Richard III Shakespeare Darma

Act I, Scene 1 (Richard III Shakespeare Darma)

London. A street.

[Enter GLOUCESTER, solus]

. 5
Now are our brows bound with victorious wreaths;
Our bruised arms hung up for monuments;
Our stern alarums changed to merry meetings,
Our dreadful marches to delightful measures.
Grim-visaged war hath smooth’d his wrinkled front; 10
And now, instead of mounting barded steeds
To fright the souls of fearful adversaries,
He capers nimbly in a lady’s chamber
To the lascivious pleasing of a lute.
But I, that am not shaped for sportive tricks, 15
Nor made to court an amorous looking-glass;
I, that am rudely stamp’d, and want love’s majesty
To strut before a wanton ambling nymph;
I, that am curtail’d of this fair proportion,
Cheated of feature by dissembling nature, 20
Deformed, unfinish’d, sent before my time
Into this breathing world, scarce half made up,
And that so lamely and unfashionable
That dogs bark at me as I halt by them;
Why, I, in this weak piping time of peace, 25
Have no delight to pass away the time,
Unless to spy my shadow in the sun
And descant on mine own deformity:
And therefore, since I cannot prove a lover,
To entertain these fair well-spoken days, 30
I am determined to prove a villain
And hate the idle pleasures of these days.
Plots have I laid, inductions dangerous,
By drunken prophecies, libels and dreams,
To set my brother Clarence and the king 35
In deadly hate the one against the other:
And if King Edward be as true and just
As I am subtle, false and treacherous,
This day should Clarence closely be mew’d up,
About a prophecy, which says that ‘G’ 40
Of Edward’s heirs the murderer shall be.
Dive, thoughts, down to my soul: here
Clarence comes.
[Enter CLARENCE, guarded, and BRAKENBURY]
Brother, good day; what means this armed guard 45
That waits upon your grace?
George Plantagenet (Duke of Clarence). His majesty
Tendering my person’s safety, hath appointed
This conduct to convey me to the Tower.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Upon what cause? 50
George Plantagenet (Duke of Clarence). Because my name is George.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Alack, my lord, that fault is none of yours;
He should, for that, commit your godfathers:
O, belike his majesty hath some intent
That you shall be new-christen’d in the Tower. 55
But what’s the matter, Clarence? may I know?
George Plantagenet (Duke of Clarence). Yea, Richard, when I know; for I protest
As yet I do not: but, as I can learn,
He hearkens after prophecies and dreams;
And from the cross-row plucks the letter G. 60
And says a wizard told him that by G
His issue disinherited should be;
And, for my name of George begins with G,
It follows in his thought that I am he.
These, as I learn, and such like toys as these 65
Have moved his highness to commit me now.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Why, this it is, when men are ruled by women:
‘Tis not the king that sends you to the Tower:
My Lady Grey his wife, Clarence, ’tis she
That tempers him to this extremity. 70
Was it not she and that good man of worship,
Anthony Woodville, her brother there,
That made him send Lord Hastings to the Tower,
From whence this present day he is deliver’d?
We are not safe, Clarence; we are not safe. 75
George Plantagenet (Duke of Clarence). By heaven, I think there’s no man is secure
But the queen’s kindred and night-walking heralds
That trudge betwixt the king and Mistress Shore.
Heard ye not what an humble suppliant
Lord hastings was to her for his delivery? 80
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Humbly complaining to her deity
Got my lord chamberlain his liberty.
I’ll tell you what; I think it is our way,
If we will keep in favour with the king,
To be her men and wear her livery: 85
The jealous o’erworn widow and herself,
Since that our brother dubb’d them gentlewomen.
Are mighty gossips in this monarchy.
Sir Robert Brakenbury. I beseech your graces both to pardon me;
His majesty hath straitly given in charge 90
That no man shall have private conference,
Of what degree soever, with his brother.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Even so; an’t please your worship, Brakenbury,
You may partake of any thing we say:
We speak no treason, man: we say the king 95
Is wise and virtuous, and his noble queen
Well struck in years, fair, and not jealous;
We say that Shore’s wife hath a pretty foot,
A cherry lip, a bonny eye, a passing pleasing tongue;
And that the queen’s kindred are made gentle-folks: 100
How say you sir? Can you deny all this?
Sir Robert Brakenbury. With this, my lord, myself have nought to do.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Naught to do with mistress Shore! I tell thee, fellow,
He that doth naught with her, excepting one,
Were best he do it secretly, alone. 105
Sir Robert Brakenbury. What one, my lord?
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Her husband, knave: wouldst thou betray me?
Sir Robert Brakenbury. I beseech your grace to pardon me, and withal
Forbear your conference with the noble duke.
George Plantagenet (Duke of Clarence). We know thy charge, Brakenbury, and will obey. 110
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). We are the queen’s abjects, and must obey.
Brother, farewell: I will unto the king;
And whatsoever you will employ me in,
Were it to call King Edward’s widow sister,
I will perform it to enfranchise you. 115
Meantime, this deep disgrace in brotherhood
Touches me deeper than you can imagine.
George Plantagenet (Duke of Clarence). I know it pleaseth neither of us well.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Well, your imprisonment shall not be long;
Meantime, have patience. 120
George Plantagenet (Duke of Clarence). I must perforce. Farewell.

[Exeunt CLARENCE, BRAKENBURY, and Guard]

Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Go, tread the path that thou shalt ne’er return.
Simple, plain Clarence! I do love thee so,
That I will shortly send thy soul to heaven, 125
If heaven will take the present at our hands.
But who comes here? the new-deliver’d Hastings?

[Enter HASTINGS]

Lord Hastings. Good time of day unto my gracious lord!
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). As much unto my good lord chamberlain! 130
Well are you welcome to the open air.
How hath your lordship brook’d imprisonment?
Lord Hastings. With patience, noble lord, as prisoners must:
But I shall live, my lord, to give them thanks
That were the cause of my imprisonment. 135
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). No doubt, no doubt; and so shall Clarence too;
For they that were your enemies are his,
And have prevail’d as much on him as you.
Lord Hastings. More pity that the eagle should be mew’d,
While kites and buzzards prey at liberty. 140
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). What news abroad?
Lord Hastings. No news so bad abroad as this at home;
The King is sickly, weak and melancholy,
And his physicians fear him mightily.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Now, by Saint Paul, this news is bad indeed. 145
O, he hath kept an evil diet long,
And overmuch consumed his royal person:
‘Tis very grievous to be thought upon.
What, is he in his bed?
Lord Hastings. He is. 150
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Go you before, and I will follow you.
[Exit HASTINGS]
He cannot live, I hope; and must not die
Till George be pack’d with post-horse up to heaven.
I’ll in, to urge his hatred more to Clarence, 155
With lies well steel’d with weighty arguments;
And, if I fall not in my deep intent,
Clarence hath not another day to live:
Which done, God take King Edward to his mercy,
And leave the world for me to bustle in! 160
For then I’ll marry Warwick’s youngest daughter.
What though I kill’d her husband and her father?
The readiest way to make the wench amends
Is to become her husband and her father:
The which will I; not all so much for love 165
As for another secret close intent,
By marrying her which I must reach unto.
But yet I run before my horse to market:
Clarence still breathes; Edward still lives and reigns:
When they are gone, then must I count my gains. 170

[Exit](Richard III Shakespeare Darma)

Act I, Scene 2 (Richard III Shakespeare Darma)

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,
If honour may be shrouded in a hearse, 175
Whilst I awhile obsequiously lament
The untimely fall of virtuous Lancaster.
Poor key-cold figure of a holy king!
Pale ashes of the house of Lancaster!
Thou bloodless remnant of that royal blood! 180
Be it lawful that I invocate thy ghost,
To hear the lamentations of Poor Anne,
Wife to thy Edward, to thy slaughter’d son,
Stabb’d by the selfsame hand that made these wounds!
Lo, in these windows that let forth thy life, 185
I pour the helpless balm of my poor eyes.
Cursed be the hand that made these fatal holes!
Cursed be the heart that had the heart to do it!
Cursed the blood that let this blood from hence!
More direful hap betide that hated wretch, 190
That makes us wretched by the death of thee,
Than I can wish to adders, spiders, toads,
Or any creeping venom’d thing that lives!
If ever he have child, abortive be it,
Prodigious, and untimely brought to light, 195
Whose ugly and unnatural aspect
May fright the hopeful mother at the view;
And that be heir to his unhappiness!
If ever he have wife, let her he made
A miserable by the death of him 200
As I am made by my poor lord and thee!
Come, now towards Chertsey with your holy load,
Taken from Paul’s to be interred there;
And still, as you are weary of the weight,
Rest you, whiles I lament King Henry’s corse. 205

[Enter GLOUCESTER]

Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Stay, you that bear the corse, and set it down.
Lady Anne. What black magician conjures up this fiend,
To stop devoted charitable deeds?
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Villains, set down the corse; or, by Saint Paul, 210
I’ll make a corse of him that disobeys.
Gentleman. My lord, stand back, and let the coffin pass.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Unmanner’d dog! stand thou, when I command:
Advance thy halbert higher than my breast,
Or, by Saint Paul, I’ll strike thee to my foot, 215
And spurn upon thee, beggar, for thy boldness.
Lady Anne. What, do you tremble? are you all afraid?
Alas, I blame you not; for you are mortal,
And mortal eyes cannot endure the devil.
Avaunt, thou dreadful minister of hell! 220
Thou hadst but power over his mortal body,
His soul thou canst not have; therefore be gone.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Sweet saint, for charity, be not so curst.
Lady Anne. Foul devil, for God’s sake, hence, and trouble us not;
For thou hast made the happy earth thy hell, 225
Fill’d it with cursing cries and deep exclaims.
If thou delight to view thy heinous deeds,
Behold this pattern of thy butcheries.
O, gentlemen, see, see! dead Henry’s wounds
Open their congeal’d mouths and bleed afresh! 230
Blush, Blush, thou lump of foul deformity;
For ’tis thy presence that exhales this blood
From cold and empty veins, where no blood dwells;
Thy deed, inhuman and unnatural,
Provokes this deluge most unnatural. 235
O God, which this blood madest, revenge his death!
O earth, which this blood drink’st revenge his death!
Either heaven with lightning strike the
murderer dead,
Or earth, gape open wide and eat him quick, 240
As thou dost swallow up this good king’s blood
Which his hell-govern’d arm hath butchered!
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Lady, you know no rules of charity,
Which renders good for bad, blessings for curses.
Lady Anne. Villain, thou know’st no law of God nor man: 245
No beast so fierce but knows some touch of pity.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). But I know none, and therefore am no beast.
Lady Anne. O wonderful, when devils tell the truth!
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). More wonderful, when angels are so angry.
Vouchsafe, divine perfection of a woman, 250
Of these supposed-evils, to give me leave,
By circumstance, but to acquit myself.
Lady Anne. Vouchsafe, defused infection of a man,
For these known evils, but to give me leave,
By circumstance, to curse thy cursed self. 255
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Fairer than tongue can name thee, let me have
Some patient leisure to excuse myself.
Lady Anne. Fouler than heart can think thee, thou canst make
No excuse current, but to hang thyself.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). By such despair, I should accuse myself. 260
Lady Anne. And, by despairing, shouldst thou stand excused;
For doing worthy vengeance on thyself,
Which didst unworthy slaughter upon others.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Say that I slew them not?
Lady Anne. Why, then they are not dead: 265
But dead they are, and devilish slave, by thee.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). I did not kill your husband.
Lady Anne. Why, then he is alive.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Nay, he is dead; and slain by Edward’s hand.
Lady Anne. In thy foul throat thou liest: Queen Margaret saw 270
Thy murderous falchion smoking in his blood;
The which thou once didst bend against her breast,
But that thy brothers beat aside the point.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). I was provoked by her slanderous tongue,
which laid their guilt upon my guiltless shoulders. 275
Lady Anne. Thou wast provoked by thy bloody mind.
Which never dreamt on aught but butcheries:
Didst thou not kill this king?
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). I grant ye.
Lady Anne. Dost grant me, hedgehog? then, God grant me too 280
Thou mayst be damned for that wicked deed!
O, he was gentle, mild, and virtuous!
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). The fitter for the King of heaven, that hath him.
Lady Anne. He is in heaven, where thou shalt never come.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Let him thank me, that holp to send him thither; 285
For he was fitter for that place than earth.
Lady Anne. And thou unfit for any place but hell.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Yes, one place else, if you will hear me name it.
Lady Anne. Some dungeon.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Your bed-chamber. 290
Lady Anne. I’ll rest betide the chamber where thou liest!
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). So will it, madam till I lie with you.
Lady Anne. I hope so.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). I know so. But, gentle Lady Anne,
To leave this keen encounter of our wits, 295
And fall somewhat into a slower method,
Is not the causer of the timeless deaths
Of these Plantagenets, Henry and Edward,
As blameful as the executioner?
Lady Anne. Thou art the cause, and most accursed effect. 300
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Your beauty was the cause of that effect;
Your beauty: which did haunt me in my sleep
To undertake the death of all the world,
So I might live one hour in your sweet bosom.
Lady Anne. If I thought that, I tell thee, homicide, 305
These nails should rend that beauty from my cheeks.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). These eyes could never endure sweet beauty’s wreck;
You should not blemish it, if I stood by:
As all the world is cheered by the sun,
So I by that; it is my day, my life. 310
Lady Anne. Black night o’ershade thy day, and death thy life!
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Curse not thyself, fair creature thou art both.
Lady Anne. I would I were, to be revenged on thee.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). It is a quarrel most unnatural,
To be revenged on him that loveth you. 315
Lady Anne. It is a quarrel just and reasonable,
To be revenged on him that slew my husband.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). He that bereft thee, lady, of thy husband,
Did it to help thee to a better husband.
Lady Anne. His better doth not breathe upon the earth. 320
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). He lives that loves thee better than he could.
Lady Anne. Name him.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Plantagenet.
Lady Anne. Why, that was he.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). The selfsame name, but one of better nature. 325
Lady Anne. Where is he?
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Here.
[She spitteth at him]
Why dost thou spit at me?
Lady Anne. Would it were mortal poison, for thy sake! 330
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Never came poison from so sweet a place.
Lady Anne. Never hung poison on a fouler toad.
Out of my sight! thou dost infect my eyes.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Thine eyes, sweet lady, have infected mine.
Lady Anne. Would they were basilisks, to strike thee dead! 335
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). I would they were, that I might die at once;
For now they kill me with a living death.
Those eyes of thine from mine have drawn salt tears,
Shamed their aspect with store of childish drops:
These eyes that never shed remorseful tear, 340
No, when my father York and Edward wept,
To hear the piteous moan that Rutland made
When black-faced Clifford shook his sword at him;
Nor when thy warlike father, like a child,
Told the sad story of my father’s death, 345
And twenty times made pause to sob and weep,
That all the standers-by had wet their cheeks
Like trees bedash’d with rain: in that sad time
My manly eyes did scorn an humble tear;
And what these sorrows could not thence exhale, 350
Thy beauty hath, and made them blind with weeping.
I never sued to friend nor enemy;
My tongue could never learn sweet smoothing word;
But now thy beauty is proposed my fee,
My proud heart sues, and prompts my tongue to speak. 355
[She looks scornfully at him]
Teach not thy lips such scorn, for they were made
For kissing, lady, not for such contempt.
If thy revengeful heart cannot forgive,
Lo, here I lend thee this sharp-pointed sword; 360
Which if thou please to hide in this true bosom.
And let the soul forth that adoreth thee,
I lay it naked to the deadly stroke,
And humbly beg the death upon my knee.
[He lays his breast open: she offers at it with his sword] 365
Nay, do not pause; for I did kill King Henry,
But ’twas thy beauty that provoked me.
Nay, now dispatch; ’twas I that stabb’d young Edward,
But ’twas thy heavenly face that set me on.
[Here she lets fall the sword] 370
Take up the sword again, or take up me.
Lady Anne. Arise, dissembler: though I wish thy death,
I will not be the executioner.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Then bid me kill myself, and I will do it.
Lady Anne. I have already. 375
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Tush, that was in thy rage:
Speak it again, and, even with the word,
That hand, which, for thy love, did kill thy love,
Shall, for thy love, kill a far truer love;
To both their deaths thou shalt be accessary. 380
Lady Anne. I would I knew thy heart.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). ‘Tis figured in my tongue.
Lady Anne. I fear me both are false.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Then never man was true.
Lady Anne. Well, well, put up your sword. 385
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Say, then, my peace is made.
Lady Anne. That shall you know hereafter.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). But shall I live in hope?
Lady Anne. All men, I hope, live so.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Vouchsafe to wear this ring. 390
Lady Anne. To take is not to give.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Look, how this ring encompasseth finger.
Even so thy breast encloseth my poor heart;
Wear both of them, for both of them are thine.
And if thy poor devoted suppliant may 395
But beg one favour at thy gracious hand,
Thou dost confirm his happiness for ever.
Lady Anne. What is it?
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). That it would please thee leave these sad designs
To him that hath more cause to be a mourner, 400
And presently repair to Crosby Place;
Where, after I have solemnly interr’d
At Chertsey monastery this noble king,
And wet his grave with my repentant tears,
I will with all expedient duty see you: 405
For divers unknown reasons. I beseech you,
Grant me this boon.
Lady Anne. With all my heart; and much it joys me too,
To see you are become so penitent.
Tressel and Berkeley, go along with me. 410
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Bid me farewell.
Lady Anne. ‘Tis more than you deserve;
But since you teach me how to flatter you,
Imagine I have said farewell already.

[Exeunt LADY ANNE, TRESSEL, and BERKELEY]

Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Sirs, take up the corse.
Gentlemen. Towards Chertsey, noble lord?
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). No, to White-Friars; there attend my coining.
[Exeunt all but GLOUCESTER]
Was ever woman in this humour woo’d? 420
Was ever woman in this humour won?
I’ll have her; but I will not keep her long.
What! I, that kill’d her husband and his father,
To take her in her heart’s extremest hate,
With curses in her mouth, tears in her eyes, 425
The bleeding witness of her hatred by;
Having God, her conscience, and these bars
against me,
And I nothing to back my suit at all,
But the plain devil and dissembling looks, 430
And yet to win her, all the world to nothing!
Ha!
Hath she forgot already that brave prince,
Edward, her lord, whom I, some three months since,
Stabb’d in my angry mood at Tewksbury? 435
A sweeter and a lovelier gentleman,
Framed in the prodigality of nature,
Young, valiant, wise, and, no doubt, right royal,
The spacious world cannot again afford
And will she yet debase her eyes on me, 440
That cropp’d the golden prime of this sweet prince,
And made her widow to a woful bed?
On me, whose all not equals Edward’s moiety?
On me, that halt and am unshapen thus?
My dukedom to a beggarly denier, 445
I do mistake my person all this while:
Upon my life, she finds, although I cannot,
Myself to be a marvellous proper man.
I’ll be at charges for a looking-glass,
And entertain some score or two of tailors, 450
To study fashions to adorn my body:
Since I am crept in favour with myself,
Will maintain it with some little cost.
But first I’ll turn yon fellow in his grave;
And then return lamenting to my love. 455
Shine out, fair sun, till I have bought a glass,
That I may see my shadow as I pass.

[Exit] (Richard III Shakespeare Darma)

Act I, Scene 3 (Richard III Shakespeare Darma)

The palace.

[Enter QUEEN ELIZABETH, RIVERS, and GREY]

Lord (Earl) Rivers. Have patience, madam: there’s no doubt his majesty 460
Will soon recover his accustom’d health.
Lord Grey. In that you brook it in, it makes him worse:
Therefore, for God’s sake, entertain good comfort,
And cheer his grace with quick and merry words.
Queen Elizabeth. If he were dead, what would betide of me? 465
Lord (Earl) Rivers. No other harm but loss of such a lord.
Queen Elizabeth. The loss of such a lord includes all harm.
Lord Grey. The heavens have bless’d you with a goodly son,
To be your comforter when he is gone.
Queen Elizabeth. Oh, he is young and his minority 470
Is put unto the trust of Richard Gloucester,
A man that loves not me, nor none of you.
Lord (Earl) Rivers. Is it concluded that he shall be protector?
Queen Elizabeth. It is determined, not concluded yet:
But so it must be, if the king miscarry. 475

[Enter BUCKINGHAM and DERBY]

Lord Grey. Here come the lords of Buckingham and Derby.
Duke of Buckingham. Good time of day unto your royal grace!
Sir William Stanley. God make your majesty joyful as you have been!
Queen Elizabeth. The Countess Richmond, good my Lord of Derby. 480
To your good prayers will scarcely say amen.
Yet, Derby, notwithstanding she’s your wife,
And loves not me, be you, good lord, assured
I hate not you for her proud arrogance.
Sir William Stanley. I do beseech you, either not believe 485
The envious slanders of her false accusers;
Or, if she be accused in true report,
Bear with her weakness, which, I think proceeds
From wayward sickness, and no grounded malice.
Lord (Earl) Rivers. Saw you the king to-day, my Lord of Derby? 490
Sir William Stanley. But now the Duke of Buckingham and I
Are come from visiting his majesty.
Queen Elizabeth. What likelihood of his amendment, lords?
Duke of Buckingham. Madam, good hope; his grace speaks cheerfully.
Queen Elizabeth. God grant him health! Did you confer with him? 495
Duke of Buckingham. Madam, we did: he desires to make atonement
Betwixt the Duke of Gloucester and your brothers,
And betwixt them and my lord chamberlain;
And sent to warn them to his royal presence.
Queen Elizabeth. Would all were well! but that will never be 500
I fear our happiness is at the highest.

