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  • 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)

    Scena Tertia.
    2770Enter old Queene Margaret.
    Mar. So now prosperity begins to mellow,
    And drop into the rotten mouth of death:
    Heere in these Confines slily haue I lurkt,
    To watch the waining of mine enemies.
    2775A dire induction, am I witnesse to,
    And will to France, hoping the consequence
    Will proue as bitter, blacke, and Tragicall.
    Withdraw thee wretched Margaret, who comes heere?
    Enter Dutchesse and Queene.
    2780Qu. Ah my poore Princes! ah my tender Babes:
    My vnblowed Flowres, new appearing sweets:
    If yet your gentle soules flye in the Ayre,
    And be not fixt in doome perpetuall,
    Houer about me with your ayery wings,
    2785And heare your mothers Lamentation.
    Mar. Houer about her, say that right for right
    Hath dim'd your Infant morne, to Aged night.
    Dut. So many miseries haue craz'd my voyce,
    That my woe-wearied tongue is still and mute.
    2790Edward Plantagenet, why art thou dead?
    Mar. Plantagenet doth quit Plantagenet,
    Edward for Edward, payes a dying debt.
    Qu. Wilt thou, O God, flye from such gentle Lambs,
    And throw them in the intrailes of the Wolfe?
    2795When didst thou sleepe, when such a deed was done?
    Mar. When holy Harry dyed, and my sweet Sonne.
    Dut. Dead life, blind sight, poore mortall liuing ghost,
    Woes Scene, Worlds shame, Graues due, by life vsurpt,
    Breefe abstract and record of tedious dayes,
    2800Rest thy vnrest on Englands lawfull earth,
    Vnlawfully made drunke with innocent blood.
    Qu. Ah that thou would'st assoone affoord a Graue,
    As thou canst yeeld a melancholly seate:
    Then would I hide my bones, not rest them heere,
    2805Ah who hath any cause to mourne but wee?
    Mar. If ancient sorrow be most reuerent,
    Giue mine the benefit of signeurie,
    And let my greefes frowne on the vpper hand
    If sorrow can admit Society.
    2810I had an Edward, till a Richard kill'd him:
    I had a Husband, till a Richard kill'd him:
    Thou had'st an Edward, till a Richard kill'd him:
    Thou had'st a Richard, till a Richard kill'd him.
    Dut. I had a Richard too, and thou did'st kill him;
    2815I had a Rutland too, thou hop'st to kill him.
    Mar. Thou had'st a Clarence too,
    And Richard kill'd him.
    From forth the kennell of thy wombe hath crept
    A Hell-hound that doth hunt vs all to death:
    2820That Dogge, that had his teeth before his eyes,
    To worry Lambes, and lap their gentle blood:
    That foule defacer of Gods handy worke:
    That reignes in gauled eyes of weeping soules:
    That excellent grand Tyrant of the earth,
    2825Thy wombe let loose to chase vs to our graues.
    O vpright, iust, and true-disposing God,
    How do I thanke thee, that this carnall Curre
    Prayes on the issue of his Mothers body,
    And makes her Pue-fellow with others mone.
    2830Dut. Oh Harries wife, triumph not in my woes:
    God witnesse with me, I haue wept for thine.
    Mar. Beare with me: I am hungry for reuenge,
    And now I cloy me with beholding it.
    Thy Edward he is dead, that kill'd my Edward,
    2835The other Edward dead, to quit my Edward:
    Yong Yorke, he is but boote, because both they
    Matcht not the high perfection of my losse.
    Thy Clarence he is dead, that stab'd my Edward,
    And the beholders of this franticke play,
    2840Th'adulterate Hastings, Riuers, Vaughan, Gray,
    Vntimely smother'd in their dusky Graues.
    Richard yet liues, Hels blacke Intelligencer,
    Onely reseru'd their Factor, to buy soules,
    And send them thither: But at hand, at hand
    2845Insues his pittious and vnpittied end.
    Earth gapes, Hell burnes, Fiends roare, Saints pray,
    To haue him sodainly conuey'd from hence:
    Cancell his bond of life, deere God I pray,
    That I may liue and say, The Dogge is dead.
