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 vsedTo 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,
Enter Catesby.Buck.Now
Catesby, what sayes your Lord to my
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 PrinceTake 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.
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 assembledSuch 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 shouldSuspect 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 menAre 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.
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 interruptionOf 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.s2Buck. You
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>
