Now is the winter of our discontent

1.1.243Made glorious summer by this sun of York,

1.1.354And all the clouds that loured upon our House

1.1.465In the deep bosom of the ocean buried.

1.1.576Now are our brows bound with victorious wreaths,

1.1.687Our bruisèd arms hung up for monuments,

1.1.798Our stern alarums changed to merry meetings,

1.1.8109Our dreadful marches to delightful measures.

1.1.91110Grim-visaged War hath smoothed his wrinkled front,

1.1.101211And now instead of mounting barbèd steeds

1.1.111312To fright the souls of fearful adversaries

1.1.121413He capers nimbly in a ladies' chamber

1.1.131514To the lascivious pleasing of a lute.

1.1.141615But I that am not shaped for sportive tricks,

1.1.151716Nor made to court an amorous looking-glass:

1.1.161817I that am rudely stamped and want love's majesty

1.1.171918To strut before a wanton, ambling nymph:

1.1.182019I that am curtailed of this fair proportion,

1.1.192120Cheated of feature by dissembling Nature,

1.1.202221Deformed, unfinished, sent before my time

1.1.212322Into this breathing world scarce half made up,

1.1.222423And that so lamely and unfashionable

1.1.232524That dogs bark at me as I halt by them:

1.1.242625Why I in this weak piping time of peace

1.1.252726Have no delight to pass away the time,

1.1.262827Unless to spy my shadow in the sun

1.1.272928And descant on mine own deformity.

1.1.283029And therefore since I cannot prove a lover

1.1.293130To entertain these fair, well-spoken days,

1.1.303231I am determinèd to prove a villain

1.1.313332And hate the idle pleasures of these days.

1.1.323433Plots have I laid, inductious, dangerous,

1.1.333534By drunken prophesies, libels and dreams

1.1.343635To set my brothers, Clarence and the King,

1.1.353736In deadly hate, the one against the other.

1.1.363837And if King Edward be as true and just

1.1.373938As I am subtle, false and treacherous,

1.1.384039This day should Clarence closely be mewed up

1.1.394140About a prophecy which says that "G"

1.1.404241Of Edward's heirs the murderer shall be.

1.1.414342Dive, thoughts, down to my soul,

Dive, thoughts, down to my soul, 43Here Clarence comes.

1.1.434544Brother, good days -- What means this armèd guard

1.1.444645That waits upon your grace?

His majesty, tendering my person's safety, 48hath appointed

1.1.4648This conduct to convey me to the Tower.

Upon what cause?

Because my name is George.

Alack, my lord, that fault is none of yours;

1.1.505252He should for that commit your godfathers --

1.1.515353Oh, belike his majesty hath some intent

1.1.525454That you shall be new christened in the Tower.

1.1.535555But what's the matter, Clarence, may I know?

Yea, Richard, when I know; for I protest

1.1.555757As yet I do not, but as I can learn,

1.1.565858He harkens after prophecies and dreams,

1.1.575959And from the cross-row plucks the letter "G"

1.1.586060And says a wizard told him that by "G"

1.1.596161His issue disinherited should be;

1.1.606262And for my name of George begins with "G"

1.1.616363It follows in his thought that I am he.

1.1.626464These, as I learn, and such like toys as these

1.1.636565Have moved his highness to commit me now.

Why, this it is when men are ruled by women;

1.1.656767'Tis not the King that sends you to the Tower:

1.1.666868My Lady Grey his wife, Clarence, 'tis she

1.1.676969That tempers him to this extremity.

1.1.687070Was it not she, and that good man of worship

1.1.697171Anthony Woodville her brother there,

1.1.707272That made him send Lord Hastings to the Tower,

1.1.717373From whence this present day he is delivered?

1.1.727474We are not safe, Clarence, we are not safe.

By heaven, I think there is no man is secured

1.1.747676But the Queen's kindred and night-walking heralds

1.1.757777That trudge betwixt the King and Mistress Shore.

1.1.767878Heard ye not what an humble suppliant

1.1.777979Lord Hastings was to her for his delivery?

Humbly complaining to her deity

1.1.798181Got my Lord Chamberlain his liberty.

1.1.808282I'll tell you what, I think it is our way,

1.1.818383If we will keep in favor with the King,

1.1.828484To be her men and wear her livery.

1.1.838585The jealous o'er-worn widow and herself,

1.1.848686Since that our brother dubbed them gentlewomen,

1.1.858787Are mighty gossips in this monarchy.

I beseech your graces both to pardon me;

1.1.878989His majesty hath straitly given in charge

1.1.889090That no man shall have private conference,

1.1.899191Of what degree soever, with his brother.

Even so? And please your worship Brakenbury,

1.1.919393You may partake of anything we say.

1.1.929494We speak no treason, man: we say the King

1.1.939595Is wise and virtuous, and his noble Queen

1.1.949696Well struck in years, fair and not jealous.

1.1.959797We say that Shore's wife hath a pretty foot,

1.1.969898A cherry lip, a bonny eye, a passing pleasing tongue,

1.1.979999And that the Queen's kindred are made gentlefolks.

1.1.98100100How say you, sir, can you deny all this?

With this, my lord, myself have nought to 102do.

Naught to do with Mistress Shore? I tell thee fellow,

1.1.101104103He that doth naught with her, excepting one,

1.1.102105104Were best he do it secretly, alone.

What one, my lord?

Her husband, knave; wouldst thou betray me?

I beseech your grace 109 to pardon me and withal forbear

1.1.106110108Your conference with the noble Duke.

We know thy charge, Brakenbury, and will obey.

We are the Queen's abjects and must obey.

1.1.109113111Brother, farewell.

Brother, farewell. I will unto the King,

1.1.111114112And whatsoever you will employ me in,

1.1.112115113Were it to call King Edward's widow "sister",

1.1.113116114I will perform it to enfranchise you.

1.1.114117115Meantime this deep disgrace in brotherhood

1.1.115118116Touches me deeper than you can imagine.

1.1.118I know it pleaseth neither of us well.

Well, your imprisonment shall not be long:

1.1.120121119I will deliver you or lie for you;

1.1.121122120Meantime, have patience.

I must perforce; farewell.

Go, tread the path that thou shalt ne'er return,

1.1.125125123Simple, plain Clarence, I do love thee so

1.1.126126124That I will shortly send thy soul to heaven --

1.1.127127125If heaven will take the present at our hands.

1.1.128128126But who comes here, the new delivered Hastings?

Good time of day unto my gracious lord.

As much unto my good Lord Chamberlain.

1.1.132132130Well are you welcome to the open air.

1.1.133133131How hath your lordship brooked imprisonment?

With patience, noble lord, as prisoners must;

1.1.135135133But I shall live, my lord, to give them thanks

1.1.136136134That were the cause of my imprisonment.

No doubt, no doubt, and so shall Clarence too,

1.1.138138136For they that were your enemies are his

1.1.139139137And have prevailed as much on him as you.

More pity that the eagle should be mewed

1.1.141141139While kites and buzzards prey at liberty.

What news abroad?

No news so bad abroad as this at home:

1.1.144144142The King is sickly, weak and melancholy,

1.1.145145143And his physicians fear him mightily.

Now, by Saint Paul, this news is bad indeed;

1.1.147147145Oh, he hath kept an evil diet long

1.1.148148146And overmuch consumed his royal person;

1.1.149149147'Tis very grievous to be thought upon.

1.1.150150148What, is he in his bed?

He is.

Go you before and I will follow you.

1.1.154154151He cannot live, I hope, and must not die

1.1.155155152'Till George be packed with post-horse up to heaven.

1.1.156156153I'll in to urge his hatred more to Clarence

1.1.157157154With lies well steeled with weighty arguments

1.1.158158155And, if I fail not in my deep intent,

1.1.159159156Clarence hath not another day to live.

1.1.160160157Which done, God take King Edward to his mercy

1.1.161161158And leave the world for me to bustle in;

1.1.162162159For then I'll marry Warwick's youngest daughter.

1.1.163163160What though I killed her husband? And her father?

1.1.164164161The readiest way to make the wench amends

1.1.165165162Is to become her husband and her father,

1.1.166166163The which will I, not all so much for love

1.1.167167164As for another secret close intent

1.1.168168165By marrying her which I must reach unto.

1.1.169169166But yet I run before my horse to market:

1.1.170170167Clarence still breathes, Edward still lives and reigns;

1.1.171171168When they are gone, then must I count my gains.

Set down, set down your honorable load,

1.2.3176171If honor may be shrouded in a hearse,

1.2.4177172Whilst I a while obsequiously lament

1.2.5178173The untimely fall of virtuous Lancaster.

1.2.7179174Poor key-cold figure of a holy king,

1.2.8180175Pale ashes of the House of Lancaster,

1.2.9181176Thou bloodless remnant of that royal blood;

1.2.10182177Be it lawful that I invocate thy ghost

1.2.11183178To hear the lamentations of poor Anne,

1.2.12184179Wife to thy Edward, to thy slaughtered son,

1.2.13185180Stabbed by the selfsame hands that made these holes,

1.2.14186181Lo, in those windows that let forth thy life

1.2.15187182I pour the helpless balm of my poor eyes.

1.2.16188183Cursed be the hand that made these fatal holes,

1.2.17189184Cursed be the heart that had the heart to do it.

1.2.18191185More direful hap betide that hated wretch

1.2.19192186That makes us wretched by the death of thee

1.2.20193187Than I can wish to adders, spiders, toads,

1.2.21194188Or any creeping, venomed thing that lives.

1.2.22195189If ever he have child, abortive be it,

1.2.23196190Prodigious and untimely brought to light,

1.2.24197191Whose ugly and unnatural aspect

1.2.25198192May fright the hopeful mother at the view.

1.2.26200193If ever he have wife, let her be made

1.2.27201194As miserable by the death of him

1.2.28202195As I am made by my poor lord and thee.

1.2.29203196Come now, towards Chertsey with your holy load,

1.2.31204197Taken from Paul's to be interrèd there,

1.2.32205198And still as you are weary of the weight,

1.2.33206199Rest you whiles I lament King Henry's corse.

Stay, you that bear the corse, and set it down.

What black magician conjures up this fiend

1.2.37210203To stop devoted charitable deeds?

1.2.38211204Richard[Drawing his sword.]

Villain, set down the corse or by Saint Paul

1.2.39212205I'll make a corse of him that disobeys.

My lord, stand back and let the coffin pass.

Unmannered dog, 215stand thou when I command.

