The Tragedy of Richard the Third from Mr. William Shakespeares comedies, histories, & tragedies.: Published according to the true originall copies.
Mr. VVilliam Shakespeares comedies, histories, & tragedies
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Source : Mr. William Shakespeares comedies, histories, &
tragedies.: Published according to the true originall copies.Mr. VVilliam Shakespeares comedies, histories, &
tragediesFirst FolioLondon, England:
William Jaggard, Edward
Blount, John Smethwicke16238 November 1623 (entered)Bodleian Library, Arch. G c.7S111228015592789
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The Tragedy of Richard the Third:
with the Landing of Earle Richmond, and the
Battell at Bosworth field. §
Actus Primus. Scœna Prima.
[Act 1, Scene 1] §
Enter Richard Duke of Gloster, solus.
NOw is the Winter of our Discontent,
Made glorious Summer by this Son of Yorke:
And all the clouds that lowr'd vpon our house
In the deepe bosome of the Ocean buried.
5 Now are our browes bound with Victorious Wreathes,
Our bruised armes hung vp for Monuments;
Our sterne Alarums chang'd to merry Meetings;
Our dreadfull Marches, to delightfull Measures.
Grim‑visag'd Warre, hath smooth'd his wrinkled Front:
10 And now, in stead of mounting Barbed Steeds,
To fright the Soules of fearfull Aduersaries,
He capers nimbly in a Ladies Chamber,
To the lasciuious pleasing of a Lute.
But I, that am not shap'd for sportiue trickes,
15 Nor made to court an amorous Looking‑glasse:
I, that am Rudely stampt, and want loues Maiesty,
To strut before a wonton ambling Nymph:
I, that am curtail'd of this faire Proportion,
Cheated of Feature by dissembling Nature,
20 Deform'd, vn‑finish'd, sent before my time
Into this breathing World, scarse halfe made vp,
And that so lamely and vnfashionable,
That dogges barke at me, as I halt by them.
Why I (in this weake piping time of Peace)
25 Haue no delight to passe away the time,
Vnlesse to see my Shadow in the Sunne,
And descant on mine owne Deformity.
And therefore, since I cannot proue a Louer,
To entertaine these faire well spoken dayes,
30 I am determined to proue a Villaine,
And hate the idle pleasures of these dayes.
Plots haue I laide, Inductions dangerous,
By drunken Prophesies, Libels, and Dreames,
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 iust,
As I am Subtle, False, and Treacherous,
This day should Clarence closely be mew'd vp:
About a Prophesie, which sayes that G,
40 Of Edwards heyres the murtherer shall be.
Diue thoughts downe to my soule, here Clarence comes.
Enter Clarence, and Brakenbury, guarded.
Brother, good day: What meanes this armed guard
That waites vpon your Grace?
Cla.
His Maiesty tendring my persons safety,
45 Hath appointed this Conduct, to conuey me to th'Tower
Rich.
Vpon what cause?
Cla.
Because my name is George.
Rich.
Alacke my Lord, that fault is none of yours:
He should for that commit your Godfathers.
50 O belike, his Maiesty hath some intent,
That you should be new Christned in the Tower.
But what's the matter Clarence, may I know?
Cla.
Yea Richard, when I know: but I protest
As yet I do not: But as I can learne,
55 He hearkens after Prophesies and Dreames,
And from the Crosse‑row pluckes the letter G:
And sayes, a Wizard told him, that by G,
His issue disinherited should be.
And for my name of George begins with G,
60 It followes in his thought, that I am he.
These (as I learne) and such like toyes as these,
Hath moou'd his Highnesse to commit me now.
Rich.
Why this it is, when men are rul'd by Women:
'Tis not the King that sends you to the Tower,
65 My Lady Grey his Wife, Clarence 'tis shee,
That tempts him to this harsh Extremity.
Was it not shee, and that good man of Worship,
Anthony Woodeulle her Brother there,
That made him send Lord Hastings to the Tower?
70 From whence this present day he is deliuered?
We are not safe Clarence, we are not safe.
Cla.
By heauen, I thinke there is no man secure
But the Queenes Kindred, and night‑walking Heralds,
That trudge betwixt the King, and Mistris Shore.
75 Heard you not what an humble Suppliant
Lord Hastings was, for her deliuery?
Rich.
Humbly complaining to her Deitie,
Got my Lord Chamberlaine to her libertie.
Ile tell you what, I thinke it is our way,
80 If we will keepe in fauour with the King,
To be her men, and weare her Liuery.
The iealous ore‑worne Widdow, and her selfe,
Since that our Brother dub'd them Gentlewomen,
Are mighty Gossips in our Monarchy.
Bra.
85 I beseech your Graces both to pardon me,
His Maiesty hath straightly giuen in charge,
That no man shall haue priuate Conference
(Of what degree soeuer) with your Brother.
Rich.
Euen so, and please your Worship Brakenbury,
90 You may partake of any thing we say:
We speake no Treason man; We say the King
Is wise and vertuous, and his Noble Queene
Well strooke in yeares, faire, and not iealious.
We say, that Shores Wife hath a pretty Foot,
95 A cherry Lip, a bonny Eye, a passing pleasing tongue:
And that the Queenes Kindred are made gentle Folkes.
How say you sir? can you deny all this?
Bra.
With this (my Lord) my selfe haue nought to
doo.
doo.
Rich.
Naught to do with Mistris Shore?
100 I tell thee Fellow, he that doth naught with her
(Excepting one) were best to do it secretly alone.
Bra.
What one, my Lord?
Rich.
Her Husband Knaue, would'st thou betray me?
Bra.
I do beseech your Grace
105 To pardon me, and withall forbeare
Your Conferenee Conference with the Noble Duke.
Cla.
We know thy charge Brakenbury, and wil obey.
Rich.
We are the Queenes abiects, and must obey.
Brother farewell, I will vnto the King,
110 And whatsoe're you will imploy me in,
Were it to call King Edwards Widdow, Sister,
I will performe it to infranchise you.
Meane time, this deepe disgrace in Brotherhood,
Touches me deeper then you can imagine.
Cla.
115 I know it pleaseth neither of vs well.
Rich.
Well, your imprisonment shall not be long,
I will deliuer you, or else lye for you:
Meane time, haue patience.
Cla.
I must perforce: Farewell.
Exit Clar.
Rich.
120 Go treade the path that thou shalt ne're return:
Simple plaine Clarence, I do loue thee so,
That I will shortly send thy Soule to Heauen,
If Heauen will take the present at our hands.
But who comes heere? the new deliuered Hastings?
Enter Lord Hastings.
Hast.
125 Good time of day vnto my gracious Lord.
Rich.
As much vnto my good Lord Chamberlaine:
Well are you welcome to this open Ayre,
How hath your Lordship brook'd imprisonment?
Hast.
With patience (Noble Lord) as prisoners must:
130 But I shall liue (my Lord) to giue them thankes
That were the cause of my imprisonment.
Rich.
No doubt, no doubt, and so shall Clarence too,
For they that were your Enemies, are his,
And haue preuail'd as much on him, as you,
Hast.
135 More pitty, that the Eagles should be mew'd,
Whiles Kites and Buzards play at liberty.
Rich.
What newes abroad?
Hast.
No newes so bad abroad, as this at home:
The King is sickly, weake, and melancholly,
140 And his Physitians feare him mightily.
Rich.
Now by Saint Iohn, that Newes is bad indeed.
O he hath kept an euill Diet long,
And ouer‑much consum'd his Royall Person:
'Tis very greeuous to be thought vpon.
145 Where is he, in his bed?
Hast.
He is.
Rich.
Go you before, and I will follow you.
Exit Hastings.
He cannot liue I hope, and must not dye,
Till George be pack'd with post‑horse vp to Heauen.
150 Ile in to vrge his hatred more to Clarence,
With Lyes well steel'd with weighty Arguments;
And if I faile not in my deepe intent,
Clarence hath not another day to liue:
Which done, God take King Edward to his mercy,
155 And leaue the world for me to bussle in.
For then, Ile marry Warwickes yongest 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:
160 The which will I, not all so much for loue,
As for another secret close intent,
By marrying her, which I must reach vnto:
But yet I run before my horse to Market:
Clarence still breathes, Edward still liues and raignes,
165 When they are gone, then must I count my gaines.
Exit
Scena Secunda.
[Act 1, Scene 2] §
Enter the Coarse of Henrie the sixt with Halberds to guard it,
Lady Anne being the Mourner.
Lady Anne being the Mourner.
Anne.
Set downe, set downe your honourable load,
If Honor may be shrowded in a Herse;
Whil'st I a‑while obsequiously lament
Th'vntimely fall of Vertuous Lancaster.
170 Poore key‑cold figure of a holy King,
Pale Ashes of the House of Lancaster;
Thou bloodlesse Remnant of that Royall Blood,
Be it lawfull that I inuocate thy Ghost,
To heare the Lamentations of poore Anne,
175 Wife to thy Edward, to thy slaughtred Sonne,
Stab'd by the selfesame hand that made these wounds.
Loe, in these windowes that let forth thy life,
I powre the helplesse Balme of my poore eyes.
O cursed be the hand that made these holes:
180 Cursed the Heart, that had the heart to do it:
Cursed the Blood, that let this blood from hence:
More direfull hap betide that hated Wretch
That makes vs wretched by the death of thee,
Then I can wish to Wolues, to Spiders, Toades,
185 Or any creeping venom'd thing that liues.
If euer he haue Childe, Abortiue be it,
Prodigeous, and vntimely brought to light,
Whose vgly and vnnaturall Aspect
May fright the hopefull Mother at the view,
190 And that be Heyre to his vnhappinesse.
If euer he haue Wife, let her be made
More miserable by the death of him,
Then I am made by my young Lord, and thee.
Come now towards Chertsey with your holy Lode,
195 Taken from Paules, to be interred there.
And still as you are weary of this waight,
Rest you, whiles I lament King Henries Coarse.
Enter Richard Duke of Gloster.
Rich.
Stay you that beare the Coarse, & set it down.
An.
What blacke Magitian coniures vp this Fiend,
200 To stop deuoted charitable deeds?
Rich.
Villaines set downe the Coarse, or by Saint Paul,
Ile make a Coarse of him that disobeyes.
Gen.
My Lord stand backe, and let the Coffin passe.
Rich.
Vnmanner'd Dogge,
205 Stand'st thou when I commaund:
Aduance thy Halbert higher then my brest,
Or by Saint Paul Ile strike thee to my Foote,
And spurne vpon thee Begger for thy boldnesse.
Anne.
What do you tremble? are you all affraid?
210 Alas, I blame you not, for you are Mortall,
And Mortall eyes cannot endure the Diuell.
Auant thou dreadfull minister of Hell;
Thou had'st but power ouer his Mortall body,
His Soule thou canst not haue: Therefore be gone.
Rich.
215 Sweet Saint, for Charity, be not so curst.
An.
Foule Diuell,
For Gods sake hence, and trouble vs not,
For thou hast made the happy earth thy Hell:
Fill'd it with cursing cries, and deepe exclaimes:
220 If thou delight to view thy heynous deeds,
Behold this patterne of thy Butcheries.
Oh Gentlemen, see, see dead Henries wounds,
Open their congeal'd mouthes, and bleed afresh.
Blush, blush, thou lumpe of fowle Deformitie:
225 For 'tis thy presence that exhales this blood
From cold and empty Veines where no blood dwels.
Thy Deeds inhumane and vnnaturall,
Prouokes this Deluge most vnnaturall.
O God! which this Blood mad'st, reuenge his death:
230 O Earth! which this Blood drink'st, reuenge his death.
Either Heau'n with Lightning strike the murth'rer dead:
Or Earth gape open wide, and eate him quicke,
As thou dost swallow vp this good Kings blood,
Which his Hell‑gouern'd arme hath butchered.
Rich.
235 Lady, you know no Rules of Charity,
Which renders good for bad, Blessings for Curses.
An.
Villaine, thou know'st nor law of God nor Man,
No Beast so fierce, but knowes some touch of pitty.
Rich.
But I know none, and therefore am no Beast.
An.
240 O wonderfull, when diuels tell the truth!
Rich.
More wonderfull, when Angels are so angry:
Vouchsafe (diuine perfection of a Woman)
Of these supposed Crimes, to giue me leaue
By circumstance, but to acquit my selfe.
An.
245 Vouchsafe (defus'd infection of man)
Of these knowne euils, but to giue me leaue
By circumstance, to curse thy cursed Selfe.
Rich.
Fairer then tongue can name thee, let me haue
Some patient leysure to excuse my selfe.
An.
250 Fouler then heart can thinke thee,
Thou can'st make no excuse currant,
But to hang thy selfe.
Rich.
By such dispaire, I should accuse my selfe.
An.
And by dispairing shalt thou stand excused,
255 For doing worthy Vengeance on thy selfe,
That did'st vnworthy slaughter vpon others.
Rich.
Say that I slew them not.
An.
Then say they were not slaine:
But dead they are, and diuellish slaue by thee.
Rich.
260 I did not kill your Husband.
An.
Why then he is aliue.
Rich.
Nay, he is dead, and slaine by Edwards hands.
An.
In thy foule throat thou Ly'st,
Queene Margaret saw
265 Thy murd'rous Faulchion smoaking in his blood:
The which, thou once didd'st bend against her brest,
But that thy Brothers beate aside the point.
Rich.
I was prouoked by her sland'rous tongue,
That laid their guilt, vpon my guiltlesse Shoulders.
An.
270 Thou was't prouoked by thy bloody minde,
That neuer dream'st on ought but Butcheries:
Did'st thou not kill this King?
Rich.
I graunt ye.
An.
Do'st grant me Hedge‑hogge,
275 Then God graunt me too
Thou may'st be damned for that wicked deede,
O he was gentle, milde, and vertuous.
Rich.
The better for the King of heauen that hath him.
An.
He is in heauen, where thou shalt neuer come.
Rich.
280 Let him thanke me, that holpe to send him thi
ther:
ther:
For he was fitter for that place then earth.
An.
And thou vnfit for any place, but hell.
Rich.
Yes one place else, if you will heare me name it.
An.
Some dungeon.
Rich.
285 Your Bed‑chamber.
An.
Ill rest betide the chamber where thou lyest.
Rich.
So will it Madam, till I lye with you.
An.
I hope so.
Rich.
I know so. But gentle Lady Anne,
290 To leaue this keene encounter of our wittes,
And fall something into a slower method.
Is not the causer of the timelesse deaths
Of these Plantagenets, Henrie and Edward,
As blamefull as the Executioner.
An.
295 Thou was't the cause, and most accurst effect.
Rich.
Your beauty was the cause of that effect:
Your beauty, that did haunt me in my sleepe,
To vndertake the death of all the world,
So I might liue one houre in your sweet bosome.
An.
300 If I thought that, I tell thee Homicide,
These Nailes should rent that beauty from my Cheekes.
Rich.
These eyes could not endure yt beauties wrack,
You should not blemish it, if I stood by;
As all the world is cheared by the Sunne,
305 So I by that: It is my day, my life.
An.
Blacke night ore‑shade thy day, & death thy life.
Rich.
Curse not thy selfe faire Creature,
Thou art both.
An.
I would I were, to be reueng'd on thee.
Rich.
310 It is a quarrell most vnnaturall,
To be reueng'd on him that loueth thee.
An.
It is a quarrell iust and reasonable,
To be reueng'd on him that kill'd my Husband.
Rich.
He that bereft the Lady of thy Husband,
315 Did it to helpe thee to a better Husband.
An.
His better doth not breath vpon the earth.
Rich.
He liues, that loues thee better then he could.
An.
Name him.
Rich.
Plantagenet.
An.
320 Why that was he.
Rich.
The selfesame name, but one of better Nature.
An.
Where is he?
Rich.
Heere:
Spits at him.
Why dost thou spit at me.
An.
325 Would it were mortall poyson, for thy sake.
Rich.
Neuer came poyson from so sweet a place.
An.
Neuer hung poyson on a fowler Toade.
Out of my sight, thou dost infect mine eyes.
Rich.
Thine eyes (sweet Lady) haue infected mine.
An.
330 Would they were Basiliskes, to strike thee dead.
Rich.
I would they were, that I might dye at once:
For now they kill me with a liuing death.
Those eyes of thine, from mine haue drawne salt Teares;
For
{p. 176}
The Life and Death of Richard the Third.
Sham'd their Aspects with store of childish drops:
335 These eyes, which neuer shed remorsefull teare,
No, when my Father Yorke, and Edward wept,
To heare the pittious moane that Rutland made
When black‑fac'd Clifford shooke his sword at him.
Nor when thy warlike Father like a Childe,
340 Told the sad storie of my Fathers death,
Aod twenty times, made pause to sob and weepe:
That all the standers by had wet their cheekes
Like Trees bedash'd with raine. In that sad time,
My manly eyes did scorne an humble teare:
345 And what these sorrowes could not thence exhale,
Thy Beauty hath, and made them blinde with weeping.
I neuer sued to Friend, nor Enemy:
My Tongue could neuer learne sweet smoothing word.
But now thy Beauty is propos'd my Fee,
350 My proud heart sues, and prompts my tongue to speake.
She lookes scornfully at him.
Teach not thy lip such Scorne; for it was made
For kissing Lady, not for such contempt.
If thy reuengefull heart cannot forgiue,
Loe heere I lend thee this sharpe‑pointed Sword,
355 Which if thou please to hide in this true brest,
And let the Soule forth that adoreth thee,
I lay it naked to the deadly stroke,
And humbly begge the death vpon my knee.
He layes his brest open, she offers at with his sword.
Nay do not pause: For I did kill King Henrie,
360 But 'twas thy Beauty that prouoked me.
Nay now dispatch: 'Twas I that stabb'd yong Edward,
But 'twas thy Heauenly face that set me on.
She fals the Sword.
Take vp the Sword againe, or take vp me.
An.
Arise Dissembler, though I wish thy death,
365 I will not be thy Executioner.
Rich.
Then bid me kill my selfe, and I will do it.
An.
I haue already.
Rich.
That was in thy rage:
Speake it againe, and euen with the word,
370 This hand, which for thy loue, did kill thy Loue,
Shall for thy loue, kill a farre truer Loue,
To both their deaths shalt thou be accessary.
An.
I would I knew thy heart.
Rich.
'Tis figur'd in my tongue.
An.
375 I feare me, both are false.
Rich.
Then neuer Man was true.
An.
Well, well, put vp your Sword.
Rich.
Say then my Peace is made.
An.
That shalt thou know heereafter.
Rich.
380 But shall I liue in hope.
An.
All men I hope liue so.
Vouchsafe to weare this Ring.
Rich.
Looke how my Ring incompasseth thy Finger,
Euen so thy Brest incloseth my poore heart:
385 Weare both of them, for both of them are thine.
And if thy poore deuoted Seruant may
But beg one fauour at thy gracious hand,
Thou dost confirme his happinesse for euer.
An.
What is it?
Rich.
390 That it may please you leaue these sad designes,
To him that hath most cause to be a Mourner,
And presently repayre to Crosbie House:
Where (after I haue solemnly interr'd
At Chertsey Monast'ry this Noble King,
395 And wet this Graue with my Repentant Teares)
1 will with all expedient duty see you,
For diuers vnknowne Reasons, I beseech you,
Grant me this Boon.
An.
With all my heart, and much it ioyes me too,
400 To see you are become so penitent.
Tressel and Barkley, go along with me.
Rich.
Bid me farwell.
An.
'Tis more then you deserue:
But since you teach me how to flatter you,
405 Imagine I haue saide farewell already.
Exit two with Anne.
Gent.
Towards Chertsey, Noble Lord?
Rich.
No: to White Friars, there attend my comming
Exit Coarse
Was euer woman in this humour woo'd?
Was euer woman in this humour wonne?
410 Ile haue her, but I will not keepe her long.
What? I that kill'd her Husband, and his Father,
To take her in her hearts extreamest hate,
With curses in her mouth, Teares in her eyes,
The bleeding witnesse of my hatred by,
415 Hauing God, her Conscience, and these bars against me,
And I, no Friends to backe my suite withall,
But the plaine Diuell, and dissembling lookes?
And yet to winne her? All the world to nothing.
Hah!
420 Hath she forgot alreadie that braue Prince,
Edward, her Lord, whom I (some three monthes since)
Stab'd in my angry mood, at Tewkesbury?
A sweeter, and a louelier Gentleman,
Fram'd in the prodigallity of Nature:
425 Yong, Valiant, Wise, and (no doubt) right Royal,
The spacious World cannot againe affoord:
And will she yet abase her eyes on me,
That cropt the Golden prime of this sweet Prince,
And made her Widdow to a wofull Bed?
430 On me, whose All not equals Edwards Moytie?
On me, that halts, and am mishapen thus?
My Dukedome, to a Beggerly denier!
I do mistake my person all this while:
Vpon my life she findes (although I cannot)
435 My selfe to be a maru'llous proper man.
Ile be at Charges for a Looking‑glasse,
And entertaine a score or two of Taylors,
To study fashions to adorne my body:
Since I am crept in fauour with my selfe,
440 I will maintaine it with some little cost.
But first Ile turne yon Fellow in his Graue,
And then returne lamenting to my Loue.
Shine out faire Sunne, till I haue bought a glasse,
That I may see my Shadow as I passe.
exit.
Scena Tertia.
[Act 1, Scene 3] §
Enter the Queene Mother, Lord Riuers,
and Lord Gray.
and Lord Gray.
Riu.
445 Haue patience Madam, ther's no doubt his Maiesty
Will soone recouer his accustom'd health.
Gray.
In that you brooke it ill, it makes him worse,
Therefore for Gods sake entertaine good comfort,
And cheere his Grace with quicke and merry eyes
Qu.
450 If he were dead, what would betide on me?
Gray.
{p. 177}
The Life and Death of Richard the Third.
If he were dead, what would betide on me?
Gray.
No other harme, but losse of such a Lord.
Qu.
The losse of such a Lord, includes all harmes.
Gray.
The Heauens haue blest you with a goodly Son,
455 To be your Comforter, when he is gone.
Qu.
Ah! he is yong; and his minority
Is put vnto the trust of Richard Glouster,
A man that loues not me, nor none of you.
Riu.
Is it concluded he shall be Protector?
Qu.
460 It is determin'd, not concluded yet;
But so it must be, if the King miscarry.
Enter Buckingham and Derby.
Gray.
Here comes the Lord of Buckingham & Derby.
Buc.
Good time of day vnto your Royall Grace.
Der.
God make your Maiesty ioyful, as you haue bin
Qu.
465 The Countesse Richmond, good my Lord of Derby.
To your good prayer, will scarsely say, Amen.
Yet Derby, notwithstanding shee's your wife,
And loues not me, be you good Lord assur'd,
I hate not you for her proud arrogance.
Der.
470 I do beseech you, either not beleeue
The enuious slanders of her false Accusers:
Or if she be accus'd on true report,
Beare with her weaknesse, which I thinke proceeds
From wayward sicknesse, and no grounded malice.
