But because I stayed away from the public eye, I could only be admired, like a comet, when I did appear. I would have been left in exile, a man with no reputation, or promise of success. If I had been so visible in public-considered so cheap and vulgar in men's eyes-and so friendly with the common masses, then the public opinion which helped me to get this crown, would have instead stayed loyal to Richard. All the hope and the expectations for your life have been lost, and in their hearts every man anticipates your downfall.
You are almost a stranger in the hearts of all the members of the court, and the other members of our family. Your rude behavior has lost you your place in the Council, and now your younger brother holds that position. But, I am surprised, Harry, at your tendencies, which are so different from any of your ancestors. Not an eye But is aweary of thy common sight, Save mine, which hath desired to see thee more, Which now doth that I would not have it do, Make blind itself with foolish tenderness. And in that very line, Harry, standest thou, For thou has lost thy princely privilege With vile participation. So, when he had occasion to be seen, He was but as the cuckoo is in June, Heard, not regarded seen, but with such eyes As, sick and blunted with community, Afford no extraordinary gaze Such as is bent on sunlike majesty When it shines seldom in admiring eyes, But rather drowsed and hung their eyelids down, Slept in his face, and rendered such aspect As cloudy men use to their adversaries, Being with his presence glutted, gorged, and full. The skipping King, he ambled up and down With shallow jesters and rash bavin wits, Soon kindled and soon burnt carded his state, Mingled his royalty with cap'ring fools, Had his great name profanèd with their scorns, And gave his countenance, against his name, To laugh at gibing boys and stand the push Of every beardless vain comparative Grew a companion to the common streets, Enfeoffed himself to popularity, That, being daily swallowed by men’s eyes, They surfeited with honey and began To loathe the taste of sweetness, whereof a little More than a little is by much too much. Thus did I keep my person fresh and new, My presence, like a robe pontifical, Ne'er seen but wondered at, and so my state, Seldom but sumptuous, showed like a feast And won by rareness such solemnity. By being seldom seen, I could not stir But like a comet I was wondered at That men would tell their children “This is he.” Others would say “Where? Which is Bolingbroke?” And then I stole all courtesy from heaven, And dressed myself in such humility That I did pluck allegiance from men’s hearts, Loud shouts and salutations from their mouths, Even in the presence of the crownèd King. Had I so lavish of my presence been, So common-hackneyed in the eyes of men, So stale and cheap to vulgar company, Opinion, that did help me to the crown, Had still kept loyal to possession And left me in reputeless banishment, A fellow of no mark nor likelihood. The hope and expectation of thy time Is ruined, and the soul of every man Prophetically doth forethink thy fall.
Thy place in council thou hast rudely lost, Which by thy younger brother is supplied, And art almost an alien to the hearts Of all the court and princes of my blood.
Yet let me wonder, Harry, At thy affections, which do hold a wing Quite from the flight of all thy ancestors.
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