Now that you have learnt a lot about the pronunciation of Early Modern English times, we provide a final challenge for you. The following text is taken from Shakepeare’s First Folio of “The Tragedy of Richard III” 1632). They are the first verses of the play, spoken by Gloucester. Try to read the text aloud in its original edition – and use the knowledge of EmodE pronunciation that you have gained.

If it should take you too much effort to make out the unfamiliar way of writing, use this typed version:

The Tragedy of Richard the Third:

vvith the Landing of Earle Richmond, and the Battellat at Boſworth Field. Actus Primus. Scæna Prima.

Enter Richard Duke of Gloſter, ſolus.

If you still struggle too much or just need some confirmation for your guess, refer to the following verses transcribed in phonetic letters:

nəu iz ðə wintər əv əur diskəntɛnt
mɜ:d glɔrjəs sumər bəi ðis sun əv jɔrk
ənd ɑul ðə kləudz ðət ləurd əpɔn əur həus
in ðə di:p bu:zəm əv ðɛ ɔ:sjən bɛriɛd
nəu ar əur brəuz bəund wiθ viktɔ:rjeəs wrɛ:ðz
əur briuzid armz huŋg up fər mɔniumɛnts
əur stɛrn əlarəmz tʃɑundʒd tu mɛri mi:tiŋgz
əur drɛ:dful martʃiz tu dɛ:ləitful mɛ:ziurz
grim vizidʒd war hɜ:θ smu:ðd his wriŋklid frunt
ənd nəu in stɛ:d əv məuntiŋg barbid sti:dz
tu friɕt ðə sɔulz əv fɛ:rful advɛsɜ:riz
hi: kɜ:pərz nimbli in ə lɜ:diz tʃɑumbər
tu ðə ləsivjəs plɛ:ziŋg əv ə liut.

To help you practising and to confirm your attempts, listen to the sound file linked to each verse.