Qu.
475 Saw you the King today my Lord of Derby.
Der.
But now the Duke of Buckingham and I,
Are come from visiting his Maiesty.
Que.
What likelyhood of his amendment Lords.
Buc.
Madam good hope, his Grace speaks chearfully.
Qu.
480 God grant him health, did you confer with him?
Buc.
I Madam, he desires to make attonement
Betweene the Duke of Glouster, and your Brothers,
And betweene them, and my Lord Chamberlaine,
And sent to warne them to his Royall presence.
Qu.
485 Would all were well, but that will neuer be,
I feare our happinesse is at the height.
Enter Richard.
Rich.
They do me wrong, and I will not indure it,
Who is it that complaines vnto the King,
490 By holy Paul, they loue his Grace but lightly,
That fill his eares with such dissentious Rumors.
Because I cannot flatter, and looke faire,
Smile in mens faces, smooth, deceiue, and cogge,
Ducke with French nods, and Apish curtesie,
495 I must be held a rancorous Enemy.
Cannot a plaine man liue, and thinke no harme,
But thus his simple truth must be abus'd,
With silken, slye, insinuating Iackes?
Grey.
To who in all this presence speaks your Grace?
Rich.
500 To thee, that hast nor Honesty, nor Grace:
When haue I iniur'd thee? When done thee wrong?
Or thee? or thee? or any of your Faction?
A plague vpon you all. His Royall Grace
(Whom God preserue better then you would wish)
505 Cannot be quiet scarse a breathing while,
But you must trouble him with lewd complaints.
Qu.
Brother of Glouster, you mistake the matter:
The King on his owne Royall disposition,
(And not prouok'd by any Sutor else)
510 Ayming (belike) at your interiour hatred.
That in your outward action shewes it selfe
Against my Children, Brothers, and my Selfe,
Makes him to send, that he may learne the ground.
Rich.
I cannot tell, the world is growne so bad,
515 That Wrens make prey, where Eagles dare not pearch.
Since euerie Iacke became a Gentleman,
There's many a gentle person made a Iacke.
Qu.
Come, come, we know your meaning Brother
(Gloster
(Gloster
You enuy my aduancement, and my friends:
520 God grant we neuer may haue neede of you.
Rich.
Meane time, God grants that I haue need of you.
Our Brother is imprison'd by your meanes,
My selfe disgrac'd, and the Nobilitie
Held in contempt, while great Promotions
525 Are daily giuen to ennoble those
That scarse some two dayes since were worth a Noble.
Qu.
By him that rais'd me to this carefull height,
From that contented hap which I inioy'd,
I neuer did incense his Maiestie
530 Against the Duke of Clarence, but haue bin
An earnest aduocate to plead for him.
My Lord you do me shamefull iniurie,
Falsely to draw me in these vile suspects.
Rich!
You may deny that you were not the meane
535 Of my Lord Hastings late imprisonment.
Riu.
She may my Lord, for⸺
Rich.
She may Lord Riuers, why who knowes not so?
She may do more sir then denying that:
She may helpe you to many faire preferments,
540 And then deny her ayding hand therein,
And lay those Honors on your high desert.
What may she not, she may, I marry may she.
Riu.
What marry may she?
Ric.
What marrie may she? Marrie with a King,
545 A Batcheller, and a handsome stripling too,
I wis your Grandam had a worser match.
Qu.
My Lord of Glouster, I haue too long borne
Your blunt vpbraidings, and your bitter scoffes:
By heauen, I will acquaint his Maiestie
550 Of those grosse taunts that oft I haue endur'd.
I had rather be a Countrie seruant maide
Then a great Queene, with this condition,
To be so baited, scorn'd, and stormed at,
Small ioy haue I in being Englands Queene.
Enter old Queen Margaret.
Mar.
555 And lesned be that small, God I beseech him,
Thy honor, state, and seate, is due to me.
Rich.
What? threat you me with telling of the King?
I will auouch't in presence of the King:
I dare aduenture to be sent to th'Towre.
560 'Tis time to speake,
My paines are quite forgot.
Margaret.
Out Diuell,
I do remember them too well:
Thou killd'st my Husband Henrie in the Tower,
565 And Edward my poore Son, at Tewkesburie.
Rich.
Ere you were Queene,
I, or your Husband King:
I was a packe‑horse in his great affaires:
A weeder out of his proud Aduersaries,
570 A liberall rewarder of his Friends,
To royalize his blood, I spent mine owne.
Margaret.
I and much better Blood
Then his, or thine.
Rich.
In all which time, you and your Husband Grey
575 Were factious, for the House of Lancaster;
And Riuers, so were you: Was not your Husband,
In Margarets Battaile, at Saint Albons, slaine?
Let me put in your mindes, if you forget
What you haue beene ere this, and what you are:
580 Withall, what I haue beene, and what I am.
Q. M.
A murth'rous Villaine, and so still thou art.
Rich.
Poore Clarence did forsake his Father Warwicke,
I, and forswore himselfe (which Iesu pardon.)
Q. M.
Which God reuenge.
Rich.
585 To fight on Edwards partie, for the Crowne,
And for his meede, poore Lord, he is mewed vp:
I would to God my heart were Flint, like Edwards,
Or Edwards soft and pittifull, like mine;
I am too childish foolish for this World.
Q. M.
590 High thee to Hell for shame, & leaue this World
Thou Cacodemon, there thy Kingdome is.
Riu.
My Lord of Gloster: in those busie dayes,
Which here you vrge, to proue vs Enemies,
We follow'd then our Lord, our Soueraigne King,
595 So should we you, if you should be our King.
Rich.
If I should be? I had rather be a Pedler:
Farre be it from my heart, the thought thereof.
Qu.
As little ioy (my Lord) as you suppose
You should enioy, were you this Countries King,
600 As little ioy you may suppose in me,
That I enioy, being the Queene thereof.
Q. M.
A little ioy enioyes the Queene thereof,
For I am shee, and altogether ioylesse:
I can no longer hold me patient.
605 Heare me, you wrangling Pyrates, that fall out,
In sharing that which you haue pill'd from me:
Which off you trembles not, that lookes on me?
If not, that I am Queene, you bow like Subiects;
Yet that by you depos'd, you quake like Rebells.
610 Ah gentle Villaine, doe not turne away.
Rich.
Foule wrinckled Witch, what mak'st thou in my
(sight?
(sight?
Q. M.
But repetition of what thou hast marr'd,
That will I make, before I let thee goe.
Rich.
Wert thou not banished, on paine of death?
Q. M.
615 I was: but I doe find more paine in banishment,
Then death can yeeld me here, by my abode.
A Husband and a Sonne thou ow'st to me,
And thou a Kingdome; all of you, allegeance:
This Sorrow that I haue, [.] right is yours,
620 And all the Pleasures you [...]rpe, are mine.
Rich.
The Curse my [...]le Father layd on thee,
When thou didst Crown his Warlike Brows with Paper,
And with thy scornes drew'st Riuers from his eyes,
And then to dry the[.], gau'st the Duke a Clowt,
625 Steep'd in the fault[...]e blood of prettie Rutland:
His Curses then, from bitternesse of Soule,
Denounc'd against thee, are all falne vpon thee:
And God, not we, hath plagu'd thy bloody deed.
Qu.
So iust is God, to right the innocent.
Hast.
630 O, 'twas the foulest deed to slay that Babe,
And the most mercilesse, that ere was heard of.
Riu.
Tyrants themselues wept when it was reported.
Dors.
No man but prophecied reuenge for it.
Buck.
Northumberland, then present, wept to see it.
Q. M.
635 What? were you snarling all before I came,
Ready to catch each other by the throat,
And turne you all your hatred now on me?
Did Yorkes dread Curse preuaile so much with Heauen,
That Henries death, my louely Edwards death,
640 Their Kingdomes losse, my wofull Banishment,
Should all but answer for that peeuish Brat?
Can Curses pierce the Clouds, and enter Heauen?
Why then giue way dull Clouds to my quick Curses.
Though not by Warre, by Surfet dye your King,
645 As ours by Murther, to make him a King.
Edward thy Sonne, that now is Prince of Wales,
For Edward our Sonne, that was Prince of Wales,
Dye in his youth, by like vntimely violence.
Thy selfe a Queene, for me that was a Queene,
650 Out‑liue thy glory, like my wretched selfe:
Long may'st thou liue, to wayle thy Childrens death,
And see another, as I see thee now,
Deck'd in thy Rights, as thou art stall'd in mine.
Long dye thy happie dayes, before thy death,
655 And after many length'ned howres of griefe,
Dye neyther Mother, Wife, nor Englands Queene.
Riuers and Dorset, you were standers by,
And so wast thou, Lord Hastings, when my Sonne
Was stab'd with bloody Daggers: God, I pray him,
660 That none of you may liue his naturall age,
But by some vnlook'd accident cut off.
Rich.
Haue done thy Charme, yu hateful wither'd Hagge.
Q. M.
And leaue out thee? stay Dog, for yu shalt heare me.
If Heauen haue any grieuous plague in store,
665 Exceeding those that I can wish vpon thee,
O let them keepe it, till thy sinnes be ripe,
And then hurle downe their indignation
On thee, the troubler of the poore Worlds peace.
The Worme of Conscience still begnaw thy Soule,
670 Thy Friends suspect for Traytors while thou liu'st,
And take deepe Traytors for thy dearest Friends:
No sleepe close vp that deadly Eye of thine,
Vnlesse it be while some tormenting Dreame
Affrights thee with a Hell of ougly Deuills.
675 Thou eluish mark'd, abortiue rooting Hogge,
Thou that wast seal'd in thy Natiuitie
The slaue of Nature, and the Sonne of Hell:
Thou slander of thy heauie Mothers Wombe,
Thou loathed Issue of thy Fathers Loynes,
680 Thou Ragge of Honor, thou detested‑‑
Rich.
Margaret.
Q. M.
Richard.
Rich.
Ha.
Q. M.
I call thee not.
Rich.
685 I cry thee mercie then: for I did thinke,
That thou hadst call'd me all these bitter names.
Q. M.
Why so I did, but look'd for no reply.
Oh let me make the Period to my Curse.
Rich.
'Tis done by me, and ends in Margaret.
Qu.
690 Thus haue you breath'd your Curse against your self.
Q. M.
Poore painted Queen, vain flourish of my fortune,
Why strew'st thou Sugar on that Bottel'd Spider,
Whose deadly Web ensnareth thee about?
Foole, foole, thou whet'st a Knife to kill thy selfe:
695 The day will come, that thou shalt wish for me,
To helpe thee curse this poysonous Bunch‑backt Toade.
Hast.
False boding Woman, end thy frantick Curse,
Least to thy harme, thou moue our patience.
Q. M.
Foule shame vpon you, you haue all mou'd mine.
Ri.
700 Were you wel seru'd, you would be taught your duty.
Q. M.
To serue me well, you all should do me duty,
Teach me to be your Queene, and you my Subiects:
O serue me well, and teach your selues that duty.
Dors.
Dispute not with her, shee is lunaticke.
Q. M.
705 Peace Master Marquesse, you are malapert,
Your fire‑new stampe of Honor is scarce currant.
O
{p. 179}
The Life and Death of Richard the Third.
O that your yong Nobility could iudge
What 'twere to lose it, and be miserable.
They that stand high, haue many blasts to shake them,
710 And if they fall, they dash themselues to peeces.
Rich.
Good counsaile marry, learne it, learne it Mar‑
quesse.
quesse.
Dor.
It touches you my Lord, as much as me.
Rich.
I, and much more: but I was borne so high:
Our ayerie buildeth in the Cedars top,
715 And dallies with the winde, and scornes the Sunne.
Mar.
And turnes the Sun to shade: alas, alas,
Witnesse my Sonne, now in the shade of death,
Whose bright out‑shining beames, thy cloudy wrath
Hath in eternall darknesse folded vp.
720 Your ayery buildeth in our ayeries Nest:
O God that seest it, do not suffer it,
As it is wonne with blood, lost be it so.
Buc.
Peace, peace for shame: If not, for Charity.
Mar.
Vrge neither charity, nor shame to me:
725 Vncharitably with me haue you dealt,
And shamefully my hopes (by you) are butcher'd.
My Charity is outrage, Life my shame,
And in that shame, still liue my sorrowes rage.
Buc.
Haue done, haue done.
Mar.
730 O Princely Buckingham, Ile kisse thy hand,
In signe of League and amity with thee:
Now faire befall thee, and thy Noble house:
Thy Garments are not spotted with our blood:
Nor thou within the compasse of my curse.
Buc.
735 Nor no one heere: for Curses neuer passe
The lips of those that breath them in the ayre.
Mar.
I will not thinke but they ascend the sky,
And there awake Gods gentle sleeping peace.
O Buckingham, take heede of yonder dogge:
740 Looke when he fawnes, he bites; and when he bites,
His venom tooth will rankle to the death.
Haue not to do with him, beware of him,
Sinne, death, and hell haue set their markes on him,
And all their Ministers attend on him.
Rich.
745 What doth she say, my Lord of Buckingham.
Buc.
Nothing that I respect my gracious Lord.
Mar.
What dost thou scorne me
For my gentle counsell?
And sooth the diuell that I warne thee from.
750 O but remember this another day:
When he shall split thy very heart with sorrow:
And say (poore Margaret) was a Prophetesse:
Liue each of you the subiects to his hate,
And he to yours, and all of you to Gods.
Exit.
Buc.
755 My haire doth stand an end to heare her curses.
Riu.
And so doth mine, I muse why she's at libertie.
Rich.
I cannot blame her, by Gods holy mother,
She hath had too much wrong, and I repent
My part thereof, that I haue done to her.
Mar.
760 I neuer did her any to my knowledge.
Rich.
Yet you haue all the vantage of her wrong:
I was too hot, to do somebody good,
That is too cold in thinking of it now:
Marry as for Clarence, he is well repayed:
765 He is frank'd vp to fatting for his paines,
God pardon them, that are the cause thereof.
Riu.
A vertuous, and a Christian‑like conclusion
To pray for them that haue done scath to vs.
Rich.
So do I euer, being well aduis'd.
Speakes to himselfe.
770 For had I curst now, I had curst my selfe.
Enter Catesby.
Cates.
Madam, his Maiesty doth call for you,
And for your Grace, and yours my gracious Lord.
Qu.
Catesby I come, Lords will you go with mee.
Riu.
We wait vpon your Grace.
Exeunt all but Gloster.
Rich.
775 I do the wrong, and first begin to brawle.
The secret Mischeefes that I set abroach,
I lay vnto the greeuous charge of others.
Clarence, who I indeede haue cast in darknesse,
I do beweepe to many simple Gulles,
780 Namely to Derby, Hastings, Buckingham,
And tell them 'tis the Queene, and her Allies,
That stirre the King against the Duke my Brother,
Now they beleeue it, and withall whet me
To be reueng'd on Riuers, Dorset, Grey.
785 But then I sigh, and with a peece of Scripture,
Tell them that God bids vs do good for euill:
And thus I cloath my naked Villanie
With odde old ends, stolne forth of holy Writ,
And seeme a Saint, when most I play the deuill.
Enter two murtherers.
790 But soft, heere come my Executioners,
How now my hardy stout resolued Mates,
Are you now going to dispatch this thing?
Vil.
We are my Lord, and come to haue the Warrant,
That we may be admitted where he is.
Ric.
795 Well thought vpon, I haue it heare about me:
When you haue done, repayre to Crosby place;
But sirs be sodaine in the execution,
Withall obdurate, do not heare him pleade;
For Clarence is well spoken, and perhappes
800 May moue your hearts to pitty, if you marke him.
Vil.
Tut, tut, my Lord, we will not stand to prate,
Talkers are no good dooers, be assur'd:
We go to vse our hands, and not our tongues.
Rich.
Your eyes drop Mill‑stones, when Fooles eyes
fall Teares:
fall Teares:
805 I like you Lads, about your businesse straight.
Go, go, dispatch.
Vil.
We will my Noble Lord.
Scena Quarta.
[Act 1, Scene 4] §
Enter Clarence and Keeper.
Keep.
Why lookes your Grace so heauily to day.
Cla.
0, I haue past a miserable night,
810 So full of fearefull Dreames, of vgly sights,
That as I am a Christian faithfull man,
I would not spend another such a night
Though 'twere to buy a world of happy daies:
So full of dismall terror was the time.
Keep.
815 What was your dream my Lord, I pray you tel me
Cla.
Me thoughts that I had broken from the Tower,
And was embark'd to crosse to Burgundy,
And in my company my Brother Glouster,
Who from my Cabin tempted me to walke,
820 Vpon the Hatches: There we look'd toward England,
And cited vp a thousand heauy times,
r2
During
{p. 180}
The Life and Death of Richard the Third.
During the warres of Yorke and Lancaster
That had befalne vs. As we pac'd along
Vpon the giddy footing of the Hatches,
825 Me thought that Glouster stumbled, and in falling
Strooke me (that thought to stay him) ouer‑boord,
Into the tumbling billowes of the maine.
O Lord, me thought what paine it was to drowne,
What dreadfull noise of water in mine eares,
830 What sights of vgly death within mine eyes.
Me thoughts, I saw a thousand fearfull wrackes:
A thousand men that Fishes gnaw'd vpon:
Wedges of Gold, great Anchors, heapes of Pearle,
Inestimable Stones, vnvalewed Iewels,
835 All scattred in the bottome of the Sea,
Some lay in dead‑mens Sculles, and in the holes
Where eyes did once inhabit, there were crept
(As 'twere in scorne of eyes) reflecting Gemmes,
That woo'd the slimy bottome of the deepe,
840 And mock'd the dead bones that lay scattred by.
Keep.
Had you such leysure in the time of death
To gaze vpon these secrets of the deepe?
Cla.
Me thought I had, and often did I striue
To yeeld the Ghost: but still the enuious Flood
845 Stop'd in my soule, and would not let it forth
To find the empty, vast, and wand'ring ayre:
But smother'd it within my panting bulke,
Who almost burst, to belch it in the Sea.
Keep.
Awak'd you not in this sore Agony?
Clar.
850 No, no, my Dreame was lengthen'd after life.
O then, began the Tempest to my Soule.
I past (me thought) the Melancholly Flood,
With that sowre Ferry‑man which Poets write of,
Vnto the Kingdome of perpetuall Night.
855 The first that there did greet my Stranger‑soule,
Was my great Father‑in‑Law, renowned Warwicke,
Who spake alowd: What scourge for Periurie,
Can this darke Monarchy affoord false Clarence?
And so he vanish'd. Then came wand'ring by,
860 A Shadow like an Angell, with bright hayre
Dabbel'd in blood, and he shriek'd out alowd
Clarence is come, false, fleeting, periur'd Clarence,
That stabb'd me in the field by Tewkesbury:
Seize on him Furies, take him vnto Torment.
865 With that (me thought) a Legion of foule Fiends
[..]uiron'd me, and howled in mine eares
[.]uch hiddeous cries, that with the very Noise,
I (trembling) wak'd, and for a season after,
Could not beleeue, but that I was in Hell,
870 Such terrible Impression made my Dreame.
Keep.
No maruell Lord, though it affrighted you,
I am affraid (me thinkes) to heare you tell it.
Cla.
Ah Keeper, Keeper, I haue done these things
(That now giue euidence against my Soule)
875 For Edwards sake, and see how he requits mee.
O God! if my deepe prayres cannot appease thee,
But thou wilt be aueng'd on my misdeeds,
Yet execute thy wrath in me alone:
O spare my guiltlesse Wife, and my poore children.
880 Keeper, I prythee sit by me a‑while,
My Soule is heauy, and I faine would sleepe.
Keep.
I will my Lord, God giue your Grace good rest.
Enter Brakenbury the Lieutenant.
Bra.
Sorrow breakes Seasons, and reposing houres,
Makes the Night Morning, and the Noon‑tide night:
885 Princes haue but their Titles for their Glories,
An outward Honor, for an inward Toyle,
And for vnfelt Imaginations
They often feele a world of restlesse Cares:
So that betweene their Titles, and low Name,
890 There's nothing differs, but the outward fame.
Enter two Murtherers.
1. Mur.
Ho, who's heere?
Bra.
What would'st thou Fellow? And how camm'st
thou hither.
thou hither.
2. Mur.
[893] I would speak with Clarence, and I came hi [l. 894] ther on my Legges.
Bra.
895 What so breefe?
1.
'Tis better (Sir) then to be tedious:
Let him see our Commission, and talke no more.
Reads
Bra.
I am in this, commanded to deliuer
The Noble Duke of Clarence to your hands.
900 I will not reason what is meant heereby,
Because I will be guiltlesse from the meaning.
There lies the Duke asleepe, and there the Keyes.
Ile to the King, and signifie to him,
That thus I haue resign'd to you my charge.
Exit.
1
905 You may sir, 'tis a point of wisedome:
Far you well.
2
What, shall we stab him as he sleepes.
1
No: hee'l say 'twas done cowardly, when he wakes
2
[909] Why he shall neuer wake, vntill the great Iudge [l. 910] ment day.
1
Why then hee'l say, we stab'd him sleeping.
2
[912] The vrging of that word Iudgement, hath bred a [l. 913] kinde of remorse in me.
1
What? art thou affraid?
2
915 Not to kill him, hauing a Warrant,
But to be damn'd for killing him, from the which
No Warrant can defend me.
1
I thought thou had'st bin resolute.
2
[919] So I am, to let him liue.
1
[920] Ile backe to the Duke of Glouster, and tell him so.
2
Nay, I prythee stay a little:
I hope this passionate humor of mine, will change,
It was wont to hold me but while one tels twenty.
1
[924] How do'st thou feele thy selfe now?
2
[925] Some certaine dregges of conscience are yet with [l. 926] in mee.
1
[927] Remember our Reward, when the deed's done.
2
[928] Come, he dies: I had forgot the Reward.
1
[929] Where's thy conscience now.
2
[930] O, in the Duke of Glousters purse.
1
[931] When hee opens his purse to giue vs our Reward, [l. 932] thy Conscience flyes out.
2
[933] 'Tis no matter, let it goe: There's few or none will [l. 934] entertaine it.
1
[935] What if it come to thee againe?
2
[936] Ile not meddle with it, it makes a man a Coward: [l. 937] A man cannot steale, but it accuseth him: A man cannot [l. 938] Sweare, but it Checkes him: A man cannot lye with his [l. 939] Neighbours Wife, but it detects him. 'Tis a blushing [l. 940] shamefac'd spirit, that mutinies in a mans bosome: It [l. 941] filles a man full of Obstacles. It made me once restore a [l. 942] Pursse of Gold that (by chance) I found: It beggars any [l. 943] man that keepes it: It is turn'd out of Townes and Cit [l. 944] ties for a dangerous thing, and euery man that means to [l. 945] liue well, endeuours to trust to himselfe, and liue vvith [l. 946] out it.
1
[947] 'Tis euen now at my elbow, perswading me not to
[l. 948] kill the Dkue Duke.
