Richard the Third (Quarto 1, 1597)
Peer Reviewed
The Tragedy
¶And let the soule forth that adoreth thee:
¶I laie it naked to the deadly stroke,
370And humbly beg the death vpon my knee.
¶Nay, doe not pawse, twas I that kild your husband,
¶But twas thy beauty that prouoked me:
¶Nay now dispatch twas I that kild King Henry:
¶Take vp the sword againe or take vp me.
¶I will not be the executioner.
¶La. I haue already.
¶Speake it againe, and euen with the word,
¶That hand which for thy loue did kill thy loue,
385Shall for thy loue, kill a farre truer loue:
¶La. I would I knew thy heart.
¶Glo. Tis figured in my tongue.
390Glo. Then neuer was man true.
¶Glo. Say then my peace is made.
396.1La. To take is not to giue.
¶Weare both of them for both of them are thine,
400And if thy poore deuoted suppliant may
¶But beg one fauour at thy gratious hand,
¶La. What is it?
405To him that hath more cause to be a mourner,
And
