THE TRAGEDY OF King Richard the third. Containing, His treacherous Plots against his brother Clarence: the pittiefull murder of his innocent nephews: his tyrannical usurpation: with the whole course of his detested life, and most deserved death. As it hath been lately Acted by the Right honourable the Lord Chamberlain his servants.  
AT LONDON ●●●nted by Valentine Sims, for Andrew Wise, dwelling in Paul's Chuch-yard, at the Sign of the Angel. 1597.   
Enter Richard Duke of Glocest 〈…〉 
NOw is the winter of our discontent  
Made glorious summer by this 〈◊〉 of York:  
And all the clouds that lowered upon our house  
In the deep bosom of the 〈◊〉.  
Now are our brows bound with victorious wreaths,  
Our bruised arms hung up for monuments▪  
Our stern alarms changed to merry meetings,  
Our dreadful marches to delightful measures.  
Grim-visagde war, hath smoothde his wrinkled front,  
And now in steed of mounting barbed steeds,  
To fright the souls of fearful adversaries.  
He caper's nimbly in a Lady's chamber,  
To the lascivious pleasing of a love.  
But I that am not shaped ●or sportive tricke●,  
No● made to court an amorous looking glass,  
I that am rudely stamped and want 〈◊〉 majesty,  
To strut before a wanton ambling Nymph:  
I that am curtailed of this fair proportion,  
Cheated of feature by dissembling nature,  
Deformed, unfinished, sent before my time  
Into this breathing world scarce half made up▪  
And that so lamely and unfashionable,  
That dog's bark at me as I halt by them:  
Why I in this weak piping time of peace  
Have no delight to pass away the time,  
Unless to spy my shadow in the sun,  
And descant on mine own deformity:  
And therefore since I cannot prove a lover  
To entertain these fair well spoken days.  
I am determined to prove a villain,  
And hate the idle pleasures of these days:  
Plots have I laid inductious dangerous,  
By drunken Prophecies, libels and dreams,  
To set my brother Clarence and the King  
In deadly hate the one against the other.  
And if King Edward be as true and just,  
As I am subtle, false, and treacherous:  
This day should Clarence closely be mewed up,  
About a Prophecy which says that G.  
Of Edward's heirs the murderers shall be.  
Dive thoughts down to my soul,  Enter Clarence with a guard of men. 
Hear Clarence comes,  
Brother, good days, what means this armed guard  
That waits upon your grace?  Clar. 
His Majesty tendering my persons safety hath appointed  
This conduct to convey me to the tower.  Glo. 
Upon what cause?  Cla. 
Because my name is George.  Glo. 
Alack my Lord that fault is none of yours,  
He should for that commit your Godfathers:  
O belike his Majesty hath some intent  
That you shallbe new christened in the Tower.  
But what's the matter Clarence may I know?  Cla. 
Yea Richard when I know; for I protest  
As yet I do not, but as I can learn,  
He harkens after Prophecies and dreams,  
And from the crosse-rowe plucks the letter G:  
And says a wizard told him that by G,  
His issue disinherited should be.  
And for my name of George gins with G,  
It follows in his thought that I am he.  
These as I learn and such like toys as these,  
Have moved his highness to commit me now.  Glo. 
Why this it is when men are ruled by women,  
'tis not the King that sends you to the tower,  
My Lady Grace his wife, Clarence 'tis she,  
That tempe's him to this extremity,  
Was it not she and that good man of worship  
Anthony Wooduile her brother there,  
That made him send Lord Hastings to the tower▪  
From whence this present day he is delivered?  
We are not safe Clarence, we are not safe.  Cla. 
By heaven I think there is no man is securde,  
But the Queen's kindred▪ land nightwalking Heralds,  
That trudge betwixt the King and Mistress Shore,  
Herd ye not what an humble suppliant  
Lord Hastings was to her for his delivery.  Glo. 
Humbly complaining to her deity,  
Got my Lord Chamberlain his liberty.  
I'll tell you what▪ I think it is our way,  
If we will keep in favour with the King,  
To be her men and wear her livery.  
The jealous over worn widow and herself,  
Since that our brother dubbed them gentle women,  
Are mighty gossips in this monarchy.  Bro. 
I beseech your Graces both to pardon me:  
His majesty hath straightly given in charge,  
That no man shall have private conference,  
Of what degree soever with his brother.  Glo. 
Even so and please your worship Brokenbury,  
You may partake of any thing we say:  
We speak no treason man, we say the King  
Is wise and virtuous, and his noble Queen  
Well struck in years, fair and not jealous▪  
We say that Shore's wife hath a pretty foot,  
A cherry lip, a bonny e●e, a passing pleasing tongue:  
And that the Queen's kindred are made gentlefolks.  
How say you sir▪ can you deny all this?  Bro. 
With this (my Lord) myself have nought to do.  Glo. 
nought to do with Mistress Shore, I tell thee fellow▪  
He that doth nought with her, excepting one  
Were best he do it secretly alone.  Bro. 
I beseech your Grace to pardon n●e, and withal forbear  
Your conference with the noble Duke.  Cla. 
We know thy charge Brokenbury and will obey,  Glo. 
We are the Queen's abjects and must obey.  
Brother farewell, I will unto the King,  
And whatsoever you will employ me in,  
Were it to call King Edward's widow sister,  
I will perform it to enfranchise you,  
Mean time this deep disgrace in brotherhood,  
Touches me deeper than you can imagine.  Cla. 
I know it pleaseth neither of us well:  Glo. 
Well, your imprisonment shall not be long,  
I will deliver you or lie for you,  
Mean time have patience.  Cla. 
I must perforce; farewell.  Exit Clar. Glo. 
Go tread the path that thou shalt near return,  
Simple plain Clarence I do love thee so,  
That I will shortly send thy soul to heaven,  
If heaven will take the present at our hands:  
But who comes here the new delivered hasting?  Enter Lord Hastings. Hast. 
Good time of day unto my gracious Lord:  Glo. 
As much unto my good Lord Chamberlain:  
Well are you welcome to the open air,  
How hath your Lordship brooked imprisonment?  Hast. 
With patience (noble Lord) as prisoners must:  
But I shall live my Lord to give them thanks  
That were the cause of my imprisonment.  Glo. 
No doubt, no doubt, and so shall Clarence too,  
For they that were your enemies are his,  
And have prevailed as much on him as you.  Hast. 
More pity that the Eagle should be mewed,  
While k●ihts and bussards' prey at liberty.  Glo. 
What news abroad?  Hast. 
No news so bad abroad as this at home:  
The King is sickly, weak and melancholy,  
And his Physicians fear him mightily.  Glo. 
Now by Saint Paul this news is bad indeed,  
Oh he hath kept an evil diet long,  
And overmuch consumed his royal person,  
'tis very grievous to be thought upon:  
What is he in his bed?  Hast. 
He is.  Glo. 
Go you before and I will follow you.  Exit Ha 
He cannot live I hope, and must not die,  
Till George be packed with post horse up to heaven.  
I'll in to urge his hatred more to Clarence,  
With lies well steeled with weighty arguments,  
And if I fail not in my deep intent,  
Clarence hath not an other day to live  
Which done, God take King Edward to his mercy  
And leave the world for me to bustle in,  
For then I'll marry Warwick's youngest daughter:  
What though I killed her husband and her father,  
The readiest way to make the wench amends,  
Is to become her husband and her father:  
The which will I, not all so much for love,  
As for another secret close intent.  
By marrying her which I must reach unto.  
But yet I run before my horse to market:  
Clarence still breathes, Edward still lives and reigns,  
When they are gone then must I count my gains.  Exit. Enter Lady Anne with the hearse of Harry the 6. Lady An. 
Set down set down your honourable●  
If honour may be shrouded in a hearse,  
Whilst I a while obsequiously lament  
The untimely fall of virtuous Lancaster:  
Poor kei-cold figure of a holy King▪  
Pale ashes of the house of Lancaster,  
Thou bloodless remnant of that royal blood  
Be it lawful that I invocate thy ghost,  
To hear the lamentations of poor Anne,  
Wife to thy Edward, to thy slaughtered son,  
Stabbed by the self-same hands that made these holes,  
Lo in those windows that let forth thy life,  
I power the helpless balm of my poor eyes,  
Cursed be the hand that made these fatal holes,  
Cursed be the heart that had the heart to do it.  
More direful hap betide that hated wretch,  
That makes us wretched by the death of thee:  
Than I can with to adders, spiders, toads,  
Or any creeping venomed thing that lives.  
If ever he have child abortive be it,  
Prodigious and untimely brought to light:  
Whose ugly and unnatural aspect,  
May fright the hopeful mother at the view.  
If ever he have wife, let her be made  
As miserable by the death of him,  
As I am made by my poor Lord and thee.  
Come now towards Chertsey with your holy load,  
Taken from Paul's to be interred there:  
And still as you are weary of the weight,  
Rest you whiles I lament King Henry's corpse.  Enter Gloucester. Glo. 
Stay you that bear the corpse and set it down.  La. 
What black magician conjures up this fiend,  
To stop devoted charitable deeds.  Glo. 
Villain set down the corpse, or by S. Paul,  
I'll make a corpse of him that disobeies.  Gent. 
My Lord, stand back and let the coffin pass,  Glo. 
Vanmanerd dog, stand thou when I command,  
Advance thy halberd higher than my breast,  
Or by Saint Paul I'll strike thee to my foot,  
And spurn upon thee beggar for thy boldness.  La. 
What do you tremble, are you all afraid?  
Alas, I blame you not, for you are mortal,  
And mortal eyes cannot endure the devil.  
Avaunt thou dreadful minister of hell,  
Thou hadst but power over his mortal body,  
His soul thou canst not have, therefore be gone.  Glo. 
Sweet Saint, for Charity be not so cursed.  La. 
Fowl Devil, for God's sake hence & trouble us not,  
For thou hast made the happy earth thy hell:  
Filled it with cursing cries and deep exclaims.  
If thou delight to view thy heinous deeds,  
Behold this pattern of thy butcheries.  
Oh gentlemen see, see dead Henry's wounds,  
Open their congealed mouths and bleed a fresh,  
Blush blush thou lump of foul deformity,  
For 'tis thy presence that exhales this blood,  
From cold and empty veins where no blood dwells.  
Thy deed inhuman and unnatural,  
Provokes this deluge most unnatural.  
Oh God which this blood madest, revenge his death,  
Oh earth which this blood drinkst, revenge his death:  
Either heaven with lightning strike the murderer dead,  
Or earth gape open wide and eat him quick.  
As thou dost swallow up this good King's blood,  
Which his hell-governd arm hath butchered.  Glo. 
Lady you know no rules of charity▪  
Which renders good for bad, blessings for curses.  Lady 
Villain thou knowest no law of God nor man:  
No beast so fierce but knows some touch of pity.  Glo. 
But I know none, and therefore am no beast.  Lady 
Oh wonderful when Devils tell the troth.  Glo. 
More wonderful when Angels are so angry  
vouchsafe divine perfection of a woman,  
Of these supposed evils to give me leave,  
By circumstance but 〈◊〉 acquit myself.  La. 
Vouchsafe defused infection of a man,  
For these known evils but to give me leave,  
By circumstance to curse thy cursed self.  Glo. 
Fairer than tongue can name thee, let me have  
Some patiented leisure to excuse myself.  La. 
Fouler than heart can think thee thou canst make  
No excuse currant but to hang thyself.  Glo. 
By such despair I should accuse myself.  Lad. 
And by despairing shouldst thou stand excused,  
For doing worthy vengeance on thyself,  
Which didst unworthy slaughter upon others.  Glo. 
Say that I slew them not.  La. 
Why then they are not dead,  
But dead they are, and devilish slave by thee.  Glo. 
I did not kill your husband.  Ld. 
Why then he is alive.  Glo. 
Nay, he is dead, and slain by Edward's hand.  La. 
In thy foul throat thou liest, Queen Margaret saw  
Thy bloody falchion smoking in his blood.  
The which thou once didst bend against her breast,  
But that thy brothers beat aside the point.  Glo. 
I was provoked by her slanderous tongue▪  
Which laid their guilt upon my gui●tlesle shoulders.  La. 
Thou wast provoked by thy bloody mind▪  
Which never dreamt on aught but butcheries,  
Didst thou not kill this King.  Glo. 
I grant yea.  La. 
Dost grant me hedgehog then god grant me too  
Thou mayest be damned for that wicked deed,  
Oh he was gentle, mild, and virtuous.  Glo. 
The fit for the King of Heaven that hath him.  La. 
He is in heaven where thou shalt never come.  Glo. 
Let him thank me that holp to send him thither,  
For he was fit for that place then earth.  La. 
And thou unfit for any place but hell.  Glo. 
Yes one place else if you will hear me name it.  La. 
Some dungeon.  Glo. 
Your bedchamber.  La. 
Ill rest betide the chamber where thou liest.  Glo. 
So will it Madam till I ●●e with you.  La. 
I hope so.  Glo. 
I Know so, but gentle Lady Anne,  
To leave this keen encounter of our wits,  
And fall somewhat into a flower method:  
Is not the causer of the timeless deaths,  
Of these P●antagenets Henry and Edward,  
As blameful as the executioner.  La. 
Thou art the cause and most accursed effect.  Glo. 
Your beauty was the cause of that effect,  
Your beauty which did haunt me in my sleep:  
To undertake the death of all the world  
So I might rest one hour in your sweet bosom.  La. 
If I thought that I tell thee homicide,  
These nails should rend that beauty from my cheeks.  Glo. 
These eyes could never endure sweet beauty's wrack,  
You should not blemish them if I stood by:  
As all the world is cheered by the son,  
So I by that, it is my day, my life.  La. 
Black night overshade thy day, and death thy life.  Glo. 
Curse not thyself fair creature, thou art both.  La. 
I would I were to be revenged on thee.  Glo. 
It is a quarrel most unnatural,  
To be revenged on him that loveth you.  La. 
It is a quarrel just and reasonable,  
To be revenged on him that slew my husband.  Glo. 
He that bearest thee Lady of thy husband,  
Did it to help thee to a better husband.  La. 
His better doth not breath upon the earth.  Glo. 
Go to, he lives that loves you better than he could.  La. 
Name him.  Glo. 
Plantagenet.  La. 
Why that was he.  Glo. 
The self-same name but one of better nature.  La. 
Where is he.  She spiteth at him. Glo. 
Hear.  
Why dost thou spit at me.  La. 
Would it were mortal poison for thy sake.  Glo. 
Never came poison from so sweet a place.  La. 
Never hung poison on a fouler toad,  
Out of my sight thou dost infect my eyes.  Glo. 
Thine eyes sweet Lady have infected mine.  La. 
Would they were basilisks to strike thee dead.  Glo. 
I would they were that I might die at once,  
For now they kill me with a living death:  
Those eyes of thine from mine have drawn salt tears,  
Shamed their aspect with store of childish drops:  
I never sued to friend nor enemy,  
My tongue could never learn sweet soothing words:  
But now thy beauty is proposed my fee:  
My proud heart sues and prompts my tongue to speak▪  
Teach not thy lips such scorn, for they were made  
For kissing Lady not for such contempt.  
If thy revengeful heart cannot forgive,  
Lo here I lend thee this sharp pointed sword:  
Which if thou please to hide in this true bosom,  
And let the soul forth that adoreth thee:  
I la●e it naked to the deadly stroke,  
And humbly beg the death upon my knee.  
Nay, do not pause, 'twas I that killed your husband,  
But 'twas thy beauty that provoked me:  
Nay now dispatch 'twas I that killed King Henry:  
But 'twas thy heavenly face that set me on:  Here she let's fall the sword. 
Take up the sword again or take up me.  La. 
Arise dissembler, though I wish thy death,  
I will not be the executioner.  Glo. 
Then bid me kill myself, and I will do it▪  La. 
I have already.  Glo. 
Tush that was in thy rage:  
Speak it again, and even with the word,  
That hand which for thy love did kill thy love,  
Shall for thy love, kill a far truer love:  
To both their deaths shalt thou be accessary.  La. 
I would I knew thy heart.  Glo. 
'tis figured in my tongue.  La. 
I fear me both are false.  Glo. 
Then never was man true.  La. 
Well, well, put up your sword▪  Glo. 
Say then my peace is made.  La. 
That shall you know hereafter.  Glo. 
But shall I live in hope.  La. 
All men I hope live so.  Glo. 
Vouchsafe to wear this ring.  La. 
To take is not to give.  Glo. 
Look how this ring encompasseth thy finger,  
Even so thy breast encloseth my poor heart.  
Wear both of them for both of them are thine,  
And if thy poor devoted suppliant may  
But beg one favour at thy gracious hand,  
Thou dost confirm his happiness for ever.  La. 
What is it?  Glo. 
That it would please thee leave these sad designs,  
To him that hath more cause to be a mourner,  
And presently repair to Crosby place,  
Where after I have solemnly interred  
At Chertsie monastery this noble King,  
And wet his grave with my repentant tears,  
I will with all expedient duty see you:  
For divers unknown reasons, I beseech you  
Grant me this boon.  La. 
With all my heart, and much it joys me too,  
To see you are become so penitent:  
Tressill and Barkley go along with me.  Glo. 
Bid me farewell  La. 
'tis more than you deserve:  
But since you teach me how to flatter you,  
Imagine I have said farewell already.  Exit. Glo. 
Sirs take up the corpse.  Ser. 
Towards Chertsie noble Lord.  Glo. 
No, to white Friars there attend my coming.  
Was ever woman in this humour wooed,  Exeunt. manet Gl. 
Was ever woman in this humour won:  
I'll have her, but I will not keep her long.  
What I that killed her husband and his father,  
To take her in her hearts extremest hate:  
With curses in her mouth, tears in her eyes,  
The bleeding witness of her hatred by,  
Having God, her conscience, and these bars against me:  
And I nothing to back my suit at all,  
But the plain Diuel● and dissembling looks,  
And yet to win her all the world to nothing. Ha  
Hath she forgot already that brave Prince  
Edward, her Lord whom I some three months since,  
Stabbed in my angry mood at Tewxbery,  
A sweeter and a lovelier gentleman,  
Framed in the prodigality of nature:  
Young, valiant, wise, and no doubt right royal,  
The spacious world cannot again afford:  
And will she yet debase her eyes on me  
That cropped the golden prime of this sweet Prince,  
And made her widow to a woeful bed,  
On me whose all not equal Edward's moiety▪  
On me that halt, and am unshapen thus.  
My Duke doom to a beggarly denier.  
I do mistake my person all this while,  
Upon my life she finds, although I cannot  
Myself, to be a marvelous proper man.  
I'll be at charges for a looking glass,  
And entertain some score or two of tailors,  
To study fashions to adorn my body,  
Since I am crept in favour with myself,  
I will maintain it with some little cost:  
But first I'll turn yo● fellow in his grave,  
And then return lamenting to my love.  
