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 houseIn 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 timeInto 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'TowerRich.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 secureBut the Queenes Kindred, and night‑walking Heralds,That trudge betwixt the King, and Mistris
Shore.
[75]
Heard you not what an humble SuppliantLord
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.
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 houseIn 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 timeInto 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 guardThat waites vpon your Grace
?Cla.His Maiesty tendring my persons safety,
[45]
Hath appointed this Conduct, to conuey me to th'TowerRich.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 secureBut the Queenes Kindred, and night‑walking Heralds,That trudge betwixt the King, and Mistris
Shore.
[75]
Heard you not what an humble SuppliantLord
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 KingIs wise and vertuous, and his Noble QueeneWell 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.
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 forbeareYour
ConfereneeConference 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
A stain partially obscures the end of this word..
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 thankesThat 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
S.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
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<head rend="italic center">Actus Primus. Scœna Prima.</head>
<head type="supplied">[Act 1, Scene 1]</head>
<cb n="1"/>
<stage rend="italic center" type="entrance">Enter Richard Duke of Gloster, solus.</stage>
<sp who="#F-r3-rch">
<l n="1">
<c rend="decoratedCapital">N</c>Ow is the Winter of our Discontent,</l>
<l n="2">Made glorious Summer by this Son of Yorke:</l>
<l n="3">And all the clouds that lowr'd vpon our house</l>
<l n="4">In the deepe bosome of the Ocean buried.</l>
<l n="5">Now are our browes bound with Victorious Wreathes,</l>
<l n="6">Our bruised armes hung vp for Monuments;</l>
<l n="7">Our sterne Alarums chang'd to merry Meetings;</l>
<l n="8">Our dreadfull Marches, to delightfull Measures.</l>
<l n="9">Grim‑visag'd Warre, hath smooth'd his wrinkled Front:</l>
<l n="10">And now, in stead of mounting Barbed Steeds,</l>
<l n="11">To fright the Soules of fearfull Aduersaries,</l>
<l n="12">He capers nimbly in a Ladies Chamber,</l>
<l n="13">To the lasciuious pleasing of a Lute.</l>
<l n="14">But I, that am not shap'd for sportiue trickes,</l>
<l n="15">Nor made to court an amorous Looking‑glasse:</l>
<l n="16">I, that am Rudely stampt, and want loues Maiesty,</l>
<l n="17">To strut before a wonton ambling Nymph:</l>
<l n="18">I, that am curtail'd of this faire Proportion,</l>
<l n="19">Cheated of Feature by dissembling Nature,</l>
<l n="20">Deform'd, vn‑finish'd, sent before my time</l>
<l n="21">Into this breathing World, scarse halfe made vp,</l>
<l n="22">And that so lamely and vnfashionable,</l>
<l n="23">That dogges barke at me, as I halt by them.</l>
<l n="24">Why I (in this weake piping time of Peace)</l>
<l n="25">Haue no delight to passe away the time,</l>
<l n="26">Vnlesse to see my Shadow in the Sunne,</l>
<l n="27">And descant on mine owne Deformity.</l>
<l n="28">And therefore, since I cannot proue a Louer,</l>
<l n="29">To entertaine these faire well spoken dayes,</l>
<l n="30">I am determined to proue a Villaine,</l>
<l n="31">And hate the idle pleasures of these dayes.</l>
<l n="32">Plots haue I laide, Inductions dangerous,</l>
<l n="33">By drunken Prophesies, Libels, and Dreames,</l>
<l n="34">To set my Brother<hi rend="italic">Clarence</hi>and the King</l>
<l n="35">In deadly hate, the one against the other:</l>
