History of Richard III (complete text)

History of Richard III

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ACT I

SCENE I. London. A street.

[Enter GLOUCESTER, solus]

Gloucester. Now is the winter of our discontent	1.1.1
Made glorious summer by this sun of York;	1.1.2
And all the clouds that lour'd upon our house	1.1.3
In the deep bosom of the ocean buried.	1.1.4
Now are our brows bound with victorious wreaths;	1.1.5
Our bruised arms hung up for monuments;	1.1.6
Our stern alarums changed to merry meetings,	1.1.7
Our dreadful marches to delightful measures.	1.1.8
Grim-visaged war hath smooth'd his wrinkled front;	1.1.9
And now, instead of mounting barded steeds	1.1.10
To fright the souls of fearful adversaries,	1.1.11
He capers nimbly in a lady's chamber	1.1.12
To the lascivious pleasing of a lute.	1.1.13
But I, that am not shaped for sportive tricks,	1.1.14
Nor made to court an amorous looking-glass;	1.1.15
I, that am rudely stamp'd, and want love's majesty	1.1.16
To strut before a wanton ambling nymph;	1.1.17
I, that am curtail'd of this fair proportion,	1.1.18
Cheated of feature by dissembling nature,	1.1.19
Deformed, unfinish'd, sent before my time	1.1.20
Into this breathing world, scarce half made up,	1.1.21
And that so lamely and unfashionable	1.1.22
That dogs bark at me as I halt by them;	1.1.23
Why, I, in this weak piping time of peace,	1.1.24
Have no delight to pass away the time,	1.1.25
Unless to spy my shadow in the sun	1.1.26
And descant on mine own deformity:	1.1.27
And therefore, since I cannot prove a lover,	1.1.28
To entertain these fair well-spoken days,	1.1.29
I am determined to prove a villain	1.1.30
And hate the idle pleasures of these days.	1.1.31
Plots have I laid, inductions dangerous,	1.1.32
By drunken prophecies, libels and dreams,	1.1.33
To set my brother Clarence and the king	1.1.34
In deadly hate the one against the other:	1.1.35
And if King Edward be as true and just	1.1.36
As I am subtle, false and treacherous,	1.1.37
This day should Clarence closely be mew'd up,	1.1.38
About a prophecy, which says that 'G'	1.1.39
Of Edward's heirs the murderer shall be.	1.1.40
Dive, thoughts, down to my soul: here	1.1.41
Clarence comes.	1.1.42
[Enter CLARENCE, guarded, and BRAKENBURY]
Brother, good day; what means this armed guard	1.1.43
That waits upon your grace?	1.1.44

Clarence. His majesty	1.1.45
Tendering my person's safety, hath appointed	1.1.46
This conduct to convey me to the Tower.	1.1.47

Gloucester. Upon what cause?	1.1.48

Clarence. Because my name is George.	1.1.49

Gloucester. Alack, my lord, that fault is none of yours;	1.1.50
He should, for that, commit your godfathers:	1.1.51
O, belike his majesty hath some intent	1.1.52
That you shall be new-christen'd in the Tower.	1.1.53
But what's the matter, Clarence? may I know?	1.1.54

Clarence. Yea, Richard, when I know; for I protest	1.1.55
As yet I do not: but, as I can learn,	1.1.56
He hearkens after prophecies and dreams;	1.1.57
And from the cross-row plucks the letter G.	1.1.58
And says a wizard told him that by G	1.1.59
His issue disinherited should be;	1.1.60
And, for my name of George begins with G,	1.1.61
It follows in his thought that I am he.	1.1.62
These, as I learn, and such like toys as these	1.1.63
Have moved his highness to commit me now.	1.1.64

Gloucester. Why, this it is, when men are ruled by women:	1.1.65
'Tis not the king that sends you to the Tower:	1.1.66
My Lady Grey his wife, Clarence, 'tis she	1.1.67
That tempers him to this extremity.	1.1.68
Was it not she and that good man of worship,	1.1.69
Anthony Woodville, her brother there,	1.1.70
That made him send Lord Hastings to the Tower,	1.1.71
From whence this present day he is deliver'd?	1.1.72
We are not safe, Clarence; we are not safe.	1.1.73

Clarence. By heaven, I think there's no man is secure	1.1.74
But the queen's kindred and night-walking heralds	1.1.75
That trudge betwixt the king and Mistress Shore.	1.1.76
Heard ye not what an humble suppliant	1.1.77
Lord hastings was to her for his delivery?	1.1.78

Gloucester. Humbly complaining to her deity	1.1.79
Got my lord chamberlain his liberty.	1.1.80
I'll tell you what; I think it is our way,	1.1.81
If we will keep in favour with the king,	1.1.82
To be her men and wear her livery:	1.1.83
The jealous o'erworn widow and herself,	1.1.84
Since that our brother dubb'd them gentlewomen.	1.1.85
Are mighty gossips in this monarchy.	1.1.86

Brakenbury. I beseech your graces both to pardon me;	1.1.87
His majesty hath straitly given in charge	1.1.88
That no man shall have private conference,	1.1.89
Of what degree soever, with his brother.	1.1.90

Gloucester. Even so; an't please your worship, Brakenbury,	1.1.91
You may partake of any thing we say:	1.1.92
We speak no treason, man: we say the king	1.1.93
Is wise and virtuous, and his noble queen	1.1.94
Well struck in years, fair, and not jealous;	1.1.95
We say that Shore's wife hath a pretty foot,	1.1.96
A cherry lip, a bonny eye, a passing pleasing tongue;	1.1.97
And that the queen's kindred are made gentle-folks:	1.1.98
How say you sir? Can you deny all this?	1.1.99

Brakenbury. With this, my lord, myself have nought to do.	1.1.100

Gloucester. Naught to do with mistress Shore! I tell thee, fellow,	1.1.101
He that doth naught with her, excepting one,	1.1.102
Were best he do it secretly, alone.	1.1.103

Brakenbury. What one, my lord?	1.1.104

Gloucester. Her husband, knave: wouldst thou betray me?	1.1.105

Brakenbury. I beseech your grace to pardon me, and withal	1.1.106
Forbear your conference with the noble duke.	1.1.107

Clarence. We know thy charge, Brakenbury, and will obey.	1.1.108

Gloucester. We are the queen's abjects, and must obey.	1.1.109
Brother, farewell: I will unto the king;	1.1.110
And whatsoever you will employ me in,	1.1.111
Were it to call King Edward's widow sister,	1.1.112
I will perform it to enfranchise you.	1.1.113
Meantime, this deep disgrace in brotherhood	1.1.114
Touches me deeper than you can imagine.	1.1.115

Clarence. I know it pleaseth neither of us well.	1.1.116

Gloucester. Well, your imprisonment shall not be long;	1.1.117
Meantime, have patience.	1.1.118

Clarence. I must perforce. Farewell.	1.1.119
[Exeunt CLARENCE, BRAKENBURY, and Guard]

Gloucester. Go, tread the path that thou shalt ne'er return.	1.1.120
Simple, plain Clarence! I do love thee so,	1.1.121
That I will shortly send thy soul to heaven,	1.1.122
If heaven will take the present at our hands.	1.1.123
But who comes here? the new-deliver'd Hastings?	1.1.124

[Enter HASTINGS]

Hastings. Good time of day unto my gracious lord!	1.1.125

Gloucester. As much unto my good lord chamberlain!	1.1.126
Well are you welcome to the open air.	1.1.127
How hath your lordship brook'd imprisonment?	1.1.128

Hastings. With patience, noble lord, as prisoners must:	1.1.129
But I shall live, my lord, to give them thanks	1.1.130
That were the cause of my imprisonment.	1.1.131

Gloucester. No doubt, no doubt; and so shall Clarence too;	1.1.132
For they that were your enemies are his,	1.1.133
And have prevail'd as much on him as you.	1.1.134

Hastings. More pity that the eagle should be mew'd,	1.1.135
While kites and buzzards prey at liberty.	1.1.136

Gloucester. What news abroad?	1.1.137

Hastings. No news so bad abroad as this at home;	1.1.138
The King is sickly, weak and melancholy,	1.1.139
And his physicians fear him mightily.	1.1.140

Gloucester. Now, by Saint Paul, this news is bad indeed.	1.1.141
O, he hath kept an evil diet long,	1.1.142
And overmuch consumed his royal person:	1.1.143
'Tis very grievous to be thought upon.	1.1.144
What, is he in his bed?	1.1.145

Hastings. He is.	1.1.146

Gloucester. Go you before, and I will follow you.	1.1.147
[Exit HASTINGS]
He cannot live, I hope; and must not die	1.1.148
Till George be pack'd with post-horse up to heaven.	1.1.149
I'll in, to urge his hatred more to Clarence,	1.1.150
With lies well steel'd with weighty arguments;	1.1.151
And, if I fall not in my deep intent,	1.1.152
Clarence hath not another day to live:	1.1.153
Which done, God take King Edward to his mercy,	1.1.154
And leave the world for me to bustle in!	1.1.155
For then I'll marry Warwick's youngest daughter.	1.1.156
What though I kill'd her husband and her father?	1.1.157
The readiest way to make the wench amends	1.1.158
Is to become her husband and her father:	1.1.159
The which will I; not all so much for love	1.1.160
As for another secret close intent,	1.1.161
By marrying her which I must reach unto.	1.1.162
But yet I run before my horse to market:	1.1.163
Clarence still breathes; Edward still lives and reigns:	1.1.164
When they are gone, then must I count my gains.	1.1.165
[Exit]

SCENE II. The same. Another street.

[Enter the corpse of KING HENRY the Sixth, Gentlemen with halberds to guard it; LADY ANNE being the mourner]

Lady Anne. Set down, set down your honourable load,	1.2.1
If honour may be shrouded in a hearse,	1.2.2
Whilst I awhile obsequiously lament	1.2.3
The untimely fall of virtuous Lancaster.	1.2.4
Poor key-cold figure of a holy king!	1.2.5
Pale ashes of the house of Lancaster!	1.2.6
Thou bloodless remnant of that royal blood!	1.2.7
Be it lawful that I invocate thy ghost,	1.2.8
To hear the lamentations of Poor Anne,	1.2.9
Wife to thy Edward, to thy slaughter'd son,	1.2.10
Stabb'd by the selfsame hand that made these wounds!	1.2.11
Lo, in these windows that let forth thy life,	1.2.12
I pour the helpless balm of my poor eyes.	1.2.13
Cursed be the hand that made these fatal holes!	1.2.14
Cursed be the heart that had the heart to do it!	1.2.15
Cursed the blood that let this blood from hence!	1.2.16
More direful hap betide that hated wretch,	1.2.17
That makes us wretched by the death of thee,	1.2.18
Than I can wish to adders, spiders, toads,	1.2.19
Or any creeping venom'd thing that lives!	1.2.20
If ever he have child, abortive be it,	1.2.21
Prodigious, and untimely brought to light,	1.2.22
Whose ugly and unnatural aspect	1.2.23
May fright the hopeful mother at the view;	1.2.24
And that be heir to his unhappiness!	1.2.25
If ever he have wife, let her he made	1.2.26
A miserable by the death of him	1.2.27
As I am made by my poor lord and thee!	1.2.28
Come, now towards Chertsey with your holy load,	1.2.29
Taken from Paul's to be interred there;	1.2.30
And still, as you are weary of the weight,	1.2.31
Rest you, whiles I lament King Henry's corse.	1.2.32

[Enter GLOUCESTER]

Gloucester Stay, you that bear the corse, and set it down.	1.2.33

Lady Anne. What black magician conjures up this fiend,	1.2.34
To stop devoted charitable deeds?	1.2.35

Gloucester. Villains, set down the corse; or, by Saint Paul,	1.2.36
I'll make a corse of him that disobeys.	1.2.37

Gentleman. My lord, stand back, and let the coffin pass.	1.2.38

Gloucester. Unmanner'd dog! stand thou, when I command:	1.2.39
Advance thy halbert higher than my breast,	1.2.40
Or, by Saint Paul, I'll strike thee to my foot,	1.2.41
And spurn upon thee, beggar, for thy boldness.	1.2.42

Lady Anne. What, do you tremble? are you all afraid?	1.2.43
Alas, I blame you not; for you are mortal,	1.2.44
And mortal eyes cannot endure the devil.	1.2.45
Avaunt, thou dreadful minister of hell!	1.2.46
Thou hadst but power over his mortal body,	1.2.47
His soul thou canst not have; therefore be gone.	1.2.48

Gloucester. Sweet saint, for charity, be not so curst.	1.2.49

Lady Anne. Foul devil, for God's sake, hence, and trouble us not;	1.2.50
For thou hast made the happy earth thy hell,	1.2.51
Fill'd it with cursing cries and deep exclaims.	1.2.52
If thou delight to view thy heinous deeds,	1.2.53
Behold this pattern of thy butcheries.	1.2.54
O, gentlemen, see, see! dead Henry's wounds	1.2.55
Open their congeal'd mouths and bleed afresh!	1.2.56
Blush, Blush, thou lump of foul deformity;	1.2.57
For 'tis thy presence that exhales this blood	1.2.58
From cold and empty veins, where no blood dwells;	1.2.59
Thy deed, inhuman and unnatural,	1.2.60
Provokes this deluge most unnatural.	1.2.61
O God, which this blood madest, revenge his death!	1.2.62
O earth, which this blood drink'st revenge his death!	1.2.63
Either heaven with lightning strike the	1.2.64
murderer dead,	1.2.65
Or earth, gape open wide and eat him quick,	1.2.66
As thou dost swallow up this good king's blood	1.2.67
Which his hell-govern'd arm hath butchered!	1.2.68

Gloucester. Lady, you know no rules of charity,	1.2.69
Which renders good for bad, blessings for curses.	1.2.70

Lady Anne. Villain, thou know'st no law of God nor man:	1.2.71
No beast so fierce but knows some touch of pity.	1.2.72

Gloucester. But I know none, and therefore am no beast.	1.2.73

Lady Anne. O wonderful, when devils tell the truth!	1.2.74

Gloucester. More wonderful, when angels are so angry.	1.2.75
Vouchsafe, divine perfection of a woman,	1.2.76
Of these supposed-evils, to give me leave,	1.2.77
By circumstance, but to acquit myself.	1.2.78

Lady Anne. Vouchsafe, defused infection of a man,	1.2.79
For these known evils, but to give me leave,	1.2.80
By circumstance, to curse thy cursed self.	1.2.81

Gloucester. Fairer than tongue can name thee, let me have	1.2.82
Some patient leisure to excuse myself.	1.2.83

Lady Anne. Fouler than heart can think thee, thou canst make	1.2.84
No excuse current, but to hang thyself.	1.2.85

Gloucester. By such despair, I should accuse myself.	1.2.86

Lady Anne. And, by despairing, shouldst thou stand excused;	1.2.87
For doing worthy vengeance on thyself,	1.2.88
Which didst unworthy slaughter upon others.	1.2.89

Gloucester. Say that I slew them not?	1.2.90

Lady Anne. Why, then they are not dead:	1.2.91
But dead they are, and devilish slave, by thee.	1.2.92

Gloucester. I did not kill your husband.	1.2.93

Lady Anne. Why, then he is alive.	1.2.94

Gloucester. Nay, he is dead; and slain by Edward's hand.	1.2.95

Lady Anne. In thy foul throat thou liest: Queen Margaret saw	1.2.96
Thy murderous falchion smoking in his blood;	1.2.97
The which thou once didst bend against her breast,	1.2.98
But that thy brothers beat aside the point.	1.2.99

Gloucester. I was provoked by her slanderous tongue,	1.2.100
which laid their guilt upon my guiltless shoulders.	1.2.101

Lady Anne. Thou wast provoked by thy bloody mind.	1.2.102
Which never dreamt on aught but butcheries:	1.2.103
Didst thou not kill this king?	1.2.104

Gloucester. I grant ye.	1.2.105

Lady Anne. Dost grant me, hedgehog? then, God grant me too	1.2.106
Thou mayst be damned for that wicked deed!	1.2.107
O, he was gentle, mild, and virtuous!	1.2.108

Gloucester. The fitter for the King of heaven, that hath him.	1.2.109

Lady Anne. He is in heaven, where thou shalt never come.	1.2.110

Gloucester. Let him thank me, that holp to send him thither;	1.2.111
For he was fitter for that place than earth.	1.2.112

Lady Anne. And thou unfit for any place but hell.	1.2.113

Gloucester. Yes, one place else, if you will hear me name it.	1.2.114

Lady Anne. Some dungeon.	1.2.115

Gloucester. Your bed-chamber.	1.2.116

Lady Anne. Ill rest betide the chamber where thou liest!	1.2.117

Gloucester. So will it, madam till I lie with you.	1.2.118

Lady Anne. I hope so.	1.2.119

Gloucester. I know so. But, gentle Lady Anne,	1.2.120
To leave this keen encounter of our wits,	1.2.121
And fall somewhat into a slower method,	1.2.122
Is not the causer of the timeless deaths	1.2.123
Of these Plantagenets, Henry and Edward,	1.2.124
As blameful as the executioner?	1.2.125

Lady Anne. Thou art the cause, and most accursed effect.	1.2.126

Gloucester. Your beauty was the cause of that effect;	1.2.127
Your beauty: which did haunt me in my sleep	1.2.128
To undertake the death of all the world,	1.2.129
So I might live one hour in your sweet bosom.	1.2.130

Lady Anne. If I thought that, I tell thee, homicide,	1.2.131
These nails should rend that beauty from my cheeks.	1.2.132

Gloucester. These eyes could never endure sweet beauty's wreck;	1.2.133
You should not blemish it, if I stood by:	1.2.134
As all the world is cheered by the sun,	1.2.135
So I by that; it is my day, my life.	1.2.136

Lady Anne. Black night o'ershade thy day, and death thy life!	1.2.137

Gloucester. Curse not thyself, fair creature thou art both.	1.2.138

Lady Anne. I would I were, to be revenged on thee.	1.2.139

Gloucester. It is a quarrel most unnatural,	1.2.140
To be revenged on him that loveth you.	1.2.141

Lady Anne. It is a quarrel just and reasonable,	1.2.142
To be revenged on him that slew my husband.	1.2.143

Gloucester. He that bereft thee, lady, of thy husband,	1.2.144
Did it to help thee to a better husband.	1.2.145

Lady Anne. His better doth not breathe upon the earth.	1.2.146

Gloucester. He lives that loves thee better than he could.	1.2.147

Lady Anne. Name him.	1.2.148

Gloucester. Plantagenet.	1.2.149

Lady Anne. Why, that was he.	1.2.150

Gloucester. The selfsame name, but one of better nature.	1.2.151

Lady Anne. Where is he?	1.2.152

Gloucester. Here.	1.2.153
[She spitteth at him]
Why dost thou spit at me?	1.2.154

Lady Anne. Would it were mortal poison, for thy sake!	1.2.155

Gloucester. Never came poison from so sweet a place.	1.2.156

Lady Anne. Never hung poison on a fouler toad.	1.2.157
Out of my sight! thou dost infect my eyes.	1.2.158

Gloucester. Thine eyes, sweet lady, have infected mine.	1.2.159

Lady Anne. Would they were basilisks, to strike thee dead!	1.2.160

Gloucester. I would they were, that I might die at once;	1.2.161
For now they kill me with a living death.	1.2.162
Those eyes of thine from mine have drawn salt tears,	1.2.163
Shamed their aspect with store of childish drops:	1.2.164
These eyes that never shed remorseful tear,	1.2.165
No, when my father York and Edward wept,	1.2.166
To hear the piteous moan that Rutland made	1.2.167
When black-faced Clifford shook his sword at him;	1.2.168
Nor when thy warlike father, like a child,	1.2.169
Told the sad story of my father's death,	1.2.170
And twenty times made pause to sob and weep,	1.2.171
That all the standers-by had wet their cheeks	1.2.172
Like trees bedash'd with rain: in that sad time	1.2.173
My manly eyes did scorn an humble tear;	1.2.174
And what these sorrows could not thence exhale,	1.2.175
Thy beauty hath, and made them blind with weeping.	1.2.176
I never sued to friend nor enemy;	1.2.177
My tongue could never learn sweet smoothing word;	1.2.178
But now thy beauty is proposed my fee,	1.2.179
My proud heart sues, and prompts my tongue to speak.	1.2.180
[She looks scornfully at him]
Teach not thy lips such scorn, for they were made	1.2.181
For kissing, lady, not for such contempt.	1.2.182
If thy revengeful heart cannot forgive,	1.2.183
Lo, here I lend thee this sharp-pointed sword;	1.2.184
Which if thou please to hide in this true bosom.	1.2.185
And let the soul forth that adoreth thee,	1.2.186
I lay it naked to the deadly stroke,	1.2.187
And humbly beg the death upon my knee.	1.2.188
[He lays his breast open: she offers at it with his sword]
Nay, do not pause; for I did kill King Henry,	1.2.189
But 'twas thy beauty that provoked me.	1.2.190
Nay, now dispatch; 'twas I that stabb'd young Edward,	1.2.191
But 'twas thy heavenly face that set me on.	1.2.192
[Here she lets fall the sword]
Take up the sword again, or take up me.	1.2.193

Lady Anne. Arise, dissembler: though I wish thy death,	1.2.194
I will not be the executioner.	1.2.195

Gloucester. Then bid me kill myself, and I will do it.	1.2.196

Lady Anne. I have already.	1.2.197

Gloucester. Tush, that was in thy rage:	1.2.198
Speak it again, and, even with the word,	1.2.199
That hand, which, for thy love, did kill thy love,	1.2.200
Shall, for thy love, kill a far truer love;	1.2.201
To both their deaths thou shalt be accessary.	1.2.202

Lady Anne. I would I knew thy heart.	1.2.203

Gloucester. 'Tis figured in my tongue.	1.2.204

Lady Anne. I fear me both are false.	1.2.205

Gloucester. Then never man was true.	1.2.206

Lady Anne. Well, well, put up your sword.	1.2.207

Gloucester. Say, then, my peace is made.	1.2.208

Lady Anne. That shall you know hereafter.	1.2.209

Gloucester. But shall I live in hope?	1.2.210

Lady Anne. All men, I hope, live so.	1.2.211

Gloucester. Vouchsafe to wear this ring.	1.2.212

Lady Anne. To take is not to give.	1.2.213

Gloucester. Look, how this ring encompasseth finger.	1.2.214
Even so thy breast encloseth my poor heart;	1.2.215
Wear both of them, for both of them are thine.	1.2.216
And if thy poor devoted suppliant may	1.2.217
But beg one favour at thy gracious hand,	1.2.218
Thou dost confirm his happiness for ever.	1.2.219

Lady Anne. What is it?	1.2.220

Gloucester. That it would please thee leave these sad designs	1.2.221
To him that hath more cause to be a mourner,	1.2.222
And presently repair to Crosby Place;	1.2.223
Where, after I have solemnly interr'd	1.2.224
At Chertsey monastery this noble king,	1.2.225
And wet his grave with my repentant tears,	1.2.226
I will with all expedient duty see you:	1.2.227
For divers unknown reasons. I beseech you,	1.2.228
Grant me this boon.	1.2.229

Lady Anne. With all my heart; and much it joys me too,	1.2.230
To see you are become so penitent.	1.2.231
Tressel and Berkeley, go along with me.	1.2.232

Gloucester. Bid me farewell.	1.2.233

Lady Anne. 'Tis more than you deserve;	1.2.234
But since you teach me how to flatter you,	1.2.235
Imagine I have said farewell already.	1.2.236
[Exeunt LADY ANNE, TRESSEL, and BERKELEY]

Gloucester. Sirs, take up the corse.	1.2.237

Gentlemen. Towards Chertsey, noble lord?	1.2.238

Gloucester. No, to White-Friars; there attend my coining.	1.2.239
[Exeunt all but GLOUCESTER]
Was ever woman in this humour woo'd?	1.2.240
Was ever woman in this humour won?	1.2.241
I'll have her; but I will not keep her long.	1.2.242
What! I, that kill'd her husband and his father,	1.2.243
To take her in her heart's extremest hate,	1.2.244
With curses in her mouth, tears in her eyes,	1.2.245
The bleeding witness of her hatred by;	1.2.246
Having God, her conscience, and these bars	1.2.247
against me,	1.2.248
And I nothing to back my suit at all,	1.2.249
But the plain devil and dissembling looks,	1.2.250
And yet to win her, all the world to nothing!	1.2.251
Ha!	1.2.252
Hath she forgot already that brave prince,	1.2.253
Edward, her lord, whom I, some three months since,	1.2.254
Stabb'd in my angry mood at Tewksbury?	1.2.255
A sweeter and a lovelier gentleman,	1.2.256
Framed in the prodigality of nature,	1.2.257
Young, valiant, wise, and, no doubt, right royal,	1.2.258
The spacious world cannot again afford	1.2.259
And will she yet debase her eyes on me,	1.2.260
That cropp'd the golden prime of this sweet prince,	1.2.261
And made her widow to a woful bed?	1.2.262
On me, whose all not equals Edward's moiety?	1.2.263
On me, that halt and am unshapen thus?	1.2.264
My dukedom to a beggarly denier,	1.2.265
I do mistake my person all this while:	1.2.266
Upon my life, she finds, although I cannot,	1.2.267
Myself to be a marvellous proper man.	1.2.268
I'll be at charges for a looking-glass,	1.2.269
And entertain some score or two of tailors,	1.2.270
To study fashions to adorn my body:	1.2.271
Since I am crept in favour with myself,	1.2.272
Will maintain it with some little cost.	1.2.273
But first I'll turn yon fellow in his grave;	1.2.274
And then return lamenting to my love.	1.2.275
Shine out, fair sun, till I have bought a glass,	1.2.276
That I may see my shadow as I pass.	1.2.277
[Exit]

SCENE III. The palace.