Shine out fair sun till I have bought a glass,  
That I may see my shadow as I pass.  Exit. Enter Queen, Lord Rivers, Grace. Ri 
Have patience Madam, there's no doubt his Majesty  
Will soon recover his accustomed health.  Grace 
In that you brook it, ill it makes him worse,  
Therefore for God's sake entertain good comfort,  
And cheer his grace quick and merry words,  Qu. 
If he were dead what would betide of me.  Ry. 
No other harm but loss of such a Lord.  Qu. 
The loss of such a Lord includes all harm.  Gr. 
The heavens have blessed you with a goodly son,  
To be your comforter when he is gone.  Qu. 
Oh he is young, and his minority  
Is put unto the trust of Rich. Gloucester▪  
A man that loves not me nor none of you.  Ri. 
Is it concluded he shall be protector?  Qu. 
It is determined, not concluded yet,  
But so it must be if the King miscarry.  (Enter Buck. Derby Gr. 
Here come the Lords of Buckingham and Derby.  Buck. 
Good time of day unto your royal grace.  Dar. 
God make your Majesty joyful as you have been.  Qu. 
The Countess Richmond good my Lo: of Derby.  
To your good prayers will scarcely say, Amen:  
Yet Derby notwithstanding, she's your wise,  
And loves not me, be you good Lo. assured  
I hate not you for her proud arrogance.  Dar. 
I do beseech you either not believe  
The envious slanders of her false accusers,  
Or if she be accused in true report,  
Bear with her weakness which I think proceeds  
From way ward sickness, and no grounded malice.  Ry. 
Saw you the King to day, my Lo: of Derby?  Dar. 
But now the Duke of Buckingham and I  
Came from visiting his Majesty.  Qu. 
With likelihood of his amendment Lords?  Buc. 
Madame good hope, his Grace speaks cheerfully.  Qu. 
God grant him health, did you confer with him.  Buc. 
Madam we did: He desires to make atonement  
Betwixt the Duke of Gloucester and your brothers,  
And betwixt them and my Lord chamberlain,  
And sent to warn them to his royal presence.  ‛ Qu. 
Would all were well, but that will never be.  
I fear our happiness is at the highest.  Enter Gloucester Glo. 
They do me wrong and I will not endure it▪  
Who are they that complains unto the King,  
That I forsooth am stern and love them not:  
By holy Paul they love his grace but lightly,  
That fill his ears with such discentious rumours:  
Because I cannot flatter and speak fair,  
Smile in men's faces, smooth, deceive and cog▪  
Duck with french nods and apish courtesy,  
I must be held a rancorous enemy.  
Cannot a plain man live and think no harm,  
But thus his simple truth must be abused,  
By silken sly insinuating jacks?  Ry. 
To whom in all this presence speaks your Grace?  Glo. 
To thee that hast nor honesty nor grace,  
When have I injured thee, when done thee wrong,  
Or thee or thee or any of your faction:  
A plague upon you all. His royal person  
(Whom God preserve better ●hen you would wish)  
Cannot be quiet scarce a breathing while,  
But you must trouble him with lewd complaints.  Qu. 
Brother of Gloucester, you mistake the matter:  
The King of his own royal disposition,  
And not provoked by any suitor else,  
Aiming belike at your interior hatred,  
Which in your outward actions shows itself,  
Against my kindred, brother, and myself:  
Makes him to send that thereby he may gather  
The ground of your ill will and to remove it.  Glo. 
I cannot tell, the world is grown so bad  
That wrens make pray where Eagles dare not perch,  
Since every jacke became a Gentleman:  
There's many a gentle person made a lack.  Qu. 
Come come, we know your meaning brother Gl.  
You envy my advancement and my friends,  
God grant we never may have need of you.  Glo. 
Mean time God grants that we have need of you,  
Our brother is imprisoned by your means,  
Myself disgraced, and the nobility  
Held in contempt, whilst many fair promotions,  
Are daily given to ennoble those  
That scarce some two days since were worth a noble.  Qu. 
By him that raised me to this careful height,  
From that contented hap which I enjoyed,  
I never did incense his Majesty  
Against the Duke of Clarence: but have been,  
An earnest advocate to plead for him.  
My Lord you do me shameful injury,  
Falsely to draw me in these vile suspects.  Glo. 
You may deny that you were not the cause,  
Of my Lord Hastings late imprisonment.  Ryu. 
She may my Lord.  Glo. 
She may Lo: Rivers, why who knows not so?  
She may do more Sir than denying that:  
She may help you to many fair preferments,  
And then deny her aiding hand therein,  
And lay those honours on your high deserts,  
What may she not, she may, yea marry may she.  Ry. 
What marry may she.  Glo. 
What marry may she, marry with a King.  
A bachelor, a handsome stripling too.  
Iwis your Grandam had a worse match.  Qu. 
My Lo: of Gloucester, I have too long borne  
Your blunt upbraid and your bitter scoffs,  
By heaven I will acquaint his Majesty  
With those gross taunts I often have endured:  
I had rather be a country servant maid.  
Then a great Queen with this condition.  
To be thus taunted, scorned, and baited at:  Enter Q● Margaret. 
Small joy have I in being England's Queen.  Qu. Mar. 
And lessened be that small, God I beseech thee.  
Thy honour, state, and seat is due to me.  Glo. 
What? threat you me with telling of the King,  
Tell him and spare not, look what I have said, ●  
I will avouch in presence of the King: ●  
'tis time to speak, my pains are quite forgot.  Qu. Mar. 
Out devil I remember them too well,  
Thou slewest my husband Henry in the tower,  
And Edward my poor son at Teuxbery.  Glo. 
Ere you were Queen, yea or your husband King.  
I was a packhorse in his great affairs,  
A weeder out of his proud adversaries,  
A liberal rewarder of his friends:  
To royalize his blood I spilled mine own.  Qu. Mar. 
Yea and much better blood than his or thine.  Glo. 
In all which time you and your husband Grace,  
Were factious for the house of Lancaster:  
And Rivers, so were you, was not your husband  
In Margaret's battle at Saint Alban's slain:  
Let me put in your minds, if yours forget  
What you have been ere now, and what you are.  
Withal, what I have been, and what I am.  Qu. Ma. 
A murderous villain, and so still thou art.  Glo. 
Poor Clarence did forsake his father Warwicke,  
Yea and forswore himself (which jesus pardon.)  Queen▪ Ma. 
Which God revenge.  Glo. 
To fight on Edward's party for the crown,  
And for his meed poor Lo: he is mewed up:  
I would to God my heart were ●lint like Edward's,  
Or Edward's soft and pitiful like mine,  
I am too childish, foolish for this world.  Qu. Ma. 
High thee to hell for shame and leave the world  
Thou Cacodaemon, there thy kingdom is.  Ry. 
My Lo.▪ of Gloucester in those busy days,  
Which here you urge to prove us enemies,  
We followed then our Lo: our lawful King,  
So should we you if you should be our King.  Glo. 
If I should be? I had rather be a peddler,  
far be it from my heart the thought of it.  Qu. 
As little joy my Lord as you suppose  
You should enjoy, were you this country's King,  
As little joy may you suppose in me,  
That I enjoy being the Queen thereof.  Qu. M. 
A little joy enjoys the Queen thereof,  
For I am she and altogether joyless.  
I can no longer hold me patiented:  
Hear me you wrangling Pirates that fall out,  
In sharing that which you have piled from me:  
Which of you trembles not that looks on me?  
If not, that I being Queen you bow like subjects,  
Yet that by you deposed you quake like rebels:  
O gentle villain do not turn away.  Glo. 
Fowl wrinkled witch what mak'st thou in my sight?  Q. Ma. 
But repetition of what thou hast marred,  
That will'I make before I let thee go:  
A husband and a son thou owest to me,  
And thou a kingdom, all of you allegiance:  
The sorrow that I have by right is yours,  
And all the pleasures you usurp are mine.  Glo. 
The curse my noble father laid on thee,  
When thou didst crown his warlike brows with paper,  
And with thy scorn drewest rivers from his eyes,  
And then to dry them gau●st the Duke a clout,  
Steeped in the faultless blood of pretty Rutland:  
His curses then from bitterness of soul  
Denounst, against thee, are all fallen upon thee,  
And God, not we, hath plagued thy bloody deed.  ● Qu. 
So just is God to right the innocent.  Hast. 
O 'twas the foulest deed to slay that babe,  
And the most merciless that ever was heard of.  Riu. 
Tyrants themselves wept when it was reported.  Dors. 
No man but prophesied revenge for it.  Buch. 
Northumberland then present wept to see it.  Qu. M. 
What? were you snarling all before I came,  
Ready to catch each other by the throat,  
And turn you all your hatred now on me?  
Did York's dread curse prevail so much with heaven,  
That Henry's death my lovely Edward's death,  
Their kingdoms loss, my woeful banishment,  
Can all but answer for that peevish brat?  
Can curses pierce the clouds and enter heaven?  
Why then give way dull clouds to my quick curses:  
If not, by war, by surfeit die your King,  
As ours by murder to make him a King.  
Edward thy son which now is Prince of Wales,  
For Edward my son which was Prince of Wales,  
Die in his youth by like untimely violence,  
Thyself a Queen, for me that was a Queen,  
Outlive thy glory like my wretched self:  
Long mayest thou live to wail thy children's loss,  
And see another as I see thee now  
Decked in thy rights, as thou art stalled in mine:  
Long die thy happy days before thy death,  
And after many lengthened hours of grief,  
Die neither mother, wife, nor England's Queen:  
Rivers and Dorset you were standers by,  
And so wast thou Lo: Hastings when my son  
Was stabbed with bloody daggers, god I pray him,  
That none of you may live your natural age,  
But by some unlooked accident cut off.  Glo. 
Have done thy charm thou hateful withered hag.  Q M. 
And leave out the stay dog for thou shalt hear me  
If heaven have any grievous plague in store,  
Exceeding those that I can wish upon thee:  
O let them keep it till thy sins be ripe,  
And then hurl down their indignation  
On thee the troubler of the poor world's peace:  
The worm of conscience still begnaw thy soul,  
Thy friends suspect for traitors while thou livest,  
And take deep traitors for thy dearest friends:  
No sleep, close up that deadly eye of thine,  
Unless it be whilst some tormenting dream  
Affrights thee with a hell of ugly devils.  
Thou elvish marked abortive rooting hog,  
Thou that wast sealed in thy nativity  
The slave of nature, and the son of hell.  
Thou slander of thy mother's heavy womb,  
Thou loathed issue of thy father's loins,  
Thou rag of honour, thou detested, etc.  Glo. 
Margaret.  Qu. M. 
Richard.  Glo. 
Ha.  Qu. M. 
I call thee not.  Glo. 
Then I cry thee mercy, for I had thought  
That thou hadst called me all these bitter names.  Queen M. 
Why so I did, but looked for no reply,  
O Let me make the period to my curse.  Glo. 
'tis done by me, and ends in Margaret.  Qu. 
Thus have you breathed your curse against yourself.  Qu. M. 
Poor painted Queen, vain flourish of my fortune  
Why strewst thou sugar on that bottled spider,  
Whose deadly web ens●areth thee about?  
Fool fool, thou whetst a knife to kill thyself,  
The time will come that thou shalt wish for me,  
To help thee curse that poisenous bunchbackt toad.  Hast. 
False boding woman, end thy frantic curse,  
Lest to thy harm thou move our patience.  Q. M. 
Fowl shame upon you, you have all moved mine,  Ri. 
Were you well served you would be taught your duty.  Q. M. 
To serve me well, you all should do me duty,  
Teach me to be your Queen, and you my subjects:  
O serve me well, and teach yourselves that duty.  Dors. 
Dispute not with her, she is lunatic.  Q M. 
Peace Master Marquis you are malapert,  
Your firenew stamp of honour is scarce currant:  
O that your young nobility could judge,  
What 'twere to lose it and be miserable:  
They that stand high have many blast to shake them▪  
And if they fall they dash themselves to pieces.  Glo. 
Good counsel marry, learn it learn it Marquis.  Dor. 
It toucheth you my Lo: as much as me.  Glo. 
Yea and much more▪ but I was borne so high,  
Our airy buildeth in the Cedar's top,  
And dallies with the wind, and scorns the sun.  Queen M. 
And turns the sun to shade, alas, alas,  
Witness my son, now in the shade of death,  
Whose bright out shining beams, thy cloudy wrath  
Hath in eternal darkness folded up:  
Your airy buildeth in our aieries' nest,  
O God that seest it, do not suffer it:  
As it was won with blood, lost be it so.  Buck. 
Have done for shame, if not for charity.  Qu. M. 
Urge neither charity nor shame to me,  
Uncharitably with me have you dealt,  
And shamefully by you my hopes are butchered,  
My charity is outrage, life my shame,  
And in my shame, still live my sorrows rage.  Buck. 
Have done.  Q. M. 
O Princely Buckingham, I will kiss thy hand  
In sign of league and amity with thee:  
Now fair befall thee and thy Princely house,  
Thy garments are not spotted with our blood,  
Nor thou within the compas●e of my curse.  Buc. 
Nor no one here, for curses never pass  
The lips of those that breath them in the air.  Q. M. 
I'll not believe but they ascend the sky,  
And there awake gods gentle sleeping peace.  
O Buckingham beware of yonder dog,  
Look when he fawns, he bites, and when he bites,  
His venom tooth will rackle thee to death,  
Have not to do with him, beware of him:  
Sin, death and hell, have set their marks on him,  
And all their ministers attend on him.  Glo. 
What doth she say my Lo: of Buckingham?  Buck. 
Nothing that I respect my gracious Lord.  Qu. M. 
What dost thou scorn me for my gentle counsel,  
And soothe the devil that I warn thee from:  
O but remember this another day,  
When he shall split thy very heart with sorrow,  
And say poor Margaret was a prophetess:  
Live each of you the subjects of his hate,  
And he to your, and all of you to Gods.  Exit. Hast. 
My hair doth stand on end to hear her curses.  Ryu. 
And so doth mine, I wonder she's at liberty.  Glo. 
I cannot blame her by ●●ds holy mother,  
She hath had too much 〈◊〉, and I repent  
My part thereof that I have done.  Qu. 
In●uer did her any to my knowledge.  Glo. 
But you have all the vantage of this wrong.  
I was too hot to do some body good,  
That is too cold in thinking of it now:  
Marry as for Clarence he is well repaid,  
He is franked up to fatting for his pains,  
God pardon them that are the cause of it.  Ryu. 
A virtuous and a Christianlike conclusion,  
To pray for them that have done scathe to us.  Glo. 
So do I ever being well advised,  
For had I cursed, now I had cursed myself.  Cates. 
Madam his Majesty doth call for you.  
And for your Grace, and you my noble Lo▪  Queen 
Catesby we come, Lords will you go with us.  Ry. 
Madam we will attend your grace.  Exeunt man. Ri. Glo. 
I do the wrong, and first began to brawl  
The secret mischiefs that I set abroach,  
I lay unto the grievous charge of others:  
Clarence whom I indeed have laid in darkness,  
I do beweep to many simple gul●:  
Namely to Hastings, Derby, Buckingham,  
And say it is the Queen and her allies,  
That stir the King against the Duke my brother.  
Now they believe me, and withal whet me,  
To be revenged on Rivers, Vaughan, Grace:  
But then I sigh, and with a piece of scripture,  
Tell them that God bids us do good for evil:  
And thus I cloth my naked villainy,  
With old odd ends stolen out of holy writ,  
And seem a Saint when most I play the Devil:  
But soft here come my executioners.  Enter Executioners. 
How now my hardy stout resolved mates,  
Are you now going to dispatch this deed.  Execu. 
We are my Lord, and come to have the warrant,  
That we may be admitted where he is.  Glo. 
It was well thought upon, I have it here about me,  
When you have done repair to Crosby place;  
But sirs, be sudden in the execution,  
Withal▪ obdurate, do not hear him plead,  
For Clarence is well spoken, and perhaps,  
May, move your hearts to pity if you mark him.  Exec. 
Tush fear not my Lo: we will not stand to prate,  
Talkers are no good doers be assured:  
We come to use our hands, and not our tongues.  Gl. 
Your eyes drop millstones when fools eyes drop tears,  
I like you lads, about your business.  Exeunt. Enter Clarence, Brokenbury. Brok. 
Why looks your grace so heavily to day?  Clar. 
Oh I have passed a miserable night,  
So full of ugly sights, of ghastly dreams,  
That as I am a christian faithful man,  
I would not spend another such a night,  
Though 'twere to buy a world of happy days▪  
So full of dismal terror was the time.  Brok. 
What was your dream, I long to hear you tell it.  Cla. 
Me thoughts I was embarked for Burgundy,  
And in my company my brother Gloucester,  
Who from my cabbine tempted me to walk,  
Upon the hatches thence we looked toward England,  
And cited up a thousand fearful times,  
During the wars of York and Lancaster:  
That had befallen us, as we pact along,  
Upon the giddy footing of the hatches:  
Me thought that Gloucester stumbled, and in stumbling,  
Struck me that thought to stay him over board,  
Into the tumbling billows of the main.  
Lord, Lord, me thought what pain it was to drown.  
What dreadful noise of waters in my ears,  
What ugly sights of death within my eyes:  
Me thought I saw a thousand fearful wracks,  
Ten thousand men, that fishes gnawed upon,  
Wedges of gold, great anchors, heaps of pearl,  
Inestimable stones, unualued jewels,  
Some lay in dead men's skulls, and in those holes,  
Where eyes did once inhabit, there were crept  
As 'twere in scorn of eyes reflecting gems,  
Which wooed the s●●my bottom of the deep,  
And mocked the dead bones that lay scattered by.  Brok. 
Had you such leisure in the time of death,  
To gaze upon the secrets of the deep?  Clar. 
Me thought I had, for still the envious stoud  
Kept in my soul, and would not let if forth,  
To seek the empty vast▪ and wandering air,  
But smothered it within my panting bulk,  
Which almost burst to belch it in the sea.  Brok. 
Awaked you not with this ●ore agony.  Cla. 
O no, my dream was lengthened after life▪  
O then began the tempest to my soul,  
Who past me thought the melancholy flood,  
With that grim ferr●man, which Poets writ of,  
Unto the kingdom of perpetual night:  
The first that there did greet my stranger soul,  
Was my great father in law renowned Warwick,  
Who cried aloud what scourge for perjury.  
Can this dark monarchy afford false Clarence,  
And so he vanished, then came wandering by,  
A shadow like an angel in bright hair,  
Dabbled in blood, and he squakt out aloud,  
Clarence is come, false, fleeting, perjured Clarene●  
That stabbed me in the field by Teuxbery:  
Seize on him furies, take him to your torment's,  
With that me thoughts a legion of foul fiend's  
Environed me about, and howled in mine ears  
Such hideous cries, that with the very noise  
I trembling, waked, and for a season after  
Can not believe but that I was in hell,  
Such terrible impression made the dream.  Bro. 
No marvel my Lo: though it affrighted you,  
I promise you, I am afraid to hear you tell it.  Cla. 
O Brokenbury I have done those things,  
Which now bear evidence against my soul  
For Edward's sake, and see how he requites me.  