1.2.43216208Advance thy halberd higher than my breast

1.2.44217209Or by Saint Paul I'll strike thee to my foot

1.2.45218210And spurn upon thee, beggar, for thy boldness.

What? Do you tremble, are you all afraid?

1.2.48220212Alas, I blame you not, for you are mortal

1.2.49221213And mortal eyes cannot endure the devil.

1.2.50222214[To Richard] Avaunt, thou dreadful minister of hell.

1.2.51223215Thou hadst but power over his mortal body;

1.2.52224216His soul thou canst not have; therefore be gone.

Sweet saint, for charity, be not so curst.

Foul devil, 227for God's sake hence and trouble us not,

1.2.55228219For thou hast made the happy earth thy hell,

1.2.56229220Filled it with cursing cries and deep exclaims.

1.2.57230221If thou delight to view thy heinous deeds,

1.2.58231222Behold this pattern of thy butcheries.

1.2.60232223Oh gentlemen, see, see, dead Henry's wounds

1.2.61233224Open their congealed mouths and bleed afresh.

1.2.62234225Blush, blush, thou lump of foul deformity,

1.2.63235226For 'tis thy presence that exhales this blood

1.2.64236227From cold and empty veins where no blood dwells.

1.2.65237228Thy deed, inhuman and unnatural,

1.2.66238229Provokes this deluge most unnatural.

1.2.67239230O God which this blood madest, revenge his death;

1.2.68240231O Earth which this blood drink'st, revenge his death.

1.2.69241232Either heaven with lightning strike the murderer dead

1.2.70242233Or Earth gape open wide and eat him quick

1.2.71243234As thou dost swallow up this good King's blood

1.2.72244235Which his hell-governed arm hath butchered.

Lady, you know no rules of charity,

1.2.74246237Which renders good for bad, blessings for curses.

Villain, thou knowest no law of God nor man:

1.2.76248239No beast so fierce but knows some touch of pity.

But I know none, and therefore am no beast.

Oh wonderful, when devils tell the truth!

More wonderful when angels are so angry.

1.2.80252243Vouchsafe, divine perfection of a woman,

1.2.81253244Of these supposèd evils to give me leave

1.2.82254245By circumstance but to acquit myself.

Vouchsafe, defused infection of a man,

1.2.84256247For these known evils but to give me leave

1.2.85257248By circumstance to curse thy cursèd self.

Fairer than tongue can name thee, let me have

1.2.87259250Some patient leisure to excuse myself.

Fouler than heart can think thee, thou canst make

1.2.89261252No excuse current 262but to hang thyself.

By such despair I should accuse myself.

And by despairing shouldst thou stand excused

1.2.92265255For doing worthy vengeance on thyself

1.2.93266256Which didst unworthy slaughter upon others.

Say that I slew them not.

Why then they are not dead,

1.2.96269259But dead they are, and, devilish slave, by thee.

I did not kill your husband.

Why then he is alive.

Nay, he is dead, and slain by Edward's hand.

In thy foul throat thou liest. 274Queen Margaret saw

1.2.101275264Thy bloody falchion smoking in his blood,

1.2.102276265The which thou once didst bend against her breast,

1.2.103277266But that thy brothers beat aside the point.

I was provokèd by her slanderous tongue

1.2.105279268Which laid their guilt upon my guiltless shoulders.

Thou wast provokèd by thy bloody mind

1.2.107281270Which never dreamed on aught but butcheries;

1.2.108282271Didst thou not kill this King?

Didst thou not kill this King? I grant ye, yea.

Dost grant me, hedgehog? 285Then God grant me too

1.2.110286273Thou mayest be damnèd for that wicked deed;

1.2.111287274Oh, he was gentle, mild and virtuous.

The fitter for the King of Heaven that hath him.

He is in heaven where thou shalt never come.

Let him thank me that holp to send him thi291ther,

1.2.115292278For he was fitter for that place than earth.

And thou unfit for any place but hell.

Yes, one place else, if you will hear me name it.

Some dungeon.

Your bedchamber.

Ill rest betide the chamber where thou liest!

So will it, madam, till I lie with you.

I hope so.

I know so; but gentle Lady Anne,

1.2.124301286To leave this keen encounter of our wits

1.2.125302287And fall somewhat into a slower method,

1.2.126303288Is not the causer of the timeless deaths

1.2.127304289Of these Plantagenets, Henry and Edward,

1.2.128305290As blameful as the executioner?

Thou art the cause (*of that most cursed effect.

Your beauty was the cause of that effect,

1.2.131308293Your beauty which did haunt me in my sleep

1.2.132309294To undertake the death of all the world

1.2.133310295So I might rest one hour in your sweet bosom.

If I thought that, I tell thee, homicide,

1.2.135312297These nails should rend that beauty from my cheeks.

These eyes could never endure sweet beauty's wrack.

1.2.137314299You should not blemish them if I stood by.

1.2.138315300As all the world is cheerèd by the sun,

1.2.139316301So I by that, it is my day, my life.

Black night overshade thy day, and death thy life.

Curse not thyself, fair creature, 319thou art both.

I would I were, to be revenged on thee.

It is a quarrel most unnatural

1.2.144322306To be revenged on him that loveth you.

It is a quarrel just and reasonable

1.2.146324308To be revenged on him that slew my husband.

He that bereft thee, lady, of thy husband

1.2.148326310Did it to help thee to a better husband.

His better doth not breathe upon the earth.

Go to, he lives that loves you better than he could.

Name him.

Plantagenet.

Why that was he.

The self-same name, but one of better nature.

Where is he?

Here.

1.2.158335318Why dost thou spit at me?

Would it were mortal poison for thy sake.

Never came poison from so sweet a place.

Never hung poison on a fouler toad;

1.2.162339322Out of my sight, thou dost infect my eyes.

Thine eyes, sweet lady, have infected mine.

Would they were basilisks to strike thee dead.

I would they were, that I might die at once,

1.2.166343326For now they kill me with a living death.

1.2.168344327Those eyes of thine from mine have drawn salt tears,

1.2.169345328Shamed their aspect with store of childish drops.

1.2.170358329I never sued to friend nor enemy,

1.2.171359330My tongue could never learn sweet soothing words,

1.2.172360331But now thy beauty is proposed my fee

1.2.173361332My proud heart sues and prompts my tongue to speak.

1.2.175363333Teach not thy lips such scorn, for they were made

1.2.176364334For kissing, lady, not for such contempt.

1.2.177365335If thy revengeful heart cannot forgive,

1.2.178366336Lo, here I lend thee this sharp pointed sword,

1.2.180367337Which, if thou please to hide in this true bosom

1.2.181368338And let the soul forth that adoreth thee,

1.2.182369339I lay it naked to the deadly stroke

1.2.183370340And humbly beg the death upon my knee.

1.2.185372341Nay, do not pause, 'twas I that killed your husband,

1.2.186373342But 'twas thy beauty that provokèd me.

1.2.187374343Nay, now dispatch, 'twas I that killed King Henry,

1.2.188375344But 'twas thy heavenly face that set me on.

1.2.190377345Take up the sword again or take up me.

Arise dissembler, though I wish thy death,

1.2.192379347I will not be the executioner.

Then bid me kill myself and I will do it.

I have already.

Tush, that was in thy rage.

1.2.197383351Speak it again and, even with the word,

1.2.198384352That hand which for thy love did kill thy love

1.2.199385353Shall for thy love kill a far truer love.

1.2.200386354To both their deaths shalt thou be accessory.

I would I knew thy heart.

'Tis figured in my tongue.

I fear me both are false.

Then never was man true.

Well, well, put up your sword.

Say then my peace is made.

That shall you know hereafter.

But shall I live in hope?

All men, I hope, live so.

Vouchsafe to wear this ring.

To take is not to give.

Look how this ring encompasseth thy finger:

1.2.216398367Even so thy breast encloseth my poor heart.

1.2.217399368Wear both of them, for both of them are thine,

1.2.218400369And if thy poor, devoted suppliant may

1.2.219401370But beg one favor at thy gracious hand

1.2.220402371Thou dost confirm his happiness for ever.

What is it?

That it would please thee leave these sad designs

1.2.223405374To him that hath more cause to be a mourner

1.2.224406375And presently repair to Crosby Place

1.2.225407376Where, after I have solemnly interred

1.2.226408377At Chertsey Monastery this noble King

1.2.227409378And wet his grave with my repentant tears,

1.2.228410379I will with all expedient duty see you.

1.2.229411380For divers unknown reasons, I beseech you

1.2.230412381Grant me this boon.

With all my heart, and much it joys me too

1.2.232414383To see you are become so penitent.

1.2.233415384Tressill and Barkley, go along with me.

Bid me farewell.

'Tis more than you deserve:

1.2.236418387But since you teach me how to flatter you,

1.2.237419388Imagine I have said farewell already.

Sirs, take up the corse.

Towards Chertsey, noble lord?

No, to Whitefriars; there attend my coming.

1.2.244424392Was ever woman in this humor wooed?

1.2.245425393Was ever woman in this humor won?

1.2.246426394I'll have her, but I will not keep her long.

1.2.247427395What, I that killed her husband and his father,

1.2.248428396To take her in her heart's extremest hate,

1.2.249429397With curses in her mouth, tears in her eyes,

1.2.250430398The bleeding witness of her hatred by,

1.2.251431399Having God, her conscience, and these bars against me,

1.2.252432400And I nothing to back my suit at all

1.2.253433401But the plain devil and dissembling looks,

1.2.254434402And yet to win her? All the world to nothing. 435Hah!

1.2.255436403Hath she forgot already that brave Prince,

1.2.256437404Edward, her lord, whom I some three months since

1.2.257438405Stabbed in my angry mood at Tewkesbury?

1.2.258439406A sweeter and a lovelier gentleman

1.2.259440407Framed in the prodigality of nature,

1.2.260441408Young, valiant, wise, and no doubt right royal,

1.2.261442409The spacious world cannot again afford.

1.2.262443410And will she yet debase her eyes on me

1.2.263444411That cropped the golden prime of this sweet Prince

1.2.264445412And made her widow to a woeful bed;

1.2.265446413On me whose all not equals Edward's moiety;

1.2.266447414On me that halt, and am unshapen thus --

1.2.267448415My dukedom to a beggarly denier,

1.2.268449416I do mistake my person all this while!

1.2.269450417Upon my life she finds, although I cannot,

1.2.270451418Myself to be a marvellous proper man.

