[Act 3, Scene 5]
Enter Richard, and Buckingham, in rotten Armour,
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 LookesAre 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 recordedThe 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 TraytorThat euer liu'd.
[2010]
Would you imagine, or almost beleeue,Wert not, that by great preseruationWe liue to tell it, that the subtill TraytorThis 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 heardThe Traytor speake, and timorously confesseThe manner and the purpose of his Treasons:
Vnto the Citizens, who haply mayMisconster 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 CitizensWith 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 SonneHeire 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 ChildOf 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 ClockeLooke 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 personHaue 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
Scæna Quarta.
[Act 3, Scene 4]
Enter Buckingham, Darby, Hastings, Bishop of Ely,
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.
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 consentHis 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 PlotsOf damned Witchcraft, and that haue preuail'dVpon 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 ArmeIs 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.
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 EnemiesTo 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.
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<div type="scene" n="4">
<head rend="italic center">Scæna Quarta.</head>
<head type="supplied">[Act 3, Scene 4]</head>
<stage rend="italic center" type="entrance">Enter Buckingham, Darby, Hastings, Bishop of Ely,
<lb/>Norfolke, Ratcliffe, Louell, with others,
<lb/>at a Table.</stage>
<sp who="#F-r3-has">
<speaker rend="italic">Hast.</speaker>
<l n="1869">Now Noble Peeres, the cause why we are met,</l>
<l n="1870">Is to determine of the Coronation:</l>
<l n="1871">In Gods Name speake, when is the Royall day?</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-r3-buc">
<speaker rend="italic">Buck.</speaker>
<l n="1872">Is all things ready for the Royall time?</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-r3-sta">
<speaker rend="italic">Darb.</speaker>
<l n="1873">It is, and wants but nomination.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-r3-ely">
<speaker rend="italic">Ely.</speaker>
<l n="1874">To morrow then I iudge a happie day.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-r3-buc">
<speaker rend="italic">Buck.</speaker>
<l n="1875">Who knowes the Lord Protectors mind herein?</l>
<l n="1876">Who is most inward with the Noble Duke?</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-r3-ely">
<speaker rend="italic">Ely.</speaker>
<l n="1877">Your Grace, we thinke, should soonest know his
<lb/>minde.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-r3-buc">
<speaker rend="italic">Buck.</speaker>
<l n="1878">We know each others Faces: for our Hearts,</l>
<l n="1879">He knowes no more of mine, then I of yours,</l>
<l n="1880">Or I of his, my Lord, then you of mine:</l>
<l n="1881">Lord<hi rend="italic">Hastings</hi>, you and he are neere in loue.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-r3-has">
<speaker rend="italic">Hast.</speaker>
<l n="1882">I thanke his Grace, I know he loues me well:</l>
<l n="1883">But for his purpose in the Coronation,</l>
<l n="1884">I haue not sounded him, nor he deliuer'd</l>
<l n="1885">His gracious pleasure any way therein:</l>
<l n="1886">But you, my Honorable Lords, may name the time,</l>
<l n="1887">And in the Dukes behalfe Ile giue my Voice,</l>
<l n="1888">Which I presume hee'le take in gentle part.</l>
</sp>
<stage rend="italic center" type="entrance">Enter Gloucester.</stage>
<sp who="#F-r3-ely">
<speaker rend="italic">Ely.</speaker>
