Richard III (Modern Library Classics)

  There's some conceit49 or other likes him well,

  When that he bids good morrow with such spirit.

  I think there's never a man in Christendom

  Can lesser hide his love or hate than he,

  For by his face straight53 shall you know his heart.

  DERBY What of his heart perceive you in his face

  By any livelihood55 he showed today?

  HASTINGS Marry, that with no man here he is offended:

  For, were he, he had shown it in his looks.

  Enter Richard and Buckingham

  RICHARD I pray you all, tell me what they deserve

  That do conspire my death with devilish plots

  Of damned witchcraft, and that have prevailed

  Upon my body with their hellish charms.61

  HASTINGS The tender love I bear your grace, my lord,

  Makes me most forward in this princely presence

  To doom64 th'offenders, whosoe'er they be:

  I say, my lord, they have deserved death.

  RICHARD Then be your eyes the witness of their evil.

  Points to his arm

  Look how I am bewitched: behold, mine arm

  Is like a blasted68 sapling, withered up:

  And this is69 Edward's wife, that monstrous witch,

  Consorted with that harlot, strumpet Shore70,

  That by their witchcraft thus have marked me.

  HASTINGS If they have done this deed, my noble lord--

  RICHARD If? Thou protector of this damned strumpet--

  Talk'st thou to me of 'ifs'? Thou art a traitor.

  Off with his head! Now, by Saint Paul I swear,

  I will not dine until I see the same.76 --

  Lovell and Ratcliffe, look that it be done.

  The rest that love me, rise and follow me.

  Exeunt. Lovell and Ratcliffe with the Lord Hastings remain

  HASTINGS Woe, woe for England! Not a whit for me,

  For I, too fond80, might have prevented this.

  Stanley did dream the boar did rouse our helms;81

  And I did scorn it and disdain to fly.

  Three times today my foot-cloth horse83 did stumble,

  And started84, when he looked upon the Tower,

  As85 loath to bear me to the slaughter-house.

  O, now I need the priest that spake to me:

  I now repent I told the pursuivant,

  As too triumphing88 how mine enemies

  Today at Pomfret bloodily were butchered,

  And I myself secure in grace and favour.

  O Margaret, Margaret, now thy heavy curse

  Is lighted on poor Hastings' wretched head!

  RATCLIFFE Come, come, dispatch. The duke would be at dinner.

  Make a short shrift94: he longs to see your head.

  HASTINGS O, momentary grace95 of mortal men,

  Which we more hunt for than the grace of God!

  Who builds his hope in air of your good97 looks,

  Lives like a drunken sailor on a mast,

  Ready with every nod to tumble down

  Into the fatal bowels of the deep.

  LOVELL Come, come, dispatch: 'tis bootless to exclaim.101

  HASTINGS O bloody Richard! Miserable England!

  I prophesy the fearful'st time to thee

  That ever wretched age hath looked upon.

  Come, lead me to the block: bear him my head.

  They smile at me who shortly shall be dead.

  Exeunt

  [Act 3 Scene 5]

  running scene 11

  Enter Richard and Buckingham, in rotten armour, marvellous ill-favoured

  RICHARD Come, cousin, canst thou quake and change thy colour1,

  Murder2 thy breath in middle of a word,

  And then again begin, and stop again,

  As if thou were distraught and mad with terror?

  BUCKINGHAM Tut, I can counterfeit the deep tragedian5,

  Speak and look back, and pry6 on every side,

  Tremble and start at wagging7 of a straw:

  Intending deep suspicion, ghastly8 looks

  Are at my service, like enforced9 smiles,

  And both are ready in their offices10

  At any time to grace my stratagems.

  But what, is Catesby gone?

  RICHARD He is, and see, he brings the mayor along.

  Enter the Mayor and Catesby

  BUCKINGHAM Lord Mayor--

  RICHARD Look to the drawbridge there!

  BUCKINGHAM Hark, a drum!

