And, for more slander to thy dismal seat,

Stan. What of his heart perceive you in his face,
We give thee up our guiltless blood to drink. By any likelilood he shew'd to-day?
Grey. Now Margaret's curse is fallen upon our Hast. Marry, that with no man here he is offended;
heads,

For, were he, he had shewn it in his looks.
When she exclaim'd on Hastings, you, and I,

Re-enter Gloster and BUCKINGHAM.
For standing by when Richard stabh'd her son.
Riv. Then cursed shie Hastings, then cursed she

Glo. I pray you all, tell me what they deserve,
Buckingham,

That do conspire my death with devilish plots Then cursed she Richard :-0, remember, God,

Of damned witchcraft; and that have prevail'd To hear her prayers for them, as now for us!

Upon my body with their hellish charms? And for my sister, and her princely sons,

Hast. The tender love I bear your grace, my lord, Be satisfied, dear God, with our true bloods,

Makes me most forward in tbis noble presence Which, as thou know'st, unjustly must be spilt!

To dovm the offenders: whosoe'er they be,
Rat. Make ha-te, the hour of death is expiate.. I say, my lord, they have deserved death.
Riv. Come, Grey,--Come, Vaughan,-let us here

Glo. Then be your eyes the witness of their evil, embrace ;

Look how I am bewitch'd; behold, mine arm Farewell, until we meet again in heaven. (Exeunt.is, like a blasted sapling, wither'd up:

And this is Edward's wife, that monstrous witch,

Consorted with that harlot, strumpet Shore,
SCENE IV.-London.- A Room in the Tower.

That by their witchcraft thus have marked me.

Hast. If they have done this deed, my noble BUCKINGHAM, STANLEY, HASTINGS, the Bishop of

lord,ELY, CATESBY, LOVEL, and others, sitting at a

G!o. If! thou protector of this damned strupei, Table; Officers of the Council attending.

Talk'st thou to me of ifs ?-Thou art a traitor : Hast. Now, noble peers, the cause why we are met

Off with his head :-Now, by St. Paul, I swear, Is-to determine of the coronation :

I will not dine until I see the same.-
In God's name, speak, when is the royal day! Lovel, and Catesby, look that it be done ;-
Buck. Are all things ready for that royal time!

The rest, that love me, rise, and follow me.
Stun. They are; and wants but nomination.

[Ereunt Council, with Gloster, and Buckingham. Ely. To-morow, then, I judge a nappy day.

Hast. Woe, woe, for England ! Not a whit for ine; Buck. Who knows the lord protector's mind

For I, too fondo, might have prevented this : herein ?

Stanley did dream, the boar did rase his helm; Who is niost inward + with the noble duke ?

But I disdain'd it, and did scorn to fly. Ely. Your grace, we think, should soonest know Three times to-day my foot-cloth horse did stumble, his mind.

And startled, when he look'd upon the Tower, Buck. We know each other's faces : for our As loath to bear me to the slaughter-house. hearts,

0, now I want the priest that spake to me :
He knows no inore of mine, than I of yours; I now repent I told the pursuivant,
Nor I of his, my lord, than you of mine :-

As too triumphing, how mine enemies,
Lord Hastings, you and he are near in love. To-day at Pomfret bloodily were butcher'd,

Hast. I thank his grace, I know he loves me well; And I myself secure in grace and favour.
But, for his purpose in the coronation,

0, Margaret, Margaret, now thy heavy curse I have not sounded him, nor he deliver'd

Is lighted on poor Hastings' wretched head. His gracious pleasure any way therein :

Cate. Despatch, my lord, the duke would be at

dinner; But you, my noble lord, may name the time; And in the duke's behalf l'll give my voice,

Make a short shrift, he longs to see your head. Which, I presume, he'll take in gentle part.

Hast. O momentary grace of mortal mien,

Which we more hunt for than the grace of God! Enter Gloster.

Who builds his hope in air of your fair looks, Ely. In happy time, here comes the duke himself. Lives like a drunken sailor on a mast; Glo. My noble lords and cousins, all, good morrow: Ready, with every nod, to tumble down I have been long a sleeper; but, I trust,

Into the fatal bowels of the deep. My absence doth neglect no great design,

Lov. Come, come, despatch ; 'uis bootless to ex Which by my presence might bave been concluded.

claim. Buck. Had you not come upon your cue, my lord,

Hast. O, bloody Richard !-- Miserable England ! William lord Hastings had pronounced your part, I prophecy the tearful'st time to thee, I mean, your voice,--for crowning of the king.