[Enter GLOUCESTER, HASTINGS, and DORSET]

Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). They do me wrong, and I will not endure it:
Who are they that complain unto the king,
That I, forsooth, am stern, and love them not? 505
By holy Paul, they love his grace but lightly
That fill his ears with such dissentious rumours.
Because I cannot flatter and speak fair,
Smile in men’s faces, smooth, deceive and cog,
Duck with French nods and apish courtesy, 510
I must be held a rancorous enemy.
Cannot a plain man live and think no harm,
But thus his simple truth must be abused
By silken, sly, insinuating Jacks?
Lord (Earl) Rivers. To whom in all this presence speaks your grace? 515
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). To thee, that hast nor honesty nor grace.
When have I injured thee? when done thee wrong?
Or thee? or thee? or any of your faction?
A plague upon you all! His royal person,—
Whom God preserve better than you would wish!— 520
Cannot be quiet scarce a breathing-while,
But you must trouble him with lewd complaints.
Queen Elizabeth. Brother of Gloucester, you mistake the matter.
The king, of his own royal disposition,
And not provoked by any suitor else; 525
Aiming, belike, at your interior hatred,
Which in your outward actions shows itself
Against my kindred, brothers, and myself,
Makes him to send; that thereby he may gather
The ground of your ill-will, and so remove it. 530
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). I cannot tell: the world is grown so bad,
That wrens make prey where eagles dare not perch:
Since every Jack became a gentleman
There’s many a gentle person made a Jack.
Queen Elizabeth. Come, come, we know your meaning, brother 535
Gloucester;
You envy my advancement and my friends’:
God grant we never may have need of you!
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Meantime, God grants that we have need of you:
Your brother is imprison’d by your means, 540
Myself disgraced, and the nobility
Held in contempt; whilst many fair promotions
Are daily given to ennoble those
That scarce, some two days since, were worth a noble.
Queen Elizabeth. By Him that raised me to this careful height 545
From that contented hap which I enjoy’d,
I never did incense his majesty
Against the Duke of Clarence, but have been
An earnest advocate to plead for him.
My lord, you do me shameful injury, 550
Falsely to draw me in these vile suspects.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). You may deny that you were not the cause
Of my Lord Hastings’ late imprisonment.
Lord (Earl) Rivers. She may, my lord, for—
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). She may, Lord Rivers! why, who knows not so? 555
She may do more, sir, than denying that:
She may help you to many fair preferments,
And then deny her aiding hand therein,
And lay those honours on your high deserts.
What may she not? She may, yea, marry, may she— 560
Lord (Earl) Rivers. What, marry, may she?
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). What, marry, may she! marry with a king,
A bachelor, a handsome stripling too:
I wis your grandam had a worser match.
Queen Elizabeth. My Lord of Gloucester, I have too long borne 565
Your blunt upbraidings and your bitter scoffs:
By heaven, I will acquaint his majesty
With those gross taunts I often have endured.
I had rather be a country servant-maid
Than a great queen, with this condition, 570
To be thus taunted, scorn’d, and baited at:
[Enter QUEEN MARGARET, behind]
Small joy have I in being England’s queen.
Queen Margaret. And lessen’d be that small, God, I beseech thee!
Thy honour, state and seat is due to me. 575
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). What! threat you me with telling of the king?
Tell him, and spare not: look, what I have said
I will avouch in presence of the king:
I dare adventure to be sent to the Tower.
‘Tis time to speak; my pains are quite forgot. 580
Queen Margaret. Out, devil! I remember them too well:
Thou slewest my husband Henry in the Tower,
And Edward, my poor son, at Tewksbury.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Ere you were queen, yea, or your husband king,
I was a pack-horse in his great affairs; 585
A weeder-out of his proud adversaries,
A liberal rewarder of his friends:
To royalize his blood I spilt mine own.
Queen Margaret. Yea, and much better blood than his or thine.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). In all which time you and your husband Grey 590
Were factious for the house of Lancaster;
And, Rivers, so were you. Was not your husband
In Margaret’s battle at Saint Alban’s slain?
Let me put in your minds, if you forget,
What you have been ere now, and what you are; 595
Withal, what I have been, and what I am.
Queen Margaret. A murderous villain, and so still thou art.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Poor Clarence did forsake his father, Warwick;
Yea, and forswore himself,—which Jesu pardon!—
Queen Margaret. Which God revenge! 600
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). To fight on Edward’s party for the crown;
And for his meed, poor lord, he is mew’d up.
I would to God my heart were flint, like Edward’s;
Or Edward’s soft and pitiful, like mine
I am too childish-foolish for this world. 605
Queen Margaret. Hie thee to hell for shame, and leave the world,
Thou cacodemon! there thy kingdom is.
Lord (Earl) Rivers. My Lord of Gloucester, in those busy days
Which here you urge to prove us enemies,
We follow’d then our lord, our lawful king: 610
So should we you, if you should be our king.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). If I should be! I had rather be a pedlar:
Far be it from my heart, the thought of it!
Queen Elizabeth. As little joy, my lord, as you suppose
You should enjoy, were you this country’s king, 615
As little joy may you suppose in me.
That I enjoy, being the queen thereof.
Queen Margaret. A little joy enjoys the queen thereof;
For I am she, and altogether joyless.
I can no longer hold me patient. 620
[Advancing]
Hear me, you wrangling pirates, that fall out
In sharing that which you have pill’d from me!
Which of you trembles not that looks on me?
If not, that, I being queen, you bow like subjects, 625
Yet that, by you deposed, you quake like rebels?
O gentle villain, do not turn away!
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Foul wrinkled witch, what makest thou in my sight?
Queen Margaret. But repetition of what thou hast marr’d;
That will I make before I let thee go. 630
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Wert thou not banished on pain of death?
Queen Margaret. I was; but I do find more pain in banishment
Than death can yield me here by my abode.
A husband and a son thou owest to me;
And thou a kingdom; all of you allegiance: 635
The sorrow that I have, by right is yours,
And all the pleasures you usurp are mine.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). The curse my noble father laid on thee,
When thou didst crown his warlike brows with paper
And with thy scorns drew’st rivers from his eyes, 640
And then, to dry them, gavest the duke a clout
Steep’d in the faultless blood of pretty Rutland—
His curses, then from bitterness of soul
Denounced against thee, are all fall’n upon thee;
And God, not we, hath plagued thy bloody deed. 645
Queen Elizabeth. So just is God, to right the innocent.
Lord Hastings. O, ’twas the foulest deed to slay that babe,
And the most merciless that e’er was heard of!
Lord (Earl) Rivers. Tyrants themselves wept when it was reported.
Marquis of Dorset. No man but prophesied revenge for it. 650
Duke of Buckingham. Northumberland, then present, wept to see it.
Queen Margaret. What were you snarling all before I came,
Ready to catch each other by the throat,
And turn you all your hatred now on me?
Did York’s dread curse prevail so much with heaven? 655
That Henry’s death, my lovely Edward’s death,
Their kingdom’s loss, my woful banishment,
Could all but answer for that peevish brat?
Can curses pierce the clouds and enter heaven?
Why, then, give way, dull clouds, to my quick curses! 660
If not by war, by surfeit die your king,
As ours by murder, to make him a king!
Edward thy son, which now is Prince of Wales,
For Edward my son, which was Prince of Wales,
Die in his youth by like untimely violence! 665
Thyself a queen, for me that was a queen,
Outlive thy glory, like my wretched self!
Long mayst thou live to wail thy children’s loss;
And see another, as I see thee now,
Deck’d in thy rights, as thou art stall’d in mine! 670
Long die thy happy days before thy death;
And, after many lengthen’d hours of grief,
Die neither mother, wife, nor England’s queen!
Rivers and Dorset, you were standers by,
And so wast thou, Lord Hastings, when my son 675
Was stabb’d with bloody daggers: God, I pray him,
That none of you may live your natural age,
But by some unlook’d accident cut off!
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Have done thy charm, thou hateful wither’d hag!
Queen Margaret. And leave out thee? stay, dog, for thou shalt hear me. 680
If heaven have any grievous plague in store
Exceeding those that I can wish upon thee,
O, let them keep it till thy sins be ripe,
And then hurl down their indignation
On thee, the troubler of the poor world’s peace! 685
The worm of conscience still begnaw thy soul!
Thy friends suspect for traitors while thou livest,
And take deep traitors for thy dearest friends!
No sleep close up that deadly eye of thine,
Unless it be whilst some tormenting dream 690
Affrights thee with a hell of ugly devils!
Thou elvish-mark’d, abortive, rooting hog!
Thou that wast seal’d in thy nativity
The slave of nature and the son of hell!
Thou slander of thy mother’s heavy womb! 695
Thou loathed issue of thy father’s loins!
Thou rag of honour! thou detested—
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Margaret.
Queen Margaret. Richard!
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Ha! 700
Queen Margaret. I call thee not.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). I cry thee mercy then, for I had thought
That thou hadst call’d me all these bitter names.
Queen Margaret. Why, so I did; but look’d for no reply.
O, let me make the period to my curse! 705
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). ‘Tis done by me, and ends in ‘Margaret.’
Queen Elizabeth. Thus have you breathed your curse against yourself.
Queen Margaret. Poor painted queen, vain flourish of my fortune!
Why strew’st thou sugar on that bottled spider,
Whose deadly web ensnareth thee about? 710
Fool, fool! thou whet’st a knife to kill thyself.
The time will come when thou shalt wish for me
To help thee curse that poisonous bunchback’d toad.
Lord Hastings. False-boding woman, end thy frantic curse,
Lest to thy harm thou move our patience. 715
Queen Margaret. Foul shame upon you! you have all moved mine.
Lord (Earl) Rivers. Were you well served, you would be taught your duty.
Queen Margaret. To serve me well, you all should do me duty,
Teach me to be your queen, and you my subjects:
O, serve me well, and teach yourselves that duty! 720
Marquis of Dorset. Dispute not with her; she is lunatic.
Queen Margaret. Peace, master marquess, you are malapert:
Your fire-new stamp of honour is scarce current.
O, that your young nobility could judge
What ’twere to lose it, and be miserable! 725
They that stand high have many blasts to shake them;
And if they fall, they dash themselves to pieces.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Good counsel, marry: learn it, learn it, marquess.
Marquis of Dorset. It toucheth you, my lord, as much as me.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Yea, and much more: but I was born so high, 730
Our aery buildeth in the cedar’s top,
And dallies with the wind and scorns the sun.
Queen Margaret. And turns the sun to shade; alas! alas!
Witness my son, now in the shade of death;
Whose bright out-shining beams thy cloudy wrath 735
Hath in eternal darkness folded up.
Your aery buildeth in our aery’s nest.
O God, that seest it, do not suffer it!
As it was won with blood, lost be it so!
Duke of Buckingham. Have done! for shame, if not for charity. 740
Queen Margaret. Urge neither charity nor shame to me:
Uncharitably with me have you dealt,
And shamefully by you my hopes are butcher’d.
My charity is outrage, life my shame
And in that shame still live my sorrow’s rage. 745
Duke of Buckingham. Have done, have done.
Queen Margaret. O princely Buckingham I’ll kiss thy hand,
In sign of league and amity with thee:
Now fair befal thee and thy noble house!
Thy garments are not spotted with our blood, 750
Nor thou within the compass of my curse.
Duke of Buckingham. Nor no one here; for curses never pass
The lips of those that breathe them in the air.
Queen Margaret. I’ll not believe but they ascend the sky,
And there awake God’s gentle-sleeping peace. 755
O Buckingham, take heed of yonder dog!
Look, when he fawns, he bites; and when he bites,
His venom tooth will rankle to the death:
Have not to do with him, beware of him;
Sin, death, and hell have set their marks on him, 760
And all their ministers attend on him.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). What doth she say, my Lord of Buckingham?
Duke of Buckingham. Nothing that I respect, my gracious lord.
Queen Margaret. What, dost thou scorn me for my gentle counsel?
And soothe the devil that I warn thee from? 765
O, but remember this another day,
When he shall split thy very heart with sorrow,
And say poor Margaret was a prophetess!
Live each of you the subjects to his hate,
And he to yours, and all of you to God’s! 770

[Exit]

Lord Hastings. My hair doth stand on end to hear her curses.
Lord (Earl) Rivers. And so doth mine: I muse why she’s at liberty.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). I cannot blame her: by God’s holy mother,
She hath had too much wrong; and I repent 775
My part thereof that I have done to her.
Queen Elizabeth. I never did her any, to my knowledge.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). But you have all the vantage of her wrong.
I was too hot to do somebody good,
That is too cold in thinking of it now. 780
Marry, as for Clarence, he is well repaid,
He is frank’d up to fatting for his pains
God pardon them that are the cause of it!
Lord (Earl) Rivers. A virtuous and a Christian-like conclusion,
To pray for them that have done scathe to us. 785
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). So do I ever:
[Aside]
being well-advised.
For had I cursed now, I had cursed myself.

[Enter CATESBY]

Sir William Catesby. Madam, his majesty doth call for you,
And for your grace; and you, my noble lords.
Queen Elizabeth. Catesby, we come. Lords, will you go with us?
Lord (Earl) Rivers. Madam, we will attend your grace.

[Exeunt all but GLOUCESTER]

Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). I do the wrong, and first begin to brawl.
The secret mischiefs that I set abroach
I lay unto the grievous charge of others.
Clarence, whom I, indeed, have laid in darkness,
I do beweep to many simple gulls 800
Namely, to Hastings, Derby, Buckingham;
And say it is the queen and her allies
That stir the king against the duke my brother.
Now, they believe it; and withal whet me
To be revenged on Rivers, Vaughan, Grey: 805
But then I sigh; and, with a piece of scripture,
Tell them that God bids us do good for evil:
And thus I clothe my naked villany
With old odd ends stolen out of holy writ;
And seem a saint, when most I play the devil. 810
[Enter two Murderers]
But, soft! here come my executioners.
How now, my hardy, stout resolved mates!
Are you now going to dispatch this deed?
First Murderer. We are, my lord; and come to have the warrant 815
That we may be admitted where he is.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Well thought upon; I have it here about me.
[Gives the warrant]
When you have done, repair to Crosby Place.
But, sirs, be sudden in the execution, 820
Withal obdurate, do not hear him plead;
For Clarence is well-spoken, and perhaps
May move your hearts to pity if you mark him.
First Murderer. Tush!
Fear not, my lord, we will not stand to prate; 825
Talkers are no good doers: be assured
We come to use our hands and not our tongues.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Your eyes drop millstones, when fools’ eyes drop tears:
I like you, lads; about your business straight;
Go, go, dispatch. 830
First Murderer. We will, my noble lord.

[Exeunt] (Richard III Shakespeare Darma)

Act I, Scene 4 (Richard III Shakespeare Darma)

London. The Tower.

[Enter CLARENCE and BRAKENBURY]

Sir Robert Brakenbury. Why looks your grace so heavily today?
George Plantagenet (Duke of Clarence). O, I have pass’d a miserable night, 835
So full of ugly sights, of ghastly dreams,
That, as I am a Christian faithful man,
I would not spend another such a night,
Though ’twere to buy a world of happy days,
So full of dismal terror was the time! 840
Sir Robert Brakenbury. What was your dream? I long to hear you tell it.
George Plantagenet (Duke of Clarence). Methoughts that I had broken from the Tower,
And was embark’d to cross to Burgundy;
And, in my company, my brother Gloucester;
Who from my cabin tempted me to walk 845
Upon the hatches: thence we looked toward England,
And cited up a thousand fearful times,
During the wars of York and Lancaster
That had befall’n us. As we paced along
Upon the giddy footing of the hatches, 850
Methought that Gloucester stumbled; and, in falling,
Struck me, that thought to stay him, overboard,
Into the tumbling billows of the main.
Lord, Lord! methought, what pain it was to drown!
What dreadful noise of waters in mine ears! 855
What ugly sights of death within mine eyes!
Methought I saw a thousand fearful wrecks;
Ten thousand men that fishes gnaw’d upon;
Wedges of gold, great anchors, heaps of pearl,
Inestimable stones, unvalued jewels, 860
All scatter’d in the bottom of the sea:
Some lay in dead men’s skulls; and, in those holes
Where eyes did once inhabit, there were crept,
As ’twere in scorn of eyes, reflecting gems,
Which woo’d the slimy bottom of the deep, 865
And mock’d the dead bones that lay scatter’d by.
Sir Robert Brakenbury. Had you such leisure in the time of death
To gaze upon the secrets of the deep?
George Plantagenet (Duke of Clarence). Methought I had; and often did I strive
To yield the ghost: but still the envious flood 870
Kept in my soul, and would not let it forth
To seek the empty, vast and wandering air;
But smother’d it within my panting bulk,
Which almost burst to belch it in the sea.
Sir Robert Brakenbury. Awaked you not with this sore agony? 875
George Plantagenet (Duke of Clarence). O, no, my dream was lengthen’d after life;
O, then began the tempest to my soul,
Who pass’d, methought, the melancholy flood,
With that grim ferryman which poets write of,
Unto the kingdom of perpetual night. 880
The first that there did greet my stranger soul,
Was my great father-in-law, renowned Warwick;
Who cried aloud, ‘What scourge for perjury
Can this dark monarchy afford false Clarence?’
And so he vanish’d: then came wandering by 885
A shadow like an angel, with bright hair
Dabbled in blood; and he squeak’d out aloud,
‘Clarence is come; false, fleeting, perjured Clarence,
That stabb’d me in the field by Tewksbury;
Seize on him, Furies, take him to your torments!’ 890
With that, methoughts, a legion of foul fiends
Environ’d me about, and howled in mine ears
Such hideous cries, that with the very noise
I trembling waked, and for a season after
Could not believe but that I was in hell, 895
Such terrible impression made the dream.
Sir Robert Brakenbury. No marvel, my lord, though it affrighted you;
I promise, I am afraid to hear you tell it.
George Plantagenet (Duke of Clarence). O Brakenbury, I have done those things,
Which now bear evidence against my soul, 900
For Edward’s sake; and see how he requites me!
O God! if my deep prayers cannot appease thee,
But thou wilt be avenged on my misdeeds,
Yet execute thy wrath in me alone,
O, spare my guiltless wife and my poor children! 905
I pray thee, gentle keeper, stay by me;
My soul is heavy, and I fain would sleep.
Sir Robert Brakenbury. I will, my lord: God give your grace good rest!
[CLARENCE sleeps]
Sorrow breaks seasons and reposing hours, 910
Makes the night morning, and the noon-tide night.
Princes have but their tides for their glories,
An outward honour for an inward toil;
And, for unfelt imagination,
They often feel a world of restless cares: 915
So that, betwixt their tides and low names,
There’s nothing differs but the outward fame.

[Enter the two Murderers]

First Murderer. Ho! who’s here?
Sir Robert Brakenbury. In God’s name what are you, and how came you hither? 920
First Murderer. I would speak with Clarence, and I came hither on my legs.
Sir Robert Brakenbury. Yea, are you so brief?
Second Murderer. O sir, it is better to be brief than tedious. Show
him our commission; talk no more.

[BRAKENBURY reads it]

Sir Robert Brakenbury. I am, in this, commanded to deliver
The noble Duke of Clarence to your hands:
I will not reason what is meant hereby,
Because I will be guiltless of the meaning.
Here are the keys, there sits the duke asleep: 930
I’ll to the king; and signify to him
That thus I have resign’d my charge to you.
First Murderer. Do so, it is a point of wisdom: fare you well.

