Peer Reviewed
Richard the Third (Folio 1, 1623)
Enter Richard, and Buckingham, in rotten Armour,
2083maruellous ill-fauoured.
2085Canst thou quake, and change thy colour,
2086Murther thy breath in middle of a word,
2087And then againe begin, and stop againe,
2088As if thou were distraught, and mad with terror?
2089Buck. Tut, I can counterfeit the deepe Tragedian,
2090Speake, and looke backe, and prie on euery side,
2091Tremble and start at wagging of a Straw:
2093Are at my seruice, like enforced Smiles;
2094And both are readie in their Offices,
2095At any time to grace my Stratagemes.
2096But what, is Catesby gone?
2098Enter the Maior, and Catesby.
2099Buck. Lord Maior.
2101Buck. Hearke, a Drumme.
2104Rich. Looke back, defend thee, here are Enemies.
2105Buck. God and our Innocencie defend, and guard vs.
2106Enter Louell and Ratcliffe, with Hastings Head.
2108Louell. Here is the Head of that ignoble Traytor,
2112That breath'd vpon the Earth, a Christian.
2113Made him my Booke, wherein my Soule recorded
2116That his apparant open Guilt omitted,
2117I meane, his Conuersation with Shores Wife,
2120That euer liu'd.
2121Would you imagine, or almost beleeue,
2122Wert not, that by great preseruation
2123We liue to tell it, that the subtill Traytor
2124This day had plotted, in the Councell-House,
2125To murther me, and my good Lord of Gloster.
2130But that the extreme perill of the case,
2132Enforc'd vs to this Execution.
2134And your good Graces both haue well proceeded,
2136Buck. I neuer look'd for better at his hands,
2138Yet had we not determin'd he should dye,
2141Something against our meanings, haue preuented;
2142Because, my Lord, I would haue had you heard
2146Vnto the Citizens, who haply may
2150And doe not doubt, right Noble Princes both,
2151But Ile acquaint our dutious Citizens
2154T'auoid the Censures of the carping World.
2156Yet witnesse what you heare we did intend:
2157And so, my good Lord Maior, we bid farwell.
2158Exit Maior.
2160The Maior towards Guild-Hall hyes him in all poste:
2161There, at your meetest vantage of the time,
2162Inferre the Bastardie of Edwards Children:
2163Tell them, how Edward put to death a Citizen,
2164Onely for saying, he would make his Sonne
2165Heire to the Crowne, meaning indeed his House,
2167Moreouer, vrge his hatefull Luxurie,
2169Which stretcht vnto their Seruants, Daughters, Wiues,
2170Euen where his raging eye, or sauage heart,
2171Without controll, lusted to make a prey.
2172Nay, for a need, thus farre come neere my Person:
2173Tell them, when that my Mother went with Child
2174Of that insatiate Edward; Noble Yorke,
2175My Princely Father, then had Warres in France,
2176And by true computation of the time,
2177Found, that the Issue was not his begot:
2178Which well appeared in his Lineaments,
2179Being nothing like the Noble Duke, my Father:
2181Because, my Lord, you know my Mother liues.
2182Buck. Doubt not, my Lord, Ile play the Orator,
2183As if the Golden Fee, for which I plead,
2187With reuerend Fathers, and well-learned Bishops.
2188Buck. I goe, and towards three or foure a Clocke
2189Looke for the Newes that the Guild-Hall affoords.
2190Exit Buckingham.
2192Goe thou to Fryer Peuker, bid them both
2194Now will I goe to take some priuie order,
2195To draw the Brats of Clarence out of sight,
2196And to giue order, that no manner person