Take all the swift advantage of the hours; Duch. O, ill-dispersing wind of misery!— Stan. Come, madam, come; I in all haste was sent. Anne. And I with all unwillingness will go. O, would to God, that the inclusive verge Of golden metal, that must round my brow, now, Came to me, as I followed Henry's corse; my husband 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; This was my wish,-Be thou, quoth I, accursed, Than thou hast made me by my dear lord's death! Even in so short a space, my woman's heart And proved the subject of mine own soul's curse: Did I enjoy the golden dew of sleep, But with his timorous dreams' was still awaked. 1 It is recorded by Polydore Virgil that Richard was frequently disturbed by terrible dreams. Besides, he hates me for my father Warwick; Q. Eliz. Poor heart, adieu; I pity thy complaining. Anne. No more than with my soul I mourn for yours. Dor. Farewell, thou woful welcomer of glory! Anne. Adieu, poor soul, that tak'st thy leave of it! Duch. Go thou to Richmond, and good fortune guide thee! [TO DORSET. Go thou to Richard, and good angels tend thee!— [To ANNE. Pity, you ancient stones, those tender babes, So foolish sorrow bids your stones farewell. [Exeunt. SCENE II. A Room of State in the Palace. Flourish of trumpets. RICHARD, as king, upon his throne; BUCKINGHAM, CATESBY, a Page, and others. K. Rich. Stand all apart.-Cousin of Buckingham, Buck. My gracious sovereign. K. Rich. Give me thy hand. Thus high, by thy advice, 1 The present scene is in 1483. Richard duke of York, the husband of this lady, had he been then living, would have been but seventy-three years old, and we may reasonably suppose she was not older; nor did she go speedily to her grave; she lived till 1495. 2 Sorrow. And thy assistance, is king Richard seated.- Buck. Still live they, and forever let them last! K. Rich. Ah, Buckingham, now do I play the touch,1 To try if thou be current gold, indeed. Young Edward lives;-think now what I would speak. Buck. Say on, my loving lord. K. Rich. Why, Buckingham, I say, I would be king. Buck. True, noble prince. O bitter consequence, That Edward still should live,true, noble prince! What say'st thou now? Speak suddenly; be brief. K. Rich. Tut, tut, thou art all ice; thy kindness freezes. Say, have I thy consent, that they shall die? lord, Before I positively speak in this: I will resolve your grace immediately. Cate. The king is angry; see, he gnaws his lip. dear [Exit BUCKINGHAM. [Aside. K. Rich. I will converse with iron-witted fools, [Descends from his throne. And unrespective boys; 2 none are for me, That look into me with considerate eyes;— High-reaching Buckingham grows circumspect.Boy, Page. My lord, 1 "To play the touch" is to resemble the touchstone. K. Rich. Know'st thou not any, whom corrupting gold Would tempt unto a close exploit1 of death? Page. I know a discontented gentleman, Whose humble means match not his haughty mind. And will no doubt tempt him to any thing. K. Rich. What is his name? Page. His name, my lord, is-Tyrrel. K. Rich. I partly know the man; go, call him hither, boy. The deep-revolving, witty Buckingham [Exit Page. No more shall be the neighbor to my counsels. And stops he now for breath ?-Well, be it so. Enter STANLEY. How now, lord Stanley? what's the news! Stan. Know, my loving lord, The marquis Dorset, as I hear, is fled To Richmond, in the parts where he abides. K. Rich. Come hither, Catesby; rumor it abroad, That Anne, my wife, is very grievous sick; I will take order for her keeping close. 2 Look, how thou dream'st!—I say again, give out, To stop all hopes, whose growth may damage me. 1 Secret act. 2 This youth was, at this time, about ten years old, and we are not told that he had then exhibited any symptoms of folly. Being confined by king Henry VII. immediately after the battle of Bosworth, and his education being entirely neglected, he is described by Polydore Virgil, at the time of his death, in 1499, as an idiot; his account is copied by Holinshed. I must be married to my brother's daughter, Re-enter Page, with TYRREL. Is thy name-Tyrrel? Tyr. James Tyrrel, and your most obedient subject. K. Rich. Art thou, indeed? Tyr. Prove me, my gracious lord. K. Rich. Dar'st thou resolve to kill a friend of mine? Tyr. Please you; but I had rather kill two enemies. K. Rich. Why, then thou hast it; two deep enemies, Foes to my rest, and my sweet sleep's disturbers, Are they that I would have thee deal upon. Tyrrel, I mean those bastards in the Tower. Tyr. Let me have open means to come to them, And soon I'll rid you from the fear of them. K. Rich. Thou sing'st sweet music. hither, Tyrrel; Hark, come Go, by this token.-Rise, and lend thine ear; There is no more but so;-say, it is done, Re-enter BUCKINGHAM. [Whispers. Buck. My lord, I have considered in my mind The late demand that you did sound me in. [Exit. K. Rich. Well, let that rest. Dorset is fled to Richmond. Buck. I hear the news, my lord. K. Rich. Stanley, he's your wife's son.-Well, look to it. Buck. My lord, I claim the gift, my due by promise, 1 The quarto has the following very characteristic line: "King. Shall we hear from thee, Tirril, ere we sleep?" |