[Exit BRAKENBURY]

Second Murderer. What, shall we stab him as he sleeps? 935
First Murderer. No; then he will say ’twas done cowardly, when he wakes.
Second Murderer. When he wakes! why, fool, he shall never wake till
the judgment-day.
First Murderer. Why, then he will say we stabbed him sleeping.
Second Murderer. The urging of that word ‘judgment’ hath bred a kind 940
of remorse in me.
First Murderer. What, art thou afraid?
Second Murderer. Not to kill him, having a warrant for it; but to be
damned for killing him, from which no warrant can defend us.
First Murderer. I thought thou hadst been resolute. 945
Second Murderer. So I am, to let him live.
First Murderer. Back to the Duke of Gloucester, tell him so.
Second Murderer. I pray thee, stay a while: I hope my holy humour
will change; ’twas wont to hold me but while one
would tell twenty. 950
First Murderer. How dost thou feel thyself now?
Second Murderer. ‘Faith, some certain dregs of conscience are yet
within me.
First Murderer. Remember our reward, when the deed is done.
Second Murderer. ‘Zounds, he dies: I had forgot the reward. 955
First Murderer. Where is thy conscience now?
Second Murderer. In the Duke of Gloucester’s purse.
First Murderer. So when he opens his purse to give us our reward,
thy conscience flies out.
Second Murderer. Let it go; there’s few or none will entertain it. 960
First Murderer. How if it come to thee again?
Second Murderer. I’ll not meddle with it: it is a dangerous thing: it
makes a man a coward: a man cannot steal, but it
accuseth him; he cannot swear, but it cheques him;
he cannot lie with his neighbour’s wife, but it 965
detects him: ’tis a blushing shamefast spirit that
mutinies in a man’s bosom; it fills one full of
obstacles: it made me once restore a purse of gold
that I found; it beggars any man that keeps it: it
is turned out of all towns and cities for a 970
dangerous thing; and every man that means to live
well endeavours to trust to himself and to live
without it.
First Murderer. ‘Zounds, it is even now at my elbow, persuading me
not to kill the duke. 975
Second Murderer. Take the devil in thy mind, and relieve him not: he
would insinuate with thee but to make thee sigh.
First Murderer. Tut, I am strong-framed, he cannot prevail with me,
I warrant thee.
Second Murderer. Spoke like a tail fellow that respects his 980
reputation. Come, shall we to this gear?
First Murderer. Take him over the costard with the hilts of thy
sword, and then we will chop him in the malmsey-butt
in the next room.
Second Murderer. O excellent devise! make a sop of him. 985
First Murderer. Hark! he stirs: shall I strike?
Second Murderer. No, first let’s reason with him.
George Plantagenet (Duke of Clarence). Where art thou, keeper? give me a cup of wine.
Second Murderer. You shall have wine enough, my lord, anon.
George Plantagenet (Duke of Clarence). In God’s name, what art thou? 990
Second Murderer. A man, as you are.
George Plantagenet (Duke of Clarence). But not, as I am, royal.
Second Murderer. Nor you, as we are, loyal.
George Plantagenet (Duke of Clarence). Thy voice is thunder, but thy looks are humble.
Second Murderer. My voice is now the king’s, my looks mine own. 995
George Plantagenet (Duke of Clarence). How darkly and how deadly dost thou speak!
Your eyes do menace me: why look you pale?
Who sent you hither? Wherefore do you come?
Both. To, to, to—
George Plantagenet (Duke of Clarence). To murder me? 1000
Both. Ay, ay.
George Plantagenet (Duke of Clarence). You scarcely have the hearts to tell me so,
And therefore cannot have the hearts to do it.
Wherein, my friends, have I offended you?
First Murderer. Offended us you have not, but the king. 1005
George Plantagenet (Duke of Clarence). I shall be reconciled to him again.
Second Murderer. Never, my lord; therefore prepare to die.
George Plantagenet (Duke of Clarence). Are you call’d forth from out a world of men
To slay the innocent? What is my offence?
Where are the evidence that do accuse me? 1010
What lawful quest have given their verdict up
Unto the frowning judge? or who pronounced
The bitter sentence of poor Clarence’ death?
Before I be convict by course of law,
To threaten me with death is most unlawful. 1015
I charge you, as you hope to have redemption
By Christ’s dear blood shed for our grievous sins,
That you depart and lay no hands on me
The deed you undertake is damnable.
First Murderer. What we will do, we do upon command. 1020
Second Murderer. And he that hath commanded is the king.
George Plantagenet (Duke of Clarence). Erroneous vassal! the great King of kings
Hath in the tables of his law commanded
That thou shalt do no murder: and wilt thou, then,
Spurn at his edict and fulfil a man’s? 1025
Take heed; for he holds vengeance in his hands,
To hurl upon their heads that break his law.
Second Murderer. And that same vengeance doth he hurl on thee,
For false forswearing and for murder too:
Thou didst receive the holy sacrament, 1030
To fight in quarrel of the house of Lancaster.
First Murderer. And, like a traitor to the name of God,
Didst break that vow; and with thy treacherous blade
Unrip’dst the bowels of thy sovereign’s son.
Second Murderer. Whom thou wert sworn to cherish and defend. 1035
First Murderer. How canst thou urge God’s dreadful law to us,
When thou hast broke it in so dear degree?
George Plantagenet (Duke of Clarence). Alas! for whose sake did I that ill deed?
For Edward, for my brother, for his sake: Why, sirs,
He sends ye not to murder me for this 1040
For in this sin he is as deep as I.
If God will be revenged for this deed.
O, know you yet, he doth it publicly,
Take not the quarrel from his powerful arm;
He needs no indirect nor lawless course 1045
To cut off those that have offended him.
First Murderer. Who made thee, then, a bloody minister,
When gallant-springing brave Plantagenet,
That princely novice, was struck dead by thee?
George Plantagenet (Duke of Clarence). My brother’s love, the devil, and my rage. 1050
First Murderer. Thy brother’s love, our duty, and thy fault,
Provoke us hither now to slaughter thee.
George Plantagenet (Duke of Clarence). Oh, if you love my brother, hate not me;
I am his brother, and I love him well.
If you be hired for meed, go back again, 1055
And I will send you to my brother Gloucester,
Who shall reward you better for my life
Than Edward will for tidings of my death.
Second Murderer. You are deceived, your brother Gloucester hates you.
George Plantagenet (Duke of Clarence). O, no, he loves me, and he holds me dear: 1060
Go you to him from me.
Both. Ay, so we will.
George Plantagenet (Duke of Clarence). Tell him, when that our princely father York
Bless’d his three sons with his victorious arm,
And charged us from his soul to love each other, 1065
He little thought of this divided friendship:
Bid Gloucester think of this, and he will weep.
First Murderer. Ay, millstones; as be lesson’d us to weep.
George Plantagenet (Duke of Clarence). O, do not slander him, for he is kind.
First Murderer. Right, 1070
As snow in harvest. Thou deceivest thyself:
‘Tis he that sent us hither now to slaughter thee.
George Plantagenet (Duke of Clarence). It cannot be; for when I parted with him,
He hugg’d me in his arms, and swore, with sobs,
That he would labour my delivery. 1075
Second Murderer. Why, so he doth, now he delivers thee
From this world’s thraldom to the joys of heaven.
First Murderer. Make peace with God, for you must die, my lord.
George Plantagenet (Duke of Clarence). Hast thou that holy feeling in thy soul,
To counsel me to make my peace with God, 1080
And art thou yet to thy own soul so blind,
That thou wilt war with God by murdering me?
Ah, sirs, consider, he that set you on
To do this deed will hate you for the deed.
Second Murderer. What shall we do? 1085
George Plantagenet (Duke of Clarence). Relent, and save your souls.
First Murderer. Relent! ’tis cowardly and womanish.
George Plantagenet (Duke of Clarence). Not to relent is beastly, savage, devilish.
Which of you, if you were a prince’s son,
Being pent from liberty, as I am now, 1090
if two such murderers as yourselves came to you,
Would not entreat for life?
My friend, I spy some pity in thy looks:
O, if thine eye be not a flatterer,
Come thou on my side, and entreat for me, 1095
As you would beg, were you in my distress
A begging prince what beggar pities not?
Second Murderer. Look behind you, my lord.
First Murderer. Take that, and that: if all this will not do,
[Stabs him] 1100
I’ll drown you in the malmsey-butt within.

[Exit, with the body]

Second Murderer. A bloody deed, and desperately dispatch’d!
How fain, like Pilate, would I wash my hands
Of this most grievous guilty murder done! 1105

[Re-enter First Murderer]

First Murderer. How now! what mean’st thou, that thou help’st me not?
By heavens, the duke shall know how slack thou art!
Second Murderer. I would he knew that I had saved his brother!
Take thou the fee, and tell him what I say; 1110
For I repent me that the duke is slain.

[Exit] (Richard III Shakespeare Darma)

First Murderer. So do not I: go, coward as thou art.
Now must I hide his body in some hole,
Until the duke take order for his burial: 1115
And when I have my meed, I must away;
For this will out, and here I must not stay.

Act II, Scene 1 (Richard III Shakespeare Darma)

London. The palace.

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

King Edward IV (Plantagenet). Why, so: now have I done a good day’s work:
You peers, continue this united league:
I every day expect an embassage
From my Redeemer to redeem me hence;
And now in peace my soul shall part to heaven, 1125
Since I have set my friends at peace on earth.
Rivers and Hastings, take each other’s hand;
Dissemble not your hatred, swear your love.
Lord (Earl) Rivers. By heaven, my heart is purged from grudging hate:
And with my hand I seal my true heart’s love. 1130
Lord Hastings. So thrive I, as I truly swear the like!
King Edward IV (Plantagenet). Take heed you dally not before your king;
Lest he that is the supreme King of kings
Confound your hidden falsehood, and award
Either of you to be the other’s end. 1135
Lord Hastings. So prosper I, as I swear perfect love!
Lord (Earl) Rivers. And I, as I love Hastings with my heart!
King Edward IV (Plantagenet). Madam, yourself are not exempt in this,
Nor your son Dorset, Buckingham, nor you;
You have been factious one against the other, 1140
Wife, love Lord Hastings, let him kiss your hand;
And what you do, do it unfeignedly.
Queen Elizabeth. Here, Hastings; I will never more remember
Our former hatred, so thrive I and mine!
King Edward IV (Plantagenet). Dorset, embrace him; Hastings, love lord marquess. 1145
Marquis of Dorset. This interchange of love, I here protest,
Upon my part shall be unviolable.
Lord Hastings. And so swear I, my lord

[They embrace]

King Edward IV (Plantagenet). Now, princely Buckingham, seal thou this league 1150
With thy embracements to my wife’s allies,
And make me happy in your unity.
Duke of Buckingham. Whenever Buckingham doth turn his hate
On you or yours,
[To the Queen] 1155
but with all duteous love
Doth cherish you and yours, God punish me
With hate in those where I expect most love!
When I have most need to employ a friend,
And most assured that he is a friend 1160
Deep, hollow, treacherous, and full of guile,
Be he unto me! this do I beg of God,
When I am cold in zeal to yours.
King Edward IV (Plantagenet). A pleasing cordial, princely Buckingham,
is this thy vow unto my sickly heart. 1165
There wanteth now our brother Gloucester here,
To make the perfect period of this peace.
Duke of Buckingham. And, in good time, here comes the noble duke.

[Enter GLOUCESTER]

Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Good morrow to my sovereign king and queen: 1170
And, princely peers, a happy time of day!
King Edward IV (Plantagenet). Happy, indeed, as we have spent the day.
Brother, we done deeds of charity;
Made peace enmity, fair love of hate,
Between these swelling wrong-incensed peers. 1175
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). A blessed labour, my most sovereign liege:
Amongst this princely heap, if any here,
By false intelligence, or wrong surmise,
Hold me a foe;
If I unwittingly, or in my rage, 1180
Have aught committed that is hardly borne
By any in this presence, I desire
To reconcile me to his friendly peace:
‘Tis death to me to be at enmity;
I hate it, and desire all good men’s love. 1185
First, madam, I entreat true peace of you,
Which I will purchase with my duteous service;
Of you, my noble cousin Buckingham,
If ever any grudge were lodged between us;
Of you, Lord Rivers, and, Lord Grey, of you; 1190
That without desert have frown’d on me;
Dukes, earls, lords, gentlemen; indeed, of all.
I do not know that Englishman alive
With whom my soul is any jot at odds
More than the infant that is born to-night 1195
I thank my God for my humility.
Queen Elizabeth. A holy day shall this be kept hereafter:
I would to God all strifes were well compounded.
My sovereign liege, I do beseech your majesty
To take our brother Clarence to your grace. 1200
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Why, madam, have I offer’d love for this
To be so bouted in this royal presence?
Who knows not that the noble duke is dead?
[They all start]
You do him injury to scorn his corse. 1205
Lord (Earl) Rivers. Who knows not he is dead! who knows he is?
Queen Elizabeth. All seeing heaven, what a world is this!
Duke of Buckingham. Look I so pale, Lord Dorset, as the rest?
Marquis of Dorset. Ay, my good lord; and no one in this presence
But his red colour hath forsook his cheeks. 1210
King Edward IV (Plantagenet). Is Clarence dead? the order was reversed.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). But he, poor soul, by your first order died,
And that a winged Mercury did bear:
Some tardy cripple bore the countermand,
That came too lag to see him buried. 1215
God grant that some, less noble and less loyal,
Nearer in bloody thoughts, but not in blood,
Deserve not worse than wretched Clarence did,
And yet go current from suspicion!

[Enter DERBY]

Marquis of Dorset. A boon, my sovereign, for my service done!
King Edward IV (Plantagenet). I pray thee, peace: my soul is full of sorrow.
Marquis of Dorset. I will not rise, unless your highness grant.
King Edward IV (Plantagenet). Then speak at once what is it thou demand’st.
Marquis of Dorset. The forfeit, sovereign, of my servant’s life; 1225
Who slew to-day a righteous gentleman
Lately attendant on the Duke of Norfolk.
King Edward IV (Plantagenet). Have a tongue to doom my brother’s death,
And shall the same give pardon to a slave?
My brother slew no man; his fault was thought, 1230
And yet his punishment was cruel death.
Who sued to me for him? who, in my rage,
Kneel’d at my feet, and bade me be advised
Who spake of brotherhood? who spake of love?
Who told me how the poor soul did forsake 1235
The mighty Warwick, and did fight for me?
Who told me, in the field by Tewksbury
When Oxford had me down, he rescued me,
And said, ‘Dear brother, live, and be a king’?
Who told me, when we both lay in the field 1240
Frozen almost to death, how he did lap me
Even in his own garments, and gave himself,
All thin and naked, to the numb cold night?
All this from my remembrance brutish wrath
Sinfully pluck’d, and not a man of you 1245
Had so much grace to put it in my mind.
But when your carters or your waiting-vassals
Have done a drunken slaughter, and defaced
The precious image of our dear Redeemer,
You straight are on your knees for pardon, pardon; 1250
And I unjustly too, must grant it you
But for my brother not a man would speak,
Nor I, ungracious, speak unto myself
For him, poor soul. The proudest of you all
Have been beholding to him in his life; 1255
Yet none of you would once plead for his life.
O God, I fear thy justice will take hold
On me, and you, and mine, and yours for this!
Come, Hastings, help me to my closet.
Oh, poor Clarence! 1260

[Exeunt some with KING EDWARD IV and QUEEN MARGARET]

Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). This is the fruit of rashness! Mark’d you not
How that the guilty kindred of the queen
Look’d pale when they did hear of Clarence’ death?
O, they did urge it still unto the king! 1265
God will revenge it. But come, let us in,
To comfort Edward with our company.
Duke of Buckingham. We wait upon your grace.

[Exeunt] (Richard III Shakespeare Darma)

Act II, Scene 2(Richard III Shakespeare Darma)

The palace.

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

Boy. Tell me, good grandam, is our father dead?
Duchess of York. No, boy.
Boy. Why do you wring your hands, and beat your breast,
And cry ‘O Clarence, my unhappy son!’
Girl. Why do you look on us, and shake your head, 1275
And call us wretches, orphans, castaways
If that our noble father be alive?
Duchess of York. My pretty cousins, you mistake me much;
I do lament the sickness of the king.
As loath to lose him, not your father’s death; 1280
It were lost sorrow to wail one that’s lost.
Boy. Then, grandam, you conclude that he is dead.
The king my uncle is to blame for this:
God will revenge it; whom I will importune
With daily prayers all to that effect. 1285
Girl. And so will I.
Duchess of York. Peace, children, peace! the king doth love you well:
Incapable and shallow innocents,
You cannot guess who caused your father’s death.
Boy. Grandam, we can; for my good uncle Gloucester 1290
Told me, the king, provoked by the queen,
Devised impeachments to imprison him :
And when my uncle told me so, he wept,
And hugg’d me in his arm, and kindly kiss’d my cheek;
Bade me rely on him as on my father, 1295
And he would love me dearly as his child.
Duchess of York. Oh, that deceit should steal such gentle shapes,
And with a virtuous vizard hide foul guile!
He is my son; yea, and therein my shame;
Yet from my dugs he drew not this deceit. 1300
Boy. Think you my uncle did dissemble, grandam?
Duchess of York. Ay, boy.
Boy. I cannot think it. Hark! what noise is this?
[Enter QUEEN ELIZABETH, with her hair about her]
ears; RIVERS, and DORSET after her] 1305
Queen Elizabeth. Oh, who shall hinder me to wail and weep,
To chide my fortune, and torment myself?
I’ll join with black despair against my soul,
And to myself become an enemy.
Duchess of York. What means this scene of rude impatience? 1310
Queen Elizabeth. To make an act of tragic violence:
Edward, my lord, your son, our king, is dead.
Why grow the branches now the root is wither’d?
Why wither not the leaves the sap being gone?
If you will live, lament; if die, be brief, 1315
That our swift-winged souls may catch the king’s;
Or, like obedient subjects, follow him
To his new kingdom of perpetual rest.
Duchess of York. Ah, so much interest have I in thy sorrow
As I had title in thy noble husband! 1320
I have bewept a worthy husband’s death,
And lived by looking on his images:
But now two mirrors of his princely semblance
Are crack’d in pieces by malignant death,
And I for comfort have but one false glass, 1325
Which grieves me when I see my shame in him.
Thou art a widow; yet thou art a mother,
And hast the comfort of thy children left thee:
But death hath snatch’d my husband from mine arms,
And pluck’d two crutches from my feeble limbs, 1330
Edward and Clarence. O, what cause have I,
Thine being but a moiety of my grief,
To overgo thy plaints and drown thy cries!
Boy. Good aunt, you wept not for our father’s death;
How can we aid you with our kindred tears? 1335
Girl. Our fatherless distress was left unmoan’d;
Your widow-dolour likewise be unwept!
Queen Elizabeth. Give me no help in lamentation;
I am not barren to bring forth complaints
All springs reduce their currents to mine eyes, 1340
That I, being govern’d by the watery moon,
May send forth plenteous tears to drown the world!
Oh for my husband, for my dear lord Edward!
Children. Oh for our father, for our dear lord Clarence!
Duchess of York. Alas for both, both mine, Edward and Clarence! 1345
Queen Elizabeth. What stay had I but Edward? and he’s gone.
Children. What stay had we but Clarence? and he’s gone.
Duchess of York. What stays had I but they? and they are gone.
Queen Elizabeth. Was never widow had so dear a loss!
Children. Were never orphans had so dear a loss! 1350
Duchess of York. Was never mother had so dear a loss!
Alas, I am the mother of these moans!
Their woes are parcell’d, mine are general.
She for an Edward weeps, and so do I;
I for a Clarence weep, so doth not she: 1355
These babes for Clarence weep and so do I;
I for an Edward weep, so do not they:
Alas, you three, on me, threefold distress’d,
Pour all your tears! I am your sorrow’s nurse,
And I will pamper it with lamentations. 1360
Marquis of Dorset. Comfort, dear mother: God is much displeased
That you take with unthankfulness, his doing:
In common worldly things, ’tis call’d ungrateful,
With dull unwilligness to repay a debt
Which with a bounteous hand was kindly lent; 1365
Much more to be thus opposite with heaven,
For it requires the royal debt it lent you.
Lord (Earl) Rivers. Madam, bethink you, like a careful mother,
Of the young prince your son: send straight for him
Let him be crown’d; in him your comfort lives: 1370
Drown desperate sorrow in dead Edward’s grave,
And plant your joys in living Edward’s throne.

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

Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Madam, have comfort: all of us have cause
To wail the dimming of our shining star; 1375
But none can cure their harms by wailing them.
Madam, my mother, I do cry you mercy;
I did not see your grace: humbly on my knee
I crave your blessing.
Duchess of York. God bless thee; and put meekness in thy mind, 1380
Love, charity, obedience, and true duty!
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). [Aside] Amen; and make me die a good old man!
That is the butt-end of a mother’s blessing:
I marvel why her grace did leave it out.
Duke of Buckingham. You cloudy princes and heart-sorrowing peers, 1385
That bear this mutual heavy load of moan,
Now cheer each other in each other’s love
Though we have spent our harvest of this king,
We are to reap the harvest of his son.
The broken rancour of your high-swoln hearts, 1390
But lately splinter’d, knit, and join’d together,
Must gently be preserved, cherish’d, and kept:
Me seemeth good, that, with some little train,
Forthwith from Ludlow the young prince be fetch’d
Hither to London, to be crown’d our king. 1395
Lord (Earl) Rivers. Why with some little train, my Lord of Buckingham?
Duke of Buckingham. Marry, my lord, lest, by a multitude,
The new-heal’d wound of malice should break out,
Which would be so much the more dangerous
By how much the estate is green and yet ungovern’d: 1400
Where every horse bears his commanding rein,
And may direct his course as please himself,
As well the fear of harm, as harm apparent,
In my opinion, ought to be prevented.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). I hope the king made peace with all of us 1405
And the compact is firm and true in me.
Lord (Earl) Rivers. And so in me; and so, I think, in all:
Yet, since it is but green, it should be put
To no apparent likelihood of breach,
Which haply by much company might be urged: 1410
Therefore I say with noble Buckingham,
That it is meet so few should fetch the prince.
Lord Hastings. And so say I.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Then be it so; and go we to determine
Who they shall be that straight shall post to Ludlow. 1415
Madam, and you, my mother, will you go
To give your censures in this weighty business?
Queen Elizabeth. [with the Duchess of York] With all our harts.

[Exeunt all but BUCKINGHAM and GLOUCESTER]

Duke of Buckingham. My lord, whoever journeys to the Prince, 1420
For God’s sake, let not us two be behind;
For, by the way, I’ll sort occasion,
As index to the story we late talk’d of,
To part the queen’s proud kindred from the king.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). My other self, my counsel’s consistory, 1425
My oracle, my prophet! My dear cousin,
I, like a child, will go by thy direction.
Towards Ludlow then, for we’ll not stay behind.

[Exeunt] (Richard III Shakespeare Darma)

Act II, Scene 3 (Richard III Shakespeare Darma)

London. A street.

[Enter two Citizens meeting]

First Citizen. Neighbour, well met: whither away so fast?
Second Citizen. I promise you, I scarcely know myself:
Hear you the news abroad?
First Citizen. Ay, that the king is dead.
Second Citizen. Bad news, by’r lady; seldom comes the better: 1435
I fear, I fear ’twill prove a troublous world.

[Enter another Citizen]

Third Citizen. Neighbours, God speed!
First Citizen. Give you good morrow, sir.
Third Citizen. Doth this news hold of good King Edward’s death? 1440
Second Citizen. Ay, sir, it is too true; God help the while!
Third Citizen. Then, masters, look to see a troublous world.
First Citizen. No, no; by God’s good grace his son shall reign.
Third Citizen. Woe to the land that’s govern’d by a child!
Second Citizen. In him there is a hope of government, 1445
That in his nonage council under him,
And in his full and ripen’d years himself,
No doubt, shall then and till then govern well.
First Citizen. So stood the state when Henry the Sixth
Was crown’d in Paris but at nine months old. 1450
Third Citizen. Stood the state so? No, no, good friends, God wot;
For then this land was famously enrich’d
With politic grave counsel; then the king
Had virtuous uncles to protect his grace.
First Citizen. Why, so hath this, both by the father and mother. 1455
Third Citizen. Better it were they all came by the father,
Or by the father there were none at all;
For emulation now, who shall be nearest,
Will touch us all too near, if God prevent not.
O, full of danger is the Duke of Gloucester! 1460
And the queen’s sons and brothers haught and proud:
And were they to be ruled, and not to rule,
This sickly land might solace as before.
First Citizen. Come, come, we fear the worst; all shall be well.
Third Citizen. When clouds appear, wise men put on their cloaks; 1465
When great leaves fall, the winter is at hand;
When the sun sets, who doth not look for night?
Untimely storms make men expect a dearth.
All may be well; but, if God sort it so,
‘Tis more than we deserve, or I expect. 1470
Second Citizen. Truly, the souls of men are full of dread:
Ye cannot reason almost with a man
That looks not heavily and full of fear.
Third Citizen. Before the times of change, still is it so:
By a divine instinct men’s minds mistrust 1475
Ensuing dangers; as by proof, we see
The waters swell before a boisterous storm.
But leave it all to God. whither away?
Second Citizen. Marry, we were sent for to the justices.
Third Citizen. And so was I: I’ll bear you company. 1480

[Exeunt] (Richard III Shakespeare Darma)

Act II, Scene 4 (Richard III Shakespeare Darma)

London. The palace.

