Original: Grace me no grace, nor uncle me no uncle:
Modern: Don’t call me “your grace” or call me “uncle”:

Original: I am no traitor’s uncle; and that word ‘grace.’
Modern: I am not the uncle of a traitor; and that word “grace”

Original: In an ungracious mouth is but profane.
Modern: Coming from a disgraceful mouth like yours is nothing but blasphemy.

Original: Why have those banish’d and forbidden legs
Modern: Why have those exiled and banned legs of yours

Original: Dared once to touch a dust of England’s ground?
Modern: Dared to even touch a single speck of England’s soil?

Original: But then more ‘why?’ why have they dared to march
Modern: But there’s an even bigger question: why have you dared to march

Original: So many miles upon her peaceful bosom,
Modern: So many miles across her peaceful land,

Original: Frighting her pale-faced villages with war
Modern: Frightening her terrified villages with war

Original: And ostentation of despised arms?
Modern: And this showy display of your hated weapons?

Original: Comest thou because the anointed king is hence?
Modern: Have you come here because the rightful king is away?

Original: Why, foolish boy, the king is left behind,
Modern: Listen, you foolish boy, the king has left behind his authority,

Original: And in my loyal bosom lies his power.
Modern: And in my loyal heart rests all his power.

Original: Were I but now the lord of such hot youth
Modern: If I only had now the strength of my passionate youth

Original: As when brave Gaunt, thy father, and myself
Modern: Like when your brave father Gaunt and I

Original: Rescued the Black Prince, that young Mars of men,
Modern: Rescued the Black Prince, that young god of war,

Original: From forth the ranks of many thousand French,
Modern: From the midst of many thousands of French soldiers,

Original: O, then how quickly should this arm of mine.
Modern: Oh, then how quickly would this arm of mine,

Original: Now prisoner to the palsy, chastise thee
Modern: Now trapped by this shaking palsy, punish you

Original: And minister correction to thy fault!
Modern: And deliver the punishment you deserve for your crime!

In Act II, Scene iii of “Richard II,” Bolingbroke (Henry) arrives in Gloucestershire with Northumberland and his army, where they encounter Harry Percy (Hotspur), Northumberland’s son. Bolingbroke expresses gratitude for their support in his cause against King Richard, and the group soon meets the Duke of York, who arrives to confront them. York, serving as regent in Richard’s absence, initially rebukes Bolingbroke for his illegal return from banishment and for raising an army against the crown. York reminds Bolingbroke that he is a traitor and that his actions constitute rebellion against the anointed king.

However, Bolingbroke defends himself by asserting that he has only returned to claim his rightful inheritance as Duke of Lancaster, which King Richard unlawfully seized after John of Gaunt’s death. He kneels before York and appeals to their family bond, arguing that he seeks only what is his by birthright. York finds himself in a difficult position—torn between his duty to the king and his sympathy for his nephew’s legitimate grievance. Unable to effectively oppose Bolingbroke’s forces and swayed by the justice of his claim, York reluctantly agrees to remain neutral, offering Bolingbroke shelter at Berkeley Castle. The scene concludes with Bolingbroke’s forces preparing to march toward confronting Richard’s favorites, Bushy and Green, who have fled to Bristol Castle.

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.