SHAKESPEARE ON DISK. KING RICHARD THE THIRD. ACT III. SCENE I. [London. A street] [The trumpets sound. Enter the young PRINCE, GLOSTER, BUCKINGHAM, CARDINAL BOURCHIER, CATESBY, and others.] DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM. Welcome, sweet prince, to London, to your chamber. 3/1/1 DUKE OF GLOSTER. Welcome, dear cousin, my thoughts' sovereign: The weary way hath made you melancholy. PRINCE. No, uncle; but our crosses on the way Have made it tedious, wearisome, and heavy: I want more uncles here to welcome me. DUKE OF GLOSTER. Sweet prince, the untainted virtue of your years Hath not yet dived into the world's deceit; Nor more can you distinguish of a man Than of his outward show; which, God He knows, 3/1/10 Seldom or never jumpeth with the heart. Those uncles which you want were dangerous; Your Grace attended to their sugar'd words, But look'd not on the poison of their hearts: God keep you from them, and from such false friends! PRINCE. God keep me from false friends! but they were none. DUKE OF GLOSTER. My lord, the mayor of London comes to greet you. [Enter the LORD MAYOR and his TRAIN.] MAYOR. God bless your Grace with health and happy days! PRINCE. I thank you, good my lord;- and thank you all. [MAYOR and his TRAIN retire.] I thought my mother, and my brother York, 3/1/20 Would long ere this have met us on the way: Fie, what a slug is Hastings, that he comes not To tell us whether they will come or no! DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM. And, in good time, here comes the sweating lord. [Enter HASTINGS.] PRINCE. Welcome, my lord: what, will our mother come? LORD HASTINGS. On what occasion, God He knows, not I, The queen your mother, and your brother York, Have taken sanctuary: the tender prince Would fain have come with me to meet your Grace, But by his mother was perforce withheld. 3/1/30 DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM. Fie, what an indirect and peevish course Is this of hers!- Lord Cardinal, will your Grace Persuade the queen to send the Duke of York Unto his princely brother presently? If she deny, Lord Hastings, go with him, And from her jealous arms pluck him perforce. CARDINAL BOURCHIER. My Lord of Buckingham, if my weak oratory Can from his mother win the Duke of York, Anon expect him here; but if she be obdurate To mild entreaties, God in heaven forbid 3/1/40 We should infringe the holy privilege Of blessed sanctuary! not for all this land Would I be guilty of so great a sin. DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM. You are too senseless-obstinate, my lord, Too ceremonious and traditional: Weigh it but with the grossness of this age, You break not sanctuary in seizing him. The benefit thereof is always granted To those whose dealings have deserved the place, And those who have the wit to claim the place: 3/1/50 This prince hath neither claim'd it nor deserved it; And therefore, in mine opinion, cannot have it: Then, taking him from thence that is not there, You break no privilege nor charter there. Oft have I heard of sanctuary-men; But sanctuary-children ne'er till now. CARDINAL BOURCHIER. My lord, you shall o'er-rule my mind for once.- Come on, Lord Hastings, will you go with me? LORD HASTINGS. I go, my lord. PRINCE. Good lords, make all the speedy haste you may. [Exeunt 3/1/60 CARDINAL and HASTINGS.] Say, uncle Gloster, if our brother come, Where shall we sojourn till our coronation? DUKE OF GLOSTER. Where it seems best unto your royal self. If I may counsel you, some day or two Your highness shall repose you at the Tower; Then where you please, and shall be thought most fit For your best health and recreation. PRINCE. I do not like the Tower, of any place.- Did Julius Caesar build that place, my lord? DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM. He did, my gracious lord, begin that place; 3/1/70 Which, since, succeeding ages have re-edified. PRINCE. Is it upon record, or else reported Successively from age to age, he built it? DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM. Upon record, my gracious lord. PRINCE. But say, my lord, it were not register'd, Methinks the truth should live from age to age, As 'twere retail'd to all posterity, Even to the general all-ending day. DUKE OF GLOSTER [aside]. So wise so young, they say, do never live long. PRINCE. What say you, uncle? 3/1/80 DUKE OF GLOSTER. I say, without characters, fame lives long.- [aside] Thus, like the formal Vice, Iniquity, I moralize two meanings in one word. PRINCE. That Julius Caesar was a famous man; With what his valour did enrich his wit, His wit set down to make his valour live: Death makes no conquest of this conqueror; For now he lives in fame, though not in life. I'll tell you what, my cousin Buckingham,- DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM. What, my gracious lord? 3/1/90 PRINCE. An if I live until I be a man, I'll win our ancient right in France again, Or die a soldier, as I lived a king. DUKE OF GLOSTER [aside]. Short summers lightly have a forward spring. DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM. Now, in good time, here comes the Duke of York. [Enter young YORK, HASTINGS, and the CARDINAL.] PRINCE. Richard of York! how fares our loving brother? DUKE OF YORK. Well, my dread lord; so must I call you now. PRINCE. Ay, brother,- to our grief, as it is yours: Too late he died that might have kept that title, Which by his death hath lost much majesty. 