2
Take the diuell in thy minde, and beleeue him not:
950 He would insinuate with thee but to make thee sigh.
1
I am strong fram'd, he cannot preuaile with me.
2
Spoke like a tall man, that respects thy reputation.
Come, shall we fall to worke?
1
[954] Take him on the Costard, with the hiltes of thy [l. 955] Sword, and then throw him into the Malmesey‑Butte in [l. 956] the next roome.
2
O excellent deuice; and make a sop of him.
1
Soft, he wakes.
2
Strike.
1
960 No, wee'l reason with him.
Cla.
Where art thou Keeper? Giue me a cup of wine.
2
You shall haue Wine enough my Lord anon.
Cla.
In Gods name, what art thou?
1
A man, as you are.
Cla.
965 But not as I am Royall.
1
Nor you as we are, Loyall.
Cla.
Thy voice is Thunder, but thy looks are humble.
1
My voice is now the Kings, my lookes mine owne.
Cla.
How darkly, and how deadly dost thou speake?
970 Your eyes do menace me: why looke you pale?
Who sent you hither? Wherefore do you come?
2
To, to, to⸺
Cla.
To murther me?
Both.
I, I.
Cla.
975 You scarsely haue the hearts to tell me so,
And therefore cannot haue the hearts to do it.
Wherein my Friends haue I offended you?
1
Offended vs you haue not, but the King.
Cla.
1 shall be reconcil'd to him againe.
2
980 Neuer my Lord, therefore prepare to dye.
Cla.
Are you drawne forth among a world of men
To slay the innocent? What is my offence?
Where is the Euidence that doth accuse me?
What lawfull Quest haue giuen their Verdict vp
985 Vnto the frowning Iudge? Or who pronounc'd
The bitter Sentence of poore Clarence death,
Before I be conuict by course of Law?
To threaten me with death, is most vnlawfull.
I charge you, as you hope for any goodnesse,
990 That you depart, and lay no hands on me:
The deed you vndertake is damnable.
1
What we will do, we do vpon command.
2
And he that hath commanded, is our King.
Cla.
Erroneous Vassals, the great King of Kings
995 Hath in the Table of his Law commanded
That thou shalt do no murther. Will you then
Spurne at his Edict, and fulfill a Mans?
Take heed: for he holds Vengeance in his hand,
To hurle vpon their heads that breake his Law.
2
1000 And that same Vengeance doth he hurle on thee,
For false Forswearing, and for murther too:
Thou did'st receiue the Sacrament, to fight
In quarrell of the House of Lancaster.
1
And like a Traitor to the name of God,
1005 Did'st breake that Vow, and with thy treacherous blade,
Vnrip'st the Bowels of thy Sou'raignes Sonne.
2
Whom thou was't sworne to cherish and defend.
1
How canst thou vrge Gods dreadfull Law to vs
When thou hast broke it in such deere degree?
Cla.
1010 Alas! for whose sake did I that ill deede?
For Edward, for my Brother, for his sake.
He sends you not to murther me for this:
For in that sinne, he is as deepe as I.
If God will be auenged for the deed,
1015 O know you yet, he doth it publiquely,
Take not the quarrell from his powrefull arme:
He needs no indirect, or lawlesse course,
To cut off those that haue offended him.
1
Who made thee then a bloudy minister,
1020 When gallant springing braue Plantagenet,
That Princely Nouice was strucke dead by thee?
Cla.
My Brothers loue, the Diuell, and my Rage.
1
Thy Brothers Loue, our Duty, and thy Faults,
Prouoke vs hither now, to slaughter thee.
Cla.
1025 If you do loue my Brother, hate not me:
I am his Brother, and I loue him well.
If you are hyr'd for meed, go backe againe,
And I will send you so my Brother Glouster:
Who shall reward you better for my life,
1030 Then Edward will for tydings of my death.
2
You are deceiu'd,
Your Brother Glouster hates you.
Cla.
Oh no, he loues me, and he holds me deere:
Go you to him from me.
1
1035 I so we will.
Cla.
Tell him, when that our Princely Father Yorke,
Blest his three Sonnes with his victorious Arme,
He little thought of this diuided Friendship:
Bid Glouster thinke on this, and he will weepe.
1
1040 I Milstones, as he lessoned vs to weepe.
Cla.
O do not slander him, for he is kinde.
1
Right, as Snow in Haruest:
Come, you deceiue your selfe,
'Tis he that sends vs to destroy you heere.
Cla.
1045 It cannot be, for he bewept my Fortune,
And hugg'd me in his armes, and swore with sobs,
That he would labour my deliuery.
1
Why so he doth, when he deliuers you
From this earths thraldome, to the ioyes of heauen.
2
1050 Make peace with God, for you must die my Lord.
Cla.
Haue you that holy feeling in your soules,
To counsaile me to make my peace with God,
And are you yet to your owne soules so blinde,
That you will warre with God, by murd'ring me.
1055 O sirs consider, they that set you on
To do this deede, will hate you for the deede.
2
What shall we do?
Clar.
Relent, and saue your soules:
Which of you, if you were a Princes Sonne,
1060 Being pent from Liberty, as I am now,
If two such murtherers as your selues came to you,
Would not intreat for life, as you would begge
Were you in my distresse.
1
Relent? no: 'Tis cowardly and womanish.
Cla.
1065 Not to relent, is beastly, sauage, diuellish:
My Friend, I spy some pitty in thy lookes:
O, if thine eye be not a Flatterer,
Come thou on my side, and intreate for mee,
A begging Prince, what begger pitties not.
2
1070 Looke behinde you, my Lord.
1
Take that, and that, if all this will not do,
Stabs him.
Ile drowne you in the Malmesey‑But within.
Exit.
2
A bloody deed, and desperately dispatcht:
How faine (like Pilate) would I wash my hands
1075 Of this most greeuous murther.
Enter 1. Murtherer
1
[1076] How now? what mean'st thou that thou help'st me [l. 1077] not? By Heauen the Duke shall know how slacke you [l. 1078] haue beene.
2. Mur.
I would he knew that I had sau'd his brother,
1080 Take thou the Fee, and tell him what I say,
For I repent me that the Duke is slaine.
Exit.
1. Mur.
So do not I: go Coward as thou art.
Well, Ile go hide the body in some hole,
Till that the Duke giue order for his buriall:
1085 And when I haue my meede, I will away,
For this will out, and then I must not stay.
Exit
Actus Secundus. Scœna Prima.
[Act 2, Scene 1] §
Flourish.
Enter the King sicke, the Queene, Lord Marquesse
Dorset, Riuers, Hastings, Catesby,
Buckingham, Wooduill.
Dorset, Riuers, Hastings, Catesby,
Buckingham, Wooduill.
King.
Why so: now haue I done a good daies work.
You Peeres, continue this vnited League:
I, euery day expect an Embassage
1090 From my Redeemer, to redeeme me hence.
And more to peace my soule shall part to heauen,
Since I haue made my Friends at peace on earth.
Dorset and Riuers, take each others hand,
Dissemble not your hatred, Sweare your loue.
Riu.
1095 By heauen, my soule is purg'd from grudging hate
And with my hand I seale my true hearts Loue.
Hast.
So thriue I, as I truly sweare the like.
King.
Take heed you dally not before your King,
Lest he that is the supreme King of Kings
1100 Confound your hidden falshood, and award
Either of you to be the others end.
Hast.
So prosper I, as I sweare perfect loue.
Ri.
And I, as I loue Hastings with my heart.
King.
Madam, your selfe is not exempt from this:
1105 Nor you Sonne Dorset, Buckingham nor you;
You haue bene factious one against the other.
Wife, loue Lord Hastings, let him kisse your hand,
And what you do, do it vnfeignedly.
Qu.
There Hastings, I will neuer more remember
1110 Our former hatred, so thriue I, and mine.
King.
Dorset, imbrace him:
Hastings, loue Lord Marquesse.
Dor.
This interchange of loue, I heere protest
Vpon my part, shall be inuiolable.
Hast.
1115 And so sweare I.
King.
Now Princely Buckingham, seale yu this league
With thy embracements to my wiues Allies,
And make me happy in your vnity.
Buc.
When euer Buckingham doth turne his hate
1120 Vpon your Grace, but with all dutious loue,
Doth cherish you, and yours, God punish me
With hate in those where I expect most loue,
When I haue most need to imploy a Friend,
And most assured that he is a Friend,
1125 Deepe, hollow, treacherous, and full of guile,
Be he vnto me: This do I begge of heauen,
When I am cold in loue, to you, or yours.
Embrace
King.
A pleasing Cordiall, Princely Buckingham
Is this thy Vow, vnto my sickely heart:
1130 There wanteth now our Brother Gloster heere,
To make the blessed period of this peace.
Buc.
And in good time,
Heere comes Sir Richard Ratcliffe, and the Duke.
Enter Ratcliffe, and Gloster.
Rich.
Good morrow to my Soueraigne King & Queen
1135 And Princely Peeres, a happy time of day.
King,
Happy indeed, as we haue spent the day:
Gloster, we haue done deeds of Charity,
Made peace of enmity, faire loue of hate,
Betweene these swelling wrong incensed Peeres.
Rich.
1140 A blessed labour my most Soueraigne Lord:
Among this Princely heape, if any heere
By false intelligence, or wrong surmize
Hold me a Foe: If I vnwillingly, or in my rage,
Haue ought committed that is hardly borne,
1145 To any in this presence, I desir[.]
To reconcile me to his Friendly peace:
'Tis death to me to be at enmitie:
I hate it, and desire all good mens loue,
First Madam, I intreate true peace of you,
1150 Which I will purchase with my dutious seruice.
Of you my Noble Cosin Buckingham,
If euer any grudge were lodg'd betweene vs.
Of you and you, Lord Riuers and of Dorset,
That all without desert haue frown'd on me:
1155 Of you Lord Wooduill, and Lord Scales of you,
Dukes, Earles, Lords, Gentlemen, indeed of all.
I do not know that Englishman aliue,
With whom my soule is any iot at oddes,
More then the Infant that is borne to night:
1160 I thanke my God for my Humility.
Qu.
A holy day shall this be kept heereafter:
I would to God all strifes were well compounded.
My Soueraigne Lord, I do beseech your Highnesse
To take our Brother Clarence to your Grace.
Rich
1165 Why Madam, haue I offred loue for this,
To be so flowted in this Royall presence?
Who knowes not that the gentle Duke is dead?
You do him iniurie to scorne his Coarse.
They
all start.
all start.
King.
Who knowes not he is dead?
1170 Who knowes he is?
Qu.
All‑seeing heauen, what a world is this?
Buc.
Looke I so pale Lord Dorset, as the rest?
Dor.
I my good Lord, and no man in the presence,
But his red colour hath forsooke his cheekes.
King.
1175 Is Clarence dead? The Order was reuerst.
Rich.
But he (poore man) by your first order dyed,
And that a winged Mercurie did beare:
Some tardie Cripple bare the Countermand,
That came too lagge to see him buried.
1180 God grant, that some lesse Noble, and lesse Loyall,
Neerer in bloody thoughts, and not in blood,
Deserue not worse then wretched Clarence did,
And yet go currant from Suspition.
Enter Earle of Derby.
Der.
A boone my Soueraigne for my seruice done.
King.
1185 I prethee peace, my soule is full of sorrow.
Der.
I will not rise, vnlesse your Highnes heare me.
King.
Then say at once, what is it thou requests.
Der.
The forfeit (Soueraigne) of my seruants life,
Who slew to day a Riotous Gentleman,
1190 Lately attendant on the Duke of Norfolke.
King.
Haue I a tongue to doome my Brothers death?
And shall that tongue giue pardon to a slaue?
My Brother kill'd no man, his fault was Thought,
And yet his punishment was bitter death.
Who
{p. 183}
The Life and Death of Richard the Third.
1195 Who sued to me for him? Who (in my wrath)
Kneel'd and my feet, and bid me be aduis'd?
Who spoke of Brother‑hood? who spoke of loue?
Who told me how the poore soule did forsake
The mighty Warwicke, and did fight for me?
1200 Who told me in the field at Tewkesbury,
When Oxford had me downe, he rescued me:
And said deare Brother liue, and be a King?
Who told me, when we both lay in the Field,
Frozen (almost) to death, how he did lap me
1205 Euen in his Garments, and did giue himselfe
(All thin and naked) to the numbe cold night?
All this from my Remembrance, brutish wrath
Sinfully pluckt, and not a man of you
Had so much grace to put it in my minde.
1210 But when your Carters, or your wayting Vassalls
Haue done a drunken Slaughter, and defac'd
The precious Image of our deere Redeemer,
You straight are on your knees for Pardon, pardon,
And I (vniustly too) must grant it you.
1215 But for my Brother, not a man would speake,
Nor I (vngracious) speake vnto my selfe
For him poore Soule. The proudest of you all,
Haue bin beholding to him in his life:
Yet none of you, would once begge for his life.
1220 O God! I feare thy iustice will take hold
On me, and you; and mine, and yours for this.
Come Hastings helpe me to my Closset.
Ah poore Clarence.
Exeunt some with K. & Queen.
Rich.
This is the fruits of rashnes: Markt you not,
1225 How that the guilty Kindred of the Queene
Look'd pale, when they did heare of Clarence death.
O! they did vrge it still vnto the King,
God will reuenge it. Come Lords will you go,
To comfort Edward with our company.
Buc.
1230 We wait vpon your Grace.
exeunt.
Scena Secunda.
[Act 2, Scene 2] §
Enter the old Dutchesse of Yorke, with the two
children of Clarence.
children of Clarence.
Edw.
Good Grandam tell vs, is our Father dead?
Dutch.
No Boy.
Daugh.
Why do weepe so oft? And beate your Brest?
And cry, O Clarence, my vnhappy Sonne.
Boy.
1235 Why do you looke on vs and shake your head,
And call vs Orphans, Wretches, Castawayes,
If that our Noble Father were aliue?
Dut.
My pretty Cosins, you mistake me both,
I do lament the sicknesse of the King,
1240 As loath to lose him, not your Fathers death:
It were lost sorrow to waile one that's lost.
Boy.
Then you conclude, (my Grandam) he is dead:
The King mine Vnckle is too blame for it.
God will reuenge it, whom I will importune
1245 With earnest prayers, all to that effect.
Daugh.
And so will I.
Dut.
Peace children peace, the King doth loue you wel.
Incapeable, and shallow Innocents,
You cannot guesse who caus'd your Fathers death.
Boy.
1250 Grandam we can: for my good Vnkle Gloster
Told me, the King prouok'd to it by the Queene,
Deuis'd impeachments to imprison him;
And when my Vnckle told me so, he wept,
And pittied me, and kindly kist my cheeke:
1255 Bad me rely on him, as on my Father,
And he would loue me deerely as a childe.
Dut.
Ah! that Deceit should steale such gentle shape,
And with a vertuous Vizor hide deepe vice.
He is my sonne, I, and therein my shame,
1260 Yet from my dugges, he drew not this deceit.
Boy.
Thinke you my Vnkle did dissemble Grandam?
Dut.
I Boy.
Boy.
I cannot thinke it. Hearke, what noise is this?
Enter the Queene with her haire about her ears,
Riuers & Dorset after her.
Riuers & Dorset after her.
Qu.
Ah! who shall hinder me to waile and weepe?
1265 To chide my Fortune, and torment my Selfe.
Ile ioyne with blacke dispaire against my Soule,
And to my selfe, become an enemie.
Dut.
What meanes this Scene of rude impatience?
Qu.
To make an act of Tragicke violence.
1270 Edward my Lord, thy Sonne, our King is dead.
Why grow the Branches, when the Roote is gone?
Why wither not the leaues that want their sap?
If you will liue, Lament: if dye, be breefe,
That our swift‑winged Soules may catch the Kings,
1275 Or like obedient Subiects follow him,
To his new Kingdome of nere‑changing night.
Dut.
Ah so much interest haue in thy sorrow,
As I had Title in thy Noble Husband:
I haue bewept a worthy Husbands death,
1280 And liu'd with looking on his Images:
But now two Mirrors of his Princely semblance,
Are crack'd in pieces, by malignant death,
And I for comfort, haue but one false Glasse,
That greeues me, when I see my shame in him.
1285 Thou art a Widdow: yet thou art a Mother,
And hast the comfort of thy Children left,
But death hath snatch'd my Husband from mine Armes,
And pluckt two Crutches from my feeble hands,
Clarence, and Edward. O, what cause haue I,
1290 (Thine being but a moity of my moane)
To ouer‑go thy woes, and drowne thy cries.
Boy.
Ah Aunt! you wept not for our Fathers death:
How can we ayde you with our Kindred teares?
Daugh.
Our fatherlesse distresse was left vnmoan'd,
1295 Your widdow‑dolour, likewise be vnwept.
Qu.
Giue me no helpe in Lamentation,
I am not barren to bring forth complaints:
All Springs reduce their currents to mine eyes,
That I being gouern'd by the waterie Moone,
1300 May send forth plenteous teares to drowne the World.
Ah, for my Husband, for my deere Lord Edward.
Chil.
Ah for our Father, for our deere Lord Clarence.
Dut.
Alas for both, both mine Edward and Clarence.
Qu.
What stay had I but Edward, and hee's gone?
Chil.
1305 What stay had we but Clarence? and he's gone.
Dut.
What stayes had I, but they? and they are gone.
Qu.
Was neuer widdow had so deere a losse.
Chil.
Were neuer Orphans had so deere a losse.
Dut.
Was neuer Mother had so deere a losse.
1310 Alas! I am the Mother of these Greefes,
Their woes are parcell'd, mine is generall.
She for an Edward weepes, and so do I:
I
{p. 184}
The Life and Death of Richard the Third.
I for a Clarence weepes, so doth not shee:
These Babes for Clarence weepe, so do not they.
1315 Alas! you three, on me threefold distrest:
Power all your teares, I am your sorrowes Nurse,
And I will pamper it with Lamentation.
Dor.
Comfort deere Mother, God is much displeas'd,
That you take with vnthankfulnesse his doing.
1320 In common worldly things, 'tis call'd vngratefull,
With dull vnwillingnesse to repay a debt,
Which with a bounteous hand was kindly lent:
Much more to be thus opposite with heauen,
For it requires the Royall debt it lent you.
Riuers.
1325 Madam, bethinke you like a carefull Mother
Of the young Prince your sonne: send straight for him,
Let him be Crown'd, in him your comfort liues.
Drowne desperate sorrow in dead Edwards graue,
And plant your ioyes in liuing Edwards Throne.
Enter Richard, Buckingham, Derbie, Ha
stings, and Ratcliffe.
stings, and Ratcliffe.
Rich.
1330 Sister haue comfort, all of vs haue cause
To waile the dimming of our shining Starre:
But none can helpe our harmes by wayling them.
Madam, my Mother, I do cry you mercie,
I did not see your Grace. Humbly on my knee,
1335 I craue your Blessing.
Dut.
God blesse thee, and put meeknes in thy breast,
Loue Charity, Obedience, and true Dutie.
Rich.
Amen, and make me die a good old man,
That is the butt‑end of a Mothers blessing;
1340 I maruell that her Grace did leaue it out.
Buc.
You clowdy‑Princes, & hart‑sorowing‑Peeres,
That beare this heauie mutuall loade of Moane,
Now cheere each other, in each others Loue:
Though we haue spent our Haruest of this King,
1345 We are to reape the Haruest of his Sonne.
The broken rancour of your high‑swolne hates,
But lately splinter'd, knit, and ioyn'd together,
Must gently be preseru'd, cherisht, and kept:
Me seemeth good, that with some little Traine,
1350 Forthwith from Ludlow, the young Prince be set
Hither to London, to be crown'd our King.
Riuers.
Why with some little Traine,
My Lord of Buckingham?
Buc.
Marrie my Lord, least by a multitude,
1355 The new‑heal'd wound of Malice should breake out,
Which would be so much the more dangerous,
By how much the estate is greene, and yet vngouern'd.
Where euery Horse beares his commanding Reine,
And may direct his course as please himselfe,
1360 As well the feare of harme, as harme apparant,
In my opinion, ought to be preuented.
Rich.
I hope the King made peace with all of vs,
And the compact is firme, and true in me.
Riu.
And so in me, and so (I thinke) in all.
1365 Yet since it is but greene, it should be put
To no apparant likely‑hood of breach,
Which haply by much company might be vrg'd:
Therefore I say with Noble Buckingham,
That it is meete so few should fetch the Prince.
Hast.
1370 And so say I.
Rich.
Then be it so, and go we to determine
Who they shall be that strait shall poste to London.
Madam, and you my Sister, will you go
To giue your censures in this businesse.
Exeunt.
Manet Buckingham, and Richard.
Buc.
1375 My Lord, who euer iournies to the Prince,
For God sake let not vs two stay at home:
For by the way, Ile sort occasion,
As Index to the story we late talk'd of,
To part the Queenes proud Kindred from the Prince.
Rich.
1380 My other selfe, my Counsailes Consistory,
My Oracle, My Prophet, my deere Cosin,
I, as a childe, will go by thy direction,
Toward London then, for wee'l not stay behinde.
Exeunt
Scena Tertia.
[Act 2, Scene 3] §
Enter one Citizen at one doore, and another at
the other.
the other.
1. Cit.
Good morrow Neighbour, whether away so
fast?
fast?
2. Cit.
1385 I promise you, I scarsely know my selfe:
Heare you the newes abroad?
1.
Yes, that the King is dead.
2.
Ill newes byrlady, seldome comes the better:
I feare, I feare, 'twill proue a giddy world.
Enter another Citizen.
3.
1390 Neighbours, God speed.
1.
Giue you good morrow sir.
3.
Doth the newes hold of good king Edwards death?
2.
I sir, it is too true, God helpe the while.
3.
Then Masters looke to see a troublous world.
1.
1395 No, no, by Gods good grace, his Son shall reigne.
3.
Woe to that Land that's gouern'd by a Childe.
2.
In him there is a hope of Gouernment,
Which in his nonage, counsell vnder him,
And in his full and ripened yeares, himselfe
1400 No doubt shall then, and till then gouerne well.
1.
So stood the State, when Henry the sixt
Was crown'd in Paris, but at nine months old.
3.
Stood the state so? No, no, good friends, God wot
For then this Land was famously enrich'd
1405 With politike graue Counsell; then the King
Had vertuous Vnkles to protect his Grace.
1.
Why so hath this, both by his Father and Mother.
3.
Better it were they all came by his Father:
Or by his Father there were none at all:
1410 For emulation, who shall now be neerest,
Will touch vs all too neere, if God preuent not.
O full of danger is the Duke of Glouster,
And the Queenes Sons, and Brothers, haught and proud:
And were they to be rul'd, and not to rule,
1415 This sickly Land, might solace as before.
1.
Come, come, we feare the worst: all will be well.
3.
When Clouds are seen, wisemen put on their clokes;
When great leaues fall, then Winter is at hand;
When the Sun sets, who doth not looke for night?