That ever wretched age hath look'd upon.Glo. Than my lord Hastings, no man might be Come, lead me to the block, bear him my hcad; bolder:

They smile at me, who shortly shall be dead. His lordship knows me well, and loves me well.

(Exeunt. My lord of Ely, when I was last in Holborn,

SCENE V.- The same.-The Tower Walls. I saw good strawberries in your garden there; I do beseech you, send for some of them.

Enter GLOSTER and BUCKINGHAM, in rusty Armour, Ely. Marry, and will, my lord, with all my heart.

marvellous ill-favoured:

[Exit Ely. Glo. Come, cousin, cainst thou quake, and change Glo. Cousin of Buckingham, a word with you.

thy colour!

[Takes him aside. Murder thy breath in middle of a word, Catesby hath soumded Hastings in our business; And then again begin, and stop again, And finds the testy gentleman so hot,

As if thou wert distraught, and mad with terror? That he will lose his head, ere give consent,

Buck. Tut, I can counterfeit the deep tragedian ;
His master's child, as worshipfully he terms it, Speak, and look back, and pry on every side,
Shall lose the royalty of England's throne.

Tremble and start at wagging of a straw,
Buck. Withdraw yourself a while, I'll go with Intending deep suspicion: ghastly looks

yoll. (Exeunt Gloster and Buckingham. Are at my service, like enforced smiles ;
Stan. 'We have not yet set down this day of And both are ready in their offices,
triumph.

At any time, to grace my stratagenis.
To-morrow, in my judgment, is too sudden; But what, is Catesby gone?
Por I myself am not so well provided,

Glo. He is; and, see, lie brings the mayor along. As else I would be, were the day prolong'd.

Enter the LORD MAYOR and CATESBY.
Re-enter Bishop of Ely.

Buck. Let me alone to entertain him.-Lord
Ely. Where is my lord protector? I have sent

mayor, For these strawberries.

Glo. Look to the draw-bridge there. Hast. His grace looks cheerfully and smooth this Buck. Hark, hark! A drum. morning;

Glo. Catesby, o'erlook the walls. There's some conceitt or other likes him well, Buck. Lord mayor, the reason we have sent for When he doth bid good morrow with such spirit.

yoll,I think, there's ne'er a man in Christendom,

Glo. Look back, defend thee, here are enemies. Cau lesser hide his love, or hate, than he ;

Buck. God and our innocence detend and guard For by his face straight 'shall you know his heart.

as! Expiated, completed. + Intimate. Thought. • Weak, foolish.

+ Pretending

Glo. Go, Lovel, with all speed to doctor Shaw.Enter Lovel and Ratcliff, with Hastings Head. Go thou [To ('at.) to friar Penker;-bid them both Glo. Be patient, they are friends; Ratcliff, and Meet me, within this hour, at Baynard's castle. Lovel.

(Exeunt Lovel and Catesby. Lov. Here is the head of that ignoble traitor, Now will I in, to take some privy order The dangerous and unsuspected Hastings.

To draw the brats of Clarence out of sight; Glo. So dear I loved the man, that I must weep. And to give notice, that no manner of person I took him for the plainest harmless't creature, Have, any time, recourse unto the princcs. That breathed npon the earth a Christian;

(Exit. Made him my book, wherein my soul recorded

SCENE VI.-A Street,
The history of all her secret thoughts :
So smooth'he daub'd his vice with show of virtue,

Enter a SCRIVENER.
That, his apparent open guilt omitted,

Scriv. Here's the indictment of the good lord
I mean, his conversation with Shore's wife,

Hastings;
He lived from all attainder of suspect.

Which in a set hand fairly is engrossid,
Buck. Well, well, he was the covert'st shelterd That it may be to-day read o'er in Paui's.
traitor

And mark how well the sequel hangs together :That ever lived.-Look you, my lord mayor, Eleven hours I have spent to write it over, Would you imagine, or almost believe,

For yesternight by Catesby was it sent me; (Were't not, that by great prezervation

The precedent • was full as long a doing : We live to tell it you,) the subtle traitor

And yet within these tive hours Hastings lived,
This day had plotted, in the council-house,

Untainted, unexamined, free, at liberty.
To murder me, and my good lord of Gloster? Here's a good world the while I-Who is so gross,
May. What! Had he so?