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

Thomas Rotherham. Last night, I hear, they lay at Northampton;
At Stony-Stratford will they be to-night: 1485
To-morrow, or next day, they will be here.
Duchess of York. I long with all my heart to see the prince:
I hope he is much grown since last I saw him.
Queen Elizabeth. But I hear, no; they say my son of York
Hath almost overta’en him in his growth. 1490
Duke of York. Ay, mother; but I would not have it so.
Duchess of York. Why, my young cousin, it is good to grow.
Duke of York. Grandam, one night, as we did sit at supper,
My uncle Rivers talk’d how I did grow
More than my brother: ‘Ay,’ quoth my uncle 1495
Gloucester,
‘Small herbs have grace, great weeds do grow apace:’
And since, methinks, I would not grow so fast,
Because sweet flowers are slow and weeds make haste.
Duchess of York. Good faith, good faith, the saying did not hold 1500
In him that did object the same to thee;
He was the wretched’st thing when he was young,
So long a-growing and so leisurely,
That, if this rule were true, he should be gracious.
Thomas Rotherham. Why, madam, so, no doubt, he is. 1505
Duchess of York. I hope he is; but yet let mothers doubt.
Duke of York. Now, by my troth, if I had been remember’d,
I could have given my uncle’s grace a flout,
To touch his growth nearer than he touch’d mine.
Duchess of York. How, my pretty York? I pray thee, let me hear it. 1510
Duke of York. Marry, they say my uncle grew so fast
That he could gnaw a crust at two hours old
‘Twas full two years ere I could get a tooth.
Grandam, this would have been a biting jest.
Duchess of York. I pray thee, pretty York, who told thee this? 1515
Duke of York. Grandam, his nurse.
Duchess of York. His nurse! why, she was dead ere thou wert born.
Duke of York. If ’twere not she, I cannot tell who told me.
Queen Elizabeth. A parlous boy: go to, you are too shrewd.
Thomas Rotherham. Good madam, be not angry with the child. 1520
Queen Elizabeth. Pitchers have ears.

[Enter a Messenger]

Thomas Rotherham. Here comes a messenger. What news?
Messenger. Such news, my lord, as grieves me to unfold.
Queen Elizabeth. How fares the prince? 1525
Messenger. Well, madam, and in health.
Duchess of York. What is thy news then?
Messenger. Lord Rivers and Lord Grey are sent to Pomfret,
With them Sir Thomas Vaughan, prisoners.
Duchess of York. Who hath committed them? 1530
Messenger. The mighty dukes
Gloucester and Buckingham.
Queen Elizabeth. For what offence?
Messenger. The sum of all I can, I have disclosed;
Why or for what these nobles were committed 1535
Is all unknown to me, my gracious lady.
Queen Elizabeth. Ay me, I see the downfall of our house!
The tiger now hath seized the gentle hind;
Insulting tyranny begins to jet
Upon the innocent and aweless throne: 1540
Welcome, destruction, death, and massacre!
I see, as in a map, the end of all.
Duchess of York. Accursed and unquiet wrangling days,
How many of you have mine eyes beheld!
My husband lost his life to get the crown; 1545
And often up and down my sons were toss’d,
For me to joy and weep their gain and loss:
And being seated, and domestic broils
Clean over-blown, themselves, the conquerors.
Make war upon themselves; blood against blood, 1550
Self against self: O, preposterous
And frantic outrage, end thy damned spleen;
Or let me die, to look on death no more!
Queen Elizabeth. Come, come, my boy; we will to sanctuary.
Madam, farewell. 1555
Duchess of York. I’ll go along with you.
Queen Elizabeth. You have no cause.
Thomas Rotherham. My gracious lady, go;
And thither bear your treasure and your goods.
For my part, I’ll resign unto your grace 1560
The seal I keep: and so betide to me
As well I tender you and all of yours!
Come, I’ll conduct you to the sanctuary.

[Exeunt] (Richard III Shakespeare Darma)

Act III, Scene 1 (Richard III Shakespeare Darma)

London. A street.

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

Duke of Buckingham. Welcome, sweet prince, to London, to your chamber.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Welcome, dear cousin, my thoughts’ sovereign
The weary way hath made you melancholy.
Prince Edward. No, uncle; but our crosses on the way 1570
Have made it tedious, wearisome, and heavy
I want more uncles here to welcome me.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Sweet prince, the untainted virtue of your years
Hath not yet dived into the world’s deceit
Nor more can you distinguish of a man 1575
Than of his outward show; which, God he knows,
Seldom or never jumpeth with the heart.
Those uncles which you want were dangerous;
Your grace attended to their sugar’d words,
But look’d not on the poison of their hearts : 1580
God keep you from them, and from such false friends!
Prince Edward. God keep me from false friends! but they were none.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). My lord, the mayor of London comes to greet you.

[Enter the Lord Mayor and his train]

Lord Mayor of London. God bless your grace with health and happy days! 1585
Prince Edward. I thank you, good my lord; and thank you all.
I thought my mother, and my brother York,
Would long ere this have met us on the way
Fie, what a slug is Hastings, that he comes not
To tell us whether they will come or no! 1590

[Enter HASTINGS]

Duke of Buckingham. And, in good time, here comes the sweating lord.
Prince Edward. Welcome, my lord: what, will our mother come?
Lord Hastings. On what occasion, God he knows, not I,
The queen your mother, and your brother York, 1595
Have taken sanctuary: the tender prince
Would fain have come with me to meet your grace,
But by his mother was perforce withheld.
Duke of Buckingham. Fie, what an indirect and peevish course
Is this of hers! Lord cardinal, will your grace 1600
Persuade the queen to send the Duke of York
Unto his princely brother presently?
If she deny, Lord Hastings, go with him,
And from her jealous arms pluck him perforce.
Cardinal Bourchier. My Lord of Buckingham, if my weak oratory 1605
Can from his mother win the Duke of York,
Anon expect him here; but if she be obdurate
To mild entreaties, God in heaven forbid
We should infringe the holy privilege
Of blessed sanctuary! not for all this land 1610
Would I be guilty of so deep a sin.
Duke of Buckingham. You are too senseless—obstinate, my lord,
Too ceremonious and traditional
Weigh it but with the grossness of this age,
You break not sanctuary in seizing him. 1615
The benefit thereof is always granted
To those whose dealings have deserved the place,
And those who have the wit to claim the place:
This prince hath neither claim’d it nor deserved it;
And therefore, in mine opinion, cannot have it: 1620
Then, taking him from thence that is not there,
You break no privilege nor charter there.
Oft have I heard of sanctuary men;
But sanctuary children ne’er till now.
Cardinal Bourchier. My lord, you shall o’er-rule my mind for once. 1625
Come on, Lord Hastings, will you go with me?
Lord Hastings. I go, my lord.
Prince Edward. Good lords, make all the speedy haste you may.
[Exeunt CARDINAL and HASTINGS]
Say, uncle Gloucester, if our brother come, 1630
Where shall we sojourn till our coronation?
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Where it seems best unto your royal self.
If I may counsel you, some day or two
Your highness shall repose you at the Tower:
Then where you please, and shall be thought most fit 1635
For your best health and recreation.
Prince Edward. I do not like the Tower, of any place.
Did Julius Caesar build that place, my lord?
Duke of Buckingham. He did, my gracious lord, begin that place;
Which, since, succeeding ages have re-edified. 1640
Prince Edward. Is it upon record, or else reported
Successively from age to age, he built it?
Duke of Buckingham. Upon record, my gracious lord.
Prince Edward. But say, my lord, it were not register’d,
Methinks the truth should live from age to age, 1645
As ’twere retail’d to all posterity,
Even to the general all-ending day.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). [Aside] So wise so young, they say, do never
live long.
Prince Edward. What say you, uncle? 1650
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). I say, without characters, fame lives long.
[Aside]
Thus, like the formal vice, Iniquity,
I moralize two meanings in one word.
Prince Edward. That Julius Caesar was a famous man; 1655
With what his valour did enrich his wit,
His wit set down to make his valour live
Death makes no conquest of this conqueror;
For now he lives in fame, though not in life.
I’ll tell you what, my cousin Buckingham,— 1660
Duke of Buckingham. What, my gracious lord?
Prince Edward. An if I live until I be a man,
I’ll win our ancient right in France again,
Or die a soldier, as I lived a king.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). [Aside] Short summers lightly have a forward spring. 1665

[Enter young YORK, HASTINGS, and the CARDINAL]

Duke of Buckingham. Now, in good time, here comes the Duke of York.
Prince Edward. Richard of York! how fares our loving brother?
Richard Plantagenet (Duke of Gloucester). Well, my dread lord; so must I call you now.
Prince Edward. Ay, brother, to our grief, as it is yours: 1670
Too late he died that might have kept that title,
Which by his death hath lost much majesty.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). How fares our cousin, noble Lord of York?
Richard Plantagenet (Duke of Gloucester). I thank you, gentle uncle. O, my lord,
You said that idle weeds are fast in growth 1675
The prince my brother hath outgrown me far.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). He hath, my lord.
Richard Plantagenet (Duke of Gloucester). And therefore is he idle?
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). O, my fair cousin, I must not say so.
Richard Plantagenet (Duke of Gloucester). Then is he more beholding to you than I. 1680
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). He may command me as my sovereign;
But you have power in me as in a kinsman.
Richard Plantagenet (Duke of Gloucester). I pray you, uncle, give me this dagger.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). My dagger, little cousin? with all my heart.
Prince Edward. A beggar, brother? 1685
Richard Plantagenet (Duke of Gloucester). Of my kind uncle, that I know will give;
And being but a toy, which is no grief to give.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). A greater gift than that I’ll give my cousin.
Richard Plantagenet (Duke of Gloucester). A greater gift! O, that’s the sword to it.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). A gentle cousin, were it light enough. 1690
Richard Plantagenet (Duke of Gloucester). O, then, I see, you will part but with light gifts;
In weightier things you’ll say a beggar nay.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). It is too heavy for your grace to wear.
Richard Plantagenet (Duke of Gloucester). I weigh it lightly, were it heavier.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). What, would you have my weapon, little lord? 1695
Richard Plantagenet (Duke of Gloucester). I would, that I might thank you as you call me.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). How?
Richard Plantagenet (Duke of Gloucester). Little.
Prince Edward. My Lord of York will still be cross in talk:
Uncle, your grace knows how to bear with him. 1700
Richard Plantagenet (Duke of Gloucester). You mean, to bear me, not to bear with me:
Uncle, my brother mocks both you and me;
Because that I am little, like an ape,
He thinks that you should bear me on your shoulders.
Duke of Buckingham. With what a sharp-provided wit he reasons! 1705
To mitigate the scorn he gives his uncle,
He prettily and aptly taunts himself:
So cunning and so young is wonderful.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). My lord, will’t please you pass along?
Myself and my good cousin Buckingham 1710
Will to your mother, to entreat of her
To meet you at the Tower and welcome you.
Richard Plantagenet (Duke of Gloucester). What, will you go unto the Tower, my lord?
Prince Edward. My lord protector needs will have it so.
Richard Plantagenet (Duke of Gloucester). I shall not sleep in quiet at the Tower. 1715
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Why, what should you fear?
Richard Plantagenet (Duke of Gloucester). Marry, my uncle Clarence’ angry ghost:
My grandam told me he was murdered there.
Prince Edward. I fear no uncles dead.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Nor none that live, I hope. 1720
Prince Edward. An if they live, I hope I need not fear.
But come, my lord; and with a heavy heart,
Thinking on them, go I unto the Tower.
[A Sennet. Exeunt all but GLOUCESTER, BUCKINGHAM]
and CATESBY] 1725
Duke of Buckingham. Think you, my lord, this little prating York
Was not incensed by his subtle mother
To taunt and scorn you thus opprobriously?
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). No doubt, no doubt; O, ’tis a parlous boy;
Bold, quick, ingenious, forward, capable 1730
He is all the mother’s, from the top to toe.
Duke of Buckingham. Well, let them rest. Come hither, Catesby.
Thou art sworn as deeply to effect what we intend
As closely to conceal what we impart:
Thou know’st our reasons urged upon the way; 1735
What think’st thou? is it not an easy matter
To make William Lord Hastings of our mind,
For the instalment of this noble duke
In the seat royal of this famous isle?
Sir William Catesby. He for his father’s sake so loves the prince, 1740
That he will not be won to aught against him.
Duke of Buckingham. What think’st thou, then, of Stanley? what will he?
Sir William Catesby. He will do all in all as Hastings doth.
Duke of Buckingham. Well, then, no more but this: go, gentle Catesby,
And, as it were far off sound thou Lord Hastings, 1745
How doth he stand affected to our purpose;
And summon him to-morrow to the Tower,
To sit about the coronation.
If thou dost find him tractable to us,
Encourage him, and show him all our reasons: 1750
If he be leaden, icy-cold, unwilling,
Be thou so too; and so break off your talk,
And give us notice of his inclination:
For we to-morrow hold divided councils,
Wherein thyself shalt highly be employ’d. 1755
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Commend me to Lord William: tell him, Catesby,
His ancient knot of dangerous adversaries
To-morrow are let blood at Pomfret-castle;
And bid my friend, for joy of this good news,
Give mistress Shore one gentle kiss the more. 1760
Duke of Buckingham. Good Catesby, go, effect this business soundly.
Sir William Catesby. My good lords both, with all the heed I may.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Shall we hear from you, Catesby, ere we sleep?
Sir William Catesby. You shall, my lord.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). At Crosby Place, there shall you find us both. 1765

[Exit CATESBY]

Duke of Buckingham. Now, my lord, what shall we do, if we perceive
Lord Hastings will not yield to our complots?
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Chop off his head, man; somewhat we will do:
And, look, when I am king, claim thou of me 1770
The earldom of Hereford, and the moveables
Whereof the king my brother stood possess’d.
Duke of Buckingham. I’ll claim that promise at your grace’s hands.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). And look to have it yielded with all willingness.
Come, let us sup betimes, that afterwards 1775
We may digest our complots in some form.

[Exeunt] (Richard III Shakespeare Darma)

Act III, Scene 2 (Richard III Shakespeare Darma)

Before Lord Hastings’ house.

[Enter a Messenger]

Messenger. What, ho! my lord!
Lord Hastings. [Within] Who knocks at the door? 1780
Messenger. A messenger from the Lord Stanley.

[Enter HASTINGS]

Lord Hastings. What is’t o’clock?
Messenger. Upon the stroke of four.
Lord Hastings. Cannot thy master sleep these tedious nights? 1785
Messenger. So it should seem by that I have to say.
First, he commends him to your noble lordship.
Lord Hastings. And then?
Messenger. And then he sends you word
He dreamt to-night the boar had razed his helm: 1790
Besides, he says there are two councils held;
And that may be determined at the one
which may make you and him to rue at the other.
Therefore he sends to know your lordship’s pleasure,
If presently you will take horse with him, 1795
And with all speed post with him toward the north,
To shun the danger that his soul divines.
Lord Hastings. Go, fellow, go, return unto thy lord;
Bid him not fear the separated councils
His honour and myself are at the one, 1800
And at the other is my servant Catesby
Where nothing can proceed that toucheth us
Whereof I shall not have intelligence.
Tell him his fears are shallow, wanting instance:
And for his dreams, I wonder he is so fond 1805
To trust the mockery of unquiet slumbers
To fly the boar before the boar pursues,
Were to incense the boar to follow us
And make pursuit where he did mean no chase.
Go, bid thy master rise and come to me 1810
And we will both together to the Tower,
Where, he shall see, the boar will use us kindly.
Messenger. My gracious lord, I’ll tell him what you say.

[Exit]

[Enter CATESBY]

Sir William Catesby. Many good morrows to my noble lord!
Lord Hastings. Good morrow, Catesby; you are early stirring
What news, what news, in this our tottering state?
Sir William Catesby. It is a reeling world, indeed, my lord;
And I believe twill never stand upright 1820
Tim Richard wear the garland of the realm.
Lord Hastings. How! wear the garland! dost thou mean the crown?
Sir William Catesby. Ay, my good lord.
Lord Hastings. I’ll have this crown of mine cut from my shoulders
Ere I will see the crown so foul misplaced. 1825
But canst thou guess that he doth aim at it?
Sir William Catesby. Ay, on my life; and hopes to find forward
Upon his party for the gain thereof:
And thereupon he sends you this good news,
That this same very day your enemies, 1830
The kindred of the queen, must die at Pomfret.
Lord Hastings. Indeed, I am no mourner for that news,
Because they have been still mine enemies:
But, that I’ll give my voice on Richard’s side,
To bar my master’s heirs in true descent, 1835
God knows I will not do it, to the death.
Sir William Catesby. God keep your lordship in that gracious mind!
Lord Hastings. But I shall laugh at this a twelve-month hence,
That they who brought me in my master’s hate
I live to look upon their tragedy. 1840
I tell thee, Catesby—
Sir William Catesby. What, my lord?
Lord Hastings. Ere a fortnight make me elder,
I’ll send some packing that yet think not on it.
Sir William Catesby. ‘Tis a vile thing to die, my gracious lord, 1845
When men are unprepared and look not for it.
Lord Hastings. O monstrous, monstrous! and so falls it out
With Rivers, Vaughan, Grey: and so ’twill do
With some men else, who think themselves as safe
As thou and I; who, as thou know’st, are dear 1850
To princely Richard and to Buckingham.
Sir William Catesby. The princes both make high account of you;
[Aside]
For they account his head upon the bridge.
Lord Hastings. I know they do; and I have well deserved it. 1855
[Enter STANLEY]
Come on, come on; where is your boar-spear, man?
Fear you the boar, and go so unprovided?
Sir William Stanley. My lord, good morrow; good morrow, Catesby:
You may jest on, but, by the holy rood, 1860
I do not like these several councils, I.
Lord Hastings. My lord,
I hold my life as dear as you do yours;
And never in my life, I do protest,
Was it more precious to me than ’tis now: 1865
Think you, but that I know our state secure,
I would be so triumphant as I am?
Sir William Stanley. The lords at Pomfret, when they rode from London,
Were jocund, and supposed their state was sure,
And they indeed had no cause to mistrust; 1870
But yet, you see how soon the day o’ercast.
This sudden stag of rancour I misdoubt:
Pray God, I say, I prove a needless coward!
What, shall we toward the Tower? the day is spent.
Lord Hastings. Come, come, have with you. Wot you what, my lord? 1875
To-day the lords you talk of are beheaded.
Sir William Stanley. They, for their truth, might better wear their heads
Than some that have accused them wear their hats.
But come, my lord, let us away.

[Enter a Pursuivant]

Lord Hastings. Go on before; I’ll talk with this good fellow.
[Exeunt STANLEY and CATESBY]
How now, sirrah! how goes the world with thee?
Pursuivant. The better that your lordship please to ask.
Lord Hastings. I tell thee, man, ’tis better with me now 1885
Than when I met thee last where now we meet:
Then was I going prisoner to the Tower,
By the suggestion of the queen’s allies;
But now, I tell thee—keep it to thyself—
This day those enemies are put to death, 1890
And I in better state than e’er I was.
Pursuivant. God hold it, to your honour’s good content!
Lord Hastings. Gramercy, fellow: there, drink that for me.

[Throws him his purse]

Pursuivant. God save your lordship! 1895

[Exit]

[Enter a Priest]

Priest. Well met, my lord; I am glad to see your honour.
Lord Hastings. I thank thee, good Sir John, with all my heart.
I am in your debt for your last exercise; 1900
Come the next Sabbath, and I will content you.

[He whispers in his ear]

[Enter BUCKINGHAM]

Duke of Buckingham. What, talking with a priest, lord chamberlain?
Your friends at Pomfret, they do need the priest; 1905
Your honour hath no shriving work in hand.
Lord Hastings. Good faith, and when I met this holy man,
Those men you talk of came into my mind.
What, go you toward the Tower?
Duke of Buckingham. I do, my lord; but long I shall not stay 1910
I shall return before your lordship thence.
Lord Hastings. ‘Tis like enough, for I stay dinner there.
Duke of Buckingham. [Aside] And supper too, although thou know’st it not.
Come, will you go?
Lord Hastings. I’ll wait upon your lordship. 1915

[Exeunt] (Richard III Shakespeare Darma)

Act III, Scene 3 (Richard III Shakespeare Darma)

Pomfret Castle.

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

Sir Richard Ratcliff. Come, bring forth the prisoners.
Lord (Earl) Rivers. Sir Richard Ratcliff, let me tell thee this: 1920
To-day shalt thou behold a subject die
For truth, for duty, and for loyalty.
Lord Grey. God keep the prince from all the pack of you!
A knot you are of damned blood-suckers!
Sir Thomas Vaughan. You live that shall cry woe for this after. 1925
Sir Richard Ratcliff. Dispatch; the limit of your lives is out.
Lord (Earl) Rivers. O Pomfret, Pomfret! O thou bloody prison,
Fatal and ominous to noble peers!
Within the guilty closure of thy walls
Richard the second here was hack’d to death; 1930
And, for more slander to thy dismal seat,
We give thee up our guiltless blood to drink.
Lord Grey. Now Margaret’s curse is fall’n upon our heads,
For standing by when Richard stabb’d her son.
Lord (Earl) Rivers. Then cursed she Hastings, then cursed she Buckingham, 1935
Then cursed she Richard. O, remember, God
To hear her prayers for them, as now for us
And for my sister and her princely sons,
Be satisfied, dear God, with our true blood,
Which, as thou know’st, unjustly must be spilt. 1940
Sir Richard Ratcliff. Make haste; the hour of death is expiate.
Lord (Earl) Rivers. Come, Grey, come, Vaughan, let us all embrace:
And take our leave, until we meet in heaven.

