Som. Nor I, but stoop with patience to my fortune. [Exeunt Somerset and Oxford, guarded. Q. Mar. So part we sadly in this troublous world, To meet with joy in sweet Jerusalem. K. Edw. Is proclamation made,—that who finds Shall have a high reward, and he his life! comes. Enter Soldiers with Prince EDWARD. K. Edw. Bring forth the gallant, let us hear him speak. What! Can so young a thorn begin to prick ?— Suppose, that I am now my father's mouth; Glo. That you might still have worn the petticoat, And ne'er have stolen the breech from Lancaster. Prince. Let Esop⚫ fable in a winter's night; His currish riddles sort not with this place. Glo. By heaven, brat, I'll plague you for that word. Q. Mar. Ay, thou wast born to be a plague to men. Glo. For God's sake, take away this captive scold. Prince. Nay, take away this scolding crook-back rather. K. Edw. Peace, wilful boy, or I will charm your tongue. Clar. Untutor'd lad, thou art too malapert. Prince. I know my duty, you are all undutiful: Lascivious Edward,-and thou perjured George,And thou misshapen Dick,-I tell you all, I am your better, traitors as ye are ;And thou usurp'st my father's right and mine. K. Edw. Take that, the likeness of this railer here. [Stabs him. Glo. Sprawl'st thou? Take that, to end thy agony. [Glo. stabs him. Clar. And there's for twitting me with perjury. [Clar. stabs him. Q. Mar. O, kill me too! Glo. Marry, and shall. [Offers to kill her. K. Edw. Hold, Richard, hold, for we have done too much. Glo. Why should she live, to fill the world with words 1? K. Edw. What? doth she swoon ? Use means for her recovery. Glo. Clarence, excuse me to the king my brother; l'il hence to London on a serious matter: Glo. The Tower, the Tower! [Exit. Q. Mar. O, Ned, sweet Ned! Speak to thy mother, boy! Canst thou not speak ?-O traitors! murderers !— Q. Mar. Nay, never bear me hence, despatch me here; Here sheath thy sword; I'll pardon thee my death: What! Wilt thou not?-Then, Clarence, do it thou. Clar. By heaven, I will not do thee so much ease. Q. Mar. Good Clarence, do; sweet Clarence, do thou do it. Clar. Didst thou not hear me swear, I would not do it. Q. Mar. Ay, but thou usest to forswear thyfelf; 'Twas sin before, but now 'tis charity. What? Wilt thou not? Where is that devil's butcher, Hard-favour'd Richard? Richard, where art thon! Thou art not here: Murder is thy alms-deed; Petitioners for blood thou ne'er put'st back. K. Edw. Away, I say. 1 charge ye, bear her hence. Q. Mar. So come to you, and yours, as to this prince! [Exit, led out forcibly. K. Edw. Where's Richard gone? Clar. To London, all in post; and, as I guess, To make a bloody supper in the Tower. K. Edw. He is sudden, if a thing comes in his head. Now march we hence: discharge the common sort SCENE VI.-London.-A Room in the Tower. King HENRY is discovered sitting with a Book is his Hand, the LIEUTENANT attending. - Enter GLOSTER. Glo. Good day, my lord! What, at your book 50 hard? K. Hen. Ay, my good lord My lord, I should say rather; 'Tis sin to flatter, good was little better: Good Gloster, and good devil, were alike, And both preposterous; therefore, not good lord. Glo. Sirrah, leave us to ourselves: we must con fer. [Exit Lieutenant. K. Hen. So flies the reckless shepherd from the wolf: So first the harmless sheep doth yield his fleece, And next his throat unto the butcher's knife. What scene of death hath Roscius now to act? Glo. Suspicion always haunts the guilty mind; The thief doth fear each bush an officer. K. Hen. The bird that hath been limed in a bush, With trembling wings misdoubteth every bush: And I, the hapless male to one sweet bird, Have now the fatal object in my eye, Where my poor young was limed, was caught and kill'd. Glo. Why, what a peevish fool was that of That taught his son the office of a fowl? K. Hen. 1, Dædalus; my poor boy, Icarus; Glo. Thy son I kill'd for his presumption. K. Hen. Hadst thou been kill'd, when first thou didst presume, Thou hadst not lived to kill a son of mine. And thus I prophecy,-that many a thousand, She alludes to the desertion of Clarence, + Careless. To misdoubt is to suspect danger, to fear. No part of what my fears presage. The night-crow cried, aboding luckless time; trees; The raven rook'd her on the chimney's top, And yet brought forth less than a mother's hope; SCENE VII-The same.