Gaunt the Prophet, Part 2

Alas, the part I had in Woodstock's blood
Doth more solicit me than your exclaims,
To stir against the butchers of his life!
But since correction lieth in those hands
Which made the fault that we cannot correct,
Put we our quarrel to the will of heaven;
Who, when they see the hours ripe on earth,
Will rain hot vengeance on offenders' heads.
(I.ii.1-8)

Gaunt here recognizes that Richard himself is responsible for Gloucester's death--he "made the fault that we cannot correct." Since Gaunt is powerless to do anything about it, on account of his allegiance to the man who is responsible for his brother's death, he leaves it to God to punish Richard. At the proper time, God will "rain hot vengeance" on Richard's head.

This points forward to the downfall of Richard, which though a crime on the part of those who accomplish it, is nevertheless the woe due to Richard for his own sins.

(This reminds me of how God regards kingdoms like Babylon in the writings of the prophets: these nations are instruments that God uses to chasten or punish his people, but are nevertheless blameworthy for what they do to Israel, because what they are doing is wrong in itself.)