Internet Shakespeare Editions

Author: William Shakespeare
Editor: Adrian Kiernander
Peer Reviewed

Richard the Third (Folio 1, 1623)

Scena Tertia.
Enter Sir Richard Ratcliffe, with Halberds, carrying
the Nobles to death at Pomfret.
1935Riuers. Sir Richard Ratcliffe, let me tell thee this,
To day shalt thou behold a Subiect die,
For Truth, for Dutie, and for Loyaltie.
Grey. God blesse the Prince from all the Pack of you,
A Knot you are, of damned Blood-suckers.
1940Vaugh. You liue, that shall cry woe for this heere-
after.
Rat. Dispatch, the limit of your Liues is out.
Riuers. O Pomfret, Pomfret! O thou bloody Prison!
Fatall and ominous to Noble Peeres:
1945Within the guiltie Closure of thy Walls,
Richard the Second here was hackt to death:
And for more slander to thy dismall Seat,
Wee giue to thee our guiltlesse blood to drinke.
Grey. Now Margarets Curse is falne vpon our Heads,
1950When shee exclaim'd on Hastings, you, and I,
For standing by, when Richard stab'd her Sonne.
Riuers. Then curs'd shee Richard,
Then curs'd shee Buckingham,
Then curs'd shee Hastings. Oh remember God,
1955To heare her prayer for them, as now for vs:
And for my Sister, and her Princely Sonnes,
Be satisfy'd, deare God, with our true blood,
Which, as thou know'st, vniustly must be spilt.
Rat. Make haste, the houre of death is expiate.
1960Riuers. Come Grey, come Vaughan, let vs here embrace.
Farewell, vntill we meet againe in Heauen.
Exeunt.