-A Room in the Palace. King EDWARD is discovered sitting on his Throne; Queen ELIZABETH with the infant Prince, CLARENCE, GLOSTER, HASTINGS, and others, near him. K. Edw. Once more we sit in England's royal throne, Re-purchased with the blood of enemies. Teeth hadst thou in thy head, when thon wast What valiant foe-men, like to autumn's corn, born, To signify, thou camest to bite the world: Glo. I'll hear no more;-Die, prophet, in thy speech; [Stabs him. For this, amongst the rest, was I ordain'd. K. Hen. Ay, and for much more slaughter after, this. O God! forgive my sins, and pardon thee! [Dies. Glo. What, will the aspiring blood of Lancaster Sink in the ground? I thought, it would have mounted. See, how my sword weeps for the poor king's death! O, may such purple tears be always shed Have we mow'd down, in tops of all their pride? That in their chains fetter'd the kingly lion, Glo. I'll blast his harvest, if your head were laid; K. Edw. Clarence, and Gloster, love my lovely queen; And kiss your princely nephew, brothers both. Clar. The duty, that I owe unto your majesty, I seal upon the lips of this sweet babe. K. Edw. Thanks, noble Clarence; worthy brother, thanks. [sprang'st, Glo. And, that I love the tree from whence thou Witness the loving kiss I give the fruit:To say the truth, so Judas kiss'd his master; And cried-All hail! when as he meant Aside. all harm. K. Edw. Now am I seated as my soul delights, Clarence, beware; thou keep'st me from the Having my country's peace, and brothers' loves. light; But I will sort a pitchy day for thee: For I will buz abroad such prophecies, 14 That Edward shall be fearful of his life; And then, to purge his fear, I'll be thy death. I'll throw thy body in another room, [Exit. To rook, signified to squat down or lodge on any thing. + Select. Clar. What will your grace have done with Mar LIFE AND DEATH OF KING RICHARD III. KING EDWARD THE FOURTH. terwards King Edward V. RICHARD, Duke of York. A young Son of Clarence. PERSONS REPRESENTED. SIR JAMES BLOUNT.-SIR WALTER HERBERT. Brothers to the King. HENRY, Earl of Richmond, afterwards King Henry CARDINAL BOURCHIER, Archbishop of Canterbury. DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM. DUKE OF NORFOLK EARL OF SURRRY, his Son. EARL RIVERS, Brother to King Edward's Queen: MARQUIS OF DORSET, and LORD GREY, her Sons. EARL OF OXFORD.-LORD HASTINGS.-LORD STANLEY, LORD LOVEL. SIR THOMAS VAUGHAN-SIR RICHARD RATCLIFF. SIR WILLIAM CATESBY.-SIR JAMES TYRREL. ACT I. SCENE I.-London.-A Street. Enter GLOSTer. Glo. Now is the winter of our discontent Made glorious summer by this sun of York; And all the clouds that lower'd upon our house, In the deep bosom of the ocean buried. Now are our brows bound with victorious wreaths; Our bruised arms hung up for monuments; Our stern alarums changed to merry meetings, Our dreadful marches to delightful n.easures. Grim-visaged war hath smooth'd his wrinkled front; And now, instead of mounting barbed + steeds, To fright the souls of fearful adversaries,— He capers nimbly in a lady's chamber, To the lascivious pleasing of a lute. But I,-that am not shaped for sportive tricks, Nor made to court an amorous looking-glass; I, that am rudely stamp'd, and want love's majesty, To strut before a wanton ambling nymph; I, that am curtail'd of this fair proportion, Cheated of feature by dissembling nature; Deform'd, unfinish'd, sent before my time Into this breathing world, scarce half made up, And that so lamely and unfashionable, That dogs bark at me as I halt by them ;Why I, in this weak piping time of peace, Have no delight to pass away the time; Unless to spy my shadow in the sun, And descant on mine own deformity; And