[Exeunt] (Richard III Shakespeare Darma)

Act III, Scene 4 (Richard III Shakespeare Darma)

The Tower of London.

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

Lord Hastings. My lords, at once: the cause why we are met
Is, to determine of the coronation.
In God’s name, speak: when is the royal day? 1950
Duke of Buckingham. Are all things fitting for that royal time?
Sir William Stanley. It is, and wants but nomination.
John Morton. To-morrow, then, I judge a happy day.
Duke of Buckingham. Who knows the lord protector’s mind herein?
Who is most inward with the royal duke? 1955
John Morton. Your grace, we think, should soonest know his mind.
Duke of Buckingham. Who, I, my lord I we know each other’s faces,
But for our hearts, he knows no more of mine,
Than I of yours;
Nor I no more of his, than you of mine. 1960
Lord Hastings, you and he are near in love.
Lord Hastings. I thank his grace, I know he loves me well;
But, for his purpose in the coronation.
I have not sounded him, nor he deliver’d
His gracious pleasure any way therein: 1965
But you, my noble lords, may name the time;
And in the duke’s behalf I’ll give my voice,
Which, I presume, he’ll take in gentle part.

[Enter GLOUCESTER]

John Morton. Now in good time, here comes the duke himself. 1970
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). My noble lords and cousins all, good morrow.
I have been long a sleeper; but, I hope,
My absence doth neglect no great designs,
Which by my presence might have been concluded.
Duke of Buckingham. Had not you come upon your cue, my lord 1975
William Lord Hastings had pronounced your part,—
I mean, your voice,—for crowning of the king.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Than my Lord Hastings no man might be bolder;
His lordship knows me well, and loves me well.
Lord Hastings. I thank your grace. 1980
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). My lord of Ely!
John Morton. My lord?
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). When I was last in Holborn,
I saw good strawberries in your garden there
I do beseech you send for some of them. 1985
John Morton. Marry, and will, my lord, with all my heart.

[Exit]

Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Cousin of Buckingham, a word with you.
[Drawing him aside]
Catesby hath sounded Hastings in our business, 1990
And finds the testy gentleman so hot,
As he will lose his head ere give consent
His master’s son, as worshipful as he terms it,
Shall lose the royalty of England’s throne.
Duke of Buckingham. Withdraw you hence, my lord, I’ll follow you. 1995

[Exit GLOUCESTER, BUCKINGHAM following]

Sir William Stanley. We have not yet set down this day of triumph.
To-morrow, in mine opinion, is too sudden;
For I myself am not so well provided
As else I would be, were the day prolong’d. 2000

[Re-enter BISHOP OF ELY]

John Morton. Where is my lord protector? I have sent for these
strawberries.
Lord Hastings. His grace looks cheerfully and smooth to-day;
There’s some conceit or other likes him well, 2005
When he doth bid good morrow with such a spirit.
I think there’s never a man in Christendom
That can less hide his love or hate than he;
For by his face straight shall you know his heart.
Sir William Stanley. What of his heart perceive you in his face 2010
By any likelihood he show’d to-day?
Lord Hastings. Marry, that with no man here he is offended;
For, were he, he had shown it in his looks.
Sir William Stanley. I pray God he be not, I say.

[Re-enter GLOUCESTER and BUCKINGHAM]

Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). I pray you all, tell me what they deserve
That do conspire my death with devilish plots
Of damned witchcraft, and that have prevail’d
Upon my body with their hellish charms?
Lord Hastings. The tender love I bear your grace, my lord, 2020
Makes me most forward in this noble presence
To doom the offenders, whatsoever they be
I say, my lord, they have deserved death.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Then be your eyes the witness of this ill:
See how I am bewitch’d; behold mine arm 2025
Is, like a blasted sapling, wither’d up:
And this is Edward’s wife, that monstrous witch,
Consorted with that harlot strumpet Shore,
That by their witchcraft thus have marked me.
Lord Hastings. If they have done this thing, my gracious lord— 2030
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). If I thou protector of this damned strumpet—
Tellest thou me of ‘ifs’? Thou art a traitor:
Off with his head! Now, by Saint Paul I swear,
I will not dine until I see the same.
Lovel and Ratcliff, look that it be done: 2035
The rest, that love me, rise and follow me.

[Exeunt all but HASTINGS, RATCLIFF, and LOVEL]

Lord Hastings. Woe, woe for England! not a whit for me;
For I, too fond, might have prevented this.
Stanley did dream the boar did raze his helm; 2040
But I disdain’d it, and did scorn to fly:
Three times to-day my foot-cloth horse did stumble,
And startled, when he look’d upon the Tower,
As loath to bear me to the slaughter-house.
O, now I want the priest that spake to me: 2045
I now repent I told the pursuivant
As ’twere triumphing at mine enemies,
How they at Pomfret bloodily were butcher’d,
And I myself secure in grace and favour.
O Margaret, Margaret, now thy heavy curse 2050
Is lighted on poor Hastings’ wretched head!
Sir Richard Ratcliff. Dispatch, my lord; the duke would be at dinner:
Make a short shrift; he longs to see your head.
Lord Hastings. O momentary grace of mortal men,
Which we more hunt for than the grace of God! 2055
Who builds his hopes in air of your good looks,
Lives like a drunken sailor on a mast,
Ready, with every nod, to tumble down
Into the fatal bowels of the deep.
Lord Lovel. Come, come, dispatch; ’tis bootless to exclaim. 2060
Lord Hastings. O bloody Richard! miserable England!
I prophesy the fearful’st time to thee
That ever wretched age hath look’d upon.
Come, lead me to the block; bear him my head.
They smile at me that shortly shall be dead. 2065

[Exeunt] (Richard III Shakespeare Darma)

Act III, Scene 5 (Richard III Shakespeare Darma)

The Tower-walls.

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

Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Come, cousin, canst thou quake, and change thy colour,
Murder thy breath in the middle of a word, 2070
And then begin again, and stop again,
As if thou wert distraught and mad with terror?
Duke of Buckingham. Tut, I can counterfeit the deep tragedian;
Speak and look back, and pry on every side,
Tremble and start at wagging of a straw, 2075
Intending deep suspicion: ghastly looks
Are at my service, like enforced smiles;
And both are ready in their offices,
At any time, to grace my stratagems.
But what, is Catesby gone? 2080
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). He is; and, see, he brings the mayor along.

[Enter the Lord Mayor and CATESBY]

Duke of Buckingham. Lord mayor,—
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Look to the drawbridge there!
Duke of Buckingham. Hark! a drum. 2085
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Catesby, o’erlook the walls.
Duke of Buckingham. Lord mayor, the reason we have sent—
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Look back, defend thee, here are enemies.
Duke of Buckingham. God and our innocency defend and guard us!
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Be patient, they are friends, Ratcliff and Lovel. 2090

[Enter LOVEL and RATCLIFF, with HASTINGS’ head]

Lord Lovel. Here is the head of that ignoble traitor,
The dangerous and unsuspected Hastings.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). So dear I loved the man, that I must weep.
I took him for the plainest harmless creature 2095
That breathed upon this earth a Christian;
Made him my book wherein my soul recorded
The history of all her secret thoughts:
So smooth he daub’d his vice with show of virtue,
That, his apparent open guilt omitted, 2100
I mean, his conversation with Shore’s wife,
He lived from all attainder of suspect.
Duke of Buckingham. Well, well, he was the covert’st shelter’d traitor
That ever lived.
Would you imagine, or almost believe, 2105
Were’t not that, by great preservation,
We live to tell it you, the subtle traitor
This day had plotted, in the council-house
To murder me and my good Lord of Gloucester?
Lord Mayor of London. What, had he so? 2110
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). What, think You we are Turks or infidels?
Or that we would, against the form of law,
Proceed thus rashly to the villain’s death,
But that the extreme peril of the case,
The peace of England and our persons’ safety, 2115
Enforced us to this execution?
Lord Mayor of London. Now, fair befall you! he deserved his death;
And you my good lords, both have well proceeded,
To warn false traitors from the like attempts.
I never look’d for better at his hands, 2120
After he once fell in with Mistress Shore.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Yet had not we determined he should die,
Until your lordship came to see his death;
Which now the loving haste of these our friends,
Somewhat against our meaning, have prevented: 2125
Because, my lord, we would have had you heard
The traitor speak, and timorously confess
The manner and the purpose of his treason;
That you might well have signified the same
Unto the citizens, who haply may 2130
Misconstrue us in him and wail his death.
Lord Mayor of London. But, my good lord, your grace’s word shall serve,
As well as I had seen and heard him speak
And doubt you not, right noble princes both,
But I’ll acquaint our duteous citizens 2135
With all your just proceedings in this cause.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). And to that end we wish’d your lord-ship here,
To avoid the carping censures of the world.
Duke of Buckingham. But since you come too late of our intents,
Yet witness what you hear we did intend: 2140
And so, my good lord mayor, we bid farewell.

[Exit Lord Mayor]

Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Go, after, after, cousin Buckingham.
The mayor towards Guildhall hies him in all post:
There, at your meet’st advantage of the time, 2145
Infer the bastardy of Edward’s children:
Tell them how Edward put to death a citizen,
Only for saying he would make his son
Heir to the crown; meaning indeed his house,
Which, by the sign thereof was termed so. 2150
Moreover, urge his hateful luxury
And bestial appetite in change of lust;
Which stretched to their servants, daughters, wives,
Even where his lustful eye or savage heart,
Without control, listed to make his prey. 2155
Nay, for a need, thus far come near my person:
Tell them, when that my mother went with child
Of that unsatiate Edward, noble York
My princely father then had wars in France
And, by just computation of the time, 2160
Found that the issue was not his begot;
Which well appeared in his lineaments,
Being nothing like the noble duke my father:
But touch this sparingly, as ’twere far off,
Because you know, my lord, my mother lives. 2165
Duke of Buckingham. Fear not, my lord, I’ll play the orator
As if the golden fee for which I plead
Were for myself: and so, my lord, adieu.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). If you thrive well, bring them to Baynard’s Castle;
Where you shall find me well accompanied 2170
With reverend fathers and well-learned bishops.
Duke of Buckingham. I go: and towards three or four o’clock
Look for the news that the Guildhall affords.

[Exit BUCKINGHAM]

Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Go, Lovel, with all speed to Doctor Shaw; 2175
[To CATESBY]
Go thou to Friar Penker; bid them both
Meet me within this hour at Baynard’s Castle.
[Exeunt all but GLOUCESTER]
Now will I in, to take some privy order, 2180
To draw the brats of Clarence out of sight;
And to give notice, that no manner of person
At any time have recourse unto the princes.

[Exit] (Richard III Shakespeare Darma)

Act III, Scene 6 (Richard III Shakespeare Darma)

The same.

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

Scrivener. This is the indictment of the good Lord Hastings;
Which in a set hand fairly is engross’d,
That it may be this day read over in Paul’s.
And mark how well the sequel hangs together:
Eleven hours I spent to write it over, 2190
For yesternight by Catesby was it brought me;
The precedent was full as long a-doing:
And yet within these five hours lived Lord Hastings,
Untainted, unexamined, free, at liberty
Here’s a good world the while! Why who’s so gross, 2195
That seeth not this palpable device?
Yet who’s so blind, but says he sees it not?
Bad is the world; and all will come to nought,
When such bad dealings must be seen in thought.

[Exit] (Richard III Shakespeare Darma)

Act III, Scene 7 (Richard III Shakespeare Darma)

Baynard’s Castle.

[Enter GLOUCESTER and BUCKINGHAM, at several doors]

Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). How now, my lord, what say the citizens?
Duke of Buckingham. Now, by the holy mother of our Lord,
The citizens are mum and speak not a word.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Touch’d you the bastardy of Edward’s children? 2205
Duke of Buckingham. I did; with his contract with Lady Lucy,
And his contract by deputy in France;
The insatiate greediness of his desires,
And his enforcement of the city wives;
His tyranny for trifles; his own bastardy, 2210
As being got, your father then in France,
His resemblance, being not like the duke;
Withal I did infer your lineaments,
Being the right idea of your father,
Both in your form and nobleness of mind; 2215
Laid open all your victories in Scotland,
Your dicipline in war, wisdom in peace,
Your bounty, virtue, fair humility:
Indeed, left nothing fitting for the purpose
Untouch’d, or slightly handled, in discourse 2220
And when mine oratory grew to an end
I bid them that did love their country’s good
Cry ‘God save Richard, England’s royal king!’
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Ah! and did they so?
Duke of Buckingham. No, so God help me, they spake not a word; 2225
But, like dumb statues or breathing stones,
Gazed each on other, and look’d deadly pale.
Which when I saw, I reprehended them;
And ask’d the mayor what meant this wilful silence:
His answer was, the people were not wont 2230
To be spoke to but by the recorder.
Then he was urged to tell my tale again,
‘Thus saith the duke, thus hath the duke inferr’d;’
But nothing spake in warrant from himself.
When he had done, some followers of mine own, 2235
At the lower end of the hall, hurl’d up their caps,
And some ten voices cried ‘God save King Richard!’
And thus I took the vantage of those few,
‘Thanks, gentle citizens and friends,’ quoth I;
‘This general applause and loving shout 2240
Argues your wisdoms and your love to Richard:’
And even here brake off, and came away.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). What tongueless blocks were they! would not they speak?
Duke of Buckingham. No, by my troth, my lord.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Will not the mayor then and his brethren come? 2245
Duke of Buckingham. The mayor is here at hand: intend some fear;
Be not you spoke with, but by mighty suit:
And look you get a prayer-book in your hand,
And stand betwixt two churchmen, good my lord;
For on that ground I’ll build a holy descant: 2250
And be not easily won to our request:
Play the maid’s part, still answer nay, and take it.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). I go; and if you plead as well for them
As I can say nay to thee for myself,
No doubt well bring it to a happy issue. 2255
Duke of Buckingham. Go, go, up to the leads; the lord mayor knocks.
[Exit GLOUCESTER]
[Enter the Lord Mayor and Citizens]
Welcome my lord; I dance attendance here;
I think the duke will not be spoke withal. 2260
[Enter CATESBY]
Here comes his servant: how now, Catesby,
What says he?
Sir William Catesby. My lord: he doth entreat your grace;
To visit him to-morrow or next day: 2265
He is within, with two right reverend fathers,
Divinely bent to meditation;
And no worldly suit would he be moved,
To draw him from his holy exercise.
Duke of Buckingham. Return, good Catesby, to thy lord again; 2270
Tell him, myself, the mayor and citizens,
In deep designs and matters of great moment,
No less importing than our general good,
Are come to have some conference with his grace.
Sir William Catesby. I’ll tell him what you say, my lord. 2275

[Exit]

Duke of Buckingham. Ah, ha, my lord, this prince is not an Edward!
He is not lolling on a lewd day-bed,
But on his knees at meditation;
Not dallying with a brace of courtezans, 2280
But meditating with two deep divines;
Not sleeping, to engross his idle body,
But praying, to enrich his watchful soul:
Happy were England, would this gracious prince
Take on himself the sovereignty thereof: 2285
But, sure, I fear, we shall ne’er win him to it.
Lord Mayor of London. Marry, God forbid his grace should say us nay!
Duke of Buckingham. I fear he will.
[Re-enter CATESBY]
How now, Catesby, what says your lord? 2290
Sir William Catesby. My lord,
He wonders to what end you have assembled
Such troops of citizens to speak with him,
His grace not being warn’d thereof before:
My lord, he fears you mean no good to him. 2295
Duke of Buckingham. Sorry I am my noble cousin should
Suspect me, that I mean no good to him:
By heaven, I come in perfect love to him;
And so once more return and tell his grace.
[Exit CATESBY] 2300
When holy and devout religious men
Are at their beads, ’tis hard to draw them thence,
So sweet is zealous contemplation.
[Enter GLOUCESTER aloft, between two Bishops.]
CATESBY returns] 2305
Lord Mayor of London. See, where he stands between two clergymen!
Duke of Buckingham. Two props of virtue for a Christian prince,
To stay him from the fall of vanity:
And, see, a book of prayer in his hand,
True ornaments to know a holy man. 2310
Famous Plantagenet, most gracious prince,
Lend favourable ears to our request;
And pardon us the interruption
Of thy devotion and right Christian zeal.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). My lord, there needs no such apology: 2315
I rather do beseech you pardon me,
Who, earnest in the service of my God,
Neglect the visitation of my friends.
But, leaving this, what is your grace’s pleasure?
Duke of Buckingham. Even that, I hope, which pleaseth God above, 2320
And all good men of this ungovern’d isle.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). I do suspect I have done some offence
That seems disgracious in the city’s eyes,
And that you come to reprehend my ignorance.
Duke of Buckingham. You have, my lord: would it might please your grace, 2325
At our entreaties, to amend that fault!
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Else wherefore breathe I in a Christian land?
Duke of Buckingham. Then know, it is your fault that you resign
The supreme seat, the throne majestical,
The scepter’d office of your ancestors, 2330
Your state of fortune and your due of birth,
The lineal glory of your royal house,
To the corruption of a blemished stock:
Whilst, in the mildness of your sleepy thoughts,
Which here we waken to our country’s good, 2335
This noble isle doth want her proper limbs;
Her face defaced with scars of infamy,
Her royal stock graft with ignoble plants,
And almost shoulder’d in the swallowing gulf
Of blind forgetfulness and dark oblivion. 2340
Which to recure, we heartily solicit
Your gracious self to take on you the charge
And kingly government of this your land,
Not as protector, steward, substitute,
Or lowly factor for another’s gain; 2345
But as successively from blood to blood,
Your right of birth, your empery, your own.
For this, consorted with the citizens,
Your very worshipful and loving friends,
And by their vehement instigation, 2350
In this just suit come I to move your grace.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). I know not whether to depart in silence,
Or bitterly to speak in your reproof.
Best fitteth my degree or your condition
If not to answer, you might haply think 2355
Tongue-tied ambition, not replying, yielded
To bear the golden yoke of sovereignty,
Which fondly you would here impose on me;
If to reprove you for this suit of yours,
So season’d with your faithful love to me. 2360
Then, on the other side, I cheque’d my friends.
Therefore, to speak, and to avoid the first,
And then, in speaking, not to incur the last,
Definitively thus I answer you.
Your love deserves my thanks; but my desert 2365
Unmeritable shuns your high request.
First if all obstacles were cut away,
And that my path were even to the crown,
As my ripe revenue and due by birth
Yet so much is my poverty of spirit, 2370
So mighty and so many my defects,
As I had rather hide me from my greatness,
Being a bark to brook no mighty sea,
Than in my greatness covet to be hid,
And in the vapour of my glory smother’d. 2375
But, God be thank’d, there’s no need of me,
And much I need to help you, if need were;
The royal tree hath left us royal fruit,
Which, mellow’d by the stealing hours of time,
Will well become the seat of majesty, 2380
And make, no doubt, us happy by his reign.
On him I lay what you would lay on me,
The right and fortune of his happy stars;
Which God defend that I should wring from him!
Duke of Buckingham. My lord, this argues conscience in your grace; 2385
But the respects thereof are nice and trivial,
All circumstances well considered.
You say that Edward is your brother’s son:
So say we too, but not by Edward’s wife;
For first he was contract to Lady Lucy— 2390
Your mother lives a witness to that vow—
And afterward by substitute betroth’d
To Bona, sister to the King of France.
These both put by a poor petitioner,
A care-crazed mother of a many children, 2395
A beauty-waning and distressed widow,
Even in the afternoon of her best days,
Made prize and purchase of his lustful eye,
Seduced the pitch and height of all his thoughts
To base declension and loathed bigamy 2400
By her, in his unlawful bed, he got
This Edward, whom our manners term the prince.
More bitterly could I expostulate,
Save that, for reverence to some alive,
I give a sparing limit to my tongue. 2405
Then, good my lord, take to your royal self
This proffer’d benefit of dignity;
If non to bless us and the land withal,
Yet to draw forth your noble ancestry
From the corruption of abusing times, 2410
Unto a lineal true-derived course.
Lord Mayor of London. Do, good my lord, your citizens entreat you.
Duke of Buckingham. Refuse not, mighty lord, this proffer’d love.
Sir William Catesby. O, make them joyful, grant their lawful suit!
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Alas, why would you heap these cares on me? 2415
I am unfit for state and majesty;
I do beseech you, take it not amiss;
I cannot nor I will not yield to you.
Duke of Buckingham. If you refuse it,—as, in love and zeal,
Loath to depose the child, Your brother’s son; 2420
As well we know your tenderness of heart
And gentle, kind, effeminate remorse,
Which we have noted in you to your kin,
And egally indeed to all estates,—
Yet whether you accept our suit or no, 2425
Your brother’s son shall never reign our king;
But we will plant some other in the throne,
To the disgrace and downfall of your house:
And in this resolution here we leave you.—
Come, citizens: ‘zounds! I’ll entreat no more. 2430
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). O, do not swear, my lord of Buckingham.

