, Act 2, Scene 1

Landlord of England art thou now, not king.
—Gaunt, Act 2, Scene 1

The ripest fruit first falls
—King Richard, Act 2, Scene 1

Not all the water in the rough rude sea
Can wash the balm off from an anointed king.
—King Richard, Act 3, Scene 2

Cry woe, destruction, ruin, and decay.
The worst is death, and death will have his day.
—King Richard, Act 3, Scene 2

For God’s sake, let us sit upon the ground
And tell sad stories of the death of kings—
—King Richard, Act 3, Scene 2

See, see, King Richard doth himself appear
As doth the blushing discontented sun
From out the fiery portal of the east
When he perceives the envious clouds are bent
To dim his glory and to stain the track
Of his bright passage to the occident.
—Bolingbroke, Act 3, Scene 3

What must the King do now? Must he submit?
The King shall do it. Must he be deposed?
The King shall be contented. Must he lose
The name of king? I’ God’s name, let it go.
—King Richard, Act 3, Scene 3

Great Duke of Lancaster, I come to thee
From plume-plucked Richard, who with willing soul
Adopts thee heir, and his high scepter yields
To the possession of thy royal hand.
—York, Act 4, Scene 1

My crown I am, but still my griefs are mine.
You may my glories and my state depose
But not my griefs; still am I king of those.
—King Richard, Act 4, Scene 1

With mine own tears I wash away my balm,
With mine own hands I give away my crown,
With mine own tongue deny my sacred state,
With mine own breath release all duteous oaths.
All pomp and majesty I do forswear.
—King Richard, Act 4, Scene 1

The shadow of your sorrow hath destroyed
The shadow of your face.
—Bolingbroke, Act 4, Scene 1

Doubly divorced! Bad men, you violate
A twofold marriage—twixt my crown and me,
And then betwixt me and my married wife.
—King Richard, Act 5, Scene 1

I wasted time, and now doth time waste me.
—King Richard, Act 5, Scene 5

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 I’ll bear.
—Exton, Act 5, Scene 5

Though I did wish him dead,
I hate the murderer, love him murderèd.
—King Henry, Act 5, Scene 6 

I’ll make a voyage to the Holy Land
To wash this blood off from my guilty hand.
—King Henry, Act 5, Scene 6