1420 Vntimely stormes, makes men expect a Dearth:
All may be well; but if God sort it so,
'Tis more then we deserue, or I expect.
2.
Truly, the hearts of men are full of feare:
You cannot reason (almost) with a man,
1425 That lookes not heauily, and full of dread.
3.
Before the dayes of Change, still is it so,
By a diuine instinct, mens mindes mistrust
Ensuing
{p. 185}
The Life and Death of Richard the Third.
Pursuing danger: as by proofe we see
The Water swell before a boyst'rous storme:
1430 But leaue it all to God. Whither away?
2
Marry we were sent for to the Iustices.
3
And so was I: Ile beare you company.
Exeunt.
Scena Quarta.
[Act 2, Scene 4] §
Enter Arch‑bishop, yong Yorke, the Queene,
and the Dutchesse.
and the Dutchesse.
Arch.
Last night I heard they lay at Stony Stratford,
And at Northampton they do rest to night:
1435 To morrow, or next day, they will be heere.
Dut.
I long with all my heart to see the Prince:
I hope he is much growne since last I saw him.
Qu.
But I heare no, they say my sonne of Yorke
Ha's almost ouertane him in his growth.
Yorke.
1440 I Mother, but I would not haue it so.
Dut.
Why my good Cosin, it is good to grow.
Yor.
Grandam, one night as we did sit at Supper,
My Vnkle Riuers talk'd how I did grow
More then my Brother. I, quoth my Vnkle Glouster,
1445 Small Herbes haue grace, great Weeds do grow apace.
And since, me thinkes I would not grow so fast,
Because sweet Flowres are slow, and Weeds make hast.
Dut.
Good faith, good faith, the saying did not hold
In him that did obiect the same to thee.
1450 He was the wretched'st thing when he was yong,
So long a growing, and so leysurely,
That if his rule were true, he should be gracious.
Yor.
And so no doubt he is, my gracious Madam.
Dut.
I hope he is, but yet let Mothers doubt.
Yor.
1455 Now by my troth, if I had beene remembred,
I could haue giuen my Vnkles Grace, a flout,
To touch his growth, neerer then he toucht mine.
Dut.
How my yong Yorke,
I prythee let me heare it.
Yor.
1460 Marry (they say) my Vnkle grew so fast,
That he could gnaw a crust at two houres old,
'Twas full two years ere I could get a tooth.
Grandam, this would haue beene a byting Iest.
Dut.
I prythee pretty Yorke, who told thee this?
Yor.
1465 Grandam, his Nursse.
Dut.
His Nurse? why she was dead, ere yu wast borne.
Yor.
lf 'twere not she, I cannot tell who told me.
Qu.
A parlous Boy: go too, you are too shrew'd.
Dut.
Good Madam, be not angry with the Childe.
Qu.
1470 Pitchers haue eares.
Enter Messenger.
Arch.
Heere comes a Messenger: What Newes?
Mes.
Such newes my Lord, as greeues me to report,
Qu.
How doth the Prince?
Mes.
Well Madam, and in health.
Dut.
1475 What is thy Newes?
Mess.
Lord Riuers, and Lord Grey,
Are sent to Pomfret, and with them,
Sir Thomas Vaughan, Prisoners.
Dut.
Who hath committed them?
Mes.
1480 The Mighty Dukes, Glouster and Buckingham.
Arch.
For what offence?
Mes.
The summe of all I can, I haue disclos'd:
Why, or for what, the Nobles were committed,
Is all vnknowne to me, my gracious Lord.
Qu.
1485 Aye me! I see the ruine of my House:
The Tyger now hath seiz'd the gentle Hinde,
Insulting Tiranny beginnes to Iutt
Vpon the innocent and awelesse Throne:
Welcome Destruction, Blood, and Massacre,
1490 I see (as in a Map) the end of all.
Dut.
Accursed, and vnquiet wrangling dayes,
How many of you haue mine eyes beheld?
My Husband lost his life, to get the Crowne,
And often vp and downe my sonnes were tost
1495 For me to ioy, and weepe, their gaine and losse.
And being seated, and Domesticke broyles
Cleane ouer‑blowne, themselues the Conquerors,
Make warre vpon themselues, Brother to Brother;
Blood to blood, selfe against selfe: O prepostorous
1500 And franticke outrage, end thy damned spleene,
Or let me dye, to looke on earth no more.
Qu.
Come, come my Boy, we will to Sanctuary.
Madam, farwell.
Dut.
Stay, I will go with you.
Qu.
1505 You haue no cause.
Arch.
My gracious Lady go,
And thether beare your Treasure and your Goodes,
For my part, Ile resigne vnto your Grace
The Seale I keepe, and so betide to me,
1510 As well I tender you, and all of yours.
Go, Ile conduct you to the Sanctuary.
Exeunt
Actus Tertius. Scœna Prima.
[Act 3, Scene 1] §
The Trumpets sound.
Enter yong Prince, the Dukes of Glocester, and Buckingham,
Lord Cardinall, with others.
Lord Cardinall, with others.
Buc.
Welcome sweete Prince to London,
To your Chamber.
Rich.
Welcome deere Cosin, my thoughts Soueraign
1515 The wearie way hath made you Melancholly.
Prin.
No Vnkle, but our crosses on the way,
Haue made it tedious, wearisome, and heauie.
I want more Vnkles heere to welcome me.
Rich.
Sweet Prince, the vntainted vertue of your yeers
1520 Hath not yet diu'd into the Worlds deceit:
No more can you distinguish of a man,
Then of his outward shew, which God he knowes,
Seldome or neuer iumpeth with the heart.
Those Vnkles which you want, were dangerous:
1525 Your Grace attended to their Sugred words,
But look'd not on the poyson of their hearts:
God keepe you from them, and from such false Friends.
Prin.
God keepe me from false Friends,
But they were none.
Rich.
1530 My lord, the Maior of London comes to greet
you.
you.
Enter Lord Maior.
Lo. Maior.
God blesse your Grace, with health and
happie dayes.
happie dayes.
Prin.
I thanke you, good my Lord, and thank you all:
I
{p. 186}
The Life and Death of Richard the Third.
I thought my Mother, and my Brother Yorke,
Would long, ere this, haue met vs on the way.
1535 Fie, what a Slug is Hastings, that he comes not
To tell vs, whether they will come, or no.
Enter Lord Hastings.
Buck.
And in good time, heere comes the sweating
Lord.
Lord.
Prince.
Welcome, my Lord: what, will our Mother
come?
come?
Hast.
On what occasion God he knowes, not I;
1540 The Queene your Mother, and your Brother Yorke,
Haue taken Sanctuarie: The tender Prince
Would faine haue come with me, to meet your Grace,
But by his Mother was perforce with‑held.
Buck.
Fie, what an indirect and peeuish course
1545 Is this of hers? Lord Cardinall, will your Grace
Perswade the Queene, to send the Duke of Yorke
Vnto his Princely Brother presently?
If she denie, Lord Hastings goe with him,
And from her iealous Armes pluck him perforce.
Card.
1550 My Lord of Buckingham, if my weake Oratorie
Can from his Mother winne the Duke of Yorke,
Anon expect him here: but if she be obdurate
To milde entreaties, God forbid
We should infringe the holy Priuiledge
1555 Of blessed Sanctuarie: not for all this Land,
Would I be guiltie of so great a sinne.
Buck.
You are too sencelesse obstinate, my Lord,
Too ceremonious, and traditionall.
Weigh it but with the grossenesse of this Age,
1560 You breake not Sanctuarie, in seizing him:
The benefit thereof is alwayes granted
To those, whose dealings haue deseru'd the place,
And those who haue the wit to clayme the place:
This Prince hath neyther claym'd it, nor deseru'd it,
1565 And therefore, in mine opinion, cannot haue it.
Then taking him from thence, that is not there,
You breake no Priuiledge, nor Charter there:
Oft haue I heard of Sanctuarie men,
But Sanctuarie children, ne're till now.
Card.
1570 My Lord, you shall o're‑rule my mind for once.
Come on, Lord Hastings, will you goe with me?
Hast.
I goe, my Lord.
Exit Cardinall and Hastings.
Prince.
Good Lords, make all the speedie hast you may.
Say, Vnckle Glocester, if our Brother come,
1575 Where shall we soiourne, till our Coronation?
Glo.
Where it think'st best vnto your Royall selfe.
If I may counsaile you, some day or two
Your Highnesse shall repose you at the Tower:
Then where you please, and shall be thought most fit
1580 For your best health, and recreation.
Prince.
I doe not like the Tower, of any place:
Did Iulius Cæsar build that place, my Lord?
Buck.
He did, my gracious Lord, begin that place,
Which since, succeeding Ages haue re‑edify'd.
Prince.
1585 Is it vpon record? or else reported
Successiuely from age to age, he built it?
Buck.
Vpon record, my gracious Lord.
Prince.
But say, my Lord, it were not registred,
Me thinkes the truth should liue from age to age,
1590 As 'twere retayl'd to all posteritie,
Euen to the generall ending day.
Glo.
So wise, so young, they say doe neuer liue long.
Prince.
What say you, Vnckle?
Glo.
I say, without Characters, Fame liues long,
1595 Thus, like the formall Vice, Iniquitie,
I morallize two meanings in one word.
Prince.
That Iulius Cæsar was a famous man,
With what his Valour did enrich his Wit,
His Wit set downe, to make his Valour liue:
1600 Death makes no Conquest of his Conqueror,
For now he liues in Fame, though not in Life.
Ile tell you what, my Cousin Buckingham.
Buck.
What, my gracious Lord?
Prince.
And if I liue vntill I be a man,
1605 Ile win our ancient Right in France againe,
Or dye a Souldier, as I liu'd a King.
Glo.
Short Summers lightly haue a forward Spring.
Enter young Yorke, Hastings, and Cardinall.
Buck.
Now in good time, heere comes the Duke of
Yorke.
Yorke.
Prince.
Richard of Yorke, how fares our Noble Bro
ther?
ther?
Yorke.
1610 Well, my deare Lord, so must I call you now.
Prince.
I, Brother, to our griefe, as it is yours:
Too late he dy'd, that might haue kept that Title,
Which by his death hath lost much Maiestie.
Glo.
How fares our Cousin, Noble Lord of Yorke?
Yorke.
1615 I thanke you, gentle Vnckle. O my Lord,
You said, that idle Weeds are fast in growth:
The Prince, my Brother, hath out‑growne me farre.
Glo.
He hath, my Lord.
Yorke.
And therefore is he idle?
Glo.
1620 Oh my faire Cousin, I must not say so.
Yorke.
Then he is more beholding to you, then I.
Glo.
He may command me as my Soueraigne,
But you haue power in me, as in a Kinsman.
Yorke.
I pray you, Vnckle, giue me this Dagger.
Glo.
1625 My Dagger, little Cousin? with all my heart.
Prince.
A Begger, Brother?
Yorke.
Of my kind Vnckle, that I know will giue,
And being but a Toy, which is no griefe to giue.
Glo.
A greater gift then that, Ile giue my Cousin.
Yorke.
1630 A greater gift? O, that's the Sword to it.
Glo.
I, gentle Cousin, were it light enough.
Yorke.
O then I see, you will part but with light gifts,
In weightier things you'le say a Begger nay.
Glo.
It is too weightie for your Grace to weare.
Yorke.
1635 I weigh it lightly, were it heauier.
Glo.
What, would you haue my Weapon, little Lord?
Yorke.
I would that I might thanke you, as, as, you
call me.
call me.
Glo.
How?
Yorke.
Little.
Prince.
1640 My Lord of Yorke will still be crosse in talke:
Vnckle, your Grace knowes how to beare with him.
Yorke.
You meane to beare me, not to beare with me:
Vnckle, my Brother mockes both you and me,
Because that I am little, like an Ape,
1645 He thinkes that you should beare me on your shoulders.
Buck.
With what a sharpe prouided wit he reasons:
To mittigate the scorne he giues his Vnckle,
He prettily and aptly taunts himselfe:
So cunning, and so young, is wonderfull.
Glo.
1650 My Lord, wilt please you passe along?
My selfe, and my good Cousin Buckingham,
Will to your Mother, to entreat of her
To meet you at the Tower, and welcome you.
Yorke.
What, will you goe vnto the Tower, my Lord?
Prince.
1655 My Lord Protector will haue it so.
Yorke.
I shall not sleepe in quiet at the Tower.
Glo.
Why, what should you feare?
Yorke.
Marry, my Vnckle Clarence angry Ghost:
My Grandam told me he was murther'd there.
Prince.
1660 I feare no Vnckles dead.
Glo.
Nor none that liue, I hope.
Prince.
And if they liue, I hope I need not feare.
But come my Lord: and with a heauie heart,
Thinking on them, goe I vnto the Tower.
A Senet. Exeunt Prince, Yorke, Hastings, and Dorset.
Manet Richard, Buckingham, and Catesby.
Buck.
1665 Thinke you, my Lord, this little prating Yorke
Was not incensed by his subtile Mother,
To taunt and scorne you thus opprobriously?
Glo.
No doubt, no doubt: Oh 'tis a perillous Boy,
Bold, quicke, ingenious, forward, capable:
1670 Hee is all the Mothers, from the top to toe.
Buck.
Well, let them rest: Come hither Catesby,
Thou art sworne as deepely to effect what we intend,
As closely to conceale what we impart:
Thou know'st our reasons vrg'd vpon the way.
1675 What think'st thou? is it not an easie matter,
To make William Lord Hastings of our minde,
For the installment of this Noble Duke
In the Seat Royall of this famous Ile?
Cates.
He for his fathers sake so loues the Prince,
1680 That he will not be wonne to ought against him.
Buck.
What think'st thou then of Stanley? Will
not hee?
not hee?
Cates.
Hee will doe all in all as Hastings doth.
Buck.
Well then, no more but this:
Goe gentle Catesby, and as it were farre off,
1685 Sound thou Lord Hastings,
How he doth stand affected to our purpose,
And summon him to morrow to the Tower,
To sit about the Coronation.
If thou do'st finde him tractable to vs,
1690 Encourage him, and tell him all our reasons:
If he be leaden, ycie, cold, vnwilling,
Be thou so too, and so breake off the talke,
And giue vs notice of his inclination:
For we to morrow hold diuided Councels,
1695 Wherein thy selfe shalt highly be employ'd.
Rich.
Commend me to Lord William: tell him Catesby,
His ancient Knot of dangerous Aduersaries
To morrow are let blood at Pomfret Castle,
And bid my Lord, for ioy of this good newes,
1700 Giue Mistresse Shore one gentle Kisse the more.
Buck.
Good Catesby, goe effect this businesse soundly.
Cates.
My good Lords both, with all the heed I can.
Rich.
Shall we heare from you, Catesby, ere we sleepe?
Cates.
You shall, my Lord.
Rich.
1705 At Crosby House, there shall you find vs both.
Exit Catesby.
Buck.
Now, my Lord,
What shall wee doe, if wee perceiue
Lord Hastings will not yeeld to our Complots?
Rich.
Chop off his Head:
1710 Something wee will determine:
And looke when I am King, clayme thou of me
The Earledome of Hereford, and all the moueables
Whereof the King, my Brother, was possest.
Buck.
Ile clayme that promise at your Graces hand.
Rich.
1715 And looke to haue it yeelded with all kindnesse.
Come, let vs suppe betimes, that afterwards
Wee may digest our complots in some forme.
Exeunt.
Scena Secunda.
[Act 3, Scene 2] §
Enter a Messenger to the Doore of Hastings.
Mess.
My Lord, my Lord.
Hast.
Who knockes?
Mess.
1720 One from the Lord Stanley.
Hast.
What is't a Clocke?
Mess.
Vpon the stroke of foure.
Enter Lord Hastings.
Hast.
Cannot my Lord Stanley sleepe these tedious
Nights?
Nights?
Mess.
So it appeares, by that I haue to say:
1725 First, he commends him to your Noble selfe.
Hast.
What then?
Mess.
Then certifies your Lordship, that this Night
He dreamt, the Bore had rased off his Helme:
Besides, he sayes there are two Councels kept;
1730 And that may be determin'd at the one,
Which may make you and him to rue at th'other.
Therefore he sends to know your Lordships pleasure,
If you will presently take Horse with him,
And with all speed post with him toward the North,
1735 To shun the danger that his Soule diuines.
Hast.
Goe fellow, goe, returne vnto thy Lord,
Bid him not feare the seperated Councell:
His Honor and my selfe are at the one,
And at the other, is my good friend Catesby;
1740 Where nothing can proceede, that toucheth vs,
Whereof I shall not haue intelligence:
Tell him his Feares are shallow, without instance.
And for his Dreames, I wonder hee's so simple,
To trust the mock'ry of vnquiet slumbers.
1745 To flye the Bore, before the Bore pursues,
Were to incense the Bore to follow vs,
And make pursuit, where he did meane no chase.
Goe, bid thy Master rise, and come to me,
And we will both together to the Tower,
1750 Where he shall see the Bore will vse vs kindly.
Mess.
Ile goe, my Lord, and tell him what you say.
Exit.
Enter Catesby.
Cates.
Many good morrowes to my Noble Lord.
Hast.
Good morrow Catesby, you are early stirring:
What newes, what newes, in this our tott'ring State?
Cates.
1755 It is a reeling World indeed, my Lord:
And I beleeue will neuer stand vpright,
Till Richard weare the Garland of the Realme.
Hast.
How weare the Garland?
Doest thou meane the Crowne?
Cates.
1760 I, my good Lord.
Hast.
Ile haue this Crown of mine cut frō my shoulders,
Before Ile see the Crowne so foule mis‑plac'd:
But canst thou guesse, that he doth ayme at it?
Cates.
I, on my life, and hopes to find you forward,
1765 Vpon his partie, for the gaine thereof:
And thereupon he sends you this good newes,
That this same very day your enemies,
The Kindred of the Queene, must dye at Pomfret.
Hast.
Indeed I am no mourner for that newes,
1770 Because they haue beene still my aduersaries:
But, that Ile giue my voice on Richards side,
To barre my Masters Heires in true Descent,
God knowes I will not doe it, to the death.
Cates.
God keepe your Lordship in that gracious
minde.
minde.
Hast.
1775 But I shall laugh at this a twelue‑month hence,
That they which brought me in my Masters hate,
I liue to looke vpon their Tragedie.
Well Catesby, ere a fort‑night make me older,
Ile send some packing, that yet thinke not on't.
Cates.
1780 'Tis a vile thing to dye, my gracious Lord,
When men are vnprepar'd, and looke not for it.
Hast.
O monstrous, monstrous! and so falls it out
With Riuers, Vaughan, Grey: and so 'twill doe
With some men else, that thinke themselues as safe
1785 As thou and I, who (as thou know'st) are deare
To Princely Richard, and to Buckingham.
Cates.
The Princes both make high account of you,
For they account his Head vpon the Bridge.
Hast.
I know they doe, and I haue well deseru'd it.
Enter Lord Stanley.
1790 Come on, come on, where is your Bore‑speare man?
Feare you the Bore, and goe so vnprouided?
Stan.
My Lord good morrow, good morrow Catesby:
You may ieast on, but by the holy Rood,
I doe not like these seuerall Councels, I.
Hast.
1795 My Lord, I hold my Life as deare as yours,
And neuer in my dayes, I doe protest,
Was it so precious to me, as 'tis now:
Thinke you, but that I know our state secure,
I would be so triumphant as I am?
Sta.
1800 The Lords at Pomfret, whē they rode from London,
Were iocund, and suppos'd their states were sure,
And they indeed had no cause to mistrust:
But yet you see, how soone the Day o're‑cast.
This sudden stab of Rancour I misdoubt:
1805 Pray God (I say) I proue a needlesse Coward.
What, shall we toward the Tower? the day is spent.
Hast.
Come, come, haue with you:
Wot you what, my Lord,
To day the Lords you talke of, are beheaded.
Sta.
1810 They, for their truth, might better wear their Heads,
Then some that haue accus'd them, weare their Hats.
But come, my Lord, let's away.
Enter a Pursuiuant.
Hast.
Goe on before, Ile talke with this good fellow.
Exit Lord Stanley, and Catesby.
How now, Sirrha? how goes the World with thee?
Purs.
1815 The better, that your Lordship please to aske.
Hast.
I tell thee man, 'tis better with me now,
Then when thou met'st me last, where now we meet:
Then was I going Prisoner to the Tower,
By the suggestion of the Queenes Allyes.
1820 But now I tell thee (keepe it to thy selfe)
This day those Enemies are put to death,
And I in better state then ere I was.
Purs.
God hold it, to your Honors good content.
Hast.
Gramercie fellow: there, drinke that for me.
Throwes him his Purse.
Purs.
1825 I thanke your Honor.
Exit Pursuiuant.
Enter a Priest.
Priest.
Well met, my Lord, I am glad to see your Ho
nor.
nor.
Hast.
I thanke thee, good Sir Iohn, with all my heart.
I am in your debt, for your last Exercise:
Come the next Sabboth, and I will content you.
Priest.
1830 Ile wait vpon your Lordship.
Enter Buckingham.
Buc.
What, talking with a Priest, Lord Chamberlaine?
Your friends at Pomfret, they doe need the Priest,
Your Honor hath no shriuing worke in hand.
Hast.
Good faith, and when I met this holy man,
1835 The men you talke of, came into my minde.
What, goe you toward the Tower?
Buc.
I doe, my Lord, but long I cannot stay there:
I shall returne before your Lordship, thence.
Hast.
Nay like enough, for I stay Dinner there.
Buc.
1840 And Supper too, although thou know'st it not.
Come, will you goe?
Hast.
Ile wait vpon your Lordship.
Exeunt.
Scena Tertia.
[Act 3, Scene 3] §
Enter Sir Richard Ratcliffe, with Halberds, carrying
the Nobles to death at Pomfret.
the Nobles to death at Pomfret.
Riuers.
Sir Richard Ratcliffe, let me tell thee this,
To day shalt thou behold a Subiect die,
1845 For Truth, for Dutie, and for Loyaltie.
Grey.
God blesse the Prince from all the Pack of you,
A Knot you are, of damned Blood‑suckers.
Vaugh.
You liue, that shall cry woe for this heere
after.
after.
Rat.
Dispatch, the limit of your Liues is out.
Riuers.
1850 O Pomfret, Pomfret! O thou bloody Prison!
Fatall and ominous to Noble Peeres:
Within the guiltie Closure of thy Walls,
Richard the Second here was hackt to death:
And for more slander to thy dismall Seat,
1855 Wee giue to thee our guiltlesse blood to drinke.
Grey.
Now Margarets Curse is falne vpon our Heads,
When shee exclaim'd on Hastings, you, and I,
For standing by, when Richard stab'd her Sonne.
Riuers.
Then curs'd shee Richard,
1860 Then curs'd shee Buckingham,
Then curs'd shee Hastings. Oh remember God,
To heare her prayer for them, as now for vs:
And for my Sister, and her Princely Sonnes,
Be satisfy'd, deare God, with our true blood,
1865 Which, as thou know'st, vniustly must be spilt.
Rat.