[Exit BUCKINGHAM with the Citizens]

Sir William Catesby. Call them again, my lord, and accept their suit.
Another. Do, good my lord, lest all the land do rue it.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Would you enforce me to a world of care? 2435
Well, call them again. I am not made of stone,
But penetrable to your. kind entreats,
Albeit against my conscience and my soul.
[Re-enter BUCKINGHAM and the rest]
Cousin of Buckingham, and you sage, grave men, 2440
Since you will buckle fortune on my back,
To bear her burthen, whether I will or no,
I must have patience to endure the load:
But if black scandal or foul-faced reproach
Attend the sequel of your imposition, 2445
Your mere enforcement shall acquittance me
From all the impure blots and stains thereof;
For God he knows, and you may partly see,
How far I am from the desire thereof.
Lord Mayor of London. God bless your grace! we see it, and will say it. 2450
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). In saying so, you shall but say the truth.
Duke of Buckingham. Then I salute you with this kingly title:
Long live Richard, England’s royal king!
Lord Mayor of London. [with citizens] Amen.
Duke of Buckingham. To-morrow will it please you to be crown’d? 2455
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Even when you please, since you will have it so.
Duke of Buckingham. To-morrow, then, we will attend your grace:
And so most joyfully we take our leave.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Come, let us to our holy task again.
Farewell, good cousin; farewell, gentle friends. 2460

[Exeunt] (Richard III Shakespeare Darma)

Act IV, Scene 1 (Richard III Shakespeare Darma)

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
Led in the hand of her kind aunt of Gloucester?
Now, for my life, she’s wandering to the Tower,
On pure heart’s love to greet the tender princes.
Daughter, well met. 2470
Lady Anne. God give your graces both
A happy and a joyful time of day!
Queen Elizabeth. As much to you, good sister! Whither away?
Lady Anne. No farther than the Tower; and, as I guess,
Upon the like devotion as yourselves, 2475
To gratulate the gentle princes there.
Queen Elizabeth. Kind sister, thanks: we’ll enter all together.
[Enter BRAKENBURY]
And, in good time, here the lieutenant comes.
Master lieutenant, pray you, by your leave, 2480
How doth the prince, and my young son of York?
Sir Robert Brakenbury. Right well, dear madam. By your patience,
I may not suffer you to visit them;
The king hath straitly charged the contrary.
Queen Elizabeth. The king! why, who’s that? 2485
Sir Robert Brakenbury. I cry you mercy: I mean the lord protector.
Queen Elizabeth. The Lord protect him from that kingly title!
Hath he set bounds betwixt their love and me?
I am their mother; who should keep me from them?
Duchess of York. I am their fathers mother; I will see them. 2490
Lady Anne. Their aunt I am in law, in love their mother:
Then bring me to their sights; I’ll bear thy blame
And take thy office from thee, on my peril.
Sir Robert Brakenbury. No, madam, no; I may not leave it so:
I am bound by oath, and therefore pardon me. 2495

[Exit]

[Enter LORD STANLEY]

Sir William Stanley. Let me but meet you, ladies, one hour hence,
And I’ll salute your grace of York as mother,
And reverend looker on, of two fair queens. 2500
[To LADY ANNE]
Come, madam, you must straight to Westminster,
There to be crowned Richard’s royal queen.
Queen Elizabeth. O, cut my lace in sunder, that my pent heart
May have some scope to beat, or else I swoon 2505
With this dead-killing news!
Lady Anne. Despiteful tidings! O unpleasing news!
Marquis of Dorset. Be of good cheer: mother, how fares your grace?
Queen Elizabeth. O Dorset, speak not to me, get thee hence!
Death and destruction dog thee at the heels; 2510
Thy mother’s name is ominous to children.
If thou wilt outstrip death, go cross the seas,
And live with Richmond, from the reach of hell
Go, hie thee, hie thee from this slaughter-house,
Lest thou increase the number of the dead; 2515
And make me die the thrall of Margaret’s curse,
Nor mother, wife, nor England’s counted queen.
Sir William Stanley. Full of wise care is this your counsel, madam.
Take all the swift advantage of the hours;
You shall have letters from me to my son 2520
To meet you on the way, and welcome you.
Be not ta’en tardy by unwise delay.
Duchess of York. O ill-dispersing wind of misery!
O my accursed womb, the bed of death!
A cockatrice hast thou hatch’d to the world, 2525
Whose unavoided eye is murderous.
Sir William Stanley. Come, madam, come; I in all haste was sent.
Lady Anne. And I in all unwillingness will go.
I would to God that the inclusive verge
Of golden metal that must round my brow 2530
Were red-hot steel, to sear me to the brain!
Anointed let me be with deadly venom,
And die, ere men can say, God save the queen!
Queen Elizabeth. Go, go, poor soul, I envy not thy glory
To feed my humour, wish thyself no harm. 2535
Lady Anne. No! why? When he that is my husband now
Came to me, as I follow’d Henry’s corse,
When scarce the blood was well wash’d from his hands
Which issued from my other angel husband
And that dead saint which then I weeping follow’d; 2540
O, when, I say, I look’d on Richard’s face,
This was my wish: ‘Be thou,’ quoth I, ‘ accursed,
For making me, so young, so old a widow!
And, when thou wed’st, let sorrow haunt thy bed;
And be thy wife—if any be so mad— 2545
As miserable by the life of thee
As thou hast made me by my dear lord’s death!
Lo, ere I can repeat this curse again,
Even in so short a space, my woman’s heart
Grossly grew captive to his honey words 2550
And proved the subject of my own soul’s curse,
Which ever since hath kept my eyes from rest;
For never yet one hour in his bed
Have I enjoy’d the golden dew of sleep,
But have been waked by his timorous dreams. 2555
Besides, he hates me for my father Warwick;
And will, no doubt, shortly be rid of me.
Queen Elizabeth. Poor heart, adieu! I pity thy complaining.
Lady Anne. No more than from my soul I mourn for yours.
Queen Elizabeth. Farewell, thou woful welcomer of glory! 2560
Lady Anne. Adieu, poor soul, that takest thy leave of it!
Duchess of York. [To DORSET]
Go thou to Richmond, and good fortune guide thee!
[To LADY ANNE]
Go thou to Richard, and good angels guard thee! 2565
[To QUEEN ELIZABETH]
Go thou to sanctuary, and good thoughts possess thee!
I to my grave, where peace and rest lie with me!
Eighty odd years of sorrow have I seen,
And each hour’s joy wrecked with a week of teen. 2570
Queen Elizabeth. Stay, yet look back with me unto the Tower.
Pity, you ancient stones, those tender babes
Whom envy hath immured within your walls!
Rough cradle for such little pretty ones!
Rude ragged nurse, old sullen playfellow 2575
For tender princes, use my babies well!
So foolish sorrow bids your stones farewell.

[Exeunt] (Richard III Shakespeare Darma)

Act IV, Scene 2 (Richard III Shakespeare Darma)

London. The palace.

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

Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Stand all apart Cousin of Buckingham!
Duke of Buckingham. My gracious sovereign?
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Give me thy hand.
[Here he ascendeth his throne]
Thus high, by thy advice 2585
And thy assistance, is King Richard seated;
But shall we wear these honours for a day?
Or shall they last, and we rejoice in them?
Duke of Buckingham. Still live they and for ever may they last!
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). O Buckingham, now do I play the touch, 2590
To try if thou be current gold indeed
Young Edward lives: think now what I would say.
Duke of Buckingham. Say on, my loving lord.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Why, Buckingham, I say, I would be king,
Duke of Buckingham. Why, so you are, my thrice renowned liege. 2595
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Ha! am I king? ’tis so: but Edward lives.
Duke of Buckingham. True, noble prince.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). O bitter consequence,
That Edward still should live! ‘True, noble prince!’
Cousin, thou wert not wont to be so dull: 2600
Shall I be plain? I wish the bastards dead;
And I would have it suddenly perform’d.
What sayest thou? speak suddenly; be brief.
Duke of Buckingham. Your grace may do your pleasure.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Tut, tut, thou art all ice, thy kindness freezeth: 2605
Say, have I thy consent that they shall die?
Duke of Buckingham. Give me some breath, some little pause, my lord
Before I positively herein:
I will resolve your grace immediately.

[Exit]

Sir William Catesby. [Aside to a stander by]
The king is angry: see, he bites the lip.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). I will converse with iron-witted fools
And unrespective boys: none are for me
That look into me with considerate eyes: 2615
High-reaching Buckingham grows circumspect.
Boy!
Page. My lord?
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Know’st thou not any whom corrupting gold
Would tempt unto a close exploit of death? 2620
Page. My lord, I know a discontented gentleman,
Whose humble means match not his haughty mind:
Gold were as good as twenty orators,
And will, no doubt, tempt him to any thing.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). What is his name? 2625
Page. His name, my lord, is Tyrrel.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). I partly know the man: go, call him hither.
[Exit Page]
The deep-revolving witty Buckingham
No more shall be the neighbour to my counsel: 2630
Hath he so long held out with me untired,
And stops he now for breath?
[Enter STANLEY]
How now! what news with you?
Sir William Stanley. My lord, I hear the Marquis Dorset’s fled 2635
To Richmond, in those parts beyond the sea
Where he abides.

[Stands apart]

Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Catesby!
Sir William Catesby. My lord? 2640
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Rumour it abroad
That Anne, my wife, is sick and like to die:
I will take order for her keeping close.
Inquire me out some mean-born gentleman,
Whom I will marry straight to Clarence’ daughter: 2645
The boy is foolish, and I fear not him.
Look, how thou dream’st! I say again, give out
That Anne my wife is sick and like to die:
About it; for it stands me much upon,
To stop all hopes whose growth may damage me. 2650
[Exit CATESBY]
I must be married to my brother’s daughter,
Or else my kingdom stands on brittle glass.
Murder her brothers, and then marry her!
Uncertain way of gain! But I am in 2655
So far in blood that sin will pluck on sin:
Tear-falling pity dwells not in this eye.
[Re-enter Page, with TYRREL]
Is thy name Tyrrel?
Sir James Tyrrel. James Tyrrel, and your most obedient subject. 2660
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Art thou, indeed?
Sir James Tyrrel. Prove me, my gracious sovereign.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Darest thou resolve to kill a friend of mine?
Sir James Tyrrel. Ay, my lord;
But I had rather kill two enemies. 2665
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Why, there thou hast it: two deep enemies,
Foes to my rest and my sweet sleep’s disturbers
Are they that I would have thee deal upon:
Tyrrel, I mean those bastards in the Tower.
Sir James Tyrrel. Let me have open means to come to them, 2670
And soon I’ll rid you from the fear of them.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Thou sing’st sweet music. Hark, come hither, Tyrrel
Go, by this token: rise, and lend thine ear:
[Whispers]
There is no more but so: say it is done, 2675
And I will love thee, and prefer thee too.
Sir James Tyrrel. ‘Tis done, my gracious lord.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Shall we hear from thee, Tyrrel, ere we sleep?
Sir James Tyrrel. Ye shall, my Lord.

[Exit]

[Re-enter BUCKINGHAM]

Duke of Buckingham. My Lord, I have consider’d in my mind. The late demand that you did sound me in.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Well, let that pass. Dorset is fled to Richmond.
Duke of Buckingham. I hear that news, my lord.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Stanley, he is your wife’s son well, look to it. 2685
Duke of Buckingham. My lord, I claim your gift, my due by promise,
For which your honour and your faith is pawn’d;
The earldom of Hereford and the moveables
The which you promised I should possess.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Stanley, look to your wife; if she convey 2690
Letters to Richmond, you shall answer it.
Duke of Buckingham. What says your highness to my just demand?
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). As I remember, Henry the Sixth
Did prophesy that Richmond should be king,
When Richmond was a little peevish boy. 2695
A king, perhaps, perhaps,—
Duke of Buckingham. My lord!
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). How chance the prophet could not at that time
Have told me, I being by, that I should kill him?
Duke of Buckingham. My lord, your promise for the earldom,— 2700
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Richmond! When last I was at Exeter,
The mayor in courtesy show’d me the castle,
And call’d it Rougemont: at which name I started,
Because a bard of Ireland told me once
I should not live long after I saw Richmond. 2705
Duke of Buckingham. My Lord!
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Ay, what’s o’clock?
Duke of Buckingham. I am thus bold to put your grace in mind
Of what you promised me.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Well, but what’s o’clock? 2710
Duke of Buckingham. Upon the stroke of ten.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Well, let it strike.
Duke of Buckingham. Why let it strike?
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Because that, like a Jack, thou keep’st the stroke
Betwixt thy begging and my meditation. 2715
I am not in the giving vein to-day.
Duke of Buckingham. Why, then resolve me whether you will or no.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Tut, tut,
Thou troublest me; am not in the vein.

[Exeunt all but BUCKINGHAM]

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

[Exit] (Richard III Shakespeare Darma)

Act IV, Scene 3 (Richard III Shakespeare Darma)

The same.

[Enter TYRREL]

Sir James Tyrrel. The tyrannous and bloody deed is done.
The most arch of piteous massacre
That ever yet this land was guilty of.
Dighton and Forrest, whom I did suborn 2730
To do this ruthless piece of butchery,
Although they were flesh’d villains, bloody dogs,
Melting with tenderness and kind compassion
Wept like two children in their deaths’ sad stories.
‘Lo, thus’ quoth Dighton, ‘lay those tender babes:’ 2735
‘Thus, thus,’ quoth Forrest, ‘girdling one another
Within their innocent alabaster arms:
Their lips were four red roses on a stalk,
Which in their summer beauty kiss’d each other.
A book of prayers on their pillow lay; 2740
Which once,’ quoth Forrest, ‘almost changed my mind;
But O! the devil’—there the villain stopp’d
Whilst Dighton thus told on: ‘We smothered
The most replenished sweet work of nature,
That from the prime creation e’er she framed.’ 2745
Thus both are gone with conscience and remorse;
They could not speak; and so I left them both,
To bring this tidings to the bloody king.
And here he comes.
[Enter KING RICHARD III] 2750
All hail, my sovereign liege!
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Kind Tyrrel, am I happy in thy news?
Sir James Tyrrel. If to have done the thing you gave in charge
Beget your happiness, be happy then,
For it is done, my lord. 2755
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). But didst thou see them dead?
Sir James Tyrrel. I did, my lord.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). And buried, gentle Tyrrel?
Sir James Tyrrel. The chaplain of the Tower hath buried them;
But how or in what place I do not know. 2760
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Come to me, Tyrrel, soon at after supper,
And thou shalt tell the process of their death.
Meantime, but think how I may do thee good,
And be inheritor of thy desire.
Farewell till soon. 2765
[Exit TYRREL]
The son of Clarence have I pent up close;
His daughter meanly have I match’d in marriage;
The sons of Edward sleep in Abraham’s bosom,
And Anne my wife hath bid the world good night. 2770
Now, for I know the Breton Richmond aims
At young Elizabeth, my brother’s daughter,
And, by that knot, looks proudly o’er the crown,
To her I go, a jolly thriving wooer.

[Enter CATESBY]

Sir William Catesby. My lord!
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Good news or bad, that thou comest in so bluntly?
Sir William Catesby. Bad news, my lord: Ely is fled to Richmond;
And Buckingham, back’d with the hardy Welshmen,
Is in the field, and still his power increaseth. 2780
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Ely with Richmond troubles me more near
Than Buckingham and his rash-levied army.
Come, I have heard that fearful commenting
Is leaden servitor to dull delay;
Delay leads impotent and snail-paced beggary 2785
Then fiery expedition be my wing,
Jove’s Mercury, and herald for a king!
Come, muster men: my counsel is my shield;
We must be brief when traitors brave the field.

[Exeunt] (Richard III Shakespeare Darma)

Act IV, Scene 4 (Richard III Shakespeare Darma)

Before the palace.

[Enter QUEEN MARGARET]

Queen Margaret. So, now prosperity begins to mellow
And drop into the rotten mouth of death.
Here in these confines slily have I lurk’d,
To watch the waning of mine adversaries. 2795
A dire induction am I witness to,
And will to France, hoping the consequence
Will prove as bitter, black, and tragical.
Withdraw thee, wretched Margaret: who comes here?

[Enter QUEEN ELIZABETH and the DUCHESS OF YORK]

Queen Elizabeth. Ah, my young princes! ah, my tender babes!
My unblown flowers, new-appearing sweets!
If yet your gentle souls fly in the air
And be not fix’d in doom perpetual,
Hover about me with your airy wings 2805
And hear your mother’s lamentation!
Queen Margaret. Hover about her; say, that right for right
Hath dimm’d your infant morn to aged night.
Duchess of York. So many miseries have crazed my voice,
That my woe-wearied tongue is mute and dumb, 2810
Edward Plantagenet, why art thou dead?
Queen Margaret. Plantagenet doth quit Plantagenet.
Edward for Edward pays a dying debt.
Queen Elizabeth. Wilt thou, O God, fly from such gentle lambs,
And throw them in the entrails of the wolf? 2815
When didst thou sleep when such a deed was done?
Queen Margaret. When holy Harry died, and my sweet son.
Duchess of York. Blind sight, dead life, poor mortal living ghost,
Woe’s scene, world’s shame, grave’s due by life usurp’d,
Brief abstract and record of tedious days, 2820
Rest thy unrest on England’s lawful earth,
[Sitting down]
Unlawfully made drunk with innocents’ blood!
Queen Elizabeth. O, that thou wouldst as well afford a grave
As thou canst yield a melancholy seat! 2825
Then would I hide my bones, not rest them here.
O, who hath any cause to mourn but I?

[Sitting down by her] (Richard III Shakespeare Darma)

Queen Margaret. If ancient sorrow be most reverend,
Give mine the benefit of seniory, 2830
And let my woes frown on the upper hand.
If sorrow can admit society,
[Sitting down with them]
Tell o’er your woes again by viewing mine:
I had an Edward, till a Richard kill’d him; 2835
I had a Harry, till a Richard kill’d him:
Thou hadst an Edward, till a Richard kill’d him;
Thou hadst a Richard, till a Richard killed him;
Duchess of York. I had a Richard too, and thou didst kill him;
I had a Rutland too, thou holp’st to kill him. 2840
Queen Margaret. Thou hadst a Clarence too, and Richard kill’d him.
From forth the kennel of thy womb hath crept
A hell-hound that doth hunt us all to death:
That dog, that had his teeth before his eyes,
To worry lambs and lap their gentle blood, 2845
That foul defacer of God’s handiwork,
That excellent grand tyrant of the earth,
That reigns in galled eyes of weeping souls,
Thy womb let loose, to chase us to our graves.
O upright, just, and true-disposing God, 2850
How do I thank thee, that this carnal cur
Preys on the issue of his mother’s body,
And makes her pew-fellow with others’ moan!
Duchess of York. O Harry’s wife, triumph not in my woes!
God witness with me, I have wept for thine. 2855
Queen Margaret. Bear with me; I am hungry for revenge,
And now I cloy me with beholding it.
Thy Edward he is dead, that stabb’d my Edward:
Thy other Edward dead, to quit my Edward;
Young York he is but boot, because both they 2860
Match not the high perfection of my loss:
Thy Clarence he is dead that kill’d my Edward;
And the beholders of this tragic play,
The adulterate Hastings, Rivers, Vaughan, Grey,
Untimely smother’d in their dusky graves. 2865
Richard yet lives, hell’s black intelligencer,
Only reserved their factor, to buy souls
And send them thither: but at hand, at hand,
Ensues his piteous and unpitied end:
Earth gapes, hell burns, fiends roar, saints pray. 2870
To have him suddenly convey’d away.
Cancel his bond of life, dear God, I prey,
That I may live to say, The dog is dead!
Queen Elizabeth. O, thou didst prophesy the time would come
That I should wish for thee to help me curse 2875
That bottled spider, that foul bunch-back’d toad!
Queen Margaret. I call’d thee then vain flourish of my fortune;
I call’d thee then poor shadow, painted queen;
The presentation of but what I was;
The flattering index of a direful pageant; 2880
One heaved a-high, to be hurl’d down below;
A mother only mock’d with two sweet babes;
A dream of what thou wert, a breath, a bubble,
A sign of dignity, a garish flag,
To be the aim of every dangerous shot, 2885
A queen in jest, only to fill the scene.
Where is thy husband now? where be thy brothers?
Where are thy children? wherein dost thou, joy?
Who sues to thee and cries ‘God save the queen’?
Where be the bending peers that flatter’d thee? 2890
Where be the thronging troops that follow’d thee?
Decline all this, and see what now thou art:
For happy wife, a most distressed widow;
For joyful mother, one that wails the name;
For queen, a very caitiff crown’d with care; 2895
For one being sued to, one that humbly sues;
For one that scorn’d at me, now scorn’d of me;
For one being fear’d of all, now fearing one;
For one commanding all, obey’d of none.
Thus hath the course of justice wheel’d about, 2900
And left thee but a very prey to time;
Having no more but thought of what thou wert,
To torture thee the more, being what thou art.
Thou didst usurp my place, and dost thou not
Usurp the just proportion of my sorrow? 2905
Now thy proud neck bears half my burthen’d yoke;
From which even here I slip my weary neck,
And leave the burthen of it all on thee.
Farewell, York’s wife, and queen of sad mischance:
These English woes will make me smile in France. 2910
Queen Elizabeth. O thou well skill’d in curses, stay awhile,
And teach me how to curse mine enemies!
Queen Margaret. Forbear to sleep the nights, and fast the days;
Compare dead happiness with living woe;
Think that thy babes were fairer than they were, 2915
And he that slew them fouler than he is:
Bettering thy loss makes the bad causer worse:
Revolving this will teach thee how to curse.
Queen Elizabeth. My words are dull; O, quicken them with thine!
Queen Margaret. Thy woes will make them sharp, and pierce like mine. 2920

[Exit]

Duchess of York. Why should calamity be full of words?
Queen Elizabeth. Windy attorneys to their client woes,
Airy succeeders of intestate joys,
Poor breathing orators of miseries! 2925
Let them have scope: though what they do impart
Help not all, yet do they ease the heart.
Duchess of York. If so, then be not tongue-tied: go with me.
And in the breath of bitter words let’s smother
My damned son, which thy two sweet sons smother’d. 2930
I hear his drum: be copious in exclaims.

