Internet Shakespeare Editions

About this text

  • Title: Richard the Third (Folio 1, 1623)
  • Editor: Adrian Kiernander

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

    Richard the Third (Folio 1, 1623)

    Enter a Scriuener.
    Scr. Here is the Indictment of the good Lord Hastings,
    2200Which in a set Hand fairely is engross'd,
    That it may be to day read o're in Paules.
    And marke how well the sequell hangs together:
    Eleuen houres I haue spent to write it ouer,
    For yester-night by Catesby was it sent me,
    2205The Precedent was full as long a doing,
    And yet within these fiue houres Hastings liu'd,
    Vntainted, vnexamin'd, free, at libertie.
    Here's a good World the while.
    Who is so grosse, that cannot see this palpable deuice?
    2210Yet who so bold, but sayes he sees it not?
    Bad is the World, and all will come to nought,
    When such ill dealing must be seene in thought. Exit.