therefore, since I cannot prove a lover, To entertain these fair well-spoken days, I am determined to prove a villain, And hate the idle pleasures of these days. Plots have I laid, inductions dangerous, By drunken prophecies, libels, and dreams, To set my brother Clarence, and the king, In deadly hate, the one against the other: And, if king Edward be as true, and just, As I am subtle, false, and treacherous, This day should Clarence closely be mew'd up; About a prophecy, which says-that G Of Edward's heirs the murderer shall be. + Armed. ↑ Preparations for mischief, • Dances. Dive, thoughts, down to my soul! Here Clarence comes. Enter CLARENCE, guarded, and BRAKENBURY. Brother, good day: what means this armed guard, That waits upon your grace? Clar. His majesty, Tendering my person's safety, hath appointed Clar. Because my name is-George. Glo. Alack, my lord, that fault is none of yours; And, for my name of George begins with G, women: 'Tis not the king, that sends you to the Tower; Clar. By heaven, I think, there is no man secure, • Fancies. The jealous o'er-worn widow, and herself, Brak. I beseech your graces both to pardon me; Gio. Even so? An please your worship, Brakenbury, You may partake of any thing we say: A bonny eye, a passing pleasing tongue; Brak. With this, my lord, myself have naught to do. Glo. Naught to do with mistress Shore? I tell thee, fellow, He that doth naught with her, excepting one, Brak. What one, my lord? Glo. Her husband, knave?-Wouldst thou betray me? Brak. I beseech your grace to pardon me; and withal, Forbear your conference with the noble duke. Clar. We know thy charge, Brakenbury, and will obey. Glo. We are the queen's abjects, and must obey. Brother, farewell: I will unto the king; And whatsoever you will employ me in,Were it to call king Edward's widow-sister,I will perform it, to enfranchise you. Mean time, this deep disgrace in brotherhood, Touches me deeper than you can imagine. Clar. I know, it pleaseth neither of us well. Glo. Well, your imprisonment shall not be long; I will deliver you, or else lie for you: Mean time, have patience. Clar, I must perforce; farewell. [Exeunt Clarence, Brakenbury, and Guard. Glo. Go, tread the path that thou shalt ne'er re turn, Simple, plain Clarence!--I do love thee so, Hast. Good time of day unto my gracious lord! Glo. As much unto my good lord chamberlain ! Well are you welcome to this open air. How hath your lordship brook'd imprisonment? Hast. With patience, noble lord, as prisoners must: But I shall live, my lord, to give them thanks, Glo. No doubt, no doubt; and so shall Clarence Loo, For they, that were your enemies, are his, Hast. No news so bad abroad, as this at home;- Glo. Now, by Saint Paul, this news is bad indeed. O, he hath kept an evil diet long, And over-much consumed his royal person; 'Tis very grievous to be thought upon. What, is he in his bed? Hast. He is. Glo. Go you before, and I will follow you. [Exit Hastings. He cannot live, I hope; and must not die, Till George he pack'd with post-horse up to heaven. I'll in, to urge his hatred more to Clarence, With lies well steel'd with weighty arguments; And, if I fail not in iny deep intent, Clarence hath not another day to live: Which done, God take king Edward to his mercy, And leave the world for me to bustle in! For then I'll marry Warwick's youngest daughter: What though I kill'd her husband, and her father? Lo, in these windows, that let forth thy life, May fright the hopeful mother at the view; [The Bearers take up the Corpse, and advance Glo. Stay, you that bear the corse, and set i down. Anne. What black magician conjures up this fiend, To stop devoted charitable deeds? Glo. Villains, set down the corse; or, by Saint Paul, I'll make a forse of him that disobeys. 