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

Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Who intercepts my expedition?
Duchess of York. O, she that might have intercepted thee,
By strangling thee in her accursed womb 2935
From all the slaughters, wretch, that thou hast done!
Queen Elizabeth. Hidest thou that forehead with a golden crown,
Where should be graven, if that right were right,
The slaughter of the prince that owed that crown,
And the dire death of my two sons and brothers? 2940
Tell me, thou villain slave, where are my children?
Duchess of York. Thou toad, thou toad, where is thy brother Clarence?
And little Ned Plantagenet, his son?
Queen Elizabeth. Where is kind Hastings, Rivers, Vaughan, Grey?
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). A flourish, trumpets! strike alarum, drums! 2945
Let not the heavens hear these tell-tale women
Rail on the Lord’s enointed: strike, I say!
[Flourish. Alarums]
Either be patient, and entreat me fair,
Or with the clamorous report of war 2950
Thus will I drown your exclamations.
Duchess of York. Art thou my son?
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Ay, I thank God, my father, and yourself.
Duchess of York. Then patiently hear my impatience.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Madam, I have a touch of your condition, 2955
Which cannot brook the accent of reproof.
Duchess of York. O, let me speak!
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Do then: but I’ll not hear.
Duchess of York. I will be mild and gentle in my speech.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). And brief, good mother; for I am in haste. 2960
Duchess of York. Art thou so hasty? I have stay’d for thee,
God knows, in anguish, pain and agony.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). And came I not at last to comfort you?
Duchess of York. No, by the holy rood, thou know’st it well,
Thou camest on earth to make the earth my hell. 2965
A grievous burthen was thy birth to me;
Tetchy and wayward was thy infancy;
Thy school-days frightful, desperate, wild, and furious,
Thy prime of manhood daring, bold, and venturous,
Thy age confirm’d, proud, subdued, bloody, 2970
treacherous,
More mild, but yet more harmful, kind in hatred:
What comfortable hour canst thou name,
That ever graced me in thy company?
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Faith, none, but Humphrey Hour, that call’d 2975
your grace
To breakfast once forth of my company.
If I be so disgracious in your sight,
Let me march on, and not offend your grace.
Strike the drum. 2980
Duchess of York. I prithee, hear me speak.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). You speak too bitterly.
Duchess of York. Hear me a word;
For I shall never speak to thee again.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). So. 2985
Duchess of York. Either thou wilt die, by God’s just ordinance,
Ere from this war thou turn a conqueror,
Or I with grief and extreme age shall perish
And never look upon thy face again.
Therefore take with thee my most heavy curse; 2990
Which, in the day of battle, tire thee more
Than all the complete armour that thou wear’st!
My prayers on the adverse party fight;
And there the little souls of Edward’s children
Whisper the spirits of thine enemies 2995
And promise them success and victory.
Bloody thou art, bloody will be thy end;
Shame serves thy life and doth thy death attend.

[Exit]

Queen Elizabeth. Though far more cause, yet much less spirit to curse 3000
Abides in me; I say amen to all.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Stay, madam; I must speak a word with you.
Queen Elizabeth. I have no more sons of the royal blood
For thee to murder: for my daughters, Richard,
They shall be praying nuns, not weeping queens; 3005
And therefore level not to hit their lives.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). You have a daughter call’d Elizabeth,
Virtuous and fair, royal and gracious.
Queen Elizabeth. And must she die for this? O, let her live,
And I’ll corrupt her manners, stain her beauty; 3010
Slander myself as false to Edward’s bed;
Throw over her the veil of infamy:
So she may live unscarr’d of bleeding slaughter,
I will confess she was not Edward’s daughter.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Wrong not her birth, she is of royal blood. 3015
Queen Elizabeth. To save her life, I’ll say she is not so.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Her life is only safest in her birth.
Queen Elizabeth. And only in that safety died her brothers.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Lo, at their births good stars were opposite.
Queen Elizabeth. No, to their lives bad friends were contrary. 3020
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). All unavoided is the doom of destiny.
Queen Elizabeth. True, when avoided grace makes destiny:
My babes were destined to a fairer death,
If grace had bless’d thee with a fairer life.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). You speak as if that I had slain my cousins. 3025
Queen Elizabeth. Cousins, indeed; and by their uncle cozen’d
Of comfort, kingdom, kindred, freedom, life.
Whose hand soever lanced their tender hearts,
Thy head, all indirectly, gave direction:
No doubt the murderous knife was dull and blunt 3030
Till it was whetted on thy stone-hard heart,
To revel in the entrails of my lambs.
But that still use of grief makes wild grief tame,
My tongue should to thy ears not name my boys
Till that my nails were anchor’d in thine eyes; 3035
And I, in such a desperate bay of death,
Like a poor bark, of sails and tackling reft,
Rush all to pieces on thy rocky bosom.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Madam, so thrive I in my enterprise
And dangerous success of bloody wars, 3040
As I intend more good to you and yours,
Than ever you or yours were by me wrong’d!
Queen Elizabeth. What good is cover’d with the face of heaven,
To be discover’d, that can do me good?
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). The advancement of your children, gentle lady. 3045
Queen Elizabeth. Up to some scaffold, there to lose their heads?
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). No, to the dignity and height of honour
The high imperial type of this earth’s glory.
Queen Elizabeth. Flatter my sorrows with report of it;
Tell me what state, what dignity, what honour, 3050
Canst thou demise to any child of mine?
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Even all I have; yea, and myself and all,
Will I withal endow a child of thine;
So in the Lethe of thy angry soul
Thou drown the sad remembrance of those wrongs 3055
Which thou supposest I have done to thee.
Queen Elizabeth. Be brief, lest that be process of thy kindness
Last longer telling than thy kindness’ date.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Then know, that from my soul I love thy daughter.
Queen Elizabeth. My daughter’s mother thinks it with her soul. 3060
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). What do you think?
Queen Elizabeth. That thou dost love my daughter from thy soul:
So from thy soul’s love didst thou love her brothers;
And from my heart’s love I do thank thee for it.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Be not so hasty to confound my meaning: 3065
I mean, that with my soul I love thy daughter,
And mean to make her queen of England.
Queen Elizabeth. Say then, who dost thou mean shall be her king?
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Even he that makes her queen who should be else?
Queen Elizabeth. What, thou? 3070
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). I, even I: what think you of it, madam?
Queen Elizabeth. How canst thou woo her?
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). That would I learn of you,
As one that are best acquainted with her humour.
Queen Elizabeth. And wilt thou learn of me? 3075
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Madam, with all my heart.
Queen Elizabeth. Send to her, by the man that slew her brothers,
A pair of bleeding-hearts; thereon engrave
Edward and York; then haply she will weep:
Therefore present to her—as sometime Margaret 3080
Did to thy father, steep’d in Rutland’s blood,—
A handkerchief; which, say to her, did drain
The purple sap from her sweet brother’s body
And bid her dry her weeping eyes therewith.
If this inducement force her not to love, 3085
Send her a story of thy noble acts;
Tell her thou madest away her uncle Clarence,
Her uncle Rivers; yea, and, for her sake,
Madest quick conveyance with her good aunt Anne.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Come, come, you mock me; this is not the way 3090
To win our daughter.
Queen Elizabeth. There is no other way
Unless thou couldst put on some other shape,
And not be Richard that hath done all this.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Say that I did all this for love of her. 3095
Queen Elizabeth. Nay, then indeed she cannot choose but hate thee,
Having bought love with such a bloody spoil.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Look, what is done cannot be now amended:
Men shall deal unadvisedly sometimes,
Which after hours give leisure to repent. 3100
If I did take the kingdom from your sons,
To make amends, Ill give it to your daughter.
If I have kill’d the issue of your womb,
To quicken your increase, I will beget
Mine issue of your blood upon your daughter 3105
A grandam’s name is little less in love
Than is the doting title of a mother;
They are as children but one step below,
Even of your mettle, of your very blood;
Of an one pain, save for a night of groans 3110
Endured of her, for whom you bid like sorrow.
Your children were vexation to your youth,
But mine shall be a comfort to your age.
The loss you have is but a son being king,
And by that loss your daughter is made queen. 3115
I cannot make you what amends I would,
Therefore accept such kindness as I can.
Dorset your son, that with a fearful soul
Leads discontented steps in foreign soil,
This fair alliance quickly shall call home 3120
To high promotions and great dignity:
The king, that calls your beauteous daughter wife.
Familiarly shall call thy Dorset brother;
Again shall you be mother to a king,
And all the ruins of distressful times 3125
Repair’d with double riches of content.
What! we have many goodly days to see:
The liquid drops of tears that you have shed
Shall come again, transform’d to orient pearl,
Advantaging their loan with interest 3130
Of ten times double gain of happiness.
Go, then my mother, to thy daughter go
Make bold her bashful years with your experience;
Prepare her ears to hear a wooer’s tale
Put in her tender heart the aspiring flame 3135
Of golden sovereignty; acquaint the princess
With the sweet silent hours of marriage joys
And when this arm of mine hath chastised
The petty rebel, dull-brain’d Buckingham,
Bound with triumphant garlands will I come 3140
And lead thy daughter to a conqueror’s bed;
To whom I will retail my conquest won,
And she shall be sole victress, Caesar’s Caesar.
Queen Elizabeth. What were I best to say? her father’s brother
Would be her lord? or shall I say, her uncle? 3145
Or, he that slew her brothers and her uncles?
Under what title shall I woo for thee,
That God, the law, my honour and her love,
Can make seem pleasing to her tender years?
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Infer fair England’s peace by this alliance. 3150
Queen Elizabeth. Which she shall purchase with still lasting war.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Say that the king, which may command, entreats.
Queen Elizabeth. That at her hands which the king’s King forbids.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Say, she shall be a high and mighty queen.
Queen Elizabeth. To wail the tide, as her mother doth. 3155
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Say, I will love her everlastingly.
Queen Elizabeth. But how long shall that title ‘ever’ last?
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Sweetly in force unto her fair life’s end.
Queen Elizabeth. But how long fairly shall her sweet lie last?
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). So long as heaven and nature lengthens it. 3160
Queen Elizabeth. So long as hell and Richard likes of it.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Say, I, her sovereign, am her subject love.
Queen Elizabeth. But she, your subject, loathes such sovereignty.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Be eloquent in my behalf to her.
Queen Elizabeth. An honest tale speeds best being plainly told. 3165
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Then in plain terms tell her my loving tale.
Queen Elizabeth. Plain and not honest is too harsh a style.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Your reasons are too shallow and too quick.
Queen Elizabeth. O no, my reasons are too deep and dead;
Too deep and dead, poor infants, in their grave. 3170
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Harp not on that string, madam; that is past.
Queen Elizabeth. Harp on it still shall I till heart-strings break.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Now, by my George, my garter, and my crown,—
Queen Elizabeth. Profaned, dishonour’d, and the third usurp’d.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). I swear— 3175
Queen Elizabeth. By nothing; for this is no oath:
The George, profaned, hath lost his holy honour;
The garter, blemish’d, pawn’d his knightly virtue;
The crown, usurp’d, disgraced his kingly glory.
if something thou wilt swear to be believed, 3180
Swear then by something that thou hast not wrong’d.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Now, by the world—
Queen Elizabeth. ‘Tis full of thy foul wrongs.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). My father’s death—
Queen Elizabeth. Thy life hath that dishonour’d. 3185
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Then, by myself—
Queen Elizabeth. Thyself thyself misusest.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Why then, by God—
Queen Elizabeth. God’s wrong is most of all.
If thou hadst fear’d to break an oath by Him, 3190
The unity the king thy brother made
Had not been broken, nor my brother slain:
If thou hadst fear’d to break an oath by Him,
The imperial metal, circling now thy brow,
Had graced the tender temples of my child, 3195
And both the princes had been breathing here,
Which now, two tender playfellows to dust,
Thy broken faith hath made a prey for worms.
What canst thou swear by now?
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). The time to come. 3200
Queen Elizabeth. That thou hast wronged in the time o’erpast;
For I myself have many tears to wash
Hereafter time, for time past wrong’d by thee.
The children live, whose parents thou hast
slaughter’d, 3205
Ungovern’d youth, to wail it in their age;
The parents live, whose children thou hast butcher’d,
Old wither’d plants, to wail it with their age.
Swear not by time to come; for that thou hast
Misused ere used, by time misused o’erpast. 3210
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). As I intend to prosper and repent,
So thrive I in my dangerous attempt
Of hostile arms! myself myself confound!
Heaven and fortune bar me happy hours!
Day, yield me not thy light; nor, night, thy rest! 3215
Be opposite all planets of good luck
To my proceedings, if, with pure heart’s love,
Immaculate devotion, holy thoughts,
I tender not thy beauteous princely daughter!
In her consists my happiness and thine; 3220
Without her, follows to this land and me,
To thee, herself, and many a Christian soul,
Death, desolation, ruin and decay:
It cannot be avoided but by this;
It will not be avoided but by this. 3225
Therefore, good mother,—I must can you so—
Be the attorney of my love to her:
Plead what I will be, not what I have been;
Not my deserts, but what I will deserve:
Urge the necessity and state of times, 3230
And be not peevish-fond in great designs.
Queen Elizabeth. Shall I be tempted of the devil thus?
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Ay, if the devil tempt thee to do good.
Queen Elizabeth. Shall I forget myself to be myself?
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Ay, if yourself’s remembrance wrong yourself. 3235
Queen Elizabeth. But thou didst kill my children.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). But in your daughter’s womb I bury them:
Where in that nest of spicery they shall breed
Selves of themselves, to your recomforture.
Queen Elizabeth. Shall I go win my daughter to thy will? 3240
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). And be a happy mother by the deed.
Queen Elizabeth. I go. Write to me very shortly.
And you shall understand from me her mind.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Bear her my true love’s kiss; and so, farewell.
[Exit QUEEN ELIZABETH] 3245
Relenting fool, and shallow, changing woman!
[Enter RATCLIFF; CATESBY following]
How now! what news?
Sir Richard Ratcliff. My gracious sovereign, on the western coast
Rideth a puissant navy; to the shore 3250
Throng many doubtful hollow-hearted friends,
Unarm’d, and unresolved to beat them back:
‘Tis thought that Richmond is their admiral;
And there they hull, expecting but the aid
Of Buckingham to welcome them ashore. 3255
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Some light-foot friend post to the Duke of Norfolk:
Ratcliff, thyself, or Catesby; where is he?
Sir William Catesby. Here, my lord.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Fly to the duke:
[To RATCLIFF] 3260
Post thou to Salisbury
When thou comest thither—
[To CATESBY]
Dull, unmindful villain,
Why stand’st thou still, and go’st not to the duke? 3265
Sir William Catesby. First, mighty sovereign, let me know your mind,
What from your grace I shall deliver to him.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). O, true, good Catesby: bid him levy straight
The greatest strength and power he can make,
And meet me presently at Salisbury. 3270
Sir William Catesby. I go.

[Exit]

Sir Richard Ratcliff. What is’t your highness’ pleasure I shall do at
Salisbury?
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Why, what wouldst thou do there before I go? 3275
Sir Richard Ratcliff. Your highness told me I should post before.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). My mind is changed, sir, my mind is changed.
[Enter STANLEY]
How now, what news with you?
Sir William Stanley. None good, my lord, to please you with the hearing; 3280
Nor none so bad, but it may well be told.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Hoyday, a riddle! neither good nor bad!
Why dost thou run so many mile about,
When thou mayst tell thy tale a nearer way?
Once more, what news? 3285
Sir William Stanley. Richmond is on the seas.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). There let him sink, and be the seas on him!
White-liver’d runagate, what doth he there?
Sir William Stanley. I know not, mighty sovereign, but by guess.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Well, sir, as you guess, as you guess? 3290
Sir William Stanley. Stirr’d up by Dorset, Buckingham, and Ely,
He makes for England, there to claim the crown.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Is the chair empty? is the sword unsway’d?
Is the king dead? the empire unpossess’d?
What heir of York is there alive but we? 3295
And who is England’s king but great York’s heir?
Then, tell me, what doth he upon the sea?
Sir William Stanley. Unless for that, my liege, I cannot guess.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Unless for that he comes to be your liege,
You cannot guess wherefore the Welshman comes. 3300
Thou wilt revolt, and fly to him, I fear.
Sir William Stanley. No, mighty liege; therefore mistrust me not.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Where is thy power, then, to beat him back?
Where are thy tenants and thy followers?
Are they not now upon the western shore. 3305
Safe-conducting the rebels from their ships!
Sir William Stanley. No, my good lord, my friends are in the north.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Cold friends to Richard: what do they in the north,
When they should serve their sovereign in the west?
Sir William Stanley. They have not been commanded, mighty sovereign: 3310
Please it your majesty to give me leave,
I’ll muster up my friends, and meet your grace
Where and what time your majesty shall please.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Ay, ay. thou wouldst be gone to join with Richmond:
I will not trust you, sir. 3315
Sir William Stanley. Most mighty sovereign,
You have no cause to hold my friendship doubtful:
I never was nor never will be false.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Well,
Go muster men; but, hear you, leave behind 3320
Your son, George Stanley: look your faith be firm.
Or else his head’s assurance is but frail.
Sir William Stanley. So deal with him as I prove true to you.

[Exit]

[Enter a Messenger]

Messenger. My gracious sovereign, now in Devonshire,
As I by friends am well advertised,
Sir Edward Courtney, and the haughty prelate
Bishop of Exeter, his brother there,
With many more confederates, are in arms. 3330

[Enter another Messenger]

Second Messenger. My liege, in Kent the Guildfords are in arms;
And every hour more competitors
Flock to their aid, and still their power increaseth.

[Enter another Messenger]

Third Messenger. My lord, the army of the Duke of Buckingham—
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Out on you, owls! nothing but songs of death?
[He striketh him]
Take that, until thou bring me better news.
Third Messenger. The news I have to tell your majesty 3340
Is, that by sudden floods and fall of waters,
Buckingham’s army is dispersed and scatter’d;
And he himself wander’d away alone,
No man knows whither.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). I cry thee mercy: 3345
There is my purse to cure that blow of thine.
Hath any well-advised friend proclaim’d
Reward to him that brings the traitor in?
Third Messenger. Such proclamation hath been made, my liege.

[Enter another Messenger]

Fourth Messenger. Sir Thomas Lovel and Lord Marquis Dorset,
‘Tis said, my liege, in Yorkshire are in arms.
Yet this good comfort bring I to your grace,
The Breton navy is dispersed by tempest:
Richmond, in Yorkshire, sent out a boat 3355
Unto the shore, to ask those on the banks
If they were his assistants, yea or no;
Who answer’d him, they came from Buckingham.
Upon his party: he, mistrusting them,
Hoisted sail and made away for Brittany. 3360
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). March on, march on, since we are up in arms;
If not to fight with foreign enemies,
Yet to beat down these rebels here at home.

[Re-enter CATESBY]

Sir William Catesby. My liege, the Duke of Buckingham is taken; 3365
That is the best news: that the Earl of Richmond
Is with a mighty power landed at Milford,
Is colder tidings, yet they must be told.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Away towards Salisbury! while we reason here,
A royal battle might be won and lost 3370
Some one take order Buckingham be brought
To Salisbury; the rest march on with me.

[Flourish. Exeunt] (Richard III Shakespeare Darma)

Act IV, Scene 5 (Richard III Shakespeare Darma)

Lord Derby’s house.

[Enter DERBY and SIR CHRISTOPHER URSWICK]

Sir William Stanley. Sir Christopher, tell Richmond this from me: 3375
That in the sty of this most bloody boar
My son George Stanley is frank’d up in hold:
If I revolt, off goes young George’s head;
The fear of that withholds my present aid.
But, tell me, where is princely Richmond now? 3380
Christopher Urswick. At Pembroke, or at Harford-west, in Wales.
Sir William Stanley. What men of name resort to him?
Christopher Urswick. Sir Walter Herbert, a renowned soldier;
Sir Gilbert Talbot, Sir William Stanley;
Oxford, redoubted Pembroke, Sir James Blunt, 3385
And Rice ap Thomas with a valiant crew;
And many more of noble fame and worth:
And towards London they do bend their course,
If by the way they be not fought withal.
Sir William Stanley. Return unto thy lord; commend me to him: 3390
Tell him the queen hath heartily consented
He shall espouse Elizabeth her daughter.
These letters will resolve him of my mind. Farewell.

[Exeunt] (Richard III Shakespeare Darma)

Act V, Scene 1 (Richard III Shakespeare Darma)

Salisbury. An open place.

[Enter the Sheriff, and BUCKINGHAM, with halberds, led to execution]

Duke of Buckingham. Will not King Richard let me speak with him?
Sheriff of Wiltshire. No, my good lord; therefore be patient.
Duke of Buckingham. Hastings, and Edward’s children, Rivers, Grey,
Holy King Henry, and thy fair son Edward, 3400
Vaughan, and all that have miscarried
By underhand corrupted foul injustice,
If that your moody discontented souls
Do through the clouds behold this present hour,
Even for revenge mock my destruction! 3405
This is All-Souls’ day, fellows, is it not?
Sheriff of Wiltshire. It is, my lord.
Duke of Buckingham. Why, then All-Souls’ day is my body’s doomsday.
This is the day that, in King Edward’s time,
I wish’t might fall on me, when I was found 3410
False to his children or his wife’s allies
This is the day wherein I wish’d to fall
By the false faith of him I trusted most;
This, this All-Souls’ day to my fearful soul
Is the determined respite of my wrongs: 3415
That high All-Seer that I dallied with
Hath turn’d my feigned prayer on my head
And given in earnest what I begg’d in jest.
Thus doth he force the swords of wicked men
To turn their own points on their masters’ bosoms: 3420
Now Margaret’s curse is fallen upon my head;
‘When he,’ quoth she, ‘shall split thy heart with sorrow,
Remember Margaret was a prophetess.’
Come, sirs, convey me to the block of shame;
Wrong hath but wrong, and blame the due of blame. 3425

[Exeunt] (Richard III Shakespeare Darma)

Act V, Scene 2 (Richard III Shakespeare Darma)

The camp near Tamworth.

[Enter RICHMOND, OXFORD, BLUNT, HERBERT, and others, with drum and colours]

Richmond (Henry VII). Fellows in arms, and my most loving friends,
Bruised underneath the yoke of tyranny, 3430
Thus far into the bowels of the land
Have we march’d on without impediment;
And here receive we from our father Stanley
Lines of fair comfort and encouragement.
The wretched, bloody, and usurping boar, 3435
That spoil’d your summer fields and fruitful vines,
Swills your warm blood like wash, and makes his trough
In your embowell’d bosoms, this foul swine
Lies now even in the centre of this isle,
Near to the town of Leicester, as we learn 3440
From Tamworth thither is but one day’s march.
In God’s name, cheerly on, courageous friends,
To reap the harvest of perpetual peace
By this one bloody trial of sharp war.
Earl Oxford. Every man’s conscience is a thousand swords, 3445
To fight against that bloody homicide.
Sir Walter Herbert. I doubt not but his friends will fly to us.
Blunt. He hath no friends but who are friends for fear.
Which in his greatest need will shrink from him.
Richmond (Henry VII). All for our vantage. Then, in God’s name, march: 3450
True hope is swift, and flies with swallow’s wings:
Kings it makes gods, and meaner creatures kings.