3/1/100 DUKE OF GLOSTER. How fares our cousin, noble Lord of York? DUKE OF YORK. I thank you, gentle uncle. O, my lord, You said that idle weeds are fast in growth: The prince my brother hath outgrown me far. DUKE OF GLOSTER. He hath, my lord. DUKE OF YORK. And therefore is he idle? DUKE OF GLOSTER. O, my fair cousin, I must not say so. DUKE OF YORK. Then he is more beholding to you than I. DUKE OF GLOSTER. He may command me as my sovereign; But you have power in me as in a kinsman. DUKE OF YORK. I pray you, uncle, give me this dagger. 3/1/110 DUKE OF GLOSTER. My dagger, little cousin? with all my heart. PRINCE. A beggar, brother? DUKE OF YORK. Of my kind uncle, that I know will give; And being but a toy, which is no grief to give. DUKE OF GLOSTER. A greater gift than that I'll give my cousin. DUKE OF YORK. A greater gift! O, that's the sword to it. DUKE OF GLOSTER. Ay, gentle cousin, were it light enough. DUKE OF YORK. O, then, I see you will part with but light gifts; In weightier things you'll say a beggar nay. DUKE OF GLOSTER. It is too heavy for your Grace to wear. 3/1/120 DUKE OF YORK. I weigh it lightly, were it heavier. DUKE OF GLOSTER. What, would you have my weapon, little lord? DUKE OF YORK. I would, that I might thank you as you call me. DUKE OF GLOSTER. How? DUKE OF YORK. Little. PRINCE. My Lord of York will still be cross in talk:- Uncle, your Grace knows how to bear with him. DUKE OF YORK. You mean, to bear me, not to bear with me:- Uncle, my brother mocks both you and me; Because that I am little, like an ape, 3/1/130 He thinks that you should bear me on your shoulders. DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM [aside to HASTINGS]. With what a sharp-provided wit he reasons! To mitigate the scorn he gives his uncle, He prettily and aptly taunts himself: So cunning and so young is wonderful. DUKE OF GLOSTER. My lord, will't please you pass along? Myself and my good cousin Buckingham Will to your mother, to entreat of her To meet you at the Tower and welcome you. DUKE OF YORK. What, will you go unto the Tower, my lord? 3/1/140 PRINCE. My lord Protector needs will have it so. DUKE OF YORK. I shall not sleep in quiet at the Tower. DUKE OF GLOSTER. Why, what should you fear? DUKE OF YORK. Marry, my uncle Clarence' angry ghost: My grandam told me he was murder'd there. PRINCE. I fear no uncles dead. DUKE OF GLOSTER. Nor none that live, I hope. PRINCE. An if they live, I hope I need not fear. But come, my lord; and with a heavy heart, Thinking on them, go I unto the Tower. [A sennet. Exeunt 3/1/150 all but GLOSTER, BUCKINGHAM, and CATESBY.] DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM. Think you, my lord, this little prating York Was not incensed by his subtle mother To taunt and scorn you thus opprobriously? DUKE OF GLOSTER. No doubt, no doubt: O, 'tis a parlous boy, Bold, quick, ingenious, forward, capable: He is all the mother's, from the top to toe. DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM. Well, let them rest.- Come hither, Catesby. Thou Art sworn as deeply to effect what we intend As closely to conceal what we impart: Thou know'st our reasons urged upon the way;- 3/1/160 What think'st thou? is it not an easy matter To make William Lord Hastings of our mind, For the instalment of this noble duke In the seat royal of this famous isle? SIR WILLIAM CATESBY. He for his father's sake so loves the prince, That he will not be won to aught against him. DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM. What think'st thou, then, of Stanley? will not he? SIR WILLIAM CATESBY. He will do all in all as Hastings doth. DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM. Well, then, no more but this: go, gentle Catesby, And, as it were far off, sound thou Lord Hastings, 3/1/170 How he doth stand affected to our purpose; And summon him to-morrow to the Tower, To sit about the coronation. If thou dost find him tractable to us, Encourage him, and show him all our reasons: If he be leaden, icy-cold, unwilling, Be thou so too; and so break off your talk, And give us notice of his inclination: For we to-morrow hold divided councils, Wherein thyself shalt highly be employ'd. 3/1/180 DUKE OF GLOSTER. Commend me to Lord William: tell him, Catesby, His ancient knot of dangerous adversaries To-morrow are let blood at Pomfret-castle; And bid my friend, for joy of this good news, Give Mistress Shore one gentle kiss the more. DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM. Good Catesby, go, effect this business soundly. SIR WILLIAM CATESBY. My good lords both, with all the heed I can. DUKE OF GLOSTER. Shall we hear from you, Catesby, ere we sleep? SIR WILLIAM CATESBY, You shall, my lord. DUKE OF GLOSTER. At Crosby-place, there shall you find us both. [Exit 3/1/190 CATESBY.] DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM. Now, my lord, what shall we do, if we perceive Lord Hastings will not yield to our complots? DUKE OF GLOSTER. Chop off his head, man;- somewhat we will do:- And, look, when I am king, claim thou of me The earldom of Hereford, and the moveables Whereof the king my brother stood possess'd. DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM. I'll claim that promise at your Grace's hand. DUKE OF GLOSTER. And look to have it yielded with all kindness. Come, let us sup betimes, that afterwards We may digest our complots in some form. [Exeunt.] 