I pray thee gentle keeper stay by me,  
My soul is heavy, and I feign would sleep.  Bro. 
I will my Lo: God give your Grace good rest,  
Sorrow break seasons, and reposing hours  
Makes the night morning, and the noontide night,  
Princes have but their titles for their glories▪  
An outward honour, for an inward toil,  
And for unfelt imagination,  
They often feel a world of restless cares:  
So that betwixt their titles and low names▪  
There● nothing differs but the outward fame.  The murderers enter. 
In God's name what are you, and how came you hither?  Execu. 
I would speak with Clarence, and I came hither on my legs.  Bro. 
Yea, are you so brief.  2 Exe. 
O sir, it is better to be brief then tedious,  
Show him our commission, talk no more.  He readeth it. Bro. 
I am in this commanded to deliver  
The noble Duke of Clarence to your hands,  
I will not reason what is mean thereby,  
Because I willbe guiltless of the meaning:  
Here are the keys, there sits the Duke a sleep,  
I'll to his Majesty, and certify his Grace,  
That thus I have resigned my charge to you.  Exe. 
Do so, it is a point of wisdom.  2 
What shall I stab him as he sleeps?  1 
No then he will say 'twas done cowardly  
When he wakes.  2 
When he wakes,  
Why fool he shall never wake till the judgement day.  1 
Why then he will say, we stabbed him sleeping.  2 
The urging of that word judgement, hath bred  
A kind of remorse in me.  1 
What art thou afraid.  2 
Not to kill him having a warrant for it, but to be dā●d  
For killing him, from which no warrant can defend us.  1 
Back to the Duke of Gloucester, tell him so.  2 
I pray thee stay a while, I hope my holy, humour will  
Change, 'twas wont to hold me but while one would tell xx.  1 
How dost thou feel thyself no●?  2 
Faith some certain dregs of conscience are yet with in me.  1 
Remember our reward when the deed is done.  2 
Zounds he dies, I had forgot the reward.  1 
Where is thy conscience now?  2 
In the Duke of Glocesters' purse.  1 
So when he opens his purse to give us our reward,  
Thy conscience flies out.  2 
Let it go, there●●ew or none will entertain it▪  1 
How if it come to thee again?  2 
I'll not meddle with it, it is a dangerous thing,  
It makes a man a coward: A man cannot steal,  
But it accuseth him: he cannot swear, but it checks him:  
He cannot lie with his neighbour▪ wife, but it detects  
Him. It is a blushing shamefast spirit, that mutinies  
In a man's bosom: it fils one full of obstacles,  
It made me once restore a purse of gold that I found,  
It beggars any man that keeps it: it is turned out of all  
Towns and Cittles for a dangerous thing, and every  
Man that means to live well, endeavours to trust to  
To himself, and to live without it.  1 
Zounds it is even now at my elbow persuading me  
Not to kill the Duke.  2 
Take the devil in thy mind, and believe him not,  
He would insinuate with thee to make thee sigh.  1 
Tut▪ I am strong in fraud, he cannot prevail with me,  
I warrant thee.  2 
Spoke like a tall fellow that respects his reputation▪  
Come shall we to this gear.  1 
Take him over the costard with the hilts of thy sword,  
And then we will chop him in the malmsey But in the next room.  2 
Oh excellent device, make a sop of him.  1 
Hark he stirs, shall I strike.  2 
No▪ first let's reason with him.  Cla. 
Where art thou keeper, give me a cup of wine.  1 
You shall have wine enough my Lo: anon.  Cla. 
In God's name what art thou.  2 
A man as you are.  Cla. 
But not as I am, royal.  2 
Nor you as we are, loyal.  Cla. 
Thy voice is thunder, but thy looks are humble.  2 
My voice is now the Kings, my looks mine own.  Cla. 
How darkly, and how deadly dost thou speak:  
Tell me who are you, wherefore come you hither?  Am. 
To, to, to.  Cla. 
To murder me.  Am. 
I.  Cla. 
You scarcely have the hearts to tell me so,  
And therefore cannot have the hearts to do it.  
Wherein my friends have I offended you?  1 
Offended us you have not, but the King.  Cla. 
I shallbe reconciled to him again.  2 
Never my Lo: therefore prepare to die.  Cla. 
Are you called forth from out a world of men  
To slay the innocent? what is my offence.  
Where are the evidence that do accuse me:  
What lawful quest have given their verdict up  
Unto the frowning ludge, or who pronounced  
The bitter sentence of poor Clarence death,  
Before I be convict by course of law?  
To threaten me with death, is most unlawful:  
I charge you as you hope to have redemption,  
By Christ's dear blood shed for our grievous sins,  
That you depart and lay no hands on me,  
The deed you undertake is damnable.  1 
What we will do, we do upon command.  2 
And he that hath commanded, is the King.  Clar. 
Erroneous Vassal, the great King of Kings▪  
Hath in the tables of his law commanded,  
That thou shalt do no murder, and wilt thou then  
Spurn at his edict, and fulfil a man's?  
Take heed, for he holds vengeance in his hands,  
To hurl upon their heads that break his law.  2 
And that same vengeance doth he throw on thee,  
For false forswearing, and for murder too:  
Thou didst receive the holy sacrament,  
To fight in quarrel of the house of Lancaster.  1 
And like a traitor to the name of God▪  
Didst break that vow, and with thy treacherous blade,  
Vnripst the bowels of thy soueraign●s son.  2 
Whom thou wert sworn to cherish and defend.  1 
How canst thou urge God's dreadful Law to us,  
When thou hast broke it in so dear degree?  Cla. 
Alas, for whose sake did I that ill deed,  
For Edward, for my brother, for his sake:  
Why sirs, he sends ye not to murder me for this,  
For in this sin he is as deep as I:  
It God will be revenged for this deed.  
Take not the quarrel from his powerful arm,  
He needs no indirect, nor lawless course,  
To cut off those that have offended him.  1 
Who made thee then a bloody minister,  
When gallant springing brave Plantagenet,  
That Princely Novice was struck dead by thee?  Cla. 
My brother's love, the devil, and my rage.  1 
Thy brother's love, the devil and thy fault  
Have brought us hither now to murder thee.  Cla. 
Oh if you love my brother, hate not me,  
I am his brother, and I love him well:  
If you be hired for meed, go back again,  
And I will send you to my brother Gloucester,  
Who will reward you better for my life,  
Then Edward will for tidings of my death.  2 
You are deceived, your brother Gloucester hates you.  Cla. 
Oh no, he loves me, and he holds me dear,  
Go you to him from me.  Am. 
I, so we will.  Cla. 
Tell him, when that our princely father York,  
Blessed his three sons with his victorious arm:  
And charged us from his soul, to love each other,  
He little thought of this divided friendship.  
Bid Gloucester think of this, and he will weep.  Am. 
I, millstones as he lessoned us to weep.  Cla. 
O do not slander him for he is kind.  1 
Right as snow in harvest, thou deceivest thyself,  
'tis he hath sent us hither now to slaughter thee.  Cla. 
It cannot be, for when I parted with him,  
He hugged me in his arms, and swore with sob●,  
That he would labour my delivery.  2 
Why so he doth, now he delivers thee,  
From this worlds thraldom, to the joys of heaven,  1 
Makes peace with God, for you must die my Lo:  Cla. 
Hast thou that holy feeling in thy soul,  
To counsel me to make my peace with God;  
And art thou yet to thy own soul so blind,  
That thou wilt war with God, by murdering me?  
Ah sirs, consider, he that set you on  
To do this deed, will hate you for this deed.  2 
What shall we do?  Cla. 
Relent, and save your souls.  1 
Relent, 'tis cowardly and womanish.  Cla. 
Not to relent, is beastly, savage, devilish,  
My friend, I spy some pity in thy looks:  
Oh if thy eye be not a flatterer,  
Come thou on my side, and entreat for me,  
A begging Prince, what beggar pities not?  1 
I thus, and thus: if this will not serve,  He stabs him. 
I'll chop thee in the malmsey But, in the next room.  2 
A bloody deed and desperately performed,  
How feign like Pilate would I wash my hand,  
Of this most grievous guilty murder done.  1 
Why dost thou not help me,  
By heavens the Duke shall know how black thou art.  2 
I would he knew that I had saved his brother.  
Take thou the fee, and tell him what I say,  
For I repent me that the Duke is slain.  Exit. 1 
So do not I, go coward as thou art:  
Now must I hide his body in some hole,  
Until the Duke take order for his burial:  
And when I have my meed I must away,  
For this will out▪ and here I must not stay.  Exeunt. Enter King, Queen, Hastings, Rivers, Dorcet, etc. Kin. 
So, now I have done a good days work,  
You peers continue this united league,  
I every day expect an Embassage  
From my redeemer to redeem me hence:  
And now in peace my soul shall part from heaven,  
Since I have set my friends at peace on earth:  
Rivers and Hastings▪ take each others hand,  
Dissemble not your hatred, swear your love.  Riu. 
By heaven, my heart is purged from grudging hate,  
And with my hand I seal my true hearts love.  Hast. 
So thrive I as I truly swear the like.  Kin. 
Take heed you dally not before your King,  
Lest he that is the supreme King of Kings,  
Confound your hidden falsehood and award  
Either of you to be the others end.  Hast. 
So prosper I, as I swear perfect love.  Riu. 
And I, as I love hasting with my heart.  Kin. 
Madame, yourself are not exempt● in this,  
Nor your son Dorset, Bucking ham nor you,  
You have been factious one against the other:  
Wife, love Lo: Hastings, let him kiss your hand.  
And what you do, do it unfeignedly.  Q. 
Here Hastings I will never more remember  
Our former hatred so thrive I and mine.  Dor. 
This interchange of love, I here protest,  
Upon my part shallbe unviolable.  Hast. 
And so swear I my Lord.  Kin. 
Now princely Buckingham seal thou this league  
With thy embracement▪ to my wives allies,  
And make me happy in your unity.  Buc. 
When ever Buckingham doth turn his hate,  
On you or yours, but with all duteous love  
Doth cherish you and yours, God punish me  
With hate, in those where I expect most love▪  
When I have most need to employ a friend,  
And most assured that he is a friend,  
Deep, hollow, treacherous, and full of guile  
Be he unto me, this do I beg of God,  
When I am cold in zeal to you or yours.  Kin. 
A pleasing cordial Princely Buckingham,  
Is this thy vow unto my sickly heart:  
There wanteth now our brother Gloucester here,  
To make the perfect period of this peace,  Enter Glocest. Buc. 
And in good time here comes the noble Duke  Glo. 
Good morrow to my sovereign King & Queen,  
And Princely peers, a happy time of day.  Kin. 
Happy indeed as we have spent the day:  
Brother we have done deeds of charity  
Made peace of enmity▪ fair love of hate,  
Between these swelling wrong insenced peers.  Glo. 
A blessed labour, my most sovereign liege,  
Amongst this princely heap, if any here  
By false Intelligence or wrong surmise,  
Hold me a foe, if I unwittingly or in my rage,  
Have aught committed that is hardly borne  
By any in this presence, I desire  
To reconcile me to his friendly peace,  
'tis death to me to be at enmity.  
I hate it, and desire all good men's love.  
First Madam I entreat true peace of you,  
Which I will purchase with my duteous service.  
Of you my noble Cousin Buckingham,  
If ever any grudge were lodged between us.  
Of you Lo: Rivers, and Lord Grace of you,  
That all without desert have frowned on me,  
Duke's, Earls, Lords, gentlemen, indeed of all:  
I do not know that English man alive,  
With whom my soul is any jot at odds,  
More than the infant that is borne to night:  
I thank my God for my humility.  Qu. 
A holy day shall this be kept hereafter,  
I would to God all strifes were well compounded.  
My sovereign liege I do beseech your Majesty.  
To take our brother Clarence to your Grace.  Glo. 
Why Madam, have I offered love for this,  
To be thus scorned in this royal presence?  
Who knows not that the noble Duke is dead,  
You do him injury to scorn his corpse.  Ryu. 
Who knows not he is dead? who knows he is●  Qu. 
All seeing heaven, what a world is this?  Buck. 
Look I so pale Lo: Dorset as the rest?  Dor. 
I my good L▪ and no one in this presence,  
But his red colour hath forsook his cheeks.  Kin. 
Is Clarence dead, the order was reversed.  Glo. 
But he poor soul by your first order died,  
And that a wingled Mercury did bear,  
Some tardy cripple bore the countermand,  
That came too l●g to see him buried:  
God grant that some less noble, and less loyal,  
Nearer in bloody thoughts, but not in blond:  
Deserve not worse than wretched Clarence did,  
And yet go currant from suspicion.  Enter Derby. Dar. 
A boon my sovereign for my service done.  Kin. 
I pray thee peace, my soul is full of sorrow.  Dar. 
I will not rise unless your highness grant.  Kin. 
Then speak at once▪ what is it thou demandest.  Dar. 
The forfeit sovereign of my servants life,  
Who slew to day a riotous gentleman,  
Lately attendant on the Duke of Norfolk.  Kin. 
Have I a tongue to doom my brother's death,  
And shall the same give pardon to a slave?  
My brother slew no man, his fault was thought,  
And yet his punishment was cruel death.  
Who sued to me for him? who in my rage,  
Kneeled at my feet and bade me be advised?  
Who spoke of Brotherhood? who of love?  
Who told me how the poor soul did forsake  
The mighty Warwick, and did fight for me:  
Who told me in the field by Teuxbery,  
When Oxford had me down, he rescued me,  
And said dear brother, live and be a King?  
Who told me when we both lay in the field,  
Frozen almost to death, how he did lap me  
Even in his own garments, and gave himself  
All thin and naked to the numbcold night?  
All this from my remembrance brutish wrath  
Sinfully puckt, and not a man of you  
Had so much grace to put it in my mind.  
But when your carters, or your weighting vassals  
Have done a drunken slaughter, and defaced  
The precious image of our dear Redeemer,  
You strait are on your knees for pardon pardon.  
And I unjustly too, must grant it you:  
But for my brother, not a man would speak,  
Nor I ungracious speak unto myself,  
For him poor soul: The proudest of you all  
Have been beholding to him in his life:  
Yet none of you would once plead for his life:  
Oh God I fear thy justice will take hold  
On me, and you, and mine, and yours for this.  (Exit. 
Come Hastings help me to my closet, oh poor Clarence,  Glo. 
This is the fruit of rashness: marked you not  
How that the guilty kindred of the Queen,  
Looked pale when they did hear of Clarence death?  
Oh they did urge it still unto the King,  
God will revenge it. But come let's in  
To comfort Edward with our company.  Exeunt. Enter Duchess of York, with Clarence Children. Boy. 
Tell me good Granam, is our father dead?  Dut. 
No boy.  Boy. 
Why do you wring your hands, and beat your breast,  
And cry, Oh Clarence my unhappy son?  Gerl. 
Why do you look on us and shake your head,  
And call us wretches, Orphans, castaways,  
If that our noble father be alive?  Dut. 
My pretty Cousins, you mistake me much,  
I do lament the sickness of the King:  
As loath to lose him, not your father's death:  
It were lost labour, to weep for one that's lost.  Boy. 
Then Granam you conclude that he is dead,  
The King my Uncle is too blame for this:  
God will revenge it, whom I will importune  
With daily prayers, all to that effect.  Dut. 
Peace children, peace, the King doth love you well,  
Incapable and shallow innocents,  
You cannot guess who caused your father's death.  Boy. 
Granam we can: For my good Uncle Gloucester  
Told me, the King provoked by the Queen,  
Devisd impeachments to imprison him:  
And when he told me so, he wept,  
And hugged me in his arm, and kindly kissed my cheek▪  
And bade me rely on him as in my father,  
And he would love me dearly as his child.  Dut. 
Oh that deceit should steal such gentle shapes,  
And with a virtuous visaid hide foul guile:  
He is my son, yea, and therein my shame:  
Yet from my dogs he drew not this deceit.  Boy. 
Think you my Uncle did dissemble Granam?  Dut. 
I boy.  Boy. 
I cannot think it, hark what noise is this.  Enter the Quee. Qu. 
Oh who shall hinder me to wail and weep?  
To chide my fortune, and torment myself?  
I'll join with black despair against my soul,  
And to myself become an enemy.  Dut. 
What means this scene of rude impatience.  Qu. 
To make an act of tragic violence;  
Edward, my Lord, your son our King is dead.  
Why grow the branches, now the root is withered?  
Why whither not the leaves, the sap being gone?  
If you will live, lament: if die, be brief:  
That our swiftwinged souls may catch the Kings,  
Or like obedient subjects, follow him  
To his new kingdom of perpetual rest.  Dut. 
Ah somuch interest have I in thy sorrow,  
As I had title in thy noble husband:  
I have bewept a worthy husband's death,  
And lmed by looking on his images.  
But now two mirrors of his Princely semblance,  
Are cracked in pieces by malignant death:  
And I for comfort have but one false glass,  
Which grieves me when I see my shame in him.  
Thou art a widow, yet thou art a mother,  
And hast the comfort of thy children left thee:  
But death hath snatched my children from mine arms,  
And plucked two crutches from my feeble lummes,  
Edward and Clarence, Oh what cause have I  
Then, being but moiety of my grief,  
To overgo thy plaints and drown thy cries?  Boy. 
Good Aunt, you wept not for our father's death,  
How can we aid you with our kindred's ●●ares.  Gerl. 
Our fatherless distress was left unmoand.  
Your widows dolours likewise be unwept.  Qu. 
Give me no help in lamentation,  
I am not barren to bring forth laments:  
All springs reduce their currents to mine eyes,  
That I being governed by the marry moan,  
May send forth plenteous tears to drown the world:  
Oh for my husband, for my heir Lo: Edward.  Ambo 
Oh for our father, for our dear Lo: Clarence.  Dut. 
Alas for both, both mine Edward and Clarence.  Qu. 
What stay had I but Edward, and he is gone?  Am. 
What stay had we but Clarence, and he is gone?  Dut. 
What stays had I but they, and they are gone?  Qu. 
Was neucr Widow, had so dear a loss.  Ambo. 
Was never Orphans had a dearer loss.  Du. 
Was never mother had a dearer loss:  
Alas, I am the mother of these moans,  
Their woes are parceld, mine are general:  
She for Edward weeps, and so do I:  
I for a Clarence weep, so doth not she:  
These babes for Clarence weep, and so do I:  
I for an Edward weep, so do not they.  
Alas, you three on me threefold distressed,  
Pour all your tears, I am your furrows nurse,  
And I will pamper it with lamentations.  Enter Glocest. with others. Gl. 
Madame have comfort, all of us have cause,  
To wail the dimming of our shining star:  
But none can cure their harms by wailing them,  
Madam my mother, I do cry you mercy,  
I did not see your Grace, humbly on my knee  
I crave your blessing.  Du. 
God bless thee, and put meekness in thy mind,  
Love, charity, obedience, and true duty.  Glo. 
Amen, and make me die a good old man,  
That's the butt end of a mother's blessing:  
I marvel why her Grace did leave it out.  Buck. 