[Enter QUEEN ELIZABETH, RIVERS, and GREY]

Rivers. Have patience, madam: there's no doubt his majesty	1.3.1
Will soon recover his accustom'd health.	1.3.2

Grey. In that you brook it in, it makes him worse:	1.3.3
Therefore, for God's sake, entertain good comfort,	1.3.4
And cheer his grace with quick and merry words.	1.3.5

Queen Elizabeth. If he were dead, what would betide of me?	1.3.6

Rivers. No other harm but loss of such a lord.	1.3.7

Queen Elizabeth. The loss of such a lord includes all harm.	1.3.8

Grey. The heavens have bless'd you with a goodly son,	1.3.9
To be your comforter when he is gone.	1.3.10

Queen Elizabeth. Oh, he is young and his minority	1.3.11
Is put unto the trust of Richard Gloucester,	1.3.12
A man that loves not me, nor none of you.	1.3.13

Rivers. Is it concluded that he shall be protector?	1.3.14

Queen Elizabeth. It is determined, not concluded yet:	1.3.15
But so it must be, if the king miscarry.	1.3.16

[Enter BUCKINGHAM and DERBY]

Grey. Here come the lords of Buckingham and Derby.	1.3.17

Buckingham. Good time of day unto your royal grace!	1.3.18

Derby. God make your majesty joyful as you have been!	1.3.19

Queen Elizabeth. The Countess Richmond, good my Lord of Derby.	1.3.20
To your good prayers will scarcely say amen.	1.3.21
Yet, Derby, notwithstanding she's your wife,	1.3.22
And loves not me, be you, good lord, assured	1.3.23
I hate not you for her proud arrogance.	1.3.24

Derby. I do beseech you, either not believe	1.3.25
The envious slanders of her false accusers;	1.3.26
Or, if she be accused in true report,	1.3.27
Bear with her weakness, which, I think proceeds	1.3.28
From wayward sickness, and no grounded malice.	1.3.29

Rivers. Saw you the king to-day, my Lord of Derby?	1.3.30

Derby. But now the Duke of Buckingham and I	1.3.31
Are come from visiting his majesty.	1.3.32

Queen Elizabeth. What likelihood of his amendment, lords?	1.3.33

Buckingham. Madam, good hope; his grace speaks cheerfully.	1.3.34

Queen Elizabeth. God grant him health! Did you confer with him?	1.3.35

Buckingham. Madam, we did: he desires to make atonement	1.3.36
Betwixt the Duke of Gloucester and your brothers,	1.3.37
And betwixt them and my lord chamberlain;	1.3.38
And sent to warn them to his royal presence.	1.3.39

Queen Elizabeth. Would all were well! but that will never be	1.3.40
I fear our happiness is at the highest.	1.3.41

[Enter GLOUCESTER, HASTINGS, and DORSET]

Gloucester. They do me wrong, and I will not endure it:	1.3.42
Who are they that complain unto the king,	1.3.43
That I, forsooth, am stern, and love them not?	1.3.44
By holy Paul, they love his grace but lightly	1.3.45
That fill his ears with such dissentious rumours.	1.3.46
Because I cannot flatter and speak fair,	1.3.47
Smile in men's faces, smooth, deceive and cog,	1.3.48
Duck with French nods and apish courtesy,	1.3.49
I must be held a rancorous enemy.	1.3.50
Cannot a plain man live and think no harm,	1.3.51
But thus his simple truth must be abused	1.3.52
By silken, sly, insinuating Jacks?	1.3.53

Rivers. To whom in all this presence speaks your grace?	1.3.54

Gloucester. To thee, that hast nor honesty nor grace.	1.3.55
When have I injured thee? when done thee wrong?	1.3.56
Or thee? or thee? or any of your faction?	1.3.57
A plague upon you all! His royal person,--	1.3.58
Whom God preserve better than you would wish!--	1.3.59
Cannot be quiet scarce a breathing-while,	1.3.60
But you must trouble him with lewd complaints.	1.3.61

Queen Elizabeth Brother of Gloucester, you mistake the matter.	1.3.62
The king, of his own royal disposition,	1.3.63
And not provoked by any suitor else;	1.3.64
Aiming, belike, at your interior hatred,	1.3.65
Which in your outward actions shows itself	1.3.66
Against my kindred, brothers, and myself,	1.3.67
Makes him to send; that thereby he may gather	1.3.68
The ground of your ill-will, and so remove it.	1.3.69

Gloucester. I cannot tell: the world is grown so bad,	1.3.70
That wrens make prey where eagles dare not perch:	1.3.71
Since every Jack became a gentleman	1.3.72
There's many a gentle person made a Jack.	1.3.73

Queen Elizabeth. Come, come, we know your meaning, brother	1.3.74
Gloucester;	1.3.75
You envy my advancement and my friends':	1.3.76
God grant we never may have need of you!	1.3.77

Gloucester. Meantime, God grants that we have need of you:	1.3.78
Your brother is imprison'd by your means,	1.3.79
Myself disgraced, and the nobility	1.3.80
Held in contempt; whilst many fair promotions	1.3.81
Are daily given to ennoble those	1.3.82
That scarce, some two days since, were worth a noble.	1.3.83

Queen Elizabeth. By Him that raised me to this careful height	1.3.84
From that contented hap which I enjoy'd,	1.3.85
I never did incense his majesty	1.3.86
Against the Duke of Clarence, but have been	1.3.87
An earnest advocate to plead for him.	1.3.88
My lord, you do me shameful injury,	1.3.89
Falsely to draw me in these vile suspects.	1.3.90

Gloucester. You may deny that you were not the cause	1.3.91
Of my Lord Hastings' late imprisonment.	1.3.92

Rivers. She may, my lord, for--	1.3.93

Gloucester. She may, Lord Rivers! why, who knows not so?	1.3.94
She may do more, sir, than denying that:	1.3.95
She may help you to many fair preferments,	1.3.96
And then deny her aiding hand therein,	1.3.97
And lay those honours on your high deserts.	1.3.98
What may she not? She may, yea, marry, may she--	1.3.99

Rivers. What, marry, may she?	1.3.100

Gloucester. What, marry, may she! marry with a king,	1.3.101
A bachelor, a handsome stripling too:	1.3.102
I wis your grandam had a worser match.	1.3.103

Queen Elizabeth. My Lord of Gloucester, I have too long borne	1.3.104
Your blunt upbraidings and your bitter scoffs:	1.3.105
By heaven, I will acquaint his majesty	1.3.106
With those gross taunts I often have endured.	1.3.107
I had rather be a country servant-maid	1.3.108
Than a great queen, with this condition,	1.3.109
To be thus taunted, scorn'd, and baited at:	1.3.110
[Enter QUEEN MARGARET, behind]
Small joy have I in being England's queen.	1.3.111

Queen Margaret. And lessen'd be that small, God, I beseech thee!	1.3.112
Thy honour, state and seat is due to me.	1.3.113

Gloucester. What! threat you me with telling of the king?	1.3.114
Tell him, and spare not: look, what I have said	1.3.115
I will avouch in presence of the king:	1.3.116
I dare adventure to be sent to the Tower.	1.3.117
'Tis time to speak; my pains are quite forgot.	1.3.118

Queen Margaret. Out, devil! I remember them too well:	1.3.119
Thou slewest my husband Henry in the Tower,	1.3.120
And Edward, my poor son, at Tewksbury.	1.3.121

Gloucester. Ere you were queen, yea, or your husband king,	1.3.122
I was a pack-horse in his great affairs;	1.3.123
A weeder-out of his proud adversaries,	1.3.124
A liberal rewarder of his friends:	1.3.125
To royalize his blood I spilt mine own.	1.3.126

Queen Margaret. Yea, and much better blood than his or thine.	1.3.127

Gloucester. In all which time you and your husband Grey	1.3.128
Were factious for the house of Lancaster;	1.3.129
And, Rivers, so were you. Was not your husband	1.3.130
In Margaret's battle at Saint Alban's slain?	1.3.131
Let me put in your minds, if you forget,	1.3.132
What you have been ere now, and what you are;	1.3.133
Withal, what I have been, and what I am.	1.3.134

Queen Margaret. A murderous villain, and so still thou art.	1.3.135

Gloucester. Poor Clarence did forsake his father, Warwick;	1.3.136
Yea, and forswore himself,--which Jesu pardon!--	1.3.137

Queen Margaret. Which God revenge!	1.3.138

Gloucester. To fight on Edward's party for the crown;	1.3.139
And for his meed, poor lord, he is mew'd up.	1.3.140
I would to God my heart were flint, like Edward's;	1.3.141
Or Edward's soft and pitiful, like mine	1.3.142
I am too childish-foolish for this world.	1.3.143

Queen Margaret. Hie thee to hell for shame, and leave the world,	1.3.144
Thou cacodemon! there thy kingdom is.	1.3.145

Rivers. My Lord of Gloucester, in those busy days	1.3.146
Which here you urge to prove us enemies,	1.3.147
We follow'd then our lord, our lawful king:	1.3.148
So should we you, if you should be our king.	1.3.149

Gloucester. If I should be! I had rather be a pedlar:	1.3.150
Far be it from my heart, the thought of it!	1.3.151

Queen Elizabeth. As little joy, my lord, as you suppose	1.3.152
You should enjoy, were you this country's king,	1.3.153
As little joy may you suppose in me.	1.3.154
That I enjoy, being the queen thereof.	1.3.155

Queen Margaret. A little joy enjoys the queen thereof;	1.3.156
For I am she, and altogether joyless.	1.3.157
I can no longer hold me patient.	1.3.158
[Advancing]
Hear me, you wrangling pirates, that fall out	1.3.159
In sharing that which you have pill'd from me!	1.3.160
Which of you trembles not that looks on me?	1.3.161
If not, that, I being queen, you bow like subjects,	1.3.162
Yet that, by you deposed, you quake like rebels?	1.3.163
O gentle villain, do not turn away!	1.3.164

Gloucester. Foul wrinkled witch, what makest thou in my sight?	1.3.165

Queen Margaret. But repetition of what thou hast marr'd;	1.3.166
That will I make before I let thee go.	1.3.167

Gloucester. Wert thou not banished on pain of death?	1.3.168

Queen Margaret. I was; but I do find more pain in banishment	1.3.169
Than death can yield me here by my abode.	1.3.170
A husband and a son thou owest to me;	1.3.171
And thou a kingdom; all of you allegiance:	1.3.172
The sorrow that I have, by right is yours,	1.3.173
And all the pleasures you usurp are mine.	1.3.174

Gloucester. The curse my noble father laid on thee,	1.3.175
When thou didst crown his warlike brows with paper	1.3.176
And with thy scorns drew'st rivers from his eyes,	1.3.177
And then, to dry them, gavest the duke a clout	1.3.178
Steep'd in the faultless blood of pretty Rutland--	1.3.179
His curses, then from bitterness of soul	1.3.180
Denounced against thee, are all fall'n upon thee;	1.3.181
And God, not we, hath plagued thy bloody deed.	1.3.182

Queen Elizabeth. So just is God, to right the innocent.	1.3.183

Hastings. O, 'twas the foulest deed to slay that babe,	1.3.184
And the most merciless that e'er was heard of!	1.3.185

Rivers. Tyrants themselves wept when it was reported.	1.3.186

Dorset. No man but prophesied revenge for it.	1.3.187

Buckingham. Northumberland, then present, wept to see it.	1.3.188

Queen Margaret. What were you snarling all before I came,	1.3.189
Ready to catch each other by the throat,	1.3.190
And turn you all your hatred now on me?	1.3.191
Did York's dread curse prevail so much with heaven?	1.3.192
That Henry's death, my lovely Edward's death,	1.3.193
Their kingdom's loss, my woful banishment,	1.3.194
Could all but answer for that peevish brat?	1.3.195
Can curses pierce the clouds and enter heaven?	1.3.196
Why, then, give way, dull clouds, to my quick curses!	1.3.197
If not by war, by surfeit die your king,	1.3.198
As ours by murder, to make him a king!	1.3.199
Edward thy son, which now is Prince of Wales,	1.3.200
For Edward my son, which was Prince of Wales,	1.3.201
Die in his youth by like untimely violence!	1.3.202
Thyself a queen, for me that was a queen,	1.3.203
Outlive thy glory, like my wretched self!	1.3.204
Long mayst thou live to wail thy children's loss;	1.3.205
And see another, as I see thee now,	1.3.206
Deck'd in thy rights, as thou art stall'd in mine!	1.3.207
Long die thy happy days before thy death;	1.3.208
And, after many lengthen'd hours of grief,	1.3.209
Die neither mother, wife, nor England's queen!	1.3.210
Rivers and Dorset, you were standers by,	1.3.211
And so wast thou, Lord Hastings, when my son	1.3.212
Was stabb'd with bloody daggers: God, I pray him,	1.3.213
That none of you may live your natural age,	1.3.214
But by some unlook'd accident cut off!	1.3.215

Gloucester. Have done thy charm, thou hateful wither'd hag!	1.3.216

Queen Margaret. And leave out thee? stay, dog, for thou shalt hear me.	1.3.217
If heaven have any grievous plague in store	1.3.218
Exceeding those that I can wish upon thee,	1.3.219
O, let them keep it till thy sins be ripe,	1.3.220
And then hurl down their indignation	1.3.221
On thee, the troubler of the poor world's peace!	1.3.222
The worm of conscience still begnaw thy soul!	1.3.223
Thy friends suspect for traitors while thou livest,	1.3.224
And take deep traitors for thy dearest friends!	1.3.225
No sleep close up that deadly eye of thine,	1.3.226
Unless it be whilst some tormenting dream	1.3.227
Affrights thee with a hell of ugly devils!	1.3.228
Thou elvish-mark'd, abortive, rooting hog!	1.3.229
Thou that wast seal'd in thy nativity	1.3.230
The slave of nature and the son of hell!	1.3.231
Thou slander of thy mother's heavy womb!	1.3.232
Thou loathed issue of thy father's loins!	1.3.233
Thou rag of honour! thou detested--	1.3.234

Gloucester. Margaret.	1.3.235

Queen Margaret. Richard!	1.3.236

Gloucester. Ha!	1.3.237

Queen Margaret. I call thee not.	1.3.238

Gloucester. I cry thee mercy then, for I had thought	1.3.239
That thou hadst call'd me all these bitter names.	1.3.240

Queen Margaret. Why, so I did; but look'd for no reply.	1.3.241
O, let me make the period to my curse!	1.3.242

Gloucester. 'Tis done by me, and ends in 'Margaret.'	1.3.243

Queen Elizabeth. Thus have you breathed your curse against yourself.	1.3.244

Queen Margaret. Poor painted queen, vain flourish of my fortune!	1.3.245
Why strew'st thou sugar on that bottled spider,	1.3.246
Whose deadly web ensnareth thee about?	1.3.247
Fool, fool! thou whet'st a knife to kill thyself.	1.3.248
The time will come when thou shalt wish for me	1.3.249
To help thee curse that poisonous bunchback'd toad.	1.3.250

Hastings. False-boding woman, end thy frantic curse,	1.3.251
Lest to thy harm thou move our patience.	1.3.252

Queen Margaret. Foul shame upon you! you have all moved mine.	1.3.253

Rivers. Were you well served, you would be taught your duty.	1.3.254

Queen Margaret. To serve me well, you all should do me duty,	1.3.255
Teach me to be your queen, and you my subjects:	1.3.256
O, serve me well, and teach yourselves that duty!	1.3.257

Dorset. Dispute not with her; she is lunatic.	1.3.258

Queen Margaret. Peace, master marquess, you are malapert:	1.3.259
Your fire-new stamp of honour is scarce current.	1.3.260
O, that your young nobility could judge	1.3.261
What 'twere to lose it, and be miserable!	1.3.262
They that stand high have many blasts to shake them;	1.3.263
And if they fall, they dash themselves to pieces.	1.3.264

Gloucester. Good counsel, marry: learn it, learn it, marquess.	1.3.265

Dorset. It toucheth you, my lord, as much as me.	1.3.266

Gloucester. Yea, and much more: but I was born so high,	1.3.267
Our aery buildeth in the cedar's top,	1.3.268
And dallies with the wind and scorns the sun.	1.3.269

Queen Margaret. And turns the sun to shade; alas! alas!	1.3.270
Witness my son, now in the shade of death;	1.3.271
Whose bright out-shining beams thy cloudy wrath	1.3.272
Hath in eternal darkness folded up.	1.3.273
Your aery buildeth in our aery's nest.	1.3.274
O God, that seest it, do not suffer it!	1.3.275
As it was won with blood, lost be it so!	1.3.276

Buckingham. Have done! for shame, if not for charity.	1.3.277

Queen Margaret. Urge neither charity nor shame to me:	1.3.278
Uncharitably with me have you dealt,	1.3.279
And shamefully by you my hopes are butcher'd.	1.3.280
My charity is outrage, life my shame	1.3.281
And in that shame still live my sorrow's rage.	1.3.282

Buckingham. Have done, have done.	1.3.283

Queen Margaret. O princely Buckingham I'll kiss thy hand,	1.3.284
In sign of league and amity with thee:	1.3.285
Now fair befal thee and thy noble house!	1.3.286
Thy garments are not spotted with our blood,	1.3.287
Nor thou within the compass of my curse.	1.3.288

Buckingham. Nor no one here; for curses never pass	1.3.289
The lips of those that breathe them in the air.	1.3.290

Queen Margaret. I'll not believe but they ascend the sky,	1.3.291
And there awake God's gentle-sleeping peace.	1.3.292
O Buckingham, take heed of yonder dog!	1.3.293
Look, when he fawns, he bites; and when he bites,	1.3.294
His venom tooth will rankle to the death:	1.3.295
Have not to do with him, beware of him;	1.3.296
Sin, death, and hell have set their marks on him,	1.3.297
And all their ministers attend on him.	1.3.298

Gloucester. What doth she say, my Lord of Buckingham?	1.3.299

Buckingham. Nothing that I respect, my gracious lord.	1.3.300

Queen Margaret. What, dost thou scorn me for my gentle counsel?	1.3.301
And soothe the devil that I warn thee from?	1.3.302
O, but remember this another day,	1.3.303
When he shall split thy very heart with sorrow,	1.3.304
And say poor Margaret was a prophetess!	1.3.305
Live each of you the subjects to his hate,	1.3.306
And he to yours, and all of you to God's!	1.3.307
[Exit]

Hastings. My hair doth stand on end to hear her curses.	1.3.308

Rivers. And so doth mine: I muse why she's at liberty.	1.3.309

Gloucester. I cannot blame her: by God's holy mother,	1.3.310
She hath had too much wrong; and I repent	1.3.311
My part thereof that I have done to her.	1.3.312

Queen Elizabeth. I never did her any, to my knowledge.	1.3.313

Gloucester. But you have all the vantage of her wrong.	1.3.314
I was too hot to do somebody good,	1.3.315
That is too cold in thinking of it now.	1.3.316
Marry, as for Clarence, he is well repaid,	1.3.317
He is frank'd up to fatting for his pains	1.3.318
God pardon them that are the cause of it!	1.3.319

Rivers. A virtuous and a Christian-like conclusion,	1.3.320
To pray for them that have done scathe to us.	1.3.321

Gloucester. So do I ever:	1.3.322
[Aside]
being well-advised.	1.3.323
For had I cursed now, I had cursed myself.	1.3.324

[Enter CATESBY]

Catesby. Madam, his majesty doth call for you,	1.3.325
And for your grace; and you, my noble lords.	1.3.326

Queen Elizabeth. Catesby, we come. Lords, will you go with us?	1.3.327

Rivers. Madam, we will attend your grace.	1.3.328
[Exeunt all but GLOUCESTER]

Gloucester. I do the wrong, and first begin to brawl.	1.3.329
The secret mischiefs that I set abroach	1.3.330
I lay unto the grievous charge of others.	1.3.331
Clarence, whom I, indeed, have laid in darkness,	1.3.332
I do beweep to many simple gulls	1.3.333
Namely, to Hastings, Derby, Buckingham;	1.3.334
And say it is the queen and her allies	1.3.335
That stir the king against the duke my brother.	1.3.336
Now, they believe it; and withal whet me	1.3.337
To be revenged on Rivers, Vaughan, Grey:	1.3.338
But then I sigh; and, with a piece of scripture,	1.3.339
Tell them that God bids us do good for evil:	1.3.340
And thus I clothe my naked villany	1.3.341
With old odd ends stolen out of holy writ;	1.3.342
And seem a saint, when most I play the devil.	1.3.343
[Enter two Murderers]
But, soft! here come my executioners.	1.3.344
How now, my hardy, stout resolved mates!	1.3.345
Are you now going to dispatch this deed?	1.3.346

First Murderer. We are, my lord; and come to have the warrant	1.3.347
That we may be admitted where he is.	1.3.348

Gloucester. Well thought upon; I have it here about me.	1.3.349
[Gives the warrant]
When you have done, repair to Crosby Place.	1.3.350
But, sirs, be sudden in the execution,	1.3.351
Withal obdurate, do not hear him plead;	1.3.352
For Clarence is well-spoken, and perhaps	1.3.353
May move your hearts to pity if you mark him.	1.3.354

First Murderer. Tush!	1.3.355
Fear not, my lord, we will not stand to prate;	1.3.356
Talkers are no good doers: be assured	1.3.357
We come to use our hands and not our tongues.	1.3.358

Gloucester. Your eyes drop millstones, when fools' eyes drop tears:	1.3.359
I like you, lads; about your business straight;	1.3.360
Go, go, dispatch.	1.3.361

First Murderer. We will, my noble lord.	1.3.362
[Exeunt]

SCENE IV. London. The Tower.

[Enter CLARENCE and BRAKENBURY]

Brakenbury. Why looks your grace so heavily today?	1.4.1

Clarence. O, I have pass'd a miserable night,	1.4.2
So full of ugly sights, of ghastly dreams,	1.4.3
That, as I am a Christian faithful man,	1.4.4
I would not spend another such a night,	1.4.5
Though 'twere to buy a world of happy days,	1.4.6
So full of dismal terror was the time!	1.4.7

Brakenbury. What was your dream? I long to hear you tell it.	1.4.8

Clarence. Methoughts that I had broken from the Tower,	1.4.9
And was embark'd to cross to Burgundy;	1.4.10
And, in my company, my brother Gloucester;	1.4.11
Who from my cabin tempted me to walk	1.4.12
Upon the hatches: thence we looked toward England,	1.4.13
And cited up a thousand fearful times,	1.4.14
During the wars of York and Lancaster	1.4.15
That had befall'n us. As we paced along	1.4.16
Upon the giddy footing of the hatches,	1.4.17
Methought that Gloucester stumbled; and, in falling,	1.4.18
Struck me, that thought to stay him, overboard,	1.4.19
Into the tumbling billows of the main.	1.4.20
Lord, Lord! methought, what pain it was to drown!	1.4.21
What dreadful noise of waters in mine ears!	1.4.22
What ugly sights of death within mine eyes!	1.4.23
Methought I saw a thousand fearful wrecks;	1.4.24
Ten thousand men that fishes gnaw'd upon;	1.4.25
Wedges of gold, great anchors, heaps of pearl,	1.4.26
Inestimable stones, unvalued jewels,	1.4.27
All scatter'd in the bottom of the sea:	1.4.28
Some lay in dead men's skulls; and, in those holes	1.4.29
Where eyes did once inhabit, there were crept,	1.4.30
As 'twere in scorn of eyes, reflecting gems,	1.4.31
Which woo'd the slimy bottom of the deep,	1.4.32
And mock'd the dead bones that lay scatter'd by.	1.4.33

Brakenbury. Had you such leisure in the time of death	1.4.34
To gaze upon the secrets of the deep?	1.4.35

Clarence. Methought I had; and often did I strive	1.4.36
To yield the ghost: but still the envious flood	1.4.37
Kept in my soul, and would not let it forth	1.4.38
To seek the empty, vast and wandering air;	1.4.39
But smother'd it within my panting bulk,	1.4.40
Which almost burst to belch it in the sea.	1.4.41

Brakenbury. Awaked you not with this sore agony?	1.4.42

Clarence. O, no, my dream was lengthen'd after life;	1.4.43
O, then began the tempest to my soul,	1.4.44
Who pass'd, methought, the melancholy flood,	1.4.45
With that grim ferryman which poets write of,	1.4.46
Unto the kingdom of perpetual night.	1.4.47
The first that there did greet my stranger soul,	1.4.48
Was my great father-in-law, renowned Warwick;	1.4.49
Who cried aloud, 'What scourge for perjury	1.4.50
Can this dark monarchy afford false Clarence?'	1.4.51
And so he vanish'd: then came wandering by	1.4.52
A shadow like an angel, with bright hair	1.4.53
Dabbled in blood; and he squeak'd out aloud,	1.4.54
'Clarence is come; false, fleeting, perjured Clarence,	1.4.55
That stabb'd me in the field by Tewksbury;	1.4.56
Seize on him, Furies, take him to your torments!'	1.4.57
With that, methoughts, a legion of foul fiends	1.4.58
Environ'd me about, and howled in mine ears	1.4.59
Such hideous cries, that with the very noise	1.4.60
I trembling waked, and for a season after	1.4.61
Could not believe but that I was in hell,	1.4.62
Such terrible impression made the dream.	1.4.63

Brakenbury. No marvel, my lord, though it affrighted you;	1.4.64
I promise, I am afraid to hear you tell it.	1.4.65

Clarence. O Brakenbury, I have done those things,	1.4.66
Which now bear evidence against my soul,	1.4.67
For Edward's sake; and see how he requites me!	1.4.68
O God! if my deep prayers cannot appease thee,	1.4.69
But thou wilt be avenged on my misdeeds,	1.4.70
Yet execute thy wrath in me alone,	1.4.71
O, spare my guiltless wife and my poor children!	1.4.72
I pray thee, gentle keeper, stay by me;	1.4.73
My soul is heavy, and I fain would sleep.	1.4.74

Brakenbury. I will, my lord: God give your grace good rest!	1.4.75
[CLARENCE sleeps]
Sorrow breaks seasons and reposing hours,	1.4.76
Makes the night morning, and the noon-tide night.	1.4.77
Princes have but their tides for their glories,	1.4.78
An outward honour for an inward toil;	1.4.79
And, for unfelt imagination,	1.4.80
They often feel a world of restless cares:	1.4.81
So that, betwixt their tides and low names,	1.4.82
There's nothing differs but the outward fame.	1.4.83

[Enter the two Murderers]

First Murderer. Ho! who's here?	1.4.84

Brakenbury. In God's name what are you, and how came you hither?	1.4.85

First Murderer. I would speak with Clarence, and I came hither on my legs.	1.4.86

Brakenbury. Yea, are you so brief?	1.4.87

Second Murderer. O sir, it is better to be brief than tedious. Show	1.4.88
him our commission; talk no more.	1.4.89
[BRAKENBURY reads it]

Brakenbury. I am, in this, commanded to deliver	1.4.90
The noble Duke of Clarence to your hands:	1.4.91
I will not reason what is meant hereby,	1.4.92
Because I will be guiltless of the meaning.	1.4.93
Here are the keys, there sits the duke asleep:	1.4.94
I'll to the king; and signify to him	1.4.95
That thus I have resign'd my charge to you.	1.4.96

First Murderer. Do so, it is a point of wisdom: fare you well.	1.4.97
[Exit BRAKENBURY]

Second Murderer. What, shall we stab him as he sleeps?	1.4.98

First Murderer. No; then he will say 'twas done cowardly, when he wakes.	1.4.99

Second Murderer. When he wakes! why, fool, he shall never wake till	1.4.100
the judgment-day.	1.4.101

First Murderer. Why, then he will say we stabbed him sleeping.	1.4.102

Second Murderer. The urging of that word 'judgment' hath bred a kind	1.4.103
of remorse in me.	1.4.104

First Murderer. What, art thou afraid?	1.4.105

Second Murderer. Not to kill him, having a warrant for it; but to be	1.4.106
damned for killing him, from which no warrant can defend us.	1.4.107

First Murderer. I thought thou hadst been resolute.	1.4.108

Second Murderer. So I am, to let him live.	1.4.109

First Murderer. Back to the Duke of Gloucester, tell him so.	1.4.110

Second Murderer. I pray thee, stay a while: I hope my holy humour	1.4.111
will change; 'twas wont to hold me but while one	1.4.112
would tell twenty.	1.4.113

First Murderer. How dost thou feel thyself now?	1.4.114

Second Murderer. 'Faith, some certain dregs of conscience are yet	1.4.115
within me.	1.4.116

First Murderer. Remember our reward, when the deed is done.	1.4.117

Second Murderer. 'Zounds, he dies: I had forgot the reward.	1.4.118

First Murderer. Where is thy conscience now?	1.4.119

Second Murderer. In the Duke of Gloucester's purse.	1.4.120

First Murderer. So when he opens his purse to give us our reward,	1.4.121
thy conscience flies out.	1.4.122

Second Murderer. Let it go; there's few or none will entertain it.	1.4.123

First Murderer. How if it come to thee again?	1.4.124

Second Murderer. I'll not meddle with it: it is a dangerous thing: it	1.4.125
makes a man a coward: a man cannot steal, but it	1.4.126
accuseth him; he cannot swear, but it cheques him;	1.4.127
he cannot lie with his neighbour's wife, but it	1.4.128
detects him: 'tis a blushing shamefast spirit that	1.4.129
mutinies in a man's bosom; it fills one full of	1.4.130
obstacles: it made me once restore a purse of gold	1.4.131
that I found; it beggars any man that keeps it: it	1.4.132
is turned out of all towns and cities for a	1.4.133
dangerous thing; and every man that means to live	1.4.134
well endeavours to trust to himself and to live	1.4.135
without it.	1.4.136

