KINGRICHARDIII

WILLIAMSHAKESPEARE

DramatisPersonae

EDWARDTHEFOURTH

SonstotheKing

EDWARD,PRINCEOFWALESafterwardsKINGEDWARDV

RICHARD,DUKEOFYORK,

BrotherstotheKing

GEORGE,DUKEOFCLARENCE,

RICHARD,DUKEOFGLOUCESTER,afterwardsKINGRICHARDIII

AYOUNGSONOFCLARENCE(Edward,EarlofWarwick)

HENRY,EARLOFRICHMOND,afterwardsKINGHENRYVII

CARDINALBOURCHIER,ARCHBISHOPOFCANTERBURY

THOMASROTHERHAM,ARCHBISHOPOFYORK

JOHNMORTON,BISHOPOFELY

DUKEOFBUCKINGHAM

DUKEOFNORFOLK

EARLOFSURREY,hisson

EARLRIVERS,brothertoKingEdward'sQueen

MARQUISOFDORSETandLORDGREY,hersons

EARLOFOXFORD

LORDHASTINGS

LORDLOVEL

LORDSTANLEY,calledalsoEARLOFDERBY

SIRTHOMASVAUGHAN

SIRRICHARDRATCLIFF

SIRWILLIAMCATESBY

SIRJAMESTYRREL

SIRJAMESBLOUNT

SIRWALTERHERBERT

SIRWILLIAMBRANDON

SIRROBERTBRAKENBURY,LieutenantoftheTower

CHRISTOPHERURSWICK,apriest

LORDMAYOROFLONDON

SHERIFFOFWILTSHIRE

HASTINGS,apursuivant

TRESSELandBERKELEY,gentlemenattendingonLadyAnne

ELIZABETH,QueentoKingEdwardIV

MARGARET,widowofKingHenryVI

DUCHESSOFYORK,mothertoKingEdwardIV

LADYANNE,widowofEdward,PrinceofWales,sontoKing

HenryVI;afterwardsmarriedtotheDukeofGloucester

AYOUNGDAUGHTEROFCLARENCE(MargaretPlantagenet,

CountessofSalisbury)

Ghosts,ofRichard'svictims

Lords,Gentlemen,andAttendants;Priest,Scrivener,Page,

Bishops,

Aldermen,Citizens,Soldiers,Messengers,Murderers,Keeper

SCENE:England

ACTI.

SCENEI.

London.Astreet

EnterRICHARD,DUKEOFGLOUCESTER,solus

GLOUCESTER.Nowisthewinterofourdiscontent

MadeglorioussummerbythissunofYork;

Andallthecloudsthatlour'duponourhouse

Inthedeepbosomoftheoceanburied.

Nowareourbrowsboundwithvictoriouswreaths;

Ourbruisedarmshungupformonuments;

Oursternalarumschang'dtomerrymeetings,

Ourdreadfulmarchestodelightfulmeasures.

Grim-visag'dwarhathsmooth'dhiswrinkledfront,

Andnow,insteadofmountingbarbedsteeds

Tofrightthesoulsoffearfuladversaries,

Hecapersnimblyinalady'schamber

Tothelasciviouspleasingofalute.

ButI-thatamnotshap'dforsportivetricks,

Normadetocourtanamorouslooking-glass-

I-thatamrudelystamp'd,andwantlove'smajesty

Tostrutbeforeawantonamblingnymph-

I-thatamcurtail'dofthisfairproportion,

Cheatedoffeaturebydissemblingnature,

Deform'd,unfinish'd,sentbeforemytime

Intothisbreathingworldscarcehalfmadeup,

Andthatsolamelyandunfashionable

ThatdogsbarkatmeasIhaltbythem-

Why,I,inthisweakpipingtimeofpeace,

Havenodelighttopassawaythetime,

Unlesstospymyshadowinthesun

Anddescantonmineowndeformity.

Andtherefore,sinceIcannotprovealover

Toentertainthesefairwell-spokendays,

Iamdeterminedtoproveavillain

Andhatetheidlepleasuresofthesedays.

PlotshaveIlaid,inductionsdangerous,

Bydrunkenprophecies,libels,anddreams,

TosetmybrotherClarenceandtheKing

Indeadlyhatetheoneagainsttheother;

AndifKingEdwardbeastrueandjust

AsIamsubtle,false,andtreacherous,

ThisdayshouldClarencecloselybemew'dup-

AboutaprophecywhichsaysthatG

OfEdward'sheirsthemurderershallbe.

Dive,thoughts,downtomysoul.HereClarencecomes.

EnterCLARENCE,guarded,andBRAKENBURY

Brother,goodday.Whatmeansthisarmedguard

ThatwaitsuponyourGrace?

CLARENCE.HisMajesty,

Tend'ringmyperson'ssafety,hathappointed

Thisconducttoconveymetoth'Tower.

GLOUCESTER.Uponwhatcause?

CLARENCE.BecausemynameisGeorge.

GLOUCESTER.Alack,mylord,thatfaultisnoneofyours:

Heshould,forthat,commityourgodfathers.

O,belikehisMajestyhathsomeintent

Thatyoushouldbenew-christ'nedintheTower.

Butwhat'sthematter,Clarence?MayIknow?

CLARENCE.Yea,Richard,whenIknow;forIprotest

AsyetIdonot;but,asIcanlearn,

Hehearkensafterpropheciesanddreams,

Andfromthecross-rowpluckstheletterG,

AndsaysawizardtoldhimthatbyG

Hisissuedisinheritedshouldbe;

And,formynameofGeorgebeginswithG,

ItfollowsinhisthoughtthatIamhe.

These,asIlearn,andsuchliketoysasthese

Hathmov'dhisHighnesstocommitmenow.

GLOUCESTER.Why,thisitiswhenmenarerul'dbywomen:

'TisnottheKingthatsendsyoutotheTower;

MyLadyGreyhiswife,Clarence,'tisshe

Thattempershimtothisextremity.

Wasitnotsheandthatgoodmanofworship,

AntonyWoodville,herbrotherthere,

ThatmadehimsendLordHastingstotheTower,

Fromwhencethispresentdayheisdelivered?

Wearenotsafe,Clarence;wearenotsafe.

CLARENCE.Byheaven,Ithinkthereisnomanissecure

ButtheQueen'skindred,andnight-walkingheralds

ThattrudgebetwixttheKingandMistressShore.

Heardyounotwhatanhumblesuppliant

LordHastingswas,forherdelivery?

GLOUCESTER.Humblycomplainingtoherdeity

GotmyLordChamberlainhisliberty.

I'lltellyouwhat-Ithinkitisourway,

IfwewillkeepinfavourwiththeKing,

Tobehermenandwearherlivery:

Thejealouso'er-wornwidow,andherself,

Sincethatourbrotherdubb'dthemgentlewomen,

Aremightygossipsinourmonarchy.

BRAKENBURY.IbeseechyourGracesbothtopardonme:

HisMajestyhathstraitlygivenincharge

Thatnomanshallhaveprivateconference,

Ofwhatdegreesoever,withyourbrother.

GLOUCESTER.Evenso;an'tpleaseyourworship,Brakenbury,

Youmaypartakeofanythingwesay:

Wespeaknotreason,man;wesaytheKing

Iswiseandvirtuous,andhisnoblequeen

Wellstruckinyears,fair,andnotjealous;

WesaythatShore'swifehathaprettyfoot,

Acherrylip,abonnyeye,apassingpleasingtongue;

AndthattheQueen'skindredaremadegentlefolks.

Howsayyou,sir?Canyoudenyallthis?

BRAKENBURY.Withthis,mylord,myselfhavenaughttodo.

GLOUCESTER.NaughttodowithMistressShore!Itellthee,

fellow,

Hethatdothnaughtwithher,exceptingone,

Werebesttodoitsecretlyalone.

BRAKENBURY.Whatone,mylord?

GLOUCESTER.Herhusband,knave!Wouldstthoubetrayme?

BRAKENBURY.IdobeseechyourGracetopardonme,and

withal

ForbearyourconferencewiththenobleDuke.

CLARENCE.Weknowthycharge,Brakenbury,andwill

obey.

GLOUCESTER.WearetheQueen'sabjectsandmustobey.

Brother,farewell;IwilluntotheKing;

Andwhatsoe'eryouwillemploymein-

WereittocallKingEdward'swidowsister-

Iwillperformittoenfranchiseyou.

Meantime,thisdeepdisgraceinbrotherhood

Touchesmedeeperthanyoucanimagine.

CLARENCE.Iknowitpleasethneitherofuswell.

GLOUCESTER.Well,yourimprisonmentshallnotbelong;

Iwilldeliverorelselieforyou.

Meantime,havepatience.

CLARENCE.Imustperforce.Farewell.

ExeuntCLARENCE,BRAKENBURY,andguard

GLOUCESTER.Gotreadthepaththatthoushaltne'erreturn.

Simple,plainClarence,Idolovetheeso

ThatIwillshortlysendthysoultoheaven,

Ifheavenwilltakethepresentatourhands.

Butwhocomeshere?Thenew-deliveredHastings?

EnterLORDHASTINGS

HASTINGS.Goodtimeofdayuntomygraciouslord!

GLOUCESTER.AsmuchuntomygoodLordChamberlain!

Wellareyouwelcometotheopenair.

Howhathyourlordshipbrook'dimprisonment?

HASTINGS.Withpatience,noblelord,asprisonersmust;

ButIshalllive,mylord,togivethemthanks

Thatwerethecauseofmyimprisonment.

GLOUCESTER.Nodoubt,nodoubt;andsoshallClarencetoo;

Fortheythatwereyourenemiesarehis,

Andhaveprevail'dasmuchonhimasyou.

HASTINGS.Morepitythattheeaglesshouldbemew'd

Whileskitesandbuzzardspreyatliberty.

GLOUCESTER.Whatnewsabroad?

HASTINGS.Nonewssobadabroadasthisathome:

TheKingissickly,weak,andmelancholy,

Andhisphysiciansfearhimmightily.

GLOUCESTER.Now,bySaintJohn,thatnewsisbadindeed.

O,hehathkeptanevildietlong

Andovermuchconsum'dhisroyalperson!

'Tisverygrievoustobethoughtupon.

Whereishe?Inhisbed?

HASTINGS.Heis.

GLOUCESTER.Goyoubefore,andIwillfollowyou.

ExitHASTINGS

Hecannotlive,Ihope,andmustnotdie

TillGeorgebepack'dwithposthorseuptoheaven.

I'llintourgehishatredmoretoClarence

Withlieswellsteel'dwithweightyarguments;

And,ifIfailnotinmydeepintent,

Clarencehathnotanotherdaytolive;

Whichdone,GodtakeKingEdwardtohismercy,

Andleavetheworldformetobustlein!

ForthenI'llmarryWarwick'syoungestdaughter.

WhatthoughIkill'dherhusbandandherfather?

Thereadiestwaytomakethewenchamends

Istobecomeherhusbandandherfather;

ThewhichwillI-notallsomuchforlove

Asforanothersecretcloseintent

BymarryingherwhichImustreachunto.

ButyetIrunbeforemyhorsetomarket.

Clarencestillbreathes;Edwardstilllivesandreigns;

Whentheyaregone,thenmustIcountmygains.

Exit

SCENEII.

London.Anotherstreet

EntercorpseofKINGHENRYTHESIXTH,withhalberdstoguardit;

LADYANNEbeingthemourner,attendedbyTRESSELandBERKELEY

ANNE.Setdown,setdownyourhonourableload-

Ifhonourmaybeshroudedinahearse;

WhilstIawhileobsequiouslylament

Th'untimelyfallofvirtuousLancaster.

Poorkey-coldfigureofaholyking!

PaleashesofthehouseofLancaster!

Thoubloodlessremnantofthatroyalblood!

BeitlawfulthatIinvocatethyghost

TohearthelamentationsofpoorAnne,

WifetothyEdward,tothyslaughteredson,

Stabb'dbytheself-samehandthatmadethesewounds.

Lo,inthesewindowsthatletforththylife

Ipourthehelplessbalmofmypooreyes.

O,cursedbethehandthatmadetheseholes!

Cursedtheheartthathadthehearttodoit!

Cursedthebloodthatletthisbloodfromhence!

Moredirefulhapbetidethathatedwretch

Thatmakesuswretchedbythedeathofthee

ThanIcanwishtoadders,spiders,toads,

Oranycreepingvenom'dthingthatlives!

Ifeverhehavechild,abortivebeit,

Prodigious,anduntimelybroughttolight,

Whoseuglyandunnaturalaspect

Mayfrightthehopefulmotherattheview,

Andthatbeheirtohisunhappiness!

Ifeverhehavewife,letherbemade

Moremiserablebythedeathofhim

ThanIammadebymyyounglordandthee!

Come,nowtowardsChertseywithyourholyload,

TakenfromPaul'stobeinterredthere;

Andstillasyouarewearyofthisweight

Restyou,whilesIlamentKingHenry'scorse.

[Thebearerstakeupthecoffin]

EnterGLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER.Stay,youthatbearthecorse,andsetitdown.

ANNE.Whatblackmagicianconjuresupthisfiend

Tostopdevotedcharitabledeeds?

GLOUCESTER.Villains,setdownthecorse;or,bySaintPaul,

I'llmakeacorseofhimthatdisobeys!

FIRSTGENTLEMAN.Mylord,standback,andletthecoffin

pass.

GLOUCESTER.Unmannerddog!Standthou,whenIcommand.

Advancethyhalberdhigherthanmybreast,

Or,bySaintPaul,I'llstriketheetomyfoot

Andspurnuponthee,beggar,forthyboldness.

[Thebearerssetdownthecoffin]

ANNE.What,doyoutremble?Areyouallafraid?

Alas,Iblameyounot,foryouaremortal,

Andmortaleyescannotendurethedevil.

Avaunt,thoudreadfulministerofhell!

Thouhadstbutpoweroverhismortalbody,

Hissoulthoucanstnothave;therefore,begone.

GLOUCESTER.Sweetsaint,forcharity,benotsocurst.

ANNE.Fouldevil,forGod'ssake,henceandtroubleusnot;

Forthouhastmadethehappyearththyhell

Fill'ditwithcursingcriesanddeepexclaims.

Ifthoudelighttoviewthyheinousdeeds,

Beholdthispatternofthybutcheries.

O,gentlemen,see,see!DeadHenry'swounds

Opentheircongeal'dmouthsandbleedafresh.

Blush,blush,thoulumpoffouldeformity,

For'tisthypresencethatexhalesthisblood

Fromcoldandemptyveinswherenoblooddwells;

Thydeedsinhumanandunnatural

Provokesthisdelugemostunnatural.

OGod,whichthisbloodmad'st,revengehisdeath!

Oearth,whichthisblooddrink'st,revengehisdeath!

Either,heav'n,withlightningstrikethemurd'rerdead;

Or,earth,gapeopenwideandeathimquick,

Asthoudostswallowupthisgoodking'sblood,

Whichhishell-govern'darmhathbutchered.

GLOUCESTER.Lady,youknownorulesofcharity,

Whichrendersgoodforbad,blessingsforcurses.

ANNE.Villain,thouknowestnorlawofGodnorman:

Nobeastsofiercebutknowssometouchofpity.

GLOUCESTER.ButIknownone,andthereforeamnobeast.

ANNE.Owonderful,whendevilstellthetruth!

GLOUCESTER.Morewonderfulwhenangelsaresoangry.

Vouchsafe,divineperfectionofawoman,

Ofthesesupposedcrimestogivemeleave

Bycircumstancebuttoacquitmyself.

ANNE.Vouchsafe,diffus'dinfectionofaman,

Oftheseknownevilsbuttogivemeleave

Bycircumstancetoaccusethycursedself.

GLOUCESTER.Fairerthantonguecannamethee,letmehave

Somepatientleisuretoexcusemyself.

ANNE.Foulerthanheartcanthinkthee,thoucanstmake

Noexcusecurrentbuttohangthyself.

GLOUCESTER.BysuchdespairIshouldaccusemyself.

ANNE.Andbydespairingshaltthoustandexcused

Fordoingworthyvengeanceonthyself

Thatdidstunworthyslaughteruponothers.

GLOUCESTER.SaythatIslewthemnot?

ANNE.Thensaytheywerenotslain.

Butdeadtheyare,and,devilishslave,bythee.

GLOUCESTER.Ididnotkillyourhusband.

ANNE.Why,thenheisalive.

GLOUCESTER.Nay,heisdead,andslainbyEdward'shands.

ANNE.Inthyfoulthroatthouliest:QueenMargaretsaw

Thymurd'rousfalchionsmokinginhisblood;

Thewhichthouoncedidstbendagainstherbreast,

Butthatthybrothersbeatasidethepoint.

GLOUCESTER.Iwasprovokedbyhersland'roustongue

Thatlaidtheirguiltuponmyguiltlessshoulders.

ANNE.Thouwastprovokedbythybloodymind,

Thatneverdream'stonaughtbutbutcheries.

Didstthounotkillthisking?

GLOUCESTER.Igrantye.

ANNE.Dostgrantme,hedgehog?Then,Godgrantmeto

Thoumaystbedamnedforthatwickeddeed!

O,hewasgentle,mild,andvirtuous!

GLOUCESTER.ThebetterfortheKingofHeaven,thathath

him.

ANNE.Heisinheaven,wherethoushaltnevercome.

GLOUCESTER.Lethimthankmethatholptosendhim

thither,

Forhewasfitterforthatplacethanearth.

ANNE.Andthouunfitforanyplacebuthell.

GLOUCESTER.Yes,oneplaceelse,ifyouwillhearmenameit.

ANNE.Somedungeon.

GLOUCESTER.Yourbed-chamber.

ANNE.Illrestbetidethechamberwherethouliest!

GLOUCESTER.Sowillit,madam,tillIliewithyou.

ANNE.Ihopeso.

GLOUCESTER.Iknowso.But,gentleLadyAnne,

Toleavethiskeenencounterofourwits,

Andfallsomethingintoaslowermethod-

Isnotthecauserofthetimelessdeaths

OfthesePlantagenets,HenryandEdward,

Asblamefulastheexecutioner?

ANNE.Thouwastthecauseandmostaccurs'deffect.

GLOUCESTER.Yourbeautywasthecauseofthateffect-

Yourbeautythatdidhauntmeinmysleep

Toundertakethedeathofalltheworld

SoImightliveonehourinyoursweetbosom.

ANNE.IfIthoughtthat,Itellthee,homicide,

Thesenailsshouldrendthatbeautyfrommycheeks.

GLOUCESTER.Theseeyescouldnotendurethatbeauty's

wreck;

YoushouldnotblemishitifIstoodby.

Asalltheworldischeeredbythesun,

SoIbythat;itismyday,mylife.

ANNE.Blacknighto'ershadethyday,anddeaththylife!

GLOUCESTER.Cursenotthyself,faircreature;thouartboth.

ANNE.IwouldIwere,tobereveng'donthee.

GLOUCESTER.Itisaquarrelmostunnatural,

Tobereveng'donhimthatloveththee.

ANNE.Itisaquarreljustandreasonable,

Tobereveng'donhimthatkill'dmyhusband.

GLOUCESTER.Hethatbereftthee,lady,ofthyhusband

Didittohelptheetoabetterhusband.

ANNE.Hisbetterdothnotbreatheupontheearth.

GLOUCESTER.Helivesthatlovestheebetterthanhecould.

ANNE.Namehim.

GLOUCESTER.Plantagenet.

ANNE.Why,thatwashe.

GLOUCESTER.Theself-samename,butoneofbetternature.

ANNE.Whereishe?

GLOUCESTER.Here.[Shespitsathim]Whydostthouspit

atme?

ANNE.Woulditweremortalpoison,forthysake!

GLOUCESTER.Nevercamepoisonfromsosweetaplace.

ANNE.Neverhungpoisononafoulertoad.

Outofmysight!Thoudostinfectmineeyes.

GLOUCESTER.Thineeyes,sweetlady,haveinfectedmine.

ANNE.Wouldtheywerebasiliskstostriketheedead!

GLOUCESTER.Iwouldtheywere,thatImightdieatonce;

Fornowtheykillmewithalivingdeath.

Thoseeyesofthinefromminehavedrawnsalttears,

Sham'dtheiraspectswithstoreofchildishdrops-

Theseeyes,whichnevershedremorsefultear,

No,whenmyfatherYorkandEdwardwept

TohearthepiteousmoanthatRutlandmade

Whenblack-fac'dCliffordshookhisswordathim;

Norwhenthywarlikefather,likeachild,

Toldthesadstoryofmyfather'sdeath,

Andtwentytimesmadepausetosobandweep

Thatallthestanders-byhadwettheircheeks

Liketreesbedash'dwithrain-inthatsadtime

Mymanlyeyesdidscornanhumbletear;

Andwhatthesesorrowscouldnotthenceexhale

Thybeautyhath,andmadethemblindwithweeping.

Ineversuedtofriendnorenemy;

Mytonguecouldneverlearnsweetsmoothingword;

But,nowthybeautyispropos'dmyfee,

Myproudheartsues,andpromptsmytonguetospeak.

[Shelooksscornfullyathim]

Teachnotthylipsuchscorn;foritwasmade

Forkissing,lady,notforsuchcontempt.

Ifthyrevengefulheartcannotforgive,

LohereIlendtheethissharp-pointedsword;

Whichifthoupleasetohideinthistruebreast

Andletthesoulforththatadoreththee,

Ilayitnakedtothedeadlystroke,

Andhumblybegthedeathuponmyknee.

[Helayshisbreastopen;sheoffersatitwithhissword]

Nay,donotpause;forIdidkillKingHenry-

But'twasthybeautythatprovokedme.

Nay,nowdispatch;'twasIthatstabb'dyoungEdward-

But'twasthyheavenlyfacethatsetmeon.

[Shefallsthesword]

Takeuptheswordagain,ortakeupme.

ANNE.Arise,dissembler;thoughIwishthydeath,

Iwillnotbethyexecutioner.

GLOUCESTER.Thenbidmekillmyself,andIwilldoit;

ANNE.Ihavealready.

GLOUCESTER.Thatwasinthyrage.

Speakitagain,andevenwiththeword

Thishand,whichforthylovedidkillthylove,

Shallforthylovekillafartruerlove;

Toboththeirdeathsshaltthoubeaccessary.

ANNE.IwouldIknewthyheart.

GLOUCESTER.'Tisfigur'dinmytongue.

ANNE.Ifearmebotharefalse.

GLOUCESTER.Thenneverwasmantrue.

ANNE.wellputupyoursword.

GLOUCESTER.Say,then,mypeaceismade.

ANNE.Thatshaltthouknowhereafter.

GLOUCESTER.ButshallIliveinhope?

ANNE.Allmen,Ihope,liveso.

GLOUCESTER.Vouchsafetowearthisring.

ANNE.Totakeisnottogive.[Putsonthering]

GLOUCESTER.Lookhowmyringencompasseththyfinger,

Evensothybreastenclosethmypoorheart;

Wearbothofthem,forbothofthemarethine.

Andifthypoordevotedservantmay

Butbegonefavouratthygracioushand,

Thoudostconfirmhishappinessforever.

ANNE.Whatisit?

GLOUCESTER.Thatitmaypleaseyouleavethesesaddesigns

Tohimthathathmostcausetobeamourner,

AndpresentlyrepairtoCrosbyHouse;

Where-afterIhavesolemnlyinterr'd

AtChertseymonast'rythisnobleking,

Andwethisgravewithmyrepentanttears-

Iwillwithallexpedientdutyseeyou.

Fordiversunknownreasons,Ibeseechyou,

Grantmethisboon.

ANNE.Withallmyheart;andmuchitjoysmetoo

Toseeyouarebecomesopenitent.

TresselandBerkeley,goalongwithme.

GLOUCESTER.Bidmefarewell.

ANNE.'Tismorethanyoudeserve;

Butsinceyouteachmehowtoflatteryou,

ImagineIhavesaidfarewellalready.

ExeunttwoGENTLEMENWithLADYANNE

GLOUCESTER.Sirs,takeupthecorse.

GENTLEMEN.TowardsChertsey,noblelord?

GLOUCESTER.No,toWhiteFriars;thereattendmycoming.

ExeuntallbutGLOUCESTER

Waseverwomaninthishumourwoo'd?

Waseverwomaninthishumourwon?

I'llhaveher;butIwillnotkeepherlong.

What!Ithatkill'dherhusbandandhisfather-

Totakeherinherheart'sextremesthate,

Withcursesinhermouth,tearsinhereyes,

Thebleedingwitnessofmyhatredby;

HavingGod,herconscience,andthesebarsagainstme,

AndInofriendstobackmysuitatall

Buttheplaindevilanddissemblinglooks,

Andyettowinher,alltheworldtonothing!

Ha!

Hathsheforgotalreadythatbraveprince,

Edward,herlord,whomI,somethreemonthssince,

Stabb'dinmyangrymoodatTewksbury?

Asweeterandaloveliergentleman-

Fram'dintheprodigalityofnature,

Young,valiant,wise,andnodoubtrightroyal-

Thespaciousworldcannotagainafford;

Andwillsheyetabasehereyesonme,

Thatcropp'dthegoldenprimeofthissweetprince

Andmadeherwidowtoawoefulbed?

Onme,whoseallnotequalsEdward'smoiety?

Onme,thathaltsandammisshapenthus?

Mydukedomtoabeggarlydenier,

Idomistakemypersonallthiswhile.

Uponmylife,shefinds,althoughIcannot,

Myselftobeamarv'llousproperman.

I'llbeatchargesforalooking-glass,

Andentertainascoreortwooftailors

Tostudyfashionstoadornmybody.

SinceIamcreptinfavourwithmyself,

Iwillmaintainitwithsomelittlecost.

ButfirstI'llturnyonfellowinhisgrave,

Andthenreturnlamentingtomylove.

Shineout,fairsun,tillIhaveboughtaglass,

ThatImayseemyshadowasIpass.

Exit

SCENEIII.

London.Thepalace

EnterQUEENELIZABETH,LORDRIVERS,andLORDGREY

RIVERS.Havepatience,madam;there'snodoubthisMajesty

Willsoonrecoverhisaccustom'dhealth.