1.2.271452419I'll be at charges for a looking glass

1.2.272453420And entertain some score or two of tailors

1.2.273454421To study fashions to adorn my body.

1.2.274455422Since I am crept in favor with myself

1.2.275456423I will maintain it with some little cost --

1.2.276457424But first I'll turn yon fellow in his grave

1.2.277458425And then return lamenting to my love.

1.2.278459426Shine out, fair sun, till I have bought a glass

1.2.279460427That I may see my shadow as I pass.

Have patience, madam, there's no doubt his majesty

1.3.3465430Will soon recover his accustomed health.

In that you brook it ill, it makes him worse.

1.3.5467432Therefore, for God's sake, entertain good comfort,

1.3.6468433And cheer his grace with quick and merry words.

If he were dead, what would betide of me?

No other harm but loss of such a lord.

The loss of such a lord includes all harm.

The heavens have blessed you with a goodly son

1.3.11474438To be your comforter when he is gone.

Oh, he is young, and his minority

1.3.13476440Is put unto the trust of Richard Gloucester,

1.3.14477441A man that loves not me, nor none of you.

Is it concluded he shall be Protector?

It is determined, not concluded yet,

1.3.17480444But so it must be, if the King miscarry.

Here come the Lords of Buckingham and Stanley.

1.3.20483446Buckingham [To the Queen]

Good time of day unto your royal grace.

God make your majesty joyful as you have been.

The Countess Richmond, good my Lord of Stanley,

1.3.23486449To your good prayers will scarcely say "Amen".

1.3.24487450Yet Stanley, notwithstanding she's your wife

1.3.25488451And loves not me, be you, good lord, assured

1.3.26489452I hate not you for her proud arrogance.

I do beseech you, either not believe

1.3.28491454The envious slanders of her false accusers

1.3.29492455Or, if she be accused in true report,

1.3.30493456Bear with her weakness which I think proceeds

1.3.31494457From wayward sickness, and no grounded malice.

Saw you the King today, my Lord of Stanley?

But now the Duke of Buckingham and I

1.3.34497460Came from visiting his majesty.

With likelihood of his amendment, lords?

Madam, good hope, his grace speaks cheerfully.

God grant him health! Did you confer with him?

Madam, we did. He desires to make atonement

1.3.39502465Betwixt the Duke of Gloucester and your brothers,

1.3.40503466And betwixt them and my Lord Chamberlain,

1.3.41504467And sent to warn them to his royal presence.

Would all were well, but that will never be.

1.3.43506469I fear our happiness is at the highest.

They do me wrong and I will not endure it!

1.3.46509471Who are they that complains unto the King

1.3.47510472That I forsooth am stern and love them not?

1.3.48511473By holy Paul, they love his grace but lightly

1.3.49512474That fill his ears with such dissentious rumors.

1.3.50513475Because I cannot flatter and speak fair,

1.3.51514476Smile in men's faces, smooth, deceive and cog,

1.3.52515477Duck with French nods and apish courtesy,

1.3.53516478I must be held a rancorous enemy.

1.3.54517479Cannot a plain man live and think no harm

1.3.55518480But thus his simple truth must be abused

1.3.56519481By silken, sly, insinuating jacks?

To whom in all this presence speaks your grace?

To thee that hast nor honesty nor grace!

1.3.59522484When have I injured thee, when done thee wrong?

1.3.60523485Or thee, or thee, or any of your faction?

1.3.61524486A plague upon you all! His royal person,

1.3.62525487Whom God preserve better than you would wish,

1.3.63526488Cannot be quiet scarce a breathing while

1.3.64527489But you must trouble him with lewd complaints.

Brother of Gloucester, you mistake the matter.

1.3.66529491The King, of his own royal disposition

1.3.67530492And not provoked by any suitor else,

1.3.68531493Aiming belike at your interior hatred

1.3.69532494Which in your outward actions shows itself

1.3.70533495Against my kindred, brother, and myself,

1.3.71534496Makes him to send that thereby he may gather

1.3.72534.1497The ground of your ill will and to remove it.

I cannot tell, the world is grown so bad

1.3.74536499That wrens make pray where eagles dare not perch.

1.3.75537500Since every jack became a gentleman

1.3.76538501There's many a gentle person made a jack.

Come, come, we know your meaning brother Gloucester.

1.3.78540503You envy my advancement and my friends'.

1.3.79541504God grant we never may have need of you.

Meantime God grants that we have need of you.

1.3.81543506Our brother is imprisoned by your means,

1.3.82544507Myself disgraced, and the nobility

1.3.83545508Held in contempt, whilst many fair promotions

1.3.84546509Are daily given to enoble those

1.3.85547510That scarce some two days since were worth a noble.

By him that raised me to this careful height

1.3.87549512From that contented hap which I enjoyed,

1.3.88550513I never did incense his majesty

1.3.89551514Against the Duke of Clarence, but have been

1.3.90552515An earnest advocate to plead for him.

1.3.91553516My lord, you do me shameful injury

1.3.92554517Falsely to draw me in these vile suspects.

You may deny that you were not the cause

1.3.94556519Of my Lord Hastings' late imprisonment.

She may, my lord.

She may, Lord Rivers, why, who knows not so?

1.3.97559522She may do more, sir, than denying that;

1.3.98560523She may help you to many fair preferments

1.3.99561524And then deny her aiding hand therein

1.3.100562525And lay those honors on your high deserts.

1.3.101563526What may she not? She may, yea, marry, may she --

What, marry, may she?

What marry may she? Marry with a king,

1.3.104566529A bachelor, a handsome stripling too.

1.3.105567530Iwis your grandam had a worser match.

My Lord of Gloucester, I have too long borne

1.3.107569532Your blunt upbraidings and your bitter scoffs.

1.3.108570533By heaven, I will acquaint his majesty

1.3.109571534With those gross taunts I often have endured.

1.3.110572535I had rather be a country servant maid

1.3.111573536Than a great queen with this condition,

1.3.112574537To be thus taunted, scorned, and baited at.

1.3.114575538Small joy have I in being England's queen.

[Aside] And lessened be that small, God I beseech thee;

1.3.116578540Thy honor, state, and seat is due to me.

What? Threat you me with telling of the King?

1.3.118579.1542Tell him and spare not. Look, what I have said

1.3.119580543I will avouch in presence of the King;

1.3.120582544'Tis time to speak, 583my pains are quite forgot.

[Aside] Out, devil, 585I remember them too well.

1.3.122586546Thou slewest my husband Henry in the Tower,

1.3.123587547And Edward my poor son at Tewkesbury.

Ere you were Queen, 589yea, or your husband King,

1.3.125590549I was a packhorse in his great affairs,

1.3.126591550A weeder out of his proud adversaries,

1.3.127592551A liberal rewarder of his friends.

1.3.128593552To royalize his blood I spilled mine own. . .

1.3.129594553Queen Margaret[Aside]

Yea, and much better blood 595than his or thine.

In all which time you and your husband Grey

1.3.131597555Were factious for the House of Lancaster --

1.3.132598556[To Rivers] And Rivers, so were you. [To Elizabeth] Was not your husband

1.3.133599557In Margaret's battle at St Albans slain?

1.3.134600558Let me put in your minds, if yours forget,

1.3.135601559What you have been ere now, and what you are;

1.3.136602560Withal what I have been, and what I am.

1.3.137603561Queen Margaret[Aside]

A murderous villain, and so still thou art.

Poor Clarence did forsake his father Warwick,

1.3.139605563Yea, and forswore himself, which Jesu pardon. . .

1.3.140606564Queen Margaret[Aside]

Which God revenge.

To fight on Edward's party for the crown,

1.3.142608566And for his meed, poor lord, he is mewed up.

1.3.143609567I would to God my heart were flint like Edward's,

1.3.144610568Or Edward's soft and pitiful like mine;

1.3.145611569I am too childish, foolish for this world.

1.3.146612570Queen Margaret[Aside]

Hie thee to hell for shame and leave the world

1.3.147613571Thou cacodemon: there thy kingdom is.

My Lord of Gloucester, in those busy days,

1.3.149615573Which here you urge to prove us enemies,

1.3.150616574We followed then our lord, our lawful king;

1.3.151617575So should we you, if you should be our king.

If I should be? I had rather be a pedlar!

1.3.153619577Far be it from my heart, the thought of it.

As little joy, my lord, as you suppose

1.3.155621579You should enjoy, were you this country's king,

1.3.156622580As little joy may you suppose in me

1.3.157623581That I enjoy, being the queen thereof.

1.3.158624582Queen Margaret[Aside]

A little joy enjoys the queen thereof,

1.3.159625583For I am she, and altogether joyless.

1.3.160626584I can no longer hold me patient:

1.3.161627585[Coming forward.] Hear me you wrangling pirates that fall out

1.3.162628586In sharing that which you have pilled from me:

1.3.163629587Which of you trembles not that looks on me?

1.3.164630588If not that, I being queen, you bow like subjects,

1.3.165631589Yet that, by you deposed, you quake like rebels.

1.3.166632590[To Richard]O gentle villain, do not turn away.

Foul wrinkled witch, what mak'st thou in my sight?

But repetition of what thou hast marred,

1.3.169635593That will I make, before I let thee go:

1.3.170639594[To Richard] A husband and a son thou owest to me,

1.3.171640595[To Queen Elizabeth] And thou a kingdom, [To the others] all of you allegiance.

1.3.172641596The sorrow that I have by right is yours,

1.3.173642597And all the pleasures you usurp are mine.

The curse my noble father laid on thee

1.3.175644599When thou didst crown his warlike brows with paper

1.3.176645600And with thy scorn drew'st rivers from his eyes --

1.3.177646601And then to dry them gav'st the Duke a clout

1.3.178647602Steeped in the faultless blood of pretty Rutland --

1.3.179648603His curses then from bitterness of soul

1.3.180649604Denounced against thee, are all fallen upon thee,

1.3.181650605And God, not we, hath plagued thy bloody deed.

So just is God to right the innocent.

Oh, 'twas the foulest deed to slay that babe,

1.3.184653608And the most merciless that ever was heard of.

Tyrants themselves wept when it was reported.

No man but prophesied revenge for it.

Northumberland, then present, wept to see it.

What? Were you snarling all before I came,

1.3.189658613Ready to catch each other by the throat,

1.3.190659614And turn you all your hatred now on me?

1.3.191660615Did York's dread curse prevail so much with heaven

1.3.192661616That Henry's death, my lovely Edward's death,

1.3.193662617Their kingdom's loss, my woeful banishment

1.3.194663618Could all but answer for that peevish brat?

