Then, almost immediately, the world is informed that eleven other plays
had been written by the same author, the list including the play of
"Richard II."
The story of the production of the play of "Richard II." is very curious
and extremely instructive. It was originally acted with the Parliament
scene, where Richard II. is made to surrender, commencing in the Folio
of 1623 with the words--
"Fetch hither Richard, that in common view he may surrender,"
continuing with a description of his deposition extending over 167 lines
to the words--
"That rise thus nimbly by a true king's fall."
This account of the deposition of a king reached Queen Elizabeth's ears;
she was furiously angry and she exclaimed: "Seest thou not that I am
Richard II."
A copy of the play without any author's name was printed in 1597,
omitting the story of the deposition of Richard II.; this was followed
by a second and probably a third reprint in 1597, with no important
alterations, but still without any author's name. Then, after the actor
had been sent away to Stratford, Shakespeare's name was put upon a
fourth reprint, dated 1598.
The story of Richard II.
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