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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)

    Enter a Scriuener with a paper in his hand.
    This is the indictment of the good Lord Hastings,
    2200Which in a set hand fairely is engrosst,
    That it may be this day read ouer in Paules:
    And marke how well the sequele hangs together,
    Eleuen houres I spent to wryte it ouer,
    For yesternight by Catesby was it brought me,
    2205The president was full as long a doyng,
    And yet within these fiue houres liued Lord Hastings,
    Vntaynted, vnexamined, free, at liberty:
    Heeres a good world, the while. Why whoes so grosse
    That sees not this palpable deuice?
    2210Yet whoes so blinde but sayes he sees it not?
    Bad is the world, and all will come to naught,
    When such bad dealing must be sene in thought. Exit