[Exeunt] (Richard III Shakespeare Darma)

Act V, Scene 3 (Richard III Shakespeare Darma)

Bosworth Field.

[Enter KING RICHARD III in arms, with NORFOLK, SURREY, and others]

Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Here pitch our tents, even here in Bosworth field.
My Lord of Surrey, why look you so sad?
Earl of Surrey. My heart is ten times lighter than my looks.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). My Lord of Norfolk,—
Duke of Norfolk. Here, most gracious liege. 3460
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Norfolk, we must have knocks; ha! must we not?
Duke of Norfolk. We must both give and take, my gracious lord.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Up with my tent there! here will I lie tonight;
But where to-morrow? Well, all’s one for that.
Who hath descried the number of the foe? 3465
Duke of Norfolk. Six or seven thousand is their utmost power.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Why, our battalion trebles that account:
Besides, the king’s name is a tower of strength,
Which they upon the adverse party want.
Up with my tent there! Valiant gentlemen, 3470
Let us survey the vantage of the field
Call for some men of sound direction
Let’s want no discipline, make no delay,
For, lords, to-morrow is a busy day.
[Exeunt] 3475
[Enter, on the other side of the field, RICHMOND,]
Sir William Brandon, OXFORD, and others. Some of
the Soldiers pitch RICHMOND’s tent]
Richmond (Henry VII). The weary sun hath made a golden set,
And by the bright track of his fiery car, 3480
Gives signal, of a goodly day to-morrow.
Sir William Brandon, you shall bear my standard.
Give me some ink and paper in my tent
I’ll draw the form and model of our battle,
Limit each leader to his several charge, 3485
And part in just proportion our small strength.
My Lord of Oxford, you, Sir William Brandon,
And you, Sir Walter Herbert, stay with me.
The Earl of Pembroke keeps his regiment:
Good Captain Blunt, bear my good night to him 3490
And by the second hour in the morning
Desire the earl to see me in my tent:
Yet one thing more, good Blunt, before thou go’st,
Where is Lord Stanley quarter’d, dost thou know?
Blunt. Unless I have mista’en his colours much, 3495
Which well I am assured I have not done,
His regiment lies half a mile at least
South from the mighty power of the king.
Richmond (Henry VII). If without peril it be possible,
Good Captain Blunt, bear my good-night to him, 3500
And give him from me this most needful scroll.
Blunt. Upon my life, my lord, I’ll under-take it;
And so, God give you quiet rest to-night!
Richmond (Henry VII). Good night, good Captain Blunt. Come gentlemen,
Let us consult upon to-morrow’s business 3505
In to our tent; the air is raw and cold.
[They withdraw into the tent]
[Enter, to his tent, KING RICHARD III, NORFOLK,]
RATCLIFF, CATESBY, and others]
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). What is’t o’clock? 3510
Sir William Catesby. It’s supper-time, my lord;
It’s nine o’clock.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). I will not sup to-night.
Give me some ink and paper.
What, is my beaver easier than it was? 3515
And all my armour laid into my tent?
Sir William Catesby. If is, my liege; and all things are in readiness.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Good Norfolk, hie thee to thy charge;
Use careful watch, choose trusty sentinels.
Duke of Norfolk. I go, my lord. 3520
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Stir with the lark to-morrow, gentle Norfolk.
Duke of Norfolk. I warrant you, my lord.

[Exit]

Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Catesby!
Sir William Catesby. My lord? 3525
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Send out a pursuivant at arms
To Stanley’s regiment; bid him bring his power
Before sunrising, lest his son George fall
Into the blind cave of eternal night.
[Exit CATESBY] 3530
Fill me a bowl of wine. Give me a watch.
Saddle white Surrey for the field to-morrow.
Look that my staves be sound, and not too heavy.
Ratcliff!
Sir Richard Ratcliff. My lord? 3535
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Saw’st thou the melancholy Lord Northumberland?
Sir Richard Ratcliff. Thomas the Earl of Surrey, and himself,
Much about cock-shut time, from troop to troop
Went through the army, cheering up the soldiers.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). So, I am satisfied. Give me a bowl of wine: 3540
I have not that alacrity of spirit,
Nor cheer of mind, that I was wont to have.
Set it down. Is ink and paper ready?
Sir Richard Ratcliff. It is, my lord.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Bid my guard watch; leave me. 3545
Ratcliff, about the mid of night come to my tent
And help to arm me. Leave me, I say.
[Exeunt RATCLIFF and the other Attendants]
[Enter DERBY to RICHMOND in his tent, Lords and]
others attending] 3550
Sir William Stanley. Fortune and victory sit on thy helm!
Richmond (Henry VII). All comfort that the dark night can afford
Be to thy person, noble father-in-law!
Tell me, how fares our loving mother?
Sir William Stanley. I, by attorney, bless thee from thy mother 3555
Who prays continually for Richmond’s good:
So much for that. The silent hours steal on,
And flaky darkness breaks within the east.
In brief,—for so the season bids us be,—
Prepare thy battle early in the morning, 3560
And put thy fortune to the arbitrement
Of bloody strokes and mortal-staring war.
I, as I may—that which I would I cannot,—
With best advantage will deceive the time,
And aid thee in this doubtful shock of arms: 3565
But on thy side I may not be too forward
Lest, being seen, thy brother, tender George,
Be executed in his father’s sight.
Farewell: the leisure and the fearful time
Cuts off the ceremonious vows of love 3570
And ample interchange of sweet discourse,
Which so long sunder’d friends should dwell upon:
God give us leisure for these rites of love!
Once more, adieu: be valiant, and speed well!
Richmond (Henry VII). Good lords, conduct him to his regiment: 3575
I’ll strive, with troubled thoughts, to take a nap,
Lest leaden slumber peise me down to-morrow,
When I should mount with wings of victory:
Once more, good night, kind lords and gentlemen.
[Exeunt all but RICHMOND] 3580
O Thou, whose captain I account myself,
Look on my forces with a gracious eye;
Put in their hands thy bruising irons of wrath,
That they may crush down with a heavy fall
The usurping helmets of our adversaries! 3585
Make us thy ministers of chastisement,
That we may praise thee in the victory!
To thee I do commend my watchful soul,
Ere I let fall the windows of mine eyes:
Sleeping and waking, O, defend me still! 3590

[Sleeps]

[Enter the Ghost of Prince Edward, son to King Henry VI]

Prince Edward. [To KING RICHARD III]
Let me sit heavy on thy soul to-morrow!
Think, how thou stab’dst me in my prime of youth 3595
At Tewksbury: despair, therefore, and die!
[To RICHMOND]
Be cheerful, Richmond; for the wronged souls
Of butcher’d princes fight in thy behalf
King Henry’s issue, Richmond, comforts thee. 3600

[Enter the Ghost of King Henry VI]

Henry VI. [To KING RICHARD III]
When I was mortal, my anointed body
By thee was punched full of deadly holes
Think on the Tower and me: despair, and die! 3605
Harry the Sixth bids thee despair, and die!
[To RICHMOND]
Virtuous and holy, be thou conqueror!
Harry, that prophesied thou shouldst be king,
Doth comfort thee in thy sleep: live, and flourish! 3610

[Enter the Ghost of CLARENCE]

George Plantagenet (Duke of Clarence). [To KING RICHARD III]
Let me sit heavy on thy soul to-morrow!
I, that was wash’d to death with fulsome wine,
Poor Clarence, by thy guile betrayed to death! 3615
To-morrow in the battle think on me,
And fall thy edgeless sword: despair, and die!—
[To RICHMOND]
Thou offspring of the house of Lancaster
The wronged heirs of York do pray for thee 3620
Good angels guard thy battle! live, and flourish!

[Enter the Ghosts of RIVERS, GRAY, and VAUGHAN]

Lord (Earl) Rivers. [To KING RICHARD III]
Let me sit heavy on thy soul to-morrow,
Rivers. that died at Pomfret! despair, and die! 3625
Lord Grey. [To KING RICHARD III]
Think upon Grey, and let thy soul despair!
Sir Thomas Vaughan. [To KING RICHARD III]
Think upon Vaughan, and, with guilty fear,
Let fall thy lance: despair, and die! 3630
All. [To RICHMOND]
Awake, and think our wrongs in Richard’s bosom
Will conquer him! awake, and win the day!

[Enter the Ghost of HASTINGS]

Lord Hastings. [To KING RICHARD III] 3635
Bloody and guilty, guiltily awake,
And in a bloody battle end thy days!
Think on Lord Hastings: despair, and die!
[To RICHMOND]
Quiet untroubled soul, awake, awake! 3640
Arm, fight, and conquer, for fair England’s sake!

[Enter the Ghosts of the two young Princes]

Princes. [To KING RICHARD III]
Dream on thy cousins smother’d in the Tower:
Let us be led within thy bosom, Richard, 3645
And weigh thee down to ruin, shame, and death!
Thy nephews’ souls bid thee despair and die!
[To RICHMOND]
Sleep, Richmond, sleep in peace, and wake in joy;
Good angels guard thee from the boar’s annoy! 3650
Live, and beget a happy race of kings!
Edward’s unhappy sons do bid thee flourish.

[Enter the Ghost of LADY ANNE]

Lady Anne. [To KING RICHARD III]
Richard, thy wife, that wretched Anne thy wife, 3655
That never slept a quiet hour with thee,
Now fills thy sleep with perturbations
To-morrow in the battle think on me,
And fall thy edgeless sword: despair, and die!
[To RICHMOND] 3660
Thou quiet soul, sleep thou a quiet sleep
Dream of success and happy victory!
Thy adversary’s wife doth pray for thee.

[Enter the Ghost of BUCKINGHAM]

Duke of Buckingham. [To KING RICHARD III] 3665
The last was I that helped thee to the crown;
The last was I that felt thy tyranny:
O, in the battle think on Buckingham,
And die in terror of thy guiltiness!
Dream on, dream on, of bloody deeds and death: 3670
Fainting, despair; despairing, yield thy breath!
[To RICHMOND]
I died for hope ere I could lend thee aid:
But cheer thy heart, and be thou not dismay’d:
God and good angel fight on Richmond’s side; 3675
And Richard falls in height of all his pride.

[The Ghosts vanish]

[KING RICHARD III starts out of his dream]

Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Give me another horse: bind up my wounds.
Have mercy, Jesu!—Soft! I did but dream. 3680
O coward conscience, how dost thou afflict me!
The lights burn blue. It is now dead midnight.
Cold fearful drops stand on my trembling flesh.
What do I fear? myself? there’s none else by:
Richard loves Richard; that is, I am I. 3685
Is there a murderer here? No. Yes, I am:
Then fly. What, from myself? Great reason why:
Lest I revenge. What, myself upon myself?
Alack. I love myself. Wherefore? for any good
That I myself have done unto myself? 3690
O, no! alas, I rather hate myself
For hateful deeds committed by myself!
I am a villain: yet I lie. I am not.
Fool, of thyself speak well: fool, do not flatter.
My conscience hath a thousand several tongues, 3695
And every tongue brings in a several tale,
And every tale condemns me for a villain.
Perjury, perjury, in the high’st degree
Murder, stem murder, in the direst degree;
All several sins, all used in each degree, 3700
Throng to the bar, crying all, Guilty! guilty!
I shall despair. There is no creature loves me;
And if I die, no soul shall pity me:
Nay, wherefore should they, since that I myself
Find in myself no pity to myself? 3705
Methought the souls of all that I had murder’d
Came to my tent; and every one did threat
To-morrow’s vengeance on the head of Richard.

[Enter RATCLIFF]

Sir Richard Ratcliff. My lord! 3710
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). ‘Zounds! who is there?
Sir Richard Ratcliff. Ratcliff, my lord; ’tis I. The early village-cock
Hath twice done salutation to the morn;
Your friends are up, and buckle on their armour.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). O Ratcliff, I have dream’d a fearful dream! 3715
What thinkest thou, will our friends prove all true?
Sir Richard Ratcliff. No doubt, my lord.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). O Ratcliff, I fear, I fear,—
Sir Richard Ratcliff. Nay, good my lord, be not afraid of shadows.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). By the apostle Paul, shadows to-night 3720
Have struck more terror to the soul of Richard
Than can the substance of ten thousand soldiers
Armed in proof, and led by shallow Richmond.
It is not yet near day. Come, go with me;
Under our tents I’ll play the eaves-dropper, 3725
To see if any mean to shrink from me.

[Exeunt]

[Enter the Lords to RICHMOND, sitting in his tent]

Lords. Good morrow, Richmond!
Richmond (Henry VII). Cry mercy, lords and watchful gentlemen, 3730
That you have ta’en a tardy sluggard here.
Lords. How have you slept, my lord?
Richmond (Henry VII). The sweetest sleep, and fairest-boding dreams
That ever enter’d in a drowsy head,
Have I since your departure had, my lords. 3735
Methought their souls, whose bodies Richard murder’d,
Came to my tent, and cried on victory:
I promise you, my soul is very jocund
In the remembrance of so fair a dream.
How far into the morning is it, lords? 3740
Lords. Upon the stroke of four.
Richmond (Henry VII). Why, then ’tis time to arm and give direction.
[His oration to his soldiers]
More than I have said, loving countrymen,
The leisure and enforcement of the time 3745
Forbids to dwell upon: yet remember this,
God and our good cause fight upon our side;
The prayers of holy saints and wronged souls,
Like high-rear’d bulwarks, stand before our faces;
Richard except, those whom we fight against 3750
Had rather have us win than him they follow:
For what is he they follow? truly, gentlemen,
A bloody tyrant and a homicide;
One raised in blood, and one in blood establish’d;
One that made means to come by what he hath, 3755
And slaughter’d those that were the means to help him;
Abase foul stone, made precious by the foil
Of England’s chair, where he is falsely set;
One that hath ever been God’s enemy:
Then, if you fight against God’s enemy, 3760
God will in justice ward you as his soldiers;
If you do sweat to put a tyrant down,
You sleep in peace, the tyrant being slain;
If you do fight against your country’s foes,
Your country’s fat shall pay your pains the hire; 3765
If you do fight in safeguard of your wives,
Your wives shall welcome home the conquerors;
If you do free your children from the sword,
Your children’s children quit it in your age.
Then, in the name of God and all these rights, 3770
Advance your standards, draw your willing swords.
For me, the ransom of my bold attempt
Shall be this cold corpse on the earth’s cold face;
But if I thrive, the gain of my attempt
The least of you shall share his part thereof. 3775
Sound drums and trumpets boldly and cheerfully;
God and Saint George! Richmond and victory!
[Exeunt]
[Re-enter KING RICHARD, RATCLIFF, Attendants]
and Forces] 3780
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). What said Northumberland as touching Richmond?
Sir Richard Ratcliff. That he was never trained up in arms.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). He said the truth: and what said Surrey then?
Sir Richard Ratcliff. He smiled and said ‘The better for our purpose.’
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). He was in the right; and so indeed it is. 3785
[Clock striketh]
Ten the clock there. Give me a calendar.
Who saw the sun to-day?
Sir Richard Ratcliff. Not I, my lord.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Then he disdains to shine; for by the book 3790
He should have braved the east an hour ago
A black day will it be to somebody. Ratcliff!
Sir Richard Ratcliff. My lord?
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). The sun will not be seen to-day;
The sky doth frown and lour upon our army. 3795
I would these dewy tears were from the ground.
Not shine to-day! Why, what is that to me
More than to Richmond? for the selfsame heaven
That frowns on me looks sadly upon him.

[Enter NORFOLK]

Duke of Norfolk. Arm, arm, my lord; the foe vaunts in the field.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Come, bustle, bustle; caparison my horse.
Call up Lord Stanley, bid him bring his power:
I will lead forth my soldiers to the plain,
And thus my battle shall be ordered: 3805
My foreward shall be drawn out all in length,
Consisting equally of horse and foot;
Our archers shall be placed in the midst
John Duke of Norfolk, Thomas Earl of Surrey,
Shall have the leading of this foot and horse. 3810
They thus directed, we will follow
In the main battle, whose puissance on either side
Shall be well winged with our chiefest horse.
This, and Saint George to boot! What think’st thou, Norfolk?
Duke of Norfolk. A good direction, warlike sovereign. 3815
This found I on my tent this morning.

[He sheweth him a paper]

Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). [Reads]
‘Jockey of Norfolk, be not too bold,
For Dickon thy master is bought and sold.’ 3820
A thing devised by the enemy.
Go, gentleman, every man unto his charge
Let not our babbling dreams affright our souls:
Conscience is but a word that cowards use,
Devised at first to keep the strong in awe: 3825
Our strong arms be our conscience, swords our law.
March on, join bravely, let us to’t pell-mell
If not to heaven, then hand in hand to hell.
[His oration to his Army]
What shall I say more than I have inferr’d? 3830
Remember whom you are to cope withal;
A sort of vagabonds, rascals, and runaways,
A scum of Bretons, and base lackey peasants,
Whom their o’er-cloyed country vomits forth
To desperate ventures and assured destruction. 3835
You sleeping safe, they bring to you unrest;
You having lands, and blest with beauteous wives,
They would restrain the one, distain the other.
And who doth lead them but a paltry fellow,
Long kept in Bretagne at our mother’s cost? 3840
A milk-sop, one that never in his life
Felt so much cold as over shoes in snow?
Let’s whip these stragglers o’er the seas again;
Lash hence these overweening rags of France,
These famish’d beggars, weary of their lives; 3845
Who, but for dreaming on this fond exploit,
For want of means, poor rats, had hang’d themselves:
If we be conquer’d, let men conquer us,
And not these bastard Bretons; whom our fathers
Have in their own land beaten, bobb’d, and thump’d, 3850
And in record, left them the heirs of shame.
Shall these enjoy our lands? lie with our wives?
Ravish our daughters?
[Drum afar off]
Hark! I hear their drum. 3855
Fight, gentlemen of England! fight, bold yoemen!
Draw, archers, draw your arrows to the head!
Spur your proud horses hard, and ride in blood;
Amaze the welkin with your broken staves!
[Enter a Messenger] 3860
What says Lord Stanley? will he bring his power?
Messenger. My lord, he doth deny to come.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Off with his son George’s head!
Duke of Norfolk. My lord, the enemy is past the marsh
After the battle let George Stanley die. 3865
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). A thousand hearts are great within my bosom:
Advance our standards, set upon our foes
Our ancient word of courage, fair Saint George,
Inspire us with the spleen of fiery dragons!
Upon them! victory sits on our helms. 3870

[Exeunt] (Richard III Shakespeare Darma)

Act V, Scene 4 (Richard III Shakespeare Darma)

Another part of the field.

[Alarum: excursions. Enter NORFOLK and forces fighting; to him CATESBY]

Sir William Catesby. Rescue, my Lord of Norfolk, rescue, rescue!
The king enacts more wonders than a man, 3875
Daring an opposite to every danger:
His horse is slain, and all on foot he fights,
Seeking for Richmond in the throat of death.
Rescue, fair lord, or else the day is lost!

[Alarums. Enter KING RICHARD III]

Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). A horse! a horse! my kingdom for a horse!
Sir William Catesby. Withdraw, my lord; I’ll help you to a horse.
Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Slave, I have set my life upon a cast,
And I will stand the hazard of the die:
I think there be six Richmonds in the field; 3885
Five have I slain to-day instead of him.
A horse! a horse! my kingdom for a horse!

[Exeunt] (Richard III Shakespeare Darma)

Act V, Scene 5 (Richard III Shakespeare Darma)

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 (Henry VII). God and your arms be praised, victorious friends,
The day is ours, the bloody dog is dead.
Sir William Stanley. Courageous Richmond, well hast thou acquit thee. 3895
Lo, here, this long-usurped royalty
From the dead temples of this bloody wretch
Have I pluck’d off, to grace thy brows withal:
Wear it, enjoy it, and make much of it.
Richmond (Henry VII). Great God of heaven, say Amen to all! 3900
But, tell me, is young George Stanley living?
Sir William Stanley. He is, my lord, and safe in Leicester town;
Whither, if it please you, we may now withdraw us.
Richmond (Henry VII). What men of name are slain on either side?
Sir William Stanley. John Duke of Norfolk, Walter Lord Ferrers, 3905
Sir Robert Brakenbury, and Sir William Brandon.
Richmond (Henry VII). Inter their bodies as becomes their births:
Proclaim a pardon to the soldiers fled
That in submission will return to us:
And then, as we have ta’en the sacrament, 3910
We will unite the white rose and the red:
Smile heaven upon this fair conjunction,
That long have frown’d upon their enmity!
What traitor hears me, and says not amen?
England hath long been mad, and scarr’d herself; 3915
The brother blindly shed the brother’s blood,
The father rashly slaughter’d his own son,
The son, compell’d, been butcher to the sire:
All this divided York and Lancaster,
Divided in their dire division, 3920
O, now, let Richmond and Elizabeth,
The true succeeders of each royal house,
By God’s fair ordinance conjoin together!
And let their heirs, God, if thy will be so.
Enrich the time to come with smooth-faced peace, 3925
With smiling plenty and fair prosperous days!
Abate the edge of traitors, gracious Lord,
That would reduce these bloody days again,
And make poor England weep in streams of blood!
Let them not live to taste this land’s increase 3930
That would with treason wound this fair land’s peace!
Now civil wounds are stopp’d, peace lives again:
That she may long live here, God say amen!

[Exeunt] (Richard III Shakespeare Darma)

Sad Poetry

1 thought on “Richard III Shakespeare Darma”

Leave a Reply Cancel reply