GREY.Inthatyoubrookitill,itmakeshimworse;

Therefore,forGod'ssake,entertaingoodcomfort,

AndcheerhisGracewithquickandmerryeyes.

QUEENELIZABETH.Ifheweredead,whatwouldbetideon

me?

GREY.Nootherharmbutlossofsuchalord.

QUEENELIZABETH.Thelossofsuchalordincludesall

harms.

GREY.Theheavenshavebless'dyouwithagoodlyson

Tobeyourcomforterwhenheisgone.

QUEENELIZABETH.Ah,heisyoung;andhisminority

IsputuntothetrustofRichardGloucester,

Amanthatlovesnotme,nornoneofyou.

RIVER.IsitconcludedheshallbeProtector?

QUEENELIZABETH.Itisdetermin'd,notconcludedyet;

Butsoitmustbe,iftheKingmiscarry.

EnterBUCKINGHAMandDERBY

GREY.HerecometheLordsofBuckinghamandDerby.

BUCKINGHAM.GoodtimeofdayuntoyourroyalGrace!

DERBY.GodmakeyourMajestyjoyfulasyouhavebeen.

QUEENELIZABETH.TheCountessRichmond,goodmyLord

ofDerby,

Toyourgoodprayerwillscarcelysayamen.

Yet,Derby,notwithstandingshe'syourwife

Andlovesnotme,beyou,goodlord,assur'd

Ihatenotyouforherproudarrogance.

DERBY.Idobeseechyou,eithernotbelieve

Theenviousslandersofherfalseaccusers;

Or,ifshebeaccus'dontruereport,

Bearwithherweakness,whichIthinkproceeds

Fromwaywardsicknessandnogroundedmalice.

QUEENELIZABETH.SawyoutheKingto-day,myLordof

Derby?

DERBY.ButnowtheDukeofBuckinghamandI

ArecomefromvisitinghisMajesty.

QUEENELIZABETH.Whatlikelihoodofhisamendment,

Lords?

BUCKINGHAM.Madam,goodhope;hisGracespeaks

cheerfully.

QUEENELIZABETH.Godgranthimhealth!Didyouconfer

withhim?

BUCKINGHAM.Ay,madam;hedesirestomakeatonement

BetweentheDukeofGloucesterandyourbrothers,

AndbetweenthemandmyLordChamberlain;

Andsenttowarnthemtohisroyalpresence.

QUEENELIZABETH.Wouldallwerewell!Butthatwill

neverbe.

Ifearourhappinessisattheheight.

EnterGLOUCESTER,HASTINGS,andDORSET

GLOUCESTER.Theydomewrong,andIwillnotendureit.

WhoisitthatcomplainsuntotheKing

ThatI,forsooth,amsternandlovethemnot?

ByholyPaul,theylovehisGracebutlightly

Thatfillhisearswithsuchdissentiousrumours.

BecauseIcannotflatterandlookfair,

Smileinmen'sfaces,smooth,deceive,andcog,

DuckwithFrenchnodsandapishcourtesy,

Imustbeheldarancorousenemy.

Cannotaplainmanliveandthinknoharm

Butthushissimpletruthmustbeabus'd

Withsilken,sly,insinuatingJacks?

GREY.TowhoinallthispresencespeaksyourGrace?

GLOUCESTER.Tothee,thathastnorhonestynorgrace.

WhenhaveIinjur'dthee?whendonetheewrong,

Orthee,orthee,oranyofyourfaction?

Aplagueuponyouall!HisroyalGrace-

WhomGodpreservebetterthanyouwouldwish!-

Cannotbequietsearceabreathingwhile

Butyoumusttroublehimwithlewdcomplaints.

QUEENELIZABETH.BrotherofGloucester,youmistakethe

matter.

TheKing,onhisownroyaldisposition

Andnotprovok'dbyanysuitorelse-

Aiming,belike,atyourinteriorhatred

Thatinyouroutwardactionshowsitself

Againstmychildren,brothers,andmyself-

Makeshimtosendthathemaylearntheground.

GLOUCESTER.Icannottell;theworldisgrownsobad

Thatwrensmakepreywhereeaglesdarenotperch.

SinceeveryJackbecameagentleman,

There'smanyagentlepersonmadeaJack.

QUEENELIZABETH.Come,come,weknowyourmeaning,

brotherGloucester:

Youenvymyadvancementandmyfriends';

Godgrantwenevermayhaveneedofyou!

GLOUCESTER.Meantime,GodgrantsthatIhaveneedofyou.

Ourbrotherisimprison'dbyyourmeans,

Myselfdisgrac'd,andthenobility

Heldincontempt;whilegreatpromotions

Aredailygiventoennoblethose

Thatscarcesometwodayssincewereworthanoble.

QUEENELIZABETH.ByHimthatrais'dmetothiscareful

height

FromthatcontentedhapwhichIenjoy'd,

IneverdidincensehisMajesty

AgainsttheDukeofClarence,buthavebeen

Anearnestadvocatetopleadforhim.

Mylord,youdomeshamefulinjury

Falselytodrawmeinthesevilesuspects.

GLOUCESTER.Youmaydenythatyouwerenotthemean

OfmyLordHastings'lateimprisonment.

RIVERS.Shemay,mylord;for-

GLOUCESTER.Shemay,LordRivers?Why,whoknows

notso?

Shemaydomore,sir,thandenyingthat:

Shemayhelpyoutomanyfairpreferments

Andthendenyheraidinghandtherein,

Andlaythosehonoursonyourhighdesert.

Whatmayshenot?Shemay-ay,marry,mayshe-

RIVERS.What,marry,mayshe?

GLOUCESTER.What,marry,mayshe?Marrywithaking,

Abachelor,andahandsomestriplingtoo.

Iwisyourgrandamhadaworsermatch.

QUEENELIZABETH.MyLordofGloucester,Ihavetoolong

borne

Yourbluntupbraidingsandyourbitterscoffs.

Byheaven,IwillacquainthisMajesty

OfthosegrosstauntsthatoftIhaveendur'd.

Ihadratherbeacountryservant-maid

Thanagreatqueenwiththiscondition-

Tobesobaited,scorn'd,andstormedat.

EnteroldQUEENMARGARET,behind

SmalljoyhaveIinbeingEngland'sQueen.

QUEENMARGARET.Andless'nedbethatsmall,God,I

beseechHim!

Thyhonour,state,andseat,isduetome.

GLOUCESTER.What!Threatyoumewithtellingofthe

King?

Tellhimandsparenot.LookwhatIhavesaid

Iwillavouch'tinpresenceoftheKing.

Idareadventuretobesenttoth'Tow'r.

'Tistimetospeak-mypainsarequiteforgot.

QUEENMARGARET.Out,devil!Idorememberthemto

well:

Thoukill'dstmyhusbandHenryintheTower,

AndEdward,mypoorson,atTewksbury.

GLOUCESTER.Ereyouwerequeen,ay,oryourhusband

King,

Iwasapack-horseinhisgreataffairs,

Aweeder-outofhisproudadversaries,

Aliberalrewarderofhisfriends;

ToroyalizehisbloodIspentmineown.

QUEENMARGARET.Ay,andmuchbetterbloodthanhisor

thine.

GLOUCESTER.InallwhichtimeyouandyourhusbandGrey

WerefactiousforthehouseofLancaster;

And,Rivers,sowereyou.Wasnotyourhusband

InMargaret'sbattleatSaintAlbansslain?

Letmeputinyourminds,ifyouforget,

Whatyouhavebeenerethis,andwhatyouare;

Withal,whatIhavebeen,andwhatIam.

QUEENMARGARET.Amurd'rousvillain,andsostillthouart.

GLOUCESTER.PoorClarencedidforsakehisfather,Warwick,

Ay,andforsworehimself-whichJesupardon!-

QUEENMARGARET.WhichGodrevenge!

GLOUCESTER.TofightonEdward'spartyforthecrown;

Andforhismeed,poorlord,heismewedup.

IwouldtoGodmyheartwereflintlikeEdward's,

OrEdward'ssoftandpitifullikemine.

Iamtoochildish-foolishforthisworld.

QUEENMARGARET.Hietheetohellforshameandleavethis

world,

Thoucacodemon;therethykingdomis.

RIVERS.MyLordofGloucester,inthosebusydays

Whichhereyouurgetoproveusenemies,

Wefollow'dthenourlord,oursovereignking.

Soshouldweyou,ifyoushouldbeourking.

GLOUCESTER.IfIshouldbe!Ihadratherbeapedlar.

Farbeitfrommyheart,thethoughtthereof!

QUEENELIZABETH.Aslittlejoy,mylord,asyousuppose

Youshouldenjoywereyouthiscountry'sking,

Aslittlejoyyoumaysupposeinme

ThatIenjoy,beingtheQueenthereof.

QUEENMARGARET.AslittlejoyenjoystheQueenthereof;

ForIamshe,andaltogetherjoyless.

Icannolongerholdmepatient.[Advancing]

Hearme,youwranglingpirates,thatfallout

Insharingthatwhichyouhavepill'dfromme.

Whichofyoutremblesnotthatlooksonme?

Ifnotthat,IamQueen,youbowlikesubjects,

Yetthat,byyoudepos'd,youquakelikerebels?

Ah,gentlevillain,donotturnaway!

GLOUCESTER.Foulwrinkledwitch,whatmak'stthouinmy

sight?

QUEENMARGARET.Butrepetitionofwhatthouhastmarr'd,

ThatwillImakebeforeIlettheego.

GLOUCESTER.Wertthounotbanishedonpainofdeath?

QUEENMARGARET.Iwas;butIdofindmorepainin

banishment

Thandeathcanyieldmeherebymyabode.

Ahusbandandasonthouow'sttome;

Andthouakingdom;allofyouallegiance.

ThissorrowthatIhavebyrightisyours;

Andallthepleasuresyouusurparemine.

GLOUCESTER.Thecursemynoblefatherlaidonthee,

Whenthoudidstcrownhiswarlikebrowswithpaper

Andwiththyscornsdrew'striversfromhiseyes,

Andthentodrythemgav'sttheDukeaclout

Steep'dinthefaultlessbloodofprettyRutland-

Hiscursesthenfrombitternessofsoul

Denounc'dagainsttheeareallfall'nuponthee;

AndGod,notwe,hathplagu'dthybloodydeed.

QUEENELIZABETH.SojustisGodtorighttheinnocent.

HASTINGS.O,'twasthefoulestdeedtoslaythatbabe,

Andthemostmercilessthate'erwasheardof!

RIVERS.Tyrantsthemselvesweptwhenitwasreported.

DORSET.Nomanbutprophesiedrevengeforit.

BUCKINGHAM.Northumberland,thenpresent,wepttoseeit.

QUEENMARGARET.What,wereyousnarlingallbeforeIcame,

Readytocatcheachotherbythethroat,

Andturnyouallyourhatrednowonme?

DidYork'sdreadcurseprevailsomuchwithheaven

ThatHenry'sdeath,mylovelyEdward'sdeath,

Theirkingdom'sloss,mywoefulbanishment,

Shouldallbutanswerforthatpeevishbrat?

Cancursespiercethecloudsandenterheaven?

Whythen,giveway,dullclouds,tomyquickcurses!

Thoughnotbywar,bysurfeitdieyourking,

Asoursbymurder,tomakehimaking!

Edwardthyson,thatnowisPrinceofWales,

ForEdwardourson,thatwasPrinceofWales,

Dieinhisyouthbylikeuntimelyviolence!

Thyselfaqueen,formethatwasaqueen,

Outlivethyglory,likemywretchedself!

Longmayestthoulivetowailthychildren'sdeath,

Andseeanother,asIseetheenow,

Deck'dinthyrights,asthouartstall'dinmine!

Longdiethyhappydaysbeforethydeath;

And,aftermanylength'nedhoursofgrief,

Dieneithermother,wife,norEngland'sQueen!

RiversandDorset,youwerestandersby,

Andsowastthou,LordHastings,whenmyson

Wasstabb'dwithbloodydaggers.God,Iprayhim,

Thatnoneofyoumaylivehisnaturalage,

Butbysomeunlook'daccidentcutoff!

GLOUCESTER.Havedonethycharm,thouhatefulwither'd

hag.

QUEENMARGARET.Andleaveoutthee?Stay,dog,forthou

shalthearme.

Ifheavenhaveanygrievousplagueinstore

ExceedingthosethatIcanwishuponthee,

O,letthemkeepittillthysinsberipe,

Andthenhurldowntheirindignation

Onthee,thetroublerofthepoorworld'speace!

Thewormofconsciencestillbe-gnawthysoul!

Thyfriendssuspectfortraitorswhilethouliv'st,

Andtakedeeptraitorsforthydearestfriends!

Nosleepcloseupthatdeadlyeyeofthine,

Unlessitbewhilesometormentingdream

Affrightstheewithahellofuglydevils!

Thouelvish-mark'd,abortive,rootinghog,

Thouthatwastseal'dinthynativity

Theslaveofnatureandthesonofhell,

Thouslanderofthyheavymother'swomb,

Thouloathedissueofthyfather'sloins,

Thouragofhonour,thoudetested-

GLOUCESTER.Margaret!

QUEENMARGARET.Richard!

GLOUCESTER.Ha?

QUEENMARGARET.Icalltheenot.

GLOUCESTER.Icrytheemercythen,forIdidthink

Thatthouhadstcall'dmeallthesebitternames.

QUEENMARGARET.Why,soIdid,butlook'dfornoreply.

O,letmemaketheperiodtomycurse!

GLOUCESTER.'Tisdonebyme,andendsin-Margaret.

QUEENELIZABETH.Thushaveyoubreath'dyourcurse

againstyourself.

QUEENMARGARET.Poorpaintedqueen,vainflourishofmy

fortune!

Whystrew'stthousugaronthatbottledspider

Whosedeadlywebensnareththeeabout?

Fool,fool!thouwhet'staknifetokillthyself.

Thedaywillcomethatthoushaltwishforme

Tohelptheecursethispoisonousbunch-back'dtoad.

HASTINGS.False-bodingwoman,endthyfranticcurse,

Lesttothyharmthoumoveourpatience.

QUEENMARGARET.Foulshameuponyou!youhaveall

mov'dmine.

RIVERS.Wereyouwellserv'd,youwouldbetaughtyour

duty.

QUEENMARGARET.Toservemewellyouallshoulddome

duty,

Teachmetobeyourqueenandyoumysubjects.

O,servemewell,andteachyourselvesthatduty!

DORSET.Disputenotwithher;sheislunatic.

QUEENMARGARET.Peace,MasterMarquis,youaremalapert;

Yourfire-newstampofhonourisscarcecurrent.

O,thatyouryoungnobilitycouldjudge

What'tweretoloseitandbemiserable!

Theythatstandhighhavemanyblaststoshakethem,

Andiftheyfalltheydashthemselvestopieces.

GLOUCESTER.Goodcounsel,marry;learnit,learnit,Marquis.

DORSET.Ittouchesyou,mylord,asmuchasme.

GLOUCESTER.Ay,andmuchmore;butIwasbornsohigh,

Ouraerybuildethinthecedar'stop,

Anddallieswiththewind,andscornsthesun.

QUEENMARGARET.Andturnsthesuntoshade-alas!alas!

Witnessmyson,nowintheshadeofdeath,

Whosebrightout-shiningbeamsthycloudywrath

Hathineternaldarknessfoldedup.

Youraerybuildethinouraery'snest.

OGodthatseestit,donotsufferit;

Asitiswonwithblood,lostbeitso!

BUCKINGHAM.Peace,peace,forshame,ifnotforcharity!

QUEENMARGARET.Urgeneithercharitynorshametome.

Uncharitablywithmehaveyoudealt,

Andshamefullymyhopesbyyouarebutcher'd.

Mycharityisoutrage,lifemyshame;

Andinthatshamestilllivemysorrow'srage!

BUCKINGHAM.Havedone,havedone.

QUEENMARGARET.OprincelyBuckingham,I'llkissthy

hand

Insignofleagueandamitywiththee.

Nowfairbefalltheeandthynoblehouse!

Thygarmentsarenotspottedwithourblood,

Northouwithinthecompassofmycurse.

BUCKINGHAM.Nornoonehere;forcursesneverpass

Thelipsofthosethatbreathethemintheair.

QUEENMARGARET.Iwillnotthinkbuttheyascendthesky

AndthereawakeGod'sgentle-sleepingpeace.

OBuckingham,takeheedofyonderdog!

Lookwhenhefawns,hebites;andwhenhebites,

Hisvenomtoothwillrankletothedeath:

Havenottodowithhim,bewareofhim;

Sin,death,andhell,havesettheirmarksonhim,

Andalltheirministersattendonhim.

GLOUCESTER.Whatdothshesay,myLordofBuckingham?

BUCKINGHAM.NothingthatIrespect,mygraciouslord.

QUEENMARGARET.What,dostthouscornmeformygentle

counsel,

AndsoothethedevilthatIwarntheefrom?

O,butrememberthisanotherday,

Whenheshallsplitthyveryheartwithsorrow,

AndsaypoorMargaretwasaprophetess!

Liveeachofyouthesubjectstohishate,

Andhetoyours,andallofyoutoGod's!

Exit

BUCKINGHAM.Myhairdothstandanendtohearhercurses.

RIVERS.Andsodothmine.Imusewhyshe'satliberty.

GLOUCESTER.Icannotblameher;byGod'sholyMother,

Shehathhadtoomuchwrong;andIrepent

MypartthereofthatIhavedonetoher.

QUEENELIZABETH.Ineverdidheranytomyknowledge.

GLOUCESTER.Yetyouhaveallthevantageofherwrong.

Iwastoohottodosomebodygood

Thatistoocoldinthinkingofitnow.

Marry,asforClarence,heiswellrepaid;

Heisfrank'duptofattingforhispains;

Godpardonthemthatarethecausethereof!

RIVERS.AvirtuousandaChristian-likeconclusion,

Toprayforthemthathavedonescathetous!

GLOUCESTER.SodoIever-[Aside]beingwelladvis'd;

ForhadIcurs'dnow,Ihadcurs'dmyself.

EnterCATESBY

CATESBY.Madam,hisMajestydothcanforyou,

AndforyourGrace,andyou,mygraciouslords.

QUEENELIZABETH.Catesby,Icome.Lords,willyougo

withme?

RIVERS.WewaituponyourGrace.

ExeuntallbutGLOUCESTER

GLOUCESTER.Idothewrong,andfirstbegintobrawl.

ThesecretmischiefsthatIsetabroach

Ilayuntothegrievouschargeofothers.

Clarence,whoIindeedhavecastindarkness,

Idobeweeptomanysimplegulls;

Namely,toDerby,Hastings,Buckingham;

Andtellthem'tistheQueenandherallies

ThatstirtheKingagainsttheDukemybrother.

Nowtheybelieveit,andwithalwhetme

Tobereveng'donRivers,Dorset,Grey;

ButthenIsighand,withapieceofScripture,

TellthemthatGodbidsusdogoodforevil.

AndthusIclothemynakedvillainy

Withoddoldendsstol'nforthofholywrit,

AndseemasaintwhenmostIplaythedevil.

EntertwoMURDERERS

But,soft,herecomemyexecutioners.

Hownow,myhardystoutresolvedmates!

Areyounowgoingtodispatchthisthing?

FIRSTMURDERER.Weare,mylord,andcometohavethe

warrant,

Thatwemaybeadmittedwhereheis.

GLOUCESTER.Wellthoughtupon;Ihaveithereaboutme.

[Givesthewarrant]

Whenyouhavedone,repairtoCrosbyPlace.

But,sirs,besuddenintheexecution,

Withalobdurate,donothearhimplead;

ForClarenceiswell-spoken,andperhaps

Maymoveyourheartstopity,ifyoumarkhim.

FIRSTMURDERER.Tut,tut,mylord,wewillnotstandto

prate;

Talkersarenogooddoers.Beassur'd

Wegotouseourhandsandnotourtongues.

GLOUCESTER.Youreyesdropmillstoneswhenfools'eyesfall

tears.

Ilikeyou,lads;aboutyourbusinessstraight;

Go,go,dispatch.

FIRSTMURDERER.Wewill,mynoblelord.

Exeunt

SCENEIV.

London.TheTower

EnterCLARENCEandKEEPER

KEEPER.WhylooksyourGracesoheavilyto-day?

CLARENCE.O,Ihavepass'damiserablenight,

Sofulloffearfuldreams,ofuglysights,

That,asIamaChristianfaithfulman,

Iwouldnotspendanothersuchanight

Though'tweretobuyaworldofhappydays-

Sofullofdismalterrorwasthetime!

KEEPER.Whatwasyourdream,mylord?Iprayyou

tellme.

CLARENCE.MethoughtsthatIhadbrokenfromtheTower

Andwasembark'dtocrosstoBurgundy;

AndinmycompanymybrotherGloucester,

Whofrommycabintemptedmetowalk

Uponthehatches.Thencewelook'dtowardEngland,

Andcitedupathousandheavytimes,

DuringthewarsofYorkandLancaster,

Thathadbefall'nus.Aswepac'dalong

Uponthegiddyfootingofthehatches,

MethoughtthatGloucesterstumbled,andinfalling

Struckme,thatthoughttostayhim,overboard

Intothetumblingbillowsofthemain.

OLord,methoughtwhatpainitwastodrown,

Whatdreadfulnoiseofwatersinmyears,

Whatsightsofuglydeathwithinmyeyes!

MethoughtsIsawathousandfearfulwrecks,

Athousandmenthatfishesgnaw'dupon,

Wedgesofgold,greatanchors,heapsofpearl,

Inestimablestones,unvaluedjewels,

Allscatt'redinthebottomofthesea;

Somelayindeadmen'sskulls,andintheholes

Whereeyesdidonceinhabittherewerecrept,

As'twereinscornofeyes,reflectinggems,

Thatwoo'dtheslimybottomofthedeep

Andmock'dthedeadbonesthatlayscatt'redby.

KEEPER.Hadyousuchleisureinthetimeofdeath

Togazeuponthesesecretsofthedeep?

CLARENCE.MethoughtIhad;andoftendidIstrive

Toyieldtheghost,butstilltheenviousflood

Stopp'dinmysoulandwouldnotletitforth

Tofindtheempty,vast,andwand'ringair;

Butsmother'ditwithinmypantingbulk,

Whoalmostbursttobelchitinthesea.

KEEPER.Awak'dyounotinthissoreagony?

CLARENCE.No,no,mydreamwaslengthen'dafterlife.

O,thenbeganthetempesttomysoul!

Ipass'd,methought,themelancholyflood

Withthatsourferrymanwhichpoetswriteof,

Untothekingdomofperpetualnight.

Thefirstthattheredidgreetmystrangersoul

Wasmygreatfather-in-law,renownedWarwick,

Whospakealoud'Whatscourgeforperjury

CanthisdarkmonarchyaffordfalseClarence?'

Andsohevanish'd.Thencamewand'ringby

Ashadowlikeanangel,withbrighthair

Dabbledinblood,andheshriek'doutaloud

'Clarenceiscome-false,fleeting,perjur'dClarence,

Thatstabb'dmeinthefieldbyTewksbury.

Seizeonhim,Furies,takehimuntotorment!'

Withthat,methoughts,alegionoffoulfiends

Environ'dme,andhowledinmineears

Suchhideouscriesthat,withtheverynoise,

Itremblingwak'd,andforaseasonafter

CouldnotbelievebutthatIwasinhell,

Suchterribleimpressionmademydream.

KEEPER.Nomarvel,lord,thoughitaffrightedyou;

Iamafraid,methinks,tohearyoutellit.

CLARENCE.Ah,Keeper,Keeper,Ihavedonethesethings

Thatnowgiveevidenceagainstmysoul

ForEdward'ssake,andseehowherequitesme!

OGod!IfmydeepprayerscannotappeaseThee,

ButThouwiltbeaveng'donmymisdeeds,

YetexecuteThywrathinmealone;

O,sparemyguiltlesswifeandmypoorchildren!

KEEPER,Ipritheesitbymeawhile;

Mysoulisheavy,andIfainwouldsleep.

KEEPER.Iwill,mylord.GodgiveyourGracegoodrest.

[CLARENCEsleeps]

EnterBRAKENBURYtheLieutenant

BRAKENBURY.Sorrowbreaksseasonsandreposinghours,

Makesthenightmorningandthenoontidenight.

Princeshavebuttheirtitlesfortheirglories,

Anoutwardhonourforaninwardtoil;

Andforunfeltimaginations

Theyoftenfeelaworldofrestlesscares,

Sothatbetweentheirtidesandlowname

There'snothingdiffersbuttheoutwardfame.

EnterthetwoMURDERERS

FIRSTMURDERER.Ho!who'shere?

BRAKENBURY.Whatwouldstthou,fellow,andhowcam'st

thouhither?

FIRSTMURDERER.IwouldspeakwithClarence,andIcame

hitheronmylegs.

BRAKENBURY.What,sobrief?

SECONDMURDERER.'Tisbetter,sir,thantobetedious.Let

himseeourcommissionandtalknomore.

[BRAKENBURYreadsit]

BRAKENBURY.Iam,inthis,commandedtodeliver

ThenobleDukeofClarencetoyourhands.

Iwillnotreasonwhatismeanthereby,

BecauseIwillbeguiltlessfromthemeaning.

ThereliestheDukeasleep;andtherethekeys.

I'lltotheKingandsignifytohim

ThatthusIhaveresign'dtoyoumycharge.

FIRSTMURDERER.Youmay,sir;'tisapointofwisdom.Fare

youwell.

ExeuntBRAKENBURYandKEEPER

SECONDMURDERER.What,shallIstabhimashesleeps?

FIRSTMURDERER.No;he'llsay'twasdonecowardly,when

hewakes.

SECONDMURDERER.Why,heshallneverwakeuntilthegreat

judgment-day.

FIRSTMURDERER.Why,thenhe'llsaywestabb'dhim

sleeping.

SECONDMURDERER.Theurgingofthatwordjudgmenthath

bredakindofremorseinme.

FIRSTMURDERER.What,artthouafraid?

SECONDMURDERER.Nottokillhim,havingawarrant;butto

bedamn'dforkillinghim,fromthewhichnowarrantcan

defendme.

FIRSTMURDERER.Ithoughtthouhadstbeenresolute.

SECONDMURDERER.SoIam,tolethimlive.