<l n="36">And if King<hi rend="italic">Edward</hi>be as true and iust,</l>
<l n="37">As I am Subtle, False, and Treacherous,</l>
<l n="38">This day should<hi rend="italic">Clarence</hi>closely be mew'd vp:</l>
<l n="39">About a Prophesie, which sayes that G,</l>
<l n="40">Of<hi rend="italic">Edwards</hi>heyres the murtherer shall be.</l>
<l n="41">Diue thoughts downe to my soule, here<hi rend="italic">Clarence</hi>comes.</l>
<stage rend="italic center" type="entrance">Enter Clarence, and Brakenbury, guarded.</stage>
<l n="42">Brother, good day: What meanes this armed guard</l>
<cb n="2"/>
<l n="43">That waites vpon your Grace<c rend="italic">?</c>
</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-r3-geo">
<speaker rend="italic">Cla.</speaker>
<l n="44">His Maiesty tendring my persons safety,</l>
<l n="45">Hath appointed this Conduct, to conuey me to th'Tower</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-r3-rch">
<speaker rend="italic">Rich.</speaker>
<l n="46">Vpon what cause?</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-r3-geo">
<speaker rend="italic">Cla.</speaker>
<l n="47">Because my name is<hi rend="italic">George</hi>.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-r3-rch">
<speaker rend="italic">Rich.</speaker>
<l n="48">Alacke my Lord, that fault is none of yours:</l>
<l n="49">He should for that commit your Godfathers.</l>
<l n="50">O belike, his Maiesty hath some intent,</l>
<l n="51">That you should be new Christned in the Tower.</l>
<l n="52">But what's the matter<hi rend="italic">Clarence</hi>, may I know?</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-r3-geo">
<speaker rend="italic">Cla.</speaker>
<l n="53">Yea<hi rend="italic">Richard</hi>, when I know: but I protest</l>
<l n="54">As yet I do not: But as I can learne,</l>
<l n="55">He hearkens after Prophesies and Dreames,</l>
<l n="56">And from the Crosse‑row pluckes the letter G:</l>
<l n="57">And sayes, a Wizard told him, that by G,</l>
<l n="58">His issue disinherited should be.</l>
<l n="59">And for my name of<hi rend="italic">George</hi>begins with G,</l>
<l n="60">It followes in his thought, that I am he.</l>
<l n="61">These (as I learne) and such like toyes as these,</l>
<l n="62">Hath moou'd his Highnesse to commit me now.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-r3-rch">
<speaker rend="italic">Rich.</speaker>
<l n="63">Why this it is, when men are rul'd by Women:</l>
<l n="64">'Tis not the King that sends you to the Tower,</l>
<l n="65">My Lady<hi rend="italic">Grey</hi>his Wife,<hi rend="italic">Clarence</hi>'tis shee,</l>
<l n="66">That tempts him to this harsh Extremity.</l>
<l n="67">Was it not shee, and that good man of Worship,</l>
<l n="68">
<hi rend="italic">Anthony Woodeulle</hi>her Brother there,</l>
<l n="69">That made him send Lord<hi rend="italic">Hastings</hi>to the Tower?</l>
<l n="70">From whence this present day he is deliuered?</l>
<l n="71">We are not safe<hi rend="italic">Clarence</hi>, we are not safe.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-r3-geo">
<speaker rend="italic">Cla.</speaker>
<l n="72">By heauen, I thinke there is no man secure</l>
<l n="73">But the Queenes Kindred, and night‑walking Heralds,</l>
<l n="74">That trudge betwixt the King, and Mistris<hi rend="italic">Shore</hi>.</l>
<l n="75">Heard you not what an humble Suppliant</l>
<l n="76">Lord<hi rend="italic">Hastings</hi>was, for her deliuery?</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-r3-rch">
<speaker rend="italic">Rich.</speaker>
<l n="77">Humbly complaining to her Deitie,</l>
<l n="78">Got my Lord Chamberlaine to her libertie.</l>
<l n="79">Ile tell you what, I thinke it is our way,</l>
<l n="80">If we will keepe in fauour with the King,</l>
<l n="81">To be her men, and weare her Liuery.</l>
<l n="82">The iealous ore‑worne Widdow, and her selfe,</l>
