Internet Shakespeare Editions

Author: William Shakespeare
Editor: Adrian Kiernander
Peer Reviewed

Richard the Third (Quarto 1, 1597)

of Richard the third.
Boy, high reaching Buckingham growes circumspect.
Boy. My Lord.
2625King. Knowst thou not any whom corrupting gold
Would tempt vnto a close exploit of death.
Boy. My lord, I know a discontented gentleman,
Whose humble meanes match not his haughtie mind,
Gould were as good as twentie Orators,
2630And will no doubt tempt him to any thing.
King. What is his name.
Boy. His name my Lord is Tirrell.
King. Go call him hither presentlie,
2635The deepe reuoluing wittie Buckingham,
No more shall be the neighbour to my counsell,
Hath he so long held out with me vntirde
And stops he nowe for breath? Enter Darby.
2640How now, what neewes with you?
Darby. My Lord, I heare the Marques Dorset
Is fled to Richmond, in those partes beyond the seas where he
abides.
King. Catesby. Cat. My Lord.
King. Rumor it abroad
2645That Anne my wife is sicke and like to die,
I will take order for her keeping close:
Enquire me out some meane borne gentleman,
Whom I will marrie straight to Clarence daughter,
The boy is foolish, and I feare not him:
2650Looke how thou dreamst: I say againe giue out
That Anne my wife is sicke and like to die.
About it, for it stands me much vpon
To stop all hopes whose growth may damadge me,
I must be married to my brothers daughter,
2655Or else my kingdome stands on brittle glasse,
Murther her brothers, and then marrie her,
Vncertaine waie of gaine, but I am in
So far in bloud that sinne will plucke on sin,
Teare falling pittie dwels not in this eie. Enter Tirrel.
Is thy name Tirrill?
Tyr. Iames Tirrell and your most obedient subiect.
I King.