FIRSTMURDERER.I'llbacktotheDukeofGloucesterand

tellhimso.

SECONDMURDERER.Nay,Iprithee,stayalittle.Ihopethis

passionatehumourofminewillchange;itwaswontto

holdmebutwhileonetellstwenty.

FIRSTMURDERER.Howdostthoufeelthyselfnow?

SECONDMURDERER.Faith,somecertaindregsofconscience

areyetwithinme.

FIRSTMURDERER.Rememberourreward,whenthedeed's

done.

SECONDMURDERER.Zounds,hedies;Ihadforgotthereward.

FIRSTMURDERER.Where'sthyconsciencenow?

SECONDMURDERER.O,intheDukeofGloucester'spurse!

FIRSTMURDERER.Whenheopenshispursetogiveusour

reward,thyconsciencefliesout.

SECONDMURDERER.'Tisnomatter;letitgo;there'sfewor

nonewillentertainit.

FIRSTMURDERER.Whatifitcometotheeagain?

SECONDMURDERER.I'llnotmeddlewithit-itmakesaman

coward:amancannotsteal,butitaccusethhim;aman

cannotswear,butitcheckshim;amancannotliewithhis

neighbour'swife,butitdetectshim.'Tisablushingshame-

fac'dspiritthatmutiniesinaman'sbosom;itfillsaman

fullofobstacles:itmademeoncerestoreapurseofgold

that-bychanceIfound.Itbeggarsanymanthatkeepsit.

Itisturn'doutoftownsandcitiesforadangerousthing;

andeverymanthatmeanstolivewellendeavourstotrust

tohimselfandlivewithoutit.

FIRSTMURDERER.Zounds,'tisevennowatmyelbow,

persuadingmenottokilltheDuke.

SECONDMURDERER.Takethedevilinthymindandbelieve

himnot;hewouldinsinuatewiththeebuttomakethe

sigh.

FIRSTMURDERER.Iamstrong-fram'd;hecannotprevailwith

me.

SECONDMURDERER.Spokelikeatallmanthatrespectsthy

reputation.Come,shallwefalltowork?

FIRSTMURDERER.Takehimonthecostardwiththehiltsof

thysword,andthenchophiminthemalmsey-buttinthe

nextroom.

SECONDMURDERER.Oexcellentdevice!andmakeasopof

him.

FIRSTMURDERER.Soft!hewakes.

SECONDMURDERER.Strike!

FIRSTMURDERER.No,we'llreasonwithhim.

CLARENCE.Whereartthou,Keeper?Givemeacupofwine.

SECONDMURDERER.Youshallhavewineenough,mylord,

anon.

CLARENCE.InGod'sname,whatartthou?

FIRSTMURDERER.Aman,asyouare.

CLARENCE.ButnotasIam,royal.

SECONDMURDERER.Noryouasweare,loyal.

CLARENCE.Thyvoiceisthunder,butthylooksarehumble.

FIRSTMURDERER.MyvoiceisnowtheKing's,mylooks

mineown.

CLARENCE.Howdarklyandhowdeadlydostthouspeak!

Youreyesdomenaceme.Whylookyoupale?

Whosentyouhither?Whereforedoyoucome?

SECONDMURDERER.To,to,to-

CLARENCE.Tomurderme?

BOTHMURDERERS.Ay,ay.

CLARENCE.Youscarcelyhavetheheartstotellmeso,

Andthereforecannothavetheheartstodoit.

Wherein,myfriends,haveIoffendedyou?

FIRSTMURDERER.Offendedusyouhavenot,buttheKing.

CLARENCE.Ishallbereconcil'dtohimagain.

SECONDMURDERER.Never,mylord;thereforepreparetodie.

CLARENCE.Areyoudrawnforthamongaworldofmen

Toslaytheinnocent?Whatismyoffence?

Whereistheevidencethatdothaccuseme?

Whatlawfulquesthavegiventheirverdictup

Untothefrowningjudge,orwhopronounc'd

ThebittersentenceofpoorClarence'death?

BeforeIbeconvictbycourseoflaw,

Tothreatenmewithdeathismostunlawful.

Ichargeyou,asyouhopetohaveredemption

ByChrist'sdearbloodshedforourgrievoussins,

Thatyoudepartandlaynohandsonme.

Thedeedyouundertakeisdamnable.

FIRSTMURDERER.Whatwewilldo,wedouponcommand.

SECONDMURDERER.Andhethathathcommandedisour

King.

CLARENCE.Erroneousvassals!thegreatKingofkings

Hathinthetablesofhislawcommanded

Thatthoushaltdonomurder.Willyouthen

Spurnathisedictandfulfilaman's?

Takeheed;forheholdsvengeanceinhishand

Tohurlupontheirheadsthatbreakhislaw.

SECONDMURDERER.Andthatsamevengeancedothhehurl

onthee

Forfalseforswearing,andformurdertoo;

Thoudidstreceivethesacramenttofight

InquarrelofthehouseofLancaster.

FIRSTMURDERER.AndlikeatraitortothenameofGod

Didstbreakthatvow;andwiththytreacherousblade

Unripp'dstthebowelsofthysov'reign'sson.

SECONDMURDERER.Whomthouwastsworntocherishand

defend.

FIRSTMURDERER.HowcanstthouurgeGod'sdreadfullaw

tous,

Whenthouhastbrokeitinsuchdeardegree?

CLARENCE.Alas!forwhosesakedidIthatilldeed?

ForEdward,formybrother,forhissake.

Hesendsyounottomurdermeforthis,

ForinthatsinheisasdeepasI.

IfGodwillbeavengedforthedeed,

O,knowyouyetHedothitpublicly.

TakenotthequarrelfromHispow'rfularm;

Heneedsnoindirectorlawlesscourse

TocutoffthosethathaveoffendedHim.

FIRSTMURDERER.Whomadetheethenabloodyminister

Whengallant-springingbravePlantagenet,

Thatprincelynovice,wasstruckdeadbythee?

CLARENCE.Mybrother'slove,thedevil,andmyrage.

FIRSTMURDERER.Thybrother'slove,ourduty,andthy

faults,

Provokeushithernowtoslaughterthee.

CLARENCE.Ifyoudolovemybrother,hatenotme;

Iamhisbrother,andIlovehimwell.

Ifyouarehir'dformeed,gobackagain,

AndIwillsendyoutomybrotherGloucester,

Whoshallrewardyoubetterformylife

ThanEdwardwillfortidingsofmydeath.

SECONDMURDERER.Youaredeceiv'd:yourbrotherGloucester

hatesyou.

CLARENCE.O,no,helovesme,andheholdsmedear.

Goyoutohimfromme.

FIRSTMURDERER.Ay,sowewill.

CLARENCE.TellhimwhenthatourprincelyfatherYork

Bless'dhisthreesonswithhisvictoriousarm

Andcharg'dusfromhissoultoloveeachother,

Helittlethoughtofthisdividedfriendship.

BidGloucesterthinkofthis,andhewillweep.

FIRSTMURDERER.Ay,millstones;ashelesson'dustoweep.

CLARENCE.O,donotslanderhim,forheiskind.

FIRSTMURDERER.Right,assnowinharvest.Come,you

deceiveyourself:

'Tishethatsendsustodestroyyouhere.

CLARENCE.Itcannotbe;forhebeweptmyfortune

Andhugg'dmeinhisarms,andsworewithsobs

Thathewouldlabourmydelivery.

FIRSTMURDERER.Why,sohedoth,whenhedeliversyou

Fromthisearth'sthraldomtothejoysofheaven.

SECONDMURDERER.MakepeacewithGod,foryoumustdie,

mylord.

CLARENCE.Haveyouthatholyfeelinginyoursouls

TocounselmetomakemypeacewithGod,

Andareyouyettoyourownsoulssoblind

ThatyouwillwarwithGodbymurd'ringme?

O,sirs,consider:theythatsetyouon

Todothisdeedwillhateyouforthedeed.

SECONDMURDERER.Whatshallwedo?

CLARENCE.Relent,andsaveyoursouls.

FIRSTMURDERER.Relent!No,'tiscowardlyandwomanish.

CLARENCE.Nottorelentisbeastly,savage,devilish.

Whichofyou,ifyouwereaprince'sson,

BeingpentfromlibertyasIamnow,

Iftwosuchmurderersasyourselvescametoyou,

Wouldnotentreatforlife?

Myfriend,Ispysomepityinthylooks;

O,ifthineeyebenotaflatterer,

Comethouonmysideandentreatforme-

Asyouwouldbegwereyouinmydistress.

Abeggingprincewhatbeggarpitiesnot?

SECONDMURDERER.Lookbehindyou,mylord.

FIRSTMURDERER.[Stabbinghim]Takethat,andthat.Ifall

thiswillnotdo,

I'lldrownyouinthemalmsey-buttwithin.

Exitwiththebody

SECONDMURDERER.Abloodydeed,anddesperately

dispatch'd!

Howfain,likePilate,wouldIwashmyhands

Ofthismostgrievousmurder!

Re-enterFIRSTMURDERER

FIRSTMURDERER-Hownow,whatmean'stthouthatthou

help'stmenot?

Byheavens,theDukeshallknowhowslackyouhave

been!

SECONDMURDERER.IwouldheknewthatIhadsav'dhis

brother!

Takethouthefee,andtellhimwhatIsay;

ForIrepentmethattheDukeisslain.

Exit

FIRSTMURDERER.SodonotI.Go,cowardasthouart.

Well,I'llgohidethebodyinsomehole,

TillthattheDukegiveorderforhisburial;

AndwhenIhavemymeed,Iwillaway;

Forthiswillout,andthenImustnotstay.

Exit

ACTII.

SCENEI.

London.Thepalace

Flourish.

EnterKINGEDWARDsick,QUEENELIZABETH,DORSET,

RIVERS,

HASTINGS,BUCKINGHAM,GREY,andothers

KINGEDWARD.Why,so.NowhaveIdoneagoodday's

work.

Youpeers,continuethisunitedleague.

Ieverydayexpectanembassage

FrommyRedeemertoredeemmehence;

Andmoreatpeacemysoulshallparttoheaven,

SinceIhavemademyfriendsatpeaceonearth.

HastingsandRivers,takeeachother'shand;

Dissemblenotyourhatred,swearyourlove.

RIVERS.Byheaven,mysoulispurg'dfromgrudginghate;

AndwithmyhandIsealmytrueheart'slove.

HASTINGS.SothriveI,asItrulyswearthelike!

KINGEDWARD.Takeheedyoudallynotbeforeyourking;

LestHethatisthesupremeKingofkings

Confoundyourhiddenfalsehoodandaward

Eitherofyoutobetheother'send.

HASTINGS.SoprosperI,asIswearperfectlove!

RIVERS.AndI,asIloveHastingswithmyheart!

KINGEDWARD.Madam,yourselfisnotexemptfromthis;

Noryou,sonDorset;Buckingham,noryou:

Youhavebeenfactiousoneagainsttheother.

Wife,loveLordHastings,lethimkissyourhand;

Andwhatyoudo,doitunfeignedly.

QUEENELIZABETH.There,Hastings;Iwillnevermore

remember

Ourformerhatred,sothriveIandmine!

KINGEDWARD.Dorset,embracehim;Hastings,loveLord

Marquis.

DORSET.Thisinterchangeoflove,Ihereprotest,

Uponmypartshallbeinviolable.

HASTINGS.AndsoswearI.[Theyembrace]

KINGEDWARD.Now,princelyBuckingham,sealthouthis

league

Withthyembracementstomywife'sallies,

Andmakemehappyinyourunity.

BUCKINGHAM.[TotheQUEEN]WheneverBuckingham

dothturnhishate

UponyourGrace,butwithallduteouslove

Dothcherishyouandyours,Godpunishme

WithhateinthosewhereIexpectmostlove!

WhenIhavemostneedtoemployafriend

Andmostassuredthatheisafriend,

Deep,hollow,treacherous,andfullofguile,

Beheuntome!ThisdoIbegofGod

WhenIamcoldinlovetoyouoryours.

[Theyembrace]

KINGEDWARD.Apleasingcordial,princelyBuckingham,

Isthisthyvowuntomysicklyheart.

TherewantethnowourbrotherGloucesterhere

Tomaketheblessedperiodofthispeace.

BUCKINGHAM.And,ingoodtime,

HerecomesSirRichardRatcliffandtheDuke.

EnterGLOUCESTER,andRATCLIFF

GLOUCESTER.Goodmorrowtomysovereignkingand

Queen;

And,princelypeers,ahappytimeofday!

KINGEDWARD.Happy,indeed,aswehavespenttheday.

Gloucester,wehavedonedeedsofcharity,

Madepeaceofenmity,fairloveofhate,

Betweentheseswellingwrong-incensedpeers.

GLOUCESTER.Ablessedlabour,mymostsovereignlord.

Amongthisprincelyheap,ifanyhere,

Byfalseintelligenceorwrongsurmise,

Holdmeafoe-

IfIunwittingly,orinmyrage,

Haveaughtcommittedthatishardlyborne

Toanyinthispresence,Idesire

Toreconcilemetohisfriendlypeace:

'Tisdeathtometobeatenmity;

Ihateit,anddesireallgoodmen'slove.

First,madam,Ientreattruepeaceofyou,

WhichIwillpurchasewithmyduteousservice;

Ofyou,mynoblecousinBuckingham,

Ifeveranygrudgewerelodg'dbetweenus;

Ofyou,andyou,LordRivers,andofDorset,

Thatallwithoutdeserthavefrown'donme;

Ofyou,LordWoodville,and,LordScales,ofyou;

Dukes,earls,lords,gentlemen-indeed,ofall.

IdonotknowthatEnglishmanalive

Withwhommysoulisanyjotatodds

Morethantheinfantthatisbornto-night.

IthankmyGodformyhumility.

QUEENELIZABETH.Aholydayshallthisbekepthereafter.

IwouldtoGodallstrifeswerewellcompounded.

Mysovereignlord,IdobeseechyourHighness

TotakeourbrotherClarencetoyourgrace.

GLOUCESTER.Why,madam,haveIoff'redloveforthis,

Tobesofloutedinthisroyalpresence?

WhoknowsnotthatthegentleDukeisdead?

[Theyallstart]

Youdohiminjurytoscornhiscorse.

KINGEDWARD.Whoknowsnotheisdead!Whoknows

heis?

QUEENELIZABETH.All-seeingheaven,whataworldisthis!

BUCKINGHAM.LookIsopale,LordDorset,astherest?

DORSET.Ay,mygoodlord;andnomaninthepresence

Buthisredcolourhathforsookhischeeks.

KINGEDWARD.IsClarencedead?Theorderwasrevers'd.

GLOUCESTER.Buthe,poorman,byyourfirstorderdied,

AndthatawingedMercurydidbear;

Sometardycripplebarethecountermand

Thatcametoolagtoseehimburied.

Godgrantthatsome,lessnobleandlessloyal,

Nearerinbloodythoughts,annotinblood,

DeservenotworsethanwretchedClarencedid,

Andyetgocurrentfromsuspicion!

EnterDERBY

DERBY.Aboon,mysovereign,formyservicedone!

KINGEDWARD.Iprithee,peace;mysoulisfullofsorrow.

DERBY.IWillnotriseunlessyourHighnesshearme.

KINGEDWARD.Thensayatoncewhatisitthourequests.

DERBY.Theforfeit,sovereign,ofmyservant'slife;

Whoslewto-dayariotousgentleman

LatelyattendantontheDukeofNorfolk.

KINGEDWARD.HaveIatonguetodoommybrother'sdeath,

Andshallthattonguegivepardontoaslave?

Mybrotherkillednoman-hisfaultwasthought,

Andyethispunishmentwasbitterdeath.

Whosuedtomeforhim?Who,inmywrath,

Kneel'datmyfeet,andbidmebeadvis'd?

Whospokeofbrotherhood?Whospokeoflove?

Whotoldmehowthepoorsouldidforsake

ThemightyWarwickanddidfightforme?

Whotoldme,inthefieldatTewksbury

WhenOxfordhadmedown,herescuedme

Andsaid'DearBrother,live,andbeaking'?

Whotoldme,whenwebothlayinthefield

Frozenalmosttodeath,howhedidlapme

Eveninhisgarments,anddidgivehimself,

Allthinandnaked,tothenumbcoldnight?

Allthisfrommyremembrancebrutishwrath

Sinfullypluck'd,andnotamanofyou

Hadsomuchracetoputitinmymind.

Butwhenyourcartersoryourwaiting-vassals

Havedoneadrunkenslaughteranddefac'd

ThepreciousimageofourdearRedeemer,

Youstraightareonyourkneesforpardon,pardon;

AndI,unjustlytoo,mustgrantityou.[DERBYrises]

Butformybrothernotamanwouldspeak;

NorI,ungracious,speakuntomyself

Forhim,poorsoul.Theproudestofyouall

Havebeenbeholdingtohiminhislife;

Yetnoneofyouwouldoncebegforhislife.

OGod,Ifearthyjusticewilltakehold

Onme,andyou,andmine,andyours,forthis!

Come,Hastings,helpmetomycloset.Ah,poorClarence!

ExeuntsomewithKINGandQUEEN

GLOUCESTER.Thisisthefruitsofrashness.Mark'dyounot

HowthattheguiltykindredoftheQueen

Look'dpalewhentheydidhearofClarence'death?

O,theydidurgeitstilluntotheKing!

Godwillrevengeit.Come,lords,willyougo

TocomfortEdwardwithourcompany?

BUCKINGHAM.WewaituponyourGrace.

Exeunt

SCENEII.

London.Thepalace

EntertheoldDUCHESSOFYORK,withtheSONandDAUGHTERof

CLARENCE

SON.Goodgrandam,tellus,isourfatherdead?

DUCHESS.No,boy.

DAUGHTER.Whydoyouweepsooft,andbeatyourbreast,

Andcry'OClarence,myunhappyson!'?

SON.Whydoyoulookonus,andshakeyourhead,

Andcallusorphans,wretches,castaways,

Ifthatournoblefatherwerealive?

DUCHESS.Myprettycousins,youmistakemeboth;

IdolamentthesicknessoftheKing,

Asloathtolosehim,notyourfather'sdeath;

Itwerelostsorrowtowailonethat'slost.

SON.Thenyouconclude,mygrandam,heisdead.

TheKingmineuncleistoblameforit.

Godwillrevengeit;whomIwillimportune

Withearnestprayersalltothateffect.

DAUGHTER.AndsowillI.

DUCHESS.Peace,children,peace!TheKingdothloveyou

well.

Incapableandshallowinnocents,

Youcannotguesswhocaus'dyourfather'sdeath.

SON.Grandam,wecan;formygooduncleGloucester

ToldmetheKing,provok'dtoitbytheQueen,

Devis'dimpeachmentstoimprisonhim.

Andwhenmyuncletoldmeso,hewept,

Andpitiedme,andkindlykiss'dmycheek;

Bademerelyonhimasonmyfather,

Andhewouldlovemedearlyasachild.

DUCHESS.Ah,thatdeceitshouldstealsuchgentleshape,

Andwithavirtuousvizorhidedeepvice!

Heismyson;ay,andthereinmyshame;

Yetfrommydugshedrewnotthisdeceit.

SON.Thinkyoumyunclediddissemble,grandam?

DUCHESS.Ay,boy.

SON.Icannotthinkit.Hark!whatnoiseisthis?

EnterQUEENELIZABETH,withherhairabouther

ears;RIVERSandDORSETafterher

QUEENELIZABETH.Ah,whoshallhindermetowailand

weep,

Tochidemyfortune,andtormentmyself?

I'lljoinwithblackdespairagainstmysoul

Andtomyselfbecomeanenemy.

DUCHESS.Whatmeansthissceneofrudeimpatience?

QUEENELIZABETH.Tomakeanactoftragicviolence.

EDWARD,mylord,thyson,ourking,isdead.

Whygrowthebrancheswhentherootisgone?

Whywithernottheleavesthatwanttheirsap?

Ifyouwilllive,lament;ifdie,bebrief,

Thatourswift-wingedsoulsmaycatchtheKing's,

Orlikeobedientsubjectsfollowhim

Tohisnewkingdomofne'er-changingnight.

DUCHESS.Ah,somuchinteresthaveIinthysorrow

AsIhadtitleinthynoblehusband!

Ihavebeweptaworthyhusband'sdeath,

Andliv'dwithlookingonhisimages;

Butnowtwomirrorsofhisprincelysemblance

Arecrack'dinpiecesbymalignantdeath,

AndIforcomforthavebutonefalseglass,

ThatgrievesmewhenIseemyshameinhim.

Thouartawidow,yetthouartamother

Andhastthecomfortofthychildrenleft;

Butdeathhathsnatch'dmyhusbandfromminearms

Andpluck'dtwocrutchesfrommyfeeblehands-

ClarenceandEdward.O,whatcausehaveI-

Thinebeingbutamoietyofmymoan-

Toovergothywoesanddrownthycries?

SON.Ah,aunt,youweptnotforourfather'sdeath!

Howcanweaidyouwithourkindredtears?

DAUGHTER.Ourfatherlessdistresswasleftunmoan'd;

Yourwidow-dolourlikewisebeunwept!

QUEENELIZABETH.Givemenohelpinlamentation;

Iamnotbarrentobringforthcomplaints.

Allspringsreducetheircurrentstomineeyes

ThatI,beinggovern'dbythewaterymoon,

Maysendforthplenteoustearstodrowntheworld!

Ahformyhusband,formydearLordEdward!

CHILDREN.Ahforourfather,forourdearLordClarence!

DUCHESS.Alasforboth,bothmine,EdwardandClarence!

QUEENELIZABETH.WhatstayhadIbutEdward?andhe's

gone.

CHILDREN.WhatstayhadwebutClarence?andhe'sgone.

DUCHESS.WhatstayshadIbutthey?andtheyaregone.

QUEENELIZABETH.Wasneverwidowhadsodearaloss.

CHILDREN.Wereneverorphanshadsodearaloss.

DUCHESS.Wasnevermotherhadsodearaloss.

Alas,Iamthemotherofthesegriefs!

Theirwoesareparcell'd,mineisgeneral.

SheforanEdwardweeps,andsodoI:

IforaClarenceweep,sodothnotshe.

ThesebabesforClarenceweep,andsodoI:

IforanEdwardweep,sodonotthey.

Alas,youthreeonme,threefolddistress'd,

Pourallyourtears!Iamyoursorrow'snurse,

AndIwillpamperitwithlamentation.

DORSET.Comfort,dearmother.Godismuchdispleas'd

Thatyoutakewithunthankfulnesshisdoing.

Incommonworldlythings'tiscalledungrateful

Withdullunwillingnesstorepayadebt

Whichwithabounteoushandwaskindlylent;

Muchmoretobethusoppositewithheaven,

Foritrequirestheroyaldebtitlentyou.

RIVERS.Madam,bethinkyou,likeacarefulmother,

Oftheyoungprinceyourson.Sendstraightforhim;

Lethimbecrown'd;inhimyourcomfortlives.

DrowndesperatesorrowindeadEdward'sgrave,

AndplantyourjoysinlivingEdward'sthrone.

EnterGLOUCESTER,BUCKINGHAM,DERBY,

HASTINGS,andRATCLIFF

GLOUCESTER.Sister,havecomfort.Allofushavecause

Towailthedimmingofourshiningstar;

Butnonecanhelpourharmsbywailingthem.

Madam,mymother,Idocryyoumercy;

IdidnotseeyourGrace.Humblyonmyknee

Icraveyourblessing.

DUCHESS.Godblessthee;andputmeeknessinthybreast,

Love,charity,obedience,andtrueduty!

GLOUCESTER.Amen![Aside]Andmakemedieagoodold

man!

Thatisthebuttendofamother'sblessing;

ImarvelthatherGracedidleaveitout.

BUCKINGHAM.Youcloudyprincesandheart-sorrowing

peers,

Thatbearthisheavymutualloadofmoan,

Nowcheereachotherineachother'slove.

Thoughwehavespentourharvestofthisking,

Wearetoreaptheharvestofhisson.

Thebrokenrancourofyourhigh-swol'nhearts,

Butlatelysplinter'd,knit,andjoin'dtogether,

Mustgentlybepreserv'd,cherish'd,andkept.

Meseemethgoodthat,withsomelittletrain,

ForthwithfromLudlowtheyoungprincebefet

HithertoLondon,tobecrown'dourKing.

RIVERS.Whywithsomelittletrain,myLordof

Buckingham?

BUCKINGHAM.Marry,mylord,lestbyamultitude

Thenew-heal'dwoundofmaliceshouldbreakout,

Whichwouldbesomuchthemoredangerous

Byhowmuchtheestateisgreenandyetungovern'd;

Whereeveryhorsebearshiscommandingrein

Andmaydirecthiscourseaspleasehimself,

Aswellthefearofharmasharmapparent,

Inmyopinion,oughttobeprevented.

GLOUCESTER.IhopetheKingmadepeacewithallofus;

Andthecompactisfirmandtrueinme.

RIVERS.Andsoinme;andso,Ithink,inan.

Yet,sinceitisbutgreen,itshouldbeput

Tonoapparentlikelihoodofbreach,

Whichhaplybymuchcompanymightbeurg'd;

ThereforeIsaywithnobleBuckingham

ThatitismeetsofewshouldfetchthePrince.

HASTINGS.AndsosayI.

GLOUCESTER.Thenbeitso;andgowetodetermine

WhotheyshallbethatstraightshallposttoLudlow.

Madam,andyou,mysister,willyougo

Togiveyourcensuresinthisbusiness?

ExeuntallbutBUCKINGHAMandGLOUCESTER

BUCKINGHAM.Mylord,whoeverjourneystothePrince,

ForGodsake,letnotustwostayathome;

ForbythewayI'llsortoccasion,

Asindextothestorywelatetalk'dof,

ToparttheQueen'sproudkindredfromthePrince.

GLOUCESTER.Myotherself,mycounsel'sconsistory,

Myoracle,myprophet,mydearcousin,

I,asachild,willgobythydirection.

TowardLudlowthen,forwe'llnotstaybehind.

Exeunt

SCENEIII.

London.Astreet

EnteroneCITIZENatonedoor,andanotherattheother

FIRSTCITIZEN.Goodmorrow,neighbour.Whitherawayso

fast?