<l n="83">Since that our Brother dub'd them Gentlewomen,</l>
<l n="84">Are mighty Gossips in our Monarchy.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-r3-bra">
<speaker rend="italic">Bra.</speaker>
<l n="85">I beseech your Graces both to pardon me,</l>
<l n="86">His Maiesty hath straightly giuen in charge,</l>
<l n="87">That no man shall haue priuate Conference</l>
<l n="88">(Of what degree soeuer) with your Brother.</l>
</sp>
<pb facs="FFimg:axc0530-0.jpg" n="174"/>
<cb n="1"/>
<sp who="#F-r3-rch">
<speaker rend="italic">Rich.</speaker>
<l n="89">Euen so, and please your Worship<hi rend="italic">Brakenbury</hi>,</l>
<l n="90">You may partake of any thing we say:</l>
<l n="91">We speake no Treason man; We say the King</l>
<l n="92">Is wise and vertuous, and his Noble Queene</l>
<l n="93">Well strooke in yeares, faire, and not iealious.</l>
<l n="94">We say, that<hi rend="italic">Shores</hi>Wife hath a pretty Foot,</l>
<l n="95">A cherry Lip, a bonny Eye, a passing pleasing tongue:</l>
<l n="96">And that the Queenes Kindred are made gentle Folkes.</l>
<l n="97">How say you sir? can you deny all this<c rend="italic">?</c>
</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-r3-bra">
<speaker rend="italic">Bra.</speaker>
<l n="98">With this (my Lord) my selfe haue nought to
<lb/>doo.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-r3-rch">
<speaker rend="italic">Rich.</speaker>
<l n="99">Naught to do with Mistris<hi rend="italic">Shore</hi>?</l>
<l n="100">I tell thee Fellow, he that doth naught with her</l>
<l n="101">(Excepting one) were best to do it secretly alone.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-r3-bra">
<speaker rend="italic">Bra.</speaker>
<l n="102">What one, my Lord?</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-r3-rch">
<speaker rend="italic">Rich.</speaker>
<l n="103">Her Husband Knaue, would'st thou betray me?</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-r3-bra">
<speaker rend="italic">Bra.</speaker>
<l n="104">I do beseech your Grace</l>
<l n="105">To pardon me, and withall forbeare</l>
<l n="106">Your<choice>
<orig>Conferenee</orig>
<corr>Conference</corr>
</choice>with the Noble Duke.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-r3-geo">
<speaker rend="italic">Cla.</speaker>
<l n="107">We know thy charge<hi rend="italic">Brakenbury</hi>, and wil obey.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-r3-rch">
<speaker rend="italic">Rich.</speaker>
<l n="108">We are the Queenes abiects, and must obey.</l>
<l n="109">Brother farewell, I will vnto the King,</l>
<l n="110">And whatsoe're you will imploy me in,</l>
<l n="111">Were it to call King<hi rend="italic">Edwards</hi>Widdow, Sister,</l>
<l n="112">I will performe it to infranchise you.</l>
<l n="113">Meane time, this deepe disgrace in Brotherhood,</l>
<l n="114">Touches me deeper then you can imagine.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-r3-geo">
<speaker rend="italic">Cla.</speaker>
<l n="115">I know it pleaseth neither of vs well.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-r3-rch">
<speaker rend="italic">Rich.</speaker>
<l n="116">Well, your imprisonment shall not be long,</l>
<l n="117">I will deliuer you, or else lye for you:</l>
<l n="118">Meane time, haue patience.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-r3-geo">
<speaker rend="italic">Cla.</speaker>
<l n="119">I must perforce: Farewell<note resp="#ES">A stain partially obscures the end of this word.</note>.</l>
</sp>
<stage rend="italic rightJustified" type="exit">Exit Clar.</stage>
<sp who="#F-r3-rch">
<speaker rend="italic">Rich.</speaker>
<l n="120">Go treade the path that thou shalt ne're return:</l>
<l n="121">Simple plaine<hi rend="italic">Clarence</hi>, I do loue thee so,</l>
<l n="122">That I will shortly send thy Soule to Heauen,</l>