1 Gent. My lord, stand back, and let the coffin pass. Glo. Unmanner'd dog! Stand thou when I com mand: Advance thy halberd higher than my breast, Or, by Saint Paul, I'll strike thee to my foot, And spurn upon thee, beggar, for thy boldness. trouble us not; [The Bearers set down the Coffin. Anne. What, do you tremble? Are you all afraid? Alas, I blame you not; for you are mortal, And mortal eyes cannot endure the devil.Avaunt, thou dreadful minister of hell! Thou hadst but power over his mortal body, His soul thou canst not have; therefore, be gone. Glo. Sweet Saint, for charity be not so curst. Anne. Foul devil, for God's sake, hence, and For thou hast made the happy earth thy hell, Fill'd it with cursing cries, and deep exclaims. If thou delight to view thy heinous deeds, Behold this pattern of thy butcheries+:O, gentlemen, see, see! Dead Henry's wounds Open their congeal'd mouths, and bleed afresh!Blush, blush, thou lump of foul deformity; For 'tis thy presence that exhales this blood From cold and empty veins, where no blood dwells; Thy deed, inhuman, and unnatural, Provokes this deluge most unnatural. O God, which this blood madest, revenge his death! + Example. • Funeral. No beast so fierce, but knows some touch of pity. Anne. Vouchsafe, diffused infection of a man, Glo. Fairer than tongue can name thee, let me have Some patient leisure to excuse myself, Anne. Fouler than heart can think thee, thou canst make No excuse current, but to hang thyself. Glo. By such despair, I should accuse myself.. Anne. And, by despairing, shalt thou stand excused; For doing worthy vengeance on thyself, But dead they are, and, devilish slave, by thee. Glo. Nay, he is dead; and slain by Edward's hand. Anne. Il rest betide the chamber where thou liest ! Glo. So will it, madam, 'till I lie with you. Glo. I know so.-But, gentle lady Anne,- Anne. Thou wast the cause, and most accursed effect. Glo. Your beauty was the cause of that effect; Your beauty, which did haunt me in my sleep, To undertake the death of all the world, So I might live one hour in your sweet bosom. Anne. If I thought that, I tell thee homicide, These nails should rend that beauty from my cheeks. Glo. These eyes could not endure that beauty's wreck, You should not blemish it, if I stood by: As all the world is cheered by the sun, So I by that; it is my day, my life. Anne. Black night o'ershade thy day, and death thy life! Glo. Curse not thyself, fair creature; thou art both. Anne. I would I were, to be revenged on thee. To be revenged on him that loveth thee. Anne. His better doth not breathe upon the earth. Glo. He lives, that loves you better than he could. Anne. Name him. Glo. Plantagenet. Anne. Why, that was he. Glo. The self-same name, but one of better na ture. Anne. Where is he? Glo. Here: [She spits at him.] Why dost thou spit at me? Anne. Would it were mortal poison, for thy sake! Glo. Never came poison from so sweet a place. Anne. Never hung poison on a fouler toad. Out of my sight! Thou dost infect mine eyes. Glo. Thine eyes, sweet lady, have infected mine. Anne. 'Would they were basilisks, to strike thee dead! Glo. I would they were, that I might die at once! Shamed their aspects with store of childish drops: weeping. I never sued to friend, nor enemy; My tongue could never learn sweet soothing word; [He lays his Breast open; she offers at it with his Sword. Nay, do not pause; for I did kill king Henry,But 'twas thy beauty that provoked me. Nay, now despatch; 'twas I that stabb'd young Edward; [She again offers at his Breast. But 'twas thy heavenly face that set me on. [She lets fall the Sword. Take up the sword again, or take up me. Anne. Arise, dissembler; though I wish thy death, I will not be thy executioner. Glo. Then bid me kill myself, and I will do it. Anne. I have already. Glo. That was in thy rage: Speak it again, and, even with the word, This hand, which, for thy love, did kill thy love, To both their deaths shalt thou be accessary. Glo. 'Tis figured in My tongue. Anne. I fear me, both are false. Glo. Then man Was never true. Anne. Well, well, put up your sword. Glo. Say then, my peace is made. Anne. That shall you know Hereafter. Glo. But shall I live in hope? I hope, live so. Glo. Vouchsafe to wear this ring. • Pitiful. |