Speech of the week: Richard II, II,1

This speech is delivered by John of Gaunt, who is having a rough time. His son has been banished and, just before his own death, he delivers a harrowing and beautiful prediction of what is to become of England.

I first heard this speech given by Simon Russell Beale during the RSC's Shakespeare Live broadcast. It was bone-chillingly dark, though you are more likely to hear it given as distressed and mad.

Methinks I am a prophet new inspired
And thus expiring do foretell of him:
His rash fierce blaze of riot cannot last,
For violent fires soon burn out themselves;
Small showers last long, but sudden storms are short;
He tires betimes that spurs too fast betimes;
With eager feeding food doth choke the feeder:
Light vanity, insatiate cormorant,
Consuming means, soon preys upon itself.
This royal throne of kings, this scepter'd isle,
This earth of majesty, this seat of Mars,
This other Eden, demi-paradise,
This fortress built by Nature for herself
Against infection and the hand of war,
This happy breed of men, this little world,
This precious stone set in the silver sea,
Which serves it in the office of a wall,
Or as a moat defensive to a house,
Against the envy of less happier lands,
This blessed plot, this earth, this realm, this England...