First Murderer. 'Zounds, it is even now at my elbow, persuading me	1.4.137
not to kill the duke.	1.4.138

Second Murderer. Take the devil in thy mind, and relieve him not: he	1.4.139
would insinuate with thee but to make thee sigh.	1.4.140

First Murderer. Tut, I am strong-framed, he cannot prevail with me,	1.4.141
I warrant thee.	1.4.142

Second Murderer. Spoke like a tail fellow that respects his	1.4.143
reputation. Come, shall we to this gear?	1.4.144

First Murderer. Take him over the costard with the hilts of thy	1.4.145
sword, and then we will chop him in the malmsey-butt	1.4.146
in the next room.	1.4.147

Second Murderer. O excellent devise! make a sop of him.	1.4.148

First Murderer. Hark! he stirs: shall I strike?	1.4.149

Second Murderer. No, first let's reason with him.	1.4.150

Clarence. Where art thou, keeper? give me a cup of wine.	1.4.151

Second Murderer. You shall have wine enough, my lord, anon.	1.4.152

Clarence. In God's name, what art thou?	1.4.153

Second Murderer. A man, as you are.	1.4.154

Clarence. But not, as I am, royal.	1.4.155

Second Murderer. Nor you, as we are, loyal.	1.4.156

Clarence. Thy voice is thunder, but thy looks are humble.	1.4.157

Second Murderer. My voice is now the king's, my looks mine own.	1.4.158

Clarence. How darkly and how deadly dost thou speak!	1.4.159
Your eyes do menace me: why look you pale?	1.4.160
Who sent you hither? Wherefore do you come?	1.4.161

Both. To, to, to--	1.4.162

Clarence. To murder me?	1.4.163

Both. Ay, ay.	1.4.164

Clarence. You scarcely have the hearts to tell me so,	1.4.165
And therefore cannot have the hearts to do it.	1.4.166
Wherein, my friends, have I offended you?	1.4.167

First Murderer. Offended us you have not, but the king.	1.4.168

Clarence. I shall be reconciled to him again.	1.4.169

Second Murderer. Never, my lord; therefore prepare to die.	1.4.170

Clarence. Are you call'd forth from out a world of men	1.4.171
To slay the innocent? What is my offence?	1.4.172
Where are the evidence that do accuse me?	1.4.173
What lawful quest have given their verdict up	1.4.174
Unto the frowning judge? or who pronounced	1.4.175
The bitter sentence of poor Clarence' death?	1.4.176
Before I be convict by course of law,	1.4.177
To threaten me with death is most unlawful.	1.4.178
I charge you, as you hope to have redemption	1.4.179
By Christ's dear blood shed for our grievous sins,	1.4.180
That you depart and lay no hands on me	1.4.181
The deed you undertake is damnable.	1.4.182

First Murderer. What we will do, we do upon command.	1.4.183

Second Murderer. And he that hath commanded is the king.	1.4.184

Clarence. Erroneous vassal! the great King of kings	1.4.185
Hath in the tables of his law commanded	1.4.186
That thou shalt do no murder: and wilt thou, then,	1.4.187
Spurn at his edict and fulfil a man's?	1.4.188
Take heed; for he holds vengeance in his hands,	1.4.189
To hurl upon their heads that break his law.	1.4.190

Second Murderer. And that same vengeance doth he hurl on thee,	1.4.191
For false forswearing and for murder too:	1.4.192
Thou didst receive the holy sacrament,	1.4.193
To fight in quarrel of the house of Lancaster.	1.4.194

First Murderer. And, like a traitor to the name of God,	1.4.195
Didst break that vow; and with thy treacherous blade	1.4.196
Unrip'dst the bowels of thy sovereign's son.	1.4.197

Second Murderer. Whom thou wert sworn to cherish and defend.	1.4.198

First Murderer. How canst thou urge God's dreadful law to us,	1.4.199
When thou hast broke it in so dear degree?	1.4.200

Clarence. Alas! for whose sake did I that ill deed?	1.4.201
For Edward, for my brother, for his sake: Why, sirs,	1.4.202
He sends ye not to murder me for this	1.4.203
For in this sin he is as deep as I.	1.4.204
If God will be revenged for this deed.	1.4.205
O, know you yet, he doth it publicly,	1.4.206
Take not the quarrel from his powerful arm;	1.4.207
He needs no indirect nor lawless course	1.4.208
To cut off those that have offended him.	1.4.209

First Murderer. Who made thee, then, a bloody minister,	1.4.210
When gallant-springing brave Plantagenet,	1.4.211
That princely novice, was struck dead by thee?	1.4.212

Clarence. My brother's love, the devil, and my rage.	1.4.213

First Murderer. Thy brother's love, our duty, and thy fault,	1.4.214
Provoke us hither now to slaughter thee.	1.4.215

Clarence. Oh, if you love my brother, hate not me;	1.4.216
I am his brother, and I love him well.	1.4.217
If you be hired for meed, go back again,	1.4.218
And I will send you to my brother Gloucester,	1.4.219
Who shall reward you better for my life	1.4.220
Than Edward will for tidings of my death.	1.4.221

Second Murderer. You are deceived, your brother Gloucester hates you.	1.4.222

Clarence. O, no, he loves me, and he holds me dear:	1.4.223
Go you to him from me.	1.4.224

Both. Ay, so we will.	1.4.225

Clarence. Tell him, when that our princely father York	1.4.226
Bless'd his three sons with his victorious arm,	1.4.227
And charged us from his soul to love each other,	1.4.228
He little thought of this divided friendship:	1.4.229
Bid Gloucester think of this, and he will weep.	1.4.230

First Murderer. Ay, millstones; as be lesson'd us to weep.	1.4.231

Clarence. O, do not slander him, for he is kind.	1.4.232

First Murderer. Right,	1.4.233
As snow in harvest. Thou deceivest thyself:	1.4.234
'Tis he that sent us hither now to slaughter thee.	1.4.235

Clarence. It cannot be; for when I parted with him,	1.4.236
He hugg'd me in his arms, and swore, with sobs,	1.4.237
That he would labour my delivery.	1.4.238

Second Murderer. Why, so he doth, now he delivers thee	1.4.239
From this world's thraldom to the joys of heaven.	1.4.240

First Murderer. Make peace with God, for you must die, my lord.	1.4.241

Clarence. Hast thou that holy feeling in thy soul,	1.4.242
To counsel me to make my peace with God,	1.4.243
And art thou yet to thy own soul so blind,	1.4.244
That thou wilt war with God by murdering me?	1.4.245
Ah, sirs, consider, he that set you on	1.4.246
To do this deed will hate you for the deed.	1.4.247

Second Murderer. What shall we do?	1.4.248

Clarence. Relent, and save your souls.	1.4.249

First Murderer. Relent! 'tis cowardly and womanish.	1.4.250

Clarence. Not to relent is beastly, savage, devilish.	1.4.251
Which of you, if you were a prince's son,	1.4.252
Being pent from liberty, as I am now,	1.4.253
if two such murderers as yourselves came to you,	1.4.254
Would not entreat for life?	1.4.255
My friend, I spy some pity in thy looks:	1.4.256
O, if thine eye be not a flatterer,	1.4.257
Come thou on my side, and entreat for me,	1.4.258
As you would beg, were you in my distress	1.4.259
A begging prince what beggar pities not?	1.4.260

Second Murderer. Look behind you, my lord.	1.4.261

First Murderer. Take that, and that: if all this will not do,	1.4.262
[Stabs him]
I'll drown you in the malmsey-butt within.	1.4.263
[Exit, with the body]

Second Murderer. A bloody deed, and desperately dispatch'd!	1.4.264
How fain, like Pilate, would I wash my hands	1.4.265
Of this most grievous guilty murder done!	1.4.266

[Re-enter First Murderer]

First Murderer. How now! what mean'st thou, that thou help'st me not?	1.4.267
By heavens, the duke shall know how slack thou art!	1.4.268

Second Murderer. I would he knew that I had saved his brother!	1.4.269
Take thou the fee, and tell him what I say;	1.4.270
For I repent me that the duke is slain.	1.4.271
[Exit]

First Murderer. So do not I: go, coward as thou art.	1.4.272
Now must I hide his body in some hole,	1.4.273
Until the duke take order for his burial:	1.4.274
And when I have my meed, I must away;	1.4.275
For this will out, and here I must not stay.	1.4.276

ACT II

SCENE I. London. The palace.

[Flourish. Enter KING EDWARD IV sick, QUEEN ELIZABETH, DORSET, RIVERS, HASTINGS, BUCKINGHAM, GREY, and others]

King Edward IV. Why, so: now have I done a good day's work:	2.1.1
You peers, continue this united league:	2.1.2
I every day expect an embassage	2.1.3
From my Redeemer to redeem me hence;	2.1.4
And now in peace my soul shall part to heaven,	2.1.5
Since I have set my friends at peace on earth.	2.1.6
Rivers and Hastings, take each other's hand;	2.1.7
Dissemble not your hatred, swear your love.	2.1.8

Rivers. By heaven, my heart is purged from grudging hate:	2.1.9
And with my hand I seal my true heart's love.	2.1.10

Hastings. So thrive I, as I truly swear the like!	2.1.11

King Edward IV. Take heed you dally not before your king;	2.1.12
Lest he that is the supreme King of kings	2.1.13
Confound your hidden falsehood, and award	2.1.14
Either of you to be the other's end.	2.1.15

Hastings. So prosper I, as I swear perfect love!	2.1.16

Rivers. And I, as I love Hastings with my heart!	2.1.17

King Edward IV. Madam, yourself are not exempt in this,	2.1.18
Nor your son Dorset, Buckingham, nor you;	2.1.19
You have been factious one against the other,	2.1.20
Wife, love Lord Hastings, let him kiss your hand;	2.1.21
And what you do, do it unfeignedly.	2.1.22

Queen Elizabeth. Here, Hastings; I will never more remember	2.1.23
Our former hatred, so thrive I and mine!	2.1.24

King Edward IV. Dorset, embrace him; Hastings, love lord marquess.	2.1.25

Dorset. This interchange of love, I here protest,	2.1.26
Upon my part shall be unviolable.	2.1.27

Hastings. And so swear I, my lord	2.1.28
[They embrace]

King Edward IV. Now, princely Buckingham, seal thou this league	2.1.29
With thy embracements to my wife's allies,	2.1.30
And make me happy in your unity.	2.1.31

Buckingham. Whenever Buckingham doth turn his hate	2.1.32
On you or yours,	2.1.33
[To the Queen]
but with all duteous love	2.1.34
Doth cherish you and yours, God punish me	2.1.35
With hate in those where I expect most love!	2.1.36
When I have most need to employ a friend,	2.1.37
And most assured that he is a friend	2.1.38
Deep, hollow, treacherous, and full of guile,	2.1.39
Be he unto me! this do I beg of God,	2.1.40
When I am cold in zeal to yours.	2.1.41

King Edward IV. A pleasing cordial, princely Buckingham,	2.1.42
is this thy vow unto my sickly heart.	2.1.43
There wanteth now our brother Gloucester here,	2.1.44
To make the perfect period of this peace.	2.1.45

Buckingham. And, in good time, here comes the noble duke.	2.1.46

[Enter GLOUCESTER]

Gloucester. Good morrow to my sovereign king and queen:	2.1.47
And, princely peers, a happy time of day!	2.1.48

King Edward IV. Happy, indeed, as we have spent the day.	2.1.49
Brother, we done deeds of charity;	2.1.50
Made peace enmity, fair love of hate,	2.1.51
Between these swelling wrong-incensed peers.	2.1.52

Gloucester A blessed labour, my most sovereign liege:	2.1.53
Amongst this princely heap, if any here,	2.1.54
By false intelligence, or wrong surmise,	2.1.55
Hold me a foe;	2.1.56
If I unwittingly, or in my rage,	2.1.57
Have aught committed that is hardly borne	2.1.58
By any in this presence, I desire	2.1.59
To reconcile me to his friendly peace:	2.1.60
'Tis death to me to be at enmity;	2.1.61
I hate it, and desire all good men's love.	2.1.62
First, madam, I entreat true peace of you,	2.1.63
Which I will purchase with my duteous service;	2.1.64
Of you, my noble cousin Buckingham,	2.1.65
If ever any grudge were lodged between us;	2.1.66
Of you, Lord Rivers, and, Lord Grey, of you;	2.1.67
That without desert have frown'd on me;	2.1.68
Dukes, earls, lords, gentlemen; indeed, of all.	2.1.69
I do not know that Englishman alive	2.1.70
With whom my soul is any jot at odds	2.1.71
More than the infant that is born to-night	2.1.72
I thank my God for my humility.	2.1.73

Queen Elizabeth. A holy day shall this be kept hereafter:	2.1.74
I would to God all strifes were well compounded.	2.1.75
My sovereign liege, I do beseech your majesty	2.1.76
To take our brother Clarence to your grace.	2.1.77

Gloucester. Why, madam, have I offer'd love for this	2.1.78
To be so bouted in this royal presence?	2.1.79
Who knows not that the noble duke is dead?	2.1.80
[They all start]
You do him injury to scorn his corse.	2.1.81

Rivers. Who knows not he is dead! who knows he is?	2.1.82

Queen Elizabeth. All seeing heaven, what a world is this!	2.1.83

Buckingham. Look I so pale, Lord Dorset, as the rest?	2.1.84

Dorset. Ay, my good lord; and no one in this presence	2.1.85
But his red colour hath forsook his cheeks.	2.1.86

King Edward IV. Is Clarence dead? the order was reversed.	2.1.87

Gloucester. But he, poor soul, by your first order died,	2.1.88
And that a winged Mercury did bear:	2.1.89
Some tardy cripple bore the countermand,	2.1.90
That came too lag to see him buried.	2.1.91
God grant that some, less noble and less loyal,	2.1.92
Nearer in bloody thoughts, but not in blood,	2.1.93
Deserve not worse than wretched Clarence did,	2.1.94
And yet go current from suspicion!	2.1.95

[Enter DERBY]

Dorset. A boon, my sovereign, for my service done!	2.1.96

King Edward IV. I pray thee, peace: my soul is full of sorrow.	2.1.97

Dorset. I will not rise, unless your highness grant.	2.1.98

King Edward IV. Then speak at once what is it thou demand'st.	2.1.99

Dorset. The forfeit, sovereign, of my servant's life;	2.1.100
Who slew to-day a righteous gentleman	2.1.101
Lately attendant on the Duke of Norfolk.	2.1.102

King Edward IV. Have I a tongue to doom my brother's death,	2.1.103
And shall the same give pardon to a slave?	2.1.104
My brother slew no man; his fault was thought,	2.1.105
And yet his punishment was cruel death.	2.1.106
Who sued to me for him? who, in my rage,	2.1.107
Kneel'd at my feet, and bade me be advised	2.1.108
Who spake of brotherhood? who spake of love?	2.1.109
Who told me how the poor soul did forsake	2.1.110
The mighty Warwick, and did fight for me?	2.1.111
Who told me, in the field by Tewksbury	2.1.112
When Oxford had me down, he rescued me,	2.1.113
And said, 'Dear brother, live, and be a king'?	2.1.114
Who told me, when we both lay in the field	2.1.115
Frozen almost to death, how he did lap me	2.1.116
Even in his own garments, and gave himself,	2.1.117
All thin and naked, to the numb cold night?	2.1.118
All this from my remembrance brutish wrath	2.1.119
Sinfully pluck'd, and not a man of you	2.1.120
Had so much grace to put it in my mind.	2.1.121
But when your carters or your waiting-vassals	2.1.122
Have done a drunken slaughter, and defaced	2.1.123
The precious image of our dear Redeemer,	2.1.124
You straight are on your knees for pardon, pardon;	2.1.125
And I unjustly too, must grant it you	2.1.126
But for my brother not a man would speak,	2.1.127
Nor I, ungracious, speak unto myself	2.1.128
For him, poor soul. The proudest of you all	2.1.129
Have been beholding to him in his life;	2.1.130
Yet none of you would once plead for his life.	2.1.131
O God, I fear thy justice will take hold	2.1.132
On me, and you, and mine, and yours for this!	2.1.133
Come, Hastings, help me to my closet.	2.1.134
Oh, poor Clarence!	2.1.135
[Exeunt some with KING EDWARD IV and QUEEN MARGARET]

Gloucester. This is the fruit of rashness! Mark'd you not	2.1.136
How that the guilty kindred of the queen	2.1.137
Look'd pale when they did hear of Clarence' death?	2.1.138
O, they did urge it still unto the king!	2.1.139
God will revenge it. But come, let us in,	2.1.140
To comfort Edward with our company.	2.1.141

Buckingham. We wait upon your grace.	2.1.142
[Exeunt]

SCENE II. The palace.

[Enter the DUCHESS OF YORK, with the two children of CLARENCE]

Boy. Tell me, good grandam, is our father dead?	2.2.1

Duchess of York. No, boy.	2.2.2

Boy. Why do you wring your hands, and beat your breast,	2.2.3
And cry 'O Clarence, my unhappy son!'	2.2.4

Girl. Why do you look on us, and shake your head,	2.2.5
And call us wretches, orphans, castaways	2.2.6
If that our noble father be alive?	2.2.7

Duchess of York. My pretty cousins, you mistake me much;	2.2.8
I do lament the sickness of the king.	2.2.9
As loath to lose him, not your father's death;	2.2.10
It were lost sorrow to wail one that's lost.	2.2.11

Boy. Then, grandam, you conclude that he is dead.	2.2.12
The king my uncle is to blame for this:	2.2.13
God will revenge it; whom I will importune	2.2.14
With daily prayers all to that effect.	2.2.15

Girl. And so will I.	2.2.16

Duchess of York. Peace, children, peace! the king doth love you well:	2.2.17
Incapable and shallow innocents,	2.2.18
You cannot guess who caused your father's death.	2.2.19

Boy. Grandam, we can; for my good uncle Gloucester	2.2.20
Told me, the king, provoked by the queen,	2.2.21
Devised impeachments to imprison him :	2.2.22
And when my uncle told me so, he wept,	2.2.23
And hugg'd me in his arm, and kindly kiss'd my cheek;	2.2.24
Bade me rely on him as on my father,	2.2.25
And he would love me dearly as his child.	2.2.26

Duchess of York. Oh, that deceit should steal such gentle shapes,	2.2.27
And with a virtuous vizard hide foul guile!	2.2.28
He is my son; yea, and therein my shame;	2.2.29
Yet from my dugs he drew not this deceit.	2.2.30

Boy. Think you my uncle did dissemble, grandam?	2.2.31

Duchess of York. Ay, boy.	2.2.32

Boy. I cannot think it. Hark! what noise is this?	2.2.33

[Enter QUEEN ELIZABETH, with her hair about her ears; RIVERS, and DORSET after her]

Queen Elizabeth. Oh, who shall hinder me to wail and weep,	2.2.34
To chide my fortune, and torment myself?	2.2.35
I'll join with black despair against my soul,	2.2.36
And to myself become an enemy.	2.2.37

Duchess of York. What means this scene of rude impatience?	2.2.38

Queen Elizabeth. To make an act of tragic violence:	2.2.39
Edward, my lord, your son, our king, is dead.	2.2.40
Why grow the branches now the root is wither'd?	2.2.41
Why wither not the leaves the sap being gone?	2.2.42
If you will live, lament; if die, be brief,	2.2.43
That our swift-winged souls may catch the king's;	2.2.44
Or, like obedient subjects, follow him	2.2.45
To his new kingdom of perpetual rest.	2.2.46

Duchess of York. Ah, so much interest have I in thy sorrow	2.2.47
As I had title in thy noble husband!	2.2.48
I have bewept a worthy husband's death,	2.2.49
And lived by looking on his images:	2.2.50
But now two mirrors of his princely semblance	2.2.51
Are crack'd in pieces by malignant death,	2.2.52
And I for comfort have but one false glass,	2.2.53
Which grieves me when I see my shame in him.	2.2.54
Thou art a widow; yet thou art a mother,	2.2.55
And hast the comfort of thy children left thee:	2.2.56
But death hath snatch'd my husband from mine arms,	2.2.57
And pluck'd two crutches from my feeble limbs,	2.2.58
Edward and Clarence. O, what cause have I,	2.2.59
Thine being but a moiety of my grief,	2.2.60
To overgo thy plaints and drown thy cries!	2.2.61

Boy. Good aunt, you wept not for our father's death;	2.2.62
How can we aid you with our kindred tears?	2.2.63

Girl. Our fatherless distress was left unmoan'd;	2.2.64
Your widow-dolour likewise be unwept!	2.2.65

Queen Elizabeth. Give me no help in lamentation;	2.2.66
I am not barren to bring forth complaints	2.2.67
All springs reduce their currents to mine eyes,	2.2.68
That I, being govern'd by the watery moon,	2.2.69
May send forth plenteous tears to drown the world!	2.2.70
Oh for my husband, for my dear lord Edward!	2.2.71

Children. Oh for our father, for our dear lord Clarence!	2.2.72

Duchess of York. Alas for both, both mine, Edward and Clarence!	2.2.73

Queen Elizabeth. What stay had I but Edward? and he's gone.	2.2.74

Children. What stay had we but Clarence? and he's gone.	2.2.75

Duchess of York. What stays had I but they? and they are gone.	2.2.76

Queen Elizabeth. Was never widow had so dear a loss!	2.2.77

Children. Were never orphans had so dear a loss!	2.2.78

Duchess of York. Was never mother had so dear a loss!	2.2.79
Alas, I am the mother of these moans!	2.2.80
Their woes are parcell'd, mine are general.	2.2.81
She for an Edward weeps, and so do I;	2.2.82
I for a Clarence weep, so doth not she:	2.2.83
These babes for Clarence weep and so do I;	2.2.84
I for an Edward weep, so do not they:	2.2.85
Alas, you three, on me, threefold distress'd,	2.2.86
Pour all your tears! I am your sorrow's nurse,	2.2.87
And I will pamper it with lamentations.	2.2.88

Dorset. Comfort, dear mother: God is much displeased	2.2.89
That you take with unthankfulness, his doing:	2.2.90
In common worldly things, 'tis call'd ungrateful,	2.2.91
With dull unwilligness to repay a debt	2.2.92
Which with a bounteous hand was kindly lent;	2.2.93
Much more to be thus opposite with heaven,	2.2.94
For it requires the royal debt it lent you.	2.2.95

Rivers. Madam, bethink you, like a careful mother,	2.2.96
Of the young prince your son: send straight for him	2.2.97
Let him be crown'd; in him your comfort lives:	2.2.98
Drown desperate sorrow in dead Edward's grave,	2.2.99
And plant your joys in living Edward's throne.	2.2.100

[Enter GLOUCESTER, BUCKINGHAM, DERBY, HASTINGS, and RATCLIFF]

Gloucester. Madam, have comfort: all of us have cause	2.2.101
To wail the dimming of our shining star;	2.2.102
But none can cure their harms by wailing them.	2.2.103
Madam, my mother, I do cry you mercy;	2.2.104
I did not see your grace: humbly on my knee	2.2.105
I crave your blessing.	2.2.106

Duchess of York. God bless thee; and put meekness in thy mind,	2.2.107
Love, charity, obedience, and true duty!	2.2.108

Gloucester. [Aside] Amen; and make me die a good old man!	2.2.109
That is the butt-end of a mother's blessing:	2.2.110
I marvel why her grace did leave it out.	2.2.111

Buckingham. You cloudy princes and heart-sorrowing peers,	2.2.112
That bear this mutual heavy load of moan,	2.2.113
Now cheer each other in each other's love	2.2.114
Though we have spent our harvest of this king,	2.2.115
We are to reap the harvest of his son.	2.2.116
The broken rancour of your high-swoln hearts,	2.2.117
But lately splinter'd, knit, and join'd together,	2.2.118
Must gently be preserved, cherish'd, and kept:	2.2.119
Me seemeth good, that, with some little train,	2.2.120
Forthwith from Ludlow the young prince be fetch'd	2.2.121
Hither to London, to be crown'd our king.	2.2.122

Rivers. Why with some little train, my Lord of Buckingham?	2.2.123

Buckingham. Marry, my lord, lest, by a multitude,	2.2.124
The new-heal'd wound of malice should break out,	2.2.125
Which would be so much the more dangerous	2.2.126
By how much the estate is green and yet ungovern'd:	2.2.127
Where every horse bears his commanding rein,	2.2.128
And may direct his course as please himself,	2.2.129
As well the fear of harm, as harm apparent,	2.2.130
In my opinion, ought to be prevented.	2.2.131

Gloucester. I hope the king made peace with all of us	2.2.132
And the compact is firm and true in me.	2.2.133

Rivers. And so in me; and so, I think, in all:	2.2.134
Yet, since it is but green, it should be put	2.2.135
To no apparent likelihood of breach,	2.2.136
Which haply by much company might be urged:	2.2.137
Therefore I say with noble Buckingham,	2.2.138
That it is meet so few should fetch the prince.	2.2.139

Hastings. And so say I.	2.2.140

Gloucester. Then be it so; and go we to determine	2.2.141
Who they shall be that straight shall post to Ludlow.	2.2.142
Madam, and you, my mother, will you go	2.2.143
To give your censures in this weighty business?	2.2.144

Queen Elizabeth [with Duchess of York] With all our harts.	2.2.145
[Exeunt all but BUCKINGHAM and GLOUCESTER]

Buckingham. My lord, whoever journeys to the Prince,	2.2.146
For God's sake, let not us two be behind;	2.2.147
For, by the way, I'll sort occasion,	2.2.148
As index to the story we late talk'd of,	2.2.149
To part the queen's proud kindred from the king.	2.2.150

Gloucester. My other self, my counsel's consistory,	2.2.151
My oracle, my prophet! My dear cousin,	2.2.152
I, like a child, will go by thy direction.	2.2.153
Towards Ludlow then, for we'll not stay behind.	2.2.154
[Exeunt]

SCENE III. London. A street.

[Enter two Citizens meeting]

First Citizen. Neighbour, well met: whither away so fast?	2.3.1

Second Citizen. I promise you, I scarcely know myself:	2.3.2
Hear you the news abroad?	2.3.3

First Citizen. Ay, that the king is dead.	2.3.4

Second Citizen. Bad news, by'r lady; seldom comes the better:	2.3.5
I fear, I fear 'twill prove a troublous world.	2.3.6

[Enter another Citizen]

Third Citizen. Neighbours, God speed!	2.3.7

First Citizen. Give you good morrow, sir.	2.3.8

Third Citizen. Doth this news hold of good King Edward's death?	2.3.9

Second Citizen. Ay, sir, it is too true; God help the while!	2.3.10

Third Citizen. Then, masters, look to see a troublous world.	2.3.11

First Citizen. No, no; by God's good grace his son shall reign.	2.3.12

Third Citizen. Woe to the land that's govern'd by a child!	2.3.13

Second Citizen. In him there is a hope of government,	2.3.14
That in his nonage council under him,	2.3.15
And in his full and ripen'd years himself,	2.3.16
No doubt, shall then and till then govern well.	2.3.17

First Citizen. So stood the state when Henry the Sixth	2.3.18
Was crown'd in Paris but at nine months old.	2.3.19

Third Citizen. Stood the state so? No, no, good friends, God wot;	2.3.20
For then this land was famously enrich'd	2.3.21
With politic grave counsel; then the king	2.3.22
Had virtuous uncles to protect his grace.	2.3.23

First Citizen. Why, so hath this, both by the father and mother.	2.3.24

Third Citizen. Better it were they all came by the father,	2.3.25
Or by the father there were none at all;	2.3.26
For emulation now, who shall be nearest,	2.3.27
Will touch us all too near, if God prevent not.	2.3.28
O, full of danger is the Duke of Gloucester!	2.3.29
And the queen's sons and brothers haught and proud:	2.3.30
And were they to be ruled, and not to rule,	2.3.31
This sickly land might solace as before.	2.3.32

First Citizen. Come, come, we fear the worst; all shall be well.	2.3.33

Third Citizen. When clouds appear, wise men put on their cloaks;	2.3.34
When great leaves fall, the winter is at hand;	2.3.35
When the sun sets, who doth not look for night?	2.3.36
Untimely storms make men expect a dearth.	2.3.37
All may be well; but, if God sort it so,	2.3.38
'Tis more than we deserve, or I expect.	2.3.39

Second Citizen. Truly, the souls of men are full of dread:	2.3.40
Ye cannot reason almost with a man	2.3.41
That looks not heavily and full of fear.	2.3.42

Third Citizen. Before the times of change, still is it so:	2.3.43
By a divine instinct men's minds mistrust	2.3.44
Ensuing dangers; as by proof, we see	2.3.45
The waters swell before a boisterous storm.	2.3.46
But leave it all to God. whither away?	2.3.47

Second Citizen. Marry, we were sent for to the justices.	2.3.48

Third Citizen. And so was I: I'll bear you company.	2.3.49
[Exeunt]

SCENE IV. London. The palace.

