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American Shakespeare Center, Twelfth Night. To Jun. 16, 2013.
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Richard the Third (Modern)

Author: William Shakespeare
Editor: Adrian Kiernander
Not Peer Reviewed
2081.1

[3.5]

Enter [Richard] and Buckingham in [rotten] armor[, marvellously ill-favoured].
Richard Come cousin, 2085canst thou quake and change thy color?
Murder thy breath in middle of a word,
And then begin again, and stop again,
As if thou wert distraught and mad with terror?
Buckingham Tut, fear not me.
I can counterfeit the deep tragedian,
2090Speak, and look back, and pry on every side
Intending deep suspicion; ghastly looks
Are at my service like enforcèd smiles,
And both are ready in their offices
2095To grace my stratagems.
Enter Mayor.
Richard Here comes the Mayor.
2097.1Buckingham Let me alone to entertain him. Lord Mayor --
2100Richard [Calling offstage.] Look to the drawbridge there!
Buckingham The reason we have sent for you --
Richard
[Calling offstage.]Catesby, overlook the walls!
Buckingham Hark, I hear a drum!
Richard Look back, defend thee, here are enemies!
2105Buckingham God and our innocence defend us!
Enter Catesby with Hast[ings's] head.
Richard Oh, oh, be quiet, it is Catesby.
Catesby Here is the head of that ignoble traitor,
The dangerous and unsuspected Hastings.
[Gives the head to Richard.]
2110Richard So dear I loved the man that I must weep:
[He weeps.]
I took him for the plainest, harmless man
That breathed upon this earth a Christian,
2112.1Look ye, my Lord Mayor,
[Shows, or gives, the head to the Mayor.]
Made him my book wherein my soul recorded
The history of all her secret thoughts.
2115So smooth he daubed his vice with show of virtue
That, his apparent open guilt omitted --
I mean his conversation with Shore's wife --
He lived from all attainder of suspect.
Buckingham Well, well, he was the covertest sheltered traitor
2120That ever lived. Would you have imagined
Or almost believe, wert not by great preservation
We live to tell it you, the subtle traitor
Had this day plotted, in the Council House
2125To murder me and my good Lord of Gloucester?
Mayor What, had he so?
Richard What? Think you we are Turks or Infidels,
Or that we would, against the form of law,
Proceed thus rashly to the villain's death
2130But that the extreme peril of the case,
The peace of England and our person's safety
Enforced us to this execution?
Mayor Now fair befall you, he deserved his death,
And you my good lords both have well proceeded
2135To warn false traitors from the like attempts.
I never looked for better at his hands
After he once fell in with Mistress Shore.
Buckingham Yet had not we determined he should die
Until your lordship came to see his death,
2140Which now the loving haste of these our friends,
Somewhat against our meaning, have prevented,
Because, my lord, we would have had you heard
The traitor speak, and timorously confess
The manner and the purpose of his treason,
2145That you might well have signified the same
Unto the citizens, who haply may
Misconster us in him, and wail his death.
Mayor But, my good lord, your grace's word shall serve
As well as I had seen or heard him speak,
2150And doubt you not, right noble Princes both,
But I'll acquaint your duteous citizens,
With all your just proceedings in this cause.
Richard And to that end we wished your lordship here
To avoid the carping censures of the world.
2155Buckingham But since you come too late of our intents,
Yet witness what we did intend, and so, my lord, adieu.
Exit Mayor.
Richard After, after, cousin Buckingham,
2160The Mayor towards Guildhall hies him in all post.
There at your meet'st advantage of the time
Infer the bastardy of Edward's children.
Tell them how Edward put to death a citizen
Only for saying he would make his son
2165Heir to the Crown, meaning indeed his house
Which by the sign thereof was termèd so.
Moreover, urge his hateful luxury
And bestial appetite in change of lust
Which stretchèd to their servants, daughters, wives,
2170Even where his lustful eye or savage heart
Without control listed to make his prey;
Nay, for a need, thus far come near my person:
Tell them, when that my mother went with child
Of that insatiate Edward, noble York
2175My princely father then had wars in France,
And, by just computation of the time,
Found that the issue was not his begot,
Which well appearèd in his lineaments,
Being nothing like the noble Duke my father.
2180But touch this sparingly, as it were far off,
Because, you know, my lord, my mother lives.
Buckingham Fear not, my lord, I'll play the orator,
As if the golden fee for which I plead
Were for myself.
2185Richard If you thrive well, bring them to Baynard's Castle
Where you shall find me well accompanied
With reverend fathers and well-learned bishops.
Buckingham About three or four o'clock look to hear
What news Guildhall affordeth, and so my lord, farewell.
2190
Exit Buc[kingham].
Richard Now will I in to take some privy order
2195To draw the brats of Clarence out of sight,
And to give notice that no manner of person
At any time have recourse unto the Princes.
[Exeunt Richard and Catesby.]