    2850Qu. O thou did'st prophesie, the time would come,
    That I should wish for thee to helpe me curse
    That bottel'd Spider, that foule bunch-back'd Toad.
    Mar. I call'd thee then, vaine flourish of my fortune:
    I call'd thee then, poore Shadow, painted Queen,
    2855The presentation of but what I was;
    The flattering Index of a direfull Pageant;
    One heau'd a high, to be hurl'd downe below:
    A Mother onely mockt with two faire Babes;
    A dreame of what thou wast, a garish Flagge
    2860To be the ayme of euery dangerous Shot;
    A signe of Dignity, a Breath, a Bubble;
    A Queene in ieast, onely to fill the Scene.
    Where is thy Husband now? Where be thy Brothers?
    Where be thy two Sonnes? Wherein dost thou Ioy?
    2865Who sues, and kneeles, and sayes, God saue the Queene?
    Where be the bending Peeres that flattered thee?
    Where be the thronging Troopes that followed thee?
    Decline all this, and see what now thou art.
    For happy Wife, a most distressed Widdow:
    2870For ioyfull Mother, one that wailes the name:
    For one being sued too, one that humbly sues:
    For Queene, a very Caytiffe, crown'd with care:
    For she that scorn'd at me, now scorn'd of me:
    For she being feared of all, now fearing one:
    2875For she commanding all, obey'd of none.
    Thus hath the course of Iustice whirl'd about,
    And left thee but a very prey to time,
    Hauing no more but Thought of what thou wast.
    To torture thee the more, being what thou art,
    2880Thou didst vsurpe my place, and dost thou not
    Vsurpe the iust proportion of my Sorrow?
    Now thy proud Necke, beares halfe my burthen'd yoke,
    From which, euen heere I slip my wearied head,
    And leaue the burthen of it all, on thee.
    2885Farwell Yorkes wife, and Queene of sad mischance,
    These English woes, shall make me smile in France.
    Qu. O thou well skill'd in Curses, stay a-while,
    And teach me how to curse mine enemies.
    Mar. Forbeare to sleepe the night, and fast the day:
    2890Compare dead happinesse, with liuing woe:
    Thinke that thy Babes were sweeter then they were,
    And he that slew them fowler then he is:
    Bett'ring thy losse, makes the bad causer worse,
    Reuoluing this, will teach thee how to Curse.
    2895Qu. My words are dull, O quicken them with thine.
    Mar. Thy woes will make them sharpe,
    And pierce like mine. Exit Margaret.
    Dut. Why should calamity be full of words?
    Qu. Windy Atturnies to their Clients Woes,
    2900Ayery succeeders of intestine ioyes,
    Poore breathing Orators of miseries,
    Let them haue scope, though what they will impart,
    Helpe nothing els, yet do they ease the hart.
    Dut. If so then, be not Tongue-ty'd: go with me,
    2905And in the breath of bitter words, let's smother
    My damned Son, that thy two sweet Sonnes smother'd.
    The Trumpet sounds, be copious in exclaimes.
    Enter King Richard, and his Traine.
    Rich. Who intercepts me in my Expedition?
    2910Dut. O she, that might haue intercepted thee
    By strangling thee in her aceursed wombe,
    From all the slaughters (Wretch) that thou hast done.
    Qu. Hid'st thou that Forhead with a Golden Crowne
    Where't should be branded, if that right were right?
    2915The slaughter of the Prince that ow'd that Crowne,
    And the dyre death of my poore Sonnes, and Brothers.
    Tell me thou Villaine-slaue, where are my Children?
    Dut. Thou Toad, thou Toade,
    Where is thy Brother Clarence?
    2920And little Ned Plantagenet his Sonne?
    Qu. Where is the gentle Riuers, Vaughan, Gray?
    Dut. Where is kinde Hastings?
    Rich. A flourish Trumpets, strike Alarum Drummes:
    Let not the Heauens heare these Tell-tale women
    2925Raile on the Lords Annointed. Strike I say.
    Flourish. Alarums.
    Either be patient, and intreat me fayre,
    Or with the clamorous report of Warre,
    Thus will I drowne your exclamations.
    2930Dut. Art thou my Sonne?
    Rich. I, I thanke God, my Father, and your selfe.
