Internet Shakespeare Editions

Toolbox




Jump to line
Help on texts

About this text

  • 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)

    of Richard the third.
    That tempers him to this extremity,
    70Was it not she and that good man of worshippe
    Anthony Wooduile her brother there,
    That made him send Lord Hastings to the tower;
    From whence this present day he is deliuered?
    We are not safe Clarence, we are not safe.
    75Cla. By heauen I thinke there is no man is securde,
    But the Queenes kindred and night-walking Heralds,
    That trudge betwixt the King and Mistresse Shore,
    Heard ye not what an humble suppliant
    Lord Hastings was to her for his deliuery.
    80Glo. Humbly complaining to her deity,
    Got my Lord Chamberlaine his liberty.
    Ile tell you what, I thinke it is our way,
    If we will keepe in fauour with the King,
    To be her men and weare her liuery.
    85The iealous oreworne widdow and her selfe,
    Since that our brother dubd them gentlewomen,
    Are mighty gossips in this monarchy.
    Bro. I beseech your Graces both to pardon me:
    His Maiesty hath streightly giuen in charge,
    90That no man shall haue priuate conference,
    Of what degree soeuer with his brother.
    Glo. Euen so and please your worship Brokenbury,
    You may pertake of any thing we say:
    We speake no treason man, we say the King
    95Is wise and vertuous, and his noble Queene
    Well stroke in yeres, faire and not iealous.
    We say that Shores wife hath a prety foote,
    A cherry lippe, a bonny eie, a passing pleasing tongue:
    And that the Queenes kindred are made gentlefolks.
    100How say you sir, can you deny all this?
    Bro. With this (my Lord) my selfe haue nought to do.
    Glo. Naught to do with Mistris Shore, I tell thee fellow,
    He that doth naught with her, excepting one
    105Were best he doe it secretly alone.
    Bro. I beseech your Grace to pardon me, and withal for- (beare
    110Your conference with the noble Duke.
    A3 We