Make haste, the houre of death is expiate.
Riuers.
Come Grey, come Vaughan, let vs here embrace.
Farewell, vntill we meet againe in Heauen.
Exeunt.
Scena
{p. 189}
The Life and Death of Richard the Third.
Scæna Quarta.
[Act 3, Scene 4] §
Enter Buckingham, Darby, Hastings, Bishop of Ely,
Norfolke, Ratcliffe, Louell, with others,
at a Table.
Norfolke, Ratcliffe, Louell, with others,
at a Table.
Hast.
Now Noble Peeres, the cause why we are met,
1870 Is to determine of the Coronation:
In Gods Name speake, when is the Royall day?
Buck.
Is all things ready for the Royall time?
Darb.
It is, and wants but nomination.
Ely.
To morrow then I iudge a happie day.
Buck.
1875 Who knowes the Lord Protectors mind herein?
Who is most inward with the Noble Duke?
Ely.
Your Grace, we thinke, should soonest know his
minde.
minde.
Buck.
We know each others Faces: for our Hearts,
He knowes no more of mine, then I of yours,
1880 Or I of his, my Lord, then you of mine:
Lord Hastings, you and he are neere in loue.
Hast.
I thanke his Grace, I know he loues me well:
But for his purpose in the Coronation,
I haue not sounded him, nor he deliuer'd
1885 His gracious pleasure any way therein:
But you, my Honorable Lords, may name the time,
And in the Dukes behalfe Ile giue my Voice,
Which I presume hee'le take in gentle part.
Enter Gloucester.
Ely.
In happie time, here comes the Duke himselfe.
Rich.
1890 My Noble Lords, and Cousins all, good morrow:
I haue beene long a sleeper: but I trust,
My absence doth neglect no great designe,
Which by my presence might haue beene concluded.
Buck.
Had you not come vpon your Q my Lord,
1895 William, Lord Hastings, had pronounc'd your part;
I meane your Voice, for Crowning of the King.
Rich.
Then my Lord Hastings, no man might be bolder,
His Lordship knowes me well, and loues me well.
My Lord of Ely, when I was last in Holborne,
1900 I saw good Strawberries in your Garden there,
I doe beseech you, send for some of them.
Ely.
Mary and will, my Lord, with all my heart.
Exit Bishop.
Rich.
Cousin of Buckingham, a word with you.
Catesby hath sounded Hastings in our businesse,
1905 And findes the testie Gentleman so hot,
That he will lose his Head, ere giue consent
His Masters Child, as worshipfully he tearmes it,
Shall lose the Royaltie of Englands Throne.
Buck.
Withdraw your selfe a while, Ile goe with you.
Exeunt.
Darb.
1910 We haue not yet set downe this day of Triumph:
To morrow, in my iudgement, is too sudden,
For I my selfe am not so well prouided,
As else I would be, were the day prolong'd.
Enter the Bishop of Ely.
Ely.
Where is my Lord, the Duke of Gloster?
1915 I haue sent for these Strawberries.
Ha.
His Grace looks chearfully & smooth this morning,
There's some conceit or other likes him well,
When that he bids good morrow with such spirit.
I thinke there's neuer a man in Christendome
1920 Can lesser hide his loue, or hate, then hee,
For by his Face straight shall you know his Heart.
Darb.
What of his Heart perceiue you in his Face,
By any liuelyhood he shew'd to day?
Hast.
Mary, that with no man here he is offended:
1925 For were he, he had shewne it in his Lookes.
Enter Richard, and Buckingham.
Rich.
I pray you all, tell me what they deserue,
That doe conspire my death with diuellish Plots
Of damned Witchcraft, and that haue preuail'd
Vpon my Body with their Hellish Charmes.
Hast.
1930 The tender loue I beare your Grace, my Lord,
Makes me most forward, in this Princely presence,
To doome th'Offendors, whosoe're they be:
I say, my Lord, they haue deserued death.
Rich.
Then be your eyes the witnesse of their euill.
1935 Looke how I am bewitch'd: behold, mine Arme
Is like a blasted Sapling, wither'd vp:
And this is Edwards Wife, that monstrous Witch,
Consorted with that Harlot, Strumpet Shore,
That by their Witchcraft thus haue marked me.
Hast.
1940 If they haue done this deed, my Noble Lord.
Rich.
If? thou Protector of this damned Strumpet,
Talk'st thou to me of Ifs: thou art a Traytor,
Off with his Head; now by Saint Paul I sweare,
I will not dine, vntill I see the same.
1945 Louell and Ratcliffe, looke that it be done:
Exeunt.
The rest that loue me, rise, and follow me.
Manet Louell and Ratcliffe, with the
Lord Hastings.
Lord Hastings.
Hast.
Woe, woe for England, not a whit for me,
For I, too fond, might haue preuented this:
Stanley did dreame, the Bore did rowse our Helmes,
1950 And I did scorne it, and disdaine to flye:
Three times to day my Foot‑Cloth‑Horse did stumble,
And started, when he look'd vpon the Tower,
As loth to beare me to the slaughter‑house.
O now I need the Priest, that spake to me:
1955 I now repent I told the Pursuiuant,
As too triumphing, how mine Enemies
To day at Pomfret bloodily were butcher'd,
And I my selfe secure, in grace and fauour.
Oh Margaret, Margaret, now thy heauie Curse
1960 Is lighted on poore Hastings wretched Head.
Ra.
Come, come, dispatch, the Duke would be at dinner:
Make a short Shrift, he longs to see your Head.
Hast.
O momentarie grace of mortall men,
Which we more hunt for, then the grace of God!
1965 Who builds his hope in ayre of your good Lookes,
Liues like a drunken Sayler on a Mast,
Readie with euery Nod to tumble downe,
Into the fatall Bowels of the Deepe.
Lou.
Come, come, dispatch, 'tis bootlesse to exclaime.
Hast.
1970 O bloody Richard: miserable England,
I prophecie the fearefull'st time to thee,
That euer wretched Age hath look'd vpon.
Come, lead me to the Block, beare him my Head,
They smile at me, who shortly shall be dead.
Exeunt.
s
Enter
{p. 190}
The Life and Death of Richard the Third.
[Act 3, Scene 5] §
Enter Richard, and Buckingham, in rotten Armour,
maruellous ill‑fauoured.
maruellous ill‑fauoured.
Richard.
1975 Come Cousin,
Canst thou quake, and change thy colour,
Murther thy breath in middle of a word,
And then againe begin, and stop againe,
As if thou were distraught, and mad with terror?
Buck.
1980 Tut, I can counterfeit the deepe Tragedian,
Speake, and looke backe, and prie on euery side,
Tremble and start at wagging of a Straw:
Intending deepe suspition, gastly Lookes
Are at my seruice, like enforced Smiles;
1985 And both are readie in their Offices,
At any time to grace my Stratagemes.
But what, is Catesby gone?
Rich.
He is, and see he brings the Maior along.
Enter the Maior, and Catesby.
Buck.
Lord Maior.
Rich.
1990 Looke to the Draw‑Bridge there.
Buck.
Hearke, a Drumme.
Rich.
Catesby, o're‑looke the Walls.
Buck.
Lord Maior, the reason we haue sent.
Rich.
Looke back, defend thee, here are Enemies.
Buck.
1995 God and our Innocencie defend, and guard vs.
Enter Louell and Ratcliffe, with Hastings Head.
Rich.
Be patient, they are friends: Ratcliffe, and Louell.
Louell.
Here is the Head of that ignoble Traytor,
The dangerous and vnsuspected Hastings.
Rich.
So deare I lou'd the man, that I must weepe:
2000 I tooke him for the plainest harmelesse Creature,
That breath'd vpon the Earth, a Christian.
Made him my Booke, wherein my Soule recorded
The Historie of all her secret thoughts.
So smooth he dawb'd his Vice with shew of Vertue,
2005 That his apparant open Guilt omitted,
I meane, his Conuersation with Shores Wife,
He liu'd from all attainder of suspects.
Buck.
Well, well, he was the couertst sheltred Traytor
That euer liu'd.
2010 Would you imagine, or almost beleeue,
Wert not, that by great preseruation
We liue to tell it, that the subtill Traytor
This day had plotted, in the Councell‑House,
To murther me, and my good Lord of Gloster.
Maior.
2015 Had he done so?
Rich.
What? thinke you we are Turkes, or Infidels?
Or that we would, against the forme of Law,
Proceed thus rashly in the Villaines death,
But that the extreme perill of the case,
2020 The Peace of England, and our Persons safetie,
Enforc'd vs to this Execution.
Maior.
Now faire befall you, he deseru'd his death,
And your good Graces both haue well proceeded,
To warne false Traytors from the like Attempts.
Buck.
2025 I neuer look'd for better at his hands,
After he once fell in with Mistresse Shore:
Yet had we not determin'd he should dye,
Vntiil your Lordship came to see his end,
Which now the louing haste of these our friends,
2030 Something against our meanings, haue preuented;
Because, my Lord, I would haue had you heard
The Traytor speake, and timorously confesse
The manner and the purpose of his Treasons:
That you might well haue signify'd the same
2035 Vnto the Citizens, who haply may
Misconster vs in him, and wayle his death.
Ma.
But, my good Lord, your Graces words shal serue,
As well as I had seene, and heard him speake:
And doe not doubt, right Noble Princes both,
2040 But Ile acquaint our dutious Citizens
With all your iust proceedings in this case.
Rich.
And to that end we wish'd your Lordship here,
T'auoid the Censures of the carping World.
Buck.
Which since you come too late of our intent,
2045 Yet witnesse what you heare we did intend:
And so, my good Lord Maior, we bid farwell.
Exit Maior.
Rich.
Goe after, after, Cousin Buckingham.
The Maior towards Guild‑Hall hyes him in all poste:
There, at your meetest vantage of the time,
2050 Inferre the Bastardie of Edwards Children:
Tell them, how Edward put to death a Citizen,
Onely for saying, he would make his Sonne
Heire to the Crowne, meaning indeed his House,
Which, by the Signe thereof, was tearmed so.
2055 Moreouer, vrge his hatefull Luxurie,
And beastiall appetite in change of Lust,
Which stretcht vnto their Seruants, Daughters, Wiues,
Euen where his raging eye, or sauage heart,
Without controll, lusted to make a prey.
2060 Nay, for a need, thus farre come neere my Person:
Tell them, when that my Mother went with Child
Of that insatiate Edward; Noble Yorke,
My Princely Father, then had Warres in France,
And by true computation of the time,
2065 Found, that the Issue was not his begot:
Which well appeared in his Lineaments,
Being nothing like the Noble Duke, my Father:
Yet touch this sparingly, as 'twere farre off,
Because, my Lord, you know my Mother liues.
Buck.
2070 Doubt not, my Lord, Ile play the Orator,
As if the Golden Fee, for which I plead,
Were for my selfe: and so, my Lord, adue.
Rich.
If you thriue wel, bring them to Baynards Castle,
Where you shall finde me well accompanied
2075 With reuerend Fathers, and well‑learned Bishops.
Buck.
I goe, and towards three or foure a Clocke
Looke for the Newes that the Guild‑Hall affoords.
Exit Buckingham.
Rich.
Goe Louell with all speed to Doctor Shaw,
Goe thou to Fryer Peuker, bid them both
2080 Meet me within this houre at Baynards Castle.
Exit.
Now will I goe to take some priuie order,
To draw the Brats of Clarence out of sight,
And to giue order, that no manner person
Haue any time recourse vnto the Princes.
Exeunt.
[Act 3, Scene 6] §
Enter a Scriuener.
Scr.
2085 Here is the Indictment of the good Lord Hastings,
Which in a set Hand fairely is engross'd,
That it may be to day read o're in Paules.
And marke how well the sequell hangs together:
Eleuen houres I haue spent to write it ouer,
2090 For yester‑night by Catesby was it sent me,
The Precedent was full as long a doing,
And yet within these fiue houres Hastings liu'd,
Vntainted, vnexamin'd, free, at libertie.
Here's a good World the while.
2095 Who is so grosse, that cannot see this palpable deuice?
Yet
{p. 191}
The Life and Death of Richard the Third.
Yet who so bold, but sayes he sees it not?
Bad is the World, and all will come to nought,
When such ill dealing must be seene in thought.
Exit.
[Act 3, Scene 7] §
Enter Richard and Buckingham at seurall Doores.
Rich.
How now, how now, what say the Citizens?
Buck.
2100 Now by the holy Mother of our Lord,
The Citizens are mum, say not a word.
Rich.
Toucht you the Bastardie of Edwards Children?
Buck.
I did, with his Contract with Lady Lucy,
And his Contract by Deputie in France,
2105 Th'vnsatiate greedinesse of his desire,
And his enforcement of the Citie Wiues,
His Tyrannie for Trifles, his owne Bastardie,
As being got, your Father then in France,
And his resemblance, being not like the Duke.
2110 Withall, I did inferre your Lineaments,
Being the right Idea of your Father,
Both in your forme, and Noblenesse of Minde:
Layd open all your Victories in Scotland,
Your Discipline in Warre, Wisdome in Peace,
2115 Your Bountie, Vertue, faire Humilitie:
Indeed, left nothing fitting for your purpose,
Vntoucht, or sleightly handled in discourse.
And when my Oratorie drew toward end,
I bid them that did loue their Countries good,
2120 Cry, God saue Richard, Englands Royall King.
Rich.
And did they so?
Buck.
No, so God helpe me, they spake not a word,
But like dumbe Statues, or breathing Stones,
Star'd each on other, and look'd deadly pale:
2125 Which when I saw, I reprehended them,
And ask'd the Maior, what meant this wilfull silence?
His answer was, the people were not vsed
To be spoke to, but by the Recorder.
Then he was vrg'd to tell my Tale againe:
2130 Thus sayth the Duke, thus hath the Duke inferr'd,
But nothing spoke, in warrant from himselfe.
When he had done, some followers of mine owne,
At lower end of the Hall, hurld vp their Caps,
And some tenne voyces cry'd, God saue King Richard:
2135 And thus I tooke the vantage of those few.
Thankes gentle Citizens, and friends, quoth I,
This generall applause, and chearefull showt,
Argues your wisdome, and your loue to Richard:
And euen here brake off, and came away.
Rich.
2140 What tongue‑lesse Blockes were they,
Would they not speake?
Will not the Maior then, and his Brethren, come?
Buck.
The Maior is here at hand: intend some feare,
Be not you spoke with, but by mightie suit:
2145 And looke you get a Prayer‑Booke in your hand,
And stand betweene two Church‑men, good my Lord,
For on that ground Ile make a holy Descant:
And be not easily wonne to our requests,
Play the Maids part, still answer nay, and take it.
Rich.
2150 I goe: and if you plead as well for them,
As I can say nay to thee for my selfe,
No doubt we bring it to a happie issue.
Buck.
Go, go vp to the Leads, the Lord Maior knocks.
Enter the Maior, and Citizens.
Welcome, my Lord, I dance attendance here,
2155 I thinke the Duke will not be spoke withall.
Enter Catesby.
Buck.
Now Catesby, what sayes your Lord to my
request?
request?
Catesby.
He doth entreat your Grace, my Noble Lord,
To visit him to morrow, or next day:
He is within, with two right reuerend Fathers,
2160 Diuinely bent to Meditation,
And in no Worldly suites would he be mou'd,
To draw him from his holy Exercise.
Buck.
Returne, good Catesby, to the gracious Duke,
Tell him, my selfe, the Maior and Aldermen,
2165 In deepe designes, in matter of great moment,
No lesse importing then our generall good,
Are come to haue some conference with his Grace.
Catesby.
Ile signifie so much vnto him straight.
Exit.
Buck.
Ah ha, my Lord, this Prince is not an Edward,
2170 He is not lulling on a lewd Loue‑Bed,
But on his Knees, at Meditation:
Not dallying with a Brace of Curtizans,
But meditating with two deepe Diuines:
Not sleeping, to engrosse his idle Body,
2175 But praying, to enrich his watchfull Soule.
Happie were England, would this vertuous Prince
Take on his Grace the Soueraigntie thereof.
But sure I feare we shall not winne him to it.
Maior.
Marry God defend his Grace should say vs
nay.
nay.
Buck.
2180 I feare he will: here Catesby comes againe.
Enter Catesby.
Now Catesby, what sayes his Grace?
Catesby.
He wonders to what end you haue assembled
Such troopes of Citizens, to come to him,
His Grace not being warn'd thereof before:
2185 He feares, my Lord, you meane no good to him.
Buck.
Sorry I am, my Noble Cousin should
Suspect me, that I meane no good to him:
By Heauen, we come to him in perfit loue,
And so once more returne, and tell his Grace.
Exit.
2190 When holy and deuout Religious men
Are at their Beades, 'tis much to draw them thence,
So sweet is zealous Contemplation.
Enter Richard aloft, betweene two Bishops.
Maior.
See where his Grace stands, tweene two Clergie
men.
men.
Buck.
Two Props of Vertue, for a Christian Prince,
2195 To stay him from the fall of Vanitie:
And see a Booke of Prayer in his hand,
True Ornaments to know a holy man.
Famous Plantagenet, most gracious Prince,
Lend fauourable eare to our requests,
2200 And pardon vs the interruption
Of thy Deuotion, and right Christian Zeale.
Rich.
My Lord, there needs no such Apologie:
I doe beseech your Grace to pardon me,
Who earnest in the seruice of my God,
2205 Deferr'd the visitation of my friends.
But leauing this, what is your Graces pleasure?
Buck.
Euen that (I hope) which pleaseth God aboue,
And all good men, of this vngouern'd Ile.
Rich.
I doe suspect I haue done some offence,
2210 That seemes disgracious in the Cities eye,
And that you come to reprehend my ignorance.
Buck.
You haue, my Lord:
Would it might please your Grace,
On our entreaties, to amend your fault.
Rich.
2215 Else wherefore breathe I in a Christian Land.
Buck.
Know then, it is your fault, that you resigne
The Supreme Seat, the Throne Maiesticall,
The Sceptred Office of your Ancestors,
Your State of Fortune, and your Deaw of Birth,
2220 The Lineall Glory of your Royall House,
To the corruption of a blemisht Stock;
Whiles in the mildnesse of your sleepie thoughts,
Which here we waken to our Countries good,
The Noble Ile doth want his proper Limmes:
2225 His Face defac'd with skarres of Infamie,
His Royall Stock grafft with ignoble Plants,
And almost shouldred in the swallowing Gulfe
Of darke Forgetfulnesse, and deepe Obliuion.
Which to recure, we heartily solicite
2230 Your gracious selfe to take on you the charge
And Kingly Gouernment of this your Land:
Not as Protector, Steward, Substitute,
Or lowly Factor, for anothers gaine;
But as suceessiuely, from Blood to Blood,
2235 Your Right of Birth, your Empyrie, your owne.
For this, consorted with the Citizens,
Your very Worshipfull and louing friends,
And by their vehement instigation,
In this iust Cause come I to moue your Grace.
Rich.
2240 I cannot tell, if to depart in silence,
Or bitterly to speake in your reproofe,
Best fitteth my Degree, or your Condition.
If not to answer, you might haply thinke,
Tongue‑ty'd Ambition, not replying, yeelded
2245 To beare the Golden Yoake of Soueraigntie,
Which fondly you would here impose on me.
If to reproue you for this suit of yours,
So season'd with your faithfull loue to me,
Then on the other side I check'd my friends.
2250 Therefore to speake, and to auoid the first,
And then in speaking, not to incurre the last,
Definitiuely thus I answer you.
Your loue deserues my thankes, but my desert
Vnmeritable, shunnes your high request.
2255 First, if all Obstacles were cut away,
And that my Path were euen to the Crowne,
As the ripe Reuenue, and due of Birth:
Yet so much is my pouertie of spirit,
So mightie, and so manie my defects,
2260 That I would rather hide me from my Greatnesse,
Being a Barke to brooke no mightie Sea;
Then in my Greatnesse couet to be hid,
And in the vapour of my Glory smother'd.
But God be thank'd, there is no need of me,
2265 And much I need to helpe you, were there need:
The Royall Tree hath left vs Royall Fruit,
Which mellow'd by the stealing howres of time,
Will well become the Seat of Maiestie,
And make (no doubt) vs happy by his Reigne.
2270 On him I lay that, you would lay on me,
The Right and Fortune of his happie Starres,
Which God defend that I should wring from him.
Buck.
My Lord, this argues Conscience in your Grace,
But the respects thereof are nice, and triuiall,
2275 All circumstances well considered.
You say, that Edward is your Brothers Sonne,
So say we too, but not by Edwards Wife:
For first was he contract to Lady Lucie,
Your Mother liues a Witnesse to his Vow;
2280 And afterward by substitute betroth'd
To Bona, Sister to the King of France.
These both put off, a poore Petitioner,
A Care‑cras'd Mother to a many Sonnes,
A Beautie‑waining, and distressed Widow,
2285 Euen in the after‑noone of her best dayes,
Made prize and purchase of his wanton Eye,
Seduc'd the pitch, and height of his degree,
To base declension, and loath'd Bigamie.
By her, in his vnlawfull Bed, he got
2290 This Edward, whom our Manners call the Prince.
More bitterly could I expostulate,
Saue that for reuerence to some aliue,
I giue a sparing limit to my Tongue.
Then good, my Lord, take to your Royall selfe
2295 This proffer'd benefit of Dignitie:
If not to blesse vs and the Land withall,
Yet to draw forth your Noble Ancestrie
From the corruption of abusing times,
Vnto a Lineall true deriued course.
Maior.
2300 Do good my Lord, your Citizens entreat you.
Buck.
Refuse not, mightie Lord, this proffer'd loue.
Catesb.
O make them ioyfull, grant their lawfull suit.
Rich.
Alas, why would you heape this Care on me?
I am vnfit for State, and Maiestie:
2305 I doe beseech you take it not amisse,
I cannot, nor I will not yeeld to you.
Buck.
If you refuse it, as in loue and zeale,
Loth to depose the Child, your Brothers Sonne,
As well we know your tendernesse of heart,
2310 And gentle, kinde, effeminate remorse,
Which we haue noted in you to your Kindred,
And egally indeede to all Estates:
Yet know, where you accept our suit, or no,
Your Brothers Sonne shall neuer reigne our King,
2315 But we will plant some other in the Throne,
To the disgrace and downe‑fall of your House:
And in this resolution here we leaue you.
Come Citizens, we will entreat no more.
Exeunt.
Catesb.
Call him againe, sweet Prince, accept their suit:
2320 If you denie them, all the Land will rue it.
Rich.
Will you enforce me to a world of Cares.
Call them againe, I am not made of Stones,
But penetrable to your kinde entreaties,
Albeit against my Conscience and my Soule.
Enter Buckingham, and the rest.
2325 Cousin of Buckingham, and sage graue men,
Since you will buckle fortune on my back,
To beare her burthen, where I will or no.