SECONDCITIZEN.Ipromiseyou,Iscarcelyknowmyself.

Hearyouthenewsabroad?

FIRSTCITIZEN.Yes,thattheKingisdead.

SECONDCITIZEN.Illnews,by'rlady;seldomcomesthe

better.

Ifear,Ifear'twillproveagiddyworld.

EnteranotherCITIZEN

THIRDCITIZEN.Neighbours,Godspeed!

FIRSTCITIZEN.Giveyougoodmorrow,sir.

THIRDCITIZEN.DoththenewsholdofgoodKingEdward's

death?

SECONDCITIZEN.Ay,sir,itistootrue;Godhelpthewhile!

THIRDCITIZEN.Then,masters,looktoseeatroublous

world.

FIRSTCITIZEN.No,no;byGod'sgoodgrace,hissonshall

reign.

THIRDCITIZEN.Woetothatlandthat'sgovern'dbyachild.

SECONDCITIZEN.Inhimthereisahopeofgovernment,

Which,inhisnonage,councilunderhim,

And,inhisfullandripenedyears,himself,

Nodoubt,shallthen,andtillthen,governwell.

FIRSTCITIZEN.SostoodthestatewhenHenrytheSixth

Wascrown'dinParisbutatninemonthsold.

THIRDCITIZEN.Stoodthestateso?No,no,goodfriends,

Godwot;

Forthenthislandwasfamouslyenrich'd

Withpoliticgravecounsel;thentheKing

HadvirtuousunclestoprotecthisGrace.

FIRSTCITIZEN.Why,sohaththis,bothbyhisfatherand

mother.

THIRDCITIZEN.Betteritweretheyallcamebyhisfather,

Orbyhisfathertherewerenoneatall;

Foremulationwhoshallnowbenearest

Willtouchusalltoonear,ifGodpreventnot.

O,fullofdangeristheDukeofGloucester!

AndtheQueen'ssonsandbrothershaughtandproud;

Andweretheytoberul'd,andnottorule,

Thissicklylandmightsolaceasbefore.

FIRSTCITIZEN.Come,come,wefeartheworst;allwillbe

well.

THIRDCITIZEN.Whencloudsareseen,wisemenputon

theircloaks;

Whengreatleavesfall,thenwinterisathand;

Whenthesunsets,whodothnotlookfornight?

Untimelystormsmakemenexpectadearth.

Allmaybewell;but,ifGodsortitso,

'TismorethanwedeserveorIexpect.

SECONDCITIZEN.Truly,theheartsofmenarefunoffear.

Youcannotreasonalmostwithaman

Thatlooksnotheavilyandfunofdread.

THIRDCITIZEN.Beforethedaysofchange,stillisitso;

Byadivineinstinctmen'smindsmistrust

Ensuingdanger;asbyproofwesee

Thewaterswellbeforeaboist'rousstorm.

ButleaveitalltoGod.Whitheraway?

SECONDCITIZEN.Marry,weweresentfortothejustices.

THIRDCITIZEN.AndsowasI;I'llbearyoucompany.

Exeunt

SCENEIV.

London.Thepalace

Enter the ARCHBISHOP OF YORK, the young DUKE OF YORK,QUEENELIZABETH,andtheDUCHESSOFYORK

ARCHBISHOP.Lastnight,Ihear,theylayatStonyStratford,

AndatNorthamptontheydorestto-night;

To-morrowornextdaytheywillbehere.

DUCHESS.IlongwithallmyhearttoseethePrince.

IhopeheismuchgrownsincelastIsawhim.

QUEENELIZABETH.ButIhearno;theysaymysonofYork

Hasalmostoverta'enhiminhisgrowth.

YORK.Ay,mother;butIwouldnothaveitso.

DUCHESS.Why,mygoodcousin,itisgoodtogrow.

YORK.Grandam,onenightaswedidsitatsupper,

MyuncleRiverstalk'dhowIdidgrow

Morethanmybrother.'Ay,'quothmyuncleGloucester

'Smallherbshavegrace:greatweedsdogrowapace.'

Andsince,methinks,Iwouldnotgrowsofast,

Becausesweetflow'rsareslowandweedsmakehaste.

DUCHESS.Goodfaith,goodfaith,thesayingdidnothold

Inhimthatdidobjectthesametothee.

Hewasthewretched'stthingwhenhewasyoung,

Solonga-growingandsoleisurely

That,ifhisruleweretrue,heshouldbegracious.

ARCHBISHOP.Andsonodoubtheis,mygraciousmadam.

DUCHESS.Ihopeheis;butyetletmothersdoubt.

YORK.Now,bymytroth,ifIhadbeenrememb'red,

Icouldhavegivenmyuncle'sGraceaflout

Totouchhisgrowthnearerthanhetouch'dmine.

DUCHESS.How,myyoungYork?Ipritheeletmehearit.

YORK.Marry,theysaymyunclegrewsofast

Thathecouldgnawacrustattwohoursold.

'TwasfulltwoyearsereIcouldgetatooth.

Grandam,thiswouldhavebeenabitingjest.

DUCHESS.Iprithee,prettyYork,whotoldtheethis?

YORK.Grandam,hisnurse.

DUCHESS.Hisnurse!Whyshewasdeaderethouwast

born.

YORK.If'twerenotshe,Icannottellwhotoldme.

QUEENELIZABETH.Aparlousboy!Goto,youaretoo

shrewd.

ARCHBISHOP.Goodmadam,benotangrywiththechild.

QUEENELIZABETH.Pitchershaveears.

EnteraMESSENGER

ARCHBISHOP.Herecomesamessenger.Whatnews?

MESSENGER.Suchnews,mylord,asgrievesmetoreport.

QUEENELIZABETH.HowdoththePrince?

MESSENGER.Well,madam,andinhealth.

DUCHESS.Whatisthynews?

MESSENGER.LordRiversandLordGrey

AresenttoPomfret,andwiththem

SirThomasVaughan,prisoners.

DUCHESS.Whohathcommittedthem?

MESSENGER.ThemightyDukes,GloucesterandBuckingham.

ARCHBISHOP.Forwhatoffence?

MESSENGER.ThesumofallIcan,Ihavedisclos'd.

Whyorforwhatthenobleswerecommitted

Isallunknowntome,mygraciouslord.

QUEENELIZABETH.Ayme,Iseetheruinofmyhouse!

Thetigernowhathseiz'dthegentlehind;

Insultingtyrannybeginstojet

Upontheinnocentandawelessthrone.

Welcome,destruction,blood,andmassacre!

Isee,asinamap,theendofall.

DUCHESS.Accursedandunquietwranglingdays,

Howmanyofyouhavemineeyesbeheld!

Myhusbandlosthislifetogetthecrown;

Andoftenupanddownmysonsweretoss'd

Formetojoyandweeptheirgainandloss;

Andbeingseated,anddomesticbroils

Cleanover-blown,themselvestheconquerors

Makewaruponthemselves-brothertobrother,

Bloodtoblood,selfagainstself.O,preposterous

Andfranticoutrage,endthydamnedspleen,

Orletmedie,tolookondeathnomore!

QUEENELIZABETH.Come,come,myboy;wewillto

sanctuary.

Madam,farewell.

DUCHESS.Stay,Iwillgowithyou.

QUEENELIZABETH.Youhavenocause.

ARCHBISHOP.[TotheQUEEN]Mygraciouslady,go.

Andthitherbearyourtreasureandyourgoods.

Formypart,I'llresignuntoyourGrace

ThesealIkeep;andsobetidetome

AswellItenderyouandallofyours!

Go,I'llconductyoutothesanctuary.

Exeunt

ACTIII.

SCENEI.

London.Astreet

Thetrumpetssound.

EnterthePRINCEOFWALES,GLOUCESTER,

BUCKINGHAM,

CATESBY,CARDINALBOURCHIER,andothers

BUCKINGHAM.Welcome,sweetPrince,toLondon,toyour

chamber.

GLOUCESTER.Welcome,dearcousin,mythoughts'sovereign.

Thewearywayhathmadeyoumelancholy.

PRINCE.No,uncle;butourcrossesontheway

Havemadeittedious,wearisome,andheavy.

Iwantmoreunclesheretowelcomeme.

GLOUCESTER.SweetPrince,theuntaintedvirtueofyour

years

Hathnotyetdiv'dintotheworld'sdeceit;

Normorecanyoudistinguishofaman

Thanofhisoutwardshow;which,GodHeknows,

Seldomorneverjumpethwiththeheart.

Thoseuncleswhichyouwantweredangerous;

YourGraceattendedtotheirsug'redwords

Butlook'dnotonthepoisonoftheirhearts.

Godkeepyoufromthemandfromsuchfalsefriends!

PRINCE.Godkeepmefromfalsefriends!buttheywere

none.

GLOUCESTER.Mylord,theMayorofLondoncomestogreet

you.

EntertheLORDMAYORandhistrain

MAYOR.GodblessyourGracewithhealthandhappydays!

PRINCE.Ithankyou,goodmylord,andthankyouall.

IthoughtmymotherandmybrotherYork

Wouldlongerethishavemetusontheway.

Fie,whataslugisHastings,thathecomesnot

Totelluswhethertheywillcomeorno!

EnterLORDHASTINGS

BUCKINGHAM.And,ingoodtime,herecomesthesweating

Lord.

PRINCE.Welcome,mylord.What,willourmothercome?

HASTINGS.Onwhatoccasion,GodHeknows,notI,

TheQueenyourmotherandyourbrotherYork

Havetakensanctuary.ThetenderPrince

WouldfainhavecomewithmetomeetyourGrace,

Butbyhismotherwasperforcewithheld.

BUCKINGHAM.Fie,whatanindirectandpeevishcourse

Isthisofhers?LordCardinal,willyourGrace

PersuadetheQueentosendtheDukeofYork

Untohisprincelybrotherpresently?

Ifshedeny,LordHastings,gowithhim

Andfromherjealousarmspluckhimperforce.

CARDINAL.MyLordofBuckingham,ifmyweakoratory

CanfromhismotherwintheDukeofYork,

Anonexpecthimhere;butifshebeobdurate

Tomildentreaties,Godinheavenforbid

Weshouldinfringetheholyprivilege

Ofblessedsanctuary!Notforallthisland

WouldIbeguiltyofsodeepasin.

BUCKINGHAM.Youaretoosenseless-obstinate,mylord,

Tooceremoniousandtraditional.

Weighitbutwiththegrossnessofthisage,

Youbreaknotsanctuaryinseizinghim.

Thebenefitthereofisalwaysgranted

Tothosewhosedealingshavedeserv'dtheplace

Andthosewhohavethewittoclaimtheplace.

ThisPrincehathneitherclaim'ditnordeserv'dit,

Andtherefore,inmineopinion,cannothaveit.

Then,takinghimfromthencethatisnotthere,

Youbreaknoprivilegenorcharterthere.

OfthaveIheardofsanctuarymen;

Butsanctuarychildrennevertillnow.

CARDINAL.Mylord,youshallo'errulemymindforonce.

Comeon,LordHastings,willyougowithme?

HASTINGS.Igo,mylord.

PRINCE.Goodlords,makeallthespeedyhasteyoumay.

ExeuntCARDINALandHASTINGS

Say,uncleGloucester,ifourbrothercome,

Whereshallwesojourntillourcoronation?

GLOUCESTER.Whereitseemsbestuntoyourroyalself.

IfImaycounselyou,somedayortwo

YourHighnessshallreposeyouattheTower,

Thenwhereyoupleaseandshallbethoughtmostfit

Foryourbesthealthandrecreation.

PRINCE.IdonotliketheTower,ofanyplace.

DidJuliusCaesarbuildthatplace,mylord?

BUCKINGHAM.Hedid,mygraciouslord,beginthatplace,

Which,since,succeedingageshavere-edified.

PRINCE.Isituponrecord,orelsereported

Successivelyfromagetoage,hebuiltit?

BUCKINGHAM.Uponrecord,mygraciouslord.

PRINCE.Butsay,mylord,itwerenotregist'red,

MethinksthetruthshouldEvefromagetoage,

As'twereretail'dtoallposterity,

Eventothegeneralall-endingday.

GLOUCESTER.[Aside]Sowisesoyoung,theysay,donever

livelong.

PRINCE.Whatsayyou,uncle?

GLOUCESTER.Isay,withoutcharacters,fameliveslong.

[Aside]Thus,liketheformalvice,Iniquity,

Imoralizetwomeaningsinoneword.

PRINCE.ThatJuliusCaesarwasafamousman;

Withwhathisvalourdidenrichhiswit,

Hiswitsetdowntomakehisvalourlive.

Deathmakesnoconquestofthisconqueror;

Fornowhelivesinfame,thoughnotinlife.

I'lltellyouwhat,mycousinBuckingham-

BUCKINGHAM.What,mygraciouslord?

PRINCE.AnifIliveuntilIbeaman,

I'llwinourancientrightinFranceagain,

OrdieasoldierasIliv'daking.

GLOUCESTER.[Aside]Shortsummerslightlyhaveaforward

spring.

EnterHASTINGS,youngYORK,andtheCARDINAL

BUCKINGHAM.Now,ingoodtime,herecomestheDukeof

York.

PRINCE.RichardofYork,howfaresourlovingbrother?

YORK.Well,mydreadlord;somustIcanyounow.

PRINCE.Aybrother,toourgrief,asitisyours.

Toolatehediedthatmighthavekeptthattitle,

Whichbyhisdeathhathlostmuchmajesty.

GLOUCESTER.Howfaresourcousin,nobleLordofYork?

YORK.Ithankyou,gentleuncle.O,mylord,

Yousaidthatidleweedsarefastingrowth.

ThePrincemybrotherhathoutgrownmefar.

GLOUCESTER.Hehath,mylord.

YORK.Andthereforeisheidle?

GLOUCESTER.O,myfaircousin,Imustnotsayso.

YORK.ThenheismorebeholdingtoyouthanI.

GLOUCESTER.Hemaycommandmeasmysovereign;

Butyouhavepowerinmeasinakinsman.

YORK.Iprayyou,uncle,givemethisdagger.

GLOUCESTER.Mydagger,littlecousin?Withallmyheart!

PRINCE.Abeggar,brother?

YORK.Ofmykinduncle,thatIknowwillgive,

Andbeingbutatoy,whichisnogrieftogive.

GLOUCESTER.AgreatergiftthanthatI'llgivemycousin.

YORK.Agreatergift!O,that'stheswordtoit!

GLOUCESTER.Ay,gentlecousin,wereitlightenough.

YORK.O,then,Iseeyouwillpartbutwithlightgifts:

Inweightierthingsyou'llsayabeggarnay.

GLOUCESTER.ItistooheavyforyourGracetowear.

YORK.Iweighitlightly,wereitheavier.

GLOUCESTER.What,wouldyouhavemyweapon,little

Lord?

YORK.Iwould,thatImightthankyouasyoucallme.

GLOUCESTER.How?

YORK.Little.

PRINCE.MyLordofYorkwillstillbecrossintalk.

Uncle,yourGraceknowshowtobearwithhim.

YORK.Youmean,tobearme,nottobearwithme.

Uncle,mybrothermocksbothyouandme;

BecausethatIamlittle,likeanape,

Hethinksthatyoushouldbearmeonyourshoulders.

BUCKINGHAM.Withwhatasharp-providedwithereasons!

Tomitigatethescornhegiveshisuncle

Heprettilyandaptlytauntshimself.

Socunningandsoyoungiswonderful.

GLOUCESTER.Mylord,will'tpleaseyoupassalong?

MyselfandmygoodcousinBuckingham

Willtoyourmother,toentreatofher

TomeetyouattheTowerandwelcomeyou.

YORK.What,willyougountotheTower,mylord?

PRINCE.MyLordProtectorneedswillhaveitso.

YORK.IshallnotsleepinquietattheTower.

GLOUCESTER.Why,whatshouldyoufear?

YORK.Marry,myuncleClarence'angryghost.

Mygrandamtoldmehewasmurder'dthere.

PRINCE.Ifearnounclesdead.

GLOUCESTER.Nornonethatlive,Ihope.

PRINCE.Aniftheylive,IhopeIneednotfear.

Butcome,mylord;andwithaheavyheart,

Thinkingonthem,goIuntotheTower.

Asennet.

ExeuntallbutGLOUCESTER,BUCKINGHAM,andCATESBY

BUCKINGHAM.Thinkyou,mylord,thislittlepratingYork

Wasnotincensedbyhissubtlemother

Totauntandscornyouthusopprobriously?

GLOUCESTER.Nodoubt,nodoubt.O,'tisaperilousboy;

Bold,quick,ingenious,forward,capable.

Heisallthemother's,fromthetoptotoe.

BUCKINGHAM.Well,letthemrest.Comehither,Catesby.

Thouartswornasdeeplytoeffectwhatweintend

Ascloselytoconcealwhatweimpart.

Thouknow'stourreasonsurg'dupontheway.

Whatthink'stthou?Isitnotaneasymatter

TomakeWilliamLordHastingsofourmind,

FortheinstalmentofthisnobleDuke

Intheseatroyalofthisfamousisle?

CATESBY.Heforhisfather'ssakesolovesthePrince

Thathewillnotbewontoaughtagainsthim.

BUCKINGHAM.Whatthink'stthouthenofStanley?Will

nothe?

CATESBY.HewilldoallinallasHastingsdoth.

BUCKINGHAM.Wellthen,nomorebutthis:go,gentle

Catesby,

And,asitwerefaroff,soundthouLordHastings

Howhedothstandaffectedtoourpurpose;

Andsummonhimto-morrowtotheTower,

Tositaboutthecoronation.

Ifthoudostfindhimtractabletous,

Encouragehim,andtellhimallourreasons;

Ifhebeleaden,icy,cold,unwilling,

Bethousotoo,andsobreakoffthetalk,

Andgiveusnoticeofhisinclination;

Forweto-morrowholddividedcouncils,

Whereinthyselfshalthighlybeemploy'd.

GLOUCESTER.CommendmetoLordWilliam.Tellhim,

Catesby,

Hisancientknotofdangerousadversaries

To-morrowareletbloodatPomfretCastle;

Andbidmylord,forjoyofthisgoodnews,

GiveMistressShoreonegentlekissthemore.

BUCKINGHAM.GoodCatesby,goeffectthisbusinesssoundly.

CATESBY.Mygoodlordsboth,withalltheheedIcan.

GLOUCESTER.Shallwehearfromyou,Catesby,erewesleep?

CATESBY.Youshall,mylord.

GLOUCESTER.AtCrosbyHouse,thereshallyoufindusboth.

ExitCATESBY

BUCKINGHAM.Now,mylord,whatshallwedoifwe

perceive

LordHastingswillnotyieldtoourcomplots?

GLOUCESTER.Chopoffhishead-somethingwewill

determine.

And,lookwhenIamKing,claimthouofme

TheearldomofHerefordandallthemovables

WhereoftheKingmybrotherwaspossess'd.

BUCKINGHAM.I'llclaimthatpromiseatyourGrace'shand.

GLOUCESTER.Andlooktohaveityieldedwithallkindness.

Come,letussupbetimes,thatafterwards

Wemaydigestourcomplotsinsomeform.

Exeunt

SCENEII.

BeforeLORDHASTING'Shouse

EnteraMESSENGERtothedoorofHASTINGS

MESSENGER.Mylord,mylord![Knocking]

HASTINGS.[Within]Whoknocks?

MESSENGER.OnefromtheLordStanley.

HASTINGS.[Within]Whatis'to'clock?

MESSENGER.Uponthestrokeoffour.

EnterLORDHASTINGS

HASTINGS.CannotmyLordStanleysleepthesetedious

nights?

MESSENGER.SoitappearsbythatIhavetosay.

First,hecommendshimtoyournobleself.

HASTINGS.Whatthen?

MESSENGER.Thencertifiesyourlordshipthatthisnight

Hedreamttheboarhadrazedoffhishelm.

Besides,hesaystherearetwocouncilskept,

Andthatmaybedetermin'dattheone

Whichmaymakeyouandhimtorueatth'other.

Thereforehesendstoknowyourlordship'spleasure-

Ifyouwillpresentlytakehorsewithhim

Andwithallspeedpostwithhimtowardthenorth

Toshunthedangerthathissouldivines.

HASTINGS.Go,fellow,go,returnuntothylord;

Bidhimnotfeartheseparatedcouncil:

Hishonourandmyselfareattheone,

AndattheotherismygoodfriendCatesby;

Wherenothingcanproceedthattouchethus

WhereofIshallnothaveintelligence.

Tellhimhisfearsareshallow,withoutinstance;

Andforhisdreams,Iwonderhe'ssosimple

Totrustthemock'ryofunquietslumbers.

Toflytheboarbeforetheboarpursues

Weretoincensetheboartofollowus

Andmakepursuitwherehedidmeannochase.

Go,bidthymasterriseandcometome;

AndwewillbothtogethertotheTower,

Where,heshallsee,theboarwilluseuskindly.

MESSENGER.I'llgo,mylord,andtellhimwhatyousay.

Exit

EnterCATESBY

CATESBY.Manygoodmorrowstomynoblelord!

HASTINGS.Goodmorrow,Catesby;youareearlystirring.

Whatnews,whatnews,inthisourtott'ringstate?

CATESBY.Itisareelingworldindeed,mylord;

AndIbelievewillneverstandupright

TillRichardwearthegarlandoftherealm.

HASTINGS.How,wearthegarland!Dostthoumeanthe

crown?

CATESBY.Ay,mygoodlord.

HASTINGS.I'llhavethiscrownofminecutfrommy

shoulders

BeforeI'llseethecrownsofoulmisplac'd.

Butcanstthouguessthathedothaimatit?

CATESBY.Ay,onmylife;andhopestofindyouforward

Uponhispartyforthegainthereof;

Andthereuponhesendsyouthisgoodnews,

Thatthissameverydayyourenemies,

ThekindredoftheQueen,mustdieatPomfret.

HASTINGS.Indeed,Iamnomournerforthatnews,

Becausetheyhavebeenstillmyadversaries;

ButthatI'llgivemyvoiceonRichard'sside

Tobarmymaster'sheirsintruedescent,

GodknowsIwillnotdoittothedeath.

CATESBY.Godkeepyourlordshipinthatgraciousmind!

HASTINGS.ButIshalllaughatthisatwelvemonthhence,

Thattheywhichbroughtmeinmymaster'shate,

Ilivetolookupontheirtragedy.

Well,Catesby,ereafortnightmakemeolder,

I'llsendsomepackingthatyetthinknoton't.

CATESBY.'Tisavilethingtodie,mygraciouslord,

Whenmenareunprepar'dandlooknotforit.

HASTINGS.Omonstrous,monstrous!Andsofallsitout

WithRivers,Vaughan,Grey;andso'twilldo

Withsomemenelsethatthinkthemselvesassafe

AsthouandI,who,asthouknowest,aredear

ToprincelyRichardandtoBuckingham.

CATESBY.ThePrincesbothmakehighaccountofyou-

[Aside]Fortheyaccounthisheaduponthebridge.

HASTINGS.Iknowtheydo,andIhavewelldeserv'dit.

EnterLORDSTANLEY

Comeon,comeon;whereisyourboar-spear,man?

Fearyoutheboar,andgosounprovided?

STANLEY.Mylord,goodmorrow;goodmorrow,Catesby.

Youmayjeston,but,bytheholyrood,

Idonotliketheseseveralcouncils,I.

HASTINGS.Mylord,Iholdmylifeasdearasyours,

Andneverinmydays,Idoprotest,

Wasitsoprecioustomeas'tisnow.

Thinkyou,butthatIknowourstatesecure,

IwouldbesotriumphantasIam?

STANLEY.ThelordsatPomfret,whentheyrodefrom

London,

Werejocundandsuppos'dtheirstatesweresure,

Andtheyindeedhadnocausetomistrust;

Butyetyouseehowsoonthedayo'ercast.

ThissuddenstabofrancourImisdoubt;

PrayGod,Isay,Iproveaneedlesscoward.

What,shallwetowardtheTower?Thedayisspent.

HASTINGS.Come,come,havewithyou.Wotyouwhat,my

Lord?

To-daythelordsyoutalk'dofarebeheaded.

STANLEY.They,fortheirtruth,mightbetterweartheir

heads

Thansomethathaveaccus'dthemweartheirhats.

Butcome,mylord,let'saway.

EnterHASTINGS,apursuivant

HASTINGS.Goonbefore;I'lltalkwiththisgoodfellow.

ExeuntSTANLEYandCATESBY

Hownow,Hastings!Howgoestheworldwiththee?

PURSUIVANT.Thebetterthatyourlordshippleasetoask.

HASTINGS.Itellthee,man,'tisbetterwithmenow

Thanwhenthoumet'stmelastwherenowwemeet:

ThenwasIgoingprisonertotheTower

BythesuggestionoftheQueen'sallies;

Butnow,Itellthee-keepittothyself-

Thisdaythoseenerniesareputtodeath,

AndIinbetterstatethane'erIwas.

PURSUIVANT.Godholdit,toyourhonour'sgoodcontent!

HASTINGS.Gramercy,Hastings;there,drinkthatforme.

[Throwshimhispurse]

PURSUIVANT.Ithankyourhonour.

Exit

EnteraPRIEST

PRIEST.Wellmet,mylord;Iamgladtoseeyourhonour.

HASTINGS.Ithankthee,goodSirJohn,withallmyheart.

Iaminyourdebtforyourlastexercise;

ComethenextSabbath,andIwillcontentyou.

[Hewhispersinhisear]

PRIEST.I'llwaituponyourlordship.

EnterBUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM.What,talkingwithapriest,Lord

Chamberlain!

YourfriendsatPomfret,theydoneedthepriest:

Yourhonourhathnoshrivingworkinhand.

HASTINGS.Goodfaith,andwhenImetthisholyman,

Themenyoutalkofcameintomymind.

What,goyoutowardtheTower?

BUCKINGHAM.Ido,mylord,butlongIcannotstaythere;

Ishallreturnbeforeyourlordshipthence.

HASTINGS.Nay,likeenough,forIstaydinnerthere.

BUCKINGHAM.[Aside]Andsuppertoo,althoughthou

knowestitnot.-

Come,willyougo?

HASTINGS.I'llwaituponyourlordship.