That cannot see this palpable device?
Glo. What! Think you we are Turks, or infidels ? | Yet who so bold, bui says-He sees it not?
Or that we would, against the form of law,

Bad is the world; and all will come to naught,
Proceed thus rashly in the villain's death;

When such bad dealing must be seen in thought. But that the extreme peril of the case,

(Erit. The peace of England, and our person's safety, SCENE VII.-The same.--Court of Baynard's Enforced us to this execution ?

Castle.
May. Now, fair befal you! He deserved his
death;

Enter GLOSTER, and BUCKINGHAM, meeting.
And your good graces both have well proceeded, Glo. How now, how now? What say the citizens?
To warn false traitors from the like attempts.

Buck. Now by the holy mother of our lord,
I never look'd for better at his hands,

The citizens are mum, say not a word.
After he once fell in with mistress Shore.

Glo. Tonch'd you the bastardy of Edward's chil.
Buck. Yet had we not determined he should die,

dren?
Until your lordship came to see his end ;

Buck. I did; with his contract with lady Lucy,
Which now the loving laste of these our friends, And his contráct by deputy in France :
Somewhat against our meaning, hath prevented : The insatiate greediness of his desires,
Because, my lord, we would have had you heard And his enforcement of the city wives;
The traitor speak, and timorously confess

His tyranny for trities; his own bastardy,-
The manner and the purpose of his treasons; As being göt, your father then in France;
That you might well have signified the same And his resemblance, being not like the duke.
Unto the citizens, who, haply, may

Withal, I did ivfer your lineaments,
Wisconstrue us in him, and wail his death.

Being the right idea of your father,
May. But, my good lord, your grace's word shall Both in your form and nobleness of mind :
serve,

Laid open all your victories in Scotland,
As well as I had seen, and heard him speak :

Your discipline in war, wisdom in peace,
And do not doubt, right noble princes both,

Your bounty, virtue, fair humility;
But I'll acquaint our duteous citizens

Indeed, left nothing, fitting for your purpose,
With all your just proceedings in this case. Untouch'd, or slightly handled, in discourse.

Glo. And to that end we wishi'd your lordship here, And, when my oratory grew to an end,
To avoid the censures of the carping world. I bade thein, that did love their country's good,

Buck. But since you came too late of our intent, Cry-God save Richard, England's royal king!
Yet witness what you hear we did intend :

Glo. And did they 808
And so, my good lord mayor, we bid farewell. Buck. No, so God help me, they spake not a word;

(Exit Lord Mayor. But, like dumb statuas, or breathless stones, Glo. Go, after, after, cousin Buckingham.

Stared on each other, and look'd deadly pale,
The mayor towards Guildhall hies him in all post :- Which, when I saw, I reprehended them ;
There, at your meetest 'vantage of the time, and ask'd the mayor,what meant this wiltul silence:

His answer was,-The people were not used
Tell them, how Edward put to death a citizen, To be spoke to, but by the Recorder.
Only for saying-he would make his son

Then he was nrged to tell my tale again;
Heir to the crown; meaning, indeed, his house, Thus saith the Duke, thus hath the duke inferr'd;
Which, by the sign thereof, was termed so.

But nothing spoke in warrant from himself.
Moreover, urge his hateful luxury,

When he had done, some followers of mine own, And bestial appetite in change of lust;

At Jower end o' the hall hurl'd up their caps, Which stretch'd unto their servants, daughters, And some ten voices cried, God-save king Richard! wives,

And thus I took the 'vantage of those few,
Even where his raging eye, or savage heart, Thanks, gentle citizens, and friends, quoth I;
Without controul, listed to make his prey.

