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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 Tragedie
    Go thou to Richard, and good Angels garde thee,
    2575Go thou to sanctuarie, good thoughts possesse thee,
    I to my graue where peace and rest lie with me,
    Eightie odde yeares of sorrow haue I seene,
    And each houres ioy wrackt with a weeke of teene.
    The Trumpets sound, Enter Richard crownd, Bucking-
    ham, Catesby with other Nobles.
    2590King Stand al apart. Coosin of Buckingham,
    Giue me thy hand: Here he ascendeth the throne.
    Thus high by thy aduice
    And thy assistance is king Richard seated:
    2595But shal we weare these honours for a day?
    Or shall they last, and we reioice in them.
    Buc. Stil liue they, and for euer may they last.
    King Ri. O Buckingham, now do I plaie the touch,
    To trie if thou be currant gold indeed:
    2600Young Edward liues: thinke now what I would say.
    Buc. Saie on my gracious soueraigne.
    King Whie Buckingham, I saie I would be king.
    Buc. Whie so you are my thrice renowned liege.
    King Ha: am I king? tis so, but Edward liues.
    2605Buc. True noble prince.
    King O bitter consequence,
    That Edward stil should liue true noble prince.
    Coosin, thou wert not wont to be so dul:
    Shal I be plaine? I wish the bastards dead,
    2610And I would haue it suddenlie performde.
    What saist thou? speake suddenlie, be briefe.
    Buc. Your grace may doe your pleasure.
    King Tut, tut, thou art all yce, thy kindnesse freezeth,
    Saie, haue I thy consent that they shal die?
    2615Buc. Giue me some breath, some little pause my lord,
    Before I positiuelie speake herein:
    I wil resolue your grace immediatlie. Exit.
    Cates. The king is angrie, see, he bites the lip.
    King I wil conuerse with iron witted fooles
    2620And vnrespectiue boies, none are for me
    That looke into me with considerate eies :
    Boy,