3/1/200 SCENE II. [Before Lord Hasting's house.] [Enter a MESSENGER to the door of HASTINGS.] MESSENGER. My lord! my lord!- [Knocking.] 3/2/1 LORD HASTINGS [within]. Who knocks? MESSENGER. One from the Lord Stanley. LORD HASTINGS [within]. What is 't o'clock? MESSENGER. Upon the stroke of four. [Enter HASTINGS.] LORD HASTINGS. Cannot thy master sleep these tedious nights? MESSENGER. So it appears by that I have to say. First, he commends him to your noble self. LORD HASTINGS. What then? MESSENGER. Then certifies your lordship, that this night 3/2/10 He dreamt the boar had razed off his helm: Besides, he says there are two councils held; And that may be determined at the one Which may make you and him to rue at th'other. Therefore he sends to know your lordship's pleasure,- If presently you will take horse with him, And with all speed post with him toward the north, To shun the danger that his soul divines. LORD HASTINGS. Go, fellow, go, return unto thy lord; Bid him not fear the separated councils: 3/2/20 His honour and myself are at the one, And at the other is my good friend Catesby; Where nothing can proceed that toucheth us Whereof I shall not have intelligence. Tell him his fears are shallow, wanting instance: And for his dreams, I wonder he's so simple To trust the mockery of unquiet slumbers: To fly the boar before the boar pursues, Were to incense the boar to follow us, And make pursuit where he did mean no chase. 3/2/30 Go, bid thy master rise and come to me; And we will both together to the Tower, Where he shall see the boar will use us kindly. MESSENGER. I'll go, my lord, and tell him what you say. [Exit.] [Enter CATESBY.] SIR WILLIAM CATESBY. Many good morrows to my noble lord! LORD HASTINGS. Good morrow, Catesby; you are early stirring: What news, what news, in this our tottering state? SIR WILLIAM CATESBY. It is a reeling world, indeed, my lord; And I believe will never stand upright Till Richard wear the garland of the realm. 3/2/40 LORD HASTINGS. How! wear the garland! dost thou mean the crown? SIR WILLIAM CATESBY. Ay, my good lord. LORD HASTINGS. I'll have this crown of mine cut from my shoulders Before I'll see the crown so foul misplaced. But canst thou guess that he doth aim at it? SIR WILLIAM CATESBY. Ay, on my life; and hopes to find you forward Upon his party for the gain thereof: And thereupon he sends you this good news,- That this same very day your enemies, The kindred of the queen, must die at Pomfret. 3/2/50 LORD HASTINGS Indeed, I am no mourner for that news, Because they have been still my adversaries: But, that I'll give my voice on Richard's side, To bar my master's heirs in true descent, God knows I will not do it to the death. SIR WILLIAM CATESBY. God keep your lordship in that gracious mind! LORD HASTINGS. But I shall laugh at this a twelve-month hence,- That they who brought me in my master's hate, I live to look upon their tragedy. Well, Catesby, ere a fortnight make me older, 3/2/60 I'll send some packing that yet think not on 't. SIR WILLIAM CATESBY. 'Tis a vile thing to die, my gracious lord, When men are unprepared and look not for it. LORD HASTINGS. O monstrous, monstrous! and so falls it out With Rivers, Vaughan, Grey: and so 'twill do With some men else, that think themselves as safe As thou and I; who, as thou know'st, are dear To princely Richard and to Buckingham. SIR WILLIAM CATESBY. The princes both make high account of you,- [aside] For they account his head upon the bridge. 3/2/70 LORD HASTINGS. I know they do; and I have well deserved it. [Enter STANLEY.] Come on, come on; where is your boar-spear, man? Fear you the boar, and go so unprovided? LORD STANLEY. My lord, good morrow;- good morrow, Catesby:- You may jest on, but by the holy rood, I do not like these several councils, I. LORD HASTINGS. My lord, I hold my life as dear as you do yours; And never in my days, I do protest, Was it more precious to me than 'tis now: 3/2/80 Think you, but that I know our state secure, I would be so triumphant as I am? LORD STANLEY. The lords at Pomfret, when they rode from London, Were jocund, and supposed their states were sure,- And they, indeed, had no cause to mistrust; But yet, you see, how soon the day o'ercast. This sudden stab of rancour I misdoubt: Pray God, I say, I prove a needless coward! What, shall we toward the Tower? the day is spent. LORD HASTINGS. Come, come, have with you.- Wot you what, my lord? 3/2/90 To-day the lords you talk of are beheaded. LORD STANLEY. They, for their truth, might better wear their heads Than some that have accused them wear their hats.- But come, my lord, let us away. [Enter a PURSUIVANT.] LORD HASTINGS. Go on before; I'll talk with this good fellow. [Exeunt STANLEY and CATESBY.] How now, sirrah! how goes the world with thee? PURSUIVANT. The better that your lordship please to ask. LORD HASTINGS. I tell thee, man, 'tis better with me now Than when thou mett'st me last where now we meet: Then was I going prisoner to the Tower, 3/2/100 By the suggestion of the queen's allies; But now, I tell thee- keep it to thyself- This day those enemies are put to death, And I in better state than e'er I was. PURSUIVANT. God hold it, to your honour's good content! LORD HASTINGS. Gramercy, fellow: there, drink that for me. [Throwing him his purse.] PURSUIVANT. God save your lordship! [Exit.] [Enter a PRIEST.] PRIEST. Well met, my lord; I am glad to see your honour. LORD HASTINGS. I thank thee, good Sir John, with all my heart. I am in your debt for your last exercise; 3/2/110 Come the next Sabbath, and I will content you. [He whispers in his ear.] [Enter BUCKINGHAM.] DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM. What, talking with a priest, lord chamberlain! Your friends at Pomfret, they do need the priest; Your honour hath no shriving-work in hand. LORD HASTINGS. Good faith, and when I met this holy man, The men you talk of came into my mind.