This general applause, and cheerful shout,
Nay, for a need, thus far come near my person : Argues your wisdom, and your love to Richard:
Tell them, when that my mother went with child

And even here brake off, and came away. of that insatiate Edward, noble York,

Glo. What tongueless blocks were they ; would My princely father, then had wars in France ;

they not speak? And, by just computation of the time,

Will not the mayor then, and his brethren, come! Found, that the issue was not his begot ;

Buck. The mayor is here at hand; intend some Which well appeared in his lineaments,

fear; Being nothing like the noble duke my father: Be not you spoke with, but by mighty suit: Yet touch this sparingly, as 'twere far off ;

And look you, get a prayer-book in your hand, Because, my lord, you know, my mother lives. And stand between two churchmen, good my lord;

Buck. Doubt not, my lord; I'll play the orator, For on that ground I'll make a holy descant:
As if the golden fee, for which I plead,

And be not easily won to our requests ;
Were for myself: and so, my lord, adieu.

Play the maid's part, still answer nay, and take it. Glo. If you thrive well, bring them to Baynard's Glo. I go; and if you plead as well for them, castle;

As I can say nay to thee for myself,
Where you shall find me well accompanied,

No doubt we'll bring it to a happy issue.
With reverend fathers, and well-learned bishops. Buck. Go, go, up to the leads; the lord-mayor
Buck. I go; and, toward three or four o'clock,

knocks.

(Exit Gloster. Look for the news that the Guildhall affords. (Exit Buckingham.

• The original draft.

nay!

Which to recure, we heartily solicit
Enter the LOAD MAYOR, Aldermen and Citizens.

Your gracious self to take on you the charge
Welcome, my lord : I dance attendance here; And kingly government of this your land :
I think, the dake will not be spoke withal.- Not as protector, steward, substitute,

Or lowly factor for another's gain;
Enter, from the Custle, CATES BY.

But as successively, from blood to blood,
* Now, Catesby! What says your lord to my request? Your right of birth, your enipery +, your own.

Cate. He doth entreat your grace, my noble lord, For this, consorted with the citizens,
To visit him to-morrow, or next day:

Your very worshipful and loving friends.
He is within, with two right reverend fathers, And by their vehement instigation,
Divinely bent to meditation;

In this just suit I come to move your grace. And in no worldly suit would he be moved,

Glo. I cannot tell, if to depart in silence,
To draw him from his holy exercise.

Or bitterly to speak in your reproof,
Buck. Return, good Catesby, to the graciuus duke; | Best fitteth my degree, or your condition :
Tell him, myself, the mayor and aldermen, If, not to answer,-you might haply think,
In deep designs, in matter of great moment, Tongue-tied ambition, not replying, yielded
No less importing than our general good,

To bear the golden yoke of sovereignty,
Are come to have some conference with his grace. Which fondly you would here impose on me ;
Cate. I'll signify so much unto him straight. If to reprove you for this suit of yours,

(Exit. So season'd with your faithful love to me, Buck. Ah, ha, my lord, this prince is not an Ed. Then, on the other side, I check'd my friends. ward !

Therefore,-to speak, and to avoid the first; He is not lolling on a lewd day-bed,

And then, in speaking, not to incur the last, But on his knees at meditation ;

Definitively thus I answer you: Not dallying with a brace of courtezans,

Your love deserves my thanks; but my desert But meditating with two deep divines;

Unmeritable shuns your high request. Not sleeping, to engross + his idle body,

First, if all obstacles were cut away,
But praying, to enrich his watchful soul :

And that my path were even to the crown,
Happy were England, would this virtuous prince As the ripe revenue and due of birth ;
Take on himself the sovereignty thereof;

Yet so much is my poverty of spirit,
But sure, I fear, we shall ne'er win him to it. So mighty, and so many, my defects,
May. Marry, God defend his grace should say us That I would rather hide me from my greatness,

Being a bark to brook no mighty sea,
Buck. I fear he will: here Catesby comes again ;- Than in my greatness covet to be hid,
Re-enter CATESBY.

And in the vapour of my glory smother'd.

But, God be thank's, there is no need of me; Now, Catesby! What says his grace ?

(And much I need I to help you, if need were ;) Cate. He wonders to what end

you have assembled the royal tree hath left us royal fruit, Such troops of citizens to come to him,

Which, mellow'd by the stealing hours of time,
His grace not being warn'd thereof before : Will well become the seat of majesty,
He fears, my lord, you mean no good to him. And make, no doubt, us happy by his reign.

