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  • Title: Richard the Third (Quarto 1, 1597)
  • Editor: Adrian Kiernander

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

    Richard the Third (Quarto 1, 1597)

    The Tragedy
    La. Why then he is aliue.
    Glo. Nay, he is dead, and slaine by Edwards hand.
    La. In thy foule throat thou liest, Queene Margaret saw
    275Thy bloudy faulchion smoking in his bloud,
    The which thou once didst bend against her brest,
    But that thy brothers beat aside the point.
    Glo. I was prouoked by her slaunderous tongue,
    Which laid their guilt vpon my guiltlesse shoulders.
    280La. Thou wast prouoked by thy bloudy minde,
    Which neuer dreamt on ought but butcheries,
    Didst thou not kill this King. Glo.I grant yea.
    La. Doest grant me hedghogge then god grant me too
    Thou maiest be damnd for that wicked deede,
    Oh he was gentle, milde, and vertuous.
    Glo. The fitter for the King of Heauen that hath him.
    La. He is in heauen where thou shalt neuer come.
    290Glo. Let him thanke me that holpe to send him thither,
    For he was fitter for that place then earth,
    La. And thou vnfit for any place but hell.
    Glo. Yes one place els if you will heare me name it.
    295La. Some dungeon. Glo. Your bedchamber.
    La. Ill rest betide the chamber where thou liest.
    Glo. So will it Madame till I lie with you.
    La. I hope so.
    300Glo. I know so, but gentle Lady Anne,
    To leaue this keen incounter of our wits,
    And fall somewhat into a slower methode:
    Is not the causer of the timeles deaths,
    Of these Plantagenets Henry and Edward,
    305As blamefull as the executioner.
    La. Thou art the cause and most accurst effect.
    Glo. Your beauty was the cause of that effect,
    Your beauty which did haunt me in my sleepe:
    To vndertake the death of all the world
    310So I might rest one houre in your sweete bosome.
    La. If I thought that I tell thee homicide,
    These nailes should rend that beauty from my cheekes.
    Glo. These eies could neuer indure sweet beauties wrack,
    You