You cloudy Princes, and hart-sorrowing peers  
That bear this mutual heavy load of moan:  
Now cheer each other, in each others love:  
Though we have spent our harvest of this King,  
We are to reap the harvest of his son:  
The broken rancour of your high swollen hearts,  
But lately splinterd, knit, and joined etogether,  
Must gently be preserved, cherished and kept,  
Me seemeth good that with some little train,  
Forthwith from Ludlow the young Prince be fetched  
Hither to London, to be crowned our King.  Glo. 
Then be it so; and go we to determine,  
Who they shallbe that strait shall post to Ludlow:  
Madam, and you my mother will you go,  
To give your censures in this weighty business,  Ans. 
With all our hearts.  Exeunt man, Glo. Buck. Buck. 
My Lord who ever journeys to the Prince,  
For God's sake let not us two stay behind:  
For by the way I'll sort occasion,  
As index to the story we late talked of,  
To part the Queen's proud kindred from the King.  Glo. 
My other self, my counsels consistory:  
My Oracle, my Prophet, my dear cozen:  
I like a child will go by thy direction:  
Towards Ludlow then, for we will not stay behind.  Enter two Citizens. 1 Cit 
Neighbour well met, whither away so fast?  2 Cit 
I promise you, I scarcely know myself.  1 
Hear you the news abroad?  2 
I, that the King is dead.  1 
Bad news birlady, seldom comes the better,  
I fear, I fear, 'twill prove a troublous world.  Ent. another Citt. 3 Cit 
Good morrow neighbours.  
Doth this news hold of good King Edward's death?  1 
It doth.  3 
Then masters look to see a troublous world  1 
No no, by God's good grace his son shall reign.  3 
Woe to that land that's governed by a child.  2 
In him there is a hope of government,  
That in his nonage counsel under him,  
And in his full and ripened years himself,  
No doubt shall then, and till then govern well▪  1 
So stood the state when Harry the sixth  
Was crowned at Paris, but at ix. months old.  3 
Stood the state so? no good my friend not so,  
For then this land was famously enriched  
With politic grave counsel: then the King  
Had virtuous Uncles to protect his Grace.  2 
So hath this, both by the father and mother.  3 
Better it were they all came by the father,  
Or by the father there were none at all:  
For emulation now, who shall be nearest:  
Will touch us all too near, if God prevent not▪  
Oh full of danger is the Duke of Gloucester,  
And the Queen's kindred haughty and proud,  
And were they to be ruled, and not to rule,  
This sickly land might solace as before.  2 
Come come, we fear the worst, all shallbe well▪  3 
When clouds appear, wise men put on their cloaks:  
When great leaves fall, the winter is at hand:  
When the sun sets▪ who doth not look for night:  
Untimely storms, make men expect a dearth:  
All may be well: but if God sort it so,  
'tis more than we deserve or I expect.  1 
Truly the souls of men are full of bread:  
Ye cannot almost reason with a man  
That looks not heavily, and full of fear.  3 
Before the times of change still is it so:  
By a divine instinct men's minds mistrust  
Ensuing dangers, as by proof we see▪  
The waters swell before a boisterous storm:  
But leave it all to God: whither away?  2 
We are sent for to the justice▪  3 
And so was I, I'll bear you company▪  Exeunt. Enter Cardinal, Duchess of York, Quee. young York▪ Car. 
Last night I hear they lay at Northha●pton.  
At Stonistratford will they be to night,  
To morrow or next day, they will be here.  Dut. 
I long with all my heart to see the Prince,  
I hope he is much grown since last I saw him.  Qu. 
But I hear no, they say my son of York  
Hath almost overta'en him in his growth.  Yor. 
I mother, but I would not have it so.  Dut. 
Why my young cozen it is good to grow.  Yor. 
Grandam, one night as we did sit at supper,  
My Uncle Rivers talked how I did grow  
More than my brother. I quoth my Nnckle Gloucester,  
Small herbs have grace, great weeds grow apace,  
And since me thinks I would not grow so fast:  
Because sweet flowers are slow, and weeds make haste.  Dut. 
Good faith, good faith, the saying did not hold  
In him that did object the same to thee:  
He was the wretchedst thing when he was young,  
So long a growing, and so leisurely,  
That if this were a true rule, he should be gracious.  Car. 
Why Madam, so no doubt he is.  Dut. 
I hope so too, but yet let mothers doubt.  Yor. 
Now by my troth if I had been remembered,  
I could have given my uncles grace a flout,  
That should have nearer touched his growth than he did mine.  Dut. 
How my pretty York? I pray thee let me hear it.  Yor. 
Marry they say, my Uncle grew so fast,  
That he could gnaw a crust at two hours old:  
'Twas full two years ere I could get a tooth.  
Granam this would have heene a biting jest.  Dut. 
I pray thee pretty York who told thee so.  Yor. 
Granam his nurse.  Dut. 
His nurse: why she was dead ere thou wert borne.  Yor. 
If 'twere not she, I cannot tell who told me.  Qu. 
A perilous boy, go to, you are too shrewd.  Car. 
Good Madam be not angry with the child.  Qu. 
Pitchers have ears.  Enter Dorset. Car. 
Here comes your son, Lo: M. Dorset.  
What news Lo: Marques?  Dor. 
Such news my Lo: as grieves me to unfold.  Qu. 
How fares the Prince?  Dor. 
Well Madam, and in health.  Dut. 
What is thy news then?  Dor. 
Lo: Rivers and Lo: Grace are sent to Pomfret,  
With them, Sir Thomas Vaughan, prisoner's.  Dut. 
Who hath committed them?  Dor. 
The mighty Dukes, Gloucester and Buckingham.  Car. 
For what offence.  Dor. 
The sum of all I can, I have disclosed:  
Why, or for what, these nobles were committed,  
Is all unknown to me my gracious Lady.  Qu. 
Ay me I see the downfall of our house,  
The tiger now hath seized the gentle hind:  
Insulting tyranny begins to jet,  
Upon the innocent and lawless throne:  
Welcome destruction, death and massacre,  
I see as in a map the end of all.  Du. 
Accursed and unquiet wrangling days,  
How many of you have mine eyes beheld?  
My husband lost his life to get the crown,  
And often up and down my sons were tossed:  
For me to joy and weep their gain and loss,  
And being seated and domestic broils,  
Clean overblown themselves, the conquerors  
Make war upon themselves, blood against blood,  
Self against self, O preposterous  
And frantic outrage, end thy damned spleen,  
Or let me die to look on death no more.  Qu. 
Come come my boy, we will to sanctuary.  Dut. 
I'll go along with you.  Qu. 
You have no cause.  Car. 
My gracious Lady go,  
And thither bear your treasure and your goods,  
For my part, I'll resign unto your Grace  
The seal I keep, and so betide to me,  
As well I tender you and all of yours:  
Come I'll conduct you to the sanctuary.  Exeunt. The Trumpet's sound. Enter young Prince, the Dukes of Gloucester, and Buckingham, Cardinal, etc. Buc. 
Welcome sweet Prince to London to your chamber.  Glo. 
Welcome dear, cozen my thoughts sovereign,  
The weary way hath made you melancholy.  Prin. 
No Uncle, but our crosses on the way  
Have made it tedious, wearisome, and heavy:  
I want more Uncles here to welcome me.  Glo. 
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,  
Then of his outward show, which God he knows,  
S●●dome or never jumpeth with the heart:  
Those Uncles which you want, were dangerous,  
Your Grace attended to their sugared words,  
But looked not on the poison of their hearts:  
God keep you from them, and from such false friends.  Pri. 
God keep me from false friends, but they were none▪  Glo. 
My Lo, the Mayor of London comes to greet you.  Enter Lord Maior. Lo: M. 
God bless your grace with health and happy days.  Prin. 
I thank you good my Lo: and thank you all:  
I thought my mother, and my brother York,  
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,  (Enter L. Hast. Buck. 
And in good time, here comes the sweeting Lo:  Pri. 
Welcome my Lo: what will our mother come?  Hast. 
On what occasion, God he knows, not I:  
The Queen your mother and your brother York  
Have taken sanctuary: The tender Prince  
Would feign have come with me, to meet your Grace,  
But by his mother was perforce withheld.  Buc. 
Fie, what an indirect and peevish course  
Is this of hers? Lo: Cardinal will your grace  
Persuade the Queen to send the Duke of York  
Unto his Princely brother presently?  
If she deny, Lo: Hastings go with him,  
And from her jealous arms pluck him perforce.  Car. 
My Lo: 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 forbidden  
We should infringe the holy privilege  
Of blessed sanctuary, not for all this land,  
Would I be guilty of so deep a sin.  Buck. 
You are too senseless obstinate my Lo:  
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.  
This Prince hath neither claimed 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 never till now.  Car. 
My Lo: you shall overrule my mind for once:  
Come on Lo: Hastings will you go with me?  Hast. 
I go my Lord.  Prin. 
Good Lords make all the speedy haste you may:  
Say Uncle Gloucester, if our brother come,  
Where shall we sojourn till our coronation?  Glo. 
Where 〈◊〉 seems best unto your royal self:  
If I may council you, some day or two,  
Your highness shall repose you at the tower:  
Then where you please, and shallbe thought most fit  
For your best health and rec●cation.  Prin. 
I do not like the ●ower of any place:  
Did julius Caesar build that place my Lord?  Buc. 
He did, my gracious Lo: begin that place,  
Which since succeeding ages have reedisied.  Prin. 
Is it upon record, or else reported  
Successively from age to age he built it?  Buc. 
Upon record my gracious Lo:  Pri. 
But say my Lo: it were not registered,  
Me thinks the truth should live from age to age,  
As 'twere retailed to all posterity,  
Even to the general all-ending day.  Glo. 
So wise, so young, they say do never live long.  Pri. 
What say you Uncle?  Glo. 
I say without characters fame lives long:  
Thus like the formal vice iniquity,  
I moralize two meanings in one word.  Pri. 
That julius Cesar 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 cozen Buckingham.  Buc. 
What my gracious Lord?  Pri. 
And if I li●e until I be a man,  
I'll win our ancient right in France again,  
Or die a soldier as I lived a King.  Glo. 
Short summers lightly have a forward spring.  Enter young York, Hastings, Cardinal. Buc. 
Now in good time here comes the Duke of York.  Pri. 
Rich. of York how fares our loving brother?  Yor. 
Well my dread Lo: so must I call you now.  Pri. 
I 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.  Glo. 
How fares our cozen noble Lo: of York▪  Yor. 
I thank you gentle Uncle. O my Lo:  
You said that idle weeds are fast in growth:  
The Prince my brother hath outgrowen me far.  Glo. 
He hath my Lo:  Yor. 
And therefore is he idle?  Glo. 
Oh my fair cozen, I must not say so.  Yor. 
Then he is more beholding to you then I.  Glo. 
He may command me as my sovereign,  
But you have power in me as in a kinsman.  Yor. 
I pray you Uncle give me this dagger.  Glo. 
My dagger little cozen, withal my heart.  Pri. 
A beggar brother?  Yor. 
Of my kind Uncle that I know will give,  
And being but a toy, which is no grief to give.  Glo. 
A greater gift than that, I'll give my cozen.  Yor. 
A greater gift, O that's the sword to it.  Glo. 
I gentle cozen, were it light enough.  Yor. 
O than I see you will part but with light gifts,  
In weightier things you'll say a beggar nay.  Glo. 
It is too heavy for your Grace to wear.  Yor. 
I weigh it lightly were it heavier.  Glo. 
What would you have my weapon little Lord?  Yor. 
I would, that I might thank you as you call me.  Glo. 
How?  Yor. 
Little.  Pri. 
My Lo: of York will still be cross in talk:  
〈◊〉 your grace knows how to bear with him.  Yor. 
You mean to bear me, not to bear with 〈◊〉  
Uncle, my brother mocks both you and me,  
Because that I am little like an Ape,  
He thinks that you should bear me on your shoulders.  Buck. 
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.  Glo. 
My Lo: wilt 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.  Yor. 
What will you go unto the tower my Lo.▪  Prin. 
My Lo: protector needs will have it so.  Yor. 
I shall not sleep in quiet at the tower.  Glo. 
Why, what should you fear?  Yor. 
Marry my Uncle Clarence angry ghost:  
My Granam told me he was murdered there.  Pri. 
I fear no Uncles dead.  Glo. 
Nor none that hue, I hope.  Primero 
And if they live, I hope I need not fear:  
But come my Lo: with a heavy heart  
Thinking on them, go I unto the tower.  Exeunt Prin. Yor. Hast. Dors●manet. Rich. Buck. Buc. 
Think you my Lo: this little prating York,  
Was not incensed by his subtile mother,  
To taunt and scorn you thus opprobriously?  Glo. 
No doubt, no doubt, Oh 'tis a perilous boy,  
Bold, quick, ingenious, forward, capable,  
He is all the mothers, from the top to toe.  Buc. 
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 knowest our reasons urged upon the way:  
What thinkest thou? is it not an easy matter  
To make William Lo: Hastings of our mind,  
For the instalement of this noble Duke,  
In the seat royal of this famous Isle?  Cates. 
He for his father's sake so loves the Prince,  
That he will not be won to aught against him.  Buck. 
What thinkest thou then of Stanley what will he?  Cat. 
He will do all in all as Hastings doth.  Buck. 
Well then no more but this:  
Go gentle Catesby, and as it were a far off▪  
Sound thou Lo: Hastings, how he stands affected  
Unto our purpose, if he be willing,  
Encourage him, and show him all our reasons:  
If he be leaden, ●c●e, 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 counsels,  
Wherein thyself shalt highly be employed.  Glo. 
Commend me to Lo: 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.  Buck. 
Good Catesby effect this business sound.  Cat. 
My good Lo: both, with all the heed I may.  Glo. 
Shall we hear from you Catesby ere we sleep?  Cat. 
You shall my Lord.  Glo. 
At Crosby place there shall you find us both.  Buc. 
Now my Lo: what shall we do, if we perceive  
William Lo: Hastings will not yield to our complots?  Glo. 
Chop of his head man, somewhat we will do,  
And look when I am King, claim thou of me  
The Earldom of Hereford and the movables,  
Whereof the King my brother stood possessed.  Buc. 
I'll claim that promise at your Grace's hands.  Glo. 
And look to have it yielded with all willingness:  
Come let us sup betimes, that afterwards  
We may digest our complots in some form.  Exeunt. Enter a Messenger to Lo: Hastings. Mes. 
What 〈◊〉 my Lord.  Hast. 
Who knocks at the door.  Mess. 
A messenger from the Lo: Stanley.  Enter L. Hast. Hast. 
What's a clock?  Mess. 
Upon the stroke of four.  Hast. 
Cannot thy Master sleep these tedious 〈◊〉?  Mess. 
So it should seem by that I ha●e to say:  
First he commends him to your noble Lordship.  Hast. 
And then.  Mes. 
And then he sends you word.  
He dreamt to ●ight the bear had razed his helm:  
Besides, he says there are two counsels held,  
And that may be determined at the one,  
Which may make you and him to ●●we alithe other,  
Therefore he sends to know your Lordship's pleasure:  
I● presently you will take horse with him,  
And with all speed post into the North,  
To shun the danger that his soul divines.  Hast. 
Go fellow go, return unto thy Lord,  
Bid him not fear the separated counsels:  
His honour and myself are at the one▪  
And at the other, is my servant Catesby:  
Where nothing can proceed that toucheth us,  
Whereof I shall not have intelligence.  
Tell him his fears are shallow, wan●ing instance.  
And for his dreams, I 〈…〉 is so ●ond▪  
To trust the mockery of unquiet slumbers,  
To fly the boar, before the boar pursues us,  
Were to incense the boar to follow us,  
And make pursuit where he did me an● no chase:  
Go bid thy Master 〈◊〉 and come to me,  
And we will both together to the tower,  
Where he shall see the boar will use us kindly.  Mess. 
My gracious Lo: I'll tell him what you say.  Enter Cates. Cat. 
Many good morrows to my noble Lo:  Hast. 
Good morrow Catesby, you are early stirring,  
What news what news, in this our tottering state?  Cat. 
It is a reeling world indeed my Lo:  
And I believe it will never stand upright,  
Till Richard wear the garland of the Realm.  Hast. 
How? we are the garland? dost thou mean the crown?  Cat. 
I my good Lord.  Hast. 
I'll have this crown of mine, cut from my shoulders  
Ere I will see the crown so foul misplaste:  
But canst thou guess that he doth aime at it.  Cat. 
Upon my life my Lo: 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.  Hast. 
Indeed I am no mourner for that news,  
Because they have been still mine enemies:  
But that I'll give my voice on Richard's side,  
To bar my Masters he i●es in true descent,  
God knows I will not do it to the death.  Cat. 
God keep your Lordship in that gracious mind.  Hast. 
But I shall laugh at this a twelvemonth hence▪  
That they who brought me in my Master's hate,  
I live to look upon their tragedy:  
I tell thee Catesby.  Cat. 
What my Lord?  Hast. 
Ere a fortnight make me elder,  
I'll send some packing, that yet think not on it.  Cat. 
'tis anvil thing to die my gracious Lord,  
When men are unprepared and look not for it.  Hast. 
O Monstrous monstrous, and so falls it out  
With Rivers, Vaughan, Grace, and so 'twill do  
With some men else, who think themselves as safe  
As thou, and I, who as thou knowest are dear  
To Princely Richard, and to Buckingham.  Cat. 
The Princes both make high account of you,  
For they account his head upon the bridge.  Hast. 
I know they do, and I have well deserved it.  Enter Lord Stanley. 
What my Lo: where is your boar-spear man?  
Fear you the boar and go so unprovided?  Stan. 
My Lo: good morrow▪ good morrow Catesby:  
You may jest on: but by the holy rood.  
I do not like these several counsels I.  Hast. 
My Lo: I hold my life as dear as you do yours,  
And never in my life I do protest,  
Was it more precious to me than it is now:  
Think you, but that I know our state secure▪  
I would be so triumphant as I am?  Stan. 
The Lords at Pomfret when they road from London,  
Were jocund, and supposed their states was sure,  
And they indeed had no cause to mistrust:  
But yet you see how soon the day overcast,  
This sudden scab of rancour I misdoubt,  
Pray God, I say, I prove a needless coward:  
But come my Lo: shall we to the tower?  Hast. 
I go: but stay, hear you not the news,  
This day those men you talked of, are beheaded.  Sta. 
They for their truth might better wear their heads,  
Then some that have accused them wear their hats:  
But come my Lo: let us away.  Enter Hastin▪ a Purss●an●. Hast. 
Go you before, I'll follow presently.  Hast. 
Well met Hastings, how goes the world with thee?  Pur. 
The better that it please your Lo: to ask.  Hast. 
I tell thee fellow 'tis better with me now.  
Then when I met thee last where now we meet:  
Then was I going prisoner to the tower,  
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 ever I was.  Pur. 
God hold it to your honours good content.  Hast. 