1.3.195664619Can curses pierce the clouds and enter heaven?

1.3.196665620Why then, give way dull clouds to my quick curses:

1.3.197666621If not by war, by surfeit die your King,

1.3.198667622As ours by murder to make him a King.

1.3.199668623Edward thy son, which now is Prince of Wales,

1.3.200669624For Edward my son, which was Prince of Wales,

1.3.201670625Die in his youth by like untimely violence.

1.3.202671626Thyself a queen, for me that was a queen,

1.3.203672627Outlive thy glory like my wretched self;

1.3.204673628Long mayst thou live to wail thy children's loss

1.3.205674629And see another, as I see thee now,

1.3.206675630Decked in thy rights as thou art stalled in mine;

1.3.207676631Long die thy happy days before thy death

1.3.208677632And, after many lengthened hours of grief,

1.3.209678633Die neither mother, wife, nor England's queen;

1.3.210679634Rivers and Dorset, you were standers by --

1.3.211680635And so wast thou, Lord Hastings -- when my son

1.3.212681636Was stabbed with bloody daggers. God, I pray him

1.3.213682637That none of you may live your natural age,

1.3.214683638But by some unlooked accident cut off.

Have done thy charm, thou hateful, withered hag.

And leave out thee? Stay, dog, for thou shalt hear me:

1.3.217686641If heaven have any grievous plague in store

1.3.218687642Exceeding those that I can wish upon thee,

1.3.219688643Oh, let them keep it till thy sins be ripe

1.3.220689644And then hurl down their indignation

1.3.221690645On thee, the troubler of the poor world's peace;

1.3.222691646The worm of conscience still begnaw thy soul;

1.3.223692647Thy friends suspect for traitors while thou livest

1.3.224693648And take deep traitors for thy dearest friends;

1.3.225694649No sleep close up that deadly eye of thine

1.3.226695650Unless it be whilst some tormenting dream

1.3.227696651Affrights thee with a hell of ugly devils,

1.3.228697652Thou elvish-marked, abortive, rooting hog!

1.3.229698653Thou that wast sealed in thy nativity

1.3.230699654The slave of Nature and the son of Hell,

1.3.231700655Thou slander of thy mother's heavy womb,

1.3.232701656Thou loathèd issue of thy father's loins,

1.3.233702657Thou rag of honor, thou detested --

Margaret.

Richard.

Ha?

I call thee not.

Then I cry thee mercy, for I had thought

1.3.239707662That thou hadst called me all these bitter names.

Why so I did, but looked for no reply.

1.3.241709664Oh, let me make the period to my curse.

'Tis done by me, and ends in "Margaret".

Thus have you breathed your curse against yourself.

Poor painted queen, vain flourish of my fortune,

1.3.245713668Why strewest thou sugar on that bottled spider

1.3.246714669Whose deadly web ensnareth thee about?

1.3.247715670Fool, fool, thou whet'st a knife to kill thyself.

1.3.248716671The time will come that thou shalt wish for me

1.3.249717672To help thee curse that poisonous bunch-backed toad.

False-boding woman, end thy frantic curse,

1.3.251719674Lest to thy harm thou move our patience.

Foul shame upon you, you have all moved mine.

Were you well served, you would be taught your duty.

To serve me well, you all should do me duty.

1.3.255723678Teach me to be your queen and you my subjects;

1.3.256724679Oh, serve me well and teach yourselves that duty.

Dispute not with her, she is lunatic.

Peace, Master Marquess, you are malapert,

1.3.259727682Your fire-new stamp of honor is scarce current.

1.3.260728683Oh, that your young nobility could judge

1.3.261729684What 'twere to lose it and be miserable;

1.3.262730685They that stand high have many blasts to shake them,

1.3.263731686And if they fall they dash themselves to pieces.

Good counsel, marry, learn it, learn it, Mar733quess.

It toucheth you, my lord, as much as me.

Yea, and much more, but I was born so high;

1.3.267736690Our eyrie buildeth in the cedar's top

1.3.268737691And dallies with the wind and scorns the sun.

And turns the sun to shade, alas, alas.

1.3.270739693Witness my son, now in the shade of death,

1.3.271740694Whose bright outshining beams thy cloudy wrath

1.3.272741695Hath in eternal darkness folded up;

1.3.273742696Your eyrie buildeth in our eyrie's nest;

1.3.274743697O God that seest it, do not suffer it.

1.3.275744698As it was won with blood, lost be it so.

Have done, for shame if not for charity.

Urge neither charity nor shame to me;

1.3.278747701Uncharitably with me have you dealt,

1.3.279748702And shamefully by you my hopes are butchered;

1.3.280749703My charity is outrage, life my shame,

1.3.281750704And in my shame, still live my sorrow's rage.

Have done.

O princely Buckingham, I will kiss thy hand

1.3.284753707In sign of league and amity with thee:

1.3.285754708Now fair befall thee and thy princely House;

1.3.286755709Thy garments are not spotted with our blood,

1.3.287756710Nor thou within the compass of my curse.

Nor no one here, for curses never pass

1.3.289758712The lips of those that breathe them in the air.

I'll not believe but they ascend the sky

1.3.291760714And there awake God's gentle, sleeping peace.

1.3.292761715[Aside, to Buckingham] O Buckingham, beware of yonder dog;

1.3.293762716Look, when he fawns he bites, and when he bites

1.3.294763717His venom tooth will rankle thee to death;

1.3.295764718Have not to do with him, beware of him,

1.3.296765719Sin, Death and Hell have set their marks on him,

1.3.297766720And all their ministers attend on him.

What doth she say, my Lord of Buckingham?

Nothing that I respect, my gracious lord.

What, dost thou scorn me 770for my gentle counsel

1.3.301771724And soothe the devil that I warn thee from?

1.3.302772725O but remember this another day

1.3.303773726When he shall split thy very heart with sorrow

1.3.304774727And say poor Margaret was a prophetess:

1.3.305775728Live each of you the subjects of his hate,

1.3.306776729And he to yours, and all of you to God's.

My hair doth stand on end to hear her curses.

And so doth mine; I wonder she's at liberty.

I cannot blame her, by God's holy mother.

1.3.311780733She hath had too much wrong, and I repent

1.3.312781734My part thereof that I have done.

I never did her any to my knowledge.

But you have all the vantage of this wrong.

1.3.315784737I was too hot to do somebody good

1.3.316785738That is too cold in thinking of it now.

1.3.317786739Marry, as for Clarence, he is well repaid;

1.3.318787740He is franked up to fatting for his pains;

1.3.319788741God pardon them that are the cause of it.

A virtuous and a Christian-like conclusion

1.3.321790743To pray for them that have done scathe to us.

So do I ever, being well advised,

1.3.323793745For had I cursed now, I had cursed myself.

Madam, his majesty doth call for you,

1.3.326796747And for your grace, and you my noble lord.

Catesby, we come. Lords, will you go with us?

Madam, we will attend your grace.

I do the wrong, and first began to brawl.

1.3.331801751The secret mischiefs that I set abroach

1.3.332802752I lay unto the grievous charge of others;

1.3.333803753Clarence, whom I indeed have laid in darkness,

1.3.334804754I do beweep to many simple gulls --

1.3.335805755Namely to Hastings, Stanley, Buckingham --

1.3.336806756And say it is the Queen and her allies

1.3.337807757That stir the King against the Duke my brother.

1.3.338808758Now they believe me, and withal whet me

1.3.339809759To be revenged on Rivers, Vaughan, Grey;

1.3.340810760But then I sigh, and with a piece of scripture

1.3.341811761Tell them that God bids us do good for evil,

1.3.342812762And thus I clothe my naked villainy

1.3.343813763With old odd ends stolen out of holy writ,

1.3.344814764And seem a saint when most I play the devil --

1.3.345816765But soft, here come my executioners.

1.3.347817766How now, my hardy, stout-resolvèd mates,

1.3.348818767Are you now going to despatch this deed?

We are my lord, and come to have the warrant

1.3.350820769That we may be admitted where he is.

It was well thought upon, I have it here about me.

1.3.353822771When you have done, repair to Crosby Place.

1.3.354823772But sirs, be sudden in the execution,

1.3.355824773Withal obdurate, do not hear him plead,

1.3.356825774For Clarence is well spoken and perhaps

1.3.357826775May move your hearts to pity if you mark him.

Tush, fear not, my lord, we will not stand to prate;

1.3.359828777Talkers are no good doers; be assured

1.3.360829778We come to use our hands and not our tongues.

Your eyes drop millstones when fools' eyes 831drop tears.

1.3.362832780I like you lads, about your business.

Why looks your grace so heavily today?

Oh, I have passed a miserable night,

1.4.4839784So full of ugly sights, of ghastly dreams,

1.4.5840785That as I am a Christian, faithful man

1.4.6841786I would not spend another such a night

1.4.7842787Though 'twere to buy a world of happy days,

1.4.8843788So full of dismal terror was the time.

What was your dream? I long to hear you tell it.

Methoughts I was embarked for Burgundy,

1.4.11847791And in my company my brother Gloucester

1.4.12848792Who from my cabin tempted me to walk

1.4.13849793Upon the hatches; thence we looked toward England

1.4.14850794And cited up a thousand fearful times

1.4.15851795During the wars of York and Lancaster

1.4.16852796That had befallen us. As we paced along

1.4.17853797Upon the giddy footing of the hatches

1.4.18854798Methought that Gloucester stumbled, and in stumbling

1.4.19855799Struck me, that thought to stay him, overboard

1.4.20856800Into the tumbling billows of the main.

1.4.21857801Lord, Lord, methought what pain it was to drown,

1.4.22858802What dreadful noise of waters in my ears,

1.4.23859803What ugly sights of death within my eyes:

1.4.24860804Methought I saw a thousand fearful wracks,

1.4.25861805Ten thousand men that fishes gnawed upon,

1.4.26862806Wedges of gold, great anchors, heaps of pearl,

1.4.27863807Inestimable stones, unvalued jewels;

1.4.28865808Some lay in dead men's skulls, and in those holes

1.4.29866809Where eyes did once inhabit, there were crept,

1.4.30867810As 'twere in scorn of eyes, reflecting gems

1.4.31868811Which wooed the slimy bottom of the deep

1.4.32869812And mocked the dead bones that lay scattered by.

Had you such leisure in the time of death

1.4.34871814To gaze upon the secrets of the deep?

