RICHARD
. . .
Let's talk of graves, of worms, and epitaphs,
Make dust our paper, and with rainy eyes,
Write sorrow on the bosom of the earth.
Let's choose executors and talk of wills.
. . .
And that a small model of the barren earth,
Which serves as paste, and cover to our bones.
For God's sake let us sit upon the ground,
And tell sad stories of the death of kings,
. . .

In these poignant lines, Richard II confronts the grim reality of his downfall. He has returned to find his kingdom slipping irreversibly from his grasp, powerless against Bolingbroke's encroachment. As Richard reflects on graves, worms, and epitaphs, he uses these stark images to convey his overwhelming sense of despair. The mention of "rainy eyes" suggests tears, symbolizing his grief and loss. By proposing to "tell sad stories of the death of kings," Richard acknowledges the cyclical nature of power and mortality, recognizing that even the mightiest rulers must eventually succumb to the inevitability of death and decay. This passage captures Richard's shift from hope to resignation, illustrating the inevitability of fate and the fleeting nature of earthly power. It is a meditation on mortality and the transient glory of kingship, underscoring the play’s exploration of political fragility and human vulnerability.