Gramercy Hastings hold spend thou that▪  He gives him his purse. Pur. 
God save your Lordship.  Hast. 
What Sir john, you are well met,  (Enter a priest. 
I am beholding to you for your last days exercise:  
Come the next Sabbath and I will content you.  He whispers in his care. Enter Buckingham. Buc. 
How now Lo: Chamberlain, what talking with a priest,  
Your friends at Pomfret they do need the priest  
Your honour hath no shriving work in hand.  Hast. 
Good faith and when I met this holy man,  
Those men you talk of came into my mind:  
What, go you to the tower my Lords  Buck. 
I do, but long I shall not stay,  
I shall return before your Lordship thence.  Hast. 
'tis like enough, for I stay dinner there.  Buck. 
And supper too, although thou knowest it not:  
Come shall we go along?  Exeunt. Enter Sir Rickard Ratliffe, with the Lo: Rivers, Grace, and Vaughan prisoners. Ratl. 
Come bring forth the prisoners▪  Ryu. 
Sir Richard Ratliffe let me tell thee this:  
To day shalt thou behold a subject die,  
For truth, for duty, and for loyalty.  Grace. 
God keep the Prince from all the pack of you:  
A knot you are of damned bloodsuckers.  Ryu. 
O Pomfret Pomfret▪ Oh thou bloody prison▪  
Fatal and ominous to noble peers.  
Within the guilty closure of thy walls  
Richard the second here was hacked to death:  
And for more slander to thy dismal soul,  
We g●ue thee up our guiltless bloods to drink▪  Grace. 
Now Margaret's ours is fallen upon our heads:  
For standing by, when Richard stabbed her son.  Riu. 
Then cursed she Hastings, then cursed she Buckingham:  
Then cursed she Richard. Oh remember God,  
To hear her prayers for them as now for us,  
And for my sister, and her princely son:  
Be satisfied dear God with our true bloods,  
Which as thou knowest unjustly must be spilled.  Rat. 
Come come dispatch, the limit of your line● is out  Ryu. 
Come Grace, come Vaughan, let us all embrace  
And take our leave until we meet in heaven.  Exeunt Enter the Lords to Council. Hast. 
My Lords at once the cause why we are met,  
Is to determine of the coronation:  
In God's name say, when is this royal day?  Buc. 
Are all things fitting for that royal time?  Dar. 
It is, and wants but nomination.  Ryu. 
To morrow then, I guess a happy time.  Buc. 
Who knows the Lo: protector's mind here in?  
Who is most inward with the noble Duke.  Bi. 
Why you my Lo: me thinks you should soon know his mind  Buc. 
Who I my Lo? we know each others faces:  
But for our hearts, he knows no more of mine,  
Then I of yours: nor I no more of his, than you of mine:  
Lo: Hastings you and he are near in love.  Hast. 
I thank his Grace, I know he loves me well:  
But for his purpose in the coronation:  
I have not 〈◊〉 him nor he delivered  
His Grace's pleasure any way therein:  
But you my noble Lo: may name the time,  
And in the Duke's behalf, I'll give my voice,  
Which I presume he will take in Gentle part.  Bish. 
Now in good time here comes the Duke himself.  (Ent. Glo. Glo. 
My noble L. and Cousin's 〈◊〉, good morrow,  
I have been long a sleeper▪ but I hope  
My absence doth neglect no great designs,  
Which by my presence might have been coucluded.  Buc. 
Had not you come upon your kew my Lo:  
William L: Hastings had now pronounced your parts  
I mean your voice for crowning of the King.  Glo. 
Than my Lo: Hastings no man might be bolder,  
His Lordship knows me well, and loves me well.  Hast. 
I thank your Grace.  Glo. 
My Lo: of Elie▪  Bish. 
My Lo:  Glo. 
When I was last in Holborn:  
I saw good strawberries in your garden there,  
I do beseech you send for some of them.  Bish. 
I go my Lord.  Glo. 
cozen Buckingham, a word with you:  
Catesby hath sounded Hastings in our business,  
And finds the testy Gentleman so hot,  
As he will lose his head ear give consent,  
His Master's son as worshipful he terms it,  
Shall lose the royalty of England's throne.  Buc. 
Withdraw you hence my Lo: I'll follow you.  Ex Gl. Dar. 
We have not yet set down this day of triumph,  
To morrow in mine opinion is too sudden:  
For I myself am not so well provided,  Enter B. of Ely. 
As else I would be, were the day prolonged.  By. 
Where is my L. protector, I have sent for these strawberries.  Ha. 
His Grace looks cheerfully and smooth to day,  
There's some conceit or other likes him well,  
When he doth bid good morrow with such a spirit.  
I think there is never a man in christendom,  
That can lesser hide his love or hate than he:  
For by his face strait shall you know his heart.  Dar. 
What of his heart perceive you in his face,  
By any likelihood he showed to day?  Hast. 
Marry, that with no man here he is offended,  
For if he were, he would have shown it in his looks.  Dar. 
I pray God he be not, I say.  Enter Gloucester. Glo. 
I pray you all, what do they deserve,  
That do conspire my death with devilish plots,  
Of damned witchcraft, and that have prevailed.  
Upon my body with their hellish charimes?  Hast. 
The tender love I bear your grace my Lord,  
Makes me most forward in this noble presence,  
To doom the offenders whatsoever they be:  
I say my Lo: they have deserved death.  Glo. 
Th●● be your eyes the witness of this ill,  
See how I am bewitched, behold mine arm  
Is like a blasted sapling withered up.  
This is that Edward's wife, that monstrous witch,  
Consorted with that harlot strumpet Shore.  
That by their witchcraft, thus have marked me.  Hast. 
If they have done this thing my gracious Lo:  Glo. 
If, thou protector of this damned strumpet,  
Tellest thou me of iffes? thou art a traitor.  
Off with his head. Now by Saint Paul,  
I will not dive to day I swear,  
Until I see the same, some see it done,  
The rest that love me, come and follow me.  Exeunt. manet Cat. with Ha. Ha. 
woe woe for England, not a whit for me:  
For I too fond might have prevented this:  
Stanley did dream the boat did raze his helm,  
But I disdained it, and did scorn to fly,  
Three times to day, my foot-cloth horse did stumble,  
And startled when he looked upon the tower,  
As loath to bear me to the slaughter-house.  
Oh, now I want the Priest that spoke to me,  
I now repent I told the Pursusant,  
As 'twere triumphing at mine enemies:  
How they at Pomfret bloodily were butchered,  
And I myself secure in grace and favour:  
Oh Margaret Margaret: now thy heavy curse,  
Is lighted on poor Hastings wretched head.  Cat. 
Dispatch my Lo: the Duke would be at dinner:  
Make a short shrift, he longs to see your head.  Hast. 
O momentary state of worldly men,  
Which we more hunt for, than the grace of heaven:  
Who builds his hopes in air of your fair looks,  
lives like a drunken sailor on a mast,  
Ready with every nod to tumble down  
Into the fatal bowels of the deep.  
Come lead me to the block, bear him my head,  
They smile at me that shortly shallbe dead.  Exeunt. Enter Duke of Gloucester and Buckingham in armour. Glo. 
Come cozen, canst thou quake and change thy colour?  
Murder thy breath in middle of a word,  
And then begin again, and stop again,  
As if thou wert distraught and mad with terror.  Buc. 
Tut fear not me.  
I can counterfeit the deep Tragedian:  
Speak, and look back, and pry on every side:  
Intending deep suspicion, ghastly looks  
Are at my service like enforced smiles,  
And both are ready in their offices  
To grace my stratagems.  Enter Maior. Glo. 
Here comes the Mayor.  Buc. 
Let me alone to entertain him. Lo: Maior.  Glo. 
Look to the drawbridge there.  Buc. 
The reason we have sent for you.  Glo. 
Catesby overlook the walls.  Buck 
Hark, I hear a drum.  Glo. 
Look back, defend thee, here are enemies.  Buc. 
God and our innocence defend us.  Enter Catesby with Hast. head. Glo. 
O, O, be quiet, it is Catesby.  Cat. 
Here is the head of that ignoble traitor,  
The dangerous and unsuspected Hastings.  Glo. 
So dear I loved the man, that I must weep:  
I took him for the plainest harmless man,  
That breathed upon this earth a christian,  
Look ye my Lo: Maior.  
Made him my book, wherein my soul recorded,  
The history of all her secret thoughts:  
So smooth he daubed his vice with show of virtue.  
That his apparent open guilt omitted:  
I mean his conversation with Shore's wife,  
He laid from all attainder of suspect.  Buck. 
Well well, he was the covertst sheltered traitor  
That ever lived, would you have imagined,  
Or almost believe, wert not by great preservation  
We live to tell it you? The subtle traitor  
Had this day plotted in the council house,  
To murder me, and my good Lord of Gloucester.  Mator. 
What, had he so?  Glo. 
What think you we are Turks or Infidels,  
Or that we would against the form of law,  
Proceed thus rashly to the villains death,  
But that the extreme peril of the case,  
The peace of England, and our persons safety  
Enforced us to this execution.  Ma. 
Now fair befall you, he deserved his death,  
And you my good Lords both, have well proceeded  
To warn false traitors from the like attempts:  
I never looked for better at his hands,  
After he once fell in with Mistress Shore.  Dut. 
Yet had not we determined he should die,  
Until your Lordship came to see his death,  
Which now the longing haste of these our friends,  
Some what 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 happily may  
Misconstrue us in him, and wail his death.  Ma. 
But my good Lord, your grace's word shall serve  
As well as I had seen or heard him speak,  
And doubt you not, right noble Princes both,  
But I'll acquaint your duteous citizens,  
With all your just proceed in this cause.  Glo. 
And to that end we 〈◊〉 your Lordship here  
To avoid the carping censures of the world.  Buc. 
But since you come too late of our intents,  
Yet witness what we did intend, and so my Lord adieu.  Glo. 
After, after, cousin Buckingham,  Exit Maior. 
The Mayor towards Guildhall hies him in all post,  
There at your meetest advantage 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,  
Which stretched to their servants, daughters, wives,  
Even where his lustful eye, or savage heart  
Without control listed to make his prey:  
Nay for a need thus far, come near my person,  
Tell them, when that my mother went with child  
Of that unsatiate Edward; noble York  
My princely father than 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,  
Being nothing like the noble Duke my father:  
But touch this sparingly as it were far off,  
Because you know my Lord, my mother lives.  Buck. 
Fear not, my Lord, I'll play the Orator,  
As if the golden see for which I plead  
Were for myself.  Glo. 
If you thrive well, bring them to Baynard's castle,  
Where you shall find me well accompanied,  
With reverend fathers and well earned Bishops.  Buc. 
About three or four a clock look to hear  
What news Guildhall affordeth, and so my Lord farewell.  Glo. 
Now will I in to take some privy order,  Exit Buc. 
To draw the brats of Clarence out of sight,  
And to give notice that no manner of person  
At any time have recourse unto the Princes.  Exit. Enter a Scrivener with a paper in his hand. 
This is the indictment of the good Lord Hastings,  
Which in a set hand fairly is engrosst,  
That it may be this day read over in Paules●  
And mark how well the sequel hangs together,  
Eleven hours I spent to write it over,  
For yesternight by Catesby was it brought me,  
The precedent was full as long adoing,  
And yet within these five hours lived Lord Hastings,  
Untainted, unexamined, free, at liberty:  
here's a good world, the while. Why who's so gross  
That sees not this palpable device?  
Yet who's so blind but says he sees it not?  
Bad is the world, and all will come to nought,  
When such bad dealing must be seen in thought.  Exit Enter Gloucester at one door, Buckingham at another. Glow: 
How now my Lord, what say the Citizens?  Buc. 
Now by the holy mother of our Lord,  
The Citizens are mum, and speak not a word.  Glo. 
Touched you the bastardy of Edward's children?  Buck 
I did, with the insatiate greediness of his desires,  
His tyranny for trifles, his own bastardy,  
As being got, your father then in France:  
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  
Untouched, or slightly handled in discourse:  
And when mine oratory grew to an end.  
I bid them that did love their country's good▪  
Cry, God save Richard, England's royal King.  Glo. 
A and did they so?  Buc. 
No so God help me,  
But like dumb 〈◊〉 or breathing stones,  
Gazed each on other and looked deadly pale:  
Which when I saw▪ I reprehended them,  
And asked the Mayor, what meant this wilful silence?  
His answer was, the people were not wont  
To be spoke to, but by the Recorder.  
Then he was urged to tell my tale again:  
Thus, saith the Duke, thus hath the Duke inferred:  
But nothing spoke in warrant from himself:  
When he had done, some followers of mine own  
At the lower end of the Hall, hurled up their caps,  
And some ten voices cried, God save King Richard.  
Thanks loving Citizens and friends quoth I,  
This general applause and loving shout,  
Argues your wisdoms and your love to Richard:  
And so broke off and came away.  Glo. 
What tongueless blocks were they, would they not speak?  Buc. 
No by my troth my Lo:  Glo. 
Will not the Mayor then, and his brethren come.  Glo. 
The Mayor is here at hand, and intent some fear.  
Be not spoken withal, but with mighty suit:  
And look you get a prayer book in your hand,  
And stand betwixt two churchmen good my Lo:  
For on that ground I'll build a holy descant:  
Be not easily won to our request:  
Play the maids part, say no, but take it.  Glo. 
Fear not me, if thou canst plead aswell for them,  
As I can say nay to thee, for myself?  
No doubt we'll bring it to a happy issue.  Buck 
You shall see what I can do, get you up to the leads.  Exit. 
Now my L. Mayor, I dance attendance hear,  
I think the Duke will not be spoke withal.  Enter Catesby. 
Here comes his servant: how now Catesby what says he.  Cates. 
My Lord, he doth entreat your grace  
To visit him to morrow or next day,  
He is within with two right reverend fathers,  
Divinely bend to meditation,  
And in no worldly suit would he be moved,  
To draw him from his holy exercise.  Buck. 
Return good Catesby to thy Lord again,  
Tell him myself, the Mayor and Citizens,  
In deep designs and matters of great moment,  
No less importing then our general good,  
Are come to have some conference with his grace.  Cates. 
I'll tell him what you say my Lord.  Exit. Buck. 
Aha my Lord this prince is not an Edward:  
He is not lulling on a lewd day bed,  
But on his knees at meditation:  
Not dallying with a brace of Courtesans,  
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 gracious prince  
Take on himself the sovereignty thereon,  
But sure I fear we shall never win him to it.  Maior. 
Marry God forbidden his grace should say us nay.  Buck. 
I fear he will, how now Catesby,  Enter Cates. 
What says your Lord?  Ca●es. 
My Lo. he wonders to what end, you have assembled  
Such troops of Citizens to speak with him,  
His grace not being warned thereof before,  
My Lord, he fears you mean no good to him.  Buck. 
Sorry I am my noble cozen should  
Suspect me that I mean no good to him.  
By heaven I come in perfect love to him,  
And so once more return and tell his grace:  Exit Catesby. 
When holly and devout religious men,  
Are at their beads, 'tis hard to draw them thence,  
So sweet is zealous contemplation.  Enter Rich with two bishops a lost. Maior. 
See where he stands between two clergy men.  Buck. 
Two props of virtue for a christian Prince,  
To stay him from the fall of vanity,  
Famous Plantaganet, most gracious prince,  
Lend favourable ears to our request,  
And pardon us the interruption  
Of thy devotion and right Christian zeal.  Glo. 
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?  Buck. 
Even that I hope which pleaseth God above,  
And all good men of this ungoverned isle.  Glo. 
I do suspect I have done some offence,  
That seems disgracious in the cities eyes,  
And that you come to reprehend my ignorance.  Buck. 
You have my Lord, would it please your grace  
At our entreaties to amend that fault.  Glo. 
Else wherefore breath I in a Christian land?  Buck. 
Then know it is your fault that you resign  
The supreme seat, the throne majestical,  
The sceptred office of your ancestors,  
The lineal glory of your royal house,  
To the corruption of a blemishst stock:  
Whilst in the mildness of your sleepy thoughts,  
Which here we waken to our country's good,  
This noble I'll doth want her proper limbs,  
Her face defaced with scars of infamy,  
And almost shouldered in the swallowing gulf,  
Of blind forgetfulness and dark oblivion,  
Which to recure we heartily solicit,  
Your gracious self to take on you the sovereignty thereof,  
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 vehementinstigation,  
In this just suit come I to move your grace.  Glo. 
I know not whether to departed in silence,  
Or bitterly to speak in your reproof,  
Best fitteth my degree or your condition:  
Your love deserves my thanks, but my desert  
unmeritable shunes your high request,  
First if all obstacles were cut away,  
And that my path were even to the crown,  
As my ripe revenue and dew by birth,  
Yet so much is my poverty of spirit,  
So mighty and so many my defects,  
As I had rather hide me from my greatness,  
Being a Bark to brook no mighty sea,  
Then in my greatness covet to be hid,  
And in the vapour of my glory smothered:  
But God be thanked there's no need of me,  
And much I need to help you if need were,  
The royal tree hath left us royal fruit,  
Which mellowed by the stealing hours of time,  
Will well become the seat of majesty,  
And make no doubt us happy by his reign,  
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.  Buck. 
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 to, but not by Edward's wife,  
For first he was contract to lady Lucy,  
Your mother lives a witness to that vow,  
And afterward by substitute betrothed  
To Bena sister to the king of France,  
These both put by a poor petitioner  
A care-crazd mother of a many children,  
A beauty-waining and distressed widow,  
Even in the afternoon of her best days  
Made prize and purchase of his lustful eye,  
Seduct the pitch and height of all his thoughts,  
To base declension and loathed bigamy,  
By her in his unlawful bed he got.  
This Edward whom our manners term 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 proffered benefit of dignity:  
If not to bless us and the land withal,  
Yet to draw out your royal stock,  
From the corruption of abusing time,  
Unto a lineal true derived course.  Maior. 
Do good my Lord your Citizens entreat you.  C●●es. 
O make them joyful grant their lawful suit.  Glo. 
Alas, why would you heap these cares on me,  
I am unfit for state and dignity,  
I do beseech you take it not amiss,  
I cannot nor I will not yield to you.  Buck. 
If you refuse it as in love and zeal,  
Loath to depose the child your brother's son,  
As well we know your tenderness of heart,  
And gentle kind effeminate remorse,  
Which we have noted in you to your kin,  
And egallie 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.  Glo. 
O do not swear my Lord of Buckingham.  Cates. 
Call them again, my lord, and accept their suit.  Ano. 
Do, good my lord, lest all the land do rue it.  Glo. 
Would you enforce me to a world of care:  
Well, call them again, I am not made of stones,  
But penetrable to your kind entreats,  
Albeit against my conscience and my soul.  
Cousin of Buckingham, and you sage grave men  
Since you will buckle fortune on my back,  
To bear her burden whether I will or no,  
I must have patience to endure the load,  
But if black scandal or ●oule-fac't 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 thereof.  Mayor. 
God bless your grace, we see it, and will say it.  Glo. 