Exeunt

SCENEIII.

PomfretCastle

EnterSIRRICHARDRATCLIFF,withhalberds,carryingtheNobles,

RIVERS,GREY,andVAUGHAN,todeath

RIVERS.SirRichardRatcliff,letmetelltheethis:

To-dayshaltthoubeholdasubjectdie

Fortruth,forduty,andforloyalty.

GREY.GodblessthePrincefromallthepackofyou!

Aknotyouareofdamnedblood-suckers.

VAUGHAN.Youlivethatshallcrywoeforthishereafter.

RATCLIFF.Dispatch;thelimitofyourlivesisout.

RIVERS.OPomfret,Pomfret!Othoubloodyprison,

Fatalandominoustonoblepeers!

Withintheguiltyclosureofthywalls

RICHARDtheSecondherewashack'dtodeath;

Andformoreslandertothydismalseat,

Wegivetotheeourguiltlessbloodtodrink.

GREY.NowMargaret'scurseisfall'nuponourheads,

Whensheexclaim'donHastings,you,andI,

ForstandingbywhenRichardstabb'dherson.

RIVERS.Thencurs'dsheRichard,thencurs'dshe

Buckingham,

Thencurs'dsheHastings.O,remember,God,

Tohearherprayerforthem,asnowforus!

Andformysister,andherprincelysons,

Besatisfied,dearGod,withourtrueblood,

Which,asthouknow'st,unjustlymustbespilt.

RATCLIFF.Makehaste;thehourofdeathisexpiate.

RIVERS.Come,Grey;come,Vaughan;letushereembrace.

Farewell,untilwemeetagaininheaven.

Exeunt

SCENEIV

London.TheTower

Enter BUCKINGHAM, DERBY, HASTINGS, the BISHOP of ELY,RATCLIFF,LOVEL,withothersandseatthemselvesatatable

HASTINGS.Now,noblepeers,thecausewhywearemet

Istodetermineofthecoronation.

InGod'snamespeak-whenistheroyalday?

BUCKINGHAM.Isallthingsreadyfortheroyaltime?

DERBY.Itis,andwantsbutnomination.

BISHOPOFELY.To-morrowthenIjudgeahappyday.

BUCKINGHAM.WhoknowstheLordProtector'smind

herein?

WhoismostinwardwiththenobleDuke?

BISHOPOFELY.YourGrace,wethink,shouldsoonestknow

hismind.

BUCKINGHAM.Weknoweachother'sfaces;forourhearts,

HeknowsnomoreofminethanIofyours;

OrIofhis,mylord,thanyouofmine.

LordHastings,youandhearenearinlove.

HASTINGS.IthankhisGrace,Iknowhelovesmewell;

Butforhispurposeinthecoronation

Ihavenotsoundedhim,norhedeliver'd

Hisgraciouspleasureanywaytherein.

Butyou,myhonourablelords,maynamethetime;

AndintheDuke'sbehalfI'llgivemyvoice,

Which,Ipresume,he'lltakeingentlepart.

EnterGLOUCESTER

BISHOPOFELY.Inhappytime,herecomestheDukehimself.

GLOUCESTER.Mynoblelordsandcousinsan,goodmorrow.

Ihavebeenlongasleeper,butItrust

Myabsencedothneglectnogreatdesign

Whichbymypresencemighthavebeenconcluded.

BUCKINGHAM.Hadyounotcomeuponyourcue,mylord,

WILLIAMLordHastingshadpronounc'dyourpart-

Imean,yourvoiceforcrowningoftheKing.

GLOUCESTER.ThanmyLordHastingsnomanmightbe

bolder;

Hislordshipknowsmewellandlovesmewell.

MylordofEly,whenIwaslastinHolborn

Isawgoodstrawberriesinyourgardenthere.

Idobeseechyousendforsomeofthem.

BISHOPofELY.Marryandwill,mylord,withallmyheart.

Exit

GLOUCESTER.CousinofBuckingham,awordwithyou.

[Takeshimaside]

CatesbyhathsoundedHastingsinourbusiness,

Andfindsthetestygentlemansohot

Thathewilllosehisheaderegiveconsent

Hismaster'schild,asworshipfullyhetermsit,

ShalllosetheroyaltyofEngland'sthrone.

BUCKINGHAM.Withdrawyourselfawhile;I'llgowithyou.

ExeuntGLOUCESTERandBUCKINGHAM

DERBY.Wehavenotyetsetdownthisdayoftriumph.

To-morrow,inmyjudgment,istoosudden;

ForImyselfamnotsowellprovided

AselseIwouldbe,werethedayprolong'd.

Re-entertheBISHOPOFELY

BISHOPOFELY.WhereismylordtheDukeofGloucester?

Ihavesentforthesestrawberries.

HASTINGS.HisGracelookscheerfullyandsmooththis

morning;

There'ssomeconceitorotherlikeshimwell

Whenthathebidsgoodmorrowwithsuchspirit.

Ithinkthere'sneveramaninChristendom

Canlesserhidehisloveorhatethanhe;

Forbyhisfacestraightshallyouknowhisheart.

DERBY.Whatofhisheartperceiveyouinhisface

Byanylivelihoodheshow'dto-day?

HASTINGS.Marry,thatwithnomanhereheisoffended;

For,werehe,hehadshownitinhislooks.

Re-enterGLOUCESTERandBUCKINGHAM

GLOUCESTER.Iprayyouall,tellmewhattheydeserve

Thatdoconspiremydeathwithdevilishplots

Ofdamnedwitchcraft,andthathaveprevail'd

Uponmybodywiththeirhellishcharms?

HASTINGS.ThetenderloveIbearyourGrace,mylord,

Makesmemostforwardinthisprincelypresence

Todoomth'offenders,whosoe'ertheybe.

Isay,mylord,theyhavedeserveddeath.

GLOUCESTER.Thenbeyoureyesthewitnessoftheirevil.

LookhowIambewitch'd;behold,minearm

Islikeablastedsaplingwither'dup.

AndthisisEdward'swife,thatmonstrouswitch,

ConsortedwiththatharlotstrumpetShore,

Thatbytheirwitchcraftthushavemarkedme.

HASTINGS.Iftheyhavedonethisdeed,mynoblelord-

GLOUCESTER.If?-thouprotectorofthisdamnedstrumpet,

Talk'stthoutomeofifs?Thouartatraitor.

Offwithhishead!NowbySaintPaulIswear

IwillnotdineuntilIseethesame.

LovelandRatcliff,lookthatitbedone.

Therestthatloveme,riseandfollowme.

ExeuntallbutHASTINGS,LOVEL,andRATCLIFF

HASTINGS.Woe,woe,forEngland!notawhitforme;

ForI,toofond,mighthavepreventedthis.

STANLEYdiddreamtheboardidrazeourhelms,

AndIdidscornitanddisdaintofly.

Threetimesto-daymyfoot-clothhorsedidstumble,

Andstartedwhenhelook'dupontheTower,

Asloathtobearmetotheslaughter-house.

O,nowIneedthepriestthatspaketome!

InowrepentItoldthepursuivant,

Astootriumphing,howmineenemies

To-dayatPomfretbloodilywerebutcher'd,

AndImyselfsecureingraceandfavour.

OMargaret,Margaret,nowthyheavycurse

IslightedonpoorHastings'wretchedhead!

RATCLIFF.Come,come,dispatch;theDukewouldbeat

dinner.

Makeashortshrift;helongstoseeyourhead.

HASTINGS.Omomentarygraceofmortalmen,

WhichwemorehuntforthanthegraceofGod!

Whobuildshishopeinairofyourgoodlooks

Liveslikeadrunkensailoronamast,

Readywitheverynodtotumbledown

Intothefatalbowelsofthedeep.

LOVEL.Come,come,dispatch;'tisbootlesstoexclaim.

HASTINGS.ObloodyRichard!MiserableEngland!

Iprophesythefearfull'sttimetothee

Thateverwretchedagehathlook'dupon.

Come,leadmetotheblock;bearhimmyhead.

Theysmileatmewhoshortlyshallbedead.

Exeunt

SCENEV.

London.TheTower-walls

Enter GLOUCESTER and BUCKINGHAM in rotten armour,marvellousill-favoured

GLOUCESTER.Come,cousin,canstthouquakeandchange

thycolour,

Murderthybreathinmiddleofaword,

Andthenagainbegin,andstopagain,

Asifthouweredistraughtandmadwithterror?

BUCKINGHAM.Tut,Icancounterfeitthedeeptragedian;

Speakandlookback,andpryoneveryside,

Trembleandstartatwaggingofastraw,

Intendingdeepsuspicion.Ghastlylooks

Areatmyservice,likeenforcedsmiles;

Andbotharereadyintheiroffices

Atanytimetogracemystratagems.

Butwhat,isCatesbygone?

GLOUCESTER.Heis;and,see,hebringsthemayoralong.

EntertheLORDMAYORandCATESBY

BUCKINGHAM.LordMayor-

GLOUCESTER.Looktothedrawbridgethere!

BUCKINGHAM.Hark!adrum.

GLOUCESTER.Catesby,o'erlookthewalls.

BUCKINGHAM.LordMayor,thereasonwehavesent-

GLOUCESTER.Lookback,defendthee;hereareenemies.

BUCKINGHAM.Godandourinnocencedefendandguardus!

EnterLOVELandRATCLIFF,withHASTINGS'head

GLOUCESTER.Bepatient;theyarefriends-RatcliffandLovel.

LOVEL.Hereistheheadofthatignobletraitor,

ThedangerousandunsuspectedHastings.

GLOUCESTER.SodearIlov'dthemanthatImustweep.

Itookhimfortheplainestharmlesscreature

Thatbreath'dupontheearthaChristian;

Madehimmybook,whereinmysoulrecorded

Thehistoryofallhersecretthoughts.

Sosmoothhedaub'dhisvicewithshowofvirtue

That,hisapparentopenguiltomitted,

ImeanhisconversationwithShore'swife-

Heliv'dfromallattainderofsuspects.

BUCKINGHAM.Well,well,hewasthecovert'stshelt'red

traitor

Thateverliv'd.

Wouldyouimagine,oralmostbelieve-

Were'tnotthatbygreatpreservation

Welivetotellit-thatthesubtletraitor

Thisdayhadplotted,inthecouncil-house,

TomurdermeandmygoodLordofGloucester.

MAYOR.Hadhedoneso?

GLOUCESTER.What!thinkyouweareTurksorInfidels?

Orthatwewould,againsttheformoflaw,

Proceedthusrashlyinthevillain'sdeath

Butthattheextremeperilofthecase,

ThepeaceofEnglandandourpersons'safety,

Enforc'dustothisexecution?

MAYOR.Now,fairbefallyou!Hedeserv'dhisdeath;

AndyourgoodGracesbothhavewellproceeded

Towarnfalsetraitorsfromthelikeattempts.

Ineverlook'dforbetterathishands

AfterheoncefellinwithMistressShore.

BUCKINGHAM.Yethadwenotdetermin'dheshoulddie

Untilyourlordshipcametoseehisend-

Whichnowthelovinghasteoftheseourfriends,

Somethingagainstourmeanings,haveprevented-

Because,mylord,Iwouldhavehadyouheard

Thetraitorspeak,andtimorouslyconfess

Themannerandthepurposeofhistreasons:

Thatyoumightwellhavesignifiedthesame

Untothecitizens,whohaplymay

Misconsterusinhimandwailhisdeath.

MAYOR.But,mygoodlord,yourGrace'swordsshallserve

AswellasIhadseenandheardhimspeak;

Anddonotdoubt,rightnoblePrincesboth,

ButI'llacquaintourduteouscitizens

Withallyourjustproceedingsinthiscause.

GLOUCESTER.Andtothatendwewish'dyourlordshiphere,

T'avoidthethethecensuresofthecarpingworld.

BUCKINGHAM.Whichsinceyoucometoolateofourintent,

Yetwitnesswhatyouhearwedidintend.

Andso,mygoodLordMayor,webidfarewell.

ExitLORDMAYOR

GLOUCESTER.Go,after,after,cousinBuckingham.

TheMayortowardsGuildhallhieshiminanpost.

There,atyourmeet'stadvantageofthetime,

InferthebastardyofEdward'schildren.

TellthemhowEdwardputtodeathacitizen

Onlyforsayinghewouldmakehisson

Heirtothecrown-meaningindeedhishouse,

Whichbythesignthereofwastermedso.

Moreover,urgehishatefulluxury

Andbestialappetiteinchangeoflust,

Whichstretch'duntotheirservants,daughters,wives,

Evenwherehisragingeyeorsavageheart

Withoutcontrollustedtomakeaprey.

Nay,foraneed,thusfarcomenearmyperson:

Tellthem,whenthatmymotherwentwithchild

OfthatinsatiateEdward,nobleYork

MyprincelyfatherthenhadwarsinFrance

And,bytruecomputationofthetime,

Foundthattheissuewasnothisbegot;

Whichwellappearedinhislineaments,

BeingnothinglikethenobleDukemyfather.

Yettouchthissparingly,as'twerefaroff;

Because,mylord,youknowmymotherlives.

BUCKINGHAM.Doubtnot,mylord,I'llplaytheorator

AsifthegoldenfeeforwhichIplead

Wereformyself;andso,mylord,adieu.

GLOUCESTER.Ifyouthrivewell,bringthemtoBaynard's

Castle;

Whereyoushallfindmewellaccompanied

Withreverendfathersandwelllearnedbishops.

BUCKINGHAM.Igo;andtowardsthreeorfouro'clock

LookforthenewsthattheGuildhallaffords.

Exit

GLOUCESTER.Go,Lovel,withallspeedtoDoctorShaw.

[ToCATESBY]GothoutoFriarPenker.Bidthemboth

MeetmewithinthishouratBaynard'sCastle.

ExeuntallbutGLOUCESTER

NowwillIgototakesomeprivyorder

TodrawthebratsofClarenceoutofsight,

Andtogiveorderthatnomannerperson

HaveanytimerecourseuntothePrinces.

Exit

SCENEVI.

London.Astreet

EnteraSCRIVENER

SCRIVENER.HereistheindictmentofthegoodLordHastings;

Whichinasethandfairlyisengross'd

Thatitmaybeto-dayreado'erinPaul's.

Andmarkhowwellthesequelhangstogether:

ElevenhoursIhavespenttowriteitover,

ForyesternightbyCatesbywasitsentme;

Theprecedentwasfullaslonga-doing;

AndyetwithinthesefivehoursHastingsliv'd,

Untainted,unexamin'd,free,atliberty.

Here'sagoodworldthewhile!Whoissogros

Thatcannotseethispalpabledevice?

Yetwho'ssoboldbutsaysheseesitnot?

Badistheworld;andallwillcometonought,

Whensuchilldealingmustbeseeninthought.

Exit

SCENEVII.

London.Baynard'sCastle

EnterGLOUCESTERandBUCKINGHAM,atseveraldoors

GLOUCESTER.Hownow,hownow!Whatsaythecitizens?

BUCKINGHAM.Now,bytheholyMotherofourLord,

Thecitizensaremum,saynotaword.

GLOUCESTER.Touch'dyouthebastardyofEdward's

children?

BUCKINGHAM.Idid;withhiscontractwithLadyLucy,

AndhiscontractbydeputyinFrance;

Th'insatiategreedinessofhisdesire,

Andhisenforcementofthecitywives;

Histyrannyfortrifles;hisownbastardy,

Asbeinggot,yourfathertheninFrance,

Andhisresemblance,beingnotliketheDuke.

WithalIdidinferyourlineaments,

Beingtherightideaofyourfather,

Bothinyourformandnoblenessofmind;

LaidopenallyourvictoriesinScotland,

Yourdisciplineinwar,wisdominpeace,

Yourbounty,virtue,fairhumility;

Indeed,leftnothingfittingforyourpurpose

Untouch'dorslightlyhandledindiscourse.

Andwhenmineoratorydrewtowardend

Ibidthemthatdidlovetheircountry'sgood

Cry'GodsaveRichard,England'sroyalKing!'

GLOUCESTER.Anddidtheyso?

BUCKINGHAM.No,soGodhelpme,theyspakenotaword;

But,likedumbstatuesorbreathingstones,

Star'deachonother,andlook'ddeadlypale.

WhichwhenIsaw,Ireprehendedthem,

Andask'dtheMayorwhatmeantthiswilfullsilence.

Hisanswerwas,thepeoplewerenotused

TobespoketobutbytheRecorder.

Thenhewasurg'dtotellmytaleagain.

'ThussaiththeDuke,thushaththeDukeinferr'd'-

Butnothingspokeinwarrantfromhimself.

Whenhehaddone,somefollowersofmineown

Atlowerendofthehallhurl'duptheircaps,

Andsometenvoicescried'GodsaveKingRichard!'

AndthusItookthevantageofthosefew-

'Thanks,gentlecitizensandfriends,'quothI

'Thisgeneralapplauseandcheerfulshout

ArguesyourwisdomsandyourlovetoRichard.'

Andevenherebrakeoffandcameaway.

GLOUCESTER.What,tonguelessblockswerethey?Would

theynotspeak?

WillnottheMayorthenandhisbrethrencome?

BUCKINGHAM.TheMayorishereathand.Intendsomefear;

Benotyouspokewithbutbymightysuit;

Andlookyougetaprayer-bookinyourhand,

Andstandbetweentwochurchmen,goodmylord;

ForonthatgroundI'llmakeaholydescant;

Andbenoteasilywontoourrequests.

Playthemaid'spart:stillanswernay,andtakeit.

GLOUCESTER.Igo;andifyoupleadaswellforthem

AsIcansaynaytotheeformyself,

Nodoubtwebringittoahappyissue.

BUCKINGHAM.Go,go,uptotheleads;theLordMayor

knocks.

ExitGLOUCESTER

EntertheLORDMAYOR,ALDERMEN,andcitizens

Welcome,mylord.Idanceattendancehere;

IthinktheDukewillnotbespokewithal.

EnterCATESBY

Now,Catesby,whatsaysyourlordtomyrequest?

CATESBY.HedothentreatyourGrace,mynoblelord,

Tovisithimto-morrowornextday.

Heiswithin,withtworightreverendfathers,

Divinelybenttomeditation;

Andinnoworldlysuitswouldhebemov'd,

Todrawhimfromhisholyexercise.

BUCKINGHAM.Return,goodCatesby,tothegraciousDuke;

Tellhim,myself,theMayorandAldermen,

Indeepdesigns,inmatterofgreatmoment,

Nolessimportingthanourgeneralgood,

ArecometohavesomeconferencewithhisGrace.

CATESBY.I'llsignifysomuchuntohimstraight.

Exit

BUCKINGHAM.Ahha,mylord,thisprinceisnotanEdward!

Heisnotlollingonalewdlove-bed,

Butonhiskneesatmeditation;

Notdallyingwithabraceofcourtezans,

Butmeditatingwithtwodeepdivines;

Notsleeping,toengrosshisidlebody,

Butpraying,toenrichhiswatchfulsoul.

HappywereEnglandwouldthisvirtuousprince

TakeonhisGracethesovereigntythereof;

But,sure,Ifearweshallnotwinhimtoit.

MAYOR.Marry,GoddefendhisGraceshouldsayusnay!

BUCKINGHAM.Ifearhewill.HereCatesbycomesagain.

Re-enterCATESBY

Now,Catesby,whatsayshisGrace?

CATESBY.Mylord,

Hewonderstowhatendyouhaveassembled

Suchtroopsofcitizenstocometohim.

HisGracenotbeingwarn'dthereofbefore,

Hefears,mylord,youmeannogoodtohim.

BUCKINGHAM.SorryIammynoblecousinshould

SuspectmethatImeannogoodtohim.

Byheaven,wecometohiminperfectlove;

AndsooncemorereturnandtellhisGrace.

ExitCATESBY

Whenholyanddevoutreligiousmen

Areattheirbeads,'tismuchtodrawthemthence,

Sosweetiszealouscontemplation.

EnterGLOUCESTERaloft,betweentwoBISHOPS.

CATESBYreturns

MAYOR.SeewherehisGracestands'tweentwoclergymen!

BUCKINGHAM.TwopropsofvirtueforaChristianprince,

Tostayhimfromthefallofvanity;

And,see,abookofprayerinhishand,

Trueornamentstoknowaholyman.

FamousPlantagenet,mostgraciousPrince,

Lendfavourableeartoourrequests,

Andpardonustheinterruption

OfthydevotionandrightChristianzeal.

GLOUCESTER.Mylord,thereneedsnosuchapology:

IdobeseechyourGracetopardonme,

Who,earnestintheserviceofmyGod,

Deferr'dthevisitationofmyfriends.

But,leavingthis,whatisyourGrace'spleasure?

BUCKINGHAM.Eventhat,Ihope,whichpleasethGodabove,

Andallgoodmenofthisungovern'disle.

GLOUCESTER.IdosuspectIhavedonesomeoffence

Thatseemsdisgraciousinthecity'seye,

Andthatyoucometoreprehendmyignorance.

BUCKINGHAM.Youhave,mylord.Woulditmightplease

yourGrace,

Onourentreaties,toamendyourfault!

GLOUCESTER.ElsewhereforebreatheIinaChristianland?

BUCKINGHAM.Knowthen,itisyourfaultthatyouresign

Thesupremeseat,thethronemajestical,

Thescept'redofficeofyourancestors,

Yourstateoffortuneandyourdueofbirth,

Thelinealgloryofyourroyalhouse,

Tothecorruptionofablemish'dstock;

Whilesinthemildnessofyoursleepythoughts,

Whichherewewakentoourcountry'sgood,

Thenobleisledothwantherproperlimbs;

Herfacedefac'dwithscarsofinfamy,

Herroyalstockgraftwithignobleplants,

Andalmostshould'redintheswallowinggulf

Ofdarkforgetfulnessanddeepoblivion.

Whichtorecure,weheartilysolicit

Yourgraciousselftotakeonyouthecharge

Andkinglygovernmentofthisyourland-

Notasprotector,steward,substitute,

Orlowlyfactorforanother'sgain;

Butassuccessively,frombloodtoblood,

Yourrightofbirth,yourempery,yourown.

Forthis,consortedwiththecitizens,

Yourveryworshipfulandlovingfriends,

Andbytheirvehementinstigation,

InthisjustcausecomeItomoveyourGrace.

GLOUCESTER.Icannottelliftodepartinsilence

Orbitterlytospeakinyourreproof

Bestfittethmydegreeoryourcondition.

Ifnottoanswer,youmighthaplythink

Tongue-tiedambition,notreplying,yielded

Tobearthegoldenyokeofsovereignty,

Whichfondlyyouwouldhereimposeonme;

Iftoreproveyouforthissuitofyours,

Soseason'dwithyourfaithfullovetome,

Then,ontheotherside,Icheck'dmyfriends.

Therefore-tospeak,andtoavoidthefirst,

Andthen,inspeaking,nottoincurthelast-

DefinitivelythusIansweryou:

Yourlovedeservesmythanks,butmydesert

Unmeritableshunsyourhighrequest.

First,ifallobstacleswerecutaway,

Andthatmypathwereeventothecrown,

Astheriperevenueanddueofbirth,

Yetsomuchismypovertyofspirit,

Somightyandsomanymydefects,

ThatIwouldratherhidemefrommygreatness-

Beingabarktobrooknomightysea-

Thaninmygreatnesscovettobehid,

Andinthevapourofmyglorysmother'd.

But,Godbethank'd,thereisnoneedofme-

AndmuchIneedtohelpyou,werethereneed.

Theroyaltreehathleftusroyalfruit

Which,mellow'dbythestealinghoursoftime,

Willwellbecometheseatofmajesty

Andmake,nodoubt,ushappybyhisreign.

OnhimIlaythatyouwouldlayonme-

Therightandfortuneofhishappystars,

WhichGoddefendthatIshouldwringfromhim.

BUCKINGHAM.Mylord,thisarguesconscienceinyour

Grace;

Buttherespectsthereofareniceandtrivial,

Allcircumstanceswellconsidered.

YousaythatEdwardisyourbrother'sson.

Sosaywetoo,butnotbyEdward'swife;

ForfirstwashecontracttoLadyLucy-

Yourmotherlivesawitnesstohisvow-

Andafterwardbysubstitutebetroth'd

ToBona,sistertotheKingofFrance.

Thesebothputoff,apoorpetitioner,

Acare-craz'dmothertoamanysons,

Abeauty-waninganddistressedwidow,

Evenintheafternoonofherbestdays,

Madeprizeandpurchaseofhiswantoneye,

Seduc'dthepitchandheightofhisdegree

Tobasedeclensionandloath'dbigamy.

Byher,inhisunlawfulbed,hegot

ThisEdward,whomourmannerscallthePrince.

MorebitterlycouldIexpostulate,

Savethat,forreverencetosomealive,

Igiveasparinglimittomytongue.

Then,goodmylord,taketoyourroyalself

Thisproffer'dbenefitofdignity;

Ifnottoblessusandthelandwithal,

Yettodrawforthyournobleancestry

Fromthecorruptionofabusingtimes

Untoalinealtrue-derivedcourse.

MAYOR.Do,goodmylord;yourcitizensentreatyou.

BUCKINGHAM.Refusenot,mightylord,thisproffer'dlove.

CATESBY.O,makethemjoyful,granttheirlawfulsuit!

GLOUCESTER.Alas,whywouldyouheapthiscareonme?

Iamunfitforstateandmajesty.

Idobeseechyou,takeitnotamiss:

IcannotnorIwillnotyieldtoyou.

BUCKINGHAM.Ifyourefuseit-as,inloveandzeal,

Loathtodeposethechild,yourbrother'sson;

Aswellweknowyourtendernessofheart

Andgentle,kind,effeminateremorse,

Whichwehavenotedinyoutoyourkindred

Andegallyindeedtoallestates-

Yetknow,whe'eryouacceptoursuitorno,

Yourbrother'ssonshallneverreignourking;

Butwewillplantsomeotherinthethrone

Tothedisgraceanddownfallofyourhouse;

Andinthisresolutionhereweleaveyou.

Come,citizens.Zounds,I'llentreatnomore.

GLOUCESTER.O,donotswear,mylordofBuckingham.

ExeuntBUCKINGHAM,MAYOR,andcitizens

CATESBY.Callhimagain,sweetPrince,accepttheirsuit.