- What, go you toward the Tower? DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM. I do, my lord; but long I cannot stay there: I shall return before your lordship thence. LORD HASTINGS. Nay, like enough, for I stay dinner there. 3/2/120 DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM [aside]. And supper too, although thou know'st it not.- Come, will you go? LORD HASTINGS. I'll wait upon your lordship. [Exeunt.] SCENE III. [Pomfret Castle.] [Enter SIR RICHARD RATCLIFF, with halberds, carrying RIVERS, GREY, and VAUGHAN to death.] SIR RICHARD RATCLIFF. Come, bring forth the prisoners. 3/3/1 EARL RIVERS. Sir Richard Ratcliff, let me tell thee this,- To-day shalt thou behold a subject die For truth, for duty, and for loyalty. LORD GREY. God keep the prince from all the pack of you! A knot you are of damned blood-suckers. SIR THOMAS VAUGHAN. You live that shall cry woe for this hereafter. SIR RICHARD RATCLIFF. Dispatch; the limit of your lives is out. EARL RIVERS. O Pomfret, Pomfret! O thou bloody prison, Fatal and ominous to noble peers! 3/3/10 Within the guilty closure of thy walls Richard the Second here was hack'd to death; And, for more slander to thy dismal seat, We give thee up our guiltless blood to drink. LORD GREY. Now Margaret's curse is fall'n upon our heads, When she exclaim'd on Hastings, you, and I, For standing by when Richard stabb'd her son. EARL RIVERS. Then cursed she Richard, then cursed she Buckingham, Then cursed she Hastings:- O, remember, God, To hear her prayers for them, as now for us! 3/3/20 And for my sister and her princely sons, Be satisfied, dear God, with our true blood, Which, as Thou know'st, unjustly must be spilt. SIR RICHARD RATCLIFF. Make haste; the hour of death is expiate. EARL RIVERS. Come Grey,- Come, Vaughan,- let us here embrace: Farewell, until we meet again in heaven. [Exeunt.] SCENE IV. [London. The Tower.] [Enter BUCKINGHAM, LORD STANLEY, HASTINGS, the BISHOP OF ELY, RATCLIFF, LOVEL, with others, at a table.] LORD HASTINGS. Now, noble peers, the cause why we are met 3/4/1 Is, to determine of the coronation. In God's name, speak,- when is the royal day? DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM. Are all things ready for that royal time? LORD STANLEY. It is; and wants but nomination. BISHOP OF ELY. To-morrow, then, I judge a happy day. DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM. Who knows the lord Protector's mind herein? Who is most inward with the noble duke? BISHOP OF ELY. Your Grace, we think, should soonest know his mind. DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM. Who, I, my lord? we know each other's faces, 3/4/10 But for our hearts, he knows no more of mine Than I of yours; nor I no more of his Than you of mine. Lord Hastings, you and he are near in love. LORD HASTINGS. I thank his Grace, I know he loves me well; But, for his purpose in the coronation, I have not sounded him, nor he deliver'd His gracious pleasure any way therein: But you, my noble lords, may name the time; And in the duke's behalf I'll give my voice, 3/4/20 Which, I presume, he'll take in gentle part. BISHOP OF ELY. In happy time, here comes the duke himself. [Enter GLOSTER.] DUKE OF GLOSTER. My noble lords and cousins all, good morrow. I have been long a sleeper: but, I trust, My absence doth neglect no great design, Which by my presence might have been concluded. DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM. Had you not come upon your cue, my lord, William Lord Hastings had pronounced your part,- I mean, your voice,- for crowning of the king. DUKE OF GLOSTER Than my Lord Hastings no man might be bolder; 3/4/30 His lordship knows me well, and loves me well.- My Lord of Ely, when I was last in Holborn, I saw good strawberries in your garden there: I do beseech you send for some of them. BISHOP OF ELY. Marry, and will, my lord, with all my heart. [Exit.] DUKE OF GLOSTER. Cousin of Buckingham, a word with you. [Takes him aside.] Catesby hath sounded Hastings in our business, And finds the testy gentleman so hot, That he will lose his head ere give consent His master's child, as worshipfully he terms it, 3/4/40 Shall lose the royalty of England's throne. DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM. Withdraw you hence, my lord; I'll follow you. [Exit GLOSTER, followed by BUCKINGHAM.] LORD STANLEY. We have not yet set down this day of triumph. To-morrow, in my judgement, is too sudden; For I myself am not so well provided As else I would be, were the day prolong'd. [Enter BISHOP OF ELY.] BISHOP OF ELY. Where is my lord the Duke of Gloucester? I have sent for these strawberries. His Grace looks cheerfully and smooth to-day; There's some conceit or other likes him well, 3/4/50 When he doth bid good-morrow with such a spirit. I think there's never a man in