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  • Title: Richard the Third (Quarto 1, 1597)
  • Editor: Adrian Kiernander

  • Copyright Internet Shakespeare Editions. This text may be freely used for educational, non-proift purposes; for all other uses contact the Coordinating Editor.
    Author: William Shakespeare
    Editor: Adrian Kiernander
    Peer Reviewed

    Richard the Third (Quarto 1, 1597)

    The Tragedy
    1880Was it more pretious to me then it is now:
    Thinke you, but that I know our state secure,
    I would be so triumphant as I am?
    Stan. The Lords at Pomfret when they rode from Lon-(don,
    Were iocund, and supposde their states was sure,
    1885And they indeed had no cause to mistrust:
    But yet you see how soone the day ouercast,
    This sodaine scab of rancour I misdoubt,
    Pray God, I say, I proue a needelesse coward:
    But come my Lo: shall we to the tower?
    1890Hast. I go: but stay, heare you not the newes,
    This day those men you talkt of, are beheaded.
    Sta. They for their truth might better weare their heads,
    Then some that haue accusde them weare their hats:
    1895But come my Lo: let vs away. Enter Hastin. a Purssuant.
    Hast. Go you before, Ile follow presently.
    Hast. Well met Hastings, how goes the world with thee?
    1900Pur. The better that it please your Lo: to aske.
    Hast. I tell thee fellow tis better with me now.
    Then when I met thee last where now we meete:
    Then was I going prisoner to the tower,
    By the suggestion of the Queenes allies:
    1905But now I tell thee (keepe it to thy selfe.)
    This day those enemies are put to death,
    And I in better state then euer I was.
    Pur. God hold it to your honors good content.
    Hast. Gramercy Hastings hold spend thou that. He giues ( him his purse.
    Pur. God saue your Lordship.
    1915Hast. What Sir Iohn, you are wel met, ( Enter a priest.
    I am beholding to you for your last daies exercise:
    Come the next sabaoth and I will content you. He whis-( pers in his eare.
    Enter Buckingham.
    1920Buc. How now Lo: Chamberlaine, what talking with a (priest,
    Your friends at Pomfret they doe need the priest
    Your honour hath no shriuing worke in hand.
    Hast. Good faith and when I met this holy man,
    Those men you talke of came into my minde:
    1925What, go you to the tower my Lord?
    Buck.