Ifyoudenythem,allthelandwillrueit.

GLOUCESTER.Willyouenforcemetoaworldofcares?

Callthemagain.Iamnotmadeofstones,

Butpenetrabletoyourkindentreaties,

Albeitagainstmyconscienceandmysoul.

Re-enterBUCKINGHAMandtherest

CousinofBuckingham,andsagegravemen,

Sinceyouwillbucklefortuneonmyback,

Tobearherburden,whe'erIwillorno,

Imusthavepatiencetoenduretheload;

Butifblackscandalorfoul-fac'dreproach

Attendthesequelofyourimposition,

Yourmereenforcementshallacquittanceme

Fromalltheimpureblotsandstainsthereof;

ForGoddothknow,andyoumaypartlysee,

HowfarIamfromthedesireofthis.

MAYOR.GodblessyourGrace!Weseeit,andwillsayit.

GLOUCESTER.Insayingso,youshallbutsaythetruth.

BUCKINGHAM.ThenIsaluteyouwiththisroyaltitle-

LongliveKingRichard,England'sworthyKing!

ALL.Amen.

BUCKINGHAM.To-morrowmayitpleaseyoutobecrown'd?

GLOUCESTER.Evenwhenyouplease,foryouwillhaveitso.

BUCKINGHAM.To-morrow,then,wewillattendyourGrace;

Andso,mostjoyfully,wetakeourleave.

GLOUCESTER.[TotheBISHOPS]Come,letustoourholy

workagain.

Farewell,mycousin;farewell,gentlefriends.

Exeunt

ACTIV.

SCENEI.

London.BeforetheTower

EnterQUEENELIZABETH,DUCHESSofYORK,andMARQUISofDORSET,at

onedoor;

ANNE, DUCHESS of GLOUCESTER, leading LADY MARGARETPLANTAGENET,

CLARENCE'syoungdaughter,atanotherdoor

DUCHESS.Whomeetsushere?MyniecePlantagenet,

LedinthehandofherkindauntofGloucester?

Now,formylife,she'swand'ringtotheTower,

Onpureheart'slove,togreetthetenderPrinces.

Daughter,wellmet.

ANNE.GodgiveyourGracesboth

Ahappyandajoyfultimeofday!

QUEENELIZABETH.Asmuchtoyou,goodsister!Whither

away?

ANNE.NofartherthantheTower;and,asIguess,

Uponthelikedevotionasyourselves,

TogratulatethegentlePrincesthere.

QUEENELIZABETH.Kindsister,thanks;we'llenter

alltogether.

EnterBRAKENBURY

Andingoodtime,herethelieutenantcomes.

MasterLieutenant,prayyou,byyourleave,

HowdoththePrince,andmyyoungsonofYork?

BRAKENBURY.Rightwell,dearmadam.Byyourpatience,

Imaynotsufferyoutovisitthem.

TheKinghathstrictlycharg'dthecontrary.

QUEENELIZABETH.TheKing!Who'sthat?

BRAKENBURY.ImeantheLordProtector.

QUEENELIZABETH.TheLordprotecthimfromthatkingly

title!

Hathhesetboundsbetweentheirloveandme?

Iamtheirmother;whoshallbarmefromthem?

DUCHESS.Iamtheirfather'smother;Iwillseethem.

ANNE.TheirauntIaminlaw,inlovetheirmother.

Thenbringmetotheirsights;I'llbearthyblame,

Andtakethyofficefromtheeonmyperil.

BRAKENBURY.No,madam,no.Imaynotleaveitso;

Iamboundbyoath,andthereforepardonme.

Exit

EnterSTANLEY

STANLEY.Letmebutmeetyou,ladies,onehourhence,

AndI'llsaluteyourGraceofYorkasmother

Andreverendlooker-onoftwofairqueens.

[ToANNE]Come,madam,youmuststraightto

Westminster,

TheretobecrownedRichard'sroyalqueen.

QUEENELIZABETH.Ah,cutmylaceasunder

Thatmypentheartmayhavesomescopetobeat,

OrelseIswoonwiththisdead-killingnews!

ANNE.Despitefultidings!Ounpleasingnews!

DORSET.Beofgoodcheer;mother,howfaresyourGrace?

QUEENELIZABETH.ODorset,speaknottome,getthee

gone!

Deathanddestructiondogstheeatthyheels;

Thymother'snameisominoustochildren.

Ifthouwiltoutstripdeath,gocrosstheseas,

AndlivewithRichmond,fromthereachofhell.

Go,hiethee,hietheefromthisslaughter-house,

Lestthouincreasethenumberofthedead,

AndmakemediethethrallofMargaret'scurse,

Normother,wife,norEngland'scountedqueen.

STANLEY.Fullofwisecareisthisyourcounsel,madam.

Takealltheswiftadvantageofthehours;

Youshallhavelettersfrommetomyson

Inyourbehalf,tomeetyouontheway.

Benotta'entardybyunwisedelay.

DUCHESS.Oill-dispersingwindofmisery!

Omyaccursedwomb,thebedofdeath!

Acockatricehastthouhatch'dtotheworld,

Whoseunavoidedeyeismurderous.

STANLEY.Come,madam,come;Iinallhastewassent.

ANNE.AndIwithallunwillingnesswillgo.

O,wouldtoGodthattheinclusiveverge

Ofgoldenmetalthatmustroundmybrow

Werered-hotsteel,tosearmetothebrains!

Anointedletmebewithdeadlyvenom,

Anddieeremencansay'GodsavetheQueen!'

QUEENELIZABETH.Go,go,poorsoul;Ienvynotthyglory.

Tofeedmyhumour,wishthyselfnoharm.

ANNE.No,why?Whenhethatismyhusbandnow

Cametome,asIfollow'dHenry'scorse;

Whenscarcethebloodwaswellwash'dfromhishands

Whichissuedfrommyotherangelhusband,

AndthatdearsaintwhichthenIweepingfollow'd-

O,when,Isay,Ilook'donRichard'sface,

Thiswasmywish:'Bethou'quothI'accurs'd

Formakingme,soyoung,sooldawidow;

Andwhenthouwed'st,letsorrowhauntthybed;

Andbethywife,ifanybesomad,

Moremiserablebythelifeofthee

Thanthouhastmademebymydearlord'sdeath.'

Lo,ereIcanrepeatthiscurseagain,

Withinsosmallatime,mywoman'sheart

Grosslygrewcaptivetohishoneywords

Andprov'dthesubjectofmineownsoul'scurse,

Whichhithertohathheldmyeyesfromrest;

Forneveryetonehourinhisbed

DidIenjoythegoldendewofsleep,

Butwithhistimorousdreamswasstillawak'd.

Besides,hehatesmeformyfatherWarwick;

Andwill,nodoubt,shortlyberidofme.

QUEENELIZABETH.Poorheart,adieu!Ipitythycomplaining.

ANNE.NomorethanwithmysoulImournforyours.

DORSET.Farewell,thouwoefulwelcomerofglory!

ANNE.Adieu,poorsoul,thattak'stthyleaveofit!

DUCHESS.[ToDORSET]GothoutoRichmond,andgood

fortuneguidethee!

[ToANNE]GothoutoRichard,andgoodangelstend

thee![ToQUEENELIZABETH]Gothoutosanctuary,andgood

thoughtspossessthee!

Itomygrave,wherepeaceandrestliewithme!

EightyoddyearsofsorrowhaveIseen,

Andeachhour'sjoywreck'dwithaweekofteen.

QUEENELIZABETH.Stay,yetlookbackwithmeuntothe

Tower.

Pity,youancientstones,thosetenderbabes

Whomenvyhathimmur'dwithinyourwalls,

Roughcradleforsuchlittleprettyones.

Ruderaggednurse,oldsullenplayfellow

Fortenderprinces,usemybabieswell.

Sofoolishsorrowsbidsyourstonesfarewell.

Exeunt

SCENEII.

London.Thepalace

Soundasennet.

EnterRICHARD,inpomp,asKING;BUCKINGHAM,

CATESBY,

RATCLIFF,LOVEL,aPAGE,andothers

KINGRICHARD.Standallapart.CousinofBuckingham!

BUCKINGHAM.Mygracioussovereign?

KINGRICHARD.Givemethyhand.

[Hereheascendeththethrone.Sound]

Thushigh,bythyadvice

Andthyassistance,isKingRichardseated.

Butshallwewearthesegloriesforaday;

Orshalltheylast,andwerejoiceinthem?

BUCKINGHAM.Stilllivethey,andforeverletthemlast!

KINGRICHARD.Ah,Buckingham,nowdoIplaythetouch,

Totryifthoubecurrentgoldindeed.

YoungEdwardlives-thinknowwhatIwouldspeak.

BUCKINGHAM.Sayon,mylovinglord.

KINGRICHARD.Why,Buckingham,IsayIwouldbeKing.

BUCKINGHAM.Why,soyouare,mythrice-renownedlord.

KINGRICHARD.Ha!amIKing?'Tisso;butEdwardlives.

BUCKINGHAM.True,noblePrince.

KINGRICHARD.Obitterconsequence:

ThatEdwardstillshouldlive-truenoblePrince!

Cousin,thouwastnotwonttobesodull.

ShallIbeplain?Iwishthebastardsdead.

AndIwouldhaveitsuddenlyperform'd.

Whatsay'stthounow?Speaksuddenly,bebrief.

BUCKINGHAM.YourGracemaydoyourpleasure.

KINGRICHARD.Tut,tut,thouartallice;thykindnessfreezes.

Say,haveIthyconsentthattheyshalldie?

BUCKINGHAM.Givemesomelittlebreath,somepause,

dearLord,

BeforeIpositivelyspeakinthis.

Iwillresolveyouhereinpresently.

Exit

CATESBY.[Asidetoanother]TheKingisangry;see,he

gnawshislip.

KINGRICHARD.Iwillconversewithiron-wittedfools

[Descendsfromthethrone]

Andunrespectiveboys;noneareforme

Thatlookintomewithconsiderateeyes.

High-reachingBuckinghamgrowscircumspect.

Boy!

PAGE.Mylord?

KINGRICHARD.Know'stthounotanywhomcorrupting

gold

Willtemptuntoacloseexploitofdeath?

PAGE.Iknowadiscontentedgentleman

Whosehumblemeansmatchnothishaughtyspirit.

Goldwereasgoodastwentyorators,

Andwill,nodoubt,tempthimtoanything.

KINGRICHARD.Whatishisname?

PAGE.Hisname,mylord,isTyrrel.

KINGRICHARD.Ipartlyknowtheman.Go,callhimhither,

boy.

ExitPAGE

Thedeep-revolvingwittyBuckingham

Nomoreshallbetheneighbourtomycounsels.

Hathhesolongheldoutwithme,untir'd,

Andstopshenowforbreath?Well,beitso.

EnterSTANLEY

Hownow,LordStanley!What'sthenews?

STANLEY.Know,mylovinglord,

TheMarquisDorset,asIhear,isfled

ToRichmond,inthepartswhereheabides.[Standsapart]

KINGRICHARD.Comehither,Catesby.Rumouritabroad

ThatAnne,mywife,isverygrievoussick;

Iwilltakeorderforherkeepingclose.

Inquiremeoutsomemeanpoorgentleman,

WhomIwillmarrystraighttoClarence'daughter-

Theboyisfoolish,andIfearnothim.

Lookhowthoudream'st!Isayagain,giveout

ThatAnne,myqueen,issickandliketodie.

Aboutit;foritstandsmemuchupon

Tostopallhopeswhosegrowthmaydamageme.

ExitCATESBY

Imustbemarriedtomybrother'sdaughter,

Orelsemykingdomstandsonbrittleglass.

Murderherbrothers,andthenmarryher!

Uncertainwayofgain!ButIamin

Sofarinbloodthatsinwillpluckonsin.

Tear-fallingpitydwellsnotinthiseye.

Re-enterPAGE,withTYRREL

IsthynameTyrrel?

TYRREL.JamesTyrrel,andyourmostobedientsubject.

KINGRICHARD.Artthou,indeed?

TYRREL.Proveme,mygraciouslord.

KINGRICHARD.Dar'st'thouresolvetokillafriendofmine?

TYRREL.Pleaseyou;

ButIhadratherkilltwoenemies.

KINGRICHARD.Why,thenthouhastit.Twodeepenemies,

Foestomyrest,andmysweetsleep'sdisturbers,

AretheythatIwouldhavetheedealupon.

TYRREL,ImeanthosebastardsintheTower.

TYRREL.Letmehaveopenmeanstocometothem,

AndsoonI'llridyoufromthefearofthem.

KINGRICHARD.Thousing'stsweetmusic.Hark,come

hither,Tyrrel.

Go,bythistoken.Rise,andlendthineear.[Whispers]

Thereisnomorebutso:sayitisdone,

AndIwilllovetheeandprefertheeforit.

TYRREL.Iwilldispatchitstraight.

Exit

Re-enterBUCKINGHAM

BUCKINGHAM.Mylord,Ihaveconsider'dinmymind

Thelaterequestthatyoudidsoundmein.

KINGRICHARD.Well,letthatrest.Dorsetisfledto

Richmond.

BUCKINGHAM.Ihearthenews,mylord.

KINGRICHARD.Stanley,heisyourwife'sson:well,look

untoit.

BUCKINGHAM.Mylord,Iclaimthegift,myduebypromise,

Forwhichyourhonourandyourfaithispawn'd:

Th'earldomofHerefordandthemovables

WhichyouhavepromisedIshallpossess.

KINGRICHARD.Stanley,looktoyourwife;ifsheconvey

LetterstoRichmond,youshallanswerit.

BUCKINGHAM.WhatsaysyourHighnesstomyjustrequest?

KINGRICHARD.Idorememberme:HenrytheSixth

DidprophesythatRichmondshouldbeKing,

WhenRichmondwasalittlepeevishboy.

Aking!-perhaps-

BUCKINGHAM.Mylord-

KINGRICHARD.Howchancetheprophetcouldnotatthat

time

Havetoldme,Ibeingby,thatIshouldkillhim?

BUCKINGHAM.Mylord,yourpromisefortheearldom-

KINGRICHARD.Richmond!WhenlastIwasatExeter,

Themayorincourtesyshow'dmethecastle

Andcall'ditRugemount,atwhichnameIstarted,

BecauseabardofIrelandtoldmeonce

IshouldnotlivelongafterIsawRichmond.

BUCKINGHAM.Mylord-

KINGRICHARD.Ay,what'so'clock?

BUCKINGHAM.IamthusboldtoputyourGraceinmind

Ofwhatyoupromis'dme.

KINGRICHARD.Well,buto'clock?

BUCKINGHAM.Uponthestrokeoften.

KINGRICHARD.Well,letitstrike.

BUCKINGHAM.Whyletitstrike?

KINGRICHARD.BecausethatlikeaJackthoukeep'stthe

stroke

Betwixtthybeggingandmymeditation.

Iamnotinthegivingveinto-day.

BUCKINGHAM.Mayitpleaseyoutoresolvemeinmysuit.

KINGRICHARD.Thoutroublestme;Iamnotinthevein.

ExeuntallbutBuckingham

BUCKINGHAM.Andisitthus?Repayshemydeepservice

Withsuchcontempt?MadeIhimKingforthis?

O,letmethinkonHastings,andbegone

ToBrecknockwhilemyfearfulheadison!

Exit

SCENEIII.

London.Thepalace

EnterTYRREL

TYRREL.Thetyrannousandbloodyactisdone,

Themostarchdeedofpiteousmassacre

Thateveryetthislandwasguiltyof.

DightonandForrest,whoIdidsuborn

Todothispieceofruthlessbutchery,

Albeittheywereflesh'dvillains,bloodydogs,

Meltedwithtendernessandmildcompassion,

Weptliketwochildrenintheirdeaths'sadstory.

'O,thus'quothDighton'laythegentlebabes'-

'Thus,thus,'quothForrest'girdlingoneanother

Withintheiralabasterinnocentarms.

Theirlipswerefourredrosesonastalk,

Andintheirsummerbeautykiss'deachother.

Abookofprayersontheirpillowlay;

Whichonce,'quothForrest'almostchang'dmymind;

But,O,thedevil'-therethevillainstopp'd;

WhenDightonthustoldon:'Wesmothered

Themostreplenishedsweetworkofnature

Thatfromtheprimecreatione'ersheframed.'

Hencebotharegonewithconscienceandremorse

Theycouldnotspeak;andsoIleftthemboth,

TobearthistidingstothebloodyKing.

EnterKINGRICHARD

Andherehecomes.Allhealth,mysovereignlord!

KINGRICHARD.KindTyrrel,amIhappyinthynews?

TYRREL.Iftohavedonethethingyougaveincharge

Begetyourhappiness,behappythen,

Foritisdone.

KINGRICHARD.Butdidstthouseethemdead?

TYRREL.Idid,mylord.

KINGRICHARD.Andburied,gentleTyrrel?

TYRREL.ThechaplainoftheTowerhathburiedthem;

Butwhere,tosaythetruth,Idonotknow.

KINGRICHARD.Cometome,Tyrrel,soonataftersupper,

Whenthoushalttelltheprocessoftheirdeath.

Meantime,butthinkhowImaydotheegood

Andbeinheritorofthydesire.

Farewelltillthen.

TYRREL.Ihumblytakemyleave.

Exit

KINGRICHARD.ThesonofClarencehaveIpentupclose;

HisdaughtermeanlyhaveImatch'dinmarriage;

ThesonsofEdwardsleepinAbraham'sbosom,

AndAnnemywifehathbidthisworldgoodnight.

Now,forIknowtheBritaineRichmondaims

AtyoungElizabeth,mybrother'sdaughter,

Andbythatknotlooksproudlyonthecrown,

TohergoI,ajollythrivingwooer.

EnterRATCLIFF

RATCLIFF.Mylord!

KINGRICHARD.Goodorbadnews,thatthoucom'stinso

bluntly?

RATCLIFF.Badnews,mylord:MortonisfledtoRichmond;

AndBuckingham,back'dwiththehardyWelshmen,

Isinthefield,andstillhispowerincreaseth.

KINGRICHARD.ElywithRichmondtroublesmemorenear

ThanBuckinghamandhisrash-leviedstrength.

Come,Ihavelearn'dthatfearfulcommenting

Isleadenservitortodulldelay;

Delayleadsimpotentandsnail-pac'dbeggary.

Thenfieryexpeditionbemywing,

Jove'sMercury,andheraldforaking!

Go,mustermen.Mycounselismyshield.

Wemustbebriefwhentraitorsbravethefield.

Exeunt

SCENEIV.

London.Beforethepalace

EnteroldQUEENMARGARET

QUEENMARGARET.Sonowprosperitybeginstomellow

Anddropintotherottenmouthofdeath.

HereintheseconfinesslilyhaveIlurk'd

Towatchthewaningofmineenemies.

AdireinductionamIwitnessto,

AndwilltoFrance,hopingtheconsequence

Willproveasbitter,black,andtragical.

Withdrawthee,wretchedMargaret.Whocomeshere?

[Retires]

EnterQUEENELIZABETHandtheDUCHESSOFYORK

QUEENELIZABETH.Ah,mypoorprinces!ah,mytender

babes!

Myunblownflowers,new-appearingsweets!

Ifyetyourgentlesoulsflyintheair

Andbenotfix'dindoomperpetual,

Hoveraboutmewithyourairywings

Andhearyourmother'slamentation.

QUEENMARGARET.Hoverabouther;saythatrightforright

Hathdimm'dyourinfantmorntoagednight.

DUCHESS.Somanymiserieshavecraz'dmyvoice

Thatmywoe-weariedtongueisstillandmute.

EdwardPlantagenet,whyartthoudead?

QUEENMARGARET.PlantagenetdothquitPlantagenet,

EdwardforEdwardpaysadyingdebt.

QUEENELIZABETH.Wiltthou,OGod,flyfromsuchgentle

lambs

Andthrowthemintheentrailsofthewolf?

Whendidstthousleepwhensuchadeedwasdone?

QUEENMARGARET.WhenholyHarrydied,andmysweet

son.

DUCHESS.Deadlife,blindsight,poormortallivingghost,

Woe'sscene,world'sshame,grave'sduebylifeusurp'd,

Briefabstractandrecordoftediousdays,

RestthyunrestonEngland'slawfulearth,[Sittingdown]

Unlawfullymadedrunkwithinnocentblood.

QUEENELIZABETH.Ah,thatthouwouldstassoonafforda

grave

Asthoucanstyieldamelancholyseat!

ThenwouldIhidemybones,notrestthemhere.

Ah,whohathanycausetomournbutwe?

[Sittingdownbyher]

QUEENMARGARET.[Comingforward]Ifancientsorrowbe

mostreverend,

Giveminethebenefitofseniory,

Andletmygriefsfrownontheupperhand.

Ifsorrowcanadmitsociety,[Sittingdownwiththem]

Tello'eryourwoesagainbyviewingmine.

IhadanEdward,tillaRichardkill'dhim;

Ihadahusband,tillaRichardkill'dhim:

ThouhadstanEdward,tillaRichardkill'dhim;

ThouhadstaRichard,tillaRichardkill'dhim.

DUCHESS.IhadaRichardtoo,andthoudidstkillhim;

IhadaRutlandtoo,thouholp'sttokillhim.

QUEENMARGARET.ThouhadstaClarencetoo,andRichard

kill'dhim.

Fromforththekennelofthywombhathcrept

Ahell-houndthatdothhuntusalltodeath.

Thatdog,thathadhisteethbeforehiseyes

Toworrylambsandlaptheirgentleblood,

ThatfouldefacerofGod'shandiwork,

Thatexcellentgrandtyrantoftheearth

Thatreignsingalledeyesofweepingsouls,

Thywombletloosetochaseustoourgraves.

Oupright,just,andtrue-disposingGod,

HowdoIthanktheethatthiscarnalcur

Preysontheissueofhismother'sbody

Andmakesherpew-fellowwithothers'moan!

DUCHESS.OHarry'swife,triumphnotinmywoes!

Godwitnesswithme,Ihaveweptforthine.

QUEENMARGARET.Bearwithme;Iamhungryforrevenge,

AndnowIcloymewithbeholdingit.

ThyEdwardheisdead,thatkill'dmyEdward;

TheotherEdwarddead,toquitmyEdward;

YoungYorkheisbutboot,becauseboththey

Match'dnotthehighperfectionofmyloss.

ThyClarenceheisdeadthatstabb'dmyEdward;

Andthebeholdersofthisfranticplay,

Th'adulterateHastings,Rivers,Vaughan,Grey,

Untimelysmother'dintheirduskygraves.

Richardyetlives,hell'sblackintelligencer;

Onlyreserv'dtheirfactortobuysouls

Andsendthemthither.Butathand,athand,

Ensueshispiteousandunpitiedend.

Earthgapes,hellburns,fiendsroar,saintspray,

Tohavehimsuddenlyconvey'dfromhence.

Cancelhisbondoflife,dearGod,Ipray,

ThatImayliveandsay'Thedogisdead.'

QUEENELIZABETH.O,thoudidstprophesythetimewould

come

ThatIshouldwishfortheetohelpmecurse

Thatbottledspider,thatfoulbunch-back'dtoad!

QUEENMARGARET.ICall'dtheethenvainflourishofmy

fortune;

Icall'dtheethenpoorshadow,paintedqueen,

ThepresentationofbutwhatIwas,

Theflatteringindexofadirefulpageant,

Oneheav'da-hightobehurl'ddownbelow,

Amotheronlymock'dwithtwofairbabes,

Adreamofwhatthouwast,agarishflag

Tobetheaimofeverydangerousshot,

Asignofdignity,abreath,abubble,

Aqueeninjest,onlytofillthescene.

Whereisthyhusbandnow?Wherebethybrothers?

Wherebethytwosons?Whereindostthoujoy?

Whosues,andkneels,andsays'GodsavetheQueen'?

Wherebethebendingpeersthatflatteredthee?

Wherebethethrongingtroopsthatfollowedthee?

Declineanthis,andseewhatnowthouart:

Forhappywife,amostdistressedwidow;

Forjoyfulmother,onethatwailsthename;

Foronebeingsu'dto,onethathumblysues;

ForQueen,averycaitiffcrown'dwithcare;

Forshethatscorn'datme,nowscorn'dofme;

Forshebeingfear'dofall,nowfearingone;

Forshecommandingall,obey'dofnone.

Thushaththecourseofjusticewhirl'dabout

Andlefttheebutaverypreytotime,

Havingnomorebutthoughtofwhatthouwast

Totorturetheethemore,beingwhatthouart.

Thoudidstusurpmyplace,anddostthounot

Usurpthejustproportionofmysorrow?

Nowthyproudneckbearshalfmyburden'dyoke,

FromwhichevenhereIslipmywearyhead

Andleavetheburdenofitallonthee.

Farewell,York'swife,andqueenofsadmischance;

TheseEnglishwoesshallmakemesmileinFrance.

QUEENELIZABETH.Othouwellskill'dincurses,stayawhile

Andteachmehowtocursemineenemies!

QUEENMARGARET.Forbeartosleepthenights,andfastthe

days;

Comparedeadhappinesswithlivingwoe;

Thinkthatthybabesweresweeterthantheywere,

Andhethatslewthemfoulerthanheis.

Bett'ringthylossmakesthebad-causerworse;

Revolvingthiswillteachtheehowtocurse.

QUEENELIZABETH.Mywordsaredull;O,quickenthem

withthine!

QUEENMARGARET.Thywoeswillmakethemsharpand

piercelikemine.

Exit

DUCHESS.Whyshouldcalamitybefunofwords?

QUEENELIZABETH.Windyattorneystotheirclientwoes,

Airysucceedersofintestatejoys,

Poorbreathingoratorsofmiseries,

Letthemhavescope;thoughwhattheywillimpart

Helpnothingelse,yetdotheycasetheheart.

DUCHESS.Ifso,thenbenottongue-tied.Gowithme,

Andinthebreathofbitterwordslet'ssmother

Mydamnedsonthatthytwosweetsonssmother'd.

Thetrumpetsounds;becopiousinexclaims.

EnterKINGRICHARDandhistrain,marchingwith

drumsandtrumpets

KINGRICHARD.Whointerceptsmeinmyexpedition?

