Internet Shakespeare Editions

Author: William Shakespeare
Editor: Adrian Kiernander
Peer Reviewed

Richard the Third (Quarto 1, 1597)

of Richard the third.
A shadow like an angell in bright haire,
890Dabled in bloud, and he squakt out alowd,
Clarence is come, false, fleeting, periurd Clarence,
That stabd me in the field by Teuxbery:
Seaze on him furies, take him to your torments,
With that me thoughts a legion of foule fiends
895Enuirond me about, and howled in mine eares
Such hideous cries, that with the very noise
I trembling, wakt, and for a season after
Could not beleeue but that I was in hell,
Such terrible impression made the dreame.
900Bro. No marueile my Lo: though it affrighted you,
I promise you, I am afraid to heare you tell it.
Cla. O Brokenbury I haue done those things,
Which now beare euidence against my soule
For Edwards sake, and see how he requites me.
I pray thee gentle keeper stay by me,
910My soule is heauy, and I faine would sleepe.
Bro. I will my Lo: God giue your Grace good rest,
Sorrowe breake seasons, and reposing howers
Makes the night morning, and the noonetide night,
915Princes haue but their titles for their glories,
An outward honour, for an inward toile,
And for vnfelt imagination,
They often feele a world of restlesse cares:
So that betwixt their titles and lowe names,
920Theres nothing differs but the outward fame.
The murtherers enter.
In Gods name what are you, and how came you hither?
925Execu. I would speake with Clarence, and I came hither (on my legs.
Bro. Yea, are you so briefe.
2 Exe. O sir, it is better to be briefe then tedious,
Shew him our commission, talke no more. He readeth it.
930Bro. I am in this commanded to deliuer
The noble Duke of Clarence to your hands,
I will not reason what is meant hereby,
Because I wilbe guiltles of the meaning:
Here are the keies, there sits the Duke a sleepe,
D Ile