Christendom That can less hide his love or hate than he; For by his face straight shall you know his heart. LORD STANLEY. What of his heart perceive you in his face By any likelihood he show'd to-day? LORD HASTINGS. Marry, that with no man here he is offended; For, were he, he had shown it in his looks. LORD STANLEY. I pray God he be not, I say. [Enter GLOSTER and BUCKINGHAM.] DUKE OF GLOSTER. I pray you all, tell me what they deserve 3/4/60 That do conspire my death with devilish plots Of damned witchcraft, and that have prevail'd Upon my body with their hellish charms? LORD HASTINGS. The tender love I bear your Grace, my lord, Makes me most forward in this noble presence To doom th'offenders: whosoe'er they be, I say, my lord, they have deserved death. DUKE OF GLOSTER Then be your eyes the witness of their evil: Look how I am bewitch'd; behold mine arm Is, like a blasted sapling, wither'd up: 3/4/70 And this is Edward's wife, that monstrous witch, Consorted with that harlot-strumpet Shore, That by their witchcraft thus have marked me. LORD HASTINGS. If they have done this thing, my gracious lord,- DUKE OF GLOSTER. If! thou protector of this damned strumpet, Talk'st thou to me of "ifs"? Thou art a traitor:- Off with his head!- now, by Saint Paul, I swear I will not dine until I see the same.- Lovel and Ratcliff, look that it be done:- The rest, that love me, rise and follow me. [Exeunt all, 3/4/80 except HASTINGS, LOVEL, and RATCLIFF.] LORD HASTINGS. Woe, woe for England! not a whit for me; For I, too fond, might have prevented this. Stanley did dream the boar did raze his helm; But I disdain'd it, and did scorn to fly: Three times to-day my foot-cloth horse did stumble, And started when he look'd upon the Tower, As loth to bear me to the slaughter-house. O, now I need the priest that spake to me: I now repent I told the pursuivant, As too triumphing, how mine enemies 3/4/90 To-day at Pomfret bloodily were butcher'd, And I myself secure in grace and favour. O Margaret, Margaret, now thy heavy curse Is lighted on poor Hastings' wretched head! SIR RICHARD RATCLIFF. Dispatch, my lord; the duke would be at dinner: Make a short shrift; he longs to see your head. LORD HASTINGS. O momentary grace of mortal men, Which we more hunt for than the grace of God! Who builds his hope in air of your fair looks, Lives like a drunken sailor on a mast, 3/4/100 Ready, with every nod, to tumble down Into the fatal bowels of the deep. LORD LOVEL. Come, come, dispatch; 'tis bootless to exclaim. LORD HASTINGS. O bloody Richard!- miserable England! I prophesy the fearfull'st time to thee That ever wretched age hath look'd upon.- Come, lead me to the block; bear him my head: They smile at me who shortly shall be dead. [Exeunt.] SCENE V. [The Tower-walls.] [Enter GLOSTER and BUCKINGHAM, in rotten armour, marvellous ill-favoured.] DUKE OF GLOSTER. Come, cousin, canst thou quake, and change thy colour, 3/5/1 Murder thy breath in middle of a word, And then begin again, and stop again, As if thou wert distraught and mad with terror? DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM. Tut, I can counterfeit the deep tragedian; Speak and look back, and pry on every side, Tremble and start at wagging of a straw, Intending deep suspicion: ghastly looks Are at my service, like enforced smiles; And both are ready in their offices, 3/5/10 At any time, to grace my stratagems. But what, is Catesby gone? DUKE OF GLOSTER. He is; and, see, he brings the mayor along. DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM. Let me alone to entertain him. [Enter the MAYOR AND CATESBY.] Lord mayor,- DUKE OF GLOSTER. Look to the drawbridge there! DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM. Hark! a drum. DUKE OF GLOSTER. Catesby, o'erlook the walls. DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM. Lord mayor, the reason we have sent,- DUKE OF GLOSTER. Look back, defend thee,- here are enemies. DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM. God and our innocency defend and guard us! DUKE OF GLOSTER. Be patient, they are friends,- Ratcliff and Lovel. 3/5/20 [Enter LOVEL and RATCLIFF, with HASTINGS' head.] LORD LOVEL. Here is the head of that ignoble traitor, The dangerous and unsuspected Hastings. DUKE OF GLOSTER. So dear I loved the man, that I must weep. I took him for the plainest harmless creature That breathed upon the earth a Christian; Made him my book, wherein my soul recorded The history of all her secret thoughts: So smooth he daub'd his vice with show of virtue, That, his apparent open guilt omitted,- I mean, his conversation with Shore's wife,- 3/5/30 He lived from all attainder of suspect. DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM. Well, well, he was the covert'st shelter'd traitor That ever lived. Would you imagine, or almost believe,- Were't not that, by great preservation, We live to tell it you,- the subtle traitor This day had plotted, in the council-house, To murder me and my good Lord of Gloster? MAYOR OF LONDON. What, had he so? DUKE OF GLOSTER. What, think you we are Turks or infidels? 3/5/40 Or that we would, against the form of law, Proceed thus rashly in the villain's death, But that the extreme peril of the case, The peace of England and our persons' safety, Enforc'd us to this execution? MAYOR OF LONDON. Now, fair befall you! he deserved his death; And your good Graces both have well proceeded, To warn false traitors from the like attempts. I never look'd for better at his hands, After he once fell in with Mistress Shore. 