[Enter the ARCHBISHOP OF YORK, young YORK, QUEEN ELIZABETH, and the DUCHESS OF YORK]

Archbishop of York. Last night, I hear, they lay at Northampton;	2.4.1
At Stony-Stratford will they be to-night:	2.4.2
To-morrow, or next day, they will be here.	2.4.3

Duchess of York. I long with all my heart to see the prince:	2.4.4
I hope he is much grown since last I saw him.	2.4.5

Queen Elizabeth. But I hear, no; they say my son of York	2.4.6
Hath almost overta'en him in his growth.	2.4.7

York. Ay, mother; but I would not have it so.	2.4.8

Duchess of York. Why, my young cousin, it is good to grow.	2.4.9

York. Grandam, one night, as we did sit at supper,	2.4.10
My uncle Rivers talk'd how I did grow	2.4.11
More than my brother: 'Ay,' quoth my uncle	2.4.12
Gloucester,	2.4.13
'Small herbs have grace, great weeds do grow apace:'	2.4.14
And since, methinks, I would not grow so fast,	2.4.15
Because sweet flowers are slow and weeds make haste.	2.4.16

Duchess of York. Good faith, good faith, the saying did not hold	2.4.17
In him that did object the same to thee;	2.4.18
He was the wretched'st thing when he was young,	2.4.19
So long a-growing and so leisurely,	2.4.20
That, if this rule were true, he should be gracious.	2.4.21

Archbishop of York. Why, madam, so, no doubt, he is.	2.4.22

Duchess of York. I hope he is; but yet let mothers doubt.	2.4.23

York. Now, by my troth, if I had been remember'd,	2.4.24
I could have given my uncle's grace a flout,	2.4.25
To touch his growth nearer than he touch'd mine.	2.4.26

Duchess of York. How, my pretty York? I pray thee, let me hear it.	2.4.27

York. Marry, they say my uncle grew so fast	2.4.28
That he could gnaw a crust at two hours old	2.4.29
'Twas full two years ere I could get a tooth.	2.4.30
Grandam, this would have been a biting jest.	2.4.31

Duchess of York. I pray thee, pretty York, who told thee this?	2.4.32

York. Grandam, his nurse.	2.4.33

Duchess of York. His nurse! why, she was dead ere thou wert born.	2.4.34

York. If 'twere not she, I cannot tell who told me.	2.4.35

Queen Elizabeth. A parlous boy: go to, you are too shrewd.	2.4.36

Archbishop of York. Good madam, be not angry with the child.	2.4.37

Queen Elizabeth. Pitchers have ears.	2.4.38

[Enter a Messenger]

Archbishop of York. Here comes a messenger. What news?	2.4.39

Messenger. Such news, my lord, as grieves me to unfold.	2.4.40

Queen Elizabeth. How fares the prince?	2.4.41

Messenger. Well, madam, and in health.	2.4.42

Duchess of York. What is thy news then?	2.4.43

Messenger. Lord Rivers and Lord Grey are sent to Pomfret,	2.4.44
With them Sir Thomas Vaughan, prisoners.	2.4.45

Duchess of York. Who hath committed them?	2.4.46

Messenger. The mighty dukes	2.4.47
Gloucester and Buckingham.	2.4.48

Queen Elizabeth. For what offence?	2.4.49

Messenger. The sum of all I can, I have disclosed;	2.4.50
Why or for what these nobles were committed	2.4.51
Is all unknown to me, my gracious lady.	2.4.52

Queen Elizabeth. Ay me, I see the downfall of our house!	2.4.53
The tiger now hath seized the gentle hind;	2.4.54
Insulting tyranny begins to jet	2.4.55
Upon the innocent and aweless throne:	2.4.56
Welcome, destruction, death, and massacre!	2.4.57
I see, as in a map, the end of all.	2.4.58

Duchess of York. Accursed and unquiet wrangling days,	2.4.59
How many of you have mine eyes beheld!	2.4.60
My husband lost his life to get the crown;	2.4.61
And often up and down my sons were toss'd,	2.4.62
For me to joy and weep their gain and loss:	2.4.63
And being seated, and domestic broils	2.4.64
Clean over-blown, themselves, the conquerors.	2.4.65
Make war upon themselves; blood against blood,	2.4.66
Self against self: O, preposterous	2.4.67
And frantic outrage, end thy damned spleen;	2.4.68
Or let me die, to look on death no more!	2.4.69

Queen Elizabeth. Come, come, my boy; we will to sanctuary.	2.4.70
Madam, farewell.	2.4.71

Duchess of York. I'll go along with you.	2.4.72

Queen Elizabeth. You have no cause.	2.4.73

Archbishop of York. My gracious lady, go;	2.4.74
And thither bear your treasure and your goods.	2.4.75
For my part, I'll resign unto your grace	2.4.76
The seal I keep: and so betide to me	2.4.77
As well I tender you and all of yours!	2.4.78
Come, I'll conduct you to the sanctuary.	2.4.79
[Exeunt]

ACT III

SCENE I. London. A street.

[The trumpets sound. Enter the young PRINCE EDWARD, GLOUCESTER, BUCKINGHAM, CARDINAL, CATESBY, and others]

Buckingham. Welcome, sweet prince, to London, to your chamber.	3.1.1

Gloucester. Welcome, dear cousin, my thoughts' sovereign	3.1.2
The weary way hath made you melancholy.	3.1.3

Prince Edward. No, uncle; but our crosses on the way	3.1.4
Have made it tedious, wearisome, and heavy	3.1.5
I want more uncles here to welcome me.	3.1.6

Gloucester. Sweet prince, the untainted virtue of your years	3.1.7
Hath not yet dived into the world's deceit	3.1.8
Nor more can you distinguish of a man	3.1.9
Than of his outward show; which, God he knows,	3.1.10
Seldom or never jumpeth with the heart.	3.1.11
Those uncles which you want were dangerous;	3.1.12
Your grace attended to their sugar'd words,	3.1.13
But look'd not on the poison of their hearts :	3.1.14
God keep you from them, and from such false friends!	3.1.15

Prince Edward. God keep me from false friends! but they were none.	3.1.16

Gloucester. My lord, the mayor of London comes to greet you.	3.1.17

[Enter the Lord Mayor and his train]

Lord Mayor. God bless your grace with health and happy days!	3.1.18

Prince Edward. I thank you, good my lord; and thank you all.	3.1.19
I thought my mother, and my brother York,	3.1.20
Would long ere this have met us on the way	3.1.21
Fie, what a slug is Hastings, that he comes not	3.1.22
To tell us whether they will come or no!	3.1.23

[Enter HASTINGS]

Buckingham. And, in good time, here comes the sweating lord.	3.1.24

Prince Edward. Welcome, my lord: what, will our mother come?	3.1.25

Hastings. On what occasion, God he knows, not I,	3.1.26
The queen your mother, and your brother York,	3.1.27
Have taken sanctuary: the tender prince	3.1.28
Would fain have come with me to meet your grace,	3.1.29
But by his mother was perforce withheld.	3.1.30

Buckingham. Fie, what an indirect and peevish course	3.1.31
Is this of hers! Lord cardinal, will your grace	3.1.32
Persuade the queen to send the Duke of York	3.1.33
Unto his princely brother presently?	3.1.34
If she deny, Lord Hastings, go with him,	3.1.35
And from her jealous arms pluck him perforce.	3.1.36

Cardinal. My Lord of Buckingham, if my weak oratory	3.1.37
Can from his mother win the Duke of York,	3.1.38
Anon expect him here; but if she be obdurate	3.1.39
To mild entreaties, God in heaven forbid	3.1.40
We should infringe the holy privilege	3.1.41
Of blessed sanctuary! not for all this land	3.1.42
Would I be guilty of so deep a sin.	3.1.43

Buckingham. You are too senseless--obstinate, my lord,	3.1.44
Too ceremonious and traditional	3.1.45
Weigh it but with the grossness of this age,	3.1.46
You break not sanctuary in seizing him.	3.1.47
The benefit thereof is always granted	3.1.48
To those whose dealings have deserved the place,	3.1.49
And those who have the wit to claim the place:	3.1.50
This prince hath neither claim'd it nor deserved it;	3.1.51
And therefore, in mine opinion, cannot have it:	3.1.52
Then, taking him from thence that is not there,	3.1.53
You break no privilege nor charter there.	3.1.54
Oft have I heard of sanctuary men;	3.1.55
But sanctuary children ne'er till now.	3.1.56

Cardinal. My lord, you shall o'er-rule my mind for once.	3.1.57
Come on, Lord Hastings, will you go with me?	3.1.58

Hastings. I go, my lord.	3.1.59

Prince Edward. Good lords, make all the speedy haste you may.	3.1.60
[Exeunt CARDINAL and HASTINGS]
Say, uncle Gloucester, if our brother come,	3.1.61
Where shall we sojourn till our coronation?	3.1.62

Gloucester. Where it seems best unto your royal self.	3.1.63
If I may counsel you, some day or two	3.1.64
Your highness shall repose you at the Tower:	3.1.65
Then where you please, and shall be thought most fit	3.1.66
For your best health and recreation.	3.1.67

Prince Edward. I do not like the Tower, of any place.	3.1.68
Did Julius Caesar build that place, my lord?	3.1.69

Buckingham. He did, my gracious lord, begin that place;	3.1.70
Which, since, succeeding ages have re-edified.	3.1.71

Prince Edward. Is it upon record, or else reported	3.1.72
Successively from age to age, he built it?	3.1.73

Buckingham. Upon record, my gracious lord.	3.1.74

Prince Edward. But say, my lord, it were not register'd,	3.1.75
Methinks the truth should live from age to age,	3.1.76
As 'twere retail'd to all posterity,	3.1.77
Even to the general all-ending day.	3.1.78

Gloucester. [Aside] So wise so young, they say, do never	3.1.79
live long.	3.1.80

Prince Edward. What say you, uncle?	3.1.81

Gloucester. I say, without characters, fame lives long.	3.1.82
[Aside]
Thus, like the formal vice, Iniquity,	3.1.83
I moralize two meanings in one word.	3.1.84

Prince Edward. That Julius Caesar was a famous man;	3.1.85
With what his valour did enrich his wit,	3.1.86
His wit set down to make his valour live	3.1.87
Death makes no conquest of this conqueror;	3.1.88
For now he lives in fame, though not in life.	3.1.89
I'll tell you what, my cousin Buckingham,--	3.1.90

Buckingham. What, my gracious lord?	3.1.91

Prince Edward. An if I live until I be a man,	3.1.92
I'll win our ancient right in France again,	3.1.93
Or die a soldier, as I lived a king.	3.1.94

Gloucester. [Aside] Short summers lightly have a forward spring.	3.1.95

[Enter young YORK, HASTINGS, and the CARDINAL]

Buckingham. Now, in good time, here comes the Duke of York.	3.1.96

Prince Edward. Richard of York! how fares our loving brother?	3.1.97

York. Well, my dread lord; so must I call you now.	3.1.98

Prince Edward. Ay, brother, to our grief, as it is yours:	3.1.99
Too late he died that might have kept that title,	3.1.100
Which by his death hath lost much majesty.	3.1.101

Gloucester. How fares our cousin, noble Lord of York?	3.1.102

York. I thank you, gentle uncle. O, my lord,	3.1.103
You said that idle weeds are fast in growth	3.1.104
The prince my brother hath outgrown me far.	3.1.105

Gloucester. He hath, my lord.	3.1.106

York. And therefore is he idle?	3.1.107

Gloucester. O, my fair cousin, I must not say so.	3.1.108

York. Then is he more beholding to you than I.	3.1.109

Gloucester. He may command me as my sovereign;	3.1.110
But you have power in me as in a kinsman.	3.1.111

York. I pray you, uncle, give me this dagger.	3.1.112

Gloucester. My dagger, little cousin? with all my heart.	3.1.113

Prince Edward. A beggar, brother?	3.1.114

York. Of my kind uncle, that I know will give;	3.1.115
And being but a toy, which is no grief to give.	3.1.116

Gloucester. A greater gift than that I'll give my cousin.	3.1.117

York. A greater gift! O, that's the sword to it.	3.1.118

Gloucester. A gentle cousin, were it light enough.	3.1.119

York. O, then, I see, you will part but with light gifts;	3.1.120
In weightier things you'll say a beggar nay.	3.1.121

Gloucester. It is too heavy for your grace to wear.	3.1.122

York. I weigh it lightly, were it heavier.	3.1.123

Gloucester. What, would you have my weapon, little lord?	3.1.124

York. I would, that I might thank you as you call me.	3.1.125

Gloucester. How?	3.1.126

York. Little.	3.1.127

Prince Edward. My Lord of York will still be cross in talk:	3.1.128
Uncle, your grace knows how to bear with him.	3.1.129

York. You mean, to bear me, not to bear with me:	3.1.130
Uncle, my brother mocks both you and me;	3.1.131
Because that I am little, like an ape,	3.1.132
He thinks that you should bear me on your shoulders.	3.1.133

Buckingham. With what a sharp-provided wit he reasons!	3.1.134
To mitigate the scorn he gives his uncle,	3.1.135
He prettily and aptly taunts himself:	3.1.136
So cunning and so young is wonderful.	3.1.137

Gloucester. My lord, will't please you pass along?	3.1.138
Myself and my good cousin Buckingham	3.1.139
Will to your mother, to entreat of her	3.1.140
To meet you at the Tower and welcome you.	3.1.141

York. What, will you go unto the Tower, my lord?	3.1.142

Prince Edward. My lord protector needs will have it so.	3.1.143

York. I shall not sleep in quiet at the Tower.	3.1.144

Gloucester. Why, what should you fear?	3.1.145

York. Marry, my uncle Clarence' angry ghost:	3.1.146
My grandam told me he was murdered there.	3.1.147

Prince Edward. I fear no uncles dead.	3.1.148

Gloucester. Nor none that live, I hope.	3.1.149

Prince Edward. An if they live, I hope I need not fear.	3.1.150
But come, my lord; and with a heavy heart,	3.1.151
Thinking on them, go I unto the Tower.	3.1.152
[A Sennet. Exeunt all but GLOUCESTER, BUCKINGHAM and CATESBY]

Buckingham. Think you, my lord, this little prating York	3.1.153
Was not incensed by his subtle mother	3.1.154
To taunt and scorn you thus opprobriously?	3.1.155

Gloucester. No doubt, no doubt; O, 'tis a parlous boy;	3.1.156
Bold, quick, ingenious, forward, capable	3.1.157
He is all the mother's, from the top to toe.	3.1.158

Buckingham. Well, let them rest. Come hither, Catesby.	3.1.159
Thou art sworn as deeply to effect what we intend	3.1.160
As closely to conceal what we impart:	3.1.161
Thou know'st our reasons urged upon the way;	3.1.162
What think'st thou? is it not an easy matter	3.1.163
To make William Lord Hastings of our mind,	3.1.164
For the instalment of this noble duke	3.1.165
In the seat royal of this famous isle?	3.1.166

Catesby. He for his father's sake so loves the prince,	3.1.167
That he will not be won to aught against him.	3.1.168

Buckingham. What think'st thou, then, of Stanley? what will he?	3.1.169

Catesby. He will do all in all as Hastings doth.	3.1.170

Buckingham. Well, then, no more but this: go, gentle Catesby,	3.1.171
And, as it were far off sound thou Lord Hastings,	3.1.172
How doth he stand affected to our purpose;	3.1.173
And summon him to-morrow to the Tower,	3.1.174
To sit about the coronation.	3.1.175
If thou dost find him tractable to us,	3.1.176
Encourage him, and show him all our reasons:	3.1.177
If he be leaden, icy-cold, unwilling,	3.1.178
Be thou so too; and so break off your talk,	3.1.179
And give us notice of his inclination:	3.1.180
For we to-morrow hold divided councils,	3.1.181
Wherein thyself shalt highly be employ'd.	3.1.182

Gloucester. Commend me to Lord William: tell him, Catesby,	3.1.183
His ancient knot of dangerous adversaries	3.1.184
To-morrow are let blood at Pomfret-castle;	3.1.185
And bid my friend, for joy of this good news,	3.1.186
Give mistress Shore one gentle kiss the more.	3.1.187

Buckingham. Good Catesby, go, effect this business soundly.	3.1.188

Catesby. My good lords both, with all the heed I may.	3.1.189

Gloucester. Shall we hear from you, Catesby, ere we sleep?	3.1.190

Catesby. You shall, my lord.	3.1.191

Gloucester. At Crosby Place, there shall you find us both.	3.1.192
[Exit CATESBY]

Buckingham. Now, my lord, what shall we do, if we perceive	3.1.193
Lord Hastings will not yield to our complots?	3.1.194

Gloucester. Chop off his head, man; somewhat we will do:	3.1.195
And, look, when I am king, claim thou of me	3.1.196
The earldom of Hereford, and the moveables	3.1.197
Whereof the king my brother stood possess'd.	3.1.198

Buckingham. I'll claim that promise at your grace's hands.	3.1.199

Gloucester. And look to have it yielded with all willingness.	3.1.200
Come, let us sup betimes, that afterwards	3.1.201
We may digest our complots in some form.	3.1.202
[Exeunt]

SCENE II. Before Lord Hastings' house.

[Enter a Messenger]

Messenger. What, ho! my lord!	3.2.1

Hastings. [Within] Who knocks at the door?	3.2.2

Messenger. A messenger from the Lord Stanley.	3.2.3

[Enter HASTINGS]

Hastings. What is't o'clock?	3.2.4

Messenger. Upon the stroke of four.	3.2.5

Hastings. Cannot thy master sleep these tedious nights?	3.2.6

Messenger. So it should seem by that I have to say.	3.2.7
First, he commends him to your noble lordship.	3.2.8

Hastings. And then?	3.2.9

Messenger. And then he sends you word	3.2.10
He dreamt to-night the boar had razed his helm:	3.2.11
Besides, he says there are two councils held;	3.2.12
And that may be determined at the one	3.2.13
which may make you and him to rue at the other.	3.2.14
Therefore he sends to know your lordship's pleasure,	3.2.15
If presently you will take horse with him,	3.2.16
And with all speed post with him toward the north,	3.2.17
To shun the danger that his soul divines.	3.2.18

Hastings. Go, fellow, go, return unto thy lord;	3.2.19
Bid him not fear the separated councils	3.2.20
His honour and myself are at the one,	3.2.21
And at the other is my servant Catesby	3.2.22
Where nothing can proceed that toucheth us	3.2.23
Whereof I shall not have intelligence.	3.2.24
Tell him his fears are shallow, wanting instance:	3.2.25
And for his dreams, I wonder he is so fond	3.2.26
To trust the mockery of unquiet slumbers	3.2.27
To fly the boar before the boar pursues,	3.2.28
Were to incense the boar to follow us	3.2.29
And make pursuit where he did mean no chase.	3.2.30
Go, bid thy master rise and come to me	3.2.31
And we will both together to the Tower,	3.2.32
Where, he shall see, the boar will use us kindly.	3.2.33

Messenger. My gracious lord, I'll tell him what you say.	3.2.34
[Exit]

[Enter CATESBY]

Catesby. Many good morrows to my noble lord!	3.2.35

Hastings. Good morrow, Catesby; you are early stirring	3.2.36
What news, what news, in this our tottering state?	3.2.37

Catesby. It is a reeling world, indeed, my lord;	3.2.38
And I believe twill never stand upright	3.2.39
Tim Richard wear the garland of the realm.	3.2.40

Hastings. How! wear the garland! dost thou mean the crown?	3.2.41

Catesby. Ay, my good lord.	3.2.42

Hastings. I'll have this crown of mine cut from my shoulders	3.2.43
Ere I will see the crown so foul misplaced.	3.2.44
But canst thou guess that he doth aim at it?	3.2.45

Catesby. Ay, on my life; and hopes to find forward	3.2.46
Upon his party for the gain thereof:	3.2.47
And thereupon he sends you this good news,	3.2.48
That this same very day your enemies,	3.2.49
The kindred of the queen, must die at Pomfret.	3.2.50

Hastings. Indeed, I am no mourner for that news,	3.2.51
Because they have been still mine enemies:	3.2.52
But, that I'll give my voice on Richard's side,	3.2.53
To bar my master's heirs in true descent,	3.2.54
God knows I will not do it, to the death.	3.2.55

Catesby. God keep your lordship in that gracious mind!	3.2.56

Hastings. But I shall laugh at this a twelve-month hence,	3.2.57
That they who brought me in my master's hate	3.2.58
I live to look upon their tragedy.	3.2.59
I tell thee, Catesby--	3.2.60

Catesby. What, my lord?	3.2.61

Hastings. Ere a fortnight make me elder,	3.2.62
I'll send some packing that yet think not on it.	3.2.63

Catesby. 'Tis a vile thing to die, my gracious lord,	3.2.64
When men are unprepared and look not for it.	3.2.65

Hastings. O monstrous, monstrous! and so falls it out	3.2.66
With Rivers, Vaughan, Grey: and so 'twill do	3.2.67
With some men else, who think themselves as safe	3.2.68
As thou and I; who, as thou know'st, are dear	3.2.69
To princely Richard and to Buckingham.	3.2.70

Catesby. The princes both make high account of you;	3.2.71
[Aside]
For they account his head upon the bridge.	3.2.72

Hastings. I know they do; and I have well deserved it.	3.2.73
[Enter STANLEY]
Come on, come on; where is your boar-spear, man?	3.2.74
Fear you the boar, and go so unprovided?	3.2.75

Stanley. My lord, good morrow; good morrow, Catesby:	3.2.76
You may jest on, but, by the holy rood,	3.2.77
I do not like these several councils, I.	3.2.78

Hastings. My lord,	3.2.79
I hold my life as dear as you do yours;	3.2.80
And never in my life, I do protest,	3.2.81
Was it more precious to me than 'tis now:	3.2.82
Think you, but that I know our state secure,	3.2.83
I would be so triumphant as I am?	3.2.84

Stanley. The lords at Pomfret, when they rode from London,	3.2.85
Were jocund, and supposed their state was sure,	3.2.86
And they indeed had no cause to mistrust;	3.2.87
But yet, you see how soon the day o'ercast.	3.2.88
This sudden stag of rancour I misdoubt:	3.2.89
Pray God, I say, I prove a needless coward!	3.2.90
What, shall we toward the Tower? the day is spent.	3.2.91

Hastings. Come, come, have with you. Wot you what, my lord?	3.2.92
To-day the lords you talk of are beheaded.	3.2.93

Lord Stanley. They, for their truth, might better wear their heads	3.2.94
Than some that have accused them wear their hats.	3.2.95
But come, my lord, let us away.	3.2.96

[Enter a Pursuivant]

Hastings. Go on before; I'll talk with this good fellow.	3.2.97
[Exeunt STANLEY and CATESBY]
How now, sirrah! how goes the world with thee?	3.2.98

Pursuivant. The better that your lordship please to ask.	3.2.99

Hastings. I tell thee, man, 'tis better with me now	3.2.100
Than when I met thee last where now we meet:	3.2.101
Then was I going prisoner to the Tower,	3.2.102
By the suggestion of the queen's allies;	3.2.103
But now, I tell thee--keep it to thyself--	3.2.104
This day those enemies are put to death,	3.2.105
And I in better state than e'er I was.	3.2.106

Pursuivant. God hold it, to your honour's good content!	3.2.107

Hastings. Gramercy, fellow: there, drink that for me.	3.2.108
[Throws him his purse]

Pursuivant. God save your lordship!	3.2.109
[Exit]

[Enter a Priest]

Priest. Well met, my lord; I am glad to see your honour.	3.2.110

Hastings. I thank thee, good Sir John, with all my heart.	3.2.111
I am in your debt for your last exercise;	3.2.112
Come the next Sabbath, and I will content you.	3.2.113
[He whispers in his ear]

[Enter BUCKINGHAM]

Buckingham. What, talking with a priest, lord chamberlain?	3.2.114
Your friends at Pomfret, they do need the priest;	3.2.115
Your honour hath no shriving work in hand.	3.2.116

Hastings. Good faith, and when I met this holy man,	3.2.117
Those men you talk of came into my mind.	3.2.118
What, go you toward the Tower?	3.2.119

Buckingham. I do, my lord; but long I shall not stay	3.2.120
I shall return before your lordship thence.	3.2.121

Hastings. 'Tis like enough, for I stay dinner there.	3.2.122

Buckingham. [Aside] And supper too, although thou know'st it not.	3.2.123
Come, will you go?	3.2.124

Hastings. I'll wait upon your lordship.	3.2.125
[Exeunt]

SCENE III. Pomfret Castle.

[Enter RATCLIFF, with halberds, carrying RIVERS, GREY, and VAUGHAN to death]

Ratcliff. Come, bring forth the prisoners.	3.3.1

Rivers. Sir Richard Ratcliff, let me tell thee this:	3.3.2
To-day shalt thou behold a subject die	3.3.3
For truth, for duty, and for loyalty.	3.3.4

Grey. God keep the prince from all the pack of you!	3.3.5
A knot you are of damned blood-suckers!	3.3.6

Vaughan. You live that shall cry woe for this after.	3.3.7

Ratcliff. Dispatch; the limit of your lives is out.	3.3.8

Rivers. O Pomfret, Pomfret! O thou bloody prison,	3.3.9
Fatal and ominous to noble peers!	3.3.10
Within the guilty closure of thy walls	3.3.11
Richard the second here was hack'd to death;	3.3.12
And, for more slander to thy dismal seat,	3.3.13
We give thee up our guiltless blood to drink.	3.3.14

Grey. Now Margaret's curse is fall'n upon our heads,	3.3.15
For standing by when Richard stabb'd her son.	3.3.16

Rivers. Then cursed she Hastings, then cursed she Buckingham,	3.3.17
Then cursed she Richard. O, remember, God	3.3.18
To hear her prayers for them, as now for us	3.3.19
And for my sister and her princely sons,	3.3.20
Be satisfied, dear God, with our true blood,	3.3.21
Which, as thou know'st, unjustly must be spilt.	3.3.22

Ratcliff. Make haste; the hour of death is expiate.	3.3.23

Rivers. Come, Grey, come, Vaughan, let us all embrace:	3.3.24
And take our leave, until we meet in heaven.	3.3.25
[Exeunt]

SCENE IV. The Tower of London.

