This character warns, "Thy death-bed is no lesser than thy land wherein thou liest in reputation sick," as he addresses a ruler from his own deathbed.
When this character is asked, "Should dying men flatter with those that live?" he replies, "No, no, men living flatter those that die." This character remarks, "Light vanity, insatiate cormorant, consuming means, soon preys upon itself," in a speech he begins by declaring, "Methinks I am a prophet new inspired." This character warns, "Thy death-bed is no lesser than thy land wherein thou liest in reputation sick," as he addresses a ruler from his own deathbed. He describes a "fortress built by Nature for herself against infection and the hand of war," a "royal throne of kings" and "sceptered isle," in a speech eulogizing "this blessed plot, this earth, this realm, this England." This character dies in grief after his son is exiled by the corrupt king for feuding with Thomas Mowbray. For 10 points, name this historical fgure who appears as an elderly man in Richard II, the father of the usurper Henry Bolingbroke.
When this character is asked, "Should dying men flatter with those that live?
John of Gaunt [prompt on John]