In saying so, you shall but say the truth.  Buck. 
Then I salute you with this kingly title:  
Long live Richard, England's royal king.  Mayor. 
Amen.  Buck 
To morrow will it please you to be crowned.  Glo. 
Even when you will, since you will have it so.  Buck. 
To morrow then▪ we will attend your grace.  Glo. 
Come, let us to our holy task again:  
Farewell good coosine, farewell gentle friends.  Exeunt. Enter Quee. mother, Duchess of York, Marquis Dorset, at one door, Duchess of Glocest. at another door. Duch. 
Who meets us here, my niece Plantagenet?  Qu. 
Sister well met, whether away so fast?  Duch. 
No farther than the Tower, and as I guess  
Upon the like devotion as yourselves,  
To gratulate the tender Princes there.  Qu. 
Kind sister thanks, we'll enter all together,  Enter Lieutenant. 
And in good time here the Lieutenant comes.  
M. Lieutenant, pray you by your leave,  
How fares the Prince?  Lieu. 
Well Madam, and in health, but by your leave,  
I may not suffer you to visit him,  
The King hath straightly charged the contrary.  Qu. 
The King? why, who's that?  Lieu. 
I cry you mercy, I mean the Lord protector.  Qu. 
The Lord protect him from that Kingly title:  
Hath he set bounds betwixt their love and me:  
I am their mother, who should ●eepe me from them?  D●●yor. 
I am their Fathers, Mother, I will see them.  Duch. glo. 
Their aunt I am in law, in love their mother:  
Then fear not thou, I'll bear thy blame,  
And take thy office from thee on my peril.  Lieu. 
I do beseech your graces all to pardon me:  
I am bound by oath, I may not do it▪  Enter L. Stanl●●. Stan. 
Let me but meet you Ladies an hour hence,  
And I'll salute your grace of York, as Mother:  
And reverent looker on, of two fair Queens.  
Come Madam, you must go with me to Westminster,  
There to be crowned, Richard's royal Queen.  Qu. 
O cut my lace in sunder, that my penned heart,  
May have some scope to beat, or else I sound,  
With this dead kill news.  Dar. 
Madam, have comfort, how fares your grace?  Queen 
O Dorset speak not to me, get thee hence,  
Death and destruction dog thee at the heels,  
Thy Mother's name is ominous to children,  
If thou wilt outstrip death, go cross the seas,  
And live with Richmond, from the reach of hell,  
Go hie thee, hie thee from this slaughter house,  
Lest thou increase the number of the dead,  
And make me die the thrall of Margaret's curse,  
Nor Mother, Wife, nor England's counted Queen.  Sta●. 
Full of wise care is this your counsel Madam,  
Take all the swift advantage of the time,  
You shall have letters from me to my son,  
To meet you on the way, and welcome you,  
Be not ta'en tardy, by unwise delay:  Duch. your. 
O ill dispersing wind of misery,  
O my accursed womb, the bed of death,  
A Cockatrice hast thou hatch to the world,  
Whose unavoided eye is murderous.  Stan. 
Come Madam, I in all haste was sent.  Duch. 
And I in all unwillingness will go,  
I would to God thar the inclusive verge,  
Of golden metal that must round my brow,  
were red hot steel to sear me to the brain,  
Anointed let me be with deadly poison,  
And die, ere men can say, God save the Queen.  Qu. 
Alas poor soul, I envy not thy glory,  
To feed my humour, wish ●hy self no harm.  Duch. glo. 
No, when he that is my husband now,  
Came to me as I followed Henry's course,  
When scarce the blood was well washed from his hands,  
Which issued from my other angel husband,  
And that dead saint, which then, I weeping followed,  
O, when I say, I looked on Richards face,  
This was my wish, be thou quoth I accursed,  
For making me so young, so old a widow,  
And when thou wedst, let sorrow haunt thy bed,  
And be thy wife, if any be so mad,  
As miserable by the death of thee,  
As thou hast made me by my dear lords death,  
Lo, ear I can repeat this curse again,  
Even in so short a space, my woman's heart,  
●rosselie grew captive to his honey words,  
And proved the subject of my own soul's curse,  
Which ever since hath kept my eyes from sleep,  
For never yet, one hour in his bed,  
Have I enjoyed the golden dew of sleep,  
But have been waked by his timorous dreams,  
Besides, he hates me for my father Warwick,  
And will no doubt, shortly be rid of me.  Qu. 
Alas poor soul, I pity thy complaints.  Duch. glo. 
No more than from my soul I mourn for yours.  Dor. 
Farewell, thou woeful welcomer of glory.  Duch. glo. 
Adieu poor soul, thou tak'st thy leave of it.  Do. your. 
Go thou to Richmond, and good fortune guide thee.  
Go thou to Richard, and good Angels guard thee,  
Go thou to sanctuary, good thoughts possess thee,  
I to my grave where peace and rest lie with me,  
Eighty odd years of sorrow have I seen,  
And each hours joy wracked with a week of teen.  The Trumpets sound, Enter Richard crowned Buckingham Catesby with other Nobles. King 
Stand all apart. Cousin of Buckingham,  
Give me thy hand:  Here ●e ascendeth the throne. 
Thus high by thy advice  
And thy assistance is king Richard seated:  
But shall we wear these honours for a day?  
Or shall they last, and we rejoice in them.  Buc. 
Still live they, and for ever may they last.  King Ri. 
O Buckingham, now do I play the touch▪  
To try if thou be currant gold indeed:  
Young Edward lives: think now what I would say.  Buc. 
Say on my gracious sovereign.  King 
Why Buckingham, ● say I would be king.  Buc. 
Why so you are my thrice renowned liege.  King 
Ha: am I king? 'tis so, but Edward lives.  Buc. 
True noble prince.  King 
O bitter consequence,  
That Edward still should live true noble prince.  
Cousin, thou wert not wont to be so●dul:  
Shall I be plain? I wish the bastards dead▪  
And I would have it suddenly performed.  
What sayst thou? speak suddenly, be brief.  Buc. 
Your grace may do your pleasure.  King 
Tut, tut, thou art all y●e, thy kindness freezeth,  
Say, have I thy consent that they shall die?  Buc. 
Give me some breath, some little pause my lord,  
Before I positively speak herein:  
I will resolve your grace immediately.  Exit. Cates. 
The king is angry, see, he bites the lip.  King 
I will converse with iron witted fools  
And unrespective boys, none are for me  
That look into me with considerate ●i●s;  
Boy, high reaching Buckingham grows circumspect.  Boy. 
My Lord.  King. 
Know'st thou not any whom corrupting gold  
Would tempt unto a close exploit of death.  Boy. 
Mylord, I know a discontented gentleman,  
Whose humble means match not his haughty mind,  
●ould were as good as twenty Orators,  
And 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 presently,  
The deep revolving witty Buckingham,  
No more shall be the neighbour to my counsel,  
Hath he so long held out with me untirde  
And stops he now for breath?  Enter Derby. 
How now, what neewes with you?  Derby. 
My Lord, I hear the Marquis Dorset  
Is fled to Richmond, in those parts beyond the seas where he abides.  King. 
Catesby.  Cat. 
My Lord.  King. 
Rumour it abroad  
That Anne my wife is sick and like to die,  
I will take order for her keeping close:  
Inquire me out some mean borne gentleman,  
Whom I will marry strait to Clarence daughter,  
The boy is foolish, and I fear not him:  
Look how thou dreamest: I say again give ou●  
That Anne my wife is sick and like to die.  
About it, for it stands me much upon  
To stop all hopes whose growth may damage me,  
I must be married to my brother's daughter,  
Or else my kingdom stands on brittle glass,  
Murder her brothers, and then marry her,  
Uncertain way of gain, but I am in  
So far in blood that sin will pluck on sin,  
Tear fal●ing pity dwells not in this eye,  Enter Tirrel. 
Is thy name Tirrill?  Tyr. 
james Tirrell and your most obedient subject.  King 
Art thou indeed?  Tir. 
Prove me my gracious sovereign,  King 
darest thou resolve to kill a friend of mine?  Tir. 
I my Lord, but I had rather kill two enemies.  King 
Why there thou hast it two deep enemies,  
Foes to my rest, and my sweet sleeps disturbs,  
Are they that I would have thee deal upon:  
Tirrel I mean those bastards in the tower.  Tir. 
Let me have open means to come to them,  
And soon i'll rid you from the fear of them.  King 
Thou singest sweet music. Come hither Tirrel,  he whispers in his eare. 
Go by that token, rise and lend thine ear,  
'tis no more but so, say is it done,  
And I will love thee and prefer thee too.  Tir. 
'tis done my gracious lord.  King 
Shall we hear from thee Tirrel ere we sleep?  Enter Buc. Tir. 
Ye shall my lord,  Buck. 
My lord, I have considered in my mind,  
The late demand that you did sound me in.  King 
Well, let that pass, Dorset is fled to Richmond.  Buck 
I hear that news my lord.  King 
Stanley he is your wife's sons. Wellooke to it.  Buck. 
My lord, I claim your gift, my dew by promise.  
For which your honour and your faith is pawned,  
The Earldom of Herford and the movables,  
The which you promised I should possess.  King 
Stanley look to your wife, if she convey  
Letters to Richmond you shall answer it.  Buck. 
What says your highness to my just demand.  King 
As I remember, Henry the sixth  
Did prophecy that Richmond should be king,  
When Richmond was a little peevish boy:  
A king perhaps, perhaps.  Buck. 
My lord.  King 
How chance the prophet could not at that time,  
Have told me I being by, that I should kill him.  Buck. 
My lord, your promise for the Earldom.  King 
Richmond, when last I was at Exet●r,  
The Mayor in courtesy showed me the Castle,  
And called it Ruge-mount, at which name I started,  
Because a Bard of Ireland told me once  
I should not live long after I saw Richmond.  Buck. 
My lord.  King. 
I, what's a clock?  Buck. 
I am thus bold to put your grace in mind  
Of what you promised me.  King. 
Well, but what's a clock?  Buck. 
Upon the stroke often.  King. 
Well, let it strike.  Buck. 
Why let it strike?  King. 
Because that like a jacke thou keep'st the stroke  
Betwixt thy begging and my meditation,  
I am not in the giving vain to day.  Buck. 
Why then resolve me whether you will or no?  King. 
Tut, tut, thou troublest me, I am not in the vain.  Exit. Buck. 
Is it even so, rewardst he my true service  
With such deep contempt, made I him king for this?  
O let me think on Hastings and be gone  
To Brecnock while my fearful head is on.  Exit. Enter Sir Francis Tirrell. Tyr. 
The tyrannous and bloody deed is done,  
The most arch act of piteous massacre,  
That ever yet this land was guilty of,  
Dighton and Forrest whom I did suborn,  
To do this ruthless piece of butchery,  
Although they were fleshed villains, bloody dogs,  
Melting with tenderness and kind compassion,  
Wept like two children in their deaths sad stories:  
Lo thus quoth Dighton lay those tender babes,  
Thus thus quoth Forrest girdling on another,  
Within their innocent alabaster arms,  
Their lips were four red Roses on a stalk,  
Which in their summer beauty kissed each other,  
A book of prayers on their pillow lay,  
Which once quoth Forrest almost changed my mind,  
But o the Devil their the villain stopped,  
Whilst Dighton thus told on we smothered  
The most replenished sweet work of nature,  
That from the prime creation ever he framed,  
Thus both are gone with conscience and remorse,  
They could not speak and so I left them both,  
To bring this tidings to the bloody king.  Enter Ki. Richard. 
And here he comes, all hail my sovereign liege.  King. 
Kind Tirrell am I happy in thy news.  Tyr. 
If to have done the thing you give in charge,  
Beget your happiness, be happy then  
For it done my Lord.  King. 
But didst thou see them dead?  Tir. 
I did my Lord.  King. 
And buried gentle Tirrell?  Tir. 
The Chaplain of the tower hath buried them,  
But how or in what place I do not know.  Tir. 
Come to me Tirrel soon at after supper,  
And thou shalt tell the process of their death,  
Mean time but think how I may do thee good.  
And be inheritor of thy desire.  Exit Tirrel. 
Farewell till soon.  
The son of Clarence have I penned up close,  
His daughter meanly have I matched in marriage,  
The sons of Edward sleep in Abraham's bosom,  
And Anne my wife hath bid the world goodnight▪  
Now for I know the Britain Richmond aims  
At young Elizabeth, my brother's daughter,  
And by that knot looks proudly o'er the crown,  
To her I go ai●llie thriving wooer,  Enter Catesby. Cat. 
My Lord.  King. 
Good news or bad that thou comest in so bluntly?  Cates. 
Bad news my lord, Ely is fled to Richmond,  
And Buckingham backed with the hardy Welshmen,  
Is in the field, and still his power increaseth.  King. 
Ely with Richmond troubles me more near  
Than Buckingham and his rash levied army:  
Come I have heard that fearful commenting,  
Is leaden servitor to dull delay,  
Delay leads impotent and snaile●pact beggary,  
Then fiery expedition be my wing,  
joves' Mercury and Herald for a king:  
Come muster men, my counsel is my shield,  
We must be brief when traitor▪ brave the field.  Exeunt. Enter Queen Margaret s●la. Q. Mar. 
So now prosperity gins to mellow  
And drop into the rotten mouth of Death:  
Here in these confines slily have I lurked,  
To watch the waning of mine adversaries:  
A dire induction am I witness to,  
And will to France, hoping the consequence  
Will prove as bitter, blalcke and tragical.  
Withdraw thee wretched Margaret, who comes here?  Enter the Qu. and the Duchess of York. Qu. 
Ah my young princes, ah my tender babes!  
My unblown flowers, new appearing sweets,  
If yet your gentle soul's fly in the air  
And be not fixed in doom perpetual,  
Hover about me with your airy wings,  
And hear your mother's lamentation.  Qu. Mar. 
Hover about her, say that right for right,  
Hath dimmed your infant morn, to aged night.  Quee. 
Wilt thou, O God, fly from such gentle lambs,  
And throw them in the entrails of the Wolf:  
When didst thou sleep when such a deed was done?  Q. Mar. 
When holy Harry died, and my sweet son.  Dutch. 
Blind sight, dead life, poor mortal living ghost,  
Woes scene, world's shame, graves due by life usurped,  
Rest thy unrest on England's lawful earth,  
Vnlawfulli● made drunk with innocents blood▪  Qu. 
O that thou wouldst aswell afford a grave,  
As thou canst yield a melancholy seat,  
Then would▪ I hide my bones, not rest them here:  
O who hath any cause to mourn but I!  Duch. 
So many miseries have crazd my voice  
That my woe-wearied tongue is mute and dumb.  
Edward Plantagenet, why art thou dead?  Qu. Mar. 
If ancient sorrow be most reverent,  
Give mine the benefit of signory,  
And let my woes frown on the upper hand,  
If sorrow can admit society,  
Tell over your woes again by viewing mine,  
I had an Edward, till a Richard killed him:  
I had a Richard, till a Ricard killed him:  
Thou hadst an Edward, till a Richard killed him:  
Thou hadst a Richard, till a Richard killed him.  Duch. 
I had a Richard to, and thou didst kill him:  
I had a Rutland to, thou hopest to kill him.  Qu. Mar. 
Thou hadst a Clarence to, and Richard killed him:  
From forth the kennel of thy womb hath crept,  
A hellhound that doth hunt us all to death,  
That dog, that had his teeth before his eyes,  
To worry lambs, and lap their gentle bloods,  
That foul defacer of God's handy work,  
Thy womb let lose, to chase us to our graves,  
O upright, just, and true disposing God,  
How do I thank thee, that this carnal cur,  
Prays ●n the issue of his mother's body,  
And makes her puefellow with others moan.  Duch. 
O, Harry's wife's triumph not in my woes,  
God witness with me, I have wept for thine.  Qu. Mar. 
Bear with me, I am hungry for revenge,  
And now I cloie me with beholding it,  
Thy Edward, he is dead, that stabbed my Edward,  
Thy other Edward dead, to quit my Edward,  
Young York, he is but boot because both they  
Match not the high perfection of my loss,  
Thy Clarence he is dead, that killed my Edward,  
And the beholders of this tragic play,  
The adulterate Hastings, Rivers, Vaughan, Grace,  
Untimely smothered in their dusky graves,  
Richard yet lives, hell's black intelligencer,  
Only reserved their factor to buy souls,  
And send them thither, but at hand at hands,  
ensues his piteous, and unpitied end,  
Earth gapes, hell burns, fiends roar, saints pray,  
To have him suddenly conveyed away.  
Cancel his bond of life, dear God I pray,  
That I may live to say, the dog is dead.  Qu. 
O thou didst prophecy the time would come,  
That I should wish for thee to help me curse,  
That botteld spider, that foul bunch-backed toad.  Qu. Mar. 
I called thee then, vain flourish of my fortune,  
I called thee then, poor shadow, painted Queen,  
The presentation of, but what I was,  
The flattering Index of a direful pageant,  
One heaved a high, to be hurled down below,  
A mother only, mocked with two sweet babes,  
A dream of which thou wert a breath, a bubble,  
A sign of dignity, a garish flag,  
To be the aim of every dangerous shot,  
A Queen in jest only to fill the scene,  
Where is thy husband now, where be thy brothers?  
Where are thy children, wherein dost thou joy?  
Who sues to thee, and cries God save the Queen?  
Where be the bending peers that flattered thee?  
Where be the thronging troup that followed thee?  
decline all this, and see what now thou art,  
For happy wife, a most distressed widow,  
For joyful Mother, one that wails the name,  
For Queen, a very caitive crowned with care,  
For one being sued to, one that humbly sues,  
For one commanding all, obeyed of none,  
For one that scorned at me, now scorned of me,  
Thus hath the course of justice whe'eld about,  
And left thee but, a very pray to time,  
Having no more, but thought of what thou wert,  
To torture thee the more, being what thou art,  
Thou didst usurp my place, and dost thou not,  
Usurp the just proportion of my sorrow,  
Now thy proud neck, bears half my burdened yoke,  
From which, even here, I slip my weary neck,  
And leave the burden of it all on thee:  
Farewell York's wife, and Queen of sad mischance,  
These English woes, will make me smile in France.  Qu. 
O thou well skilled in curses, stay a while,  
And teach me how to curse mine enemies.  Qu. Mar. 
Forbear to sleep the nights, and fast the days,  
Compare dead happiness with living woe,  
Think that thy babes were fairer than they were,  
And he that slew them fouler than he is,  
Bettering thy loss makes the bad causer worse,  
Revolving this, will teach thee how to curse.  Qu. 
My words are dull, O quicken them with thine.  Q. Mar. 
Thy woes will make them sharp, & pierce like mine.  Du. 
Why should calamity be full of words?  Exit Mar. Qu. 
Windy attorneys to your Client woes,  
A erie succeeders of inte●●ate joys,  
Poor breathing Orators of miseries,  
Let them have scope, though what they do impart,  
Help not at all, yet do they ease the heart.  Duch. 
