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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)

    of Richard the third.
    2355Or lowlie factor for anothers gaine:
    But as successiuelie from bloud to bloud,
    Your right of birth, your Emperie, your owne:
    For this consorted with the Citizens
    Your verie worshipfull and louing frinds,
    2360And by their vehement instigation,
    In this iust suite come I to moue your grace.
    Glo. I know not whether to depart in silence,
    Or bitterlie to speake in your reproofe,
    Best fitteth my degree or your condition:
    2375Your loue deserues my thanks, but my desert
    Vnmeritable shunes your high request,
    First if all obstacles were cut awaie,
    And that my path were euen to the crown,
    As my ripe reuenew and dew by birth,
    2380Yet so much is my pouerty of spirit,
    So mightie and so many my defects,
    As I had rather hide me from my greatnes,
    Beeing a Barke to brooke no mightie sea,
    Then in my greatnes couet to be hid,
    2385And in the vapour of my glorie smotherd:
    But God be thanked there's no need of me,
    And much I need to helpe you if need were,
    The roiall tree hath left vs roiall fruit,
    Which mellowed by the stealing houres of time,
    2390Will well become the seat of maiestie,
    And make no doubt vs happie by his raigne,
    On him I laie what you would laie on me:
    The right and fortune of his happie stars,
    Which God defend that I should wring from him.
    2395Buck. My lord, this argues conscience in your grace,
    But the respects thereof are nice and triuiall,
    All circumstances well considered:
    You saie that Edward is your brothers sonne,
    So saie we to, but not by Edwards wife,
    2400For first he was contract to lady Lucy,
    Your mother liues a witnesse to that vowe,
    And afterward by substitute betrothed
    H.2 To