Methought I had, 873for still the envious flood

1.4.36874816Kept in my soul, and would not let it forth

1.4.37875817To seek the empty, vast and wandering air,

1.4.38876818But smothered it within my panting bulk

1.4.39877819Which almost burst to belch it in the sea.

Awaked you not with this sore agony?

Oh no, my dream was lengthened after life.

1.4.42880822Oh, then began the tempest to my soul,

1.4.43881823Who passed, methought, the melancholy flood,

1.4.44882824With that grim ferryman which poets write of,

1.4.45883825Unto the kingdom of perpetual night.

1.4.46884826The first that there did greet my stranger soul

1.4.47885827Was my great father-in-law, renownèd Warwick,

1.4.48886828Who cried aloud, "What scourge for perjury

1.4.49887829Can this dark monarchy afford false Clarence?"

1.4.50888830And so he vanished; then came wandring by

1.4.51889831A shadow like an angel in bright hair,

1.4.52890832Dabbled in blood, and he squeaked out aloud,

1.4.53891833"Clarence is come, false, fleeting, perjured Clarence

1.4.54892834That stabbed me in the field by Tewkesbury.

1.4.55893835Seize on him, Furies, take him to your torments."

1.4.56894836With that, methoughts, a legion of foul fiends

1.4.57895837Environed me about and howled in mine ears

1.4.58896838Such hideous cries that with the very noise

1.4.59897839I trembling waked, and for a season after

1.4.60898840Could not believe but that I was in hell,

1.4.61899841Such terrible impression made the dream.

No marvel, my lord, though it affrighted you.

1.4.63901843I promise you, I am afraid to hear you tell it.

O Brakenbury, I have done those things

1.4.65903845Which now bear evidence against my soul

1.4.66904846For Edward's sake, and see how he requites me.

1.4.67909847I pray thee, gentle keeper, stay by me;

1.4.68910848My soul is heavy and I fain would sleep.

I will, my lord, God give your grace good rest.

1.4.71913850Sorrow breaks seasons, and reposing hours

1.4.72914851Makes the night morning and the noontide night.

1.4.73915852Princes have but their titles for their glories,

1.4.74916853An outward honor for an inward toil,

1.4.75917854And for unfelt imagination

1.4.76918855They often feel a world of restless cares;

1.4.77919856So that betwixt their titles and low names

1.4.78920857There's nothing differs but the outward fame.

1.4.80923859In God's name, what are you, and how came 924you hither?

I would speak with Clarence, and I came hi926ther on my legs.

Yea, are you so brief?

Oh sir, it is better to be brief than tedious.

1.4.84929863[To the first executioner] Show him our commission, talk no more.

I am in this commanded to deliver

1.4.87931865The noble Duke of Clarence to your hands.

1.4.88932866I will not reason what is meant hereby

1.4.89933867Because I will be guiltless of the meaning.

1.4.90934868Here are the keys, there sits the Duke asleep;

1.4.91935869I'll to his majesty, and certify his grace

1.4.92936870That thus I have resigned my charge to you.

Do so, it is a point of wisdom.

What, shall I stab him as he sleeps?

No, then he will say it was done cowardly when he wakes.

When he wakes? Why, fool, he shall never wake till the judg942ment day.

Why, then he will say we stabbed him sleeping.

The urging of that word "judgment" hath bred a 945kind of remorse in me.

What? Art thou afraid?

Not to kill him, having a warrant for it, 948but to be damned for killing him, from which 949no warrant can defend us.

Back to the Duke of Gloucester, tell him so.

I pray thee stay a while, 954I hope my holy humor will change; 955'twas wont to hold me but while one would tell twenty.

How dost thou feel thyself now?

Faith, some certain dregs of conscience are yet with958in me.

Remember our reward when the deed is done.

Zounds, he dies! I had forgot the reward.

Where is thy conscience now?

In the Duke of Gloucester's purse.

So when he opens his purse to give us our reward, 964thy conscience flies out.

Let it go, there's few or none will 966entertain it.

How if it come to thee again?

I'll not meddle with it, it is a dangerous thing. It makes a man a coward: 969a man cannot steal but it accuses him; he cannot 970swear but it checks him; he cannot lie with his 971neighbor's wife but it detects him. It is a blushing 972shamefaced spirit that mutinies in a man's bosom: it 973fills one full of obstacles. It made me once restore a 974purse of gold that I found. It beggars any 975man that keeps it: it is turned out of all towns and cit976ies for a dangerous thing, and every man that means to 977live well endeavors to trust to himself, and to live with978out it.

Zounds, it is even now at my elbow persuading me not to 980kill the Duke.

Take the devil in thy mind and believe him not. 982He would insinuate with thee to make thee sigh.

Tut, I am strong in fraud, he cannot prevail with me, I warrant thee.

Spoke like a tall fellow that respects his reputation. 985Come, shall we to this gear?

Take him over the costard with the hilts of thy 987sword, and then we will chop him in the malmsey butt in 988the next room.

Oh, excellent device, make a sop of him.

Hark, he stirs, 991shall I strike?

No, first let's reason with him.

Where art thou, keeper, give me a cup of wine.

You shall have wine enough, my lord, anon.

In God's name, what art thou?

A man, as you are.

But not as I am, royal.

Nor you as we are, loyal.

Thy voice is thunder, but thy looks are humble.

My voice is now the King's, my looks mine own.

How darkly and how deadly dost thou speak.

1.4.1321003929Tell me who are you, wherefore come you hither?

To, to, to. . .

To murder me?

1.4.1351006Both Aye.

You scarcely have the hearts to tell me so,

1.4.1371008933And therefore cannot have the hearts to do it.

1.4.1381009934Wherein, my friends, have I offended you?

Offended us you have not, but the King.

I shall be reconciled to him again.

Never, my lord, therefore prepare to die.

Are you called forth from out a world of men

1.4.1431014939To slay the innocent? What is my offence?

1.4.1441015940Where are the evidence that do accuse me?

1.4.1451016941What lawful quest have given their verdict up

1.4.1461017942Unto the frowning judge, or who pronounced

1.4.1471018943The bitter sentence of poor Clarence' death

1.4.1481019944Before I be convict by course of law?

1.4.1491020945To threaten me with death is most unlawful.

1.4.1501021946I charge you as you hope to have redemption,

1.4.1511021.1947By Christ's dear blood shed for our grievous sins,

1.4.1521022948That you depart and lay no hands on me.

1.4.1531023949The deed you undertake is damnable.

What we will do, we do upon command.

And he that hath commanded is the King.

Erroneous vassal, the great King of Kings

1.4.1571027953Hath in the tables of his law commanded

1.4.1581028954That thou shalt do no murder, and wilt thou then

1.4.1591029955Spurn at his edict and fulfill a man's?

1.4.1601030956Take heed, for he holds vengeance in his hands

1.4.1611031957To hurl upon their heads that break his law.

And that same vengeance doth he throw on thee

1.4.1631033959For false forswearing, and for murder too.

1.4.1641034960Thou didst receive the holy sacrament

1.4.1651035961To fight in quarrel of the House of Lancaster . . .

And like a traitor to the name of God

1.4.1671037963Didst break that vow, and with thy treacherous blade

1.4.1681038964Unripped the bowels of thy sovereign's son. . .

Whom thou wert sworn to cherish and defend.

How canst thou urge God's dreadful law to us

1.4.1711041967When thou hast broke it in so dear degree?

Alas, for whose sake did I that ill deed?

1.4.1731043969For Edward, for my brother, for his sake.

1.4.1741044970Why, sirs, he sends ye not to murder me for this,

1.4.1751045971For in this sin he is as deep as I.

1.4.1761046972If God will be revengèd for this deed,

1.4.1771048973Take not the quarrel from his powerful arm.

1.4.1781049974He needs no indirect nor lawless course

1.4.1791050975To cut off those that have offended him.

Who made thee then a bloody minister

1.4.1811052977When gallant, springing, brave Plantagenet,

1.4.1821053978That princely novice, was struck dead by thee?

My brother's love, the devil, and my rage.

Thy brother's love, the devil and thy fault

1.4.1851056981Have brought us hither now to murder thee.

Oh, if you love my brother, hate not me;

1.4.1871058983I am his brother and I love him well.

1.4.1881059984If you be hired for meed, go back again

1.4.1891060985And I will send you to my brother Gloucester

1.4.1901061986Who will reward you better for my life

1.4.1911062987Than Edward will for tidings of my death.

You are deceived, 1064your brother Gloucester hates you.

Oh no, he loves me, and he holds me dear.

1.4.1941066990Go you to him from me.

Aye, so we will.

Tell him, when that our princely father York

1.4.1971069993Blessed his three sons with his victorious arm

1.4.1981069.1994And charged us from his soul to love each other,

1.4.1991070995He little thought of this divided friendship.

1.4.2001071996Bid Gloucester think of this and he will weep.

Aye, millstones, as he lessoned us to weep.

Oh do not slander him for he is kind.

Right, as snow in harvest; 1075thou deceiv'st thyself.

1.4.20410761000'Tis he hath sent us hither now to slaughter thee.

It cannot be, for when I parted with him

1.4.20610781002He hugged me in his arms, and swore with sobs

1.4.20710791003That he would labor my delivery.

Why so he doth, now he delivers thee

1.4.20910811005From this world's thralldom to the joys of heaven.

Make peace with God, for you must die, my lord.

Hast thou that holy feeling in thy soul

1.4.21210841008To counsel me to make my peace with God,

1.4.21310851009And art thou yet to thy own soul so blind

1.4.21410861010That thou wilt war with God by murdering me?

1.4.21510871011Ah sirs, consider, he that set you on

1.4.21610881012To do this deed will hate you for this deed.

What shall we do?

Relent, and save your souls.

Relent, 'tis cowardly and womanish.

Not to relent is beastly, savage, devilish.

1.4.22210981017My friend, I spy some pity in thy looks.

1.4.22310991018Oh, if thy eye be not a flatterer,

1.4.22411001019Come thou on my side and entreat for me;

1.4.22511011020A begging prince, what beggar pities not?

Aye, thus, and thus: if this will not serve,

1.4.22811041022I'll chop thee in the malmsey butt in the next room.

A bloody deed and desperately performed.

1.4.23111061024How fain like Pilate would I wash my hand

1.4.23211071025Of this most grievous, guilty murder done.

Why dost thou not help me?

1.4.23511091027By heavens, the Duke shall know how slack thou 1110art.

I would he knew that I had saved his brother.