[Enter BUCKINGHAM, DERBY, HASTINGS, the BISHOP OF ELY, RATCLIFF, LOVEL, with others, and take their seats at a table]

Hastings. My lords, at once: the cause why we are met	3.4.1
Is, to determine of the coronation.	3.4.2
In God's name, speak: when is the royal day?	3.4.3

Buckingham. Are all things fitting for that royal time?	3.4.4

Derby. It is, and wants but nomination.	3.4.5

Bishop of Ely. To-morrow, then, I judge a happy day.	3.4.6

Buckingham. Who knows the lord protector's mind herein?	3.4.7
Who is most inward with the royal duke?	3.4.8

Bishop of Ely. Your grace, we think, should soonest know his mind.	3.4.9

Buckingham. Who, I, my lord I we know each other's faces,	3.4.10
But for our hearts, he knows no more of mine,	3.4.11
Than I of yours;	3.4.12
Nor I no more of his, than you of mine.	3.4.13
Lord Hastings, you and he are near in love.	3.4.14

Hastings. I thank his grace, I know he loves me well;	3.4.15
But, for his purpose in the coronation.	3.4.16
I have not sounded him, nor he deliver'd	3.4.17
His gracious pleasure any way therein:	3.4.18
But you, my noble lords, may name the time;	3.4.19
And in the duke's behalf I'll give my voice,	3.4.20
Which, I presume, he'll take in gentle part.	3.4.21

[Enter GLOUCESTER]

Bishop of Ely. Now in good time, here comes the duke himself.	3.4.22

Gloucester. My noble lords and cousins all, good morrow.	3.4.23
I have been long a sleeper; but, I hope,	3.4.24
My absence doth neglect no great designs,	3.4.25
Which by my presence might have been concluded.	3.4.26

Buckingham. Had not you come upon your cue, my lord	3.4.27
William Lord Hastings had pronounced your part,--	3.4.28
I mean, your voice,--for crowning of the king.	3.4.29

Gloucester. Than my Lord Hastings no man might be bolder;	3.4.30
His lordship knows me well, and loves me well.	3.4.31

Hastings. I thank your grace.	3.4.32

Gloucester. My lord of Ely!	3.4.33

Bishop of Ely. My lord?	3.4.34

Gloucester. When I was last in Holborn,	3.4.35
I saw good strawberries in your garden there	3.4.36
I do beseech you send for some of them.	3.4.37

Bishop of Ely. Marry, and will, my lord, with all my heart.	3.4.38
[Exit]

Gloucester. Cousin of Buckingham, a word with you.	3.4.39
[Drawing him aside]
Catesby hath sounded Hastings in our business,	3.4.40
And finds the testy gentleman so hot,	3.4.41
As he will lose his head ere give consent	3.4.42
His master's son, as worshipful as he terms it,	3.4.43
Shall lose the royalty of England's throne.	3.4.44

Buckingham. Withdraw you hence, my lord, I'll follow you.	3.4.45
[Exit GLOUCESTER, BUCKINGHAM following]

Derby. We have not yet set down this day of triumph.	3.4.46
To-morrow, in mine opinion, is too sudden;	3.4.47
For I myself am not so well provided	3.4.48
As else I would be, were the day prolong'd.	3.4.49

[Re-enter BISHOP OF ELY]

Bishop of Ely. Where is my lord protector? I have sent for these	3.4.50
strawberries.	3.4.51

Hastings. His grace looks cheerfully and smooth to-day;	3.4.52
There's some conceit or other likes him well,	3.4.53
When he doth bid good morrow with such a spirit.	3.4.54
I think there's never a man in Christendom	3.4.55
That can less hide his love or hate than he;	3.4.56
For by his face straight shall you know his heart.	3.4.57

Derby. What of his heart perceive you in his face	3.4.58
By any likelihood he show'd to-day?	3.4.59

Hastings. Marry, that with no man here he is offended;	3.4.60
For, were he, he had shown it in his looks.	3.4.61

Derby. I pray God he be not, I say.	3.4.62

[Re-enter GLOUCESTER and BUCKINGHAM]

Gloucester. I pray you all, tell me what they deserve	3.4.63
That do conspire my death with devilish plots	3.4.64
Of damned witchcraft, and that have prevail'd	3.4.65
Upon my body with their hellish charms?	3.4.66

Hastings. The tender love I bear your grace, my lord,	3.4.67
Makes me most forward in this noble presence	3.4.68
To doom the offenders, whatsoever they be	3.4.69
I say, my lord, they have deserved death.	3.4.70

Gloucester. Then be your eyes the witness of this ill:	3.4.71
See how I am bewitch'd; behold mine arm	3.4.72
Is, like a blasted sapling, wither'd up:	3.4.73
And this is Edward's wife, that monstrous witch,	3.4.74
Consorted with that harlot strumpet Shore,	3.4.75
That by their witchcraft thus have marked me.	3.4.76

Hastings. If they have done this thing, my gracious lord--	3.4.77

Gloucester. If I thou protector of this damned strumpet--	3.4.78
Tellest thou me of 'ifs'? Thou art a traitor:	3.4.79
Off with his head! Now, by Saint Paul I swear,	3.4.80
I will not dine until I see the same.	3.4.81
Lovel and Ratcliff, look that it be done:	3.4.82
The rest, that love me, rise and follow me.	3.4.83
[Exeunt all but HASTINGS, RATCLIFF, and LOVEL]

Hastings. Woe, woe for England! not a whit for me;	3.4.84
For I, too fond, might have prevented this.	3.4.85
Stanley did dream the boar did raze his helm;	3.4.86
But I disdain'd it, and did scorn to fly:	3.4.87
Three times to-day my foot-cloth horse did stumble,	3.4.88
And startled, when he look'd upon the Tower,	3.4.89
As loath to bear me to the slaughter-house.	3.4.90
O, now I want the priest that spake to me:	3.4.91
I now repent I told the pursuivant	3.4.92
As 'twere triumphing at mine enemies,	3.4.93
How they at Pomfret bloodily were butcher'd,	3.4.94
And I myself secure in grace and favour.	3.4.95
O Margaret, Margaret, now thy heavy curse	3.4.96
Is lighted on poor Hastings' wretched head!	3.4.97

Ratcliff. Dispatch, my lord; the duke would be at dinner:	3.4.98
Make a short shrift; he longs to see your head.	3.4.99

Hastings. O momentary grace of mortal men,	3.4.100
Which we more hunt for than the grace of God!	3.4.101
Who builds his hopes in air of your good looks,	3.4.102
Lives like a drunken sailor on a mast,	3.4.103
Ready, with every nod, to tumble down	3.4.104
Into the fatal bowels of the deep.	3.4.105

Lovel. Come, come, dispatch; 'tis bootless to exclaim.	3.4.106

Hastings. O bloody Richard! miserable England!	3.4.107
I prophesy the fearful'st time to thee	3.4.108
That ever wretched age hath look'd upon.	3.4.109
Come, lead me to the block; bear him my head.	3.4.110
They smile at me that shortly shall be dead.	3.4.111
[Exeunt]

SCENE V. The Tower-walls.

[Enter GLOUCESTER and BUCKINGHAM, in rotten armour, marvellous ill-favoured]

Gloucester. Come, cousin, canst thou quake, and change thy colour,	3.5.1
Murder thy breath in the middle of a word,	3.5.2
And then begin again, and stop again,	3.5.3
As if thou wert distraught and mad with terror?	3.5.4

Buckingham. Tut, I can counterfeit the deep tragedian;	3.5.5
Speak and look back, and pry on every side,	3.5.6
Tremble and start at wagging of a straw,	3.5.7
Intending deep suspicion: ghastly looks	3.5.8
Are at my service, like enforced smiles;	3.5.9
And both are ready in their offices,	3.5.10
At any time, to grace my stratagems.	3.5.11
But what, is Catesby gone?	3.5.12

Gloucester. He is; and, see, he brings the mayor along.	3.5.13

[Enter the Lord Mayor and CATESBY]

Buckingham. Lord mayor,--	3.5.14

Gloucester. Look to the drawbridge there!	3.5.15

Buckingham. Hark! a drum.	3.5.16

Gloucester. Catesby, o'erlook the walls.	3.5.17

Buckingham. Lord mayor, the reason we have sent--	3.5.18

Gloucester. Look back, defend thee, here are enemies.	3.5.19

Buckingham. God and our innocency defend and guard us!	3.5.20

Gloucester. Be patient, they are friends, Ratcliff and Lovel.	3.5.21

[Enter LOVEL and RATCLIFF, with HASTINGS' head]

Lovel. Here is the head of that ignoble traitor,	3.5.22
The dangerous and unsuspected Hastings.	3.5.23

Gloucester. So dear I loved the man, that I must weep.	3.5.24
I took him for the plainest harmless creature	3.5.25
That breathed upon this earth a Christian;	3.5.26
Made him my book wherein my soul recorded	3.5.27
The history of all her secret thoughts:	3.5.28
So smooth he daub'd his vice with show of virtue,	3.5.29
That, his apparent open guilt omitted,	3.5.30
I mean, his conversation with Shore's wife,	3.5.31
He lived from all attainder of suspect.	3.5.32

Buckingham. Well, well, he was the covert'st shelter'd traitor	3.5.33
That ever lived.	3.5.34
Would you imagine, or almost believe,	3.5.35
Were't not that, by great preservation,	3.5.36
We live to tell it you, the subtle traitor	3.5.37
This day had plotted, in the council-house	3.5.38
To murder me and my good Lord of Gloucester?	3.5.39

Lord Mayor. What, had he so?	3.5.40

Gloucester. What, think You we are Turks or infidels?	3.5.41
Or that we would, against the form of law,	3.5.42
Proceed thus rashly to the villain's death,	3.5.43
But that the extreme peril of the case,	3.5.44
The peace of England and our persons' safety,	3.5.45
Enforced us to this execution?	3.5.46

Lord Mayor. Now, fair befall you! he deserved his death;	3.5.47
And you my good lords, both have well proceeded,	3.5.48
To warn false traitors from the like attempts.	3.5.49
I never look'd for better at his hands,	3.5.50
After he once fell in with Mistress Shore.	3.5.51

Gloucester. Yet had not we determined he should die,	3.5.52
Until your lordship came to see his death;	3.5.53
Which now the loving haste of these our friends,	3.5.54
Somewhat against our meaning, have prevented:	3.5.55
Because, my lord, we would have had you heard	3.5.56
The traitor speak, and timorously confess	3.5.57
The manner and the purpose of his treason;	3.5.58
That you might well have signified the same	3.5.59
Unto the citizens, who haply may	3.5.60
Misconstrue us in him and wail his death.	3.5.61

Lord Mayor. But, my good lord, your grace's word shall serve,	3.5.62
As well as I had seen and heard him speak	3.5.63
And doubt you not, right noble princes both,	3.5.64
But I'll acquaint our duteous citizens	3.5.65
With all your just proceedings in this cause.	3.5.66

Gloucester. And to that end we wish'd your lord-ship here,	3.5.67
To avoid the carping censures of the world.	3.5.68

Buckingham. But since you come too late of our intents,	3.5.69
Yet witness what you hear we did intend:	3.5.70
And so, my good lord mayor, we bid farewell.	3.5.71
[Exit Lord Mayor]

Gloucester Go, after, after, cousin Buckingham.	3.5.72
The mayor towards Guildhall hies him in all post:	3.5.73
There, at your meet'st advantage of the time,	3.5.74
Infer the bastardy of Edward's children:	3.5.75
Tell them how Edward put to death a citizen,	3.5.76
Only for saying he would make his son	3.5.77
Heir to the crown; meaning indeed his house,	3.5.78
Which, by the sign thereof was termed so.	3.5.79
Moreover, urge his hateful luxury	3.5.80
And bestial appetite in change of lust;	3.5.81
Which stretched to their servants, daughters, wives,	3.5.82
Even where his lustful eye or savage heart,	3.5.83
Without control, listed to make his prey.	3.5.84
Nay, for a need, thus far come near my person:	3.5.85
Tell them, when that my mother went with child	3.5.86
Of that unsatiate Edward, noble York	3.5.87
My princely father then had wars in France	3.5.88
And, by just computation of the time,	3.5.89
Found that the issue was not his begot;	3.5.90
Which well appeared in his lineaments,	3.5.91
Being nothing like the noble duke my father:	3.5.92
But touch this sparingly, as 'twere far off,	3.5.93
Because you know, my lord, my mother lives.	3.5.94

Buckingham. Fear not, my lord, I'll play the orator	3.5.95
As if the golden fee for which I plead	3.5.96
Were for myself: and so, my lord, adieu.	3.5.97

Gloucester. If you thrive well, bring them to Baynard's Castle;	3.5.98
Where you shall find me well accompanied	3.5.99
With reverend fathers and well-learned bishops.	3.5.100

Buckingham. I go: and towards three or four o'clock	3.5.101
Look for the news that the Guildhall affords.	3.5.102
[Exit BUCKINGHAM]

Gloucester Go, Lovel, with all speed to Doctor Shaw;	3.5.103
[To CATESBY]
Go thou to Friar Penker; bid them both	3.5.104
Meet me within this hour at Baynard's Castle.	3.5.105
[Exeunt all but GLOUCESTER]
Now will I in, to take some privy order,	3.5.106
To draw the brats of Clarence out of sight;	3.5.107
And to give notice, that no manner of person	3.5.108
At any time have recourse unto the princes.	3.5.109
[Exit]

SCENE VI. The same.

[Enter a Scrivener, with a paper in his hand]

Scrivener. This is the indictment of the good Lord Hastings;	3.6.1
Which in a set hand fairly is engross'd,	3.6.2
That it may be this day read over in Paul's.	3.6.3
And mark how well the sequel hangs together:	3.6.4
Eleven hours I spent to write it over,	3.6.5
For yesternight by Catesby was it brought me;	3.6.6
The precedent was full as long a-doing:	3.6.7
And yet within these five hours lived Lord Hastings,	3.6.8
Untainted, unexamined, free, at liberty	3.6.9
Here's a good world the while! Why who's so gross,	3.6.10
That seeth not this palpable device?	3.6.11
Yet who's so blind, but says he sees it not?	3.6.12
Bad is the world; and all will come to nought,	3.6.13
When such bad dealings must be seen in thought.	3.6.14
[Exit]

SCENE VII. Baynard's Castle.

[Enter GLOUCESTER and BUCKINGHAM, at several doors]

Gloucester. How now, my lord, what say the citizens?	3.7.1

Buckingham. Now, by the holy mother of our Lord,	3.7.2
The citizens are mum and speak not a word.	3.7.3

Gloucester. Touch'd you the bastardy of Edward's children?	3.7.4

Buckingham. I did; with his contract with Lady Lucy,	3.7.5
And his contract by deputy in France;	3.7.6
The insatiate greediness of his desires,	3.7.7
And his enforcement of the city wives;	3.7.8
His tyranny for trifles; his own bastardy,	3.7.9
As being got, your father then in France,	3.7.10
His resemblance, being not like the duke;	3.7.11
Withal I did infer your lineaments,	3.7.12
Being the right idea of your father,	3.7.13
Both in your form and nobleness of mind;	3.7.14
Laid open all your victories in Scotland,	3.7.15
Your dicipline in war, wisdom in peace,	3.7.16
Your bounty, virtue, fair humility:	3.7.17
Indeed, left nothing fitting for the purpose	3.7.18
Untouch'd, or slightly handled, in discourse	3.7.19
And when mine oratory grew to an end	3.7.20
I bid them that did love their country's good	3.7.21
Cry 'God save Richard, England's royal king!'	3.7.22

Gloucester. Ah! and did they so?	3.7.23

Buckingham. No, so God help me, they spake not a word;	3.7.24
But, like dumb statues or breathing stones,	3.7.25
Gazed each on other, and look'd deadly pale.	3.7.26
Which when I saw, I reprehended them;	3.7.27
And ask'd the mayor what meant this wilful silence:	3.7.28
His answer was, the people were not wont	3.7.29
To be spoke to but by the recorder.	3.7.30
Then he was urged to tell my tale again,	3.7.31
'Thus saith the duke, thus hath the duke inferr'd;'	3.7.32
But nothing spake in warrant from himself.	3.7.33
When he had done, some followers of mine own,	3.7.34
At the lower end of the hall, hurl'd up their caps,	3.7.35
And some ten voices cried 'God save King Richard!'	3.7.36
And thus I took the vantage of those few,	3.7.37
'Thanks, gentle citizens and friends,' quoth I;	3.7.38
'This general applause and loving shout	3.7.39
Argues your wisdoms and your love to Richard:'	3.7.40
And even here brake off, and came away.	3.7.41

Gloucester. What tongueless blocks were they! would not they speak?	3.7.42

Buckingham. No, by my troth, my lord.	3.7.43

Gloucester. Will not the mayor then and his brethren come?	3.7.44

Buckingham. The mayor is here at hand: intend some fear;	3.7.45
Be not you spoke with, but by mighty suit:	3.7.46
And look you get a prayer-book in your hand,	3.7.47
And stand betwixt two churchmen, good my lord;	3.7.48
For on that ground I'll build a holy descant:	3.7.49
And be not easily won to our request:	3.7.50
Play the maid's part, still answer nay, and take it.	3.7.51

Gloucester. I go; and if you plead as well for them	3.7.52
As I can say nay to thee for myself,	3.7.53
No doubt well bring it to a happy issue.	3.7.54

Buckingham. Go, go, up to the leads; the lord mayor knocks.	3.7.55
[Exit GLOUCESTER]
[Enter the Lord Mayor and Citizens]
Welcome my lord; I dance attendance here;	3.7.56
I think the duke will not be spoke withal.	3.7.57
[Enter CATESBY]
Here comes his servant: how now, Catesby,	3.7.58
What says he?	3.7.59

Catesby. My lord: he doth entreat your grace;	3.7.60
To visit him to-morrow or next day:	3.7.61
He is within, with two right reverend fathers,	3.7.62
Divinely bent to meditation;	3.7.63
And no worldly suit would he be moved,	3.7.64
To draw him from his holy exercise.	3.7.65

Buckingham. Return, good Catesby, to thy lord again;	3.7.66
Tell him, myself, the mayor and citizens,	3.7.67
In deep designs and matters of great moment,	3.7.68
No less importing than our general good,	3.7.69
Are come to have some conference with his grace.	3.7.70

Catesby. I'll tell him what you say, my lord.	3.7.71
[Exit]

Buckingham. Ah, ha, my lord, this prince is not an Edward!	3.7.72
He is not lolling on a lewd day-bed,	3.7.73
But on his knees at meditation;	3.7.74
Not dallying with a brace of courtezans,	3.7.75
But meditating with two deep divines;	3.7.76
Not sleeping, to engross his idle body,	3.7.77
But praying, to enrich his watchful soul:	3.7.78
Happy were England, would this gracious prince	3.7.79
Take on himself the sovereignty thereof:	3.7.80
But, sure, I fear, we shall ne'er win him to it.	3.7.81

Lord Mayor. Marry, God forbid his grace should say us nay!	3.7.82

Buckingham. I fear he will.	3.7.83
[Re-enter CATESBY]
How now, Catesby, what says your lord?	3.7.84

Catesby. My lord,	3.7.85
He wonders to what end you have assembled	3.7.86
Such troops of citizens to speak with him,	3.7.87
His grace not being warn'd thereof before:	3.7.88
My lord, he fears you mean no good to him.	3.7.89

Buckingham. Sorry I am my noble cousin should	3.7.90
Suspect me, that I mean no good to him:	3.7.91
By heaven, I come in perfect love to him;	3.7.92
And so once more return and tell his grace.	3.7.93
[Exit CATESBY]
When holy and devout religious men	3.7.94
Are at their beads, 'tis hard to draw them thence,	3.7.95
So sweet is zealous contemplation.	3.7.96

[Enter GLOUCESTER aloft, between two Bishops. CATESBY returns]

Lord Mayor. See, where he stands between two clergymen!	3.7.97

Buckingham. Two props of virtue for a Christian prince,	3.7.98
To stay him from the fall of vanity:	3.7.99
And, see, a book of prayer in his hand,	3.7.100
True ornaments to know a holy man.	3.7.101
Famous Plantagenet, most gracious prince,	3.7.102
Lend favourable ears to our request;	3.7.103
And pardon us the interruption	3.7.104
Of thy devotion and right Christian zeal.	3.7.105

Gloucester. My lord, there needs no such apology:	3.7.106
I rather do beseech you pardon me,	3.7.107
Who, earnest in the service of my God,	3.7.108
Neglect the visitation of my friends.	3.7.109
But, leaving this, what is your grace's pleasure?	3.7.110

Buckingham. Even that, I hope, which pleaseth God above,	3.7.111
And all good men of this ungovern'd isle.	3.7.112

Gloucester. I do suspect I have done some offence	3.7.113
That seems disgracious in the city's eyes,	3.7.114
And that you come to reprehend my ignorance.	3.7.115

Buckingham. You have, my lord: would it might please your grace,	3.7.116
At our entreaties, to amend that fault!	3.7.117

Gloucester. Else wherefore breathe I in a Christian land?	3.7.118

Buckingham. Then know, it is your fault that you resign	3.7.119
The supreme seat, the throne majestical,	3.7.120
The scepter'd office of your ancestors,	3.7.121
Your state of fortune and your due of birth,	3.7.122
The lineal glory of your royal house,	3.7.123
To the corruption of a blemished stock:	3.7.124
Whilst, in the mildness of your sleepy thoughts,	3.7.125
Which here we waken to our country's good,	3.7.126
This noble isle doth want her proper limbs;	3.7.127
Her face defaced with scars of infamy,	3.7.128
Her royal stock graft with ignoble plants,	3.7.129
And almost shoulder'd in the swallowing gulf	3.7.130
Of blind forgetfulness and dark oblivion.	3.7.131
Which to recure, we heartily solicit	3.7.132
Your gracious self to take on you the charge	3.7.133
And kingly government of this your land,	3.7.134
Not as protector, steward, substitute,	3.7.135
Or lowly factor for another's gain;	3.7.136
But as successively from blood to blood,	3.7.137
Your right of birth, your empery, your own.	3.7.138
For this, consorted with the citizens,	3.7.139
Your very worshipful and loving friends,	3.7.140
And by their vehement instigation,	3.7.141
In this just suit come I to move your grace.	3.7.142

Gloucester. I know not whether to depart in silence,	3.7.143
Or bitterly to speak in your reproof.	3.7.144
Best fitteth my degree or your condition	3.7.145
If not to answer, you might haply think	3.7.146
Tongue-tied ambition, not replying, yielded	3.7.147
To bear the golden yoke of sovereignty,	3.7.148
Which fondly you would here impose on me;	3.7.149
If to reprove you for this suit of yours,	3.7.150
So season'd with your faithful love to me.	3.7.151
Then, on the other side, I cheque'd my friends.	3.7.152
Therefore, to speak, and to avoid the first,	3.7.153
And then, in speaking, not to incur the last,	3.7.154
Definitively thus I answer you.	3.7.155
Your love deserves my thanks; but my desert	3.7.156
Unmeritable shuns your high request.	3.7.157
First if all obstacles were cut away,	3.7.158
And that my path were even to the crown,	3.7.159
As my ripe revenue and due by birth	3.7.160
Yet so much is my poverty of spirit,	3.7.161
So mighty and so many my defects,	3.7.162
As I had rather hide me from my greatness,	3.7.163
Being a bark to brook no mighty sea,	3.7.164
Than in my greatness covet to be hid,	3.7.165
And in the vapour of my glory smother'd.	3.7.166
But, God be thank'd, there's no need of me,	3.7.167
And much I need to help you, if need were;	3.7.168
The royal tree hath left us royal fruit,	3.7.169
Which, mellow'd by the stealing hours of time,	3.7.170
Will well become the seat of majesty,	3.7.171
And make, no doubt, us happy by his reign.	3.7.172
On him I lay what you would lay on me,	3.7.173
The right and fortune of his happy stars;	3.7.174
Which God defend that I should wring from him!	3.7.175

Buckingham. My lord, this argues conscience in your grace;	3.7.176
But the respects thereof are nice and trivial,	3.7.177
All circumstances well considered.	3.7.178
You say that Edward is your brother's son:	3.7.179
So say we too, but not by Edward's wife;	3.7.180
For first he was contract to Lady Lucy--	3.7.181
Your mother lives a witness to that vow--	3.7.182
And afterward by substitute betroth'd	3.7.183
To Bona, sister to the King of France.	3.7.184
These both put by a poor petitioner,	3.7.185
A care-crazed mother of a many children,	3.7.186
A beauty-waning and distressed widow,	3.7.187
Even in the afternoon of her best days,	3.7.188
Made prize and purchase of his lustful eye,	3.7.189
Seduced the pitch and height of all his thoughts	3.7.190
To base declension and loathed bigamy	3.7.191
By her, in his unlawful bed, he got	3.7.192
This Edward, whom our manners term the prince.	3.7.193
More bitterly could I expostulate,	3.7.194
Save that, for reverence to some alive,	3.7.195
I give a sparing limit to my tongue.	3.7.196
Then, good my lord, take to your royal self	3.7.197
This proffer'd benefit of dignity;	3.7.198
If non to bless us and the land withal,	3.7.199
Yet to draw forth your noble ancestry	3.7.200
From the corruption of abusing times,	3.7.201
Unto a lineal true-derived course.	3.7.202

Lord Mayor. Do, good my lord, your citizens entreat you.	3.7.203

Buckingham. Refuse not, mighty lord, this proffer'd love.	3.7.204

Catesby. O, make them joyful, grant their lawful suit!	3.7.205

Gloucester. Alas, why would you heap these cares on me?	3.7.206
I am unfit for state and majesty;	3.7.207
I do beseech you, take it not amiss;	3.7.208
I cannot nor I will not yield to you.	3.7.209

Buckingham. If you refuse it,--as, in love and zeal,	3.7.210
Loath to depose the child, Your brother's son;	3.7.211
As well we know your tenderness of heart	3.7.212
And gentle, kind, effeminate remorse,	3.7.213
Which we have noted in you to your kin,	3.7.214
And egally indeed to all estates,--	3.7.215
Yet whether you accept our suit or no,	3.7.216
Your brother's son shall never reign our king;	3.7.217
But we will plant some other in the throne,	3.7.218
To the disgrace and downfall of your house:	3.7.219
And in this resolution here we leave you.--	3.7.220
Come, citizens: 'zounds! I'll entreat no more.	3.7.221

Gloucester. O, do not swear, my lord of Buckingham.	3.7.222
[Exit BUCKINGHAM with the Citizens]

Catesby. Call them again, my lord, and accept their suit.	3.7.223

Another. Do, good my lord, lest all the land do rue it.	3.7.224

Gloucester. Would you enforce me to a world of care?	3.7.225
Well, call them again. I am not made of stone,	3.7.226
But penetrable to your. kind entreats,	3.7.227
Albeit against my conscience and my soul.	3.7.228
[Re-enter BUCKINGHAM and the rest]
Cousin of Buckingham, and you sage, grave men,	3.7.229
Since you will buckle fortune on my back,	3.7.230
To bear her burthen, whether I will or no,	3.7.231
I must have patience to endure the load:	3.7.232
But if black scandal or foul-faced reproach	3.7.233
Attend the sequel of your imposition,	3.7.234
Your mere enforcement shall acquittance me	3.7.235
From all the impure blots and stains thereof;	3.7.236
For God he knows, and you may partly see,	3.7.237
How far I am from the desire thereof.	3.7.238

Lord Mayor. God bless your grace! we see it, and will say it.	3.7.239

Gloucester. In saying so, you shall but say the truth.	3.7.240

Buckingham. Then I salute you with this kingly title:	3.7.241
Long live Richard, England's royal king!	3.7.242

Lord Mayor [with Citizens] Amen.	3.7.243

Buckingham. To-morrow will it please you to be crown'd?	3.7.244

Gloucester. Even when you please, since you will have it so.	3.7.245

Buckingham. To-morrow, then, we will attend your grace:	3.7.246
And so most joyfully we take our leave.	3.7.247

Gloucester. Come, let us to our holy task again.	3.7.248
Farewell, good cousin; farewell, gentle friends.	3.7.249
[Exeunt]

ACT IV

SCENE I. Before the Tower.