I must haue patience to endure the Load:
But if black Scandall, or foule‑fac'd Reproach,
2330 Attend the sequell of your Imposition,
Your meere enforcement shall acquittance me
From all the impure blots and staynes thereof;
For God doth know, and you may partly see,
How farre I am from the desire of this.
Maior.
2335 God blesse your Grace, wee see it, and will
say it.
say it.
Rich.
In saying so, you shall but say the truth.
Buck.
Then I salute you with this Royall Title,
Long liue King Richard, Englands worthie King.
All.
Amen.
Buck.
2340 To morrow may it please you to be Crown'd.
Rich.
Euen when you please, for you will haue it so.
Buck.
To morrow then we will attend your Grace,
And so most ioyfully we take our leaue.
Rich.
Come, let vs to our holy Worke againe.
2345 Farewell my Cousins, farewell gentle friends.
Exeunt.
Actus Quartus. Scena Prima.
[Act 4, Scene 1] §
Enter the Queene, Anne Duchesse of Gloucester, the
Duchesse of Yorke, and Marquesse Dorset.
Duchesse of Yorke, and Marquesse Dorset.
Duch. Yorke.
Who meetes vs heere?
My Neece Plantagenet,
Led in the hand of her kind Aunt of Gloster?
Now, for my Life, shee's wandring to the Tower,
2350 On pure hearts loue, to greet the tender Prince.
Daughter, well met.
Anne.
God giue your Graces both, a happie
And a ioyfull time of day.
Qu.
As much to you, good Sister: whither away?
Anne.
2355 No farther then the Tower, and as I guesse,
Vpon the like deuotion as your selues,
To gratulate the gentle Princes there.
Qu.
Kind Sister thankes, wee'le enter all together:
Enter the Lieutenant.
And in good time, here the Lieutenant comes.
2360 Master Lieutenant, pray you, by your leaue,
How doth the Prince, and my young Sonne of Yorke?
Lieu.
Right well, deare Madame: by your patience,
I may not suffer you to visit them,
The King hath strictly charg'd the contrary.
Qu.
2365 The King? who's that?
Lieu.
I meane, the Lord Protector.
Qu.
The Lord protect him from that Kingly Title.
Hath he set bounds betweene their loue, and me?
I am their Mother, who shall barre me from them?
Duch. Yorke.
2370 I am their Fathers Mother, I will see
them.
them.
Anne.
Their Aunt I am in law, in loue their Mother:
Then bring me to their sights, Ile beare thy blame,
And take thy Office from thee, on my perill.
Lieu.
No, Madame, no; I may not leaue it so:
2375 I am bound by Oath, and therefore pardon me.
Exit Lieutenant.
Enter Stanley.
Stanley.
Let me but meet you Ladies one howre hence,
And Ile salute your Grace of Yorke as Mother,
And reuerend looker on of two faire Queenes,
Come Madame, you must straight to Westminster,
2380 There to be crowned Richards Royall Queene.
Qu.
Ah, cut my Lace asunder,
That my pent heart may haue some scope to beat,
Or else I swoone with this dead‑killing newes.
Anne.
Despightfull tidings, O vnpleasing newes.
Dors.
2385 Be of good cheare: Mother, how fares your
Grace?
Grace?
Qu.
O Dorset, speake not to me, get thee gone,
Death and Destruction dogges thee at thy heeles,
Thy Mothers Name is ominous to Children.
If thou wilt out‑strip Death, goe crosse the Seas,
2390 And liue with Richmond, from the reach of Hell.
Goe hye thee, hye thee from this slaughter‑house,
Lest thou encrease the number of the dead,
And make me dye the thrall of Margarets Curse,
Nor Mother, Wife, nor Englands counted Queene.
Stanley.
2395 Full of wise care, is this your counsaile, Madame:
Take all the swift aduantage of the howres:
You shall haue Letters from me to my Sonne,
In your behalfe, to meet you on the way:
Be not ta'ne tardie by vnwise delay.
Duch. Yorke.
2400 O ill dispersing Winde of Miserie,
O my accursed Wombe, the Bed of Death:
A Cockatrice hast thou hatcht to the World,
Whose vnauoided Eye is murtherous.
Stanley.
Come, Madame, come, I in all haste was sent.
Anne.
2405 And I with all vnwillingnesse will goe.
O would to God, that the inclusiue Verge
Of Golden Mettall, that must round my Brow,
Were red hot Steele, to seare me to the Braines,
Anoynted let me be with deadly Venome,
2410 And dye ere men can say, God saue the Queene.
Qu.
Goe, goe, poore soule, I enuie not thy glory,
To feed my humor, with thy selfe no harme.
Anne.
No: why? When he that is my Husband now,
Came to me, as I follow'd Henries Corse,
2415 When scarce the blood was well washt from his hands,
Which issued from my other Angell Husband,
And that deare Saint, which then I weeping follow'd:
O, when I say I look'd on Richards Face,
This was my Wish: Be thou (quoth I) accurst,
2420 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,
More miserable, by the Life of thee,
Then thou hast made me, by my deare Lords death.
2425 Loe, ere I can repeat this Curse againe,
Within so small a time, my Womans heart
Grossely grew captiue to his honey words,
And prou'd the subiect of mine owne Soules Curse,
Which hitherto hath held mine eyes from rest:
2430 For neuer yet one howre in his Bed
Did I enioy the golden deaw of sleepe,
But with his timorous Dreames was still awak'd.
Besides, he hates me for my Father Warwicke,
And will (no doubt) shortly be rid of me.
Qu.
2435 Poore heart adieu, I pittie thy complaining.
Anne.
No more, then with my soule I mourne for
yours.
yours.
Dors.
Farewell, thou wofull welcommer of glory.
Anne.
Adieu, poore soule, that tak'st thy leaue
of it.
of it.
Du. Y.
Go thou to Richmond, & good fortune guide thee,
2440 Go thou to Richard, and good Angels tend thee,
Go thou to Sanctuarie, and good thoughts possesse thee,
I to my Graue, where peace and rest lye with mee.
Eightie odde yeeres of sorrow haue I seene,
And each howres ioy wrackt with a weeke of teene.
Qu.
2445 Stay, yet looke backe with me vnto the Tower.
Pitty, you ancient Stones, those tender Babes,
Whom Enuie hath immur'd within your Walls,
Rough Cradle for such little prettie ones,
Rude ragged Nurse, old sullen Play‑fellow,
2450 For tender Princes: vse my Babies well;
So foolish Sorrowes bids your Stones farewell.
Exeunt.
s3
Sound
{p. 194}
The Life and Death of Richard the Third.
Scena Secunda.
[Act 4, Scene 2] §
Sound a Sennet. Enter Richard in pompe, Buc
kingham, Catesby, Ratcliffe, Louel.
kingham, Catesby, Ratcliffe, Louel.
Rich.
Stand all apart. Cousin of Buckingham.
Buck.
My gracious Soueraigne.
Rich.
Giue me thy hand.
Sound.
2455 Thus high, by thy aduice, and thy assistance,
Is King Richard seated:
But shall we weare these Glories for a day?
Or shall they last, and we reioyce in them?
Buck.
Still liue they, and for euer let them last.
Rich.
2460 Ah Buckingham, now doe I play the Touch,
To trie if thou be currant Gold indeed:
Young Edward liues, thinke now what I would speake.
Buck.
Say on my louing Lord.
Rich.
Why Buckingham, I say I would be King.
Buck.
2465 Why so you are, my thrice‑renowned Lord.
Rich.
Ha? am I King? 'tis so: but Edward liues.
Buck.
True, Noble Prince.
Rich.
O bitter consequence!
That Edward still should liue true Noble Prince.
2470 Cousin, thou wast not wont to be so dull.
Shall I be plaine? I wish the Bastards dead,
And I would haue it suddenly perform'd.
What say'st thou now? speake suddenly, be briefe.
Buck.
Your Grace may doe your pleasure.
Rich.
2475 Tut, tut, thou art all Ice, thy kindnesse freezes:
Say, haue I thy consent, that they shall dye?
Buc.
Giue me some litle breath, some pawse, deare Lord,
Before I positiuely speake in this:
I will resolue you herein presently.
Exit Buck.
Catesby.
2480 The King is angry, see he gnawes his Lippe.
Rich.
I will conuerse with Iron‑witted Fooles,
And vnrespectiue Boyes: none are for me,
That looke into me with considerate eyes,
High‑reaching Buckingham growes circumspect.
2485 Boy.
Page.
My Lord.
Rich.
Know'st thou not any, whom corrupting Gold
Will tempt vnto a close exploit of Death?
Page.
I know a discontented Gentleman,
2490 Whose humble meanes match not his haughtie spirit:
Gold were as good as twentie Orators,
And will (no doubt) tempt him to any thing.
Rich.
What is his Name?
Page.
His Name, my Lord, is Tirrell.
Rich.
2495 I partly know the man: goe call him hither,
Boy.
Boy.
Exit.
The deepe reuoluing wittie Buckingham,
No more shall be the neighbor to my counsailes.
Hath he so long held out with me, vntyr'd,
And stops he now for breath? Well, be it so.
Enter Stanley.
2500 How now, Lord Stanley, what's the newes?
Stanley.
Know my louing Lord, the Marquesse Dorset
As I heare, is fled to Richmond,
In the parts where he abides.
Rich.
Come hither Catesby, rumor it abroad,
2505 That Anne my Wife is very grieuous sicke,
I will take order for her keeping close.
Inquire me out some meane poore Gentleman,
Whom I will marry straight to Clarence Daughter:
The Boy is foolish, and I feare not him.
2510 Looke how thou dream'st: I say againe, giue out,
That Anne, my Queene, is sicke, and like to dye.
About it, for it stands me much vpon
To stop all hopes, whose growth may dammage me.
I must be marryed to my Brothers Daughter,
2515 Or else my Kingdome stands on brittle Glasse:
Murther her Brothers, and then marry her,
Vncertaine way of gaine. But I am in
So farre in blood, that sinne will pluck on sinne,
Teare‑falling Pittie dwells not in this Eye.
Enter Tyrrel.
2520 Is thy Name Tyrrel?
Tyr.
Iames Tyrrel, and your most obedient subiect.
Rich.
Art thou indeed?
Tyr.
Proue me, my gracious Lord.
Rich.
Dar'st thou resolue to kill a friend of mine?
Tyr.
2525 Please you:
But I had rather kill two enemies.
Rich.
Why then thou hast it: two deepe enemies,
Foes to my Rest, and my sweet sleepes disturbers,
Are they that I would haue thee deale vpon:
2530 Tyrrel, I meane those Bastards in the Tower.
Tyr.
Let me haue open meanes to come to them,
And soone Ile rid you from the feare of them.
Rich.
Thou sing'st sweet Musique;
Hearke, come hither Tyrrel,
2535 Goe by this token: rise, and lend thine Eare,
Whispers.
There is no more but so: say it is done,
And I will loue thee, and preferre thee for it.
Tyr.
I will dispatch it straight.
Exit.
Enter Buckingham.
Buck.
My Lord, I haue consider'd in my minde,
2540 The late request that you did sound me in.
Rich.
Well, let that rest: Dorset is fled to Richmond.
Buck.
I heare the newes, my Lord.
Rich.
Stanley, hee is your Wiues Sonne: well, looke
vnto it.
vnto it.
Buck.
My Lord, I clayme the gift, my due by promise,
2545 For which your Honor and your Faith is pawn'd,
Th'Earledome of Hertford, and the moueables,
Which you haue promised I shall possesse.
Rich.
Stanley looke to your Wife: if she conuey
Letters to Richmond, you shall answer it.
Buck.
2550 What sayes your Highnesse to my iust request?
Rich.
I doe remember me, Henry the Sixt
Did prophecie, that Richmond should be King,
When Richmond was a little peeuish Boy.
A King perhaps.
Buck.
2555 May it please you to resolue me in my suit.
Rich.
Thou troublest me, I am not in the vaine.
Exit.
Buck.
And is it thus? repayes he my deepe seruice
With such contempt? made I him King for this?
O let me thinke on Hastings, and be gone
2560 To Brecnock, while my fearefull Head is on.
Exit.
[Act 4, Scene 3] §
Enter Tyrrel.
Tyr.
The tyrannous and bloodie Act is done,
The most arch deed of pittious massacre
That
{p. 195}
The Life and Death of Richard the Third.
That euer yet this Land was guilty of:
Dighton and Forrest, who I did suborne
2565 To do this peece of ruthfull Butchery,
Albeit they were flesht Villaines, bloody Dogges,
Melted with tendernesse, and milde compassion,
Wept like to Children, in their deaths sad Story.
O thus (quoth Dighton) lay the gentle Babes;
2570 Thus, thus (quoth Forrest) girdling one another
Within their Alablaster innocent Armes:
Their lips were foure red Roses on a stalke,
And in their Summer Beauty kist each other.
A Booke of Prayers on their pillow lay,
2575 Which one (quoth Forrest) almost chang'd my minde:
But oh the Diuell, there the Villaine stopt:
When Dighton thus told on, we smothered
The most replenished sweet worke of Nature,
That from the prime Creation ere she framed.
2580 Hence both are gone with Conscience and Remorse,
They could not speake, and so I left them both,
To beare this tydings to the bloody King.
Enter Richard.
And heere he comes. All health my Soueraigne Lord.
Ric.
Kinde Tirrell, am I happy in thy Newes.
Tir.
2585 If to haue done the thing you gaue in charge,
Beget your happinesse, be happy then,
For it is done.
Rich.
But did'st thou see them dead.
Tir.
I did my Lord.
Rich.
2590 And buried gentle Tirrell.
Tir.
The Chaplaine of the Tower hath buried them,
But where (to say the truth) I do not know.
Rich.
Come to me Tirrel soone, and after Supper,
When thou shalt tell the processe of their death.
2595 Meane time, but thinke how I may do the good,
And be inheritor of thy desire.
Farewell till then.
Tir.
I humbly take my leaue.
Rich.
The Sonne of Clarence haue I pent vp close,
2600 His daughter meanly haue I matcht in marriage,
The Sonnes of Edward sleepe in Abrahams bosome,
And Anne my wife hath bid this world good night.
Now for I know the Britaine Richmond aymes
At yong Elizabeth my brothers daughter,
2605 And by that knot lookes proudly on the Crowne,
To her go I, a iolly thriuing wooer.
Enter Ratcliffe.
Rat.
My Lord.
Rich.
Good or bad newes, that thou com'st in so
bluntly?
bluntly?
Rat.
Bad news my Lord, Mourton is fled to Richmond,
2610 And Buckingham backt with the hardy Welshmen
Is in the field, and still his power encreaseth.
Rich.
Ely with Richmond troubles me more neere,
Then Buckingham and his rash leuied Strength.
Come, I haue learn'd, that fearfull commenting
2615 Is leaden seruitor to dull delay.
Delay leds impotent and Snaile‑pac'd Beggery:
Then fierie expedition be my wing,
Ioues Mercury, and Herald for a King:
Go muster men: My counsaile is my Sheeld,
2620 We must be breefe, when Traitors braue the field.
Exeunt.
Scena Tertia.
[Act 4, Scene 4] §
Enter old Queene Margaret.
Mar.
So now prosperity begins to mellow,
And drop into the rotten mouth of death:
Heere in these Confines slily haue I lurkt,
To watch the waining of mine enemies.
2625 A dire induction, am I witnesse to,
And will to France, hoping the consequence
Will proue as bitter, blacke, and Tragicall.
Withdraw thee wretched Margaret, who comes heere?
Enter Dutchesse and Queene.
Qu.
Ah my poore Princes! ah my tender Babes:
2630 My vnblowed Flowres, new appearing sweets:
If yet your gentle soules flye in the Ayre,
And be not fixt in doome perpetuall,
Houer about me with your ayery wings,
And heare your mothers Lamentation.
Mar.
2635 Houer about her, say that right for right
Hath dim'd your Infant morne, to Aged night.
Dut.
So many miseries haue craz'd my voyce,
That my woe‑wearied tongue is still and mute.
Edward Plantagenet, why art thou dead?
Mar.
2640 Plantagenet doth quit Plantagenet,
Edward for Edward, payes a dying debt.
Qu.
Wilt thou, O God, flye from such gentle Lambs,
And throw them in the intrailes of the Wolfe?
When didst thou sleepe, when such a deed was done?
Mar.
2645 When holy Harry dyed, and my sweet Sonne.
Dut.
Dead life, blind sight, poore mortall liuing ghost,
Woes Scene, Worlds shame, Graues due, by life vsurpt,
Breefe abstract and record of tedious dayes,
Rest thy vnrest on Englands lawfull earth,
2650 Vnlawfully made drunke with innocent blood.
Qu.
Ah that thou would'st assoone affoord a Graue,
As thou canst yeeld a melancholly seate:
Then would I hide my bones, not rest them heere,
Ah who hath any cause to mourne but wee?
Mar.
2655 If ancient sorrow be most reuerent,
Giue mine the benefit of signeurie,
And let my greefes frowne on the vpper hand
If sorrow can admit Society.
I had an Edward, till a Richard kill'd him:
2660 I had a Husband, till a Richard kill'd him:
Thou had'st an Edward, till a Richard kill'd him:
Thou had'st a Richard, till a Richard kill'd him.
Dut.
I had a Richard too, and thou did'st kill him;
I had a Rutland too, thou hop'st to kill him.
Mar.
2665 Thou had'st a Clarence too,
And Richard kill'd him.
From forth the kennell of thy wombe hath crept
A Hell‑hound that doth hunt vs all to death:
That Dogge, that had his teeth before his eyes,
2670 To worry Lambes, and lap their gentle blood:
That foule defacer of Gods handy worke:
That reignes in gauled eyes of weeping soules:
That excellent grand Tyrant of the earth,
Thy wombe let loose to chase vs to our graues.
2675 O vpright, iust, and true‑disposing God,
How do I thanke thee, that this carnall Curre
Prayes
{p. 196}
The Life and Death of Richard the Third.
Prayes on the issue of his Mothers body,
And makes her Pue‑fellow with others mone.
Dut.
Oh Harries wife, triumph not in my woes:
2680 God witnesse with me, I haue wept for thine.
Mar.
Beare with me: I am hungry for reuenge,
And now I cloy me with beholding it.
Thy Edward he is dead, that kill'd my Edward,
The other Edward dead, to quit my Edward:
2685 Yong Yorke, he is but boote, because both they
Matcht not the high perfection of my losse.
Thy Clarence he is dead, that stab'd my Edward,
And the beholders of this franticke play,
Ih'adulterate Hastings, Riuers, Vaughan, Gray,
2690 Vntimely smother'd in their dusky Graues.
Richard yet liues, Hels blacke Intelligencer,
Onely reseru'd their Factor, to buy soules,
And send them thither: But at hand, at hand
Insues his pittious and vnpittied end.
2695 Earth gapes, Hell burnes, Fiends roare, Saints pray,
To haue him sodainly conuey'd from hence:
Cancell his bond of life, deere God I pray,
That I may liue and say, The Dogge is dead.
Qu.
O thou did'st prophesie, the time would come,
2700 That I should wish for thee to helpe me curse
That bottel'd Spider, that foule bunch‑back'd Toad.
Mar.
I call'd thee then, vaine flourish of my fortune:
I call'd thee then, poore Shadow, painted Queen,
The presentation of but what I was;
2705 The flattering Index of a direfull Pageant;
One heau'd a high, to be hurl'd downe below:
A Mother onely mockt with two faire Babes;
A dreame of what thou wast, a garish Flagge
To be the ayme of euery dangerous Shot;
2710 A signe of Dignity, a Breath, a Bubble;
A Queene in ieast, onely to fill the Scene.
Where is thy Husband now? Where be thy Brothers?
Where be thy two Sonnes? Wherein dost thou Ioy?
Who sues, and kneeles, and sayes, God saue the Queene?
2715 Where be the bending Peeres that flattered thee?
Where be the thronging Troopes that followed thee?
Decline all this, and see what now thou art.
For happy Wife, a most distressed Widdow:
For ioyfull Mother, one that wailes the name:
2720 For one being sued too, one that humbly sues:
For Queene, a very Caytiffe, crown'd with care:
For she that scorn'd at me, now scorn'd of me:
For she being feared of all, now fearing one:
For she commanding all, obey'd of none.
2725 Thus hath the course of Iustice whirl'd about,
And left thee but a very prey to time,
Hauing no more but Thought of what thou wast.
To torture thee the more, being what thou art,
Thou didst vsurpe my place, and dost thou not
2730 Vsurpe the iust proportion of my Sorrow?
Now thy proud Necke, beares halfe my burthen'd yoke,
From which, euen heere I slip my wearied head,
And leaue the burthen of it all, on thee.
Farwell Yorkes wife, and Queene of sad mischance,
2735 These English woes, shall make me smile in France.
Qu.
O thou well skill'd in Curses, stay a‑while,
And teach me how to curse mine enemies.
Mar.
Forbeare to sleepe the night, and fast the day:
Compare dead happinesse, with liuing woe:
2740 Thinke that thy Babes were sweeter then they were,
And he that slew them fowler then he is:
Bett'ring thy losse, makes the bad causer worse,
Reuoluing this, will teach thee how to Curse.
Qu.
My words are dull, O quicken them with thine.
Mar.
2745 Thy woes will make them sharpe,
And pierce like mine.
Exit Margaret.
Dut.
Why should calamity be full of words?
Qu.
Windy Atturnies to their Clients Woes,
Ayery succeeders of intestine ioyes,
2750 Poore breathing Orators of miseries,
Let them haue scope, though what they will impart,
Helpe nothing els, yet do they ease the hart.
Dut.
If so then, be not Tongue‑ty'd: go with me,
And in the breath of bitter words, let's smother
2755 My damned Son, that thy two sweet Sonnes smother'd.
The Trumpet sounds, be copious in exclaimes.
Enter King Richard, and his Traine.
Rich.
Who intercepts me in my Expedition?
Dut.
O she, that might haue intercepted thee
By strangling thee in her aceursed accursed wombe,
2760 From all the slaughters (Wretch) that thou hast done.
Qu.
Hid'st thou that Forhead with a Golden Crowne
Where't should be branded, if that right were right?
The slaughter of the Prince that ow'd that Crowne,
And the dyre death of my poore Sonnes, and Brothers.
2765 Tell me thou Villaine‑slaue, where are my Children?
Dut.
Thou Toad, thou Toade,
Where is thy Brother Clarence?
And little Ned Plantagenet his Sonne?
Qu.
Where is the gentle Riuers, Vaughan, Gray?
Dut.
2770 Where is kinde Hastings?
Rich.
A flourish Trumpets, strike Alarum Drummes:
Let not the Heauens heare these Tell‑tale women
Raile on the Lords Annointed. Strike I say.
Flourish. Alarums.
Either be patient, and intreat me fayre,
2775 Or with the clamorous report of Warre,
Thus will I drowne your exclamations.
Dut.
Art thou my Sonne?
Rich.
I, I thanke God, my Father, and your selfe.
Dut.
Then patiently heare my impatience.