    Dut. Then patiently heare my impatience.
    Rich. Madam, I haue a touch of your condition,
    That cannot brooke the accent of reproofe.
    2935Dut. O let me speake.
    Rich. Do then, but Ile not heare.
    Dut: I will be milde, and gentle in my words.
    Rich. And breefe (good Mother) for I am in hast.
    Dut. Art thou so hasty? I haue staid for thee
    2940(God knowes) in torment and in agony.
    Rich. And came I not at last to comfort you?
    Dut. No by the holy Rood, thou know'st it well,
    Thou cam'st on earth, to make the earth my Hell.
    A greeuous burthen was thy Birth to me,
    2945Tetchy and wayward was thy Infancie.
    Thy School-daies frightfull, desp'rate, wilde, and furious,
    Thy prime of Manhood, daring, bold, and venturous:
    Thy Age confirm'd, proud, subtle, slye, and bloody,
    More milde, but yet more harmfull; Kinde in hatred:
    2950What comfortable houre canst thou name,
    That euer grac'd me with thy company?
    Rich. Faith none, but Humfrey Hower,
    That call'd your Grace
    To Breakefast once, forth of my company.
    2955If I be so disgracious in your eye,
    Let me march on, and not offend you Madam.
    Strike vp the Drumme.
    Dut. I prythee heare me speake.
    Rich. You speake too bitterly.
    2960Dut. Heare me a word:
    For I shall neuer speake to thee againe.
    Rich. So.
    Dut. Either thou wilt dye, by Gods iust ordinance
    Ere from this warre thou turne a Conqueror:
    2965Or I with greefe and extreame Age shall perish,
    And neuer more behold thy face againe.
    Therefore take with thee my most greeuous Curse,
    Which in the day of Battell tyre thee more
    Then all the compleat Armour that thou wear'st.
    2970My Prayers on the aduerse party fight,
    And there the little soules of Edwards Children,
    Whisper the Spirits of thine Enemies,
    And promise them Successe and Victory:
    Bloody thou art, bloody will be thy end:
    2975Shame serues thy life, and doth thy death attend. Exit.
    Qu. Though far more cause, yet much lesse spirit to curse
    Abides in me, I say Amen to her.
    Rich. Stay Madam, I must talke a word with you.
    Qu. I haue no more sonnes of the Royall Blood
    2980For thee to slaughter. For my Daughters ( Richard)
    They shall be praying Nunnes, not weeping Queenes:
    And therefore leuell not to hit their liues.
    Rich. You haue a daughter call'd Elizabeth,
    Vertuous and Faire, Royall and Gracious?
    2985Qu. And must she dye for this? O let her liue,
    And Ile corrupt her Manners, staine her Beauty,
    Slander my Selfe, as false to Edwards bed:
    Throw ouer her the vaile of Infamy,
    So she may liue vnscarr'd of bleeding slaughter,
    2990I will confesse she was not Edwards daughter.
    Rich. Wrong not her Byrth, she is a Royall Princesse.
    Qu. To saue her life, Ile say she is not so.
    Rich. Her life is safest onely in her byrth.
    Qu. And onely in that safety, dyed her Brothers.
    2995Rich. Loe at their Birth, good starres were opposite.
    Qu. No, to their liues, ill friends were contrary.
    Rich! All vnauoyded is the doome of Destiny.
    Qu. True: when auoyded grace makes Destiny.
    My Babes were destin'd to a fairer death,
    3000If grace had blest thee with a fairer life.
    Rich, You speake as if that I had slaine my Cosins?
    Qu. Cosins indeed, and by their Vnckle couzend,
    Of Comfort, Kingdome, Kindred, Freedome, Life,
    Whose hand soeuer lanch'd their tender hearts,
    3005Thy head (all indirectly) gaue direction.
    No doubt the murd'rous Knife was dull and blunt,
    Till it was whetted on thy stone-hard heart,
    To reuell in the Intrailes of my Lambes.
    But that still vse of greefe, makes wilde greefe tame,
    3010My tongue should to thy eares not name my Boyes,
    Till that my Nayles were anchor'd in thine eyes:
    And I in such a desp'rate Bay of death,
    Like a poore Barke, of sailes and tackling reft,
    Rush all to peeces on thy Rocky bosome.