  RICHARD Catesby, o'erlook17 the walls.

  BUCKINGHAM Lord Mayor, the reason we have sent--

  RICHARD Look back, defend thee, here are enemies.

  BUCKINGHAM God and our innocency defend and guard us!

  Enter Lovell and Ratcliffe, with Hastings' head

  RICHARD Be patient21, they are friends: Ratcliffe and Lovell.

  LOVELL Here is the head of that ignoble traitor,

  The dangerous and unsuspected Hastings.

  RICHARD So dear I loved the man that I must weep.

  I took him for the plainest25 harmless creature

  That oreathed upon the earth a Christian,

  Made him my book27, wherein my soul recorded

  The history28 of all her secret thoughts.

  So smooth29 he daubed his vice with show of virtue

  That, his apparent open guilt omitted30 --

  I mean, his conversation31 with Shore's wife --

  He lived from all attainder of suspects.32

  BUCKINGHAM Well, well, he was the covert'st sheltered33 traitor

  That ever lived.

  Would you imagine, or almost35 believe,

  Were't not that, by great preservation

  We live to tell it, that the subtle37 traitor

  This day had plotted, in the council house,

  To murder me and my good lord of Gloucester?

  MAYOR Had he done so?

  RICHARD What? Think you we are Turks41 or infidels?

  Or that we would, against the form42 of law,

  Proceed thus rashly43 in the villain's death,

  But that the extreme peril of the case,

  The peace of England and our person's safety,

  Enforced us to this execution?

  MAYOR Now fair47 befall you! He deserved his death,

  And your good graces, both have well proceeded48

  To warn false traitors from the like attempts.

  BUCKINGHAM I never looked for50 better at his hands,

  After he once fell in51 with Mistress Shore.

  Yet had we not determined he should die52

  Until your lordship came to see53 his end,

  Which now the loving haste of these our friends,

  Something against our meanings, have prevented;

  Because, my lord, I would have had you heard

  The traitor speak, and timorously57 confess

  The manner and the purpose of his treasons,

  That you might well have signified the same

  Unto the citizens, who haply60 may

  Misconster us in him61 and wail his death.

  MAYOR But, my good lord, your grace's words shall serve

  As63 well as I had seen and heard him speak:

  And do not doubt, right noble princes both,

  But I'll acquaint our duteous citizens

  With all your just proceedings in this case.

  RICHARD And to that end we wished your lordship here,

  T'avoid the censures of the carping68 world.

  BUCKINGHAM Which since you come too late of69 our intent.

  Yet witness70 what you hear we did intend.

  And so, my good Lord Mayor, we bid farewell.

  Exit Mayor

  RICHARD Go, after, after, cousin buckingham.

  The mayor towards Guildhall hies him in all post73:

  There, at your meetest vantage74 of the time,

  Infer75 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 house78,

  Which, by the sign79 thereof was termed so.

  Moreover, urge his hateful luxury80

  And bestial appetite in change of lust,81

  Which stretched unto their servants, daughters, wives,

  Even where83 his raging eye or savage heart,

  Without control, lusted to make a prey.

  Nay, for a need, thus far come near my person85:

  Tell them, when that my mother went with child86

  Of that insatiate Edward, noble York

  My princely father then had wars in France,

  And by true89 computation of the time,

  Found that the issue was not his begot90 --

  Which well appeared in his lineaments91,

  Being nothing like the noble duke my father.

  Yet touch this sparingly93, as 'twere far off,

  Because, my lord, you know my mother lives.

  BUCKINGHAM Doubt not, my lord, I'll play the orator

  As if the golden fee96 for which I plead

  Were for myself. And so, my lord, adieu.

  RICHARD If you thrive well, bring them to Baynard's Castle98,

  Where you shall find me well accompanied

  With reverend fathers and well-learned bishops.

  BUCKINGHAM I go: and towards three or four o'clock

  Look for the news that the Guildhall affords.

