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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.
    Periurie, periurie, in the highest degree,
    Murther, sterne murther, in the dyrest degree,
    3660All seuerall sinnes, all vsde in each degree,
    Throng to the barre, crying all guiltie, guiltie.
    I shall dispaire, there is no creature loues me,
    And if I die, no soule will pitie me:
    And wherefore should they, since that I my selfe,
    3665Finde in my selfe, no pitie to my selfe.
    Me thought the soules of all that I had murtherd,
    Came to my tent, and euery one did threat,
    To morrows vengeance on the head of Richard.

    Enter Ratcliffe.
    3670Rat. My Lord.
    King. Zoundes, who is there?
    Rat. Ratcliffe, my Lord, tis I, the earlie village cocke,
    Hath twise done salutation to the morne,
    Your friendes are vp, and buckle on their armor.
    3674.1King. O Ratcliffe, I haue dreamd a fearefull dreame,
    What thinkst thou, will our friendes proue all true?
    Rat. No doubt my Lord.
    3675King. O Ratcliffe, I feare, I feare.
    Rat. Nay good my Lord, be not afraid of shadowes.
    King By the Apostle Paul, shadowes to night,
    Haue stroke more terror to the soule of Richard,
    Then can the substance of ten thousand souldiers,
    3680Armed in proofe, and led by shallow Richmond.
    Tis not yet neere day, come, go with me,
    Vnder our tents Ile plaie the ease dropper,
    To see if any meane to shrinke from me. Exeunt.
    3685Enter the Lordes to Richmond.
    Lo. Good morrow Richmond.
    Rich. Crie mercie Lordes, and watchfull gentlemen,
    That you haue tane a tardie sluggard here.
    3690Lo. How haue you slept my Lord?
    Rich. The sweetest sleepe, and fairest boding dreames,
    That euer entred in a drowsie head,
    Haue I since your depature had my Lordes,
    M. Me