Rich.
2780 Madam, I haue a touch of your condition,
That cannot brooke the accent of reproofe.
Dut.
O let me speake.
Rich.
Do then, but Ile not heare.
Dut.
I will be milde, and gentle in my words.
Rich.
2785 And breefe (good Mother) for I am in hast.
Dut.
Art thou so hasty? I haue staid for thee
(God knowes) in torment and in agony.
Rich.
And came I not at last to comfort you?
Dut.
No by the holy Rood, thou know'st it well,
2790 Thou cam'st on earth, to make the earth my Hell.
A greeuous burthen was thy Birth to me,
Tetchy and wayward was thy Infancie.
Thy School‑daies frightfull, desp'rate, wilde, and furious,
Thy prime of Manhood, daring, bold, and venturous:
2795 Thy Age confirm'd, proud, subtle, slye, and bloody,
More milde, but yet more harmfull; Kinde in hatred:
What comfortable houre canst thou name,
That euer grac'd me with thy company?
Rich.
Faith none, but Humfrey Hower,
2800 That call'd your Grace
To Breakefast once, forth of my company.
If I be so disgracious in your eye,
Let me march on, and not offend you Madam.
Strike vp the Drumme.
Dut.
2805 I prythee heare me speake.
Rich.
You speake too bitterly.
Dut.
Heare me a word:
For I shall neuer speake to thee againe.
Rich.
So.
Dut.
2810 Either thou wilt dye, by Gods iust ordinance
Ere from this warre thou turne a Conqueror:
Or I with greefe and extreame Age shall perish,
And neuer more behold thy face againe.
Therefore take with thee my most greeuous Curse,
2815 Which in the day of Battell tyre thee more
Then all the compleat Armour that thou wear'st.
My Prayers on the aduerse party fight,
And there the little soules of Edwards Children,
Whisper the Spirits of thine Enemies,
2820 And promise them Successe and Victory:
Bloody thou art, bloody will be thy end:
Shame serues thy life, and doth thy death attend.
Exit.
Qu.
Though far more cause, yet much lesse spirit to curse
Abides in me, I say Amen to her.
Rich.
2825 Stay Madam, I must talke a word with you.
Qu.
I haue no more sonnes of the Royall Blood
For thee to slaughter. For my Daughters (Richard)
They shall be praying Nunnes, not weeping Queenes:
And therefore leuell not to hit their liues.
Rich.
2830 You haue a daughter call'd Elizabeth,
Vertuous and Faire, Royall and Gracious?
Qu.
And must she dye for this? O let her liue,
And Ile corrupt her Manners, staine her Beauty,
Slander my Selfe, as false to Edwards bed:
2835 Throw ouer her the vaile of Infamy,
So she may liue vnscarr'd of bleeding slaughter,
I will confesse she was not Edwards daughter.
Rich.
Wrong not her Byrth, she is a Royall Princesse.
Qu.
To saue her life, Ile say she is not so.
Rich.
2840 Her life is safest onely in her byrth.
Qu.
And onely in that safety, dyed her Brothers.
Rich.
Loe at their Birth, good starres were opposite.
Qu.
No, to their liues, ill friends were contrary.
Rich.
All vnauoyded is the doome of Destiny.
Qu.
2845 True: when auoyded grace makes Destiny.
My Babes were destin'd to a fairer death,
If grace had blest thee with a fairer life.
Rich,
You speake as if that I had slaine my Cosins?
Qu.
Cosins indeed, and by their Vnckle couzend,
2850 Of Comfort, Kingdome, Kindred, Freedome, Life,
Whose hand soeuer lanch'd their tender hearts,
Thy head (all indirectly) gaue direction.
No doubt the murd'rous Knife was dull and blunt,
Till it was whetted on thy stone‑hard heart,
2855 To reuell in the Intrailes of my Lambes.
But that still vse of greefe, makes wilde greefe tame,
My tongue should to thy eares not name my Boyes,
Till that my Nayles were anchor'd in thine eyes:
And I in such a desp'rate Bay of death,
2860 Like a poore Barke, of sailes and tackling reft,
Rush all to peeces on thy Rocky bosome.
Rich.
Madam, so thriue I in my enterprize
And dangerous successe of bloody warres,
As I intend more good to you and yours,
2865 Then euer you and yours by me were harm'd.
Qu.
What good is couer'd with the face of heauen,
To be discouered, that can do me good.
Rich.
Th'aduancement of your children, gentle Lady
Qu.
Vp to some Scaffold, there to lose their heads.
Rich.
2870 Vnto the dignity and height of Fortune,
The high Imperiall Type of this earths glory.
Qu.
Flatter my sorrow with report of it:
Tell me, what State, what Dignity, what Honor,
Canst thou demise to any childe of mine.
Rich.
2875 Euen all I haue; I, and my selfe and all,
Will I withall indow a childe of thine:
So in the Lethe of thy angry soule,
Thou drowne the sad remembrance of those wrongs,
Which thou supposest I haue done to thee.
Qu.
2880 Be breefe, least that the processe of thy kindnesse
Last longer telling then thy kindness date.
Rich.
Then know,
That from my Soule, I loue thy Daughter.
Qu.
My daughters Mother thinkes it with her soule.
Rich.
2885 What do you thinke?
Qu.
That thou dost loue my daughter from thy soule
So from thy Soules loue didst thou loue her Brothers,
And from my hearts loue, I do thanke thee for it.
Rich.
Be not so hasty to confound my meaning:
2890 I meane that with my Soule I loue thy daughter,
And do intend to make her Queene of England.
Qu.
Well then, who dost yu meane shallbe her King.
Rich.
Euen he that makes her Queene:
Who else should bee?
Q[.].
2895 What, thou?
Rich.
Euen so: How thinke you of it?
Qu.
How canst thou woo her?
Rich.
That I would learne of you,
As one being best acquainted with her humour.
Qu.
2900 And wilt thou learne of me?
Rich.
Madam, with all my heart.
Qu.
Send to her by the man that slew her Brothers,
A paire of bleeding hearts: thereon ingraue
Edward and Yorke, then haply will she weepe:
2905 Therefore present to her, as sometime Margaret
Did to thy Father, steept in Rutlands blood,
A hand‑kercheefe, which say to her did dreyne
The purple sappe from her sweet Brothers body,
And bid her wipe her weeping eyes withall.
2910 If this inducement moue her not to loue,
Send her a Letter of thy Noble deeds:
Tell her, thou mad'st away her Vnckle Clarence,
Her Vnckle Riuers, I (and for her sake)
Mad'st quicke conueyance with her good Aunt Anne.
Rich.
2915 You mocke me Madam, this not the way
To win your daughter.
Qu.
There is no other way,
Vnlesse thou could'st put on some other shape,
And not be Richard, that hath done all this.
Rich.
2920 Say that 1 did all this for loue of her.
Qu.
Nay then indeed she cannot choose but hate thee
Hauing bought loue, with such a bloody spoyle.
Rich.
Looke what is done, cannot be now amended:
Men shall deale vnaduisedly sometimes,
2925 Which after‑houres giues leysure to repent.
If I did take the Kingdome from your Sonnes,
To make amends, Ile giue it to your daughter:
If I haue kill'd the issue of your wombe,
To quicken your encrease, I will beget
2930 Mine yssue of your blood, vpon your Daughter:
A Grandams name is little lesse in loue,
Then is the doting Title of a Mother;
They are as Children but one steppe below,
Euen of your mettall, of your very blood:
2935 Of all one paine, saue for a night of groanes
Endur'd of her, for whom you bid like sorrow.
Your Children were vexation to your youth,
But
{p. 198}
The Life and Death of Richard the Third.
But mine shall be a comfort to your Age,
The losse you haue, is but a Sonne being King,
2940 And by that losse, your Daughter is made Queene.
I cannot make you what amends I would,
Therefore accept such kindnesse as I can.
Dorset your Sonne, that with a fearfull soule
Leads discontented steppes in Forraine soyle,
2945 This faire Alliance, quickly shall call home
To high Promotions, and great Dignity.
The King that calles your beauteous Daughter Wife,
Familiarly shall call thy Dorset, Brother:
Againe shall you be Mother to a King:
2950 And all the Ruines of distressefull Times,
Repayr'd with double Riches of Content.
What? we haue many goodly dayes to see:
The liquid drops of Teares that you haue shed,
Shall come againe, transform'd to Orient Pearle,
2955 Aduantaging their Loue, with interest
Of ten‑times double gaine of happinesse.
Go then (my Mother) to thy Daughter go,
Make bold her bashfull yeares, with your experience,
Prepare her eares to heare a Woers Tale.
2960 Put in her tender heart, th'aspiring Flame
Of Golden Soueraignty: Acquaint the Princesse
With the sweet silent houres of Marriage ioyes:
And when this Arme of mine hath chastised
The petty Rebell, dull‑brain'd Buckingham,
2965 Bound with Triumphant Garlands will I come,
And leade thy daughter to a Conquerors bed:
To whom I will retaile my Conquest wonne,
And she shalbe sole Victoresse, Cæsars Cæsar.
Qu.
What were I best to say, her Fathers Brother
2970 Would be her Lord? Or shall I say her Vnkle?
Or he that slew her Brothers, and her Vnkles?
Vnder what Title shall I woo for thee,
That God, the Law, my Honor, and her Loue,
Can make seeme pleasing to her tender yeares?
Rich.
2975 Inferre faire Englands peace by this Alliance.
Qu.
Which she shall purchase with stil lasting warre.
Rich.
Tell her, the King that may command, intreats.
Qu.
That at her hands, which the kings King forbids.
Rich.
Say she shall be a High and Mighty Queene.
Qu.
2980 To vaile the Title, as her Mother doth.
Rich.
Say I will loue her euerlastingly.
Qu.
But how long shall that title euer last?
Rich.
Sweetly in force, vnto her faire liues end.
Qu.
But how long fairely shall her sweet life last?
Rich.
2985 As long as Heauen and Nature lengthens it.
Qu.
As long as Hell and Richard likes of it.
Rich.
Say, I her Soueraigne, am her Subiect low.
Qu.
But she your Subiect, lothes such Soueraignty.
Rich.
Be eloquent in my behalfe to her.
Qu.
2990 An honest tale speeds best, being plainly told.
Rich.
Then plainly, to her, tell my louing tale.
Qu.
Plaine and not honest, is too harsh a style.
Rich.
Your Reasons are too shallow, and to quicke.
Qu.
O no, my Reasons are too deepe and dead,
2995 Too deepe and dead (poore Infants) in their graues,
Harpe on it still shall I, till heart‑strings breake.
Rich.
Harpe not on that string Madam, that is past.
Now by my George, my Garter, and my Crowne.
Qu.
Prophan'd, dishonor'd, and the third vsurpt.
Rich.
3000 I sweare.
Qu.
By nothing, for this is no Oath:
Thy George prophan'd, hath lost his Lordly Honor;
Thy Garter blemish'd, pawn'd his Knightly Vertue;
Thy Crowne vsurp'd, disgrac'd his Kingly Glory:
3005 If something thou would'st sweare to be beleeu'd,
Sweare then by something, that thou hast not wrong'd.
Rich.
Then by my Selfe.
Qu.
Thy Selfe, is selfe‑misvs'd.
Rich.
Now by the World.
Qu.
3010 'Tis full of thy foule wrongs.
Rich.
My Fathers death.
Qu.
Thy life hath it dishonor'd.
Rich.
Why then, by Heauen.
Qu.
Heauens wrong is most of all:
3015 If thou didd'st feare to breake an Oath with him,
The vnity the King my husband made,
Thou had'st not broken, nor my Brothers died.
If thou had'st fear'd to breake an oath by him,
Th'Imperiall mettall, circling now thy head,
3020 Had grac'd the tender temples of my Child,
And both the Princes had bene breathing heere,
Which now two tender Bed‑fellowes for dust,
Thy broken Faith hath made the prey for Wormes.
What can'st thou sweare by now.
Rich.
3025 The time to come.
Qu.
That thou hast wronged in the time ore‑past:
For I my selfe haue many teares to wash
Heereafter time, for time past, wrong'd by thee.
The Children liue, whose Fathers thou hast slaughter'd,
3030 Vngouern'd youth, to waile it with their age:
The Parents liue, whose Children thou hast butcher'd,
Old barren Plants, to waile it with their Age.
Sweare not by time to come, for that thou hast
Misvs'd ere vs'd, by times ill‑vs'd repast.
Rich.
3035 As I entend to prosper, and repent:
So thriue I in my dangerous Affayres
Of hostile Armes: My selfe, my selfe confound:
Heauen, and Fortune barre me happy houres:
Day, yeeld me not thy light; nor Night, thy rest.
3040 Be opposite all Planets of good lucke
To my proceeding, if with deere hearts loue,
Immaculate deuotion, holy thoughts,
I tender not thy beautious Princely daughter.
In her, consists my Happinesse, and thine:
3045 Without her, followes to my selfe, and thee;
Her selfe, the Land, and many a Christian soule,
Death, Desolation, Ruine, and Decay:
It cannot be auoyded, but by this:
It will not be auoyded, but by this.
3050 Therefore deare Mother (I must call you so)
Be the Atturney of my loue to her:
Pleade what I will be, not what I haue beene;
Not my deserts, but what I will deserue:
Vrge the Necessity and state of times,
3055 And be not peeuish found, in great Designes.
Qu.
Shall I be tempted of the Diuel thus?
Rich.
I, if the Diuell tempt you to do good.
Qu.
Shall I forget my selfe, to be my selfe.
Rich.
I, if your selfes remembrance wrong your selfe.
Qu.
3060 Yet thou didst kil my Children.
Rich.
But in your daughters wombe I bury them.
Where in that Nest of Spicery they will breed
Selues of themselues, to your recomforture.
Qu.
Shall I go win my daughter to thy will?
Rich.
3065 And be a happy Mother by the deed.
Qu.
I go, write to me very shortly,
And you shal vnderstand from me her mind.
Exit Q.
Rich.
Beare her my true loues kisse, and so farewell.
Relenting Foole, and shallow‑changing Woman.
How
{p. 199}
The Life and Death of Richard the Third.
3070 How now, what newes?
Enter Ratcliffe.
Rat.
Most mightie Soueraigne, on the Westerne Coast
Rideth a puissant Nauie: to our Shores
Throng many doubtfull hollow‑hearted friends,
Vnarm'd, and vnresolu'd to beat them backe.
3075 'Tis thought, that Richmond is their Admirall:
And there they hull, expecting but the aide
Of Buckingham, to welcome them ashore.
Rich.
Some light‑foot friend post to yͤ Duke of Norfolk:
Ratcliffe thy selfe, or Catesby, where is hee?
Cat.
3080 Here, my good Lord.
Rich.
Catesby, flye to the Duke.
Cat.
I will, my Lord, with all conuenient haste.
Rich.
Catesby come hither, poste to Salisbury:
When thou com'st thither: Dull vnmindfull Villaine,
3085 Why stay'st thou here, and go'st not to the Duke?
Cat.
First, mighty Liege, tell me your Highnesse pleasure,
What from your Grace I shall deliuer to him.
Rich.
O true, good Catesby, bid him leuie straight
The greatest strength and power that he can make,
3090 And meet me suddenly at Salisbury.
Cat.
I goe.
Exit.
Rat.
What, may it please you, shall I doe at Salis
bury?
bury?
Rich.
Why, what would'st thou doe there, before I
goe?
goe?
Rat.
Your Highnesse told me I should poste before.
Rich.
3095 My minde is chang'd:
Enter Lord Stanley.
Stanley, what newes with you?
Sta.
None, good my Liege, to please you with yͤ hearing,
Nor none so bad, but well may be reported.
Rich.
Hoyday, a Riddle, neither good nor bad:
3100 What need'st thou runne so many miles about,
When thou mayest tell thy Tale the neerest way?
Once more, what newes?
Stan.
Richmond is on the Seas.
Rich.
There let him sinke, and be the Seas on him,
3105 White‑liuer'd Runnagate, what doth he there?
Stan.
I know not, mightie Soueraigne, but by guesse.
Rich.
Well, as you guesse.
Stan.
Stirr'd vp by Dorset, Buckingham, and Morton,
He makes for England, here to clayme the Crowne.
Rich.
3110 Is the Chayre emptie? is the Sword vnsway'd?
Is the King dead? the Empire vnpossest?
What Heire of Yorke is there aliue, but wee?
And who is Englands King, but great Yorkes Heire?
Then tell me, what makes he vpon the Seas?
Stan.
3115 Vnlesse for that, my Liege, I cannot guesse.
Rich.
Vnlesse for that he comes to be your Liege,
You cannot guesse wherefore the Welchman comes.
Thou wilt reuolt, and flye to him, I feare.
Stan.
No, my good Lord, therefore mistrust me not.
Rich.
3120 Where is thy Power then, to beat him back?
Where be thy Tenants, and thy followers?
Are they not now vpon the Westerne Shore,
Safe‑conducting the Rebels from their Shippes?
Stan.
No, my good Lord, my friends are in the
North.
North.
Rich.
3125 Cold friends to me: what do they in the North,
When they should serue their Soueraigne in the West?
Stan.
They haue not been commanded, mighty King:
Pleaseth your Maiestie to giue me leaue,
Ile muster vp my friends, and meet your Grace,
3130 Where, and what time your Maiestie shall please.
Rich.
I, thou would'st be gone, to ioyne with Richmond:
But Ile not trust thee.
Stan.
Most mightie Soueraigne,
You haue no cause to hold my friendship doubtfull,
3135 I neuer was, nor neuer will be false.
Rich.
Goe then, and muster men: but leaue behind
Your Sonne George Stanley: looke your heart be firme,
Or else his Heads assurance is but fraile.
Stan.
So deale with him, as I proue true to you.
Exit Stanley.
Enter a Messenger.
Mess.
3140 My gracious Soueraigne, now in Deuonshire,
As I by friends am well aduertised,
Sir Edward Courtney, and the haughtie Prelate,
Bishop of Exeter, his elder Brother,
With many moe Confederates, are in Armes.
Enter another Messenger.
Mess.
3145 In Kent, my Liege, the Guilfords are in Armes,
And euery houre more Competitors
Flocke to the Rebels, and their power growes strong.
Enter another Messenger.
Mess.
My Lord, the Armie of great Buckingham.
Rich.
Out on ye, Owles, nothing but Songs of Death,
He striketh him.
3150 There, take thou that, till thou bring better newes.
Mess.
The newes I haue to tell your Maiestie,
Is, that by sudden Floods, and fall of Waters,
Buckinghams Armie is dispers'd and scatter'd,
And he himselfe wandred away alone,
3155 No man knowes whither.
Rich.
I cry thee mercie:
There is my Purse, to cure that Blow of thine.
Hath any well‑aduised friend proclaym'd
Reward to him that brings the Traytor in?
Mess.
3160 Such Proclamation hath been made, my Lord.
Enter another Messenger.
Mess.
Sir Thomas Louell, and Lord Marquesse Dorset,
'Tis said, my Liege, in Yorkeshire are in Armes:
But this good comfort bring I to your Highnesse,
The Brittaine Nauie is dispers'd by Tempest.
3165 Richmond in Dorsetshire sent out a Boat
Vnto the shore, to aske those on the Banks,
If they were his Assistants, yea, or no?
Who answer'd him, they came from Buckingham,
Vpon his partie: he mistrusting them,
3170 Hoys'd sayle, and made his course againe for Brittaine.
Rich.
March on, march on, since we are vp in Armes,
If not to fight with forraine Enemies,
Yet to beat downe these Rebels here at home.
Enter Catesby.
Cat.
My Liege, the Duke of Buckingham is taken,
3175 That is the best newes: that the Earle of Richmond
Is
{p. 200}
The Life and Death of Richard the Third.
Is with a mighty power Landed at Milford,
Is colder Newes, but yet they must be told.
Rich.
Away towards Salsbury, while we reason here,
A Royall batteil might be wonne and lost:
3180 Some one take order Buckingham be brought
To Salsbury, the rest march on with me.
Florish. Exeunt
Scena Quarta.
[Act 4, Scene 5] §
Enter Derby, and Sir Christopher.
Der.
Sir Christopher, tell Richmond this from me,
That in the stye of the most deadly Bore,
My Sonne George Stanley is frankt vp in hold:
3185 If I reuolt, off goes yong Georges head,
The feare of that, holds off my present ayde.
So get thee gone: commend me to thy Lord.
Withall say, that the Queene hath heartily consented
He should espouse Elizabeth hir daughter.
3190 But tell me, where is Princely Richmond now?
Chri.
At Penbroke, or at Hertford West in Wales.
Der.
What men of Name resort to him.
Chri,
Sir Walter Herbert, a renowned Souldier,
Sir Gilbert Talbot, Sir William Stanley,
3195 Oxford, redoubted Pembroke, Sir Iames Blunt,
And Rice ap Thomas, with a valiant Crew,
And many other of great name and worth:
And towards London do they bend their power,
If by the way they be not fought withall.
Der.
3200 Well hye thee to thy Lord: I kisse his hand,
My Letter will resolue him of my minde.
Farewell.
Exeunt
Actus Quintus. Scena Prima.
[Act 5, Scene 1] §
Enter Buckingham with Halberds, led
to Execution.
to Execution.
Buc.
Will not King Richard let me speake with him?
Sher.
No my good Lord, therefore be patient.
Buc.
3205 Hastings, and Edwards children, Gray & Riuers,
Holy King Henry, and thy faire Sonne Edward,
Vaughan, and all that haue miscarried
By vnder‑hand corrupted foule iniustice,
If that your moody disconcented soules,
3210 Do through the clowds behold this present houre,
Euen for reuenge mocke my destruction.
This is All‑soules day (Fellow) is it not?
Sher.
It is.
Buc.
Why then Al‑soules day, is my bodies doomsday
3215 This is the day, which in King Edwards time
I wish'd might fall on me, when I was found
False to his Children, and his Wiues Allies.
This is the day, wherein I wisht to fall
By the false Faith of him whom most I trusted.
3220 This, this All‑soules day to my fearfull Soule,
Is the determin'd respit of my wrongs:
That high All‑seer, which I dallied with,
Hath turn'd my fained Prayer on my head,
And giuen in earnest, what I begg'd in iest.
3225 Thus doth he force the swords of wicked men
To turne their owne points in their Masters bosomes.
Thus Margarets curse falles heauy on my necke:
When he (quoth she) shall split thy heart with sorrow,
Remember Margaret was a Prophetesse:
3230 Come leade me Officers to the blocke of shame,
Wrong hath but wrong, and blame the due of blame.
Exeunt Buckingham with Officers.
Scena Secunda.
[Act 5, Scene 2] §
Enter Richmond, Oxford, Blunt, Herbert, and
others with drum and colours.
others with drum and colours.