    3015Rich. Madam, so thriue I in my enterprize
    And dangerous successe of bloody warres,
    As I intend more good to you and yours,
    Then euer you and yours by me were harm'd.
    Qu. What good is couer'd with the face of heauen,
    3020To be discouered, that can do me good.
    Rich. Th'aduancement of your children, gentle Lady
    Qu. Vp to some Scaffold, there to lose their heads.
    Rich. Vnto the dignity and height of Fortune,
    The high Imperiall Type of this earths glory.
    3025Qu. Flatter my sorrow with report of it:
    Tell me, what State, what Dignity, what Honor,
    Canst thou demise to any childe of mine.
    Rich. Euen all I haue; I, and my selfe and all,
    Will I withall indow a childe of thine:
    3030So in the Lethe of thy angry soule,
    Thou drowne the sad remembrance of those wrongs,
    Which thou supposest I haue done to thee.
    Qu. Be breefe, least that the processe of thy kindnesse
    Last longer telling then thy kindnesse date.
    3035Rich. Then know,
    That from my Soule, I loue thy Daughter.
    Qu. My daughters Mother thinkes it with her soule.
    Rich. What do you thinke?
    Qu. That thou dost loue my daughter from thy soule
    3040So from thy Soules loue didst thou loue her Brothers,
    And from my hearts loue, I do thanke thee for it.
    Rich. Be not so hasty to confound my meaning:
    I meane that with my Soule I loue thy daughter,
    And do intend to make her Queene of England.
    3045Qu. Well then, who dost y^u meane shallbe her King.
    Rich. Euen he that makes her Queene:
    Who else should bee?
    Qu. What, thou?
    Rich. Euen so: How thinke you of it?
    3050Qu. How canst thou woo her?
    Rich. That I would learne of you,
    As one being best acquainted with her humour.
    Qu. And wilt thou learne of me?
    Rich. Madam, with all my heart.
    3055Qu. Send to her by the man that slew her Brothers,
    A paire of bleeding hearts: thereon ingraue
    Edward and Yorke, then haply will she weepe:
    Therefore present to her, as sometime Margaret
    Did to thy Father, steept in Rutlands blood,
    3060A hand-kercheefe, which say to her did dreyne
    The purple sappe from her sweet Brothers body,
    And bid her wipe her weeping eyes withall.
    If this inducement moue her not to loue,
    Send her a Letter of thy Noble deeds:
    3065Tell her, thou mad'st away her Vnckle Clarence,
    Her Vnckle Riuers, I (and for her sake)
    Mad'st quicke conueyance with her good Aunt Anne.
    Rich. You mocke me Madam, this not the way
    To win your daughter.
    3070Qu. There is no other way,
    Vnlesse thou could'st put on some other shape,
    And not be Richard, that hath done all this.
    Ric. Say that I did all this for loue of her.
    Qu. Nay then indeed she cannot choose but hate thee
    3075Hauing bought loue, with such a bloody spoyle.
    Rich. Looke what is done, cannot be now amended:
    Men shall deale vnaduisedly sometimes,
    Which after-houres giues leysure to repent.
    If I did take the Kingdome from your Sonnes,
    3080To make amends, Ile giue it to your daughter:
    If I haue kill'd the issue of your wombe,
    To quicken your encrease, I will beget
    Mine yssue of your blood, vpon your Daughter:
    A Grandams name is little lesse in loue,
    3085Then is the doting Title of a Mother;
    They are as Children but one steppe below,
    Euen of your mettall, of your very blood:
    Of all one paine, saue for a night of groanes
    Endur'd of her, for whom you bid like sorrow.
    3090Your Children were vexation to your youth,
    But mine shall be a comfort to your Age,
    The losse you haue, is but a Sonne being King,
    And by that losse, your Daughter is made Queene.
    I cannot make you what amends I would,
    3095Therefore accept such kindnesse as I can.
    Dorset your Sonne, that with a fearfull soule
    Leads discontented steppes in Forraine soyle,
    This faire Alliance, quickly shall call home
    To high Promotions, and great Dignity.
