Lascivious Metres

What kind of music did Richard listen to? As York describes it, it sounds like the same kind of music that young people listen to today and apparently always:

"Lascivious metres, to whose venom sound the open ear of youth doth always listen." (II.i.19)

It sounds as if this is music that makes young people want to have promiscuous sex (to put it bluntly)--or otherwise lead them into immorality. It is a poisonous sound that young people like to hear.

Richard is unwilling to listen to wise counsel. What else, other than lascivious metres, is he willing to listen to?

Praises, for one.

The latest fashions in clothing, for another: "Report of fashions in proud Italy, whose manners still our tardy apish nation limps after in base imitation."

And finally, any meaningless fad that has caught peoples' fancy: "Where doth the world thrust forth a vanity (so be it new, there's no respect how vile) that is not quickly buzzed into his ears?"

Richard's will is in rebellion against his wit (or reason) and that is why he will not listen to wise counsel, until it is too late: "Then all too late comes counsel to be heard where will doth mutiny with wit's regard."

Richard insists on doing things as he wishes, on choosing his own way, and this will lead to his downfall.