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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
    Ambo. Was neuer Orphanes had a dearer losse.
    Du. Was neuer mother had a dearer losse:
    Alas, I am the mother of these mones,
    1355Their woes are parceld, mine are generall:
    She for Edward weepes, and so doe I:
    I for a Clarence weepe, so doth not she:
    These babes for Clarence weepe, and so doe I:
    1358.1I for an Edward weepe, so doe not they.
    Alas, you three on me threefold distrest,
    1360Poure all your teares, I am your sorrowes nurse,
    And I will pamper it with lamentations. Enter Glocest. with others.
    Gl. Madame haue comfort, al of vs haue cause,
    To waile the dimming of our shining starre:
    But none can cure their harmes by wailing them,
    Madame my mother, I doe crie you mercy,
    1380I did not see your Grace, humbly on my knee
    I craue your blessing.
    Du. God blesse thee, and put meekenes in thy minde,
    Loue, charity, obedience, and true duety.
    Glo. Amen, and make me die a good old man,
    1385Thats the butt end of a mothers blessing:
    I maruell why her Grace did leaue it out.
    Buck. You cloudy Princes, and hart-sorrowing peeres
    That beare this mutuall heauy lode of moane:
    Now cheare each other, in each others loue:
    1390Though we haue spent our haruest of this King,
    We are to reape the haruest of his sonne:
    The broken rancour of your high swolne hearts,
    But lately splinterd, knit, and ioynde etogether,
    Must gently be preseru'd, cherisht and kept,
    1395Me seemeth good that with some little traine,
    Forthwith from Ludlow the yong Prince be fetcht
    Hither to London, to be crownd our King.
    Glo. Then it be so; and go we to determine,
    Who they shalbe that straight shall post to Ludlow:
    Madame, and you my mother will you go,
    1420To giue your censures in this waighty busines,
    1420.1 Ans. With all our hearts. Exeunt man. Glo. Buck.
    Buck.