1.4.23711121029Take thou the fee and tell him what I say,

1.4.23811131030For I repent me that the Duke is slain.

So do not I; go, coward as thou art.

1.4.24111151032Now must I hide his body in some hole

1.4.24211161033Until the Duke take order for his burial,

1.4.24311171034And when I have my meed I must away

1.4.24411181035For this will out and here I must not stay.

So, now I have done a good day's work.

2.1.311251038You peers, continue this united league;

2.1.411261039I every day expect an embassage

2.1.511271040From my Redeemer to redeem me hence:

2.1.611281041And now in peace my soul shall part to heaven

2.1.711291042Since I have set my friends at peace on earth.

2.1.811301043Rivers and Hastings, take each other's hand,

2.1.911311044Dissemble not your hatred, swear your love.

By heaven, my heart is purged from grudging hate,

2.1.1111331046And with my hand I seal my true heart's love.

So thrive I as I truly swear the like.

Take heed you dally not before your King

2.1.1511361049Lest he that is the supreme King of Kings

2.1.1611371050Confound your hidden falsehood, and award

2.1.1711381051Either of you to be the other's end.

So prosper I, as I swear perfect love.

And I, as I love Hastings with my heart.

Madam, yourself are not exempt in this,

2.1.2111421055Nor your son Dorset, Buckingham nor you.

2.1.2211431056You have been factious one against the other:

2.1.2311441057Wife, love Lord Hastings, let him kiss your hand,

2.1.2411451058And what you do, do it unfeignedly.

Here, Hastings, I will never more remember

2.1.2711471060Our former hatred, so thrive I and mine.

This interchange of love I here protest

2.1.2911511062Upon my part shall be inviolable.

And so swear I, my lord.

Now, princely Buckingham, seal thou this league

2.1.3311541065With thy embracements to my wife's allies

2.1.3411551066And make me happy in your unity.

Whenever Buckingham doth turn his hate

2.1.3611571068On you or yours; but with all duteous love

2.1.3711581069Doth cherish you and yours, God punish me

2.1.3811591070With hate in those where I expect most love:

2.1.3911601071When I have most need to employ a friend,

2.1.401161And most assurèd that he is a friend,

2.1.4111621072Deep, hollow, treacherous and full of guile

2.1.4211631073Be he unto me; this do I beg of God

2.1.4311641074When I am cold in zeal to you or yours.

A pleasing cordial, princely Buckingham,

2.1.4611661076Is this thy vow unto my sickly heart.

2.1.4711671077There wanteth now our brother Gloucester here

2.1.4811681078To make the perfect period of this peace.

And in good time 1170here comes the noble Duke.

Good morrow to my sovereign King and Queen,

2.1.5211731081And princely peers, a happy time of day.

Happy indeed as we have spent the day:

2.1.5411751083Brother we have done deeds of charity,

2.1.5511761084Made peace of enmity, fair love of hate

2.1.5611771085Between these swelling, wrong-incensèd peers.

A blessèd labor, my most sovereign liege;

2.1.5811791087Amongst this princely heap, if any here

2.1.5911801088By false intelligence or wrong surmise

2.1.6011811089Hold me a foe; if I unwittingly or in my rage

2.1.6111821090Have aught committed that is hardly borne

2.1.6211831091By any in this presence, I desire

2.1.6311841092To reconcile me to his friendly peace.

2.1.6411851093'Tis death to me to be at enmity;

2.1.6511861094I hate it, and desire all good men's love.

2.1.6611871095First, madam, I entreat true peace of you

2.1.6711881096Which I will purchase with my duteous service;

2.1.6811891097Of you my noble cousin Buckingham

2.1.6911901098If ever any grudge were lodged between us.

2.1.7011911099Of you Lord Rivers, and Lord Grey of you,

2.1.7111921100That all without desert have frowned on me,

2.1.7211941101Dukes, earls, lords, gentlemen, indeed of all:

2.1.7311951102I do not know that Englishman alive

2.1.7411961103With whom my soul is any jot at odds

2.1.7511971104More than the infant that is born tonight;

2.1.7611981105I thank my God for my humility.

A holy day shall this be kept hereafter.

2.1.7812001107I would to God all strifes were well compounded:

2.1.7912011108My sovereign liege, I do beseech your majesty

2.1.8012021109To take our brother Clarence to your grace.

Why madam, have I offered love for this,

2.1.8212041111To be thus scornèd in this royal presence?

2.1.8312051112Who knows not that the noble Duke is dead?

2.1.8512061113You do him injury to scorn his corse.

Who knows not he is dead? 1208Who knows he is?

All seeing heaven, what a world is this?

Look I so pale, Lord Dorset, as the rest?

Aye my good lord, and no one in this presence

2.1.9012121118But his red color hath forsook his cheeks.

Is Clarence dead! The order was reversed.

But he, poor soul, by your first order died,

2.1.9312151121And that a winged Mercury did bear.

2.1.9412161122Some tardy cripple bore the countermand

2.1.9512171123That came too lag to see him burièd.

2.1.9612181124God grant that some less noble and less

loyal,

2.1.9712191125Nearer in bloody thoughts but not in blood,

2.1.9812201126Deserve not worse than wretched Clarence did,

2.1.9912211127And yet go current from suspicion.

A boon, my sovereign, for my service done.

I pray thee, peace, my soul is full of sorrow.

I will not rise unless your highness grant.

Then speak at once, what is it thou demand'st.

The forfeit, sovereign, of my servant's life

2.1.10612281133Who slew today a riotous gentleman

2.1.10712291134Lately attendant on the Duke of Norfolk.

Have I a tongue to doom my brother's death

2.1.10912311136And shall the same give pardon to a slave?

2.1.11012321137My brother slew no man, his fault was thought,

2.1.11112331138And yet his punishment was cruel death.

2.1.11212341139Who sued to me for him? Who in my rage

2.1.11312351140Kneeled at my feet and bade me be advised?

2.1.11412361141Who spoke of brotherhood? who spoke of love?

2.1.11512371142Who told me how the poor soul did forsake

2.1.11612381143The mighty Warwick and did fight for me;

2.1.11712391144Who told me, in the field by Tewkesbury

2.1.11812401145When Oxford had me down, he rescued me

2.1.11912411146And said, "Dear brother, live and be a king?"

2.1.12012421147Who told me, when we both lay in the field

2.1.12112431148Frozen almost to death, how he did lap me

2.1.12212441149Even in his own garments, and gave himself

2.1.12312451150All thin and naked to the numbcold night?

2.1.12412461151All this from my remembrance brutish wrath

2.1.12512471152Sinfully plucked, and not a man of you

2.1.12612481153Had so much grace to put it in my mind.

2.1.12712491154But when your carters or your waiting vassals

2.1.12812501155Have done a drunken slaughter, and defaced

2.1.12912511156The precious image of our dear Redeemer,

2.1.13012521157You straight are on your knees for "Pardon, pardon!"

2.1.13112531158And I, unjustly too, must grant it you.

2.1.13212541159But for my brother, not a man would speak,

2.1.13312551160Nor I, ungracious, speak unto myself

2.1.13412561161For him, poor soul. The proudest of you all

2.1.13512571162Have been beholding to him in his life,

2.1.13612581163Yet none of you would once plead for his life.

2.1.13712591164O God, I fear thy justice will take hold

2.1.13812601165On me, and you, and mine, and yours for this.

2.1.13912611166Come Hastings, help me to my closet; 1262oh, poor Clarence!

This is the fruit of rashness. Marked you not

2.1.14212641168How that the guilty kindred of the Queen

2.1.14312651169Looked pale when they did hear of Clarence' death?

2.1.14412661170Oh, they did urge it still unto the King.

2.1.14512671171God will revenge it. But come, let's in

2.1.14612681172To comfort Edward with our company.

Tell me, good granam, is our father dead?

No, boy.

Why do you wring your hands and beat your breast

2.2.512761177And cry, "Oh Clarence, my unhappy son?"

Why do you look on us and shake your head

2.2.712781179And call us wretches, orphans, castaways

2.2.812791180If that our noble father be alive?

My pretty cousins, you mistake me much.

2.2.1012811182I do lament the sickness of the King,

2.2.1112821183As loath to lose him, not your father's death.

2.2.1212831184It were lost labor to weep for one that's lost.

Then granam, you conclude that he is dead.

2.2.1412851186The King my uncle is too blame for this:

2.2.1512861187God will revenge it, whom I will importune

2.2.1612871188With daily prayers, all to that effect.

Peace, children, peace, the King doth love you well.

2.2.1812901190Incapable and shallow innocents,

2.2.1912911191You cannot guess who caused your father's death.

Granam we can: for my good uncle Gloucester

2.2.2112931193Told me the King, provokèd by the Queen,

2.2.2212941194Devised impeachments to imprison him.

2.2.2312951195And when he told me so he wept,

2.2.2412961196And hugged me in his arm, and kindly kissed my cheek,

2.2.2512971197And bade me rely on him as in my father,

2.2.2612981198And he would love me dearly as his child.

Oh, that deceit should steal such gentle shapes,

2.2.2813001200And with a virtuous vizard hide foul guile.

2.2.2913011201He is my son, yea, and therein my shame,

2.2.3013021202Yet from my dugs he drew not this deceit.

Think you my uncle did dissemble, granam?

Aye, boy.

I cannot think it -- [Wailing within] Hark, what noise is this?

Oh, who shall hinder me to wail and weep,

2.2.3613091207To chide my fortune and torment myself?

2.2.3713101208I'll join with black despair against my soul,

2.2.3813111209And to myself become an enemy.

What means this scene of rude impatience?

To make an act of tragic violence:

2.2.4113141212Edward, my lord, your son, our king is dead.

2.2.4213151213Why grow the branches now the root is withered?

2.2.4313161214Why wither not the leaves, the sap being gone?

2.2.4413171215If you will live, lament; if die, be brief

2.2.4513181216That our swift-wingèd souls may catch the King's,

2.2.4613191217Or like obedient subjects, follow him

2.2.4713201218To his new kingdom of perpetual rest.

2.2.4813211219Duchess[To the Queen]

Ah, so much interest have I in thy sorrow

2.2.4913221220As I had title in thy noble husband:

2.2.5013231221I have bewept a worthy husband's death

2.2.5113241222And lived by looking on his images.

2.2.5213251223But now two mirrors of his princely semblance

2.2.5313261224Are cracked in pieces by malignant death,

2.2.5413271225And I for comfort have but one false glass

2.2.5513281226Which grieves me when I see my shame in him.