  Exit Buckingham

  RICHARD Go, Lovell, with all speed to Doctor Shaw.--103

  To Catesby or Ratcliffe

  Go thou to Friar Penker: bid them both

  Meet me within this hour at Baynard's Castle.

  Exeunt [all but Richard]

  Now will I go to take some privy order106

  To draw the brats of Clarence out of sight,

  And to give order that no manner108 person

  Have any time recourse109 unto the princes.

  Exit

  [Act 3 Scene 6]

  running scene 12

  Enter a Scrivener

  SCRIVENER Here is the indictment1 of the good Lord Hastings,

  Shows a paper

  Which in a set hand fairly is engrossed2,

  That it may be today read o'er in Paul's.3

  And mark how well the sequel4 hangs together:

  Eleven hours I have spent to write it over,

  For yesternight by Catesby was it sent me,

  The precedent7 was full as long a-doing.

  And yet within these five hours Hastings lived,

  Untainted, unexamined, free, at9 liberty.

  Here's a good world the while! Who is so gross10

  That cannot see this palpable device?11

  Yet who so bold, but says he sees it not?

  Bad is the world, and all will come to nought

  Where such ill dealing must be seen in thought.14

  Exit

  [Act 3 Scene 7]

  running scene 13

  Enter Richard and Buckingham, at several doors

  RICHARD How now, how now? What say the citizens?

  BUCKINGHAM Now, by the holy mother of our lord,

  The citizens are mum3, say not a word.

  RICHARD Touched you4 the bastardy of Edward's children?

  BUCKINGHAM I did: with his contract5 with Lady Lucy,

  And his contract by deputy6 in France,

  Th'unsatiate greediness of his desire,

  And his enforcement8 of the city wives,

  His tyranny for trifles9, his own bastardy,

  As being got10, your father then in France,

  And his resemblance, being not like the duke.

  Withal I did infer your lineaments,

  Being the right idea of your father,

  Both in your form and nobleness of mind:

  Laid open15 all your victories in Scotland,

  Your discipline16 in war, wisdom in peace,

  Your bounty17, virtue, fair humility:

  Indeed, left nothing fitting for18 your purpose

  Untouched, or slightly19 handled, in discourse.

  And when my oratory drew toward end,

  I bid them that did love their country's good

  Cry 'God save Richard, England's royal king!'

  RICHARD And did they so?

  BUCKINGHAM No, so God help me, they spake not a word,

  But, like dumb statues or breathing stones,

  Stared 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 used

  To be spoke to but by the recorder.30

  Then he was urged to tell my tale again:

  'Thus saith the duke, thus hath the duke inferred32' --

  But nothing spoke in warrant from himself.33

  When he had done, some followers of mine own,

  At lower end of the hall35, hurled up their caps,

  And some ten voices cried, 'God save King Richard!'

  And thus I took the vantage37 of those few:

  'Thanks, gentle citizens and friends,' quoth I,

  'This general39 applause and cheerful shout

  Argues40 your wisdom and your love to Richard.'

  And even here brake41 off, and came away.

  RICHARD What tongueless blocks42 were they? Would they not speak?

  Will not the mayor then and his brethren43 come?

  BUCKINGHAM The mayor is here at hand. Intend some fear44:

  Be not you spoke with, but by mighty suit.45

  And look46 you get a prayer-book in your hand,

  And stand between two churchmen, good my lord,

  For on that ground I'll make a holy descant48:

  And be not easily won49 to our requests,

  Play the maid's part: still answer nay, and take it.50

  RICHARD I go. And if you plead as well for them

  As I can say nay to thee for myself52,

  No doubt we bring it to a happy issue.53

  BUCKINGHAM Go, go, up to the leads.54 The Lord Mayor knocks.

  [Exit Richard]

  Enter the Mayor and Citizens

  Welcome, my lord. I dance attendance55 here:

  I think the duke will not be spoke withal.

  Enter Catesby

  Now, Catesby, what says your lord to my request.

