Gaunt the Prophet

Methinks I am a prophet new inspired
And thus expiring do foretell of him:
His rash fierce blaze of riot cannot last,
For violent fires soon burn out themselves;
Small showers last long, but sudden storms are short;
He tires betimes that spurs too fast betimes;
With eager feeding food doth choke the feeder:
Light vanity, insatiate cormorant,
Consuming means, soon preys upon itself.
(II.i.31-39)

Gaunt here explicitly describes himself as a prophet and foretells Richard's fall. There is nothing supernatural about the prophecy. Gaunt sees that the vicious and irresponsible way in which Richard lives cannot be sustained and can only end in his ruin. This is the case with all human beings, including and perhaps especially kings.

If there were any possibility of Richard changing his ways, then this end could be avoided. But the King, as York makes clear, is unwilling to even listen to the suggestion that he needs to change: "Vex not yourself nor strive with your breath, for all in vain comes counsel to his ear...it is stopped with other, flattering sounds" (II.i.3-4, 17).