2.2.5613291227Thou art a widow, yet thou art a mother

2.2.5713301228And hast the comfort of thy children left thee,

2.2.5813311229But death hath snatched my children from mine arms

2.2.5913321230And plucked two crutches from my feeble limbs,

2.2.6013331231Edward and Clarence. Oh, what cause have I

2.2.6113341232Thine being but moiety of my grief,

2.2.6213351233To overgo thy plaints and drown thy cries?

2.2.6313361234Boy[To the Queen]

Good aunt, you wept not for our father's death;

2.2.6413371235How can we aid you with our kindred's tears?

2.2.6513381236Girl[To the Queen]

Our fatherless distress was left unmoaned,

2.2.6613391237Your widow's dolors likewise be unwept.

Give me no help in lamentation;

2.2.6813411239I am not barren to bring forth laments:

2.2.6913421240All springs reduce their currents to mine eyes,

2.2.7013431241That I, being governed by the watery moon,

2.2.7113441242May send forth plenteous tears to drown the world.

2.2.7213451243Oh, for my husband, for my dear Lord Edward.

Oh, for our father, for our dear Lord Clarence.

Alas for both, both mine, Edward and Clarence.

What stay had I but Edward, and he is gone?

What stay had we but Clarence, and he is gone?

What stays had I but they, and they are gone?

Was never widow had so dear a loss.

Was never orphans had a dearer loss.

Was never mother had a dearer loss.

2.2.8113541252Alas, I am the mother of these moans;

2.2.8213551253Their woes are parcelled, mine are general.

2.2.8313561254She for an Edward weeps, and so do I.

2.2.8413571255I for a Clarence weep, so doth not she.

2.2.8513581256These babes for Clarence weep, and so do I.

2.2.861358.11257I for an Edward weep, so do not they.

2.2.8713591258Alas, you three, on me, threefold distressed,

2.2.8813601259Pour all your tears, I am your sorrow's nurse,

2.2.8913611260And I will pamper it with lamentations.

Madam, have comfort, all of us have cause

2.2.9213771262To wail the dimming of our shining star

2.2.9313781263But none can cure their harms by wailing them.

2.2.9413791264Madam my mother, I do cry you mercy,

2.2.9513801265I did not see your grace; humbly on my knee[Kneels.]

2.2.9613811266I crave your blessing.

God bless thee, and put meekness in thy mind,

2.2.9813831268Love, charity, obedience, and true duty.

Amen, [He stands.] [Aside] and make me die a good old man;

2.2.10013851270That's the butt end of a mother's blessing.

2.2.10113861271I marvel why her grace did leave it out.

You cloudy princes and heart-sorrowing peers

2.2.10313881273That bear this mutual heavy load of moan,

2.2.10413891274Now cheer each other in each other's love;

2.2.10513901275Though we have spent our harvest of this King

2.2.10613911276We are to reap the harvest of his son.

2.2.10713921277The broken rancor of your high-swollen hearts,

2.2.10813931278But lately splinted, knit, and joined together,

2.2.10913941279Must gently be preserved, cherished and kept.

2.2.11013951280Me seemeth good that with some little train

2.2.11113961281Forthwith from Ludlow the young Prince be fetched

2.2.11213971282Hither to London, to be crowned our King.

Then it be so, and go we to determine

2.2.11414181284Who they shall be that straight shall post to Ludlow.

2.2.11514191285Madam, and you my mother, will you go

2.2.11614201286To give your censures in this weighty business?

With all our hearts.

My lord, whoever journeys to the Prince,

2.2.12014231289For God's sake let not us two stay behind,

2.2.12114241290For by the way I'll sort occasion,

2.2.12214251291As index to the story we late talked of,

2.2.12314261292To part the Queen's proud kindred from the King.

My other self, my counsel's consistory,

2.2.12514281294My oracle, my prophet, my dear cousin!

2.2.12614291295I like a child will go by thy direction.

2.2.12714301296Towards Ludlow then, for we will not stay behind.

Neighbor well met, whither away so 1435fast?

I promise you, I scarcely know myself.

Hear you the news abroad?

Aye, that the King is dead.

Bad news by'rlady, seldom comes the better;

2.3.714401303I fear, I fear, 'twill prove a troublous world.

Good morrow neighbors.

2.3.1014441305Doth this news hold of good King Edward's death?

It doth.

2.3.1214463Then masters, look to see a troublous world.

No no, by God's good grace his son shall reign.

2.3.14144813083 Citizen Woe to that land that's governed by a child.

In him there is a hope of government

2.3.1614501310That, in his nonage, council under him,

2.3.1714511311And in his full and ripened years himself,

2.3.1814521312No doubt shall then, and till then, govern well.

So stood the state when Harry the Sixth

2.3.2014541314Was crowned at Paris but at nine months old.

Stood the state so? No, good my friend, not so,

2.3.2214561316For then this land was famously enriched

2.3.2314571317With politic grave counsel; then the King

2.3.2414581318Had virtuous uncles to protect his grace.

So hath this, both by the father and mother.

Better it were they all came by the father,

2.3.2714611321Or by the father there were none at all.

2.3.2814621322For emulation now, who shall be nearest

2.3.2914631323Will touch us all too near, if God prevent not.

2.3.3014641324Oh, full of danger is the Duke of Gloucester,

2.3.3114651325And the Queen's kindred haughty and proud,

2.3.3214661326And were they to be ruled and not to rule,

2.3.3314671327This sickly land might solace as before.

Come, come, we fear the worst, all shall be well.

When clouds appear, wise men put on their cloaks;

2.3.3614701330When great leaves fall, the winter is at hand;

2.3.3714711331When the sun sets, who doth not look for night?

2.3.3814721332Untimely storms make men expect a dearth;

2.3.3914731333All may be well, but if God sort it so

2.3.4014741334'Tis more than we deserve or I expect.

Truly the souls of men are full of dread.

2.3.4214761336Ye cannot almost reason with a man

2.3.4314771337That looks not heavily and full of fear.

Before the times of change still is it so.

2.3.4514791339By a divine instinct men's minds mistrust

2.3.4614801340Ensuing dangers, as by proof we see

2.3.4714811341The waters swell before a boisterous storm.

2.3.4814821342But leave it all to God. Whither away?

We are sent for to the justice.

And so was I, I'll bear you company.

Last night I hear they lay at Northampton.

2.4.314891347At Stony Stratford will they be tonight;

2.4.414901348Tomorrow or next day they will be here.

I long with all my heart to see the Prince;

2.4.614921350I hope he is much grown since last I saw him.

But I hear no, they say my son of York

2.4.814941352Hath almost overta'en him in his growth.

Aye mother, but I would not have it so.

Why, my young cousin, it is good to grow.

Grandam, one night as we did sit at supper,

2.4.1214981356My uncle Rivers talked how I did grow

2.4.1314991357More than my brother. "Aye", quoth my Nuncle Gloucester,

2.4.1415001358"Small herbs have grace, great weeds grow apace",

2.4.1515011359And since, methinks, I would not grow so fast:

2.4.1615021360Because sweet flowers are slow, and weeds make haste.

Good faith, good faith, the saying did not hold

2.4.1815041362In him that did object the same to thee;

2.4.1915051363He was the wretched'st thing when he was young,

2.4.2015061364So long a growing, and so leisurely,

2.4.2115071365That if this were a true rule, he should be gracious.

Why, madam, so no doubt he is.

I hope so too, but [yet] let mothers doubt.

Now, by my troth, if I had been remembered

2.4.2515111369I could have given my uncle's grace a flout

2.4.2615121370That should have nearer touched his growth than he did mine.

How, my pretty York? 1514I pray thee let me hear it.

Marry, they say my uncle grew so fast

2.4.2915161373That he could gnaw a crust at two hours old;

2.4.3015171374'Twas full two years ere I could get a tooth.

2.4.3115181375Granam, this would have been a biting jest.

I pray thee pretty York, who told thee so?

Granam, his nurse.

His nurse? Why she was dead ere thou wert born.

If 'twere not she, I cannot tell who told me.

A perilous boy, go to, you are too shrewd.

Good madam, be not angry with the child.

Pitchers have ears.

Here comes your son, Lord Marquess Dorset.

2.4.411384What news, Lord Marquess?

Such news, my lord, as grieves me to unfold.

How fares the Prince?

Well, madam, and in health.

What is thy news then?

Lord Rivers and Lord Grey 1533are sent to Pomfret,

2.4.471390With them 1534Sir Thomas Vaughan, prisoners.

Who hath committed them?

The mighty Dukes, Gloucester and Buckingham.

For what offence?

The sum of all I can I have disclosed.

2.4.5215391395Why or for what these nobles were committed

2.4.5315401396Is all unknown to me, my gracious lady.

Aye me, I see the downfall of our House;

2.4.5515421398The tiger now hath seized the gentle hind,

2.4.5615431399Insulting tyranny begins to jet

2.4.5715441400Upon the innocent and lawless throne.

2.4.5815451401Welcome destruction, death and massacre:

2.4.5915461402I see as in a map the end of all.

Accursèd and unquiet wrangling days,

2.4.6115481404How many of you have mine eyes beheld?

2.4.6215491405My husband lost his life to get the crown,

2.4.6315501406And often up and down my sons were tossed

2.4.6415511407For me to joy and weep their gain and loss;

2.4.6515521408And, being seated and domestic broils

2.4.6615531409Clean overblown, themselves the conquerors

2.4.6715541410Make war upon themselves, 1555blood against blood,

2.4.681411Self against self. O preposterous

2.4.6915561412And frantic Outrage, end thy damnèd spleen,

2.4.7015571413Or let me die, to look on death no more.

Come, come, my boy, we will to sanctuary.

I'll go along with you.

You have no cause.

My gracious lady, go,

2.4.7515631418And thither bear your treasure and your goods;

2.4.7615641419For my part, I'll resign unto your grace

2.4.7715651420The seal I keep, and so betide to me

2.4.7815661421As well I tender you and all of yours.

2.4.7915671422Come, I'll conduct you to the sanctuary.

Welcome, sweet Prince, to London, 1573to your chamber.

Welcome dear cousin, my thought's sovereign;

3.1.415751427The weary way hath made you melancholy.

No, uncle, but our crosses on the way

3.1.615771429Have made it tedious, wearisome and heavy.

3.1.715781430I want more uncles here to welcome me.