I● so, then be not toong-tide, go with me,  
And in the breath of bitter words let's smother  
My damned son, which thy two sweet sons smothered,  
I hear his drum, be copious in exclaims.  Enter K. Richard marching with Drums And Trumpets. King 
Who intercepts my expedition?  Duch. 
A she, that might have intercepted thee  
By strangling thee in her accursed womb,  
From all the slaughters wretch, that thou hast done.  Qu. 
Hidst thou that forehead with a golden crown  
Where should be graven, if that right were right,  
The slaughter of the Prince that owed that Crown,  
And the dire death of my two sons, and brothers:  
Tell me thou villain slave, where are my children?  Duch. 
Thou toad, thou toad, where is thy brother Clarence?  
And little Ned Plantagenet, his son?  Qu. 
Where is kind, Hastings, Rivers, Vaughan, Grace?  King 
A flourish trumpet's, strike alarm drums,  
Let not the heavens hear these tell-tale women  
Rail on the Lords anointed. Strike I say.  The trumpets 
Either be patiented, and entreat me fair,  
Or with the clamorus report of war:  
Thus will I drown your exclamations.  Du. 
Art thou my son?  King. 
I, I thank God, my father and yourself.  Du. 
Then patiently here my impatience.  King. 
Madam I have a touch of your condition,  
Which cannot brook the accent of reproof.  Du. 
I will be mild and gentle in my speech.  King. 
And brief good mother for I am in haste.  Du. 
Art thou so hasty I have stayed for thee,  
God knows in anguish, pain and agony.  King. 
And came I not at last to comfort you?  Du. 
No by the holy rood thou know'st it well,  
Thou camest on earth to make the earth my hell,  
A grievous burden was thy birth to me,  
Techie and wayward was thy infancy,  
Thy schoele-days frightful, desperate, wild, and furious.  
Thy prime of manhood, daring, bold and venturous,  
Thy age confirmed, proud, fubtile, bloody, treacherous,  
What comfortable hour canst thou name  
That ever grac●t me in thy company?  King. 
Faith none but Humphrey hour, that called your grace  
To break fast once forth of my company,  
If I be so disgracious in your sight,  
Let me march on, and not offend your grace.  Du. 
O hear me speak for I shall never see thee more.  King. 
Come, come, you art too bitter.  Du. 
Either thou wilt die by God's just ordinance,  
Eeare from this war thou turn a conqueror,  
Or I with grief and extreme age shall perish,  
And never look upon thy face again,  
Therefore take with thee my most heavy curse,  
Which in the day of battle tyre thee more  
Than all the complete armour that thou wear'st,  
My prayers on the adverse party fight,  
And there the little souls of Edward's children,  
Whisper the spirits of thine enemies,  
And promise them success and victory,  
Bloody thou art, bloody will be thy end,  
Shame serves thy life, and doth thy death attend.  Exit. Qu. 
Though far more cause, yet much less spirit to curse  
Abides in me, I say Amen to all.  King. 
Stay Madam, I must speak a word with you.  Qu. 
I have no more sons of the royal blood,  
For thee to murder for my daughters Richard,  
They shallbe praying nuns not weeping Queens,  
And therefore level not to hit their lives.  King 
You have a daughter called Elizabeth,  
Virtuous and fair, royal and gracious.  Qu. 
And must she die for this? O let her live!  
And i'll corrupt her manners, stain her beauty,  
Slander myself as false to Edward's bed  
Throw over her the vale of infamy,  
So she may live unskard from bleeding slaughter,  
I will confess she was not Edward's daughter.  King 
Wrong not her birth, she is of royal blood.  Queen 
To save her life, i'll faith she is not so.  King 
Her life is only safest in her birth.  Qu. 
And only in that safety died her brothers.  King 
Lo at their births good stars were opposite.  Qu. 
No to their lives bad friends were contrary.  King 
All unavoided is the doom of destiny,  Qu. 
True when avoided grace makes destiny,  
My babes were destined to a fairer death,  
If grace had blessed thee with a fairer life.  King 
Madam, so thrive I in my dangerous attempt of hostile arms  
As I intent more good to you and yours,  
Then ever you or yours were by me wronged.  Qu. 
What good is covered with the face of heaven,  
To be discovered that can do me good,  King 
The advancement of your children mighty Lady.  Qu. 
Up to some scaffold, there to lose their heads.  King 
No to the dignity and height of honour,  
The high imperial type of this earth's glory.  Qu. 
Flatter my sorrows with report of it,  
Tell me what state, what dignity, what honour?  
Can●t thou demise to any child of mine.  King. 
Even all I have, yea and myself and all,  
Will I withal endow a child of thine,  
So in the Lethe of thy angry soul,  
Thou drown the sad remembrance of those wrongs  
Which thou supposest I have done to thee.  Qu. 
Be brief, lest that the process of thy kindness,  
Last longer telling then thy kindness do.  King. 
Then know that from my soul I love thy daughter▪  Qu. 
My daughter's mother thinks it with her soul.  King. 
What do you think?  Qu. 
That thou dost love my daughter from thy soul,  
So from thy soul's love didst thou love her brothers,  
And from my heart's love I do thank thee for it.  King. 
Be not so hasty to confound my meaning,  
I mean that with my soul I love thy daughter,  
And mean to make her Queen of England.  Qu. 
Say then, who dost thou mean shall be her king?  King. 
Even he that makes her Queen, who should be else?  Qu. 
What thou?  King 
I even I, what think you of it Madam?  Qu. 
How canst thou woo her?  King 
That would I learn of you.  
As one that are best acquainted with her humour.  Qu. 
And wilt thou learn of me?  King 
Madam with all my heart.  Qu. 
Send to her by the man that slew her brothers,  
A pair of bleeding hearts thereon engrave,  
Edward and York, then happily she will weep,  
Therefore present to her as sometime Margaret  
Did to thy father, a handkerchief steeped in Rutland's blood,  
And bid her dry her weeping eyes therewith,  
If this inducement force her not to love,  
Send her a story of thy noble acts,  
Tell her thou mad'st away her Uncle Clarence,  
Her Uncle Rivers, yea, and for her sake  
Mad'st quick conveyance with her good Aunt Anne.  King 
Come, come, you mock me, this is not the way  
To Win your daughter.  Qu. 
There is no other way  
Unless thou couldst put on some other shape,  
And not be Richard that hath done all this.  King 
Infer fair England's peace by this alliance▪  Qu. 
Which she shall purchase with still lasting war.  King 
Say that the king which may command entreats.  Qu. 
That at her hands which the king's king forbids.  King 
Say she shallbe a high and mighty Queen.  Qu. 
To wail the title as her mother doth.  King 
Say I will love her everlastingly.  Qu. 
But how long shall that title ever last.  King 
Sweetly enforce unto her fair lives end.  Qu. 
But how long fairly shall her sweet life last?  King 
So long as heaven and nature l●ngthens it.  Qu. 
So long as hell and Richard likes of it.  King 
Say I her sovereign am her subject love.  Qu. 
But she your subject loathes such sovereignty.  King 
Be eloquent in my behalf to her.  Qu. 
An honest tale speeds best being plainly told.  King 
Then in plain terms tell her my loving tale.  Qu. 
Plain and not honest is to harsh a style.  King 
Madam your reasons are too shallow & too quick  Qu. 
O no my reasons are to deep and dead.  
Too deep and dead poor infants in their grave.  King 
Harp not one that string Madam that is past.  Qu. 
Harp on it still shall I till heartstrings break.  King 
Now by my George, my Garter and my crown.  Qu. 
Profaned, dishonerd, and the third usurped.  King 
I swear by nothing.  Qu. 
By nothing, for this is no oath,  
The George profaned hath lost his holy honour,  
The Garter blemished pawned his knightly virtue,  
The crown usurped disgrac●t his kingly dignity,  
If something thou wilt swear to be beleeude,  
Swear then by something that thou hast not wronged.  King 
Now by the world.  Qu. 
'tis full of thy foul wrongs.  King. 
My Father's death.  Qu. 
Thy life hath that dishonoured.  King. 
Then by myself.  Queen 
Thyself thy self misusest.  King. 
Why, then by God  Cue. 
God's wrong is most of all,  
If thou hadst feared, to break an oath by him,  
The unity the king my brother made,  
Had not been broken, nor my brother slain.  
If thou hadst feared to break an oath by him,  
The imperial metal circling now thy brow,  
Had graced the tender temples of my child,  
And both the princes had been breathing here,  
Which now, two tender play▪ fellows for dust,  
Thy broken faith, hath made a pray for worms.  King. 
By the time to come.  Qu. 
That thou hast wronged in time orepast,  
For I myself, have many tears to wash,  
Hereafter time, for time, by the past wronged,  
The children live, whose parents thou hast slaughtered,  
Vngovernd youth, to wail it in their age,  
The parents live, whose children thou hast butchered,  
Old withered plants, to wail it with their age,  
Swear not by time to come, for that thou hast,  
Misused, ear used, by time misused orepast.  King. 
As I intent to prosper and repent,  
So thrive I in my dangerous attempt,  
Of hostile arms, myself, myself confound,  
day yield me not thy light, nor night thy rest,  
Be opposite, all planets of good luck,  
To my proceed, if with pure hearts love,  
Immaculate devotion, holy thoughts,  
I tender not thy beauteous princely daughter,  
In her consists my happiness and thine,  
Without her follows to this land and me,  
To thee herself, and many a Christian soul,  
Sad desolation, ruin, and decay,  
It cannot be avoided but by this,  
It will not be avoided but this:  
Therefore good mother (I must call you so,)  
Be the attorney of my love to her.  
Plead what I will be, not what I have been,  
Not by des●rtes, but what I will deserve,  
Urge the necessity and state of times,  
And be not peevish, fond in great designs.  Qu. 
Shall I be tempted of the devil thus.  King. 
I, if the devil tempt thee to do good.  Qu. 
Shall I forget myself, to be myself.  King. 
I, if yourselves remembrance, wrong yourself.  Qu. 
But thou didst kill my children.  King. 
But in your daughter's womb, I buried them,  
Where in that nest of spicery they shall breed,  
selves of themselves, to your recomfiture.  Qu. 
shall I go win my daughter to thy will.  King. 
And be a happy mother by the deed,  Qu. 
I go, writ to me very shortly.  King. 
Bear her my true loves kiss, farewell.  Exit. 
Relenting fool, and shallow changing woman.  Enter Rat. Rat. 
My gracious Sovereign on the western coast,  
Rideth a puissant Navy. To the shore,  
Throng many doubtful hollow hearted friends,  
Unarmed, and unresolud to beat them back:  
'tis thought that Richmond is their admiral,  
And there they hull, expecting but the aid,  
Of Buckingham, to welcome them a shore.  King. 
Some light foot friend, post to the Duke of Norff.  
Ratcliff thyself, or Catesby, where is he?  Cat. 
Here my Lord.  King. 
Fly to the Duke, post thou to Salisbury,  
When thou comest there, dull unmindful villain,  
Why stand'st thou still? and goest not to the Duke.  Cat. 
First mighty Sovereign, let me know your mind,  
What, from your grace, I shall deliver them.  King. 
O, true good Catesby, bid him levy strait,  
The greatest strength and power he can make,  
And meet me presently at Salisbury.  Rat. 
What is it your highness pleasure, I shall do at Salisbury,  King. 
Why? what wouldst thou do there before I go?  Rat. 
Your highness told me I should post before.  King. 
My mind is changed sir, my mind is changed.  
How now, what news with you?  Enter Derby. Dar. 
None good my Lord, to please you with the hearing,  
Nor none so bad, but it may well be told.  King. 
Hoiday, a riddle, neither good, nor bad:  
Why dost thou run so many mile about,  
When thou mayst tell thy tale a nearer way.  
Once more, what news?  Dar. 
Richmond is on the Seas.  King. 
There let him sink, and be the season him,  
White livered runagate, what doth he there?  Dar. 
I know not mighty Sovereign, but by guess.  King. 
Well sir, as you guess, as you guess.  Dar. 
Stirred up by Dorset, Buckingham, and Elie,  
He makes for England, there to claim the crown.  King. 
Is the chair empty? is the sword unswaied?  
Is the king dead? the Empire unpossessed?  
What heir of York is there alive but we?  
And who is England's King, but great York's heir,?  
Then tell me, what doth he upon the sea?  Dar. 
Unless for that my liege, I cannot guess.  King. 
Unless for that, he comes to be your liege,  
You cannot guess, wherefore the Welshman comes,  
Thou wilt revolt, and fly to him I fear.  Dar. 
No mighty liege, therefore mistrust me not.  King 
Where is thy power then? to beat him back,  
Where are thy tenants? and thy followers?  
Are they not now upon the Western shore?  
Safe conducting, the rebels from their ships.  Dar, 
No my good Lord, my friends are in the North.  King. 
Cold friends to Richard, what do they in the North?  
When they should serve, their Sovereign in the West.  Dar. 
They have not been commanded, mighty sovereign.  
Please it your Majesty to give me leave,  
I'll muster up my friends and meet your grace▪  
Where, and what time, your Majesty shall please.  King. 
I, I, thou wouldst be gone, to join with Richmond,  
I will not trust you Sir.  Dar. 
Most mighty Sovereign,  
You have no cause to hold my friendship doubtful,  
I never was, nor never will be false.  King. 
Well, go muster men, but hear you, leave behind,  
Your son George Stanley, look your faith be firm,  
Or else, his heads assurance is but frail.  Dar. 
So deal with him, as I prove true to you.  Enter a Messenger. Mes. 
My gracious Sovereign, now in Devonshire,  
As I by friends am well advertised,  
Sir William Courtney, and the haughty Prelate,  
Bishop of Exce●●r, his brother there,  
With many more confederates, are in arms.  Enter another Messenger. Mes. 
My Liege, in Kent the Guilfordes are in arms,  
And every hour more competitors,  
Flock to their aid, and still their power increaseth.  Enter another Messenger. Mes. 
My Lord, the army of the Duke of Buckingham.  He striketh him. King. 
Out on you owls, nothing but songs off death.  
Take that until thou bring me better news.  Mes. 
Your grace mistakes, the news I bring is good,  
My news is that by sudden flood, and fall of water,  
The Duke of Buckingham's army is dispersed and scattered,  
And he himself fled, no man knows whether.  King. 
O I cry you mercy, I did mistake,  
Ratcliff reward him, for the blow I gave him,  
Hath any well advised friend given out,  
Rewards for him that brings in Buckingham.  Mes. 
Such proclamation hath been made my liege.  Enter another Messenger. Mes. 
Sir Thomas Lovel, and Lord Marques Dorset,  
'tis said my liege, are up in arms,  
Yet this good comfort bring I to your grace,  
The Britain navy is dispersed, Richmond in Dorshire  
Sent out a boat to ask them on the shore,  
If they were his assistants yea, or no:  
Who answered him, they came from Buckingham,  
Upon his party, he mistrusting them,  
Ho●st sale, and made away for Britain.  King. 
March on, march on, since we are up in arms,  
If not to fight with foreign enemies,  
Yet to beat down, these rebels here at home.  Enter Catesby. Cat. 
My liege, the Duke of Buckingham is taken,  
That's the best news, that the Earl of Richmond,  
Is with a mighty power landed at Milford,  
Is colder tidings, yet they must be told.  King. 
Away towards Salisbury, while we reason here,  
A royal battle might be won and lost.  
Some one take order, Buckingham be brought,  
To Salisbury, the rest march on with me.  Exeunt. Entee Darbie, Sir Christopher. Dar. 
Sir Christapher, tell Richmond this from me,  
That in the sty of this most bloody boar,  
My son George Stanley is franked up in hold,  
If I revolt, off goes young George's head,  
The fear of that, with holds my present aid,  
But tell me, where is princely Richmond now?  Christ. 
At Pembroke, or at Harfordwest in Wales.  Dar. 
What men of name resort to him.  S. Christ. 
Sir Walter Herbert, a renowned soldier,  
Sir Gilbert Talbot, Sir William Stanley,  
Oxford, redoubted Pembroke, Sir james Blunt,  
Rice up Thomas, with a valiant crew,  
With many more of noble fame and worth,  
And towards London they do bend their course,  
If by the way, they be not fought withal.  Dar. 
Return unto thy Lord, commend me to him,  
Tell him, the Queen hath heartily consented,  
He shall espouse Elizabeth her daughter,  
These letters will resolve him of my mind.  
Farewell.  Exeunt. Enter Buckingham to execution. Buck. 
Will not king Richard let me speak with him.  Rat. 
No my Lord, therefore be patiented.  Buck. 
Hastings, and Edward's children, Rivers, Grace,  
Holy king Henry, and thy fair son Edward,  
Vaughan, and all that have miscarried,  
By underhand corrupted, foul injustice,  
If that your moody discontented souls,  
Do through the clouds, behold this present hour,  
Even for revenge, mock my destruction.  
This is Alsoules' day fellows, is it not?  Rat. 
It is my Lord.  Buck. 
Why then Alsoules day, is my body's doomsday:  
This is the day, that in king Edward's time,  
I wished might fall on me, when I was found,  
False to his children, or his wives allies:  
This is the day, wherein I wished to fall,  
By the false faith, of him I trusted most:  
This, this Alsoules' day, to my fearful soul,  
Is the determined respite of my wrongs:  
That high al-seer, that I dallied with,  
Hath turned my feigned prayer on my head,  
And given in earnest what ● begged in jest.  
Thus doth he force the sword of wicked men,  
To turn their own points, on their masters bosom:  
Now Margaret's curse, is fallen upon my head,  
When he quorh she, shall split thy heart with sorrow.  
Remember, Margaret was a Prophetess,  
Come sirs, convey me to the block of shame,  
Wrong hath but wrong, and blame the dew of blame.  Enter Richmond with drums and trumpets. Rich. 
Fellows in arms, and my most loving friends,  
Bruised underneath the yoke of tyranny,  
Thus far into the bowels of the land,  
Have we marched on without impediment.  
And here receive we, from our Father Stanley,  
Lines of fair comfort, and encouragement,  
The wretched, bloody, and usurping boar,  
That spoiled your somerfieldes, and fruitful vines,  
Swills your warm blood like wash, and makes his trough,  
In your inboweld bosoms, this foul swine,  
Lies now even in the centre of this isle,  
Near to the town of Leycester as we learn:  
From Tamworth thither, is but one days march,  
In God's name cheerelie on, courageous friends,  
To reap the harvest of perpetual peace,  
By this one bloody trial of sharp war.  1 Lo. 
Every man's conscience is a thousand sword,  
To fight against that bloody homicide.  2 Lo. 
I doubt not but his friends will fly to us.  3 Lo. 
He hath no friends, but who are friends for fear,  
Which in his greatest need will shrink from him.  Rich. 
All for our vantage, then in God's name march,  
True hope is swift, and flies with Swallows wings,  
Kings it make Gods, and meaner creatures kings.  Exit. Enter King Richard, Norfolk, Ratcliff, Catesby, with others. King. 