[Enter, on one side, QUEEN ELIZABETH, DUCHESS OF YORK, and DORSET; on the other, ANNE, Duchess of Gloucester, leading Lady Margaret Plantagenet, CLARENCE's young Daughter]

Duchess of York. Who meets us here? my niece Plantagenet	4.1.1
Led in the hand of her kind aunt of Gloucester?	4.1.2
Now, for my life, she's wandering to the Tower,	4.1.3
On pure heart's love to greet the tender princes.	4.1.4
Daughter, well met.	4.1.5

Lady Anne. God give your graces both	4.1.6
A happy and a joyful time of day!	4.1.7

Queen Elizabeth. As much to you, good sister! Whither away?	4.1.8

Lady Anne. No farther than the Tower; and, as I guess,	4.1.9
Upon the like devotion as yourselves,	4.1.10
To gratulate the gentle princes there.	4.1.11

Queen Elizabeth. Kind sister, thanks: we'll enter all together.	4.1.12
[Enter BRAKENBURY]
And, in good time, here the lieutenant comes.	4.1.13
Master lieutenant, pray you, by your leave,	4.1.14
How doth the prince, and my young son of York?	4.1.15

Brakenbury. Right well, dear madam. By your patience,	4.1.16
I may not suffer you to visit them;	4.1.17
The king hath straitly charged the contrary.	4.1.18

Queen Elizabeth. The king! why, who's that?	4.1.19

Brakenbury. I cry you mercy: I mean the lord protector.	4.1.20

Queen Elizabeth. The Lord protect him from that kingly title!	4.1.21
Hath he set bounds betwixt their love and me?	4.1.22
I am their mother; who should keep me from them?	4.1.23

Duchess of York. I am their fathers mother; I will see them.	4.1.24

Lady Anne. Their aunt I am in law, in love their mother:	4.1.25
Then bring me to their sights; I'll bear thy blame	4.1.26
And take thy office from thee, on my peril.	4.1.27

Brakenbury. No, madam, no; I may not leave it so:	4.1.28
I am bound by oath, and therefore pardon me.	4.1.29
[Exit]

[Enter LORD STANLEY]

Lord Stanley. Let me but meet you, ladies, one hour hence,	4.1.30
And I'll salute your grace of York as mother,	4.1.31
And reverend looker on, of two fair queens.	4.1.32
[To LADY ANNE]
Come, madam, you must straight to Westminster,	4.1.33
There to be crowned Richard's royal queen.	4.1.34

Queen Elizabeth. O, cut my lace in sunder, that my pent heart	4.1.35
May have some scope to beat, or else I swoon	4.1.36
With this dead-killing news!	4.1.37

Lady Anne. Despiteful tidings! O unpleasing news!	4.1.38

Dorset. Be of good cheer: mother, how fares your grace?	4.1.39

Queen Elizabeth. O Dorset, speak not to me, get thee hence!	4.1.40
Death and destruction dog thee at the heels;	4.1.41
Thy mother's name is ominous to children.	4.1.42
If thou wilt outstrip death, go cross the seas,	4.1.43
And live with Richmond, from the reach of hell	4.1.44
Go, hie thee, hie thee from this slaughter-house,	4.1.45
Lest thou increase the number of the dead;	4.1.46
And make me die the thrall of Margaret's curse,	4.1.47
Nor mother, wife, nor England's counted queen.	4.1.48

Lord Stanley. Full of wise care is this your counsel, madam.	4.1.49
Take all the swift advantage of the hours;	4.1.50
You shall have letters from me to my son	4.1.51
To meet you on the way, and welcome you.	4.1.52
Be not ta'en tardy by unwise delay.	4.1.53

Duchess of York. O ill-dispersing wind of misery!	4.1.54
O my accursed womb, the bed of death!	4.1.55
A cockatrice hast thou hatch'd to the world,	4.1.56
Whose unavoided eye is murderous.	4.1.57

Lord Stanley. Come, madam, come; I in all haste was sent.	4.1.58

Lady Anne. And I in all unwillingness will go.	4.1.59
I would to God that the inclusive verge	4.1.60
Of golden metal that must round my brow	4.1.61
Were red-hot steel, to sear me to the brain!	4.1.62
Anointed let me be with deadly venom,	4.1.63
And die, ere men can say, God save the queen!	4.1.64

Queen Elizabeth. Go, go, poor soul, I envy not thy glory	4.1.65
To feed my humour, wish thyself no harm.	4.1.66

Lady Anne. No! why? When he that is my husband now	4.1.67
Came to me, as I follow'd Henry's corse,	4.1.68
When scarce the blood was well wash'd from his hands	4.1.69
Which issued from my other angel husband	4.1.70
And that dead saint which then I weeping follow'd;	4.1.71
O, when, I say, I look'd on Richard's face,	4.1.72
This was my wish: 'Be thou,' quoth I, ' accursed,	4.1.73
For making me, so young, so old a widow!	4.1.74
And, when thou wed'st, let sorrow haunt thy bed;	4.1.75
And be thy wife--if any be so mad--	4.1.76
As miserable by the life of thee	4.1.77
As thou hast made me by my dear lord's death!	4.1.78
Lo, ere I can repeat this curse again,	4.1.79
Even in so short a space, my woman's heart	4.1.80
Grossly grew captive to his honey words	4.1.81
And proved the subject of my own soul's curse,	4.1.82
Which ever since hath kept my eyes from rest;	4.1.83
For never yet one hour in his bed	4.1.84
Have I enjoy'd the golden dew of sleep,	4.1.85
But have been waked by his timorous dreams.	4.1.86
Besides, he hates me for my father Warwick;	4.1.87
And will, no doubt, shortly be rid of me.	4.1.88

Queen Elizabeth. Poor heart, adieu! I pity thy complaining.	4.1.89

Lady Anne. No more than from my soul I mourn for yours.	4.1.90

Queen Elizabeth. Farewell, thou woful welcomer of glory!	4.1.91

Lady Anne. Adieu, poor soul, that takest thy leave of it!	4.1.92

Duchess of York. [To DORSET]	4.1.93
Go thou to Richmond, and good fortune guide thee!	4.1.94
[To LADY ANNE]
Go thou to Richard, and good angels guard thee!	4.1.95
[To QUEEN ELIZABETH]
Go thou to sanctuary, and good thoughts possess thee!	4.1.96
I to my grave, where peace and rest lie with me!	4.1.97
Eighty odd years of sorrow have I seen,	4.1.98
And each hour's joy wrecked with a week of teen.	4.1.99

Queen Elizabeth. Stay, yet look back with me unto the Tower.	4.1.100
Pity, you ancient stones, those tender babes	4.1.101
Whom envy hath immured within your walls!	4.1.102
Rough cradle for such little pretty ones!	4.1.103
Rude ragged nurse, old sullen playfellow	4.1.104
For tender princes, use my babies well!	4.1.105
So foolish sorrow bids your stones farewell.	4.1.106
[Exeunt]

SCENE II. London. The palace.

[Sennet. Enter KING RICHARD III, in pomp, crowned; BUCKINGHAM, CATESBY, a page, and others]

King Richard III. Stand all apart Cousin of Buckingham!	4.2.1

Buckingham. My gracious sovereign?	4.2.2

King Richard III. Give me thy hand.	4.2.3
[Here he ascendeth his throne]
Thus high, by thy advice	4.2.4
And thy assistance, is King Richard seated;	4.2.5
But shall we wear these honours for a day?	4.2.6
Or shall they last, and we rejoice in them?	4.2.7

Buckingham. Still live they and for ever may they last!	4.2.8

King Richard III. O Buckingham, now do I play the touch,	4.2.9
To try if thou be current gold indeed	4.2.10
Young Edward lives: think now what I would say.	4.2.11

Buckingham. Say on, my loving lord.	4.2.12

King Richard III. Why, Buckingham, I say, I would be king,	4.2.13

Buckingham. Why, so you are, my thrice renowned liege.	4.2.14

King Richard III. Ha! am I king? 'tis so: but Edward lives.	4.2.15

Buckingham. True, noble prince.	4.2.16

King Richard III. O bitter consequence,	4.2.17
That Edward still should live! 'True, noble prince!'	4.2.18
Cousin, thou wert not wont to be so dull:	4.2.19
Shall I be plain? I wish the bastards dead;	4.2.20
And I would have it suddenly perform'd.	4.2.21
What sayest thou? speak suddenly; be brief.	4.2.22

Buckingham. Your grace may do your pleasure.	4.2.23

King Richard III. Tut, tut, thou art all ice, thy kindness freezeth:	4.2.24
Say, have I thy consent that they shall die?	4.2.25

Buckingham. Give me some breath, some little pause, my lord	4.2.26
Before I positively herein:	4.2.27
I will resolve your grace immediately.	4.2.28
[Exit]

Catesby. [Aside to a stander by]	4.2.29
The king is angry: see, he bites the lip.	4.2.30

King Richard III. I will converse with iron-witted fools	4.2.31
And unrespective boys: none are for me	4.2.32
That look into me with considerate eyes:	4.2.33
High-reaching Buckingham grows circumspect.	4.2.34
Boy!	4.2.35

Page. My lord?	4.2.36

King Richard III. Know'st thou not any whom corrupting gold	4.2.37
Would tempt unto a close exploit of death?	4.2.38

Page. My lord, I know a discontented gentleman,	4.2.39
Whose humble means match not his haughty mind:	4.2.40
Gold were as good as twenty orators,	4.2.41
And will, no doubt, tempt him to any thing.	4.2.42

King Richard III. What is his name?	4.2.43

Page. His name, my lord, is Tyrrel.	4.2.44

King Richard III. I partly know the man: go, call him hither.	4.2.45
[Exit Page]
The deep-revolving witty Buckingham	4.2.46
No more shall be the neighbour to my counsel:	4.2.47
Hath he so long held out with me untired,	4.2.48
And stops he now for breath?	4.2.49
[Enter STANLEY]
How now! what news with you?	4.2.50

Stanley. My lord, I hear the Marquis Dorset's fled	4.2.51
To Richmond, in those parts beyond the sea	4.2.52
Where he abides.	4.2.53
[Stands apart]

King Richard III. Catesby!	4.2.54

Catesby. My lord?	4.2.55

King Richard III. Rumour it abroad	4.2.56
That Anne, my wife, is sick and like to die:	4.2.57
I will take order for her keeping close.	4.2.58
Inquire me out some mean-born gentleman,	4.2.59
Whom I will marry straight to Clarence' daughter:	4.2.60
The boy is foolish, and I fear not him.	4.2.61
Look, how thou dream'st! I say again, give out	4.2.62
That Anne my wife is sick and like to die:	4.2.63
About it; for it stands me much upon,	4.2.64
To stop all hopes whose growth may damage me.	4.2.65
[Exit CATESBY]
I must be married to my brother's daughter,	4.2.66
Or else my kingdom stands on brittle glass.	4.2.67
Murder her brothers, and then marry her!	4.2.68
Uncertain way of gain! But I am in	4.2.69
So far in blood that sin will pluck on sin:	4.2.70
Tear-falling pity dwells not in this eye.	4.2.71
[Re-enter Page, with TYRREL]
Is thy name Tyrrel?	4.2.72

Tyrrel. James Tyrrel, and your most obedient subject.	4.2.73

King Richard III. Art thou, indeed?	4.2.74

Tyrrel. Prove me, my gracious sovereign.	4.2.75

King Richard III. Darest thou resolve to kill a friend of mine?	4.2.76

Tyrrel. Ay, my lord;	4.2.77
But I had rather kill two enemies.	4.2.78

King Richard III. Why, there thou hast it: two deep enemies,	4.2.79
Foes to my rest and my sweet sleep's disturbers	4.2.80
Are they that I would have thee deal upon:	4.2.81
Tyrrel, I mean those bastards in the Tower.	4.2.82

Tyrrel. Let me have open means to come to them,	4.2.83
And soon I'll rid you from the fear of them.	4.2.84

King Richard III. Thou sing'st sweet music. Hark, come hither, Tyrrel	4.2.85
Go, by this token: rise, and lend thine ear:	4.2.86
[Whispers]
There is no more but so: say it is done,	4.2.87
And I will love thee, and prefer thee too.	4.2.88

Tyrrel. 'Tis done, my gracious lord.	4.2.89

King Richard III. Shall we hear from thee, Tyrrel, ere we sleep?	4.2.90

Tyrrel. Ye shall, my Lord.	4.2.91
[Exit]

[Re-enter BUCKINGHAM]

Buckingham. My Lord, I have consider'd in my mind	4.2.92
The late demand that you did sound me in.	4.2.93

King Richard III. Well, let that pass. Dorset is fled to Richmond.	4.2.94

Buckingham. I hear that news, my lord.	4.2.95

King Richard III. Stanley, he is your wife's son well, look to it.	4.2.96

Buckingham. My lord, I claim your gift, my due by promise,	4.2.97
For which your honour and your faith is pawn'd;	4.2.98
The earldom of Hereford and the moveables	4.2.99
The which you promised I should possess.	4.2.100

King Richard III. Stanley, look to your wife; if she convey	4.2.101
Letters to Richmond, you shall answer it.	4.2.102

Buckingham. What says your highness to my just demand?	4.2.103

King Richard III. As I remember, Henry the Sixth	4.2.104
Did prophesy that Richmond should be king,	4.2.105
When Richmond was a little peevish boy.	4.2.106
A king, perhaps, perhaps,--	4.2.107

Buckingham. My lord!	4.2.108

King Richard III. How chance the prophet could not at that time	4.2.109
Have told me, I being by, that I should kill him?	4.2.110

Buckingham. My lord, your promise for the earldom,--	4.2.111

King Richard III. Richmond! When last I was at Exeter,	4.2.112
The mayor in courtesy show'd me the castle,	4.2.113
And call'd it Rougemont: at which name I started,	4.2.114
Because a bard of Ireland told me once	4.2.115
I should not live long after I saw Richmond.	4.2.116

Buckingham. My Lord!	4.2.117

King Richard III. Ay, what's o'clock?	4.2.118

Buckingham. I am thus bold to put your grace in mind	4.2.119
Of what you promised me.	4.2.120

King Richard III. Well, but what's o'clock?	4.2.121

Buckingham. Upon the stroke of ten.	4.2.122

King Richard III. Well, let it strike.	4.2.123

Buckingham. Why let it strike?	4.2.124

King Richard III. Because that, like a Jack, thou keep'st the stroke	4.2.125
Betwixt thy begging and my meditation.	4.2.126
I am not in the giving vein to-day.	4.2.127

Buckingham. Why, then resolve me whether you will or no.	4.2.128

King Richard III. Tut, tut,	4.2.129
Thou troublest me; am not in the vein.	4.2.130
[Exeunt all but BUCKINGHAM]

Buckingham. Is it even so? rewards he my true service	4.2.131
With such deep contempt made I him king for this?	4.2.132
O, let me think on Hastings, and be gone	4.2.133
To Brecknock, while my fearful head is on!	4.2.134
[Exit]

SCENE III. The same.

[Enter TYRREL]

Tyrrel. The tyrannous and bloody deed is done.	4.3.1
The most arch of piteous massacre	4.3.2
That ever yet this land was guilty of.	4.3.3
Dighton and Forrest, whom I did suborn	4.3.4
To do this ruthless piece of butchery,	4.3.5
Although they were flesh'd villains, bloody dogs,	4.3.6
Melting with tenderness and kind compassion	4.3.7
Wept like two children in their deaths' sad stories.	4.3.8
'Lo, thus' quoth Dighton, 'lay those tender babes:'	4.3.9
'Thus, thus,' quoth Forrest, 'girdling one another	4.3.10
Within their innocent alabaster arms:	4.3.11
Their lips were four red roses on a stalk,	4.3.12
Which in their summer beauty kiss'd each other.	4.3.13
A book of prayers on their pillow lay;	4.3.14
Which once,' quoth Forrest, 'almost changed my mind;	4.3.15
But O! the devil'--there the villain stopp'd	4.3.16
Whilst Dighton thus told on: 'We smothered	4.3.17
The most replenished sweet work of nature,	4.3.18
That from the prime creation e'er she framed.'	4.3.19
Thus both are gone with conscience and remorse;	4.3.20
They could not speak; and so I left them both,	4.3.21
To bring this tidings to the bloody king.	4.3.22
And here he comes.	4.3.23
[Enter KING RICHARD III]
All hail, my sovereign liege!	4.3.24

King Richard III. Kind Tyrrel, am I happy in thy news?	4.3.25

Tyrrel. If to have done the thing you gave in charge	4.3.26
Beget your happiness, be happy then,	4.3.27
For it is done, my lord.	4.3.28

King Richard III. But didst thou see them dead?	4.3.29

Tyrrel. I did, my lord.	4.3.30

King Richard III. And buried, gentle Tyrrel?	4.3.31

Tyrrel. The chaplain of the Tower hath buried them;	4.3.32
But how or in what place I do not know.	4.3.33

King Richard III. Come to me, Tyrrel, soon at after supper,	4.3.34
And thou shalt tell the process of their death.	4.3.35
Meantime, but think how I may do thee good,	4.3.36
And be inheritor of thy desire.	4.3.37
Farewell till soon.	4.3.38
[Exit TYRREL]
The son of Clarence have I pent up close;	4.3.39
His daughter meanly have I match'd in marriage;	4.3.40
The sons of Edward sleep in Abraham's bosom,	4.3.41
And Anne my wife hath bid the world good night.	4.3.42
Now, for I know the Breton Richmond aims	4.3.43
At young Elizabeth, my brother's daughter,	4.3.44
And, by that knot, looks proudly o'er the crown,	4.3.45
To her I go, a jolly thriving wooer.	4.3.46

[Enter CATESBY]

Catesby. My lord!	4.3.47

King Richard III. Good news or bad, that thou comest in so bluntly?	4.3.48

Catesby. Bad news, my lord: Ely is fled to Richmond;	4.3.49
And Buckingham, back'd with the hardy Welshmen,	4.3.50
Is in the field, and still his power increaseth.	4.3.51

King Richard III. Ely with Richmond troubles me more near	4.3.52
Than Buckingham and his rash-levied army.	4.3.53
Come, I have heard that fearful commenting	4.3.54
Is leaden servitor to dull delay;	4.3.55
Delay leads impotent and snail-paced beggary	4.3.56
Then fiery expedition be my wing,	4.3.57
Jove's Mercury, and herald for a king!	4.3.58
Come, muster men: my counsel is my shield;	4.3.59
We must be brief when traitors brave the field.	4.3.60
[Exeunt]

SCENE IV. Before the palace.

[Enter QUEEN MARGARET]

Queen Margaret. So, now prosperity begins to mellow	4.4.1
And drop into the rotten mouth of death.	4.4.2
Here in these confines slily have I lurk'd,	4.4.3
To watch the waning of mine adversaries.	4.4.4
A dire induction am I witness to,	4.4.5
And will to France, hoping the consequence	4.4.6
Will prove as bitter, black, and tragical.	4.4.7
Withdraw thee, wretched Margaret: who comes here?	4.4.8

[Enter QUEEN ELIZABETH and the DUCHESS OF YORK]

Queen Elizabeth. Ah, my young princes! ah, my tender babes!	4.4.9
My unblown flowers, new-appearing sweets!	4.4.10
If yet your gentle souls fly in the air	4.4.11
And be not fix'd in doom perpetual,	4.4.12
Hover about me with your airy wings	4.4.13
And hear your mother's lamentation!	4.4.14

Queen Margaret. Hover about her; say, that right for right	4.4.15
Hath dimm'd your infant morn to aged night.	4.4.16

Duchess of York. So many miseries have crazed my voice,	4.4.17
That my woe-wearied tongue is mute and dumb,	4.4.18
Edward Plantagenet, why art thou dead?	4.4.19

Queen Margaret. Plantagenet doth quit Plantagenet.	4.4.20
Edward for Edward pays a dying debt.	4.4.21

Queen Elizabeth. Wilt thou, O God, fly from such gentle lambs,	4.4.22
And throw them in the entrails of the wolf?	4.4.23
When didst thou sleep when such a deed was done?	4.4.24

Queen Margaret. When holy Harry died, and my sweet son.	4.4.25

Duchess of York. Blind sight, dead life, poor mortal living ghost,	4.4.26
Woe's scene, world's shame, grave's due by life usurp'd,	4.4.27
Brief abstract and record of tedious days,	4.4.28
Rest thy unrest on England's lawful earth,	4.4.29
[Sitting down]
Unlawfully made drunk with innocents' blood!	4.4.30

Queen Elizabeth. O, that thou wouldst as well afford a grave	4.4.31
As thou canst yield a melancholy seat!	4.4.32
Then would I hide my bones, not rest them here.	4.4.33
O, who hath any cause to mourn but I?	4.4.34
[Sitting down by her]

Queen Margaret. If ancient sorrow be most reverend,	4.4.35
Give mine the benefit of seniory,	4.4.36
And let my woes frown on the upper hand.	4.4.37
If sorrow can admit society,	4.4.38
[Sitting down with them]
Tell o'er your woes again by viewing mine:	4.4.39
I had an Edward, till a Richard kill'd him;	4.4.40
I had a Harry, till a Richard kill'd him:	4.4.41
Thou hadst an Edward, till a Richard kill'd him;	4.4.42
Thou hadst a Richard, till a Richard killed him;	4.4.43

Duchess of York. I had a Richard too, and thou didst kill him;	4.4.44
I had a Rutland too, thou holp'st to kill him.	4.4.45

Queen Margaret. Thou hadst a Clarence too, and Richard kill'd him.	4.4.46
From forth the kennel of thy womb hath crept	4.4.47
A hell-hound that doth hunt us all to death:	4.4.48
That dog, that had his teeth before his eyes,	4.4.49
To worry lambs and lap their gentle blood,	4.4.50
That foul defacer of God's handiwork,	4.4.51
That excellent grand tyrant of the earth,	4.4.52
That reigns in galled eyes of weeping souls,	4.4.53
Thy womb let loose, to chase us to our graves.	4.4.54
O upright, just, and true-disposing God,	4.4.55
How do I thank thee, that this carnal cur	4.4.56
Preys on the issue of his mother's body,	4.4.57
And makes her pew-fellow with others' moan!	4.4.58

Duchess of York. O Harry's wife, triumph not in my woes!	4.4.59
God witness with me, I have wept for thine.	4.4.60

Queen Margaret. Bear with me; I am hungry for revenge,	4.4.61
And now I cloy me with beholding it.	4.4.62
Thy Edward he is dead, that stabb'd my Edward:	4.4.63
Thy other Edward dead, to quit my Edward;	4.4.64
Young York he is but boot, because both they	4.4.65
Match not the high perfection of my loss:	4.4.66
Thy Clarence he is dead that kill'd my Edward;	4.4.67
And the beholders of this tragic play,	4.4.68
The adulterate Hastings, Rivers, Vaughan, Grey,	4.4.69
Untimely smother'd in their dusky graves.	4.4.70
Richard yet lives, hell's black intelligencer,	4.4.71
Only reserved their factor, to buy souls	4.4.72
And send them thither: but at hand, at hand,	4.4.73
Ensues his piteous and unpitied end:	4.4.74
Earth gapes, hell burns, fiends roar, saints pray.	4.4.75
To have him suddenly convey'd away.	4.4.76
Cancel his bond of life, dear God, I prey,	4.4.77
That I may live to say, The dog is dead!	4.4.78

Queen Elizabeth. O, thou didst prophesy the time would come	4.4.79
That I should wish for thee to help me curse	4.4.80
That bottled spider, that foul bunch-back'd toad!	4.4.81

Queen Margaret. I call'd thee then vain flourish of my fortune;	4.4.82
I call'd thee then poor shadow, painted queen;	4.4.83
The presentation of but what I was;	4.4.84
The flattering index of a direful pageant;	4.4.85
One heaved a-high, to be hurl'd down below;	4.4.86
A mother only mock'd with two sweet babes;	4.4.87
A dream of what thou wert, a breath, a bubble,	4.4.88
A sign of dignity, a garish flag,	4.4.89
To be the aim of every dangerous shot,	4.4.90
A queen in jest, only to fill the scene.	4.4.91
Where is thy husband now? where be thy brothers?	4.4.92
Where are thy children? wherein dost thou, joy?	4.4.93
Who sues to thee and cries 'God save the queen'?	4.4.94
Where be the bending peers that flatter'd thee?	4.4.95
Where be the thronging troops that follow'd thee?	4.4.96
Decline all this, and see what now thou art:	4.4.97
For happy wife, a most distressed widow;	4.4.98
For joyful mother, one that wails the name;	4.4.99
For queen, a very caitiff crown'd with care;	4.4.100
For one being sued to, one that humbly sues;	4.4.101
For one that scorn'd at me, now scorn'd of me;	4.4.102
For one being fear'd of all, now fearing one;	4.4.103
For one commanding all, obey'd of none.	4.4.104
Thus hath the course of justice wheel'd about,	4.4.105
And left thee but a very prey to time;	4.4.106
Having no more but thought of what thou wert,	4.4.107
To torture thee the more, being what thou art.	4.4.108
Thou didst usurp my place, and dost thou not	4.4.109
Usurp the just proportion of my sorrow?	4.4.110
Now thy proud neck bears half my burthen'd yoke;	4.4.111
From which even here I slip my weary neck,	4.4.112
And leave the burthen of it all on thee.	4.4.113
Farewell, York's wife, and queen of sad mischance:	4.4.114
These English woes will make me smile in France.	4.4.115

Queen Elizabeth. O thou well skill'd in curses, stay awhile,	4.4.116
And teach me how to curse mine enemies!	4.4.117

Queen Margaret. Forbear to sleep the nights, and fast the days;	4.4.118
Compare dead happiness with living woe;	4.4.119
Think that thy babes were fairer than they were,	4.4.120
And he that slew them fouler than he is:	4.4.121
Bettering thy loss makes the bad causer worse:	4.4.122
Revolving this will teach thee how to curse.	4.4.123

Queen Elizabeth. My words are dull; O, quicken them with thine!	4.4.124

Queen Margaret. Thy woes will make them sharp, and pierce like mine.	4.4.125
[Exit]

Duchess of York. Why should calamity be full of words?	4.4.126

Queen Elizabeth. Windy attorneys to their client woes,	4.4.127
Airy succeeders of intestate joys,	4.4.128
Poor breathing orators of miseries!	4.4.129
Let them have scope: though what they do impart	4.4.130
Help not all, yet do they ease the heart.	4.4.131

Duchess of York. If so, then be not tongue-tied: go with me.	4.4.132
And in the breath of bitter words let's smother	4.4.133
My damned son, which thy two sweet sons smother'd.	4.4.134
I hear his drum: be copious in exclaims.	4.4.135

[Enter KING RICHARD III, marching, with drums and trumpets]

King Richard III. Who intercepts my expedition?	4.4.136

Duchess of York. O, she that might have intercepted thee,	4.4.137
By strangling thee in her accursed womb	4.4.138
From all the slaughters, wretch, that thou hast done!	4.4.139

Queen Elizabeth. Hidest thou that forehead with a golden crown,	4.4.140
Where should be graven, if that right were right,	4.4.141
The slaughter of the prince that owed that crown,	4.4.142
And the dire death of my two sons and brothers?	4.4.143
Tell me, thou villain slave, where are my children?	4.4.144

Duchess of York. Thou toad, thou toad, where is thy brother Clarence?	4.4.145
And little Ned Plantagenet, his son?	4.4.146