3/5/50 DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM. Yet had we not determined he should die, Until your lordship came to see his end; Which now the loving haste of these our friends, Somewhat against our meaning, have prevented; Because, my lord, we would have had you heard The traitor speak, and timorously confess The manner and the purpose of his treason; That you might well have signified the same Unto the citizens, who haply may Misconster us in him, and wail his death. 3/5/60 MAYOR OF LONDON. But, my good lord, your Grace's word shall serve, As well as I had seen, and heard him speak; And do not doubt, right noble princes both, But I'll acquaint our duteous citizens With all your just proceedings in this case. DUKE OF GLOSTER. And to that end we wish'd your lordship here, T'avoid the censures of the carping world. DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM. But since you come too late of our intent, Yet witness what you hear we did intend: And so, my good lord mayor, we bid farewell. [Exit 3/5/70 MAYOR.] DUKE OF GLOSTER. Go, after, after, cousin Buckingham. The mayor towards Guildhall hies him in all post:- There, at your meetest vantage of the time, Infer the bastardy of Edward's children: Tell them how Edward put to death a citizen, Only for saying he would make his son Heir to the crown; meaning, indeed, his house, Which, by the sign thereof, was termed so. Moreover, urge his hateful luxury, And bestial appetite in change of lust; 3/5/80 Which stretch'd unto their servants, daughters, wives, Even where his raging eye or savage heart, Without control, listed to make a prey. Nay, for a need, thus far come near my person:- Tell them, when that my mother went with child Of that insatiate Edward, noble York My princely father then had wars in France; And, by just computation of the time, Found that the issue was not his begot; Which well appeared in his lineaments, 3/5/90 Being nothing like the noble duke my father: Yet touch this sparingly, as 'twere far off; Because, my lord, you know my mother lives. DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM. Doubt not, my lord, I'll play the orator As if the golden fee for which I plead Were for myself: and so, my lord, adieu. DUKE OF GLOSTER. If you thrive well, bring them to Baynard's Castle; Where you shall find me well accompanied With reverend fathers and well-learned bishops. DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM. I go; and towards three or four o'clock 3/5/100 Look for the news that the Guildhall affords. [Exit.] DUKE OF GLOSTER. Go, Lovel, with all speed to Doctor Shaw,- [to CATESBY] Go thou to Friar Penker;- bid them both Meet me within this hour at Baynard's Castle. [Exeunt LOVEL, CATESBY, and RATCLIFF.] Now will I in, to take some privy order, To draw the brats of Clarence out of sight; And to give notice that no manner person Have any time recourse unto the princes. [Exit.] SCENE VI. [The Tower-walls. A street.] [Enter a SCRIVENER, with a paper in his hand.] SCRIVENER Here is th'indictment of the good Lord Hastings; 3/6/1 Which in a set hand fairly is engross'd That it may be to-day read o'er in Paul's. And mark how well the sequel hangs together: Eleven hours I have spent to write it over, For yesternight by Catesby was it sent me; The precedent was full as long a-doing: And yet within these five hours Hastings lived, Untainted, unexamined, free, at liberty. Here's a good world the while! Why, who's so gross 3/6/10 That cannot see this palpable device? Yet who so bold but says he sees it not? Bad is the world; and all will come to naught When such ill dealing must be seen in thought. [Exit.] SCENE VII. [London. Baynard's Castle.] [Enter GLOSTER and BUCKINGHAM, meeting.] DUKE OF GLOSTER. How now, how now! what say the citizens? 3/7/1 DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM. Now, by the holy mother of our Lord, The citizens are mum, say not a word. DUKE OF GLOSTER. Touch'd you the bastardy of Edward's children? DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM. I did; with his contract with Lady Lucy, And his contract by deputy in France; Th'insatiate greediness of his desires, And his enforcement of the city wives; His tyranny for trifles, his own bastardy,- As being got, your father then in France, 3/7/10 And his resemblance, being not like the duke: Withal I did infer your lineaments,- Being the right idea of your father, Both in your form and nobleness of mind; Laid open all your victories in Scotland, Your discipline in war, wisdom in peace, Your bounty, virtue, fair humility; Indeed, left nothing fitting for the purpose Untouch'd, or slightly handled, in discourse: And when my oratory drew toward end, 3/7/20 I bade them that did love their country's good Cry, "God save Richard, England's royal king!" DUKE OF GLOSTER. And did they so? DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM. No, so God help me, they spake not a word; But, like dumb statuas or breathing stones, Stared each on other, and look'd deadly pale. Which when I saw, I reprehended them; And ask'd the mayor what meant this willful silence: His answer was,- the people were not used To be spoke to but by the recorder. 