Internet Shakespeare Editions

Author: William Shakespeare
Not Peer Reviewed

Henry VI, Part 3 (Octavo 1, 1595)

The Tragedie of Richard D. of
He be as miserablie slaine as I.
Oh, let me liue in prison all my daies,
And when I giue occasion of offence,
Then let me die, for now thou hast no cause.
450Clif. No cause? Thy Father slew my father, therefore
Die.
Plantagenet I come Plantagenet,
And this thy sonnes bloud cleauing to my blade,
455Shall rust vpon my weapon, till thy bloud
Congeald with his, doe make me wipe off both. Exit.
Alarmes, Enter the Duke of Yorke solus.
Yorke Ah Yorke, post to thy castell, saue thy life,
The goale is lost thou house of Lancaster,
460Thrise happie chance is it for thee and thine,
That heauen abridgde my daies and cals me hence,
But God knowes what chance hath betide my sonnes;
But this I know they haue demeand themselues,
465Like men borne to renowne by life or death:
Three times this daie came Richard to my sight,
And cried courage Father: Victorie or death,
And twise so oft came Edward to my view,
With purple Faulchen painted to the hilts,
470In bloud of those whom he had slaughtered.
480Oh harke, I heare the drums? No waie to flie:
No waie to saue my life? And heere I staie:
And heere my life must end.

485Enter the Queene, Clifford, Northumberland,
and souldiers.
Come