  CATESBY He doth entreat your grace, my noble lord,

  To visit him tomorrow or next day:

  He is within, with two right reverend fathers,

  Divinely bent61 to meditation,

  And in no worldly suits62 would he be moved,

  To draw him from his holy exercise.63

  BUCKINGHAM Return, good Catesby, to the gracious duke:

  Tell him myself, the Mayor and Alderman,

  In deep designs, in matter of great moment66,

  No less importing67 than our general good,

  Are come to have some conference with his grace.

  CATESBY I'll signify so much unto him straight.

  Exit

  BUCKINGHAM Ah, ha, my lord, this prince is not an Edward!

  He is not lulling71 on a lewd love-bed,

  But on his knees at meditation:

  Not dallying with a brace73 of courtesans,

  But meditating with two deep divines74:

  Not sleeping, to engross75 his idle body,

  But praying, to enrich his watchful76 soul.

  Happy77 were England, would this virtuous prince

  Take on his grace78 the sovereignty thereof:

  But sure I fear we shall not win him to it.

  MAYOR Marry, God defend80 his grace should say us nay!

  BUCKINGHAM I fear he will. -- Here Catesby comes again.

  Enter Catesby

  Now, Catesby, what says his grace?

  CATESBY He wonders
to what end you have assembled

  Such troops of citizens to come to him,

  His grace not being warned thereof before.

  He fears, my lord, you mean no good to him.

  BUCKINGHAM Sorry I am my noble cousin should

  Suspect me that I mean no good to him.

  By heaven, we come to him in perfect89 love,

  And so once more return and tell his grace.

  Exit [Catesby]

  When holy and devout religious men

  Are at their beads92, 'tis hard to draw them thence,

  So sweet is zealous93 contemplation.

  Enter Richard aloft, between two Bishops. [Catesby returns]

  MAYOR See, where his grace stands 'tween two clergymen.

  BUCKINGHAM Two props95 of virtue for a Christian prince,

  To stay96 him from the fall of vanity:

  And, see, a book of prayer in his hand,

  True ornaments to know a holy man.--

  Famous Plantagenet, most gracious prince,

  Lend favourable ear to our requests,

  And pardon us the interruption

  Of thy devotion and right102 Christian zeal.

  RICHARD My lord, there needs no such apology:

  I do beseech your grace to pardon me,

  Who, earnest in the service of my God,

  Deferred the visitation106 of my friends.

  But, leaving this, what is your grace's pleasure?

  BUCKINGHAM Even that, I hope, which pleaseth God above,

  And all good men of this ungoverned isle.

  RICHARD I do suspect I have done some offence

  That seems disgracious111 in the city's eye,

  And that you come to reprehend my ignorance.112

  BUCKINGHAM You have, my lord: would it might please your grace,

  On our entreaties, to amend your fault.

  RICHARD Else wherefore breathe I in a Christian land?115

  BUCKINGHAM Know then, it is your fault that you resign

  The supreme seat, the throne majestical,

  The sceptred118 office of your ancestors,

  Your state of fortune119 and your due of birth,

  The lineal120 glory of your royal house,

  To the corruption of a blemished stock121;

  Whiles, in the mildness of your sleepy thoughts,

  Which here we waken to our country's good,

  The noble isle doth want his proper124 limbs:

  His face defaced with scars of infamy125,

  His royal stock graft with ignoble plants126,

  And almost shouldered in the swallowing gulf127

  Of dark forgetfulness and deep oblivion.

  Which to recure129, we heartily solicit

  Your gracious self to take on you the charge

  And kingly government of this your land --

  Not as Protector, steward, substitute,

  Or lowly factor133 for another's gain;

  But as successively134 from blood to blood,

  Your right of birth, your empery135, your own.

  For this, consorted136 with the citizens,

  Your very worshipful137 and loving friends,

  And by their vehement instigation,

  In this just cause come I to move139 your grace.

  RICHARD I cannot tell if to depart in silence,