3/7/30 Then he was urged to tell my tale again,- "Thus saith the duke, thus hath the duke inferr'd;" But nothing spake in warrant from himself. When he had done, some followers of mine own, At lower end of the hall, hurl'd up their caps, And some ten voices cried, "God save King Richard!" And thus I took the vantage of those few,- "Thanks, gentle citizens and friends," quoth I; "This general applause and cheerful shout Argues your wisdom and your love to Richard:" 3/7/40 And even here brake off, and came away. DUKE OF GLOSTER. What tongueless blocks were they! would they not speak? DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM. No, by my troth, my lord. DUKE OF GLOSTER. Will not the mayor, then, and his brethren, come? DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM. The mayor is here at hand. Intend some fear; Be not you spoke with but by mighty suit: And look you get a prayer-book in your hand, And stand between two churchmen, good my lord; For on that ground I'll make a holy descant: And be not easily won to our request; 3/7/50 Play the maid's part,- still answer nay, and take it. DUKE OF GLOSTER. I go; and if you plead as well for them As I can say nay to thee for myself, No doubt we'll bring it to a happy issue. DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM. Go, go, up to the leads; the lord mayor knocks. [Exit GLOSTER.] [Enter the MAYOR, ALDERMEN, and CITIZENS.] Welcome, my lord: I dance attendance here; I think the duke will not be spoke withal. [Enter CATESBY.] Now, Catesby, what says your lord to my request? SIR WILLIAM CATESBY. He doth entreat your Grace, my noble lord, To visit him to-morrow or next day: 3/7/60 He is within, with two right-reverend fathers, Divinely bent to meditation: And in no worldly suit would he be moved, To draw him from his holy exercise. DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM. Return, good Catesby, to the gracious duke; Tell him, myself, the mayor and aldermen, In deep designs and matters of great moment, No less importing than our general good, Are come to have some conference with his Grace. SIR WILLIAM CATESBY. I'll signify so much unto him straight. [Exit.] 3/7/70 DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM. Ah, ha, my lord, this prince is not an Edward! He is not lolling on a lewd day-bed, But on his knees at meditation; Not dallying with a brace of courtezans, But meditating with two deep divines; Not sleeping, to engross his idle body, But praying, to enrich his watchful soul: Happy were England, would this virtuous prince Take on himself the sovereignty thereof; But sure I fear we shall not win him to it. 3/7/80 MAYOR OF LONDON. Marry, God defend his Grace should say us nay! DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM. I fear he will. Here Catesby comes again. [Enter CATESBY.] Now, Catesby, what says his Grace? SIR WILLIAM CATESBY. He wonders to what end you have assembled Such troops of citizens to come to him, His Grace not being warn'd thereof before: He fears, my lord, you mean no good to him. DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM. Sorry I am my noble cousin should Suspect me, that I mean no good to him: By heaven, we come to him in perfect love; 3/7/90 And so once more return and tell his Grace. [Exit CATESBY.] When holy and devout religious men Are at their beads, 'tis much to draw them thence,- So sweet is zealous contemplation. [Enter GLOSTER aloft, between two BISHOPS. CATESBY returns.] MAYOR OF LONDON. See, where his Grace stands 'tween two clergymen! DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM. Two props of virtue for a Christian prince, To stay him from the fall of vanity: And, see, a book of prayer in his hand,- True ornaments to know a holy man.- Famous Plantagenet, most gracious prince, 3/7/100 Lend favourable ear to our request; And pardon us the interruption Of thy devotion and right Christian zeal. DUKE OF GLOSTER. My lord, there needs no such apology: I rather do beseech you pardon me, Who, earnest in the service of my God, Neglect the visitation of my friends. But, leaving this, what is your Grace's pleasure? DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM. Even that, I hope, which pleaseth God above, And all good men of this ungovern'd isle. 3/7/110 DUKE OF GLOSTER. I do suspect I have done some offence That seems disgracious in the city's eye; And that you come to reprehend my ignorance. DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM. You have, my lord: would it might please your Grace, On our entreaties, to amend your fault! DUKE OF GLOSTER. Else wherefore breathe I in a Christian land? DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM. Know, then, it is your fault that you resign The supreme seat, the throne majestical, The scepter'd office of your ancestors, Your state of fortune and your due of birth, 3/7/120 The lineal glory of your royal house, To the corruption of a blemish'd stock: Whilst, in the mildness of your sleepy thoughts- Which here we waken to our country's good- This noble isle doth want her proper limbs; Her face defaced with scars of infamy, Her royal stock graft with ignoble plants, And almost shoulder'd in the swallowing gulf Of dark forgetfulness and deep oblivion. Which to recure, we heartily solicit 3/7/130 Your gracious self to take on you the charge And kingly government of this your land;- Not as protector, steward, substitute, Or lowly factor for another's gain; But as successively, from blood to blood, Your right of birth, your empery, your own. For this, consorted with the citizens, Your very worshipful and loving friends, And by their vehement instigation, In this just suit come I to move your Grace. 