Sweet Prince, the untainted virtue of your years

3.1.915801432Hath not yet dived into the world's deceit,

3.1.1015811433Nor more can you distinguish of a man

3.1.1115821434Than of his outward show, which God he knows,

3.1.1215831435Seldom or never jumpeth with the heart.

3.1.1315841436Those uncles which you want were dangerous;

3.1.1415851437Your grace attended to their sugared words

3.1.1515861438But looked not on the poison of their hearts.

3.1.1615871439God keep you from them, and from such false friends.

God keep me from false friends, 1589but they were none.

My lord, the Mayor of London comes to greet 1591you.

God bless your grace with health and 1594happy days.

I thank you, good my lord, and thank you all.

3.1.2215961445I thought my mother and my brother York

3.1.2315971446Would long ere this have met us on the way.

3.1.2415981447Fie, what a slug is Hastings that he comes not

3.1.2515991448To tell us whether they will come or no.

And in good time, here comes the sweating 1602lord.

Welcome my lord. What, will our mother 1604come?

On what occasion, God he knows, not I,

3.1.3016061452The Queen your mother and your brother York

3.1.3116071453Have taken sanctuary. The tender Prince

3.1.3216081454Would fain have come with me to meet your grace

3.1.3316091455But by his mother was perforce withheld.

Fie, what an indirect and peevish course

3.1.3516111457Is this of hers! Lord Cardinal, will your grace

3.1.3616121458Persuade the Queen to send the Duke of York

3.1.3716131459Unto his princely brother presently?

3.1.3816141460If she deny, Lord Hastings go with him,

3.1.3916151461And from her jealous arms pluck him perforce.

My Lord of Buckingham, if my weak oratory

3.1.4116171463Can from his mother win the Duke of York,

3.1.4216181464Anon expect him here, but if she be obdurate

3.1.4316191465To mild entreaties, God in heaven forbid

3.1.4416201466We should infringe the holy privilege

3.1.4516211467Of blessèd sanctuary; not for all this land

3.1.4616221468Would I be guilty of so deep a sin.

You are too senseless-obstinate my lord,

3.1.4816241470Too ceremonious and traditional.

3.1.4916251471Weigh it but with the grossness of this age.

3.1.5016261472You break not sanctuary in seizing him;

3.1.5116271473The benefit thereof is always granted

3.1.5216281474To those whose dealings have deserved the place

3.1.5316291475And those who have the wit to claim the place.

3.1.5416301476This Prince hath neither claimed it nor deserved it

3.1.5516311477And therefore, in mine opinion, cannot have it.

3.1.5616321478Then taking him from thence that is not there

3.1.5716331479You break no privilege nor charter there.

3.1.5816341480Oft have I heard of sanctuary men,

3.1.5916351481But sanctuary children, never till now.

My lord you shall overrule my mind for once.

3.1.6116371483Come on Lord Hastings, will you go with me?

I go my lord. [Exeunt Hastings and the Cardinal.]

Good lords, make all the speedy haste you may.

3.1.6416401486Say uncle Gloucester, if our brother come,

3.1.6516411487Where shall we sojourn till our coronation?

Where it seems best unto your royal self.

3.1.6716431489If I may counsel you, some day or two

3.1.6816441490Your highness shall repose you at the Tower;

3.1.6916451491Then where you please, and shall be thought most fit

3.1.7016461492For your best health and recreation.

I do not like the Tower of any place.

3.1.7216481494Did Julius Caesar build that place, my lord?

He did, my gracious lord, begin that place

3.1.7416501496Which, since, succeeding ages have re-edified.

Is it upon record, or else reported

3.1.7616521498Successively from age to age, he built it?

Upon record my gracious lord.

But say, my lord, it were not registered,

3.1.7916551501Methinks the truth should live from age to age,

3.1.8016561502As 'twere retailed to all posterity,

3.1.8116571503Even to the general, all-ending day.

[Aside] So wise so young, they say, do never live long.

What say you, uncle?

I say, without characters fame lives long.

3.1.8516611507[Aside] Thus like the formal Vice, Iniquity,

3.1.8616621508I moralize two meanings in one word.

That Julius Caesar was a famous man;

3.1.8816641510With what his valor did enrich his wit,

3.1.8916651511His wit set down to make his valor live:

3.1.9016661512Death makes no conquest of this conqueror

3.1.9116671513For now he lives in fame, though not in life.

3.1.9216681514I'll tell you what, my cousin Buckingham.

What, my gracious lord?

And if I live until I be a man

3.1.9516711517I'll win our ancient right in France again

3.1.9616721518Or die a soldier as I lived a king.

[Aside] Short summers lightly have a forward spring.

Now in good time, here comes the Duke of 1676York.

Richard of York, how fares our loving bro1678ther?

Well, my dread lord, so must I call you now.

Aye, brother, to our grief as it is yours;

3.1.10316811525Too late he died that might have kept that title,

3.1.10416821526Which by his death hath lost much majesty.

How fares our cousin, noble Lord of York?

I thank you, gentle uncle. Oh, my lord,

3.1.10716851529You said that idle weeds are fast in growth:

3.1.10816861530The Prince my brother hath outgrown me far.

He hath, my lord.

And therefore is he idle?

Oh, my fair cousin, I must not say so.

Then he is more beholding to you than I.

He may command me as my sovereign,

3.1.11416921536But you have power in me as in a kinsman.

I pray you uncle, give me this dagger.

My dagger, little cousin, with all my heart.

A beggar, brother?

Of my kind uncle that I know will give,

3.1.11916971541And being but a toy, which is no grief to give.

A greater gift than that I'll give my cousin.

A greater gift, oh, that's the sword to it.

Aye, gentle cousin, were it light enough.

Oh, then I see you will part but with light gifts;

3.1.12417021546In weightier things you'll say a beggar nay.

It is too heavy for your grace to wear.

I weigh it lightly, were it heavier.

What, would you have my weapon, little lord?

I would, that I might thank you as you 1707call me.

How?

3.1.1301709York Little.

My Lord of York will still be cross in talk;

3.1.13217111553Uncle, your grace knows how to bear with him.

You mean, to bear me, not to bear with me:

3.1.13417131555Uncle, my brother mocks both you and me:

3.1.13517141556Because that I am little, like an ape,

3.1.13617151557He thinks that you should bear me on your shoulder.

With what a sharp-provided wit he reasons:

3.1.13817171559To mitigate the scorn he gives his uncle

3.1.13917181560He prettily and aptly taunts himself;

3.1.14017191561So cunning and so young is wonderful.

My lord, will't please you pass along?

3.1.14217211563Myself and my good cousin Buckingham

3.1.14317221564Will to your mother, to entreat of her

3.1.14417231565To meet you at the Tower and welcome you.

[To Prince Edward] What, will you go unto the Tower, my lord?

My Lord Protector needs will have it so.

I shall not sleep in quiet at the Tower.

Why, what should you fear?

Marry, my uncle Clarence' angry ghost.

3.1.15017291571My granam told me he was murdered there.

I fear no uncles dead.

Nor none that live, I hope.

And if they live, I hope I need not fear.

3.1.15417331575But come my lord, with a heavy heart,

3.1.15517341576Thinking on them, go I unto the Tower.

Think you, my lord, this little prating York

3.1.15817381579Was not incensèd by his subtle mother

3.1.15917391580To taunt and scorn you thus opprobriously?

No doubt, no doubt, oh, 'tis a perilous boy,

3.1.16117411582Bold, quick, ingenious, forward, capable,

3.1.16217421583He is all the mother's, from the top to toe.

Well, let them rest. Come hither, Catesby.[Catesby approaches Richard and Buckingham.]

3.1.16417441585Thou art sworn as deeply to effect what we intend

3.1.16517451586As closely to conceal what we impart.

3.1.16617461587Thou knowest our reasons urged upon the way;

3.1.16717471588What thinkest thou? Is it not an easy matter

3.1.16817481589To make William Lord Hastings of our mind

3.1.16917491590For the installment of this noble Duke

3.1.17017501591In the seat royal of this famous isle?

He for his father's sake so loves the Prince

3.1.17217521593That he will not be won to aught against him.

What thinkest thou then of Stanley, 1754what will he?

He will do all in all as Hastings doth.

Well then, no more but this:

3.1.17617571597Go, gentle Catesby, and as it were afar off,

3.1.17717581598Sound thou Lord Hastings, 1759how he stands affected

3.1.1781599Unto our purpose; if he be willing,

3.1.17917631600Encourage him and show him all our reasons.

3.1.18017641601If he be leaden, icy, cold, unwilling,

3.1.18117651602Be thou so too, and so break off your talk

3.1.18217661603And give us notice of his inclination,

3.1.18317671604For we tomorrow hold divided councils,

3.1.18417681605Wherein thyself shalt highly be employed.

Commend me to Lord William, tell him Catesby,

3.1.18617701607His ancient knot of dangerous adversaries

3.1.18717711608Tomorrow are let blood at Pomfret Castle;

3.1.18817721609And bid my friend, for joy of this good news,

3.1.18917731610Give Mistress Shore one gentle kiss the more.

Good Catesby, effect this business soundly.

My good lords both, with all the heed I may.

Shall we hear from you, Catesby, ere we sleep?

You shall my lord.

At Crosby Place, there shall you find us both.

Now my lord, 1781what shall we do if we perceive

3.1.19717821617William Lord Hastings will not yield to our complots?

Chop off his head, man -- 1784somewhat we will do;

3.1.19917851619And look when I am King, claim thou of me

3.1.20017861620The earldom of Hereford and the moveables

3.1.20117871621Whereof the King my brother stood possessed.

I'll claim that promise at your grace's hands.

And look to have it yielded with all willingness.

3.1.20417901624Come let us sup betimes, that afterwards

3.1.20517911625We may digest our complots in some form.

[Knocking at the door.]What ho, my lord.

[Within.] Who knocks at the door?

A messenger from the Lord Stanley.

What's o'clock?

Upon the stroke of four.

Cannot thy master sleep these tedious 1802nights?

So it should seem by that I have to say:

3.2.918041634First he commends him to your noble lordship.

And then?

And then he sends you word

3.2.1218071636He dreamed tonight the boar had razed his helm.

3.2.1318081637Besides, he says there are two councils held,

3.2.1418091638And that may be determined at the one

3.2.1518101639Which may make you and him to rue at the other.

3.2.1618111640Therefore he sends to know your lordship's pleasure,

3.2.1718121641If presently you will take horse with him

3.2.1818131642And with all speed post into the north

3.2.1918141643To shun the danger that his soul divines.