Richm
Fellowes in Armes, and my most louing Frends
Bruis'd vnderneath the yoake of Tyranny,
Thus farre into the bowels of the Land,
3235 Haue we marcht on without impediment;
And heere receiue we from our Father Stanley
Lines of faire comfort and encouragement:
The wretched, bloody and vsurping Boare,
(That spoyl'd your Summer Fields, and fruitfull Vines)
3240 Swilles your warm blood like wash, & makes his trough
In your embowel'd bosomes: This foule Swine
Is now euen in the Centry of this Isle,
Ne're to the Towne of Leicester, as we learne:
From Tamworth thither, is but one dayes march.
3245 In Gods name cheerely on, couragious Friends,
To reape the Haruest of perpetuall peace,
By this one bloody tryall off sharpe Warre.
Oxf.
Euery mans Conscience is a thousand men,
To fight against this guilty Homicide.
Her.
3250 I doubt not but his Friends will turne to vs.
Blunt.
He hath no friends, but what are friends for fear,
Which in his deerest neede will flye from him.
Richm.
All for our vantage, then in Gods name march,
True Hope is swift, and flyes with Swallowes wings,
3255 Kings it makes Gods, and meaner creatures Kings.
Exeunt Omnes.
[Act 5, Scene 3] §
Enter King Richard in Armes with Norfolke, Ratcliffe,
and the Earle of Surrey.
and the Earle of Surrey.
Rich.
Here pitch our Tent, euen here in Bosworth field,
My Lord of Surrey, why looke you so sad?
Sur.
My heart is ten times lighter then my lookes.
Rich.
My Lord of Norfolke.
Nor.
3260 Heere most gracious Liege.
Rich.
Norfolke, we must haue knockes:
Ha, must we not?
Ha, must we not?
Nor.
We must both giue and take my louing Lord.
Rich.
Vp with my Tent, heere wil I lye to night,
But where to morrow? Well, all's one for that.
3265 Who hath descried the number of the Traitors?
Nor.
Six or seuen thousand is their vtmost power.
Rich.
Why our Battalia trebbles that account:
Besides, the Kings name is a Tower of strength,
Which they vpon the aduerse Faction want.
3270 Vp with the Tent: Come Noble Gentlemen,
Let vs suruey the vantage of the ground.
Call for some Men of sound direction:
Let's
{p. 201}
The Life and Death of Richard the Third.
Let's lacke no Discipline, make no delay,
For Lords, to morrow is a busie day.
Exeunt
Enter Richmond, Sir William Brandon, Ox
ford, and Dorset.
ford, and Dorset.
Richm.
3275 The weary Sunne, hath made a Golden set,
And by the bright Tract of his fiery Carre,
Giues token of a goodly day to morrow.
Sir William Brandon, you shall beare my Standard:
Giue me some Inke and Paper in my Tent:
3280 Ile draw the Forme and Modell of our Battaile,
Limit each Leader to his seuerall Charge,
And part in iust proportion our small Power.
My Lord of Oxford, you Sir William Brandon,
And your Sir Walter Herbert stay with me:
3285 The Earle of Pembroke keepes his Regiment;
Good Captaine Blunt, beare my goodnight to him,
And by the second houre in the Morning,
Desire the Earle to see me in my Tent:
Yet one thing more (good Captaine) do for me:
3290 Where is Lord Stanley quarter'd, do you know?
Blunt.
Vnlesse I haue mistane his Colours much,
(Which well I am assur'd I haue not done)
His Regiment lies halfe a Mile at least
South, from the mighty Power of the King.
Richm.
3295 If without perill it be possible,
Sweet Blunt, make some good meanes to speak with him
And giue him from me, this most needfull Note.
Blunt.
Vpon my life, my Lord, Ile vndertake it,
And so God giue you quiet rest to night.
Richm.
3300 Good night good Captaine Blunt:
Come Gentlemen,
Let vs consult vpon to morrowes Businesse;
Into my Tent, the Dew is rawe and cold.
They withdraw into the Tent.
Enter Richard, Ratcliffe, Norfolke, & Catesby.
Rich.
What is't a Clocke?
Cat.
3305 It's Supper time my Lord, it's nine a clocke.
King.
I will not sup to night,
Giue me some Inke and Paper:
What, is my Beauer easier then it was?
And all my Armour laid into my Tent?
Cat.
3310 It is my Liege: and all things are in readinesse.
Rich.
Good Norfolke, hye thee to thy charge,
Vse carefull Watch, choose trusty Centinels,
Nor.
I go my Lord.
Rich.
Stir with the Larke to morrow, gentle Norfolk.
Nor.
3315 I warrant you my Lord.
Exit
Rich.
Ratcliffe.
Rat.
My Lord.
Rich.
Send out a Pursuiuiant at Armes
To Stanleys Regiment: bid him bring his power
3320 Before Sun‑rising, least his Sonne George fall
Into the blinde Caue of eternall night.
Fill me a Bowle of Wine: Giue me a Watch,
Saddle white Surrey for the Field to morrow:
Look that my Staues be sound, & not too heauy. Ratcliff.
Rat.
3325 My Lord.
Rich.
Saw'st the melancholly Lord Northumberland?
Rat.
Thomas the Earle of Surrey, and himselfe,
Much about Cockshut time, from Troope to Troope
Went through the Army, chearing vp the Souldiers.
King.
3330 So, I am satisfied: Giue me a Bowle of Wine,
I haue not that Alacrity of Spirit,
Nor cheere of Minde that I was wont to haue.
Set it downe. Is Inke and Paper ready?
Rat.
It is my Lord.
Rich.
3335 Bid my Guard watch. Leaue me.
Ratcliffe, about the mid of night come to my Tent
And helpe to arme me. Leaue me I say.
Exit Ratclif.
Enter Derby to Richmond in his Tent.
Der.
Fortune, and Victory sit on thy Helme.
Rich.
All comfort that the darke night can affoord,
3340 Be to thy Person, Noble Father in Law.
Tell me, how fares our Noble Mother?
Der.
I by Attourney, blesse thee from thy Mother,
Who prayes continually for Richmonds good:
So much for that. The silent houres steale on,
3345 And flakie darkenesse breakes within the East.
In breefe, for so the season bids vs be,
Prepare thy Battell early in the Morning,
And put thy Fortune to th'Arbitrement
Of bloody stroakes, and mortall staring Warre:
3350 I, as I may, that which I would, I cannot,
With best aduantage will deceiue the time,
And ayde thee in this doubtfull shocke of Armes.
But on thy side I may not be too forward,
Least being seene, thy Brother, tender George
3355 Be executed in his Fathers sight.
Farewell: the leysure, and the fearfull time
Cuts off the ceremonious Vowes of Loue,
And ample enterchange of sweet Discourse,
Which so long sundred Friends should dwell vpon:
3360 God giue vs leysure for these rites of Loue.
Once more Adieu, be valiant, and speed well.
Richm.
Good Lords conduct him to his Regiment:
Ile striue with troubled noise, to take a Nap,
Lest leaden slumber peize me downe to morrow,
3365 When I should mount with wings of Victory:
Once more, good night kinde Lords and Gentlemen.
Exeunt. Manet Richmond.
O thou, whose Captaine I account my selfe,
Looke on my Forces with a gracious eye:
Put in their hands thy bruising Irons of wrath,
3370 That they may crush downe with a heauy fall,
Th'vsurping Helmets of our Aduersaries:
Make vs thy ministers of Chasticement,
That we may praise thee in thy victory:
To thee I do commend my watchfull soule,
3375 Ere I let fall the windowes of mine eyes:
Sleeping, and waking, oh defend me still.
Sleeps.
Enter the Ghost of Prince Edward, Sonne to
Henry the sixt.
Henry the sixt.
Gh.
to Ri.
Let me sit heauy on thy soule to morrow:
Thinke how thou stab'st me in my prime of youth
At Teukesbury: Dispaire therefore, and dye.
Ghost
to Richm.
3380 Be chearefull Richmond,
For the wronged Soules
Of butcher'd Princes, fight in thy behalfe:
King Henries issue Richmond comforts thee.
Enter the Ghost of Henry the sixt.
Ghost.
When I was mortall, my Annointed body
3385 By thee was punched full of holes;
Thinke on the Tower, and me: Dispaire, and dye,
Harry the sixt, bids thee dispaire, and dye.
To Richm.
Vertuous and holy be thou Conqueror:
Harry that prophesied thou should'st be King,
3390 Doth comfort thee in sleepe: Liue, and flourish.
Enter the Ghost of Clarence.
Ghost.
Let me sit heauy in thy soule to morrow.
I that was wash'd to death with Fulsome Wine:
Poore Clarence by thy guile betray'd to death:
To morrow in the battell thinke on me,
3395 And fall thy edgelesse Sword, dispaire and dye.
To Richm.
Thou off‑spring of the house of Lancaster
The wronged heyres of Yorke do pray for thee,
Good Angels guard thy battell, Liue and Flourish.
Enter the Ghosts of Riuers, Gray, and Vaughan.
Riu
Let me sit heauy in thy soule to morrow,
3400 Riuers, that dy'de at Pomfret: dispaire, and dye.
Grey.
Thinke vpon Grey, and let thy soule dispaire.
Vaugh.
Thinke vpon Vaughan, and with guilty feare
Let fall thy Lance, dispaire and dye.
All
to Richm.
Awake,
3405 And thinke our wrongs in Richards Bosome,
Will conquer him. Awake, and win the day.
Enter the Ghost of Lord Hastings.
Gho.
Bloody and guilty: guiltily awake,
And in a bloody Battell end thy dayes.
Thinke on Lord Hastings: dispaire, and dye.
Hast.
to Rich.
3410 Quiet vntroubled soule,
Awake, awake:
Arme, fight, and conquer, for faire Englands sake.
Enter the Ghosts of the two yong Princes.
Ghosts.
Dreame on thy Cousins
Smothered in the Tower:
3415 Let vs be laid within thy bosome Richard,
And weigh thee downe to ruine, shame, and death,
Thy Nephewes soule bids thee dispaire and dye.
Ghosts
to Richm.
Sleepe Richmond,
Sleepe in Peace, and wake in Ioy,
3420 Good Angels guard thee from the Boares annoy,
Liue, and beget a happy race of Kings,
Edwards vnhappy Sonnes, do bid thee flourish.
Enter the Ghost of Anne, his Wife.
Ghost
to Rich.
Richard, thy Wife,
That wretched Anne thy Wife,
3425 That neuer slept a quiet houre with thee,
Now filles thy sleepe with perturbations,
To morrow in the Battaile, thinke on me,
And fall thy edgelesse Sword, dispaire and dye.
Ghost
to Richm.
Thou quiet soule,
3430 Sleepe thou a quiet sleepe:
Dreame of Successe, and Happy Victory,
Thy Aduersaries Wife doth pray for thee.
Enter the Ghost of Buckingham.
Ghost
to Rich.
The first was I
That help'd thee to the Crowne:
3435 The last was I that felt thy Tyranny.
O, in the Battaile think on Buckingham,
And dye in terror of thy guiltinesse.
Dreame on, dreame on, of bloody deeds and death,
Fainting dispaire; dispairing yeeld thy breath.
Ghost
to Richm.
3440 I dyed for hope
Ere I could lend thee Ayde;
But cheere thy heart, and be thou not dismayde:
God, and good Angels fight on Richmonds side,
And Richard fall in height of all his pride.
Richard starts out of his dreame.
Rich.
3445 Giue me another Horse, bind vp my Wounds:
Haue mercy Iesu. Soft, I did but dreame.
O coward Conscience! how dost thou afflict me?
The Lights burne blew. It is not dead midnight.
Cold fearefull drops stand on my trembling flesh.
3450 What? do I feare my Selfe? There's none else by,
Richard loues Richard, that is, I am I.
Is there a Murtherer heere? No; Yes, I am:
Then flye; What from my Selfe? Great reason: why?
Lest I Reuenge. What? my Selfe vpon my Selfe?
3455 Alacke, I loue my Selfe. Wherefore? For any good
That I my Selfe, haue done vnto my Selfe?
O no. Alas, I rather hate my Selfe,
For hatefull Deeds committed by my Selfe.
I am a Villaine: yet I Lye, I am not.
3460 Foole, of thy Selfe speake well: Foole, do not flatter.
My Conscience hath a thousand seuerall Tongues,
And euery Tongue brings in a seuerall Tale,
And euerie Tale condemnes me for a Villaine;
Periurie, in the high'st Degree,
3465 Murther, sterne murther, in the dyr'st degree,
All seuerall sinnes, all vs'd in each degree,
Throng all to'th'Barre, crying all, Guilty, Guilty.
I shall dispaire, there is no Creature loues me;
And if I die, no soule shall pittie me.
3470 Nay, wherefore should they? Since that I my Selfe,
Finde in my Selfe, no pittie to my Selfe.
Me thought, the Soules of all that I had murther'd
Came to my Tent, and euery one did threat
To morrowes vengeance on the head of Richard.
Enter Ratcliffe.
Rat.
3475 My Lord.
King.
Who's there?
Rat.
Ratcliffe my Lord, 'tis I: the early Village Cock
Hath twice done salutation to the Morne,
Your Friends are vp, and buckle on their Armour.
King.
3480 O Ratcliffe, I feare, I feare.
Rat.
Nay good my Lord, be not affraid of Shadows.
King.
By the Apostle Paul, shadowes to night
Haue stroke more terror to the soule of Richard,
Then can the substance of ten thousand Souldiers
3485 Armed in proofe, and led by shallow Richmond.
'Tis not yet neere day. Come go with me,
Vnder our Tents Ile play the Ease‑dropper,
To heare if any meane to thanke from me.
Exeunt Richard & Ratliffe,
Enter the Lords to Richmond sitting
in his Tent.
in his Tent.
Richm.
Good morrow Richmond.
Rich.
3490 Cry mercy Lords, and watchfull Gentlemen,
That you haue tane a tardie sluggard heere?
Lords.
How haue you slept my Lord?
Rich.
The sweetest sleepe,
And fairest boading Dreames,
3495 That euer entred in a drowsie head,
Haue I since your departure had my Lords.
Me thought their Soules, whose bodies Richard murther'd,
Came to my Tent, and cried on Victory:
I promise you my Heart is very iocond,
3500 In the remembrance of so faire a dreame,
How farre into the Morning is it Lords?
Lor.
Vpon the stroke of foure.
Rich.
Why then 'tis time to Arme, and giue direction.
His Oration to his Souldiers.
More then I haue said, louing Countrymen,
3505 The leysure and inforcement of the time
Forbids to dwell vpon: yet remember this,
God
{p. 203}
The Life and Death of Richard the Third.
God, and our good cause, fight vpon our side,
The Prayers of holy Saints and wronged soules,
Like high rear'd Bulwarkes, stand before our Faces,
3510 (Richard except) those whom we fight against,
Had rather haue vs win, then him they follow.
For, what is he they follow? Truly Gentlemen,
A bloudy Tyrant, and a Homicide:
One rais'd in blood, and one in blood establish'd;
3515 One that made meanes to come by what he hath,
And slaughter'd those that were the meanes to help him:
A base foule Stone, made precious by the soyle
Of Englands Chaire, where he is falsely set:
One that hath euer beene Gods Enemy.
3520 Then if you fight against Gods Enemy,
God will in iustice ward you as his Soldiers.
If you do sweare to put a Tyrant downe,
You sleepe in peace, the Tyrant being slaine:
If you do fight against your Countries Foes,
3525 Your Countries Fat shall pay your paines the hyre.
If you do fight in safegard of your wiues,
Your wiues shall welcome home the Conquerors.
If you do free your Children from the Sword,
Your Childrens Children quits it in your Age.
3530 Then in the name of God and all these rights,
Aduance your Standards, draw your willing Swords.
For me, the ransome of my bold attempt,
Shall be this cold Corpes on the earth's cold face.
But if I thriue, the gaine of my attempt,
3535 The least of you shall share his part thereof.
Sound Drummes and Trumpets boldly, and cheerefully,
God, and Saint George, Richmond, and Victory.
Enter King Richard, Ratcliffe, and Catesby.
K.
What said Northumberland as touching Richmond?
Rat.
That he was neuer trained vp in Armes.
King.
3540 He said the truth: and what said Surrey then?
Rat.
He smil'd and said, the better for our purpose.
King.
He was in the right, and so indeed it is.
Tell the clocke there.
Clocke strikes.
Giue me a Kalender: Who saw the Sunne to day?
Rat.
3545 N[.]t I my Lord.
King.
Then he disdaines to shine: for by the Booke
He should haue brau'd the East an houre ago,
A blacke day will it be to somebody. Ratcliffe.
Rat.
My Lord.
King.
3550 The Sun will not be seene to day,
The sky doth frowne, and lowre vpon our Army.
I would these dewy teares were from the ground.
Not shine to day? Why, what is that to me
More then to Richmond? For the selfe‑same Heauen
3555 That frownes on me, lookes sadly vpon him.
Enter Norfolke.
Nor.
Arme, arme, my Lord: the foe vaunts in the field.
King.
Come, bustle, bustle. Caparison my horse.
Call vp Lord Stanley, bid him bring his power,
I will leade forth my Soldiers to the plaine,
3560 And thus my Battell shal be ordred.
My Foreward shall be drawne in length,
Consisting equally of Horse and Foot:
Our Archers shall be placed in the mid'st;
Iohn Duke of Norfolke, Thomas Earle of Surrey,
3565 Shall haue the leading of the Foot and Horse.
They thus directed, we will fllow
In the maine Battell, whose puissance on either side
Shall be well‑winged with our cheefest Horse:
This, and Saint George to boote.
3570 What think'st thou Norfolke.
Nor.
A good direction warlike Soueraigne,
This found I on my Tent this Morning.
Iockey of Norfolke, be not so bold,
For Dickon thy maister is bought and sold.
King.
3575 A thing deuised by the Enemy.
Go Gentlemen, euery man to his Charge,
Let not our babling Dreames affright our soules:
For Conscience is a word that Cowards vse,
Deuis'd at first to keepe the strong in awe,
3580 Our strong armes be our Conscience, Swords our Law.
March on, ioyne brauely, let vs too't pell mell,
If not to heauen, then hand in hand to Hell.
What shall I say more then I haue inferr'd?
Remember whom you are to cope withall,
3585 A sort of Vagabonds, Rascals, and Run‑awayes,
A scum of Brittaines, and base Lackey Pezants,
Whom their o're‑cloyed Country vomits forth
To desperate Aduentures, and assur'd Destruction.
You sleeping safe, they bring you to vnrest:
3590 You hauing Lands, and blest with beauteous wiues,
They would restraine the one, distaine the other,
And who doth leade them, but a paltry Fellow?
Long kept in Britaine at our Mothers cost,
A Milke‑sop, one that neuer in his life
3595 Felt so much cold, as ouer shooes in Snow:
Let's whip these straglers o're the Seas againe,
Lash hence these ouer‑weening Ragges of France,
These famish'd Beggers, weary of their liues,
Who (but for dreaming on this fond exploit)
3600 For want of meanes (poore Rats) shad hang'd themselues.
If we be conquered, let men conquer vs,
And not these bastard Britaines, whom our Fathers
Haue in their owne Land beaten, bobb'd, and thump'd,
And on Record, left them the heires of shame.
3605 Shall these enioy our Lands? Lye with our Wiues?
Rauish our daughters?
Drum afarre off
Hearke, I heare their Drumme,
Right Gentlemen of England, fight boldly yeomen,
Draw Archers draw your Arrowes to the head,
3610 Spurre your proud Horses hard, and ride in blood,
Amaze the welkin with your broken staues.
Enter a Messenger.
What sayes Lord Stanley, will he bring his power?
Mes.
My Lord, he doth deny to come.
King.
Off with his sonne Georges head.
Nor.
3615 My Lord, the Enemy is past the Marsh:
After the battaile, let George Stanley dye.
King.
A thousand hearts are great within my bosom.
Aduance our Standards, set vpon our Foes,
Our Ancient word of Courage, faire Saint George
3620 Inspire vs with the spleene of fiery Dragons:
Vpon them, Victorie sits on our helpes.
[Act 5, Scene 4] §
Alarum, excursions. Enter Catesby.
Cat.
Rescue my Lord of Norfolke,
Rescue, Rescue:
The King enacts more wonders then a man,
3625 Daring an opposite to euery danger:
His horse is slaine, and all on foot he fights,
Seeking for Richmond in the throat of death:
Rescue faire Lord, or else the day is lost.
Alarums.
t2
Enter
{p. 204}
The Life and Death of Richard the Third.
Enter Richard.
Rich.
A Horse, a Horse, my Kingdome for a Horse.
Cates.
3630 Withdraw my Lord, Ile helpe you to a Horse
Rich.
Slaue, I haue set my life vpon a cast,
And I will stand the hazard of the Dye:
I thinke there be sixe Richmonds in the field,
Fiue haue I slaine to day, in stead of him.
3635 A Horse, a Horse, my Kingdome for a Horse.
[Act 5, Scene 5] §
is slaine.
Retreat, and Flourish. Enter Richmond, Derby bearing the
Crowne, with diuers other Lords.
Crowne, with diuers other Lords.
Richm.
God, and your Armes
Be prais'd Victorious Friends;
The day is ours, the bloudy Dogge is dead.
Der.
Couragious Richmond,
3640 Well hast thou acquit thee: Loe,
Heere these long vsurped Royalties,
From the dead Temples of this bloudy Wretch,
Haue I pluck'd off, to grace thy Browes withall.
Weare it, and make much of it.
Richm.
3645 Great God of Heauen, say Amen to all.
But tell me, is yong George Stanley liuing?
Der.
He is my Lord, and safe in Leicester Towne,
Whither (if you please) we may withdraw vs.
Richm.
What men of name are slaine on either side?
Der.
3650 Iohn Duke of Norfolke, Walter Lord Ferris,
Sir Robert Brokenbury, and Sir William Brandon.
Richm.
Interre their Bodies, as become their Birth,
Proclaime a pardon to the Soldiers fled,
That in submission will returne to vs,
3655 And then as we haue tane the Sacrament,
We will vnite the White Rose, and the Red.
Smile Heauen vpon this faire Coniunction,
That long haue frown'd vpon their Enmity:
What Traitor heares me, and sayes not Amen?
3660 England hath long beene mad, and scarr'd her selfe;
The Brother blindely shed the Brothers blood;
The Father, rashly slaughtered his owne Sonne;
The Sonne compell'd, beene Butcher to the Sire;
All this diuided Yorke and Lancaster,
3665 Diuided, in their dire Diuision.
O now, let Richmond and Elizabeth,
The true Succeeders of each Royall House,
By Gods faire ordinance, conioyne together:
And let thy Heires (God if thy will be so)
3670 Enrich the time to come, with Smooth‑fac'd Peace,
With smiling Plenty, and faire Prosperous dayes.
Abate the edge of Traitors, Gracious Lord,
That would reduce these bloudy dayes againe,
And make poore England weepe in Streames of Blood;
3675 Let them not liue to taste this Lands increase,
That would with Treason, wound this faire Lands peace.
Now Ciuill wounds are stopp'd, Peace liues agen;
That she may long liue heere, God say, Amen.
Exeunt
FINIS.