    3100The King that calles your beauteous Daughter Wife,
    Familiarly shall call thy Dorset, Brother:
    Againe shall you be Mother to a King:
    And all the Ruines of distressefull Times,
    Repayr'd with double Riches of Content.
    3105What? we haue many goodly dayes to see:
    The liquid drops of Teares that you haue shed,
    Shall come againe, transform'd to Orient Pearle,
    Aduantaging their Loue, with interest
    Often-times double gaine of happinesse.
    3110Go then (my Mother) to thy Daughter go,
    Make bold her bashfull yeares, with your experience,
    Prepare her eares to heare a Woers Tale.
    Put in her tender heart, th'aspiring Flame
    Of Golden Soueraignty: Acquaint the Princesse
    3115With the sweet silent houres of Marriage ioyes:
    And when this Arme of mine hath chastised
    The petty Rebell, dull-brain'd Buckingham,
    Bound with Triumphant Garlands will I come,
    And leade thy daughter to a Conquerors bed:
    3120To whom I will retaile my Conquest wonne,
    And she shalbe sole Victoresse, Caesars Caesar.
    Qu. What were I best to say, her Fathers Brother
    Would be her Lord? Or shall I say her Vnkle?
    Or he that slew her Brothers, and her Vnkles?
    3125Vnder what Title shall I woo for thee,
    That God, the Law, my Honor, and her Loue,
    Can make seeme pleasing to her tender yeares?
    Rich. Inferre faire Englands peace by this Alliance.
    Qu Which she shall purchase with stil lasting warre.
    3130Rich. Tell her, the King that may command, intreats.
    Qu. That at her hands, which the kings King forbids.
    Rich. Say she shall be a High and Mighty Queene.
    Qu. To vaile the Title, as her Mother doth.
    Rich. Say I will loue her euerlastingly.
    3135Qu. But how long shall that title euer last?
    Rich. Sweetly in force, vnto her faire liues end.
    Qu. But how long fairely shall her sweet life last?
    Rich. As long as Heauen and Nature lengthens it.
    Qu. As long as Hell and Richard likes of it.
    3140Rich. Say, I her Soueraigne, am her Subiect low.
    Qu. But she your Subiect, lothes such Soueraignty.
    Rich. Be eloquent in my behalfe to her.
    Qu. An honest tale speeds best, being plainly told.
    Rich. Then plainly to her, tell my louing tale.
    3145Qu. Plaine and not honest, is too harsh a style.
    Rich. Your Reasons are too shallow, and to quicke.
    Qu. O no, my Reasons are too deepe and dead,
    Too deepe and dead (poore Infants) in their graues,
    Harpe on it still shall I, till heart-strings breake.
    3150Rich. Harpe not on that string Madam, that is past.
    Now by my George, my Garter, and my Crowne.
    Qu. Prophan'd, dishonor'd, and the third vsurpt.
    Rich. I sweare.
    Qu. By nothing, for this is no Oath:
    3155Thy George prophan'd, hath lost his Lordly Honor;
    Thy Garter blemish'd, pawn'd his Knightly Vertue;
    Thy Crowne vsurp'd, disgrac'd his Kingly Glory:
    If something thou would'st sweare to be beleeu'd,
    Sweare then by something, that thou hast not wrong'd.
    3160Rich. Then by my Selfe.
    Qu. Thy Selfe, is selfe-misvs'd.
    Rich. Now by the World.
    Qu. 'Tis full of thy foule wrongs.
    Rich. My Fathers death.
    3165Qu. Thy life hath it dishonor'd.
    Rich. Why then, by Heauen.
    Qu. Heanens wrong is most of all:
    If thou didd'st feare to breake an Oath with him,
    The vnity the King my husband made,
    3170Thou had'st not broken, nor my Brothers died.
    If thou had'st fear'd to breake an oath by him,
    Th' Imperiall mettall, circling now thy head,
    Had grac'd the tender temples of my Child,
    And both the Princes had bene breathing heere,
    3175Which now two tender Bed-fellowes for dust,
    Thy broken Faith hath made the prey for Wormes.
    What can'st thou sweare by now.
    Rich. The time to come.
    Qu. That thou hast wronged in the time ore-past:
    3180For I my selfe haue many teares to wash
    Heereafter time, for time past, wrong'd by thee.