Buck. Sorry I am, my noble cousin should On him I lay what you would lay on me,
Suspect me, that I mean no good to him:

The right and fortune of his happy stars,
By heaven! we come to bim in perfect love; Which, God defend, that I should wring from him!
And so once more return and tell his grace.

Buck. My lord, this argues conscience in your
(Exit Catesby.

grace ; When holy and devout religious men

But the respects thereof are nice and trivial,
Are at their beads, 'tis hard to draw them thence ; All circumstances well considered.
So sweet is zealous contemplation.

You say, that Edward is your brother's son ;
Enter GLOSTER, in a Gallery, above, between two Por first he was contract to lady Lucy,

So say we too, but not by Edward's wife:
Bishops.-CATESBY returns.

Your mother lives a witness to his vow; May. See, where his grace stands 'tween two And afterwards by substitute betroth'd clergymen!

To Bona, sister to the king of France. Buck. Two props of virtue for a christian prince, These both put by, a poor petitioner, To stay him from the fall of vanity :

A care-crazed mother to a many sons, And, see, a book of prayer in his hand;

A beauty-waning and distressed widow, True ornaments to know a holy man.-

Even in the afternoon of her best days, Famous Plantagenet, most gracious prince,

Made prize and purchase of his wanton eye, Lend favourable ear to our requests ;

Seduced the pitch and heiglit of all his thoughts And pardon us the interruption

To base declension and loathed bigamy:
Of thy devotion, and right-christian zeal.

By her, in his unlawful bed, he got
Glo. My lord, there needs no such apology ; This Edward, whom our manners call the prince.
I rather do beseech you, pardon me,

More bitterly could I expostulate,
Who, earnest in the service of my God,

Save that, for reverence to some alive, Neglect the visitation of my friends.

I give a spanwg limit to my tongue. But, leaving this, what is your grace's pleasure Then, good my lord, take to yonr royal self buck. Even that, I hope, which pleaseth God This proffer'd benefit of dignity : above,

If not to bless us and the land withal, And all good men of this ungovern'd isle.

Yet to draw forth your noble ancestry Glo. I do suspect, I have done some offence, From the corruption of abusing time, That seems disgracious in the city's eye;

Unto a lineal true-deprived course. And that you come to reprehend my ignorance.

May. Do, good my lord; your citizens entreat Buck. You have, my lord; would it night please

you. your grace,

Buck. Refuse not, mighty lord, this profer'd On our entreaties to amend your fault!

love. Glo. Else wherefore breathe I in a Christian land?

Cate. 0, make them joyful, grant their lawsul suit. Buck. Know, then, it is your fault, that you resign Glo. Alas,why would you heap those cares on me? The supreme seat, the throne majestical,

I am upfit for state and majesty :The sceptred office of your ancestors,

I do beseech you, take it not amiss } Your state of fortune, and your due of birth, I cannot, nor I will not yield to you. The lineal glory of your royal house,

Buck. If you refuse it,-As in love and zeal,
To the corruption of a blemish'd stock;

Loath to depose the child, your brother's son ;
Whilst, in the mildness of your sleepy thoughts, As well we know your tenderness of heart,
(Which here we waken to our country's good,) And gentle, kind, effeminate remorse 5,
The noble isle doth want her proper limbs; Which we have noted in you to your kindred,
Her face defaced with scars of infamy,

And equally, indeed, to all estates,
Her royal stock graft with ignoble plants,

Yet know, whe'r you accept our suit or no, And almost shoulder'd f in the swallowing gulf Your brother's son shall never reign our king; Of dark forgetfulness and deep oblivion,

• Recover. Enipire.

Want ability. • A couch. + Fatten. Thrust into.

$ Pity.

say it.

it so.

But we will plant some other in your throne, And I'll salute your grace of York as mother,
To the disgrace and downfal or your house. And reverend looker-on of two fair queens.-
And, in this resolution, here we leave you ;- Come, madam, you must straight to Westminster,
Come, citizens, we will entreat no more.

(To the Duchess of Gloster.
[Exeunt Buckingham and Citizens. '| There to be crowned Richard's royal queen.
Cate. Call them again, sweet prince, accept R. Eliz. Ah, cut my lace asunder!
their suit;

That my pent heart may have some scope to beat,
If you deny them, all the land will rue it.

