Richard II: Act 5, Scene 4

history

The same.

Scene Summary

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.

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