Original: Methinks I am a prophet new inspired
Modern: I feel like I’m a prophet who’s just received a vision

Original: And thus expiring do foretell of him:
Modern: And as I’m dying, I predict what will happen to him:

Original: His rash fierce blaze of riot cannot last,
Modern: His reckless, wild outburst of partying and chaos can’t continue forever,

Original: For violent fires soon burn out themselves;
Modern: Because intense fires quickly burn themselves out;

Original: Small showers last long, but sudden storms are short;
Modern: Gentle rains last a long time, but violent storms end quickly;

Original: He tires betimes that spurs too fast betimes;
Modern: Someone who pushes too hard too soon will wear out early;

Original: With eager feeding food doth choke the feeder:
Modern: Eating too greedily will make the eater choke:

Original: Light vanity, insatiate cormorant,
Modern: Shallow pride, like a greedy bird that’s never satisfied,

Original: Consuming means, soon preys upon itself.
Modern: Devours its own resources and eventually destroys itself.

Original: This royal throne of kings, this scepter’d isle,
Modern: This royal seat of kings, this island ruled by the scepter,

Original: This earth of majesty, this seat of Mars,
Modern: This land of greatness, this home of the god of war,

Original: This other Eden, demi-paradise,
Modern: This second Garden of Eden, this half-heaven on earth,

Original: This fortress built by Nature for herself
Modern: This fortress that Nature herself constructed

Original: Against infection and the hand of war,
Modern: To protect against disease and the threat of invasion,

Original: This happy breed of men, this little world,
Modern: This blessed race of people, this small world unto itself,

Original: This precious stone set in the silver sea,
Modern: This precious jewel surrounded by the shining ocean,

Original: Which serves it in the office of a wall,
Modern: Which acts as a protective wall for it,

Original: Or as a moat defensive to a house,
Modern: Or like a defensive moat around a castle,

Original: Against the envy of less happier lands,
Modern: To guard against the jealousy of less fortunate countries,

Original: This blessed plot, this earth, this realm, this England,
Modern: This sacred piece of land, this ground, this kingdom, this England,

Original: This nurse, this teeming womb of royal kings,
Modern: This caretaker, this fertile source of royal kings,

Original: Fear’d by their breed and famous by their birth,
Modern: Feared because of their lineage and renowned for their noble origins,

Original: Renowned for their deeds as far from home,
Modern: Famous for their achievements in lands far away,

Original: For Christian service and true chivalry,
Modern: For serving the Christian faith and displaying genuine honor,

Original: As is the sepulchre in stubborn Jewry,
Modern: As far away as Christ’s tomb in the land of the Jews,

Original: Of the world’s ransom, blessed Mary’s Son,
Modern: The tomb of the world’s savior, the blessed Virgin Mary’s son,

Original: This land of such dear souls, this dear dear land,
Modern: This country of such precious people, this beloved, beloved land,

Original: Dear for her reputation through the world,
Modern: Valued throughout the world for her reputation,

Original: Is now leased out, I die pronouncing it,
Modern: Is now rented out like property, and I die saying this,

Original: Like to a tenement or pelting farm:
Modern: Like a rundown apartment building or a worthless little farm:

Original: England, bound in with the triumphant sea
Modern: England, surrounded by the victorious ocean

Original: Whose rocky shore beats back the envious siege
Modern: Whose rocky coastline has always beaten back the jealous attacks

Original: Of watery Neptune, is now bound in with shame,
Modern: Of the sea god Neptune, is now trapped by shame,

Original: With inky blots and rotten parchment bonds:
Modern: With stained signatures and corrupt legal contracts:

Original: That England, that was wont to conquer others,
Modern: That England, which was accustomed to conquering other nations,

Original: Hath made a shameful conquest of itself.
Modern: Has disgracefully sold itself out.

Original: Ah, would the scandal vanish with my life,
Modern: Oh, if only this disgrace could disappear when I die,

Original: How happy then were my ensuing death!
Modern: How gladly I would welcome my approaching death!

In Act II, Scene 1 of Richard II, the dying John of Gaunt delivers his famous prophecy about England’s future while awaiting King Richard’s arrival. Gaunt, fevered and near death, speaks with the Duke of York about his hope to counsel the wayward king, though York doubts Richard will heed advice from a dying man. Gaunt launches into an impassioned speech celebrating England’s past glory and lamenting its present state under Richard’s mismanagement, describing the realm as leased out “like to a tenement or pelting farm.” When Richard arrives with his court, Gaunt boldly rebukes the king for his extravagance and poor governance, warning that Richard’s actions dishonor his father’s memory and endanger the crown. The exchange grows heated, with Richard furiously dismissing Gaunt’s counsel.

After Gaunt is carried off to his deathbed, the Earl of Northumberland returns with news of his death. Richard immediately announces his intention to seize Gaunt’s property and wealth to fund his Irish wars, declaring himself heir to Lancaster’s possessions. York protests this decision, arguing that by denying Henry Bolingbroke his rightful inheritance, Richard undermines the very laws of succession that secure his own throne. Despite York’s passionate objections, Richard remains unmoved and departs for Ireland, leaving York as Lord Governor of England in his absence. After Richard’s exit, Northumberland, Willoughby, and Ross discuss the king’s misgovernment and reveal that Bolingbroke is sailing from France with an army to reclaim his birthright, with plans to land at Ravenspurgh.

Richard II opens with King Richard presiding over a dispute between Henry Bolingbroke (John of Gaunt’s son) and Thomas Mowbray, Duke of Norfolk. Both men accuse each other of treason, and when Richard cannot reconcile them, he arranges a trial by combat. However, just as the combat is about to begin, Richard stops the fight and banishes both men from England - Mowbray for life and Bolingbroke for six years, later reduced to four.

When John of Gaunt falls ill and dies, Richard seizes his lands and wealth to fund his wars in Ireland, effectively disinheriting Bolingbroke. This act alienates the nobility, who fear their own inheritances are now at risk. While Richard departs for his Irish campaign, Bolingbroke returns from exile with an army, ostensibly to reclaim his rightful inheritance. He quickly gains support from discontented nobles, including the Duke of York, who was left as regent in Richard’s absence.

Richard returns from Ireland to find his support has collapsed and his army has dispersed. After a series of encounters, including a pivotal scene at Flint Castle where Richard realizes his situation is hopeless, he agrees to abdicate. In a formal ceremony at Westminster, Richard hands over his crown to Bolingbroke, who becomes King Henry IV. Richard is imprisoned in Pomfret Castle, where he is eventually murdered by Sir Pierce Exton, who believes he is carrying out Henry’s wishes. The play ends with Henry expressing regret over Richard’s death and vowing to journey to the Holy Land to atone for his indirect role in the former king’s murder.