Or else I swoon with this dead killing news!
Clo. Will you enforce me to a world of cares? Anne. Despiteful tidings! O unpleasing news!
Well, call them again; I am not made of stone, Dor. Be of good cheer :--Mother, how fares your
But penetrable to your kind entreaties,

grace?

(Erit Catesby. Q. Eliz. O Dorset, speak not to me, get thee Albeit against my conscience and my soul..

gone,

Death and destruction dog theě at the heels; Re-enter BUCKINGHAM, and the Rest.

Thy mother's name is ominous to children ; Cousin of Buckingham, -and sage, grave men, If thou wilt outstrip death, go cross the seas, Since you will buckle fortune on my back,

And live with Richmond, fron, the reach of hell. To bear her burden, whe'r I will, or no,

Go, hie thee, hie thee from this slaughter-house,
I must have patience to endure the load :

Lest thou encrease the number of the dead;
But if black scandal, or foul-faced reproach, And make me die the thrall of Margaret's curse,-
Attend the sequel of your imposition,

Nor mother, wife, nor England's counted queen.
Your mere enforcement shall acquittance me

Stan. Full of wise care is this your counsel, From all the impure blots and stains thereof;

madam :-
For God he knows, and you may partly see, Take all the swift advantages of the hours;
How far I am from the desire of this.

You shall have letters from me to my son
May. God bless your grace! We see it, and will In your behalf, to meet you on the way;

Be not ta'en tardy by unwise delay.
Glo. In saying so, you shall but say the truth. Duch. O ill-dispersing wind of misery!

Buck. Then I salute you with this royal title, O my cursed womb, the bed of death;
Long live king Richard, England's worthy king! A cockatrice • hast thou hatch'd to the world,
All. Amen.

Whose unavoided eye is murderous !
Buck. To-morrow may it please you to be crown'd? Stan. Come, madam, come; I in all haste was
Glo. Even when you please, since you will have

sent.

Anne. And I with all unwillingness will go.-
Buck. To.morrow then we will attend your grace; 0, would to God, that the inclusive verge
And so, most joyfully, we take our leave.

Of golden metal t, that must round my brow,
Glo. Come, let us to our holy work again :- Were red-hot steel, to seart me to the brain i

[To the Bishops. Anointed let me be with deadly venom; Farewell, good cousin ;-Farewell, gentle friends. And die, ere men can say-God save the queen!

(Areunt.

Q. Eliz. Go, go, poor soul, I envy not thy glory;

To feed my humour, wish thyself no harm.
ACT IV.

Anne. Nol why ?-When he, that is my husband

now,
SCENE I.-Before the Tower.

Came to me, as I follow'd Henry's corse;
Enter on one side, Queen ELIZABETÉ, Duchess of When scarce the blood was well wash'd from his

York, and Marquis of DORSET ; on the other, hands,
ANNE, Duchess of GLOSTER, leading Lady Mar. Which issued from my other angel husband,
garet Plantagenet, Clarence's young Daughter. And that dead saint which then I weeping follow'd ;
Duch. Who meets us here –My niece Plan- o, when, I say, I look'd on Richard's face,
tagenet

This was my wish,-Be thou, quoth I, accursed,
Led in the hand of her kind aunt of Gloster ? For making me, so young, so old a widow !
Now, for my life, she's wand'ring to the Tower,

And when thou wed'st, let sorrow haunt thy bed;
On pure heart's love to greet the tender prince. And be thy uife (if any be so mad)
Daughter, well met.

More miserable by the life of thee,
Anne. God give your graces both

Than thou hadst made me by my dear lord's death;
A happy and a joyful time of day!

Lo, ere I can repeat this curse again,
Q. Eliz. As much to you, good sister! Whither Even in so short a space, my woman's heart
away?

Grossly grew captive to hi, honey words,
Anne. No further than the Tower; and as I And proved the subject of mine own soul's carse :

Which ever since hath held mine eyes from rest;
guess,
Upon the like devotion as yourselves,

For never yet one hour in his bed
To gratulate the gentle princes there.

Did I enjoy the golden dew of sleep,
& Eliz. Kind sister, thanks; we'll enter all

But with his timorous dreams was still awaked. together:

Besides, he hates me for my father Warwick,

And will, no doubt, shortly be rid of me.
Enter BRAKENBURY.