    The Children liue, whose Fathers thou hast slaughter'd,
    Vngouern'd youth, to waile it with their age:
    The Parents liue, whose Children thou hast butcher'd,
    3185Old barren Plants, to waile it with their Age.
    Sweare not by time to come, for that thou hast
    Misvs'd ere vs'd, by times ill-vs'd repast.
    Rich. As I entend to prosper, and repent:
    So thriue I in my dangerous Affayres
    3190Of hostile Armes: My selfe, my selfe confound:
    Heauen, and Fortune barre me happy houres:
    Day, yeeld me not thy light; nor Night, thy rest.
    Be opposite all Planets of good lucke
    To my proceeding, if with deere hearts loue,
    3195Immaculate deuotion, holy thoughts,
    I tender not thy beautious Princely daughter.
    In her, consists my Happinesse, and thine:
    Without her, followes to my selfe, and thee;
    Her selfe, the Land, and many a Christian soule,
    3200Death, Desolation, Ruine, and Decay:
    It cannot be auoyded, but by this:
    It will not be auoyded, but by this.
    Therefore deare Mother (I must call you so)
    Be the Atturney of my loue to her:
    3205Pleade what I will be, not what I haue beene;
    Not my deserts, but what I will deserue:
    Vrge the Necessity and state of times,
    And be not peeuish found, in great Designes.
    Qu. Shall I be tempted of the Diuel thus?
    3210Rich. I, if the Diuell tempt you to do good.
    Qu. Shall I forget my selfe, to be my selfe.
    Rich. I, if your selfes remembrance wrong your selfe.
    Qu. Yet thou didst kil my Children.
    Rich. But in your daughters wombe I bury them.
    3215Where in that Nest of Spicery they will breed
    Selues of themselues, to your recomforture.
    Qu. Shall I go win my daughter to thy will?
    Rich. And be a happy Mother by the deed.
    Qu. I go, write to me very shortly,
    3220And you shal vnderstand from me her mind. Exit Q.
    Rich. Beare her my true loues kisse, and so farewell.
    Relenting Foole, and shallow-changing Woman.
    How now, what newes?
    Enter Ratcliffe.
    3225Rat. Most mightie Soueraigne, on the Westerne Coast
    Rideth a puissant Nauie: to our Shores
    Throng many doubtfull hollow-hearted friends,
    Vnarm'd, and vnresolu'd to beat them backe.
    'Tis thought, that Richmond is their Admirall:
    3230And there they hull, expecting but the aide
    Of Buckingham, to welcome them ashore.
    Rich. Some light-foot friend post to y^e Duke of Norfolk:
    Ratcliffe thy selfe, or Catesby, where is hee?
    Cat. Here, my good Lord.
    3235Rich. Catesby, flye to the Duke.
    Cat. I will, my Lord, with all conuenient haste.
    Rich. Catesby come hither, poste to Salisbury:
    When thou com'st thither: Dull vnmindfull Villaine,
    Why stay'st thou here, and go'st not to the Duke?
    3240Cat. First, mighty Liege, tell me your Highnesse pleasure,
    What from your Grace I shall deliuer to him.
    Rich. O true, good Catesby, bid him leuie straight
    The greatest strength and power that he can make,
    And meet me suddenly at Salisbury.
    3245Cat. I goe. Exit.
    Rat. What, may it please you, shall I doe at Salis-
    bury?
    Rich. Why, what would'st thou doe there, before I
    goe?
    3250Rat. Your Highnesse told me I should poste before.
    Rich. My minde is chang'd:
    Enter Lord Stanley.
    Stanley, what newes with you?
    Sta. None, good my Liege, to please you with y^e hearing,
    3255Nor none so bad, but well may be reported.
    Rich. Hoyday, a Riddle, neither good nor bad:
    What need'st thou runne so many miles about,
    When thou mayest tell thy Tale the neerest way?
    Once more, what newes?
    3260Stan. Richmond is on the Seas.
    Rich. There let him sinke, and be the Seas on him,
    White-liuer'd Runnagate, what doth he there?
    Stan. I know not, mightie Soueraigne, but by guesse.