<l n="123">If Heauen will take the present at our hands.</l>
<l n="124">But who comes heere? the new deliuered<hi rend="italic">Hastings</hi>?</l>
</sp>
<stage rend="italic center" type="entrance">Enter Lord Hastings.</stage>
<sp who="#F-r3-has">
<speaker rend="italic">Hast.</speaker>
<l n="125">Good time of day vnto my gracious Lord.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-r3-rch">
<speaker rend="italic">Rich.</speaker>
<l n="126">As much vnto my good Lord Chamberlaine:</l>
<l n="127">Well are you welcome to this open Ayre,</l>
<l n="128">How hath your Lordship brook'd imprisonment?</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-r3-has">
<speaker rend="italic">Hast.</speaker>
<l n="129">With patience (Noble Lord) as prisoners must:</l>
<l n="130">But I shall liue (my Lord) to giue them thankes</l>
<l n="131">That were the cause of my imprisonment.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-r3-rch">
<speaker rend="italic">Rich.</speaker>
<l n="132">No doubt, no doubt, and so shall<hi rend="italic">Clarence</hi>too,</l>
<l n="133">For they that were your Enemies, are his,</l>
<l n="134">And haue preuail'd as much on him, as you,</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-r3-has">
<speaker rend="italic">Hast.</speaker>
<l n="135">More pitty, that the Eagles should be mew'd,</l>
<l n="136">Whiles Kites and Buzards play at liberty.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-r3-rch">
<speaker rend="italic">Rich.</speaker>
<l n="137">What newes abroad?</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-r3-has">
<speaker rend="italic">Hast.</speaker>
<l n="138">No newes so bad abroad, as this at home:</l>
<l n="139">The King is sickly, weake, and melancholly,</l>
<l n="140">And his Physitians feare him mightily.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-r3-rch">
<speaker rend="italic">Rich.</speaker>
<l n="141">Now by<choice>
<abbr>S.</abbr>
<expan>Saint</expan>
</choice>Iohn, that Newes is bad indeed.</l>
<l n="142">O he hath kept an euill Diet long,</l>
<l n="143">And ouer‑much consum'd his Royall Person:</l>
<l n="144">'Tis very greeuous to be thought vpon.</l>
<l n="145">Where is he, in his bed?</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-r3-has">
<speaker rend="italic">Hast.</speaker>
<l n="146">He is.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-r3-rch">
<speaker rend="italic">Rich.</speaker>
<l n="147">Go you before, and I will follow you.</l>
<stage rend="italic rightJustified" type="exit">Exit Hastings.</stage>
<l n="148">He cannot liue I hope, and must not dye,</l>
<l n="149">Till<hi rend="italic">George</hi>be pack'd with post‑horse vp to Heauen.</l>
<cb n="2"/>
<l n="150">Ile in to vrge his hatred more to<hi rend="italic">Clarence</hi>,</l>
<l n="151">With Lyes well steel'd with weighty Arguments;</l>
<l n="152">And if I faile not in my deepe intent,</l>
<l n="153">
<hi rend="italic">Clarence</hi>hath not another day to liue:</l>
<l n="154">Which done, God take King<hi rend="italic">Edward</hi>to his mercy,</l>
<l n="155">And leaue the world for me to bussle in.</l>
<l n="156">For then, Ile marry Warwickes yongest daughter.</l>
<l n="157">What though I kill'd her Husband, and her Father,</l>
<l n="158">The readiest way to make the Wench amends,</l>
<l n="159">Is to become her Husband, and her Father:</l>
<l n="160">The which will I, not all so much for loue,</l>
<l n="161">As for another secret close intent,</l>
<l n="162">By marrying her, which I must reach vnto:</l>
<l n="163">But yet I run before my horse to Market:</l>
<l n="164">
<hi rend="italic">Clarence</hi>still breathes,<hi rend="italic">Edward</hi>still liues and raignes,</l>
<l n="165">When they are gone, then must I count my gaines.</l>
</sp>
<stage rend="italic rightJustified" type="exit">Exit</stage>
</div>
