Sonnet 61: Upon Reading Shakespeare’s Henry Iv

Oh you usurper king Lord Bolingbroke What did King Richard do to make you mad? When you came from France across the old soak To fight for Richard’s crown, you were all bad. A Lancastrian born of the old stock From the seed of John of Gaunt you lay claim; You stole the crown of England, a great shock And upon Richard’s head laid all the blame. But uneasy lies the crown on your head And behind your back you have to keep watch Or you will end up like Richard – very dead And the rumours that he lives you’ll have to scotch. Will Shakespeare did write a wonderful play That should be read by all, even today.