Richard II: Act 5, Scene 4
history
The same.
Exton and a servant discuss something King Henry said in passing: 'Have I no friend will rid me of this living fear?' Exton is certain the king was looking at him and that the words were a command. He decides to go to Pomfret Castle and kill Richard. The scene is only eight lines long, but it shows how absolute power works — a king who wants something done can ensure it happens without ever saying it directly.
Rehearsing this scene?
Pick your part to highlight your lines and step through the scene one speech at a time. You can hide your lines to learn them from the cue.
Or read it aloud and let the page follow you (voice follow, beta)Enter EXTON and Servant
EXTON
Didst thou not mark the king, what words he spake,
'Have I no friend will rid me of this living fear?'
Was it not so?
Servant
These were his very words.
EXTON
'Have I no friend?' quoth he: he spake it twice,
And urged it twice together, did he not?
Servant
He did.
EXTON
And speaking it, he wistly look'd on me,
And who should say, 'I would thou wert the man'
That would divorce this terror from my heart;'
Meaning the king at Pomfret. Come, let's go:
I am the king's friend, and will rid his foe.
Exeunt