Queen Elizabeth. Where is kind Hastings, Rivers, Vaughan, Grey?	4.4.147

King Richard III. A flourish, trumpets! strike alarum, drums!	4.4.148
Let not the heavens hear these tell-tale women	4.4.149
Rail on the Lord's enointed: strike, I say!	4.4.150
[Flourish. Alarums]
Either be patient, and entreat me fair,	4.4.151
Or with the clamorous report of war	4.4.152
Thus will I drown your exclamations.	4.4.153

Duchess of York. Art thou my son?	4.4.154

King Richard III. Ay, I thank God, my father, and yourself.	4.4.155

Duchess of York. Then patiently hear my impatience.	4.4.156

King Richard III. Madam, I have a touch of your condition,	4.4.157
Which cannot brook the accent of reproof.	4.4.158

Duchess of York. O, let me speak!	4.4.159

King Richard III. Do then: but I'll not hear.	4.4.160

Duchess of York. I will be mild and gentle in my speech.	4.4.161

King Richard III. And brief, good mother; for I am in haste.	4.4.162

Duchess of York. Art thou so hasty? I have stay'd for thee,	4.4.163
God knows, in anguish, pain and agony.	4.4.164

King Richard III. And came I not at last to comfort you?	4.4.165

Duchess of York. No, by the holy rood, thou know'st it well,	4.4.166
Thou camest on earth to make the earth my hell.	4.4.167
A grievous burthen was thy birth to me;	4.4.168
Tetchy and wayward was thy infancy;	4.4.169
Thy school-days frightful, desperate, wild, and furious,	4.4.170
Thy prime of manhood daring, bold, and venturous,	4.4.171
Thy age confirm'd, proud, subdued, bloody,	4.4.172
treacherous,	4.4.173
More mild, but yet more harmful, kind in hatred:	4.4.174
What comfortable hour canst thou name,	4.4.175
That ever graced me in thy company?	4.4.176

King Richard III. Faith, none, but Humphrey Hour, that call'd	4.4.177
your grace	4.4.178
To breakfast once forth of my company.	4.4.179
If I be so disgracious in your sight,	4.4.180
Let me march on, and not offend your grace.	4.4.181
Strike the drum.	4.4.182

Duchess of York. I prithee, hear me speak.	4.4.183

King Richard III. You speak too bitterly.	4.4.184

Duchess of York. Hear me a word;	4.4.185
For I shall never speak to thee again.	4.4.186

King Richard III. So.	4.4.187

Duchess of York. Either thou wilt die, by God's just ordinance,	4.4.188
Ere from this war thou turn a conqueror,	4.4.189
Or I with grief and extreme age shall perish	4.4.190
And never look upon thy face again.	4.4.191
Therefore take with thee my most heavy curse;	4.4.192
Which, in the day of battle, tire thee more	4.4.193
Than all the complete armour that thou wear'st!	4.4.194
My prayers on the adverse party fight;	4.4.195
And there the little souls of Edward's children	4.4.196
Whisper the spirits of thine enemies	4.4.197
And promise them success and victory.	4.4.198
Bloody thou art, bloody will be thy end;	4.4.199
Shame serves thy life and doth thy death attend.	4.4.200
[Exit]

Queen Elizabeth. Though far more cause, yet much less spirit to curse	4.4.201
Abides in me; I say amen to all.	4.4.202

King Richard III. Stay, madam; I must speak a word with you.	4.4.203

Queen Elizabeth. I have no more sons of the royal blood	4.4.204
For thee to murder: for my daughters, Richard,	4.4.205
They shall be praying nuns, not weeping queens;	4.4.206
And therefore level not to hit their lives.	4.4.207

King Richard III. You have a daughter call'd Elizabeth,	4.4.208
Virtuous and fair, royal and gracious.	4.4.209

Queen Elizabeth. And must she die for this? O, let her live,	4.4.210
And I'll corrupt her manners, stain her beauty;	4.4.211
Slander myself as false to Edward's bed;	4.4.212
Throw over her the veil of infamy:	4.4.213
So she may live unscarr'd of bleeding slaughter,	4.4.214
I will confess she was not Edward's daughter.	4.4.215

King Richard III. Wrong not her birth, she is of royal blood.	4.4.216

Queen Elizabeth. To save her life, I'll say she is not so.	4.4.217

King Richard III. Her life is only safest in her birth.	4.4.218

Queen Elizabeth. And only in that safety died her brothers.	4.4.219

King Richard III. Lo, at their births good stars were opposite.	4.4.220

Queen Elizabeth. No, to their lives bad friends were contrary.	4.4.221

King Richard III. All unavoided is the doom of destiny.	4.4.222

Queen Elizabeth. True, when avoided grace makes destiny:	4.4.223
My babes were destined to a fairer death,	4.4.224
If grace had bless'd thee with a fairer life.	4.4.225

King Richard III. You speak as if that I had slain my cousins.	4.4.226

Queen Elizabeth. Cousins, indeed; and by their uncle cozen'd	4.4.227
Of comfort, kingdom, kindred, freedom, life.	4.4.228
Whose hand soever lanced their tender hearts,	4.4.229
Thy head, all indirectly, gave direction:	4.4.230
No doubt the murderous knife was dull and blunt	4.4.231
Till it was whetted on thy stone-hard heart,	4.4.232
To revel in the entrails of my lambs.	4.4.233
But that still use of grief makes wild grief tame,	4.4.234
My tongue should to thy ears not name my boys	4.4.235
Till that my nails were anchor'd in thine eyes;	4.4.236
And I, in such a desperate bay of death,	4.4.237
Like a poor bark, of sails and tackling reft,	4.4.238
Rush all to pieces on thy rocky bosom.	4.4.239

King Richard III. Madam, so thrive I in my enterprise	4.4.240
And dangerous success of bloody wars,	4.4.241
As I intend more good to you and yours,	4.4.242
Than ever you or yours were by me wrong'd!	4.4.243

Queen Elizabeth. What good is cover'd with the face of heaven,	4.4.244
To be discover'd, that can do me good?	4.4.245

King Richard III. The advancement of your children, gentle lady.	4.4.246

Queen Elizabeth. Up to some scaffold, there to lose their heads?	4.4.247

King Richard III. No, to the dignity and height of honour	4.4.248
The high imperial type of this earth's glory.	4.4.249

Queen Elizabeth. Flatter my sorrows with report of it;	4.4.250
Tell me what state, what dignity, what honour,	4.4.251
Canst thou demise to any child of mine?	4.4.252

King Richard III. Even all I have; yea, and myself and all,	4.4.253
Will I withal endow a child of thine;	4.4.254
So in the Lethe of thy angry soul	4.4.255
Thou drown the sad remembrance of those wrongs	4.4.256
Which thou supposest I have done to thee.	4.4.257

Queen Elizabeth. Be brief, lest that be process of thy kindness	4.4.258
Last longer telling than thy kindness' date.	4.4.259

King Richard III. Then know, that from my soul I love thy daughter.	4.4.260

Queen Elizabeth. My daughter's mother thinks it with her soul.	4.4.261

King Richard III. What do you think?	4.4.262

Queen Elizabeth. That thou dost love my daughter from thy soul:	4.4.263
So from thy soul's love didst thou love her brothers;	4.4.264
And from my heart's love I do thank thee for it.	4.4.265

King Richard III. Be not so hasty to confound my meaning:	4.4.266
I mean, that with my soul I love thy daughter,	4.4.267
And mean to make her queen of England.	4.4.268

Queen Elizabeth. Say then, who dost thou mean shall be her king?	4.4.269

King Richard III. Even he that makes her queen who should be else?	4.4.270

Queen Elizabeth. What, thou?	4.4.271

King Richard III. I, even I: what think you of it, madam?	4.4.272

Queen Elizabeth. How canst thou woo her?	4.4.273

King Richard III. That would I learn of you,	4.4.274
As one that are best acquainted with her humour.	4.4.275

Queen Elizabeth. And wilt thou learn of me?	4.4.276

King Richard III. Madam, with all my heart.	4.4.277

Queen Elizabeth. Send to her, by the man that slew her brothers,	4.4.278
A pair of bleeding-hearts; thereon engrave	4.4.279
Edward and York; then haply she will weep:	4.4.280
Therefore present to her--as sometime Margaret	4.4.281
Did to thy father, steep'd in Rutland's blood,--	4.4.282
A handkerchief; which, say to her, did drain	4.4.283
The purple sap from her sweet brother's body	4.4.284
And bid her dry her weeping eyes therewith.	4.4.285
If this inducement force her not to love,	4.4.286
Send her a story of thy noble acts;	4.4.287
Tell her thou madest away her uncle Clarence,	4.4.288
Her uncle Rivers; yea, and, for her sake,	4.4.289
Madest quick conveyance with her good aunt Anne.	4.4.290

King Richard III. Come, come, you mock me; this is not the way	4.4.291
To win our daughter.	4.4.292

Queen Elizabeth. There is no other way	4.4.293
Unless thou couldst put on some other shape,	4.4.294
And not be Richard that hath done all this.	4.4.295

King Richard III. Say that I did all this for love of her.	4.4.296

Queen Elizabeth. Nay, then indeed she cannot choose but hate thee,	4.4.297
Having bought love with such a bloody spoil.	4.4.298

King Richard III. Look, what is done cannot be now amended:	4.4.299
Men shall deal unadvisedly sometimes,	4.4.300
Which after hours give leisure to repent.	4.4.301
If I did take the kingdom from your sons,	4.4.302
To make amends, Ill give it to your daughter.	4.4.303
If I have kill'd the issue of your womb,	4.4.304
To quicken your increase, I will beget	4.4.305
Mine issue of your blood upon your daughter	4.4.306
A grandam's name is little less in love	4.4.307
Than is the doting title of a mother;	4.4.308
They are as children but one step below,	4.4.309
Even of your mettle, of your very blood;	4.4.310
Of an one pain, save for a night of groans	4.4.311
Endured of her, for whom you bid like sorrow.	4.4.312
Your children were vexation to your youth,	4.4.313
But mine shall be a comfort to your age.	4.4.314
The loss you have is but a son being king,	4.4.315
And by that loss your daughter is made queen.	4.4.316
I cannot make you what amends I would,	4.4.317
Therefore accept such kindness as I can.	4.4.318
Dorset your son, that with a fearful soul	4.4.319
Leads discontented steps in foreign soil,	4.4.320
This fair alliance quickly shall call home	4.4.321
To high promotions and great dignity:	4.4.322
The king, that calls your beauteous daughter wife.	4.4.323
Familiarly shall call thy Dorset brother;	4.4.324
Again shall you be mother to a king,	4.4.325
And all the ruins of distressful times	4.4.326
Repair'd with double riches of content.	4.4.327
What! we have many goodly days to see:	4.4.328
The liquid drops of tears that you have shed	4.4.329
Shall come again, transform'd to orient pearl,	4.4.330
Advantaging their loan with interest	4.4.331
Of ten times double gain of happiness.	4.4.332
Go, then my mother, to thy daughter go	4.4.333
Make bold her bashful years with your experience;	4.4.334
Prepare her ears to hear a wooer's tale	4.4.335
Put in her tender heart the aspiring flame	4.4.336
Of golden sovereignty; acquaint the princess	4.4.337
With the sweet silent hours of marriage joys	4.4.338
And when this arm of mine hath chastised	4.4.339
The petty rebel, dull-brain'd Buckingham,	4.4.340
Bound with triumphant garlands will I come	4.4.341
And lead thy daughter to a conqueror's bed;	4.4.342
To whom I will retail my conquest won,	4.4.343
And she shall be sole victress, Caesar's Caesar.	4.4.344

Queen Elizabeth. What were I best to say? her father's brother	4.4.345
Would be her lord? or shall I say, her uncle?	4.4.346
Or, he that slew her brothers and her uncles?	4.4.347
Under what title shall I woo for thee,	4.4.348
That God, the law, my honour and her love,	4.4.349
Can make seem pleasing to her tender years?	4.4.350

King Richard III. Infer fair England's peace by this alliance.	4.4.351

Queen Elizabeth. Which she shall purchase with still lasting war.	4.4.352

King Richard III. Say that the king, which may command, entreats.	4.4.353

Queen Elizabeth. That at her hands which the king's King forbids.	4.4.354

King Richard III. Say, she shall be a high and mighty queen.	4.4.355

Queen Elizabeth. To wail the tide, as her mother doth.	4.4.356

King Richard III. Say, I will love her everlastingly.	4.4.357

Queen Elizabeth. But how long shall that title 'ever' last?	4.4.358

King Richard III. Sweetly in force unto her fair life's end.	4.4.359

Queen Elizabeth. But how long fairly shall her sweet lie last?	4.4.360

King Richard III. So long as heaven and nature lengthens it.	4.4.361

Queen Elizabeth. So long as hell and Richard likes of it.	4.4.362

King Richard III. Say, I, her sovereign, am her subject love.	4.4.363

Queen Elizabeth. But she, your subject, loathes such sovereignty.	4.4.364

King Richard III. Be eloquent in my behalf to her.	4.4.365

Queen Elizabeth. An honest tale speeds best being plainly told.	4.4.366

King Richard III. Then in plain terms tell her my loving tale.	4.4.367

Queen Elizabeth. Plain and not honest is too harsh a style.	4.4.368

King Richard III. Your reasons are too shallow and too quick.	4.4.369

Queen Elizabeth. O no, my reasons are too deep and dead;	4.4.370
Too deep and dead, poor infants, in their grave.	4.4.371

King Richard III. Harp not on that string, madam; that is past.	4.4.372

Queen Elizabeth. Harp on it still shall I till heart-strings break.	4.4.373

King Richard III. Now, by my George, my garter, and my crown,--	4.4.374

Queen Elizabeth. Profaned, dishonour'd, and the third usurp'd.	4.4.375

King Richard III. I swear--	4.4.376

Queen Elizabeth. By nothing; for this is no oath:	4.4.377
The George, profaned, hath lost his holy honour;	4.4.378
The garter, blemish'd, pawn'd his knightly virtue;	4.4.379
The crown, usurp'd, disgraced his kingly glory.	4.4.380
if something thou wilt swear to be believed,	4.4.381
Swear then by something that thou hast not wrong'd.	4.4.382

King Richard III. Now, by the world--	4.4.383

Queen Elizabeth. 'Tis full of thy foul wrongs.	4.4.384

King Richard III. My father's death--	4.4.385

Queen Elizabeth. Thy life hath that dishonour'd.	4.4.386

King Richard III. Then, by myself--	4.4.387

Queen Elizabeth. Thyself thyself misusest.	4.4.388

King Richard III. Why then, by God--	4.4.389

Queen Elizabeth. God's wrong is most of all.	4.4.390
If thou hadst fear'd to break an oath by Him,	4.4.391
The unity the king thy brother made	4.4.392
Had not been broken, nor my brother slain:	4.4.393
If thou hadst fear'd to break an oath by Him,	4.4.394
The imperial metal, circling now thy brow,	4.4.395
Had graced the tender temples of my child,	4.4.396
And both the princes had been breathing here,	4.4.397
Which now, two tender playfellows to dust,	4.4.398
Thy broken faith hath made a prey for worms.	4.4.399
What canst thou swear by now?	4.4.400

King Richard III. The time to come.	4.4.401

Queen Elizabeth. That thou hast wronged in the time o'erpast;	4.4.402
For I myself have many tears to wash	4.4.403
Hereafter time, for time past wrong'd by thee.	4.4.404
The children live, whose parents thou hast	4.4.405
slaughter'd,	4.4.406
Ungovern'd youth, to wail it in their age;	4.4.407
The parents live, whose children thou hast butcher'd,	4.4.408
Old wither'd plants, to wail it with their age.	4.4.409
Swear not by time to come; for that thou hast	4.4.410
Misused ere used, by time misused o'erpast.	4.4.411

King Richard III. As I intend to prosper and repent,	4.4.412
So thrive I in my dangerous attempt	4.4.413
Of hostile arms! myself myself confound!	4.4.414
Heaven and fortune bar me happy hours!	4.4.415
Day, yield me not thy light; nor, night, thy rest!	4.4.416
Be opposite all planets of good luck	4.4.417
To my proceedings, if, with pure heart's love,	4.4.418
Immaculate devotion, holy thoughts,	4.4.419
I tender not thy beauteous princely daughter!	4.4.420
In her consists my happiness and thine;	4.4.421
Without her, follows to this land and me,	4.4.422
To thee, herself, and many a Christian soul,	4.4.423
Death, desolation, ruin and decay:	4.4.424
It cannot be avoided but by this;	4.4.425
It will not be avoided but by this.	4.4.426
Therefore, good mother,--I must can you so--	4.4.427
Be the attorney of my love to her:	4.4.428
Plead what I will be, not what I have been;	4.4.429
Not my deserts, but what I will deserve:	4.4.430
Urge the necessity and state of times,	4.4.431
And be not peevish-fond in great designs.	4.4.432

Queen Elizabeth. Shall I be tempted of the devil thus?	4.4.433

King Richard III. Ay, if the devil tempt thee to do good.	4.4.434

Queen Elizabeth. Shall I forget myself to be myself?	4.4.435

King Richard III. Ay, if yourself's remembrance wrong yourself.	4.4.436

Queen Elizabeth. But thou didst kill my children.	4.4.437

King Richard III. But in your daughter's womb I bury them:	4.4.438
Where in that nest of spicery they shall breed	4.4.439
Selves of themselves, to your recomforture.	4.4.440

Queen Elizabeth. Shall I go win my daughter to thy will?	4.4.441

King Richard III. And be a happy mother by the deed.	4.4.442

Queen Elizabeth. I go. Write to me very shortly.	4.4.443
And you shall understand from me her mind.	4.4.444

King Richard III. Bear her my true love's kiss; and so, farewell.	4.4.445
[Exit QUEEN ELIZABETH]
Relenting fool, and shallow, changing woman!	4.4.446
[Enter RATCLIFF; CATESBY following]
How now! what news?	4.4.447

Ratcliff. My gracious sovereign, on the western coast	4.4.448
Rideth a puissant navy; to the shore	4.4.449
Throng many doubtful hollow-hearted friends,	4.4.450
Unarm'd, and unresolved to beat them back:	4.4.451
'Tis thought that Richmond is their admiral;	4.4.452
And there they hull, expecting but the aid	4.4.453
Of Buckingham to welcome them ashore.	4.4.454

King Richard III. Some light-foot friend post to the Duke of Norfolk:	4.4.455
Ratcliff, thyself, or Catesby; where is he?	4.4.456

Catesby. Here, my lord.	4.4.457

King Richard III. Fly to the duke:	4.4.458
[To RATCLIFF]
Post thou to Salisbury	4.4.459
When thou comest thither--	4.4.460
[To CATESBY]
Dull, unmindful villain,	4.4.461
Why stand'st thou still, and go'st not to the duke?	4.4.462

Catesby. First, mighty sovereign, let me know your mind,	4.4.463
What from your grace I shall deliver to him.	4.4.464

King Richard III. O, true, good Catesby: bid him levy straight	4.4.465
The greatest strength and power he can make,	4.4.466
And meet me presently at Salisbury.	4.4.467

Catesby. I go.	4.4.468
[Exit]

Ratcliff. What is't your highness' pleasure I shall do at	4.4.469
Salisbury?	4.4.470

King Richard III. Why, what wouldst thou do there before I go?	4.4.471

Ratcliff. Your highness told me I should post before.	4.4.472

King Richard III. My mind is changed, sir, my mind is changed.	4.4.473
[Enter STANLEY]
How now, what news with you?	4.4.474

Stanley. None good, my lord, to please you with the hearing;	4.4.475
Nor none so bad, but it may well be told.	4.4.476

King Richard III. Hoyday, a riddle! neither good nor bad!	4.4.477
Why dost thou run so many mile about,	4.4.478
When thou mayst tell thy tale a nearer way?	4.4.479
Once more, what news?	4.4.480

Stanley. Richmond is on the seas.	4.4.481

King Richard III. There let him sink, and be the seas on him!	4.4.482
White-liver'd runagate, what doth he there?	4.4.483

Stanley. I know not, mighty sovereign, but by guess.	4.4.484

King Richard III. Well, sir, as you guess, as you guess?	4.4.485

Stanley. Stirr'd up by Dorset, Buckingham, and Ely,	4.4.486
He makes for England, there to claim the crown.	4.4.487

King Richard III. Is the chair empty? is the sword unsway'd?	4.4.488
Is the king dead? the empire unpossess'd?	4.4.489
What heir of York is there alive but we?	4.4.490
And who is England's king but great York's heir?	4.4.491
Then, tell me, what doth he upon the sea?	4.4.492

Stanley. Unless for that, my liege, I cannot guess.	4.4.493

King Richard III. Unless for that he comes to be your liege,	4.4.494
You cannot guess wherefore the Welshman comes.	4.4.495
Thou wilt revolt, and fly to him, I fear.	4.4.496

Stanley. No, mighty liege; therefore mistrust me not.	4.4.497

King Richard III. Where is thy power, then, to beat him back?	4.4.498
Where are thy tenants and thy followers?	4.4.499
Are they not now upon the western shore.	4.4.500
Safe-conducting the rebels from their ships!	4.4.501

Stanley. No, my good lord, my friends are in the north.	4.4.502

King Richard III. Cold friends to Richard: what do they in the north,	4.4.503
When they should serve their sovereign in the west?	4.4.504

Stanley. They have not been commanded, mighty sovereign:	4.4.505
Please it your majesty to give me leave,	4.4.506
I'll muster up my friends, and meet your grace	4.4.507
Where and what time your majesty shall please.	4.4.508

King Richard III. Ay, ay. thou wouldst be gone to join with Richmond:	4.4.509
I will not trust you, sir.	4.4.510

Stanley. Most mighty sovereign,	4.4.511
You have no cause to hold my friendship doubtful:	4.4.512
I never was nor never will be false.	4.4.513

King Richard III. Well,	4.4.514
Go muster men; but, hear you, leave behind	4.4.515
Your son, George Stanley: look your faith be firm.	4.4.516
Or else his head's assurance is but frail.	4.4.517

Stanley. So deal with him as I prove true to you.	4.4.518
[Exit]

[Enter a Messenger]

Messenger. My gracious sovereign, now in Devonshire,	4.4.519
As I by friends am well advertised,	4.4.520
Sir Edward Courtney, and the haughty prelate	4.4.521
Bishop of Exeter, his brother there,	4.4.522
With many more confederates, are in arms.	4.4.523

[Enter another Messenger]

Second Messenger. My liege, in Kent the Guildfords are in arms;	4.4.524
And every hour more competitors	4.4.525
Flock to their aid, and still their power increaseth.	4.4.526

[Enter another Messenger]

Third Messenger. My lord, the army of the Duke of Buckingham--	4.4.527

King Richard III. Out on you, owls! nothing but songs of death?	4.4.528
[He striketh him]
Take that, until thou bring me better news.	4.4.529

Third Messenger. The news I have to tell your majesty	4.4.530
Is, that by sudden floods and fall of waters,	4.4.531
Buckingham's army is dispersed and scatter'd;	4.4.532
And he himself wander'd away alone,	4.4.533
No man knows whither.	4.4.534

King Richard III I cry thee mercy:	4.4.535
There is my purse to cure that blow of thine.	4.4.536
Hath any well-advised friend proclaim'd	4.4.537
Reward to him that brings the traitor in?	4.4.538

Third Messenger. Such proclamation hath been made, my liege.	4.4.539

[Enter another Messenger]

Fourth Messenger. Sir Thomas Lovel and Lord Marquis Dorset,	4.4.540
'Tis said, my liege, in Yorkshire are in arms.	4.4.541
Yet this good comfort bring I to your grace,	4.4.542
The Breton navy is dispersed by tempest:	4.4.543
Richmond, in Yorkshire, sent out a boat	4.4.544
Unto the shore, to ask those on the banks	4.4.545
If they were his assistants, yea or no;	4.4.546
Who answer'd him, they came from Buckingham.	4.4.547
Upon his party: he, mistrusting them,	4.4.548
Hoisted sail and made away for Brittany.	4.4.549

King Richard III. March on, march on, since we are up in arms;	4.4.550
If not to fight with foreign enemies,	4.4.551
Yet to beat down these rebels here at home.	4.4.552

[Re-enter CATESBY]

Catesby. My liege, the Duke of Buckingham is taken;	4.4.553
That is the best news: that the Earl of Richmond	4.4.554
Is with a mighty power landed at Milford,	4.4.555
Is colder tidings, yet they must be told.	4.4.556

King Richard III. Away towards Salisbury! while we reason here,	4.4.557
A royal battle might be won and lost	4.4.558
Some one take order Buckingham be brought	4.4.559
To Salisbury; the rest march on with me.	4.4.560
[Flourish. Exeunt]

SCENE V. Lord Derby's house.

[Enter DERBY and SIR CHRISTOPHER URSWICK]

Derby. Sir Christopher, tell Richmond this from me:	4.5.1
That in the sty of this most bloody boar	4.5.2
My son George Stanley is frank'd up in hold:	4.5.3
If I revolt, off goes young George's head;	4.5.4
The fear of that withholds my present aid.	4.5.5
But, tell me, where is princely Richmond now?	4.5.6

Christopher. At Pembroke, or at Harford-west, in Wales.	4.5.7

Derby. What men of name resort to him?	4.5.8

Christopher. Sir Walter Herbert, a renowned soldier;	4.5.9
Sir Gilbert Talbot, Sir William Stanley;	4.5.10
Oxford, redoubted Pembroke, Sir James Blunt,	4.5.11
And Rice ap Thomas with a valiant crew;	4.5.12
And many more of noble fame and worth:	4.5.13
And towards London they do bend their course,	4.5.14
If by the way they be not fought withal.	4.5.15

Derby. Return unto thy lord; commend me to him:	4.5.16
Tell him the queen hath heartily consented	4.5.17
He shall espouse Elizabeth her daughter.	4.5.18
These letters will resolve him of my mind. Farewell.	4.5.19
[Exeunt]

ACT V

SCENE I. Salisbury. An open place.

[Enter the Sheriff, and BUCKINGHAM, with halberds, led to execution]

Buckingham. Will not King Richard let me speak with him?	5.1.1

Sheriff. No, my good lord; therefore be patient.	5.1.2

Buckingham. Hastings, and Edward's children, Rivers, Grey,	5.1.3
Holy King Henry, and thy fair son Edward,	5.1.4
Vaughan, and all that have miscarried	5.1.5
By underhand corrupted foul injustice,	5.1.6
If that your moody discontented souls	5.1.7
Do through the clouds behold this present hour,	5.1.8
Even for revenge mock my destruction!	5.1.9
This is All-Souls' day, fellows, is it not?	5.1.10

Sheriff. It is, my lord.	5.1.11

Buckingham. Why, then All-Souls' day is my body's doomsday.	5.1.12
This is the day that, in King Edward's time,	5.1.13
I wish't might fall on me, when I was found	5.1.14
False to his children or his wife's allies	5.1.15
This is the day wherein I wish'd to fall	5.1.16
By the false faith of him I trusted most;	5.1.17
This, this All-Souls' day to my fearful soul	5.1.18
Is the determined respite of my wrongs:	5.1.19
That high All-Seer that I dallied with	5.1.20
Hath turn'd my feigned prayer on my head	5.1.21
And given in earnest what I begg'd in jest.	5.1.22
Thus doth he force the swords of wicked men	5.1.23
To turn their own points on their masters' bosoms:	5.1.24
Now Margaret's curse is fallen upon my head;	5.1.25
'When he,' quoth she, 'shall split thy heart with sorrow,	5.1.26
Remember Margaret was a prophetess.'	5.1.27
Come, sirs, convey me to the block of shame;	5.1.28
Wrong hath but wrong, and blame the due of blame.	5.1.29
[Exeunt]

SCENE II. The camp near Tamworth.

