Thou slander of tay mother's heavy womb! Thou loathed issue of thy father's loins! Thou rag of honour! thou detested Glo. Margaret. Q. Mar. Q. Mar. Richard! Ha? I call thee not. Glo. I cry thee mercy then; for I did think, That thou hadst call'd me all these bitter names. Q. Mar. Why, so I did; but look'd for no reply. O, let me make the period to my curse. Glo. 'Tis done by me; and ends in-Margaret. Q. Eliz. Thus have you breath'd your curse against yourself. Q. Mar. Poor painted queen, vain flourish of my fortune! Why strew'st thou sugar on that bottled spider,' Fool, fool! thou whet'st a knife to kill thyself. curse; Lest, to thy harm, thou move our patience. Q. Mar. Foul shame upon you! you have all mov'd mine. Riv. Were you well serv'd, you would be taught your duty. Q. Mar. To serve me well, you all should do me duty, Teach me to be your queen, and you my subjects: O, serve me well, and teach yourselves that duty. Dor. Dispute not with her, she is lunatic. Q. Mar. Peace, master marquis, you are malapert: Your fire-new stamp of honour is scarce current:2 them; And, if they fall, they dash themselves to pieces. Glo. Good counsel, marry ;-learn it, learn it, marquis. Dor. It touches you, my lord, as much as me. Glo. Ay, and much more: But I was born so high, Our aiery buildeth in the cedar's top, And dallies with the wind, and scorns the sun. Witness my son, now in the shade of death; Buck. Peace, peace, for shame, if not for charity. Q. Mar. O princely Buckingham, I kiss thy hand, In sign of league and amity with thee: Now fair befall thee, and thy noble house! Thy garments are not spotted with our blood, Nor thou within the compass of my curse. Buck. Nor no one here; for curses never pass The lips of those that breathe them in the air. Q. Mar. I'll not believe but they ascend the sky, (1) Alluding to Gloster's form and venom. (2) He was just created marquis of Dorset. And there awake God's gentle-sleeping peace. Glo. What doth she say, my lord of Buckingham? tle counsel ? Riv. And so doth mine; I muse, why she's at liberty. Glo. I cannot blame her, by God's holy mother, She hath had too much wrong, and I repent My part thereof, that I have done to her. Q. Eliz. I never did her any, to my knowledge. Glo. Yet you have all the vantages of her wrong. was too hot to do somebody good, That is too cold in thinking of it now. Marry, as for Clarence, he is well repaid; He is frank'd up to fatting for his pains ;God pardon them that are the cause thereof! Riv. A virtuous and a Christian-like conclusion, To pray for them that have done scath' to us. Glo. So do I ever, being well advis'd ; For had I curs'd now, I had curs'd myself. [Aside. Enter Catesby. Cates. Madam, his maiesty doth call for you, And for your grace,-er 1 you, my noble lords. Q. Eliz. Catesby, I come:-Lords, will you ga with me? Riv. Madam, we will attend upon your grace. [Exeunt all but Gloster Glo. I do the wrong, and first begin to brawl. The secret mischiefs that I set abroach, I lay unto the grievous charge of others. Clarence,-whom I, indeed, have laid in darkness,—— I do beweep to many simple gulls; Namely, to Stanley, Hastings, Buckingham; And tell them-'tis the queen and her allies, That stir the king against the duke my brother. Now they believe it; and withal whet me To be reveng'd on Rivers, Vaughan, Grey: But then I sigh, and, with a piece of Scripture, Tell them-that God bids us do good for evil: And thus I clothe my naked villany With old odd ends, stol'n forth of holy writ; And seem a saint when most I play the devil. Enter two Murderers. But soft, here come my executioners.How now, my hardy, stout resolved mates? Are you now going to despatch this thing? 1 Murd. We are, my lord; and come to have the warrant, me: That we may be admitted where he is. (3) Nest. (4) Wonder. (5) Advantage. For Clarence is well spoken, and, perhaps, Talkers are no good doers! be assur'd, I like you, lads-about your business straight; Brak. Why looks your grace so heavily to-day? Brak. What was your dream, my lord? I pray Clar. Methought, that I had broken from the Tower, And was embark'd to cross to Burgundy; Who from my cabin tempted me to walk Clarence is come,--false, fleeting, perjur'd Cla That stabb'd me in the field by Tewksbury ;— Yet execute thy wrath on me alone: O, spare my guiltless wife, and my poor children!- Brak. I will, my lord; God give your grace good Princes have but their titles for their glories, Upon the hatches; thence we fook'd toward En- And, for unfelt imaginations, gland, And cited up a thousand heavy times, Methought, that Gloster stumbled; and, in falling, O Lord! methought, what pain it was to drown! Some lay in dead men's skulls; and, in those holes To gaze upon these secrets of the deep? of Brak. Awak'd you not with this sore agony ? The first that there did greet my stranger soul, VOL. II. They often feel a world of restless cares: Enter the two Murderers. 