DUCHESS.O,shethatmighthaveinterceptedthee,

Bystranglingtheeinheraccursedwomb,

Fromalltheslaughters,wretch,thatthouhastdone!

QUEENELIZABETH.Hidestthouthatforeheadwithagolden

crown

Where'tshouldbebranded,ifthatrightwereright,

TheslaughterofthePrincethatow'dthatcrown,

Andthediredeathofmypoorsonsandbrothers?

Tellme,thouvillainslave,wherearemychildren?

DUCHESS.Thoutoad,thoutoad,whereisthybrother

Clarence?

AndlittleNedPlantagenet,hisson?

QUEENELIZABETH.WhereisthegentleRivers,Vaughan,

Grey?

DUCHESS.WhereiskindHastings?

KINGRICHARD.Aflourish,trumpets!Strikealarum,drums!

Letnottheheavenshearthesetell-talewomen

RailontheLord'sanointed.Strike,Isay!

[Flourish.Alarums]

Eitherbepatientandentreatmefair,

Orwiththeclamorousreportofwar

ThuswillIdrownyourexclamations.

DUCHESS.Artthoumyson?

KINGRICHARD.Ay,IthankGod,myfather,andyourself.

DUCHESS.Thenpatientlyhearmyimpatience.

KINGRICHARD.Madam,Ihaveatouchofyourcondition

Thatcannotbrooktheaccentofreproof.

DUCHESS.O,letmespeak!

KINGRICHARD.Do,then;butI'llnothear.

DUCHESS.Iwillbemildandgentleinmywords.

KINGRICHARD.Andbrief,goodmother;forIaminhaste.

DUCHESS.Artthousohasty?Ihavestay'dforthee,

Godknows,intormentandinagony.

KINGRICHARD.AndcameInotatlasttocomfortyou?

DUCHESS.No,bytheholyrood,thouknow'stitwell

Thoucam'stonearthtomaketheearthmyhell.

Agrievousburdenwasthybirthtome;

Tetchyandwaywardwasthyinfancy;

Thyschool-daysfrightful,desp'rate,wild,andfurious;

Thyprimeofmanhooddaring,bold,andventurous;

Thyageconfirm'd,proud,subtle,sly,andbloody,

Moremild,butyetmoreharmful-kindinhatred.

Whatcomfortablehourcanstthouname

Thatevergrac'dmewiththycompany?

KINGRICHARD.Faith,nonebutHumphreyHour,thatcall'd

yourGrace

Tobreakfastonceforthofmycompany.

IfIbesodisgraciousinyoureye,

Letmemarchonandnotoffendyou,madam.

Strikeupthedrum.

DUCHESS.Ipritheehearmespeak.

KINGRICHARD.Youspeaktoobitterly.

DUCHESS.Hearmeaword;

ForIshallneverspeaktotheeagain.

KINGRICHARD.So.

DUCHESS.EitherthouwiltdiebyGod'sjustordinance

Erefromthiswarthouturnaconqueror;

OrIwithgriefandextremeageshallperish

Andnevermorebeholdthyfaceagain.

Thereforetakewiththeemymostgrievouscurse,

Whichinthedayofbattletiretheemore

Thanallthecompletearmourthatthouwear'st!

Myprayersontheadversepartyfight;

AndtherethelittlesoulsofEdward'schildren

Whisperthespiritsofthineenemies

Andpromisethemsuccessandvictory.

Bloodythouart;bloodywillbethyend.

Shameservesthylifeanddoththydeathattend.

Exit

QUEENELIZABETH.Thoughfarmorecause,yetmuchless

spirittocurse

Abidesinme;Isayamentoher.

KINGRICHARD.Stay,madam,Imusttalkawordwithyou.

QUEENELIZABETH.Ihavenomoesonsoftheroyalblood

Fortheetoslaughter.Formydaughters,Richard,

Theyshallbeprayingnuns,notweepingqueens;

Andthereforelevelnottohittheirlives.

KINGRICHARD.Youhaveadaughtercall'dElizabeth.

Virtuousandfair,royalandgracious.

QUEENELIZABETH.Andmustshedieforthis?O,lether

live,

AndI'llcorrupthermanners,stainherbeauty,

SlandermyselfasfalsetoEdward'sbed,

Throwoverhertheveilofinfamy;

Soshemayliveunscarr'dofbleedingslaughter,

IwillconfessshewasnotEdward'sdaughter.

KINGRICHARD.Wrongnotherbirth;sheisaroyal

Princess.

QUEENELIZABETH.TosaveherlifeI'llsaysheisnotso.

KINGRICHARD.Herlifeissafestonlyinherbirth.

QUEENELIZABETH.Andonlyinthatsafetydiedher

brothers.

KINGRICHARD.Lo,attheirbirthgoodstarswereopposite.

QUEENELIZABETH.No,totheirlivesillfriendswere

contrary.

KINGRICHARD.Allunavoidedisthedoomofdestiny.

QUEENELIZABETH.True,whenavoidedgracemakesdestiny.

Mybabesweredestin'dtoafairerdeath,

Ifgracehadbless'dtheewithafairerlife.

KINGRICHARD.YouspeakasifthatIhadslainmycousins.

QUEENELIZABETH.Cousins,indeed;andbytheiruncle

cozen'd

Ofcomfort,kingdom,kindred,freedom,life.

Whosehandsoeverlanc'dtheirtenderhearts,

Thyhead,anindirectly,gavedirection.

Nodoubtthemurd'rousknifewasdullandblunt

Tillitwaswhettedonthystone-hardheart

Torevelintheentrailsofmylambs.

Butthatstiffuseofgriefmakeswildgrieftame,

Mytongueshouldtothyearsnotnamemyboys

Tillthatmynailswereanchor'dinthineeyes;

AndI,insuchadesp'ratebayofdeath,

Likeapoorbark,ofsailsandtacklingreft,

Rushalltopiecesonthyrockybosom.

KINGRICHARD.Madam,sothriveIinmyenterprise

Anddangeroussuccessofbloodywars,

AsIintendmoregoodtoyouandyours

Thaneveryouoryoursbymewereharm'd!

QUEENELIZABETH.Whatgoodiscover'dwiththefaceof

heaven,

Tobediscover'd,thatcandomegood?

KINGRICHARD.advancementofyourchildren,gentle

lady.

QUEENELIZABETH.Uptosomescaffold,theretolosetheir

heads?

KINGRICHARD.UntothedignityandheightofFortune,

Thehighimperialtypeofthisearth'sglory.

QUEENELIZABETH.Flattermysorrowwithreportofit;

Tellmewhatstate,whatdignity,whathonour,

Canstthoudemisetoanychildofmine?

KINGRICHARD.EvenallIhave-ay,andmyselfandall

WillIwithalendowachildofthine;

SointheLetheofthyangrysoul

Thoudrownthesadremembranceofthosewrongs

WhichthousupposestIhavedonetothee.

QUEENELIZABETH.Bebrief,lestthattheprocessofthy

kindness

Lastlongertellingthanthykindness'date.

KINGRICHARD.Thenknow,thatfrommysoulIlovethy

daughter.

QUEENELIZABETH.Mydaughter'smotherthinksitwithher

soul.

KINGRICHARD.Whatdoyouthink?

QUEENELIZABETH.Thatthoudostlovemydaughterfrom

thysoul.

Sofromthysoul'slovedidstthouloveherbrothers,

Andfrommyheart'sloveIdothanktheeforit.

KINGRICHARD.Benotsohastytoconfoundmymeaning.

ImeanthatwithmysoulIlovethydaughter

AnddointendtomakeherQueenofEngland.

QUEENELIZABETH.Well,then,whodostthoumeanshallbe

herking?

KINGRICHARD.EvenhethatmakesherQueen.Whoelse

shouldbe?

QUEENELIZABETH.What,thou?

KINGRICHARD.Evenso.Howthinkyouofit?

QUEENELIZABETH.Howcanstthouwooher?

KINGRICHARD.ThatwouldIlearnofyou,

Asonebeingbestacquaintedwithherhumour.

QUEENELIZABETH.Andwiltthoulearnofme?

KINGRICHARD.Madam,withallmyheart.

QUEENELIZABETH.Sendtoher,bythemanthatslewher

brothers,

Apairofbleedinghearts;thereonengrave

'Edward'and'York.'Thenhaplywillsheweep;

Thereforepresenttoher-assometimesMargaret

Didtothyfather,steep'dinRutland'sblood-

Ahandkerchief;which,saytoher,diddrain

Thepurplesapfromhersweetbrother'sbody,

Andbidherwipeherweepingeyeswithal.

Ifthisinducementmovehernottolove,

Sendheraletterofthynobledeeds;

Tellherthoumad'stawayheruncleClarence,

HeruncleRivers;ay,andforhersake

Mad'stquickconveyancewithhergoodauntAnne.

KINGRICHARD.Youmockme,madam;thisisnottheway

Towinyourdaughter.

QUEENELIZABETH.Thereisnootherway;

Unlessthoucouldstputonsomeothershape

AndnotbeRichardthathathdoneallthis.

KINGRICHARD.SaythatIdidallthisforloveofher.

QUEENELIZABETH.Nay,thenindeedshecannotchoosebut

hatethee,

Havingboughtlovewithsuchabloodyspoil.

KINGRICHARD.Lookwhatisdonecannotbenowamended.

Menshalldealunadvisedlysometimes,

Whichafter-hoursgivesleisuretorepent.

IfIdidtakethekingdomfromyoursons,

TomakeamendsI'llgiveittoyourdaughter.

IfIhavekill'dtheissueofyourwomb,

ToquickenyourincreaseIwillbeget

Mineissueofyourblooduponyourdaughter.

Agrandam'snameislittlelessinlove

Thanisthedoatingtitleofamother;

Theyareaschildrenbutonestepbelow,

Evenofyourmetal,ofyourveryblood;

Ofallonepain,saveforanightofgroans

Endur'dofher,forwhomyoubidlikesorrow.

Yourchildrenwerevexationtoyouryouth;

Butmineshallbeacomforttoyourage.

ThelossyouhaveisbutasonbeingKing,

AndbythatlossyourdaughterismadeQueen.

IcannotmakeyouwhatamendsIwould,

ThereforeacceptsuchkindnessasIcan.

Dorsetyourson,thatwithafearfulsoul

Leadsdiscontentedstepsinforeignsoil,

Thisfairalliancequicklyshallcanhome

Tohighpromotionsandgreatdignity.

TheKing,thatcallsyourbeauteousdaughterwife,

FamiliarlyshallcallthyDorsetbrother;

Againshallyoubemothertoaking,

Andalltheruinsofdistressfultimes

Repair'dwithdoublerichesofcontent.

What!wehavemanygoodlydaystosee.

Theliquiddropsoftearsthatyouhaveshed

Shallcomeagain,transform'dtoorientpearl,

Advantagingtheirloanwithinterest

Oftentimesdoublegainofhappiness.

Go,then,mymother,tothydaughtergo;

Makeboldherbashfulyearswithyourexperience;

Prepareherearstohearawooer'stale;

Putinhertenderheartth'aspiringflame

Ofgoldensovereignty;acquaintthePrinces

Withthesweetsilenthoursofmarriagejoys.

Andwhenthisarmofminehathchastised

Thepettyrebel,dull-brain'dBuckingham,

BoundwithtriumphantgarlandswillIcome,

Andleadthydaughtertoaconqueror'sbed;

TowhomIwillretailmyconquestwon,

Andsheshallbesolevictoress,Caesar'sCaesar.

QUEENELIZABETH.WhatwereIbesttosay?Herfather's

brother

Wouldbeherlord?OrshallIsayheruncle?

Orhethatslewherbrothersandheruncles?

UnderwhattitleshallIwooforthee

ThatGod,thelaw,myhonour,andherlove

Canmakeseempleasingtohertenderyears?

KINGRICHARD.InferfairEngland'speacebythisalliance.

QUEENELIZABETH.Whichsheshallpurchasewith

still-lastingwar.

KINGRICHARD.TellhertheKing,thatmaycommand,

entreats.

QUEENELIZABETH.ThatatherhandswhichtheKing's

Kingforbids.

KINGRICHARD.Saysheshallbeahighandmightyqueen.

QUEENELIZABETH.Towailthetitle,ashermotherdoth.

KINGRICHARD.SayIwilllovehereverlastingly.

QUEENELIZABETH.Buthowlongshallthattitle'ever'last?

KINGRICHARD.Sweetlyinforceuntoherfairlife'send.

QUEENELIZABETH.Buthowlongfairlyshallhersweetlife

last?

KINGRICHARD.Aslongasheavenandnaturelengthensit.

QUEENELIZABETH.AslongashellandRichardlikesofit.

KINGRICHARD.SayI,hersovereign,amhersubjectlow.

QUEENELIZABETH.Butshe,yoursubject,loathessuch

sovereignty.

KINGRICHARD.Beeloquentinmybehalftoher.

QUEENELIZABETH.Anhonesttalespeedsbestbeingplainly

told.

KINGRICHARD.Thenplainlytohertellmylovingtale.

QUEENELIZABETH.Plainandnothonestistooharshastyle.

KINGRICHARD.Yourreasonsaretooshallowandtooquick.

QUEENELIZABETH.O,no,myreasonsaretoodeepand

dead-

Toodeepanddead,poorinfants,intheirgraves.

KINGRICHARD.Harpnotonthatstring,madam;thatispast.

QUEENELIZABETH.HarponitstillshallItillheartstrings

break.

KINGRICHARD.Now,bymyGeorge,mygarter,andmy

crown-

QUEENELIZABETH.Profan'd,dishonour'd,andthethird

usurp'd.

KINGRICHARD.Iswear-

QUEENELIZABETH.Bynothing;forthisisnooath:

ThyGeorge,profan'd,hathlosthislordlyhonour;

Thygarter,blemish'd,pawn'dhisknightlyvirtue;

Thycrown,usurp'd,disgrac'dhiskinglyglory.

Ifsomethingthouwouldstsweartobebeliev'd,

Swearthenbysomethingthatthouhastnotwrong'd.

KINGRICHARD.Then,bymyself-

QUEENELIZABETH.Thyselfisself-misus'd.

KINGRICHARD.Now,bytheworld-

QUEENELIZABETH.'Tisfullofthyfoulwrongs.

KINGRICHARD.Myfather'sdeath-

QUEENELIZABETH.Thylifehathitdishonour'd.

KINGRICHARD.Why,then,byGod-

QUEENELIZABETH.God'swrongismostofall.

IfthoudidstfeartobreakanoathwithHim,

TheunitytheKingmyhusbandmade

Thouhadstnotbroken,normybrothersdied.

Ifthouhadstfear'dtobreakanoathbyHim,

Th'imperialmetal,circlingnowthyhead,

Hadgrac'dthetendertemplesofmychild;

AndboththePrinceshadbeenbreathinghere,

Whichnow,twotenderbedfellowsfordust,

Thybrokenfaithhathmadethepreyforworms.

Whatcanstthouswearbynow?

KINGRICHARD.Thetimetocome.

QUEENELIZABETH.Thatthouhastwrongedinthetime

o'erpast;

ForImyselfhavemanytearstowash

Hereaftertime,fortimepastwrong'dbythee.

Thechildrenlivewhosefathersthouhastslaughter'd,

Ungovern'dyouth,towailitintheirage;

Theparentslivewhosechildrenthouhastbutcheed,

Oldbarrenplants,towailitwiththeirage.

Swearnotbytimetocome;forthatthouhast

Misus'dereus'd,bytimesill-us'do'erpast.

KINGRICHARD.AsIintendtoprosperandrepent,

SothriveIinmydangerousaffairs

Ofhostilearms!Myselfmyselfconfound!

Heavenandfortunebarmehappyhours!

Day,yieldmenotthylight;nor,night,thyrest!

Beoppositeallplanetsofgoodluck

Tomyproceeding!-if,withdearheart'slove,

Immaculatedevotion,holythoughts,

Itendernotthybeauteousprincelydaughter.

Inherconsistsmyhappinessandthine;

Withouther,followstomyselfandthee,

Herself,theland,andmanyaChristiansoul,

Death,desolation,ruin,anddecay.

Itcannotbeavoidedbutbythis;

Itwillnotbeavoidedbutbythis.

Therefore,dearmother-Imustcallyouso-

Betheattorneyofmylovetoher;

PleadwhatIwillbe,notwhatIhavebeen;

Notmydeserts,butwhatIwilldeserve.

Urgethenecessityandstateoftimes,

Andbenotpeevish-fondingreatdesigns.

QUEENELIZABETH.ShallIbetemptedofthedevilthus?

KINGRICHARD.Ay,ifthedeviltemptyoutodogood.

QUEENELIZABETH.ShallIforgetmyselftobemyself?

KINGRICHARD.Ay,ifyourself'sremembrancewrong

yourself.

QUEENELIZABETH.Yetthoudidstkillmychildren.

KINGRICHARD.Butinyourdaughter'swombIburythem;

Where,inthatnestofspicery,theywillbreed

Selvesofthemselves,toyourrecomforture.

QUEENELIZABETH.ShallIgowinmydaughtertothywill?

KINGRICHARD.Andbeahappymotherbythedeed.

QUEENELIZABETH.Igo.Writetomeveryshortly,

Andyoushallunderstandfrommehermind.

KINGRICHARD.Bearhermytruelove'skiss;andso,farewell.

Kissingher.

ExitQUEENELIZABETH

Relentingfool,andshallow,changingwoman!

EnterRATCLIFF;CATESBYfollowing

Hownow!whatnews?

RATCLIFF.Mostmightysovereign,onthewesterncoast

Ridethapuissantnavy;toourshores

Throngmanydoubtfulhollow-heartedfriends,

Unarm'd,andunresolv'dtobeatthemback.

'TisthoughtthatRichmondistheiradmiral;

Andtheretheyhull,expectingbuttheaid

OfBuckinghamtowelcomethemashore.

KINGRICHARD.Somelight-footfriendposttotheDukeof

Norfolk.

Ratcliff,thyself-orCatesby;whereishe?

CATESBY.Here,mygoodlord.

KINGRICHARD.Catesby,flytotheDuke.

CATESBY.Iwillmylord,withallconvenienthaste.

KINGRICHARD.Ratcliff,comehither.PosttoSalisbury;

Whenthoucom'stthither-[ToCATESBY]Dull,

unmindfullvillain,

Whystay'stthouhere,andgo'stnottotheDuke?

CATESBY.First,mightyliege,tellmeyourHighness'pleasure,

WhatfromyourGraceIshalldelivertohim.

KINGRICHARD.O,true,goodCatesby.Bidhimlevystraight

Thegreateststrengthandpowerthathecanmake

AndmeetmesuddenlyatSalisbury.

CATESBY.Igo.

Exit

RATCLIFF.What,mayitpleaseyou,shallIdoatSalisbury?

KINGRICHARD.Why,whatwouldstthoudotherebeforeI

go?

RATCLIFF.YourHighnesstoldmeIshouldpostbefore.

KINGRICHARD.Mymindischang'd.

EnterLORDSTANLEY

STANLEY,whatnewswithyou?

STANLEY.Nonegood,myliege,topleaseyouwith

thehearing;

Nornonesobadbutwellmaybereported.

KINGRICHARD.Hoyday,ariddle!neithergoodnorbad!

Whatneed'stthourunsomanymilesabout,

Whenthoumayesttellthytalethenearestway?

Oncemore,whatnews?

STANLEY.Richmondisontheseas.

KINGRICHARD.Therelethimsink,andbetheseasonhim!

White-liver'drunagate,whatdothhethere?

STANLEY.Iknownot,mightysovereign,butbyguess.

KINGRICHARD.Well,asyouguess?

STANLEY.Stirr'dupbyDorset,Buckingham,andMorton,

HemakesforEnglandheretoclaimthecrown.

KINGRICHARD.Isthechairempty?Istheswordunsway'd?

IstheKingdead,theempireunpossess'd?

WhatheirofYorkistherealivebutwe?

AndwhoisEngland'sKingbutgreatYork'sheir?

Thentellmewhatmakesheupontheseas.

STANLEY.Unlessforthat,myliege,Icannotguess.

KINGRICHARD.Unlessforthathecomestobeyourliege,

YoucannotguesswhereforetheWelshmancomes.

Thouwiltrevoltandflytohim,Ifear.

STANLEY.No,mygoodlord;thereforemistrustmenot.

KINGRICHARD.Whereisthypowerthen,tobeathimback?

Wherebethytenantsandthyfollowers?

Aretheynotnowuponthewesternshore,

Safe-conductingtherebelsfromtheirships?

STANLEY.No,mygoodlord,myfriendsareinthenorth.

KINGRICHARD.Coldfriendstome.Whatdotheyinthe

north,

Whentheyshouldservetheirsovereigninthewest?

STANLEY.Theyhavenotbeencommanded,mightyKing.

PleasethyourMajestytogivemeleave,

I'llmusterupmyfriendsandmeetyourGrace

WhereandwhattimeyourMajestyshallplease.

KINGRICHARD.Ay,ay,thouwouldstbegonetojoinwith

Richmond;

ButI'llnottrustthee.

STANLEY.Mostmightysovereign,

Youhavenocausetoholdmyfriendshipdoubtful.

Ineverwasnorneverwillbefalse.

KINGRICHARD.Go,then,andmustermen.Butleavebehind

Yourson,GeorgeStanley.Lookyourheartbefirm,

Orelsehishead'sassuranceisbutfrail.

STANLEY.SodealwithhimasIprovetruetoyou.

Exit

EnteraMESSENGER

MESSENGER.Mygracioussovereign,nowinDevonshire,

AsIbyfriendsamwelladvertised,

SirEdwardCourtneyandthehaughtyprelate,

BishopofExeter,hiselderbrother,

Withmanymoeconfederates,areinarms.

EnteranotherMESSENGER

SECONDMESSENGER.InKent,myliege,theGuilfordsarein

arms;

Andeveryhourmorecompetitors

Flocktotherebels,andtheirpowergrowsstrong.

EnteranotherMESSENGER

THIRDMESSENGER.Mylord,thearmyofgreatBuckingham-

KINGRICHARD.Outonyou,owls!Nothingbutsongsof

death?[Hestrikeshim]

There,takethouthattillthoubringbetternews.

THIRDMESSENGER.ThenewsIhavetotellyourMajesty

Isthatbysuddenfloodsandfallofwaters

Buckingham'sarmyisdispers'dandscatter'd;

Andhehimselfwand'redawayalone,

Nomanknowswhither.

KINGRICHARD.Icrytheemercy.

Thereismypursetocurethatblowofthine.

Hathanywell-advisedfriendproclaim'd

Rewardtohimthatbringsthetraitorin?

THIRDMESSENGER.Suchproclamationhathbeenmade,

myLord.

EnteranotherMESSENGER

FOURTHMESSENGER.SirThomasLovelandLordMarquis

Dorset,

'Tissaid,myliege,inYorkshireareinarms.

ButthisgoodcomfortbringItoyourHighness-

TheBritainenavyisdispers'dbytempest.

RichmondinDorsetshiresentoutaboat

Untotheshore,toaskthoseonthebanks

Iftheywerehisassistants,yeaorno;

Whoanswer'dhimtheycamefromBuckingham

Uponhisparty.He,mistrustingthem,

Hois'dsail,andmadehiscourseagainforBritaine.

KINGRICHARD.Marchon,marchon,sinceweareupin

arms;

Ifnottofightwithforeignenemies,

Yettobeatdowntheserebelshereathome.

Re-enterCATESBY

CATESBY.Myliege,theDukeofBuckinghamistaken-

Thatisthebestnews.ThattheEarlofRichmond

IswithamightypowerlandedatMilford

Iscoldertidings,yettheymustbetold.

KINGRICHARD.AwaytowardsSalisbury!Whilewereason

here

Aroyalbattlemightbewonandlost.

SomeonetakeorderBuckinghambebrought

ToSalisbury;therestmarchonwithme.

Flourish.

Exeunt

SCENEV.

LORDDERBY'Shouse

EnterSTANLEYandSIRCHRISTOPHERURSWICK

STANLEY.SirChristopher,tellRichmondthisfromme:

Thatinthestyofthemostdeadlyboar

MysonGeorgeStanleyisfrank'dupinhold;

IfIrevolt,offgoesyoungGeorge'shead;

Thefearofthatholdsoffmypresentaid.

So,gettheegone;commendmetothylord.

WithalsaythattheQueenhathheartilyconsented

HeshouldespouseElizabethherdaughter.

Buttellme,whereisprincelyRichmondnow?

CHRISTOPHER.AtPembroke,oratHa'rfordwestinWales.

STANLEY.Whatmenofnameresorttohim?

CHRISTOPHER.SirWalterHerbert,arenownedsoldier;

SIRGilbertTalbot,SirWilliamStanley,

OXFORD,redoubtedPembroke,SirJamesBlunt,

AndRiceapThomas,withavaliantcrew;

Andmanyotherofgreatnameandworth;

AndtowardsLondondotheybendtheirpower,

Ifbythewaytheybenotfoughtwithal.

STANLEY.Well,hietheetothylord;Ikisshishand;

Myletterwillresolvehimofmymind.

Farewell.

Exeunt

ACTV.

SCENEI.

Salisbury.Anopenplace

EntertheSHERIFFandguard,withBUCKINGHAM,ledtoexecution

BUCKINGHAM.WillnotKingRichardletmespeakwith

him?

SHERIFF.No,mygoodlord;thereforebepatient.

BUCKINGHAM.Hastings,andEdward'schildren,Grey,and

Rivers,

HolyKingHenry,andthyfairsonEdward,

Vaughan,andallthathavemiscarried

Byunderhandcorruptedfoulinjustice,

Ifthatyourmoodydiscontentedsouls

Dothroughthecloudsbeholdthispresenthour,

Evenforrevengemockmydestruction!

ThisisAll-Souls'day,fellow,isitnot?

SHERIFF.Itis,mylord.

BUCKINGHAM.Why,thenAll-Souls'dayismybody's

doomsday.

ThisisthedaywhichinKingEdward'stime

Iwish'dmightfallonmewhenIwasfound

Falsetohischildrenandhiswife'sallies;

ThisisthedaywhereinIwish'dtofall

BythefalsefaithofhimwhommostItrusted;

This,thisAll-Souls'daytomyfearfulsoul

Isthedetermin'drespiteofmywrongs;

ThathighAll-SeerwhichIdalliedwith

Hathturn'dmyfeignedprayeronmyhead

AndgiveninearnestwhatIbegg'dinjest.