Here pitch our tents, even here in Bosworth field,  
Why, how now Catesby, why look'st thou so bad.  Cat, 
My heart is ten times lighter than my looks.  King. 
Norfolk, come hither.  
Norfolk, we must have knocks, ha, must we not?  Norff. 
We must both give, and take, my gracious Lord.  King. 
Up with my tent there, here will I lie to night,  
But where to morrow, well, all is one for that:  
Who hath descried the number of the foe.  Norff. 
Six or seven thousand is their greatest number.  King. 
Why our battalion trebles that account,  
Besides, the King's name is a tower of strength,  
Which they upon the adverse party want,  
Up with my tent there, valiant gentlemen,  
Let us survey the vantage of the field,  
Call for some men of sound direction,  
Let's want no discipline, make no delay,  
For Lords, to morrow is a busy day.  Exeunt. Enter Richmond with the Lords, etc. Rich. 
The weary son hath made a golden seat,  
And by the bright track of his fiery Car,  
Gives signal of a goodly day to morrow,  
Where is Sir William Brandon, he shall bear my standard,  
The Earl of Pembroke keep his regiment,  
Good captain Blunt, bear my good night to him,  
And by the second hour in the morning,  
Desire the Earl to see me in my tent.  
Yet one thing more, good Blunt before thou goest:  
Where is Lord Stanley quartered, dost thou know.  Blunt. 
Unless I have mista'en his colors much,  
Which well I am assured, I have not done,  
His regiment, lies half a mile at least,  
South from the mighty power of the king.  Rich. 
If without peril it be possible,  
Good captain Blunt bear my good night to him,  
And give him from me, this most needful scroll.  Blunt. 
Upon my life my Lord, I'll undertake it,  Rich. 
Farewell good Blunt.  
Give me some ink, and paper, in my tent,  
I'll draw the form, and model of our battle,  
Limit each leader to his several charge,  
And part in just proportion our small strength,  
Come, let us consult upon to morrows business,  
In to our tent, the air is raw and cold.  Enter king Richard, Norff. Ratcliff Catesby, etc. King. 
What is a clock.  Cat. 
It is six of clock, full supper time.  King. 
I will not sup to night, give me some ink and paper,  
What? is my be●er easier than it was?,  
And all my armour laid into my tent?  Cat, 
It is my Liege, and all things are in readiness.  King. 
Good Norfolk, hie thee to thy charge,  
Use careful watch, choose trusty sentinel.  Norff. 
I go my Lord.  King. 
Stur with the Lark to morrow gentle Norfolk.  Nor. 
I warrant you my Lord.  King. 
Catesby.  Rat. 
My lord.  King. 
Send out a Pursuivant at arms  
To stanley's regiment, bid him bring his power  
Before sun rising, lest his son George fall  
Into the blind cave of eternal night.  
Fill me a bowl of wine, give me a watch,  
Saddle white Surrey for the field to morrow,  
Look that my staves be sound and not too heavy Ratliffe.  R●t. 
My lord.  King. 
Saw'st thou the melancholy Lo. Northumberland?  Rat. 
Thomas the Earl of Surrey and himself,  
Much about cock-shut time, from troop to troop  
Went through the army cheering up the soldiers.  King. 
So I am satisfied, give me a bowl of wine,  
I have not that alacrity of spirit  
Nor cheer of mind that I was wont to have:  
Set it down. Is ink and paper ready?  Rat. 
It is my lord.  King 
Bid my guard watch, leave me.  
Ratliffe about the mid of night come to mytent  
And help to arm me: leave me I say.  Exit. Ratliffe Enter Derby to Ricbmond in his tent. Darby. 
Fortune and victory set on thy helm.  Rich. 
All comfort that the dark night can afford,  
Be to thy person noble father in law,  
Tell me how fares our loving mother?  Dar. 
I by attorney bless thee from thy mother,  
Who prays continually for Richmond's good,  
So much for that the silent hours steal on,  
And flaky darkness breaks within the east,  
In brief, for so the season bids us be:  
Prepare thy battle early in the morning,  
And put thy fortune to the arbitrement,  
Of bloody strokes and mortal sta●ing war,  
I as I may, that which I would, I cannot,  
With best advantage will deceive the time,  
And aid thee in this doubsul shock of arms,  
But on thy side I may not be too forward,  
Lest being seen thy brother tender George  
Be executed in his father's sight.  
Farewell▪ the leisure and the fearful time,  
Cuts off the ceremonious vows of love,  
And am●le interchange of sweet discourse,  
Which so long sundried friends should dwelupon,  
God give us leisure for these rights of love,  
Once more adieu, be valiant and speed well.  Rich. 
Good lords conduct him to his regiment:  
I'll strive with troubled thoughts to take a nap,  
Lest leaden slumber poise me down to morrow,  
When I should mount with wings of victory,  
Once more good night kind Lords and gentlemen,  Exu●●. 
O thou whose Captain I account myself,  
Look on my forces with a gracious eye:  
Put in their hands thy bruising Irons of wrath,  
That they may crush down with a heavy ●all,  
The usurping helmets of our adversaries,  
Make us thy ministers of chastisement,  
That we may praise thee in the victory,  
To thee I do commend my watchful soul,  
Ear I let fall the windows of mine eyes,  
Sleeping and waking, oh defend me still!  Enter the ghost of young Prince Edward, son Harry the sixth, to Ri. Ghost 
to Ri. Let me sit heavy on thy soul to morrow.  
Think how thou stabst me in my prime of youth,  
At Teukesburie, despair therefore 〈◊〉 die.  To Rich. 
Be cheerful Richmond for the wronged souls  
Of Butchered princes fight in thy behalf,  
King Henry's issue Richmond comforts thee.  Enter the ghost of Henry the sixth. Ghost 
to Ri. When I was mortal my anointed body,  
By thee was punched full of deadly holes,  
Think on the tower and me despair and die.  
Harrie the sixth bids thee despair and die.  To Rich. 
Virtuous and holy be thou conqueror,  
Harrie that prophisied thou shouldst be king,  
Doth comfort thee in thy sleep live and flourish.  Enter the Ghost of Clarence. Ghost. 
Let me set heavy in thy soul to morrow,  
I that was washed to death with fulsome wine,  
Poor Clarence by thy guile betrayed to death:  
To morrow in the battle think on me,  
And fall thy edgeles sword, despair and die.  To Rich. 
Thou of spring of the house of Lancester,  
The wronged heirs of York do pray for thee,  
Good angels guard thy battle live and flourish.  Enter the ghosts of Rivers, Grace, Vaughan. King 
Let me sit heavy in thy soul to morrow,  
Rivers that died at Pomfret, despair and die,  Grace. 
Think upon Grace, and let thy soul despair.  Vaugh. 
Think upon Vaughan, and with guilty fear,  
Let fall thy lance, despair and die.  All 
to Ri. Awake and think our wrongs in Richard's bosom,  
Well conquer him, awake and win the day.  Enter the ghosts of the two young Princes. Ghost 
to Ri. Dream on thy Coosens smothered in the tower,  
Let us be lead within thy bosom Richard,  
And weigh thee down to ruin, shame, and death,  
Thy nephews souls bid thee despair and die.  To Rich. 
Sleep Richmond sleep, in peace and wake enjoy,  
Good angles guard thee from the bores annoy,  
Live and beget a happy race of kings,  
Edward's unhappy sons do bid thee flourish,  Enter the ghost of Hastings. Ghost 
Bloody and guilty, guiltilie awake,  
And in a bloody battle end thy days,  
Think on lord Hastings, despair and die.  To Rich. 
Quiet untroubled soul, awake, awake,  
Arm, fight and conquer for fair Engiands sake.  Enter the ghost of Lady Anne his wife▪ 
Richard thy wife, that wretched Anne thy wife,  
That never slept a quiet hour with thee,  
Now fills thy sleep with preturbations,  
To morrow in the battle think on me,  
And fall thy edgeles sword despair and die.  To Rich. 
Thou quiet soul, sleep thou a quiet sleep,  
Dream of success and happy victory,  
Thy adversaries wife doth pray for thee.  Enter the Ghost of Buckingham. 
The first was I that helped thee to the crown,  
The last was I that felt thy tyranny,  
O in the battle think on Buckingham,  
And die in terror of thy giltines●e,  
Dream on dream on, of bloody deeds, and death,  
Fainting, despair, despairing yield thy breath,  To Rich. 
I died for hope ere I could lend thee aid,  
But cheer thy heart, and be thou not dismayed,  
God and good angels fight on Richmons' side,  
And Richard falls in height of all his pride.  Richard starteth up out of a drea●●e. King Ri. 
Give me another horse, bind up my wounds,  
Have mercy jesus: soft, I did but dream,  
O Coward conscience, how dost thou afflict me?  
The lights burn blue, it is now dead midnight,  
Cold fearful drops stand on my trembling flesh,  
What do I fear? myself? there's none else by,  
Richard loves Richard, that is I and I,  
Is there a murderer here? no. Yes I am,  
Then sly, what from myself? great reason why?  
Lest I revenge. What myself upon myself?  
Alack I love myself, wherefore? for any good  
That I myself have done unto myself:  
O no, alas I rather hate myself,  
For hateful deeds committed by myself,  
I am a villain, yet I lie I am not,  
Fool of thyself speak well, fool do not flatter,  
My conscience hath a thousand several tongues,  
And every tongue brings in a several tale,  
And every tale condemns me for a villain,  
Perjury, perjury, in the highest degree,  
Murder, stern murder▪ in the direst degree,  
All several sins, all used in each degree,  
Throng to the bar, crying all guilty, guilty.  
I shall despair, there is no creature loves me,  
And if I die, no soul will pity me:  
And wherefore should they, since that I myself▪  
Find in myself, no pity to myself.  
Me thought the souls of all that I had murdered,  
Came to my tent, and every one did threat,  
To morrows vengeance on the head of Richard.  Enter Ratcliffe. Rat. 
My Lord.  King. 
Zounds, who is there?  Rat. 
Ratcliffe, my Lord, 'tis I, the early village cock▪  
Hath twice done salutation to the morn,  
Your friends are up, and buckle on their armour.  King. 
O Ratcliff, I have dreamt a fearful dream,  
What thinkest thou, will our friends prove all true?  Rat. 
No doubt my Lord.  King. 
O Ratcliff, I fear, I fear.  Rat. 
Nay good my Lord▪ be not afraid of shadows▪  King 
By the Apostle Paul▪ shadows to night,  
Have stroke more terror to the soul of Richard,  
Then can the substance often thousand soldiers,  
Armed in proof, and led by shallow Richmond.  
'tis not yet near day, come, go with me,  
Under our tents I'll play the ease dropper,  
To see if any mean to shrink from me.  Exeunt. Enter the Lords to Richmond. Lo. 
Good morrow Richmond.  Rich. 
Cry mercy Lords, and watchful gentlemen,  
That you have ta'en a tardy sluggard here.  Lo. 
How have you slept my Lord?  Rich. 
The sweetest sleep, and fairest boding dreams,  
That ever entered in drowsy head,  
Have I since your depature had my Lords,  
Me thought their souls, whose bodies Richard murdered,  
Came to my tent, and cried on victory,  
I promise you, my soul is very I octad,  
In the remembrance of so fair a dream.  
How far into the morning is it Lords?  Lo. 
Upon the stroke of four.  Rich. 
Why, then 'tis time to arm, and give direction.  His oration to his soldiers. 
More than I have said, loving countrymen,  
The leisure and enforcement of the time,  
Forbids to dwell upon, yet remember this,  
God, and our good cause, fight upon our side,  
The prayers of holy Saints and wronged souls,  
Like high reared bulwarks, stand before our faces,  
Richard, except those whom we fight against,  
Had rather have us win, then him they follow:  
For, what is he they follow? truly gentlemen,  
A bloody tyrant, and a homicide.  
One raised in blood, and one in blood established,  
One that made means to come by what he hath,  
And slaughtered those, that were the means to help him.  
A base foul stone, made precious by the foil,  
Of England's chair, where he is falsely set,  
One that hath ever been God's enemy.  
Then if you fight against God's enemy,  
God will in justice, ward you as his soldiers,  
If you do sweat to put a tyrant down,  
You sleep in peace, the tyrant being slain,  
If you do fight against your country's foes,  
Your country's fat, shall pay your pains the hire.  
If you do fight in safeguard of your wives,  
Your wives shall welcome home the conquerors.  
If you do free your children from the sword,  
Your children's children quits it in your age:  
Then in the name of God and all these rights,  
Advance your standards, draw your willing sword,  
For me, the ransom of my bold attempt,  
Shall be this could corpse on the earth's cold face:  
But if I thrive, the gain of my attempt,  
The least of you, shall share his part thereof.  
Sound drums and trumpets boldly, and cheerfully,  
God, and Saint George, Richmond, and victory.  Enter King Richard, Rat. etc. King. 
What said Northumberland, as ●ouching Richmond.  Rat. 
That he was never trained up in arms.  King 
He said the truth, and what said Surrey then.  Rat. 
He smiled and said, the better for our purpose,  King. 
He was in the right, and so in deed it is:  
Tell the clock there.  The clock striketh. 
Give me a calendar, who saw the Sun to day?  Rat. 
Not I my Lord.  King. 
Then he disdains to shine, for by the book,  
He should have braved the East an hour ago,  
A black day will it be to some body Rat.  Rat. 
My Lord.  King. 
The Sun will nor be seen to day,  
The sky doth frown, and lower upon our army,  
I would these dewy tears were from the ground,  
Not shine to day: why, what is that to me?  
More than to Richmond, for the self-same heaven,  
That frowns on me, looks sadly upon him.  Enter Norfolk. Norff. 
Arm, arm, my Lord, the foe vaunts in the field.  King. 
Come, bustle, bustle, caparison my horse,  
Call up Lord Standlie, bid him bring his power,  
I will lead forth, my soldiers to the plain,  
And thus my battle shall be ordered.  
My forward shall be drawn out all in length,  
Consisting equally of horse and foot,  
Our Archers shall be placed in the midst,  
john, Duke of Norfolk, Thomas Earl of Surrey,  
Shall have the leading of this foot and horse,  
They thus directed, we will follow,  
In the matne battle, whose puissance on either side,  
shall be well winged with our chiefest horse:  
This, and Saint George to boots what thinkest thou Norfolk?  Nor. 
A good direction warlike sovereign,  he showeth him a paper. 
This found I on my tent this morning.  
jockey of Norfolk be not so bold,  
For D●ckon thy master is bought and should.  King 
A thing devised by the enemy.  
Go gentlemen every man unto his charge,  
Let not our babbling dreams affright our souls:  
Conscience is but a word that cowards use,  
Devisd at first to keep the strong in awe,  
Our strong arms be our conscience swords, our law.  
March on, join bravely, let us to it pell-mell,  
If not to heaven then hand in hand to hell.  His Oration to his army. 
What shall I say more than I have inferred?  
Remember whom you are to cope withal,  
A sort of vagabonds, rascals and runaways,  
A scum of Britain's and base lackey peasants,  
Whom their orecloied country vomits forth,  
To desperate adventures and assured destruction,  
You sleeping safe they bring to you unrest,  
You having lands and blessed with beauteous wives,  
They would restrain the one, distain the other,  
And who doth lead them but a paltrey fellow,?  
Long kept in Britain at our mother's cost,  
A milkesopt, one that never in his life  
Felt so much cold as over shoes in snow:  
Let's whip these stragglers o'er the seas again,  
Lash hence these overweening rags of France,  
These famished beggars weary of their lives,  
Who but for dreaming on this fond exploit,  
For want of means poor rats had hanged themselves,  
If we be conquered, let men conquer us,  
And not these bastard Britain's whom our fathers  
Have in their own land beaten bobbed and thumped,  
And in record left them the heirs of shame.  
Shall these enjoy our lands, lie with our wives?  
Ravish our daughters, hark I hear their drum,  
Fight gentlemen of England, fight bold yeomen,  
Draw archers draw your arrows to the head▪  
Spur your proud horses hard, and ride in blood,  
Amaze the welkin with your broken staves,  
What says lord Stanley, will he bring his power?  Mes. 
My lord, he doth deny to come,  King 
Off with his son George's head.  Nor. 
My lord, the enemy is passed the marsh,  
After the battle let George Stanley die.  King 
A thousand hearts are great within my bosom,  
Advance our standards, set upon our foes,  
Our ancient word of courage fair saint George  
Inspire us with the spleen of fiery Dragons,  
Upon them victory sits on our helms.  Exeunt. Alarm, excursions, Enter Catesby. Cates. 
Rescue my lord of Norfolk, rescue, rescue,  
The king enacts more wonders then a man,  
Daring an opposite to every danger,  
His horse is slain, and all on foot he fights,  
Seeking for Richmond in the throat of death,  
Rescue fair lord, or else the day is lost.  Enter Richard. King 
A horse, a horse, my kingdom for a horse.  Cates. 
Withdraw my lord I'll help you to a horse.  King 
Slave I have set my life upon a cast,  
And I will stand the hazard of the die,  
I think there be six Richmonds in the field,  
Five have I slain to day in stead of him,  
A horse, a horse, my kingdom for a horse.  Alarm, Enter Richard and Richmond, they fight, Richard is slain then retreat being sounded. Enter Richmond, Derby, bearing the crown, with other Lords, etc. Ri. 
God and your arms be praised victorious friends,  
The day is ours, the bloody dog is dead.  Dar. 
Courageous Richmond, well hast thou acquit thee,  
Lo here this long usurped royalty.  
From the dead temples of this bloody wretch,  
Have I plucked off to grace thy brows withal,  
Wear it, enjoy it, and make much of it.  Rich. 
Great God of heaven say Amen to all,  
But tell me, is young George Stanley living.  Dar. 
He is my lord, and safe in Leicester town,  
Whether if it please you we may now withdraw us.  Rich. 
What men of name are slain on either side?  john Duke of Norfolk, Water Lord Ferris, sir Robert Brookenbury, & sir William Brandon. Rich. 
Inter their bodies as become their births.  
Proclaim a pardon to the soldiers fled,  
That in submission will return to us,  
And then as we have ta'en the sacrament,  
We will unite the white rose and the red,  
Smile heaven upon this fair conjunction,  
That long have frowned upon their enmity,  
What traitor hears me, and says not Amen?  
England hath long been mad and scared herself,  
The brother blindly shed the brother's blood,  
The father rashly slaughtered his own son,  
The son compels been butcher to the sire,  
All this divided York and Lancaster,  
Divided in their dire division.  
O now let Richmond and Elizabeth,  
The true succeeders of each royal house,  
By God's fair ordinance conjoin together,  
And let their heirs (God if thy will be so)  
every the time to come with smooth-faste peace,  
With smiling plenty and fair prosperous days,  
Abate the edge of traitors gracious Lord,  
That would reduce these bloody days again,  
And make poor England weep in streams of blood,  
Let them not live to taste this lands increase,  
That would with treason wound this fair lands peace,  
Now civil wounds are stopped, peace lives again,  
That she may long live hear, God Say Amen.  
FINIS.