"I Wasted Time, And Now Doth Time Waste Me"

Download PDF PDF Page Citation Cite Share Link Share

Context: Richard II has surrendered to the rebellious Henry Bolingbroke, who has had a triumphal progress to London with Richard in his train. Now Richard has been imprisoned in Pomfret Castle, and is brooding over his situation. In his thoughts, he says, "sometimes am I king, / Then treason makes me wish myself a beggar, / And so I am." He continues, "But whate'er I be, / Nor I, nor any man that but man is, / With nothing shall be pleased, till he be eased, / With being nothing." Richard then hears music, and is reminded of the analogy between music and his life.

RICHARD
. . . How sour sweet music is,
When time is broke, and no proportion kept.
So it is in the music of men's lives.
And here have I the daintiness of ear
To check time broke in a disordered string;
But for the concord of my state and time
Had not an ear to hear my true time broke.
I wasted time, and now doth time waste me.
. . .

Get Ahead with eNotes

Start your 48-hour free trial to access everything you need to rise to the top of the class. Enjoy expert answers and study guides ad-free and take your learning to the next level.

Get 48 Hours Free Access
Previous

"How Long A Time Lies In One Little Word"

Next

"My Griefs; Still Am I King Of Those"

Loading...