Q. Eliz. Poor heart, adieu; I pity thy com-
And in good time, here the lieutenant comes

plaining.
Master lieutenant, pray yon, by your leave,

Anne. No more than with my soul 1 mourn for
How doth the prince, and my young son of York
Brak. Right well, dear inadam : by your pa-

Dor. Farewell, thon woful welcomer of glory! tience,

Anne. Adieu, poor soul, that takest thy leare of it! I may not suffer you to visit them ;

Duch. Go thou to Richmond, and good fortune The king hath strictly charged the contrary.

guide thee!

(To Dorset Q. Eliz. The king! who's that?

Go thou to Richard, and good angels tend thee ! Brak. I mean, the lord protector.

(To Anne. Q. Eliz. The lord protect him from that kingly Go thou to sanctuary, and good thoughts possess title !

thee!

[To Q. Elizabeth. Hath he set bounds between their love, and me? I to my grave where peace and rest lie with me! I am their mother, who shall bar me from them! Eighty odd years of sorrow have I seen, Duch. I am their father's mother, I will see And each hour's joy wreck'd with a week of teen. them.

Q. Eliz. Stay yet; look back, with me, unto the Anne. Their aunt am in law, in love their

Tower:-
mother:

Pity, you ancient stones, those tender babes,
Then bring me to their sights ; I'll bear thy blame, Whom envy hath immured within your walis?
And take thy office from thee, on my peril. Rough cradle for such little pretty ones!

Brak. No, niadam, no, may not leave it so; Rude ragged nurse! old sullen play fellow
I am bound by oath, and therefore pardon me. For tender princes, use my babies well!
[Erit Brakenbury. So foolish sorrow bids your stones farewell.

[Ercunt.
Enter STANLEY.
Stan. Let me but meet yon, ladies, one hour • A serpent supposed to originate from a cock's
hence,

egg
+ The crown,

1 Barn.

yours.

ject.

SCENE II.-A Room of State in the Palace.

Re-enter Page, with TYRREL.
Flourish of Trumpits.-RICHARD, as King upon his Is thy name-Tyrrel?
Throne ; BUCKINGHAM, CATESBY, a Pagk, and

Tyr. James Tyrrel, and your most obedient sub-
others.
K. Rick. Stand all apart.-Cousin of Buck- K. Rich. Art thou, indeed ?
ingham,-

Tyr. Prove me, my gracious lord.
Bruk. My gracious sovereign.

K. Rich. Darest thou resolve to kill a friend of
K. Rich. Give me thy hand. Thus high, by thy

mine? advice,

Tyr. Please you; but I had rather kill two And thy assistance, is king Richard seated :

enemies. But shall we wear these glories for a day?

K. Rich. Why, then thou hast it; two deep Or shall they last, and we rejoice in them?

enemies, Buck. Sull live they, and for ever let them last! | Poes to niy rest, and my sweet sleep's disturbers, K. Rich. Ah, Buckingham, now do I play the Are they that I would have thee deal • upon : touch

Tyrrel, I mean those bastards in the Tower. To try if thou be current gold, indeed :

Tyr. Let me have open means to come to them, Young Edward lives :- Think now what I would And soon I'll rid you from the fear of them. speak.

K. Rich. Thou sing'st sweet music. Hark, come Buck. Say on, my loving lord.

hither, Tyrrel;
K. Rich. Why, Buckmgham, I say, I would be Go, by this tokeo :-Rise, and lend thine ear:
king.

(Whispers.
Buck. Why, so you are, my thrice-renowned liege. There is no more but so:-Say, it is done,
K. Rich. Ha! am I king ? T'is so : but Edward lives. And I will love thee, and prefer thee for it.
Buck. True, noble prince.

Tyr. I will despatch it straight.

(Exit. K. Rich. O bitter consequence,

Re-enter BUCKINGHAM.
That Edward still should live,,True, noble prince !
Cousin, thou wast not wont to be so du!l:

Buck. My lord, I have consider'd in my mind
Shall I be plain? I wish the bastards dead; The late demand that you did sound me in.
And I would have it suddenly perform'd.

K. Rich. Well, let that rest, Dorset is fled to What say'st thou now? Speak suddenly, be brief.

Richmond.
Buck. Your grace may do your pleasure.