3/7/140 DUKE OF GLOSTER. I cannot tell, if to depart in silence, Or bitterly to speak in your reproof, Best fitteth my degree or your condition: If not to answer, you might haply think Tongue-tied ambition, not replying, yielded To bear the golden yoke of sovereignty, Which fondly you would here impose on me; If to reprove you for this suit of yours, So season'd with your faithful love to me, Then, on the other side, I check'd my friends. 3/7/150 Therefore,- to speak, and to avoid the first, And then, in speaking, not to incur the last,- Definitively thus I answer you. Your love deserves my thanks; but my desert Unmeritable shuns your high request. First, if all obstacles were cut away, And that my path were even to the crown, As the ripe revenue and due of birth; Yet so much is my poverty of spirit, So mighty and so many my defects, 3/7/160 That I would rather hide me from my greatness- Being a bark to brook no mighty sea- Than in my greatness covet to be hid, And in the vapour of my glory smother'd. But, God be thank'd, there is no need of me;- And much I need to help you, were there need;- The royal tree hath left us royal fruit, Which, mellow'd by the stealing hours of time, Will well become the seat of majesty, And make, no doubt, us happy by his reign. 3/7/170 On him I lay what you would lay on me, The right and fortune of his happy stars; Which God defend that I should wring from him! DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM. My lord, this argues conscience in your Grace; But the respects thereof are nice and trivial, All circumstances well considered. You say that Edward is your brother's son: So say we too, but not by Edward's wife; For first he was contract to Lady Lucy,- Your mother lives a witness to his vow,- 3/7/180 And afterward by substitute betroth'd To Bona, sister to the King of France. These both put by, a poor petitioner, A care-crazed mother of a many children, A beauty-waning and distressed widow, Even in the afternoon of her best days, Made prize and purchase of his wanton eye, Seduced the pitch and height of his degree To base declension and loath'd bigamy: By her, in his unlawful bed, he got 3/7/190 This Edward, whom our manners call the prince. More bitterly could I expostulate, Save that, for reverence to some alive, I give a sparing limit to my tongue. Then, good my lord, take to your royal self This proffer'd benefit of dignity; If not to bless us and the land withal, Yet to draw forth your noble ancestry From the corruption of abusing time Unto a lineal true-derived course. 3/7/200 MAYOR OF LONDON. Do, good my lord; your citizens entreat you. DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM. Refuse not, mighty lord, this proffer'd love. SIR WILLIAM CATESBY. O, make them joyful, grant their lawful suit! DUKE OF GLOSTER. Alas, why would you heap these cares on me? I am unfit for state and majesty:- I do beseech you, take it not amiss; I cannot nor I will not yield to you. DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM. If you refuse it,- as, in love and zeal, Loth to depose the child, your brother's son; As well we know your tenderness of heart, 3/7/210 And gentle, kind, effeminate remorse, Which we have noted in you to your kindred, And egally indeed to all estates,- Yet whether you accept our suit or no, Your brother's son shall never reign our king; But we will plant some other in the throne, To the disgrace and downfall of your house: And in this resolution here we leave you. Come, citizens: zounds, I'll entreat no more. DUKE OF GLOSTER. O, do not swear, my lord of Buckingham. [Exit BUCKINGHAM 3/7/220 with the CITIZENS.] SIR WILLIAM CATESBY. Call him again, sweet prince, accept their suit: If you deny them, all the land will rue it. DUKE OF GLOSTER. Will you enforce me to a world of cares? Well, call them again. I am not made of stones, But penetrable to your kind entreats, Albeit against my conscience and my soul. [Enter BUCKINGHAM and the others.] Cousin of Buckingham, and you sage, grave men, Since you will buckle fortune on my back, To bear her burden, whe'r I will or no, I must have patience to endure the load: 3/7/230 But if black scandal or foul-faced reproach Attend the sequel of your imposition, Your mere enforcement shall acquittance me From all the impure blots and stains thereof; For God He knows, and you may partly see, How far I am from the desire of this. MAYOR OF LONDON. God bless your Grace! we see it, and will say it. DUKE OF GLOSTER. In saying so, you shall but say the truth. DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM. Then I salute you with this royal title,- Long live King Richard, England's worthy king! 3/7/240 ALL. Amen. DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM. To-morrow may it please you to be crown'd? DUKE OF GLOSTER. Even when you please, since you will have it so. DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM. To-morrow, then, we will attend your Grace: And so, most joyfully, we take our leave. DUKE OF GLOSTER [to the BISHOPS]. Come, let us to our holy work again.- Farewell, good cousin; farewell, gentle friends. ACT III. END.