<l n="1889">In happie time, here comes the Duke himselfe.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-r3-rch">
<speaker rend="italic">Rich.</speaker>
<l n="1890">My Noble Lords, and Cousins all, good morrow:</l>
<l n="1891">I haue beene long a sleeper: but I trust,</l>
<l n="1892">My absence doth neglect no great designe,</l>
<l n="1893">Which by my presence might haue beene concluded.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-r3-buc">
<speaker rend="italic">Buck.</speaker>
<l n="1894">Had you not come vpon your Q my Lord,</l>
<l n="1895">
<hi rend="italic">William</hi>, Lord<hi rend="italic">Hastings</hi>, had pronounc'd your part;</l>
<l n="1896">I meane your Voice, for Crowning of the King.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-r3-rch">
<speaker rend="italic">Rich.</speaker>
<l n="1897">Then my Lord<hi rend="italic">Hastings</hi>, no man might be bolder,</l>
<l n="1898">His Lordship knowes me well, and loues me well.</l>
<l n="1899">My Lord of Ely, when I was last in Holborne,</l>
<l n="1900">I saw good Strawberries in your Garden there,</l>
<l n="1901">I doe beseech you, send for some of them.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-r3-ely">
<speaker rend="italic">Ely.</speaker>
<l n="1902">Mary and will, my Lord, with all my heart.</l>
</sp>
<stage rend="italic rightJustified" type="exit">Exit Bishop.</stage>
<sp who="#F-r3-rch">
<speaker rend="italic">Rich.</speaker>
<l n="1903">Cousin of Buckingham, a word with you.</l>
<l n="1904">
<hi rend="italic">Catesby</hi>hath sounded<hi rend="italic">Hastings</hi>in our businesse,</l>
<l n="1905">And findes the testie Gentleman so hot,</l>
<l n="1906">That he will lose his Head, ere giue consent</l>
<l n="1907">His Masters Child, as worshipfully he tearmes it,</l>
<l n="1908">Shall lose the Royaltie of Englands Throne.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-r3-buc">
<speaker rend="italic">Buck.</speaker>
<l n="1909">Withdraw your selfe a while, Ile goe with you.</l>
</sp>
<stage rend="italic rightJustified" type="exit">Exeunt.</stage>
<sp who="#F-r3-sta">
<speaker rend="italic">Darb.</speaker>
<l n="1910">We haue not yet set downe this day of Triumph:</l>
<l n="1911">To morrow, in my iudgement, is too sudden,</l>
<l n="1912">For I my selfe am not so well prouided,</l>
<l n="1913">As else I would be, were the day prolong'd.</l>
</sp>
<stage rend="italic center" type="entrance">Enter the Bishop of Ely.</stage>
<sp who="#F-r3-ely">
<speaker rend="italic">Ely.</speaker>
<l n="1914">Where is my Lord, the Duke of Gloster?</l>
<l n="1915">I haue sent for these Strawberries.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-r3-has">
<speaker rend="italic">Ha.</speaker>
<l n="1916">His Grace looks chearfully & smooth this morning,</l>
<cb n="2"/>
<l n="1917">There's some conceit or other likes him well,</l>
<l n="1918">When that he bids good morrow with such spirit.</l>
<l n="1919">I thinke there's neuer a man in Christendome</l>
<l n="1920">Can lesser hide his loue, or hate, then hee,</l>
<l n="1921">For by his Face straight shall you know his Heart.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-r3-sta">
<speaker rend="italic">Darb.</speaker>
<l n="1922">What of his Heart perceiue you in his Face,</l>
<l n="1923">By any liuelyhood he shew'd to day?</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-r3-has">
<speaker rend="italic">Hast.</speaker>
<l n="1924">Mary, that with no man here he is offended:</l>
<l n="1925">For were he, he had shewne it in his Lookes.</l>
</sp>
<stage rend="italic center" type="entrance">Enter Richard, and Buckingham.</stage>
<sp who="#F-r3-rch">
<speaker rend="italic">Rich.</speaker>
<l n="1926">I pray you all, tell me what they deserue,</l>
<l n="1927">That doe conspire my death with diuellish Plots</l>
<l n="1928">Of damned Witchcraft, and that haue preuail'd</l>
<l n="1929">Vpon my Body with their Hellish Charmes.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-r3-has">