1 Murd. Ho! who's here? Brak. What would'st thou, fellow? and how cam'st thou hither? 1 Murd. I would speak with Clarence, and 】 came hither on my legs. Brak. What, so brief? 2 Murd. O, sir, 'tis better to be brief than te Let him see our commission; talk no more. 1 Murd. You may, sir; 'tis a point of wisdom: 2 Murd. What, shall we stab him as he sleeps? 1 Murd. No; he'll say, 'twas done cowardly, when he wakes. 2 Murd. When he wakes! why, fool, he shall never wake until the great judgment day. 1 Murd. Why, then he'll say, we stabb'd him sleeping. 2 Murd. The urging of that word, judgment, hath bred a kind of remorse in me. 1 Murd. What! art thou afraid? 2 Murd. Not to kill him, having a warrant for it; but to be damn'd for killing him, from the which no warrant can defend me. 1 Murd. I thought thou hadst been resolute. 2 Murd. So I am to let him live. 1 Murd. I'll back to the duke of Gloster, and tell him so. 2 Murd. Nay, I pr'ythee, stav a little: I hope, this holy humour of mine will change; it was wont to hold me but while one would tell twenty. 1 Murd. How dost thou feel thyself now? 2 Murd. 'Faith, some certain dregs of conscience are yet within me. 1 Murd. Remember our reward, when the deed's done. 2 Murd. Come, he dies; I had forgot the reward. 1 Murd. Where's thy conscience now? 2 Murd. In the duke of Gloster's purse. 1 Murd. So when he opens his purse to give us our reward, thy conscience flies out. 2 Murd. 'Tis no matter; let it go; there's few, er none, will entertain it. 1 Murd. What, if it come to thee again? What lawful quest' have given their verdict up To threaten me with death is most unlawful. 1 Murd. What we will do, we do upon command. Clar. Erroneous vassal! the great King of kings 2 Murd. I'll not meddle with it, it is a danger- Hath in the table of his law commanded, ous thing, it makes a man a coward; a man cannot That thou shalt do no murder; Wilt thou then steal, but it accuseth him; a man cannot swear, but Spurn at his edict, and fulfil a man's? it checks him; a man cannot lie with his neighbour's Take heed; for he holds vengeance in his hand, wife, but it detects him: "Tis a blushing shame-faced To hurl upon their heads that break his law. spirit, that mutinies in a man's bosom; it fills one 2 Murd. And that same vengeance doth he hur full of obstacles: it made me once restore a purse on thee, of gold, that by chance I found; it beggars any man For false forswearing, and for murder too; that keeps it: it is turned out of all towns and cities Thou didst receive the sacrament, to fight for a dangerous thing; and every man, that means In quarrel of the house of Lancaster. to live well, endeavours to trust to himself, and live without it. 1 Murd. 'Zounds, it is even now at my elbow, persuading me not to kill the duke. 2 Murd. Take the devil in thy mind, and believe nim not he would insinuate with thee, but to make thee sigh. 1 Murd. I am strong-fram'd, he cannot prevail with me. 2 Murd. Spoke like a tall' fellow, that respects nis reputation. Come, shall we fall to work? 1 Murd. Take him over the costard with the nilts of thy sword, and then throw him into the malmsey-butt, in the next room. 2 Murd. O ́excellent device! and make a of him. 1 Murd. Soft! he wakes. 2 Murd. Strike. 1 Murd. No, we'll reason with him. Clar. Where art thou, keeper? give me a of wine. sop cup 1 Murd. You shall have wine enough, my lord, anon. Clar. In God's name, what art thou? 1 Murd. A man, as you are. Clar. But not, as am, royal. Murd. Nor you, as we are, loyal. Clar. Thy voice is thunder, but thy looks are humble. 1 Murd. My voice is now the king's, my looks mine own. Clar. How darkly, and how deadly dost thou Your eyes do menace me: Why look you pale? Both Murd. Tu, to, to, Clar. To murder me Both Murd Av, av. 1 Murd. And, like a traitor to the name of God, Didst break that vow; and, with thy treacherous blade, Unrip'dst the bowels of thy sovereign's son. 2 Murd. Whom thou wast sworn to cherish and defend. 1 Murd. How canst thou urge God's dreadful When thou hast broke it in such dear degree? To cut off those that have offended him. 1 Murd. Who made thee then a bloody minister, When gallant-springing, brave Plantagenet, That princely novice,' was struck dead by thee? Clar. My brother's love, the devil, and my rage. 1 Murd. Thy brother's love, our duty, and thy fault, Provoke us hither now to slaughter thee. Clar. If you do love my brother, hate not me; Clar. O no; he loves me, and he holds me dear: Clar. You scarcely have the hearts to tell me so, Bless'd his three sons with his victorious arm, 1 Murd. Offended us you have not, but the king. Clar. I shall be reconcil'd to him again. 2 Murd. Never, my lord; therefore prepare to die. To slay the innocent? What is my offence? And charg'd us from his soul to love each other, 1 Murd. Ay, mill-stones; as he lesson'd us to Clar. O, do not slander him, for he is kind. 