    Rich. Well, as you guesse.
    3265Stan. Stirr'd vp by Dorset, Buckingham, and Morton,
    He makes for England, here to clayme the Crowne.
    Rich. Is the Chayre emptie? is the Sword vnsway'd?
    Is the King dead? the Empire vnpossest?
    What Heire of Yorke is there aliue, but wee?
    3270And who is Englands King, but great Yorkes Heire?
    Then tell me, what makes he vpon the Seas?
    Stan. Vnlesse for that, my Liege, I cannot guesse.
    Rich. Vnlesse for that he comes to be your Liege,
    You cannot guesse wherefore the Welchman comes.
    3275Thou wilt reuolt, and flye to him, I feare.
    Stan. No, my good Lord, therefore mistrust me not.
    Rich. Where is thy Power then, to beat him back?
    Where be thy Tenants, and thy followers?
    Are they not now vpon the Westerne Shore,
    3280Safe-conducting the Rebels from their Shippes?
    Stan. No, my good Lord, my friends are in the
    North.
    Rich. Cold friends to me: what do they in the North,
    When they should serue their Soueraigne in the West?
    3285Stan. They haue not been commanded, mighty King:
    Pleaseth your Maiestie to giue me leaue,
    Ile muster vp my friends, and meet your Grace,
    Where, and what time your Maiestie shall please.
    Rich. I, thou would'st be gone, to ioyne with Richmond:
    3290But Ile not trust thee.
    Stan. Most mightie Soueraigne,
    You haue no cause to hold my friendship doubtfull,
    I neuer was, nor neuer will be false.
    Rich. Goe then, and muster men: but leaue behind
    3295Your Sonne George Stanley: looke your heart be firme,
    Or else his Heads assurance is but fraile.
    Stan. So deale with him, as I proue true to you.
    Exit Stanley.
    Enter a Messenger.
    3300Mess. My gracious Soueraigne, now in Deuonshire,
    As I by friends am well aduertised,
    Sir Edward Courtney, and the haughtie Prelate,
    Bishop of Exeter, his elder Brother,
    With many moe Confederates, are in Armes.
    3305Enter another Messenger.
    Mess. In Kent, my Liege, the Guilfords are in Armes,
    And euery houre more Competitors
    Flocke to the Rebels, and their power growes strong.
    Enter another Messenger.
    3310Mess. My Lord, the Armie of great Buckingham.
    Rich. Out on ye, Owles, nothing but Songs of Death,
    He striketh him.
    There, take thou that, till thou bring better newes.
    Mess. The newes I haue to tell your Maiestie,
    3315Is, that by sudden Floods, and fall of Waters,
    Buckinghams Armie is dispers'd and scatter'd,
    And he himselfe wandred away alone,
    No man knowes whither.
    Rich. I cry thee mercie:
    3320There is my Purse, to cure that Blow of thine.
    Hath any well-aduised friend proclaym'd
    Reward to him that brings the Traytor in?
    Mess. Such Proclamation hath been made, my Lord.
    Enter another Messenger.
    3325Mess. Sir Thomas Louell, and Lord Marquesse Dorset,
    'Tis said, my Liege, in Yorkeshire are in Armes:
    But this good comfort bring I to your Highnesse,
    The Brittaine Nauie is dispers'd by Tempest.
    Richmond in Dorsetshire sent out a Boat
    3330Vnto the shore, to aske those on the Banks,
    If they were his Assistants, yea, or no?
    Who answer'd him, they came from Buckingham,
    Vpon his partie: he mistrusting them,
    Hoys'd sayle, and made his course againe for Brittaine.
    3335Rich. March on, march on, since we are vp in Armes,
    If not to fight with forraine Enemies,
    Yet to beat downe these Rebels here at home.
    Enter Catesby.
    Cat. My Liege, the Duke of Buckingham is taken,
    3340That is the best newes: that the Earle of Richmond
    Is with a mighty power Landed at Milford,
    Is colder Newes, but yet they must be told.
    Rich. Away towards Salsbury, while we reason here,
    A Royall batteil might be wonne and lost:
    3345Some one take order Buckingham be brought
    To Salsbury, the rest march on with me. Florish. Exeunt
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