Buck. I hear the news, my lord.
K. Rich. Tut, tut, thou art all ice, thy kindness K Rich. Stanley, he is your wife's son :

-Well, freezes :

look to it. Say, have I thy consent, that they shall die? Buck. My lord, I claim the gift, my due by proBuck. Give me some breath, some little pause,

mise, dear lord,

For which your honour and your faith is pawn'd; Before I positively speak in this:

The earldum oi Hereford, and the nioveables, I will resolve your grace immediately.

Which you have promised I shall possess.

[Erit Buckingham. K. Rich. Stanley, louk to your wife ; if she convey Cate. The king is angry; see, he gnaws his lip. | Letters to Richmond, you shall answer it.

(A side. Buck. What says your highess to my just request? K. Rich. I will converse with iron-witted tools, k. Kich. I do remember me,-Henry the sixth

[Descends from his Throne. Did prophecy, that Richmond should be king, And unrespective + boys; none are for me,

When Richmond was a little peevisht boy. That look into me with considerate eyes :

A king !--- perhapsHigh-reaching Buckinghamn grows circuinspect.

Buck. My lord.Boy,

K. Rich. 'How chance, the prophet could not at Page. My lord.

that time, K. Rich. Know'st thou not any, whom corrupt. Have told me, I being by, that I should kill him ? ing gold

Buck. My lord, your promise for the earldom,Wonld tempt unto a close exploit I of death ? K. Rich. Richmond - When last I was at Exeter, Page. I know a discontented gentleman,

The mayor in courtesy shew'd me the castle, Whose humble means match not his haughty mind : And call'd it-Rouge-mont: at which name, I Gold were as good as twenty orators,

started ; And will, no doubt, tempt him to any thing.

Because a bard of Ireland told me once,
K. Rich. What is his name?

I should not live long after I saw Richmond.
Page. His name, my lord, is-Tyrrel.

Buck. My lord-
K. Rich. I partly know the man; Go, call_him K. Rich. Ay, what's o'clock?
hither boy:-

[Exit Page. Buck. I am thus bold The deep-revolting witty 5 Buckingham

To put your grace in mind of what you promised me. No more shall be the neighbour to my counsels : K. Rich. Well, but what is 't o'clock ? Hath he so long held out with me untired,

Buck. Upon the stroke And stops he now for breath ?-Well, be it so..

Often.

K. Rich. Well, let it strike.
Enter STANLEY.

Buck. Why, let it strike?
How now, lord Stanley ? What's the news?

K. Rich. Because that like a Jack, thou keep'st Stan. Know, my loving lord,

the stroke The marquis Dorset, as I hear, is fled

Betwixt thy begging and my meditation.
To Richmond, in the parts where he abides. I am not in the giving vein to-day.
K. Rich. Come hither, Catesby; rumour is

Buck. Why, then resolve me whe'r you will, abroad, That Anne my wife is very grierous sick;

K. Rich. Thou troublest me; I am not in the I will take order for her keeping close.

vein. Enquire me out some mean-born gentleman,

(Ereunt King Richard and Train. Whom I will marry straight to Clarence' daugh- Buck. And is it ihus? Repays he my deep service ter:

With such contempt ? Made I him king for this? The boy is foolish, and I fear not him.

0, let me think on Hastings; and be gone Look, how thou dream'st!-I say again, give out, To Brecknock, while my fearful head is on. [Exit. That Anne my queen is sick, and like to die :

SCENE NI. The same.
About it; for it stands me much upon,

Enter TYRREL.
To stop all hopes, whose growth may damage me.-

[Exit Catesby. T'yr. The tyrannons and bloody act is done; I must be married to my brother's daughter,

The most arch deed of piteous massacre,
Or else my kingdom stands on brittle glass : That ever yet this land was guilty of.
Murder her brothers, and then marry her!

Dighton, and Forrest, whom I did suborn
Uncertain way of gain! But I am in

To do this piece of ruthless butchery,
So far in blood, that sin will pluck on sin.

Albeit they were flesh'd villains, bloody dogs,
Tear-falling pity dwells not in this eye.-

Melting with tenderness and mild compassion,

Wept like two children, in their death's sad story. • Touchstone, + Inconsiderate Secret act, Cunning.

• Act,

Foolish.

or no.