KING RICHARD III.

ACT III. SCENE IV.

COUNCIL CHAMBER, TOWER OF LONDON.

GLOSTER, BUCKINGHAM, HASTINGS, and other Peers.

Glo. I pray you all, tell me what they deserve
That do conspire my death with devilish plots
Of damned witchcraft; and that have prevail'd
Upon my body with their hellish charms?

Hast. The tender love I bear your grace, my lord
Makes me most forward in this princely presence
To doom the offenders, whosoe'er they be

I say, my lord, they have deserved death.

Glo. Then be your eyes the witness of their evil!
Look how I am bewitch'd; behold mine arm
Is, like a blasted sapling, wither'd up:

And this is 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 deed, my noble lord,—
Glo. If? thou protector of this damned strumpet,

Talk'st thou to me of ifs ?-Thou art a traitor :-
Off with his head :-now, by saint Paul I swear

I will not dine until I see the same.

Lovel and Ratcliff, look that it be done;

The rest that love me, rise, and follow me.