[Enter RICHMOND, OXFORD, BLUNT, HERBERT, and others, with drum and colours]

Richmond. Fellows in arms, and my most loving friends,	5.2.1
Bruised underneath the yoke of tyranny,	5.2.2
Thus far into the bowels of the land	5.2.3
Have we march'd on without impediment;	5.2.4
And here receive we from our father Stanley	5.2.5
Lines of fair comfort and encouragement.	5.2.6
The wretched, bloody, and usurping boar,	5.2.7
That spoil'd your summer fields and fruitful vines,	5.2.8
Swills your warm blood like wash, and makes his trough	5.2.9
In your embowell'd bosoms, this foul swine	5.2.10
Lies now even in the centre of this isle,	5.2.11
Near to the town of Leicester, as we learn	5.2.12
From Tamworth thither is but one day's march.	5.2.13
In God's name, cheerly on, courageous friends,	5.2.14
To reap the harvest of perpetual peace	5.2.15
By this one bloody trial of sharp war.	5.2.16

Oxford. Every man's conscience is a thousand swords,	5.2.17
To fight against that bloody homicide.	5.2.18

Herbert. I doubt not but his friends will fly to us.	5.2.19

Blunt. He hath no friends but who are friends for fear.	5.2.20
Which in his greatest need will shrink from him.	5.2.21

Richmond. All for our vantage. Then, in God's name, march:	5.2.22
True hope is swift, and flies with swallow's wings:	5.2.23
Kings it makes gods, and meaner creatures kings.	5.2.24
[Exeunt]

SCENE III. Bosworth Field.

[Enter KING RICHARD III in arms, with NORFOLK, SURREY, and others]

King Richard III. Here pitch our tents, even here in Bosworth field.	5.3.1
My Lord of Surrey, why look you so sad?	5.3.2

Surrey. My heart is ten times lighter than my looks.	5.3.3

King Richard III. My Lord of Norfolk,--	5.3.4

Norfolk. Here, most gracious liege.	5.3.5

King Richard III. Norfolk, we must have knocks; ha! must we not?	5.3.6

Norfolk. We must both give and take, my gracious lord.	5.3.7

King Richard III. Up with my tent there! here will I lie tonight;	5.3.8
But where to-morrow? Well, all's one for that.	5.3.9
Who hath descried the number of the foe?	5.3.10

Norfolk. Six or seven thousand is their utmost power.	5.3.11

King Richard III. Why, our battalion trebles that account:	5.3.12
Besides, the king's name is a tower of strength,	5.3.13
Which they upon the adverse party want.	5.3.14
Up with my tent there! Valiant gentlemen,	5.3.15
Let us survey the vantage of the field	5.3.16
Call for some men of sound direction	5.3.17
Let's want no discipline, make no delay,	5.3.18
For, lords, to-morrow is a busy day.	5.3.19
[Exeunt]

[Enter, on the other side of the field, RICHMOND, Sir William Brandon, OXFORD, and others. Some of the Soldiers pitch RICHMOND's tent]

Richmond. The weary sun hath made a golden set,	5.3.20
And by the bright track of his fiery car,	5.3.21
Gives signal, of a goodly day to-morrow.	5.3.22
Sir William Brandon, you shall bear my standard.	5.3.23
Give me some ink and paper in my tent	5.3.24
I'll draw the form and model of our battle,	5.3.25
Limit each leader to his several charge,	5.3.26
And part in just proportion our small strength.	5.3.27
My Lord of Oxford, you, Sir William Brandon,	5.3.28
And you, Sir Walter Herbert, stay with me.	5.3.29
The Earl of Pembroke keeps his regiment:	5.3.30
Good Captain Blunt, bear my good night to him	5.3.31
And by the second hour in the morning	5.3.32
Desire the earl to see me in my tent:	5.3.33
Yet one thing more, good Blunt, before thou go'st,	5.3.34
Where is Lord Stanley quarter'd, dost thou know?	5.3.35

Blunt Unless I have mista'en his colours much,	5.3.36
Which well I am assured I have not done,	5.3.37
His regiment lies half a mile at least	5.3.38
South from the mighty power of the king.	5.3.39

Richmond. If without peril it be possible,	5.3.40
Good Captain Blunt, bear my good-night to him,	5.3.41
And give him from me this most needful scroll.	5.3.42

Blunt. Upon my life, my lord, I'll under-take it;	5.3.43
And so, God give you quiet rest to-night!	5.3.44

Richmond. Good night, good Captain Blunt. Come gentlemen,	5.3.45
Let us consult upon to-morrow's business	5.3.46
In to our tent; the air is raw and cold.	5.3.47
[They withdraw into the tent]

[Enter, to his tent, KING RICHARD III, NORFOLK, RATCLIFF, CATESBY, and others]

King Richard III. What is't o'clock?	5.3.48

Catesby. It's supper-time, my lord;	5.3.49
It's nine o'clock.	5.3.50

King Richard III. I will not sup to-night.	5.3.51
Give me some ink and paper.	5.3.52
What, is my beaver easier than it was?	5.3.53
And all my armour laid into my tent?	5.3.54

Catesby. If is, my liege; and all things are in readiness.	5.3.55

King Richard III. Good Norfolk, hie thee to thy charge;	5.3.56
Use careful watch, choose trusty sentinels.	5.3.57

Norfolk. I go, my lord.	5.3.58

King Richard III. Stir with the lark to-morrow, gentle Norfolk.	5.3.59

Norfolk. I warrant you, my lord.	5.3.60
[Exit]

King Richard III. Catesby!	5.3.61

Catesby. My lord?	5.3.62

King Richard III. Send out a pursuivant at arms	5.3.63
To Stanley's regiment; bid him bring his power	5.3.64
Before sunrising, lest his son George fall	5.3.65
Into the blind cave of eternal night.	5.3.66
[Exit CATESBY]
Fill me a bowl of wine. Give me a watch.	5.3.67
Saddle white Surrey for the field to-morrow.	5.3.68
Look that my staves be sound, and not too heavy.	5.3.69
Ratcliff!	5.3.70

Ratcliff. My lord?	5.3.71

King Richard III. Saw'st thou the melancholy Lord Northumberland?	5.3.72

Ratcliff. Thomas the Earl of Surrey, and himself,	5.3.73
Much about cock-shut time, from troop to troop	5.3.74
Went through the army, cheering up the soldiers.	5.3.75

King Richard III. So, I am satisfied. Give me a bowl of wine:	5.3.76
I have not that alacrity of spirit,	5.3.77
Nor cheer of mind, that I was wont to have.	5.3.78
Set it down. Is ink and paper ready?	5.3.79

Ratcliff. It is, my lord.	5.3.80

King Richard III. Bid my guard watch; leave me.	5.3.81
Ratcliff, about the mid of night come to my tent	5.3.82
And help to arm me. Leave me, I say.	5.3.83
[Exeunt RATCLIFF and the other Attendants]

[Enter DERBY to RICHMOND in his tent, Lords and others attending]

Derby. Fortune and victory sit on thy helm!	5.3.84

Richmond. All comfort that the dark night can afford	5.3.85
Be to thy person, noble father-in-law!	5.3.86
Tell me, how fares our loving mother?	5.3.87

Derby. I, by attorney, bless thee from thy mother	5.3.88
Who prays continually for Richmond's good:	5.3.89
So much for that. The silent hours steal on,	5.3.90
And flaky darkness breaks within the east.	5.3.91
In brief,--for so the season bids us be,--	5.3.92
Prepare thy battle early in the morning,	5.3.93
And put thy fortune to the arbitrement	5.3.94
Of bloody strokes and mortal-staring war.	5.3.95
I, as I may--that which I would I cannot,--	5.3.96
With best advantage will deceive the time,	5.3.97
And aid thee in this doubtful shock of arms:	5.3.98
But on thy side I may not be too forward	5.3.99
Lest, being seen, thy brother, tender George,	5.3.100
Be executed in his father's sight.	5.3.101
Farewell: the leisure and the fearful time	5.3.102
Cuts off the ceremonious vows of love	5.3.103
And ample interchange of sweet discourse,	5.3.104
Which so long sunder'd friends should dwell upon:	5.3.105
God give us leisure for these rites of love!	5.3.106
Once more, adieu: be valiant, and speed well!	5.3.107

Richmond. Good lords, conduct him to his regiment:	5.3.108
I'll strive, with troubled thoughts, to take a nap,	5.3.109
Lest leaden slumber peise me down to-morrow,	5.3.110
When I should mount with wings of victory:	5.3.111
Once more, good night, kind lords and gentlemen.	5.3.112
[Exeunt all but RICHMOND]
O Thou, whose captain I account myself,	5.3.113
Look on my forces with a gracious eye;	5.3.114
Put in their hands thy bruising irons of wrath,	5.3.115
That they may crush down with a heavy fall	5.3.116
The usurping helmets of our adversaries!	5.3.117
Make us thy ministers of chastisement,	5.3.118
That we may praise thee in the victory!	5.3.119
To thee I do commend my watchful soul,	5.3.120
Ere I let fall the windows of mine eyes:	5.3.121
Sleeping and waking, O, defend me still!	5.3.122
[Sleeps]

[Enter the Ghost of Prince Edward, son to King Henry VI]

Ghost of Prince Edward. [To KING RICHARD III]	5.3.123
Let me sit heavy on thy soul to-morrow!	5.3.124
Think, how thou stab'dst me in my prime of youth	5.3.125
At Tewksbury: despair, therefore, and die!	5.3.126
[To RICHMOND]
Be cheerful, Richmond; for the wronged souls	5.3.127
Of butcher'd princes fight in thy behalf	5.3.128
King Henry's issue, Richmond, comforts thee.	5.3.129

[Enter the Ghost of King Henry VI]

Ghost of King Henry [To KING RICHARD III]	5.3.130
When I was mortal, my anointed body	5.3.131
By thee was punched full of deadly holes	5.3.132
Think on the Tower and me: despair, and die!	5.3.133
Harry the Sixth bids thee despair, and die!	5.3.134
[To RICHMOND]
Virtuous and holy, be thou conqueror!	5.3.135
Harry, that prophesied thou shouldst be king,	5.3.136
Doth comfort thee in thy sleep: live, and flourish!	5.3.137

[Enter the Ghost of CLARENCE]

Ghost of Clarence. [To KING RICHARD III]	5.3.138
Let me sit heavy on thy soul to-morrow!	5.3.139
I, that was wash'd to death with fulsome wine,	5.3.140
Poor Clarence, by thy guile betrayed to death!	5.3.141
To-morrow in the battle think on me,	5.3.142
And fall thy edgeless sword: despair, and die!--	5.3.143
[To RICHMOND]
Thou offspring of the house of Lancaster	5.3.144
The wronged heirs of York do pray for thee	5.3.145
Good angels guard thy battle! live, and flourish!	5.3.146

[Enter the Ghosts of RIVERS, GRAY, and VAUGHAN]

Ghost of Rivers. [To KING RICHARD III]	5.3.147
Let me sit heavy on thy soul to-morrow,	5.3.148
Rivers. that died at Pomfret! despair, and die!	5.3.149

Ghost of Grey. [To KING RICHARD III]	5.3.150
Think upon Grey, and let thy soul despair!	5.3.151

Ghost of Vaughan. [To KING RICHARD III]	5.3.152
Think upon Vaughan, and, with guilty fear,	5.3.153
Let fall thy lance: despair, and die!	5.3.154

All. [To RICHMOND]	5.3.155
Awake, and think our wrongs in Richard's bosom	5.3.156
Will conquer him! awake, and win the day!	5.3.157

[Enter the Ghost of HASTINGS]

Ghost of Hastings. [To KING RICHARD III]	5.3.158
Bloody and guilty, guiltily awake,	5.3.159
And in a bloody battle end thy days!	5.3.160
Think on Lord Hastings: despair, and die!	5.3.161
[To RICHMOND]
Quiet untroubled soul, awake, awake!	5.3.162
Arm, fight, and conquer, for fair England's sake!	5.3.163

[Enter the Ghosts of the two young Princes]

Ghosts of Young Princes. [To KING RICHARD III]	5.3.164
Dream on thy cousins smother'd in the Tower:	5.3.165
Let us be led within thy bosom, Richard,	5.3.166
And weigh thee down to ruin, shame, and death!	5.3.167
Thy nephews' souls bid thee despair and die!	5.3.168
[To RICHMOND]
Sleep, Richmond, sleep in peace, and wake in joy;	5.3.169
Good angels guard thee from the boar's annoy!	5.3.170
Live, and beget a happy race of kings!	5.3.171
Edward's unhappy sons do bid thee flourish.	5.3.172

[Enter the Ghost of LADY ANNE]

Ghost of Lady Anne. [To KING RICHARD III]	5.3.173
Richard, thy wife, that wretched Anne thy wife,	5.3.174
That never slept a quiet hour with thee,	5.3.175
Now fills thy sleep with perturbations	5.3.176
To-morrow in the battle think on me,	5.3.177
And fall thy edgeless sword: despair, and die!	5.3.178
[To RICHMOND]
Thou quiet soul, sleep thou a quiet sleep	5.3.179
Dream of success and happy victory!	5.3.180
Thy adversary's wife doth pray for thee.	5.3.181

[Enter the Ghost of BUCKINGHAM]

Ghost of Buckingham [To KING RICHARD III]	5.3.182
The last was I that helped thee to the crown;	5.3.183
The last was I that felt thy tyranny:	5.3.184
O, in the battle think on Buckingham,	5.3.185
And die in terror of thy guiltiness!	5.3.186
Dream on, dream on, of bloody deeds and death:	5.3.187
Fainting, despair; despairing, yield thy breath!	5.3.188
[To RICHMOND]
I died for hope ere I could lend thee aid:	5.3.189
But cheer thy heart, and be thou not dismay'd:	5.3.190
God and good angel fight on Richmond's side;	5.3.191
And Richard falls in height of all his pride.	5.3.192
[The Ghosts vanish]
[KING RICHARD III starts out of his dream]

King Richard III. Give me another horse: bind up my wounds.	5.3.193
Have mercy, Jesu!--Soft! I did but dream.	5.3.194
O coward conscience, how dost thou afflict me!	5.3.195
The lights burn blue. It is now dead midnight.	5.3.196
Cold fearful drops stand on my trembling flesh.	5.3.197
What do I fear? myself? there's none else by:	5.3.198
Richard loves Richard; that is, I am I.	5.3.199
Is there a murderer here? No. Yes, I am:	5.3.200
Then fly. What, from myself? Great reason why:	5.3.201
Lest I revenge. What, myself upon myself?	5.3.202
Alack. I love myself. Wherefore? for any good	5.3.203
That I myself have done unto myself?	5.3.204
O, no! alas, I rather hate myself	5.3.205
For hateful deeds committed by myself!	5.3.206
I am a villain: yet I lie. I am not.	5.3.207
Fool, of thyself speak well: fool, do not flatter.	5.3.208
My conscience hath a thousand several tongues,	5.3.209
And every tongue brings in a several tale,	5.3.210
And every tale condemns me for a villain.	5.3.211
Perjury, perjury, in the high'st degree	5.3.212
Murder, stem murder, in the direst degree;	5.3.213
All several sins, all used in each degree,	5.3.214
Throng to the bar, crying all, Guilty! guilty!	5.3.215
I shall despair. There is no creature loves me;	5.3.216
And if I die, no soul shall pity me:	5.3.217
Nay, wherefore should they, since that I myself	5.3.218
Find in myself no pity to myself?	5.3.219
Methought the souls of all that I had murder'd	5.3.220
Came to my tent; and every one did threat	5.3.221
To-morrow's vengeance on the head of Richard.	5.3.222

[Enter RATCLIFF]

Ratcliff. My lord!	5.3.223

King Richard III. 'Zounds! who is there?	5.3.224

Ratcliff. Ratcliff, my lord; 'tis I. The early village-cock	5.3.225
Hath twice done salutation to the morn;	5.3.226
Your friends are up, and buckle on their armour.	5.3.227

King Richard III. O Ratcliff, I have dream'd a fearful dream!	5.3.228
What thinkest thou, will our friends prove all true?	5.3.229

Ratcliff. No doubt, my lord.	5.3.230

King Richard III. O Ratcliff, I fear, I fear,--	5.3.231

Ratcliff. Nay, good my lord, be not afraid of shadows.	5.3.232

King Richard III. By the apostle Paul, shadows to-night	5.3.233
Have struck more terror to the soul of Richard	5.3.234
Than can the substance of ten thousand soldiers	5.3.235
Armed in proof, and led by shallow Richmond.	5.3.236
It is not yet near day. Come, go with me;	5.3.237
Under our tents I'll play the eaves-dropper,	5.3.238
To see if any mean to shrink from me.	5.3.239
[Exeunt]

[Enter the Lords to RICHMOND, sitting in his tent]

Lords. Good morrow, Richmond!	5.3.240

Richmond. Cry mercy, lords and watchful gentlemen,	5.3.241
That you have ta'en a tardy sluggard here.	5.3.242

Lords. How have you slept, my lord?	5.3.243

Richmond. The sweetest sleep, and fairest-boding dreams	5.3.244
That ever enter'd in a drowsy head,	5.3.245
Have I since your departure had, my lords.	5.3.246
Methought their souls, whose bodies Richard murder'd,	5.3.247
Came to my tent, and cried on victory:	5.3.248
I promise you, my soul is very jocund	5.3.249
In the remembrance of so fair a dream.	5.3.250
How far into the morning is it, lords?	5.3.251

Lords. Upon the stroke of four.	5.3.252

Richmond. Why, then 'tis time to arm and give direction.	5.3.253
[His oration to his soldiers]
More than I have said, loving countrymen,	5.3.254
The leisure and enforcement of the time	5.3.255
Forbids to dwell upon: yet remember this,	5.3.256
God and our good cause fight upon our side;	5.3.257
The prayers of holy saints and wronged souls,	5.3.258
Like high-rear'd bulwarks, stand before our faces;	5.3.259
Richard except, those whom we fight against	5.3.260
Had rather have us win than him they follow:	5.3.261
For what is he they follow? truly, gentlemen,	5.3.262
A bloody tyrant and a homicide;	5.3.263
One raised in blood, and one in blood establish'd;	5.3.264
One that made means to come by what he hath,	5.3.265
And slaughter'd those that were the means to help him;	5.3.266
Abase foul stone, made precious by the foil	5.3.267
Of England's chair, where he is falsely set;	5.3.268
One that hath ever been God's enemy:	5.3.269
Then, if you fight against God's enemy,	5.3.270
God will in justice ward you as his soldiers;	5.3.271
If you do sweat to put a tyrant down,	5.3.272
You sleep in peace, the tyrant being slain;	5.3.273
If you do fight against your country's foes,	5.3.274
Your country's fat shall pay your pains the hire;	5.3.275
If you do fight in safeguard of your wives,	5.3.276
Your wives shall welcome home the conquerors;	5.3.277
If you do free your children from the sword,	5.3.278
Your children's children quit it in your age.	5.3.279
Then, in the name of God and all these rights,	5.3.280
Advance your standards, draw your willing swords.	5.3.281
For me, the ransom of my bold attempt	5.3.282
Shall be this cold corpse on the earth's cold face;	5.3.283
But if I thrive, the gain of my attempt	5.3.284
The least of you shall share his part thereof.	5.3.285
Sound drums and trumpets boldly and cheerfully;	5.3.286
God and Saint George! Richmond and victory!	5.3.287
[Exeunt]

[Re-enter KING RICHARD, RATCLIFF, Attendants and Forces]

King Richard III. What said Northumberland as touching Richmond?	5.3.288

Ratcliff. That he was never trained up in arms.	5.3.289

King Richard III. He said the truth: and what said Surrey then?	5.3.290

Ratcliff. He smiled and said 'The better for our purpose.'	5.3.291

King Richard III. He was in the right; and so indeed it is.	5.3.292
[Clock striketh]
Ten the clock there. Give me a calendar.	5.3.293
Who saw the sun to-day?	5.3.294

Ratcliff. Not I, my lord.	5.3.295

King Richard III. Then he disdains to shine; for by the book	5.3.296
He should have braved the east an hour ago	5.3.297
A black day will it be to somebody. Ratcliff!	5.3.298

Ratcliff. My lord?	5.3.299

King Richard III. The sun will not be seen to-day;	5.3.300
The sky doth frown and lour upon our army.	5.3.301
I would these dewy tears were from the ground.	5.3.302
Not shine to-day! Why, what is that to me	5.3.303
More than to Richmond? for the selfsame heaven	5.3.304
That frowns on me looks sadly upon him.	5.3.305

[Enter NORFOLK]

Norfolk. Arm, arm, my lord; the foe vaunts in the field.	5.3.306

King Richard III. Come, bustle, bustle; caparison my horse.	5.3.307
Call up Lord Stanley, bid him bring his power:	5.3.308
I will lead forth my soldiers to the plain,	5.3.309
And thus my battle shall be ordered:	5.3.310
My foreward shall be drawn out all in length,	5.3.311
Consisting equally of horse and foot;	5.3.312
Our archers shall be placed in the midst	5.3.313
John Duke of Norfolk, Thomas Earl of Surrey,	5.3.314
Shall have the leading of this foot and horse.	5.3.315
They thus directed, we will follow	5.3.316
In the main battle, whose puissance on either side	5.3.317
Shall be well winged with our chiefest horse.	5.3.318
This, and Saint George to boot! What think'st thou, Norfolk?	5.3.319

Norfolk. A good direction, warlike sovereign.	5.3.320
This found I on my tent this morning.	5.3.321
[He sheweth him a paper]

King Richard III. [Reads]	5.3.322
'Jockey of Norfolk, be not too bold,	5.3.323
For Dickon thy master is bought and sold.'	5.3.324
A thing devised by the enemy.	5.3.325
Go, gentleman, every man unto his charge	5.3.326
Let not our babbling dreams affright our souls:	5.3.327
Conscience is but a word that cowards use,	5.3.328
Devised at first to keep the strong in awe:	5.3.329
Our strong arms be our conscience, swords our law.	5.3.330
March on, join bravely, let us to't pell-mell	5.3.331
If not to heaven, then hand in hand to hell.	5.3.332
[His oration to his Army]
What shall I say more than I have inferr'd?	5.3.333
Remember whom you are to cope withal;	5.3.334
A sort of vagabonds, rascals, and runaways,	5.3.335
A scum of Bretons, and base lackey peasants,	5.3.336
Whom their o'er-cloyed country vomits forth	5.3.337
To desperate ventures and assured destruction.	5.3.338
You sleeping safe, they bring to you unrest;	5.3.339
You having lands, and blest with beauteous wives,	5.3.340
They would restrain the one, distain the other.	5.3.341
And who doth lead them but a paltry fellow,	5.3.342
Long kept in Bretagne at our mother's cost?	5.3.343
A milk-sop, one that never in his life	5.3.344
Felt so much cold as over shoes in snow?	5.3.345
Let's whip these stragglers o'er the seas again;	5.3.346
Lash hence these overweening rags of France,	5.3.347
These famish'd beggars, weary of their lives;	5.3.348
Who, but for dreaming on this fond exploit,	5.3.349
For want of means, poor rats, had hang'd themselves:	5.3.350
If we be conquer'd, let men conquer us,	5.3.351
And not these bastard Bretons; whom our fathers	5.3.352
Have in their own land beaten, bobb'd, and thump'd,	5.3.353
And in record, left them the heirs of shame.	5.3.354
Shall these enjoy our lands? lie with our wives?	5.3.355
Ravish our daughters?	5.3.356
[Drum afar off]
Hark! I hear their drum.	5.3.357
Fight, gentlemen of England! fight, bold yoemen!	5.3.358
Draw, archers, draw your arrows to the head!	5.3.359
Spur your proud horses hard, and ride in blood;	5.3.360
Amaze the welkin with your broken staves!	5.3.361
[Enter a Messenger]
What says Lord Stanley? will he bring his power?	5.3.362

Messenger. My lord, he doth deny to come.	5.3.363

King Richard III. Off with his son George's head!	5.3.364

Norfolk. My lord, the enemy is past the marsh	5.3.365
After the battle let George Stanley die.	5.3.366

King Richard III. A thousand hearts are great within my bosom:	5.3.367
Advance our standards, set upon our foes	5.3.368
Our ancient word of courage, fair Saint George,	5.3.369
Inspire us with the spleen of fiery dragons!	5.3.370
Upon them! victory sits on our helms.	5.3.371
[Exeunt]

SCENE IV. Another part of the field.

[Alarum: excursions. Enter NORFOLK and forces fighting; to him CATESBY]

Catesby. Rescue, my Lord of Norfolk, rescue, rescue!	5.4.1
The king enacts more wonders than a man,	5.4.2
Daring an opposite to every danger:	5.4.3
His horse is slain, and all on foot he fights,	5.4.4
Seeking for Richmond in the throat of death.	5.4.5
Rescue, fair lord, or else the day is lost!	5.4.6

[Alarums. Enter KING RICHARD III]

King Richard III. A horse! a horse! my kingdom for a horse!	5.4.7

Catesby. Withdraw, my lord; I'll help you to a horse.	5.4.8

King Richard III. Slave, I have set my life upon a cast,	5.4.9
And I will stand the hazard of the die:	5.4.10
I think there be six Richmonds in the field;	5.4.11
Five have I slain to-day instead of him.	5.4.12
A horse! a horse! my kingdom for a horse!	5.4.13
[Exeunt]

SCENE V. Another part of the field.

[Alarum. Enter KING RICHARD III and RICHMOND; they fight. KING RICHARD III is slain. Retreat and flourish. Re-enter RICHMOND, DERBY bearing the crown, with divers other Lords]

Richmond. God and your arms be praised, victorious friends,	5.5.1
The day is ours, the bloody dog is dead.	5.5.2

Derby. Courageous Richmond, well hast thou acquit thee.	5.5.3
Lo, here, this long-usurped royalty	5.5.4
From the dead temples of this bloody wretch	5.5.5
Have I pluck'd off, to grace thy brows withal:	5.5.6
Wear it, enjoy it, and make much of it.	5.5.7

Richmond. Great God of heaven, say Amen to all!	5.5.8
But, tell me, is young George Stanley living?	5.5.9

Derby. He is, my lord, and safe in Leicester town;	5.5.10
Whither, if it please you, we may now withdraw us.	5.5.11

Richmond. What men of name are slain on either side?	5.5.12

Derby. John Duke of Norfolk, Walter Lord Ferrers,	5.5.13
Sir Robert Brakenbury, and Sir William Brandon.	5.5.14

Richmond. Inter their bodies as becomes their births:	5.5.15
Proclaim a pardon to the soldiers fled	5.5.16
That in submission will return to us:	5.5.17
And then, as we have ta'en the sacrament,	5.5.18
We will unite the white rose and the red:	5.5.19
Smile heaven upon this fair conjunction,	5.5.20
That long have frown'd upon their enmity!	5.5.21
What traitor hears me, and says not amen?	5.5.22
England hath long been mad, and scarr'd herself;	5.5.23
The brother blindly shed the brother's blood,	5.5.24
The father rashly slaughter'd his own son,	5.5.25
The son, compell'd, been butcher to the sire:	5.5.26
All this divided York and Lancaster,	5.5.27
Divided in their dire division,	5.5.28
O, now, let Richmond and Elizabeth,	5.5.29
The true succeeders of each royal house,	5.5.30
By God's fair ordinance conjoin together!	5.5.31
And let their heirs, God, if thy will be so.	5.5.32
Enrich the time to come with smooth-faced peace,	5.5.33
With smiling plenty and fair prosperous days!	5.5.34
Abate the edge of traitors, gracious Lord,	5.5.35
That would reduce these bloody days again,	5.5.36
And make poor England weep in streams of blood!	5.5.37
Let them not live to taste this land's increase	5.5.38
That would with treason wound this fair land's peace!	5.5.39
Now civil wounds are stopp'd, peace lives again:	5.5.40
That she may long live here, God say amen!	5.5.41
[Exeunt]

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