Internet Shakespeare Editions

Author: William Shakespeare
Editor: Adrian Kiernander
Peer Reviewed

Richard the Third (Quarto 1, 1597)

of Richard the third.
And loues not me, be you good Lo. assurde
I hate not you for her proud arrogance.
490Dar. I doe beseech you either not beleeue
The enuious slaunders of her false accusers,
Or if she be accusde in true report,
Beare with her weakenes which I thinke proceedes
From wayward sicknesse, and no grounded malice.
495Ry. Saw you the King to day, my Lo: of Darby?
Dar. But now the Duke of Buckingham and I
Came from visiting his Maiesty.
Qu. With likelihood of his amendment Lords?
Buc. Madame good hope, his Grace speakes cheerfully.
500Qu. God grant him health, did you confer with him.
Buc. Madame we did: He desires to make attonement
Betwixt the Duke of Glocester and your brothers,
And betwixt them and my Lord chamberlaine,
And sent to warne them to his royall presence.
505Qu. Would all were well, but that will neuer be.
I feare our happines is at the highest. Enter Glocester.
Glo. They doe me wrong and I will not endure it,
Who are they that complaines vnto the King,
510That I forsooth am sterne and loue them not:
By holy Paul they loue his grace but lightly,
That fill his eares with such discentious rumors:
Because I cannot flatter and speake faire,
Smile in mens faces, smoothe, dcceiue and cog,
515Ducke with french nods and apish courtesie,
I must be held a rankerous enimy.
Cannot a plaine man liue and thinke no harme,
But thus his simple truth must be abusde,
By silken slie insinuating iackes?
520Ry. To whom in all this presence speakes your Grace?
Glo. To thee that hast nor honesty nor grace,
When haue I iniured thee, when done thee wrong,
Or thee or thee or any of your faction:
A plague vpon you all. His royall person
525(Whom God preserue better then you would wish)
Cannot be quiet scarce a breathing while,
But