Richard the Third (Quarto 1, 1597)
Peer Reviewed
The Tragedy
¶These both put by a poore petitioner
2405A care-crazd mother of a many children,
¶Euen in the afternoone of her best daies
¶Seduc't the pitch and height of al his thoughts,
¶By her in his vnlawfull bed he got.
¶This Edward whom our maners terme the prince,
¶More bitterlie could I expostulate,
¶Saue that for reuerence to some aliue
2415I giue a sparing limit to my tongue:
¶Then good my Lord, take to your royall selfe,
¶This proffered benefit of dignitie:
¶Yet to draw out your royall stocke,
2420From the corruption of abusing time,
¶Maior. Do good my Lord, your Cittizens entreat you.
¶I am vnfit for state and dignitie,
¶I cannot nor I will not yeeld to you.
¶As well we know your tendernes of heart,
¶And gentle kind effeminate remorse,
¶Which wee haue noted in you to your kin,
¶And egallie indeed to all estates,
2435Yet whether you accept our suite or no,
¶But we will plant some other in the throane,
¶And in this resolution here we leaue you.
2440Come Citizens, zounds ile intreat no more.
Catesby