ThusdothHeforcetheswordsofwickedmen

Toturntheirownpointsintheirmasters'bosoms.

ThusMargaret'scursefallsheavyonmyneck.

'Whenhe'quothshe'shallsplitthyheartwithsorrow,

RememberMargaretwasaprophetess.'

Comeleadme,officers,totheblockofshame;

Wronghathbutwrong,andblamethedueofblame.

Exeunt

SCENEII.

CampnearTamworth

Enter RICHMOND, OXFORD, SIR JAMES BLUNT, SIR WALTERHERBERT,andothers,withdrumandcolours

RICHMOND.Fellowsinarms,andmymostlovingfriends,

Bruis'dunderneaththeyokeoftyranny,

Thusfarintothebowelsoftheland

Havewemarch'donwithoutimpediment;

AndherereceivewefromourfatherStanley

Linesoffaircomfortandencouragement.

Thewretched,bloody,andusurpingboar,

Thatspoil'dyoursummerfieldsandfruitfulvines,

Swillsyourwarmbloodlikewash,andmakeshistrough

Inyourembowell'dbosoms-thisfoulswine

Isnoweveninthecentreofthisisle,

NeartothetownofLeicester,aswelearn.

FromTamworththitherisbutoneday'smarch.

InGod'snamecheerlyon,courageousfriends,

Toreaptheharvestofperpetualpeace

Bythisonebloodytrialofsharpwar.

OXFORD.Everyman'sconscienceisathousandmen,

Tofightagainstthisguiltyhomicide.

HERBERT.Idoubtnotbuthisfriendswillturntous.

BLUNT.Hehathnofriendsbutwhatarefriendsforfear,

Whichinhisdearestneedwillflyfromhim.

RICHMOND.Allforourvantage.TheninGod'snamemarch.

Truehopeisswiftandflieswithswallow'swings;

Kingsitmakesgods,andmeanercreatureskings.

Exeunt

SCENEIII.

BosworthField

Enter KING RICHARD in arms, with NORFOLK, RATCLIFF, theEARLofSURREYSandothers

KINGRICHARD.Herepitchourtent,evenhereinBosworth

field.

MyLordofSurrey,whylookyousosad?

SURREY.Myheartistentimeslighterthanmylooks.

KINGRICHARD.MyLordofNorfolk!

NORFOLK.Here,mostgraciousliege.

KINGRICHARD.Norfolk,wemusthaveknocks;ha!mustwe

not?

NORFOLK.Wemustbothgiveandtake,mylovinglord.

KINGRICHARD.UpWithmytent!HerewillIlieto-night;

[SoldiersbegintosetuptheKING'Stent]

Butwhereto-morrow?Well,all'soneforthat.

Whohathdescriedthenumberofthetraitors?

NORFOLK.Sixorseventhousandistheirutmostpower.

KINGRICHARD.Why,ourbattaliatreblesthataccount;

Besides,theKing'snameisatowerofstrength,

Whichtheyupontheadversefactionwant.

Upwiththetent!Come,noblegentlemen,

Letussurveythevantageoftheground.

Callforsomemenofsounddirection.

Let'slacknodiscipline,makenodelay;

For,lords,to-morrowisabusyday.

Exeunt

Enter,ontheothersideofthefield,

RICHMOND,SIRWILLIAMBRANDON,OXFORD,DORSET,

andothers.SomepitchRICHMOND'Stent

RICHMOND.Thewearysunhathmadeagoldenset,

Andbythebrighttractofhisfierycar

Givestokenofagoodlydayto-morrow.

SirWilliamBrandon,youshallbearmystandard.

Givemesomeinkandpaperinmytent.

I'lldrawtheformandmodelofourbattle,

Limiteachleadertohisseveralcharge,

Andpartinjustproportionoursmallpower.

MyLordofOxford-you,SirWilliamBrandon-

Andyou,SirWalterHerbert-staywithme.

TheEarlofPembrokekeepshisregiment;

GoodCaptainBlunt,bearmygoodnighttohim,

Andbythesecondhourinthemorning

DesiretheEarltoseemeinmytent.

Yetonethingmore,goodCaptain,doforme-

WhereisLordStanleyquarter'd,doyouknow?

BLUNT.UnlessIhavemista'enhiscoloursmuch-

WhichwellIamassur'dIhavenotdone-

Hisregimentlieshalfamileatleast

SouthfromthemightypoweroftheKing.

RICHMOND.Ifwithoutperilitbepossible,

SweetBlunt,makesomegoodmeanstospeakwithhim

Andgivehimfrommethismostneedfulnote.

BLUNT.Uponmylife,mylord,I'llundertakeit;

Andso,Godgiveyouquietrestto-night!

RICHMOND.Goodnight,goodCaptainBlunt.Come,

gentlemen,

Letusconsultuponto-morrow'sbusiness.

Intomytent;thedewisrawandcold.

[Theywithdrawintothetent]

Enter,tohis-tent,KINGRICHARD,NORFOLK,

RATCLIFF,andCATESBY

KINGRICHARD.Whatis'to'clock?

CATESBY.It'ssupper-time,mylord;

It'snineo'clock.

KINGRICHARD.Iwillnotsupto-night.

Givemesomeinkandpaper.

What,ismybeavereasierthanitwas?

Andallmyarmourlaidintomytent?

CATESBY.Itis,myliege;andallthingsareinreadiness.

KINGRICHARD.GoodNorfolk,hietheetothycharge;

Usecarefulwatch,choosetrustysentinels.

NORFOLK.Igo,mylord.

KINGRICHARD.Stirwiththelarkto-morrow,gentleNorfolk.

NORFOLK.Iwarrantyou,mylord.

Exit

KINGRICHARD.Catesby!

CATESBY.Mylord?

KINGRICHARD.Sendoutapursuivant-at-arms

ToStanley'sregiment;bidhimbringhispower

Beforesunrising,lesthissonGeorgefall

Intotheblindcaveofeternalnight.

ExitCATESBY

Fillmeabowlofwine.Givemeawatch.

SaddlewhiteSurreyforthefieldto-morrow.

Lookthatmystavesbesound,andnottooheavy.

Ratcliff!

RATCLIFF.Mylord?

KINGRICHARD.Saw'stthouthemelancholyLord

Northumberland?

RATCLIFF.ThomastheEarlofSurreyandhimself,

Muchaboutcock-shuttime,fromtrooptotroop

Wentthroughthearmy,cheeringupthesoldiers.

KINGRICHARD.So,Iamsatisfied.Givemeabowlofwine.

Ihavenotthatalacrityofspirit

NorcheerofmindthatIwaswonttohave.

Setitdown.Isinkandpaperready?

RATCLIFF.Itis,mylord.

KINGRICHARD.Bidmyguardwatch;leaveme.

RATCLIFF,aboutthemidofnightcometomytent

Andhelptoarmme.Leaveme,Isay.

ExitRATCLIFF.RICHARDsleeps

EnterDERBYtoRICHMONDinhistent;

LORDSattending

DERBY.Fortuneandvictorysitonthyhelm!

RICHMOND.Allcomfortthatthedarknightcanafford

Betothyperson,noblefather-in-law!

Tellme,howfaresourlovingmother?

DERBY.I,byattorney,blesstheefromthymother,

WhoprayscontinuallyforRichmond'sgood.

Somuchforthat.Thesilenthoursstealon,

Andflakydarknessbreakswithintheeast.

Inbrief,forsotheseasonbidsusbe,

Preparethybattleearlyinthemorning,

Andputthyfortunetothearbitrement

Ofbloodystrokesandmortal-staringwar.

I,asImay-thatwhichIwouldIcannot-

Withbestadvantagewilldeceivethetime

Andaidtheeinthisdoubtfulshockofarms;

ButonthysideImaynotbetooforward,

Lest,beingseen,thybrother,tenderGeorge,

Beexecutedinhisfather'ssight.

Farewell;theleisureandthefearfultime

Cutsofftheceremoniousvowsoflove

Andampleinterchangeofsweetdiscourse

Whichso-long-sund'redfriendsshoulddwellupon.

Godgiveusleisurefortheseritesoflove!

Oncemore,adieu;bevaliant,andspeedwell!

RICHMOND.Goodlords,conducthimtohisregiment.

I'llstrivewithtroubledthoughtstotakeanap,

Lestleadenslumberpeisemedownto-morrow

WhenIshouldmountwithwingsofvictory.

Oncemore,goodnight,kindlordsandgentlemen.

ExeuntallbutRICHMOND

OThou,whosecaptainIaccountmyself,

Lookonmyforceswithagraciouseye;

PutintheirhandsThybruisingironsofwrath,

Thattheymaycrushdownwithaheavyfall

Theusurpinghelmetsofouradversaries!

MakeusThyministersofchastisement,

ThatwemaypraiseTheeinthevictory!

ToTheeIdocommendmywatchfulsoul

EreIletfallthewindowsofmineeyes.

Sleepingandwaking,O,defendmestill![Sleeps]

EntertheGHOSTOfYOUNGPRINCEEDWARD,

sontoHENRYTHESIXTH

GHOST.[ToRICHARD]Letmesitheavyonthysoul

to-morrow!

Thinkhowthoustabb'dstmeinmyprimeofyouth

AtTewksbury;despair,therefore,anddie!

[ToRICHMOND]Becheerful,Richmond;forthewronged

souls

Ofbutcher'dprincesfightinthybehalf.

KingHenry'sissue,Richmond,comfortsthee.

EntertheGHOSTofHENRYTHESIXTH

GHOST.[ToRICHARD]WhenIwasmortal,myanointed

body

Bytheewaspunchedfullofdeadlyholes.

ThinkontheTowerandme.Despair,anddie.

HarrytheSixthbidstheedespairanddie.

[ToRICHMOND]Virtuousandholy,bethouconqueror!

Harry,thatprophesiedthoushouldstbeKing,

Dothcomforttheeinthysleep.Liveandflourish!

EntertheGHOSTofCLARENCE

GHOST.[ToRICHARD]Letmesitheavyinthysoul

to-morrow!Ithatwaswash'dtodeathwithfulsomewine,

PoorClarence,bythyguilebetray'dtodeath!

To-morrowinthebattlethinkonme,

Andfallthyedgelesssword.Despairanddie!

[ToRICHMOND]ThouoffspringofthehouseofLancaster,

ThewrongedheirsofYorkdoprayforthee.

Goodangelsguardthybattle!Liveandflourish!

EntertheGHOSTSofRIVERS,GREY,andVAUGHAN

GHOSTOFRIVERS.[ToRICHARD]Letmesitheavyinthy

soulto-morrow,

RiversthatdiedatPomfret!Despairanddie!

GHOSTOFGREY.[ToRICHARD]ThinkuponGrey,andlet

thysouldespair!

GHOSTOFVAUGHAN.[ToRICHARD]ThinkuponVaughan,

andwithguiltyfear

Letfallthylance.Despairanddie!

ALL.[ToRICHMOND]Awake,andthinkourwrongsin

Richard'sbosom

Willconquerhim.Awakeandwintheday.

EntertheGHOSTofHASTINGS

GHOST.[ToRICHARD]Bloodyandguilty,guiltilyawake,

Andinabloodybattleendthydays!

ThinkonLordHastings.Despairanddie.

[ToRICHMOND]Quietuntroubledsoul,awake,awake!

Arm,fight,andconquer,forfairEngland'ssake!

EntertheGHOSTSofthetwoyoungPRINCES

GHOSTS.[ToRICHARD]Dreamonthycousinssmotheredin

theTower.

Letusbeleadwithinthybosom,Richard,

Andweightheedowntoruin,shame,anddeath!

Thynephews'soulsbidtheedespairanddie.

[ToRICHMOND]Sleep,Richmond,sleepinpeace,and

wakeinjoy;

Goodangelsguardtheefromtheboar'sannoy!

Live,andbegetahappyraceofkings!

Edward'sunhappysonsdobidtheeflourish.

EntertheGHOSTofLADYANNE,hiswife

GHOST.[ToRICHARD]Richard,thywife,thatwretched

Annethywife

Thatneversleptaquiethourwiththee

Nowfillsthysleepwithperturbations.

To-morrowinthebattlethinkonme,

Andfallthyedgelesssword.Despairanddie.

[ToRICHMOND]Thouquietsoul,sleepthouaquietsleep;

Dreamofsuccessandhappyvictory.

Thyadversary'swifedothprayforthee.

EntertheGHOSTofBUCKINGHAM

GHOST.[ToRICHARD]ThefirstwasIthathelp'dthee

tothecrown;

ThelastwasIthatfeltthytyranny.

O,inthebattlethinkonBuckingham,

Anddieinterrorofthyguiltiness!

Dreamon,dreamonofbloodydeedsanddeath;

Fainting,despair;despairing,yieldthybreath!

[ToRICHMOND]IdiedforhopeereIcouldlendtheeaid;

Butcheerthyheartandbethounotdismay'd:

GodandgoodangelsfightonRichmond'sside;

AndRichardfallsinheightofallhispride.

[TheGHOSTSvanish.RICHARDstartsoutofhisdream]

KINGRICHARD.Givemeanotherhorse.Bindupmywounds.

Havemercy,Jesu!Soft!Ididbutdream.

Ocowardconscience,howdostthouafflictme!

Thelightsburnblue.Itisnowdeadmidnight.

Coldfearfuldropsstandonmytremblingflesh.

WhatdoIfear?Myself?There'snoneelseby.

RichardlovesRichard;thatis,IamI.

Isthereamurdererhere?No-yes,Iam.

Thenfly.What,frommyself?Greatreasonwhy-

LestIrevenge.What,myselfuponmyself!

Alack,Ilovemyself.Wherefore?Foranygood

ThatImyselfhavedoneuntomyself?

O,no!Alas,Iratherhatemyself

Forhatefuldeedscommittedbymyself!

Iamavillain;yetIlie,Iamnot.

Fool,ofthyselfspeakwell.Fool,donotflatter.

Myconsciencehathathousandseveraltongues,

Andeverytonguebringsinaseveraltale,

Andeverytalecondemnsmeforavillain.

Perjury,perjury,inthehigh'stdegree;

Murder,sternmurder,inthedir'stdegree;

Allseveralsins,allus'dineachdegree,

Throngtothebar,cryingall'Guilty!guilty!'

Ishalldespair.Thereisnocreaturelovesme;

AndifIdienosoulwillpityme:

Andwhereforeshouldthey,sincethatImyself

Findinmyselfnopitytomyself?

MethoughtthesoulsofallthatIhadmurder'd

Cametomytent,andeveryonedidthreat

To-morrow'svengeanceontheheadofRichard.

EnterRATCLIFF

RATCLIFF.Mylord!

KINGRICHARD.Zounds,whoisthere?

RATCLIFF.Ratcliff,mylord;'tisI.Theearlyvillage-cock

Hathtwicedonesalutationtothemorn;

Yourfriendsareupandbuckleontheirarmour.

KINGRICHARD.ORatcliff,Ihavedream'dafearfuldream!

Whatthink'stthou-willourfriendsprovealltrue?

RATCLIFF.Nodoubt,mylord.

KINGRICHARD.ORatcliff,Ifear,Ifear.

RATCLIFF.Nay,goodmylord,benotafraidofshadows.

KINGRICHARDBytheapostlePaul,shadowsto-night

HavestuckmoreterrortothesoulofRichard

Thancanthesubstanceoftenthousandsoldiers

ArmedinproofandledbyshallowRichmond.

'Tisnotyetnearday.Come,gowithme;

UnderourtentsI'llplaytheeaves-dropper,

Toseeifanymeantoshrinkfromme.

Exeunt

EntertheLORDStoRICHMONDsittinginhistent

LORDS.Goodmorrow,Richmond!

RICHMOND.Crymercy,lordsandwatchfulgentlemen,

Thatyouhaveta'enatardysluggardhere.

LORDS.Howhaveyouslept,mylord?

RICHMOND.Thesweetestsleepandfairest-bodingdreams

Thateverent'redinadrowsyhead

HaveIsinceyourdeparturehad,mylords.

MethoughttheirsoulswhosebodiesRichardmurder'd

Cametomytentandcriedonvictory.

Ipromiseyoumysoulisveryjocund

Intheremembranceofsofairadream.

Howfarintothemorningisit,lords?

LORDS.Uponthestrokeoffour.

RICHMOND.Why,then'tistimetoarmandgivedirection.

HisORATIONtohisSOLDIERS

MorethanIhavesaid,lovingcountrymen,

Theleisureandenforcementofthetime

Forbidstodwellupon;yetrememberthis:

Godandourgoodcausefightuponourside;

Theprayersofholysaintsandwrongedsouls,

Likehigh-rear'dbulwarks,standbeforeourfaces;

Richardexcept,thosewhomwefightagainst

Hadratherhaveuswinthanhimtheyfollow.

Forwhatishetheyfollow?Truly,gentlemen,

Abloodytyrantandahomicide;

Onerais'dinblood,andoneinbloodestablish'd;

Onethatmademeanstocomebywhathehath,

Andslaughteredthosethatwerethemeanstohelphim;

Abasefoulstone,madepreciousbythefoil

OfEngland'schair,whereheisfalselyset;

OnethathatheverbeenGod'senemy.

ThenifyoufightagainstGod'senemy,

Godwillinjusticewardyouashissoldiers;

Ifyoudosweattoputatyrantdown,

Yousleepinpeace,thetyrantbeingslain;

Ifyoudofightagainstyourcountry'sfoes,

Yourcountry'sfoesshallpayyourpainsthehire;

Ifyoudofightinsafeguardofyourwives,

Yourwivesshallwelcomehometheconquerors;

Ifyoudofreeyourchildrenfromthesword,

Yourchildren'schildrenquitsitinyourage.

Then,inthenameofGodandalltheserights,

Advanceyourstandards,drawyourwillingswords.

Forme,theransomofmyboldattempt

Shallbethiscoldcorpseontheearth'scoldface;

ButifIthrive,thegainofmyattempt

Theleastofyoushallsharehispartthereof.

Sounddrumsandtrumpetsboldlyandcheerfully;

GodandSaintGeorge!Richmondandvictory!

Exeunt

Re-enterKINGRICHARD,RATCLIFF,attendants,

andforces

KINGRICHARD.WhatsaidNorthumberlandastouching

Richmond?

RATCLIFF.Thathewasnevertrainedupinarms.

KINGRICHARD.Hesaidthetruth;andwhatsaidSurrey

then?

RATCLIFF.Hesmil'd,andsaid'Thebetterforourpurpose.'

KINGHewasintheright;andsoindeeditis.

[Clockstrikes]

Telltheclockthere.Givemeacalendar.

Whosawthesunto-day?

RATCLIFF.NotI,mylord.

KINGRICHARD.Thenhedisdainstoshine;forbythebook

Heshouldhavebrav'dtheeastanhourago.

Ablackdaywillitbetosomebody.

Ratcliff!

RATCLIFF.Mylord?

KINGRICHARD.Thesunwillnotbeseento-day;

Theskydothfrownandlouruponourarmy.

Iwouldthesedewytearswerefromtheground.

Notshineto-day!Why,whatisthattome

MorethantoRichmond?Fortheselfsameheaven

Thatfrownsonmelookssadlyuponhim.

EnterNORFOLK

NORFOLK.Arm,arm,mylord;thefoevauntsinthefield.

KINGRICHARD.Come,bustle,bustle;caparisonmyhorse;

CallupLordStanley,bidhimbringhispower.

Iwillleadforthmysoldierstotheplain,

Andthusmybattleshallbeordered:

Myforewardshallbedrawnoutallinlength,

Consistingequallyofhorseandfoot;

Ourarchersshallbeplacedinthemidst.

JohnDukeofNorfolk,ThomasEarlofSurrey,

Shallhavetheleadingofthisfootandhorse.

Theythusdirected,wewillfollow

Inthemainbattle,whosepuissanceoneitherside

Shallbewellwingedwithourchiefesthorse.

This,andSaintGeorgetoboot!Whatthink'stthou,

Norfolk?

NORFOLK.Agooddirection,warlikesovereign.

ThisfoundIonmytentthismorning.

[Heshewethhimapaper]

KINGRICHARD.[Reads]

'JockeyofNorfolk,benotsobold,

ForDickonthymasterisboughtandsold.'

Athingdevisedbytheenemy.

Go,gentlemen,everymanuntohischarge.

Letnotourbabblingdreamsaffrightoursouls;

Conscienceisbutawordthatcowardsuse,

Devis'datfirsttokeepthestronginawe.

Ourstrongarmsbeourconscience,swordsourlaw.

Marchon,joinbravely,letustoitpell-mell;

Ifnottoheaven,thenhandinhandtohell.

HisORATIONtohisARMY

WhatshallIsaymorethanIhaveinferr'd?

Rememberwhomyouaretocopewithal-

Asortofvagabonds,rascals,andrunaways,

AscumofBritaines,andbaselackeypeasants,

Whomtheiro'er-cloyedcountryvomitsforth

Todesperateadventuresandassur'ddestruction.

Yousleepingsafe,theybringtoyouunrest;

Youhavinglands,andbless'dwithbeauteouswives,

Theywouldrestraintheone,distaintheother.

Andwhodothleadthembutapaltryfellow,

LongkeptinBritaineatourmother'scost?

Amilk-sop,onethatneverinhislife

Feltsomuchcoldasovershoesinsnow?

Let'swhipthesestragglerso'ertheseasagain;

Lashhencetheseover-weeningragsofFrance,

Thesefamish'dbeggars,wearyoftheirlives;

Who,butfordreamingonthisfondexploit,

Forwantofmeans,poorrats,hadhang'dthemselves.

Ifwebeconquered,letmenconquerus,

AndnotthesebastardBritaines,whomourfathers

Haveintheirownlandbeaten,bobb'd,andthump'd,

And,inrecord,leftthemtheheirsofshame.

Shalltheseenjoyourlands?liewithourwives,

Ravishourdaughters?[Drumafaroff]Hark!Iheartheir

drum.

Fight,gentlemenofEngland!Fight,boldyeomen!

Draw,archers,drawyourarrowstothehead!

Spuryourproudhorseshard,andrideinblood;

Amazethewelkinwithyourbrokenstaves!

EnteraMESSENGER

WhatsaysLordStanley?Willhebringhispower?

MESSENGER.Mylord,hedothdenytocome.

KINGRICHARD.OffwithhissonGeorge'shead!

NORFOLK.Mylord,theenemyispass'dthemarsh.

AfterthebattleletGeorgeStanleydie.

KINGRICHARD.Athousandheartsaregreatwithinmy

bosom.

Advanceourstandards,setuponourfoes;

Ourancientwordofcourage,fairSaintGeorge,

Inspireuswiththespleenoffierydragons!

Uponthem!Victorysitsonourhelms.

Exeunt

SCENEIV.

Anotherpartofthefield

Alarum;excursions.

EnterNORFOLKandforces;tohimCATESBY

CATESBY.Rescue,myLordofNorfolk,rescue,rescue!

TheKingenactsmorewondersthanaman,

Daringanoppositetoeverydanger.

Hishorseisslain,andallonfoothefights,

SeekingforRichmondinthethroatofdeath.

Rescue,fairlord,orelsethedayislost.

Alarums.

EnterKINGRICHARD

KINGRICHARD.Ahorse!ahorse!mykingdomforahorse!

CATESBY.Withdraw,mylord!I'llhelpyoutoahorse.

KINGRICHARD.Slave,Ihavesetmylifeuponacast

AndIWillstandthehazardofthedie.

IthinktherebesixRichmondsinthefield;

FivehaveIslainto-dayinsteadofhim.

Ahorse!ahorse!mykingdomforahorse!

Exeunt

SCENEV.

Anotherpartofthefield

Alarum.

Enter RICHARD and RICHMOND; they fight; RICHARD is slain.

Retreatandflourish.

EnterRICHMOND,DERBYbearingthecrown,withotherLORDS

RICHMOND.Godandyourarmsbeprais'd,victoriousfriends;

Thedayisours,thebloodydogisdead.

DERBY.CourageousRichmond,wellhastthouacquitthee!

Lo,here,thislong-usurpedroyalty

Fromthedeadtemplesofthisbloodywretch

HaveIpluck'doff,togracethybrowswithal.

Wearit,enjoyit,andmakemuchofit.

RICHMOND.GreatGodofheaven,sayAmentoall!

But,teLLmeisyoungGeorgeStanleyliving.

DERBY.Heis,mylord,andsafeinLeicestertown,

Whither,ifitpleaseyou,wemaynowwithdrawus.

RICHMOND.Whatmenofnameareslainoneitherside?

DERBY.JohnDukeofNorfolk,WalterLordFerrers,

SirRobertBrakenbury,andSirWilliamBrandon.

RICHMOND.Intertheirbodiesasbecomestheirbirths.

Proclaimapardontothesoldiersfled

Thatinsubmissionwillreturntous.

Andthen,aswehaveta'enthesacrament,

Wewillunitethewhiteroseandthered.

Smileheavenuponthisfairconjunction,

Thatlonghavefrown'dupontheiremnity!

Whattraitorhearsme,andsaysnotAmen?

Englandhathlongbeenmad,andscarr'dherself;

Thebrotherblindlyshedthebrother'sblood,

Thefatherrashlyslaughter'dhisownson,

Theson,compell'd,beenbutchertothesire;

AllthisdividedYorkandLancaster,

Dividedintheirdiredivision,

O,nowletRichmondandElizabeth,

Thetruesucceedersofeachroyalhouse,

ByGod'sfairordinanceconjointogether!

Andlettheirheirs,God,ifthywillbeso,

Enrichthetimetocomewithsmooth-fac'dpeace,

Withsmilingplenty,andfairprosperousdays!

Abatetheedgeoftraitors,graciousLord,

Thatwouldreducethesebloodydaysagain

AndmakepoorEnglandweepinstreamsofblood!

Letthemnotlivetotastethisland'sincrease

Thatwouldwithtreasonwoundthisfairland'speace!

Nowcivilwoundsarestopp'd,peacelivesagain-

Thatshemaylonglivehere,GodsayAmen!

Exeunt

THEEND

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