Richard  II.  (Compare  <  Henry  VL>)
This  drama  (based  on  Holinshed's
^ Chronicle^)  tells  the  story  of  the  sup-
planting, on  the  throne  of  England,  of
the  handsome  and  sweet-natured,  but
weak-willed  Richard  II.,  by  the  politic
Bolingbroke  (Henry  IV.).  The  land  is
impoverished  by  Richard's  extrava-
gances. He  is  surrounded  by  flatterers
and  boon  companions  (Bushy,  Bagot,
and  Green),  and  has  lost  the  good-will
of  his  people.  The  central  idea  of
<  Richard  II.  >  is  that  the  kii^ly  office
cannot  be  maintained  without  strength
of  brain  and  hand.  Old  John  of  Gaunt
(or  Ghent)  is  loyal  to  Richard;  but  on
his  death- tysd  sermons  him  severely,  and
dying,  prophesies  of  England, — *this
seat  of  Mars,»

■  Thia  fortress  built  by  Nature  for  herself
Against  infection  and  the  hand  of  war.
This  happy  breed  of  men,  this  little  world."

Richard  lets  him  talk;  but  no  sooner
is  the  breath  out  of  his  body  than  he
seizes  all  his  movable  or  personal  wealth
and  that  of  his  banished  son  BoUng-
broke,  to  get  money  for  his  Irish  wars.
This  step  costs  Richard  his  thxx>ne.