<speaker rend="italic">Hast.</speaker>
<l n="1930">The tender loue I beare your Grace, my Lord,</l>
<l n="1931">Makes me most forward, in this Princely presence,</l>
<l n="1932">To doome th'Offendors, whosoe're they be:</l>
<l n="1933">I say, my Lord, they haue deserued death.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-r3-rch">
<speaker rend="italic">Rich.</speaker>
<l n="1934">Then be your eyes the witnesse of their euill.</l>
<l n="1935">Looke how I am bewitch'd: behold, mine Arme</l>
<l n="1936">Is like a blasted Sapling, wither'd vp:</l>
<l n="1937">And this is<hi rend="italic">Edwards</hi>Wife, that monstrous Witch,</l>
<l n="1938">Consorted with that Harlot, Strumpet<hi rend="italic">Shore</hi>,</l>
<l n="1939">That by their Witchcraft thus haue marked me.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-r3-has">
<speaker rend="italic">Hast.</speaker>
<l n="1940">If they haue done this deed, my Noble Lord.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-r3-rch">
<speaker rend="italic">Rich.</speaker>
<l n="1941">If? thou Protector of this damned Strumpet,</l>
<l n="1942">Talk'st thou to me of Ifs: thou art a Traytor,</l>
<l n="1943">Off with his Head; now by Saint<hi rend="italic">Paul</hi>I sweare,</l>
<l n="1944">I will not dine, vntill I see the same.</l>
<l n="1945">
<hi rend="italic">Louell</hi>and<hi rend="italic">Ratcliffe</hi>, looke that it be done:</l>
<stage rend="italic rightJustified" type="exit">Exeunt.</stage>
<l n="1946">The rest that loue me, rise, and follow me.</l>
</sp>
<stage rend="italic center" type="business">Manet Louell and Ratcliffe, with the
<lb/>Lord Hastings.</stage>
<sp who="#F-r3-has">
<speaker rend="italic">Hast.</speaker>
<l n="1947">Woe, woe for England, not a whit for me,</l>
<l n="1948">For I, too fond, might haue preuented this:</l>
<l n="1949">
<hi rend="italic">Stanley</hi>did dreame, the Bore did rowse our Helmes,</l>
<l n="1950">And I did scorne it, and disdaine to flye:</l>
<l n="1951">Three times to day my Foot‑Cloth‑Horse did stumble,</l>
<l n="1952">And started, when he look'd vpon the Tower,</l>
<l n="1953">As loth to beare me to the slaughter‑house.</l>
<l n="1954">O now I need the Priest, that spake to me:</l>
<l n="1955">I now repent I told the Pursuiuant,</l>
<l n="1956">As too triumphing, how mine Enemies</l>
<l n="1957">To day at Pomfret bloodily were butcher'd,</l>
<l n="1958">And I my selfe secure, in grace and fauour.</l>
<l n="1959">Oh<hi rend="italic">Margaret, Margaret</hi>, now thy heauie Curse</l>
<l n="1960">Is lighted on poore<hi rend="italic">Hastings</hi>wretched Head.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-r3-rat">
<speaker rend="italic">Ra.</speaker>
<l n="1961">Come, come, dispatch, the Duke would be at dinner:</l>
<l n="1962">Make a short Shrift, he longs to see your Head.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-r3-has">
<speaker rend="italic">Hast.</speaker>
<l n="1963">O momentarie grace of mortall men,</l>
<l n="1964">Which we more hunt for, then the grace of God!</l>
<l n="1965">Who builds his hope in ayre of your good Lookes,</l>
<l n="1966">Liues like a drunken Sayler on a Mast,</l>
<l n="1967">Readie with euery Nod to tumble downe,</l>
<l n="1968">Into the fatall Bowels of the Deepe.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-r3-lov">
<speaker rend="italic">Lou.</speaker>
<l n="1969">Come, come, dispatch, 'tis bootlesse to exclaime.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-r3-has">
<speaker rend="italic">Hast.</speaker>
<l n="1970">O bloody<hi rend="italic">Richard:</hi>miserable England,</l>
<l n="1971">I prophecie the fearefull'st time to thee,</l>
<l n="1972">That euer wretched Age hath look'd vpon.</l>
<l n="1973">Come, lead me to the Block, beare him my Head,</l>
<l n="1974">They smile at me, who shortly shall be dead.</l>
</sp>
<stage rend="italic rightJustified" type="exit">Exeunt.</stage>
<pb facs="FFimg:axc0546-0.jpg" n="190"/>
<cb n="1"/>
</div>