'Tis he that sends us to destroy you here. Scene II. KING RICHARD III. And hugg'd me in his arms, and swore, with sobs, That he would labour my delivery. 1 Murd. Why, so he doth, when he delivers you From this earth's thraldom to the joys of heaven. 2 Murd. Make peace with God, for you must die, my lord. Clar. Hast thou that holy feeling in thy soul, To do this deed, will hate you for the deed. 93 K. Edw. Take heed, you dally not before your Lest he, that is the supreme King of kings, Hast. So prosper I, as I swear perfect love! Riv. And I, as I love Hastings with my heart! Relent, and save your souls. 1 Murd. Relent! 'tis cowardly, and womanish. Clar. Not to relent, is beastly, savage, devilish.— Which of you, if you were a prince's son, Being pent from liberty, as I am now,— If two such murderers as yourselves came to you,- My friend, I spy some pity in thy looks; Come thou on my side, and entreat for me, 1 Murd. Take that, and that; if all this will not [Stabs him. do, I'll drown you in the malmsey-butt within. [Exit with the body. 2 Murd. A bloody deed, and desperately despatch'd! How fain, like Pilate, would I wash my hands Re-enter first Murderer. 1 Murd. How now? what mean'st thou, that thou help'st me not? By heaven, the duke shall know how slack you have been. 2 Murd. I would he knew, that I had sav'd his brother! Take thou the fee, and tell him what I say; [Exit. 1 Murd. So do not I; go, coward, as thou art.Well, I'll go hide the body in some hole, Till that the duke give order for his burial: And when I have my meed, I will away; For this will out, and then I must not stay. [Exit. ACT II. SCENE 1-The same. A room in the palace. K. Edio. Why, so:-now have I done a good You peers, continue this united league: And with my hand I seal my true heart's love. (1) Shut up. Q. Eliz. There, Hastings; I will never more remember K. Edw. Dorset, embrace him,-Hastings, love Dor. This interchange of love, I here protest, [Embraces Dorset. K. Edw. Now, princely Buckingham, seal thou, this league With thy embracements to my wife's allies, Buck. Whenever Buckingham doth turn his hate Upon your grace, [To the Queen.] but with all duteous love Doth cherish you, and yours, God punish me [Embracing Rivers, &c. K. Edw. A pleasing cordial, princely Buckingham, Is this thy vow unto my sickly heart. Enter Gloster. Glo. Good-morrow to my sovereign king, and And, princely peers, a happy time of day! Brother, we have done deeds of charity; I hate it, and desire all good men's love.- Q. Eliz. A holy-day shall this be kept hereafter · I would to God, all strifes were well compounded.- 2. Eliz. All-seeing heaven, what a world is this! Buck. Look I so pale, lord Dorset, as the rest? Dor. Ay, my good lord; and no man in the presence, But his red colour hath forsook his cheeks. K. Edw. Is Clarence dead? the order was revers'd. Glo. But he, poor man, by your first order died, And that a winged Mercury did bear; Some tardy cripple bore the countermand, That came too lag to see him buried: - God grant, that some, less noble, and less loyal, Nearer in bloody thoughts, and not in blood, Deserve not worse than wretched Clarence did, And yet go current from suspicion. Enter Stanley. Stan. A boon, my sovereign, for my service done! K. Edw. I pr'ythee, peace; my soul is full of sorrow. Stan. I will not rise,unless your highness hear me. K. Edw. Then say at once, what is it thou request'st. Stan. The forfeit, sovereign, of my servant's life; Who slew to-day a riotous gentleman, Lately attendant on the duke of Norfolk. K. Edw. Have I tongue to doom my brother's death, And shall that tongue give pardon to a slave? You straight are on your knees for pardon, pardon; Yet none of you would once plead for his life.- [Exeunt King Queen, Hastings, Rivers, Dorset, and Grey. 1) Ignorant. Glo. This is the fruit of rashness !-Mark'd you not, How that the guilty kindred of the queen SCENE II.-The same. [Exeunt Enter the Duchess of York, with a Son and Daughter of Clarence. Son. Good grandam, tell us, is our father dead? Duch. No, boy. Daugh. Why do you weep so oft? and beat your breast; And cry-O Clarence, my unhappy son! Son. Why do you look on us, and shake your head, And call us-orphans, wretches, cast-aways, Duch. My pretty cousins, you mistake me both; I do lament the sickness of the king, As loth to lose him, not your father's death; Duch. Peace, children, peace! the king doth love you well: Incapable' and shallow innocents. You cannot guess who caus'd your father's death. Son. Grandam, we can: for my good uncle Gloster Son. I cannot think it. Hark! what noise is this? Enter Queen Elizabeth distractedly; Rivers, and Dorset, following her. Q. Eliz. Ah! who shall hinder me to wail and weep? To chide my fortune, and torment myself? Duch. What means this scene of rude impatience? Duch. Ah, so much interest have I in thy sorrow, As I had title in thy noble husband! I have bewept a noble husband's death, 1 |