DRAMATIS PERSONE. KING EDWARD THE FOURth. HENRY, Earl of Richmond. Sons to the King. Brothers to the King. CARDINAL BOUCHIER, Archbishop of Canterbury. DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM. DUKE OF NORFOLK EARL OF SURREY, his Son. EARL OF OXFORD. LORD HASTINGS. LORD STANLEY. LORD LOVEL. SIR THOMAS VAUGHAN. SIR RICHARD RATCLIFF. CHRISTOPHER URSWICK, a Priest. Another Priest. ELIZABETH, Queen of King Edward IV. DUCHESS OF YORK, Mother to King Edward IV., LADY ANNE, Widow of Edward Prince of Wales. Lords, and other Attendants; two Gentlemen, a Pursuivant, Scrivener, Citizens, Murderers, Messengers, Ghosts, Soldiers, &c. SCENE, England. LIFE AND DEATH OF KING RICHARD III. ACT I. SCENE I.-London. A Street. Enter GLOSTER. Glo. Now is the winter of our discontent Made glorious summer by this sun' of York; And all the clouds that lower'd upon our house, In the deep bosom of the ocean buried. Now are our brows bound with victorious wreaths; Grim-visag'd war hath smooth'd his wrinkled front; But I, that am not shap'd for sportive tricks, 1 The cognizance of Edward IV., consisted of three suns. soned. 3 love in quartos. curtail'd of this: in f. e. VOL. V.-23 2 Capari Have no delight to pass away the time, Clar. His majesty, Tendering my person's safety, hath appointed Glo. Upon what cause? Clar. up, 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, He hearkens after prophecies and dreams; And, for my name of George begins with G, It follows in his thought that I am he. These, as I learn, and such like toys as these, Have mov'd his highness to commit me now. Glo. Why, this it is, when men are rul'd by women. 'Tis not the king that sends you to the Tower : My lady Grey, his wife, Clarence, 't is she, spy in quarto. That tempts him to this harsh' extremity. Clar. By heaven, I think, there is no man secure, Brak. I beseech your graces both to pardon me : Glo. Even so; an please your worship, Brakenbury, A cherry lip, a bonny eye, a passing pleasing tongue; Brak. With this, my lord, myself have nought to do. fellow, He that doth naught with her, excepting one, Were best to do it secretly, alone. Brak. What one, my lord? Glo. Her husband, knave. Wouldst thou betray me? Brak. I do beseech your grace to pardon me; and withal, Forbear your conference with the noble duke. 1 tempers him to this extremity: in quartos. 2 Not in f. e. the quartos; folio: Hastings was for her. 3 So Clar. We know thy charge, Brakenbury, and will obey. Glo. We are the queen's abjects, and must obey.— Brother, farewell: I will unto the king; And whatsoe'er 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. Clar. I know, it pleaseth neither of us well. Glo. Well, your imprisonment shall not be long; I will deliver you, or else lie for you.' Mean time, have patience. Clar. [Embracing him.' I must perforce farewell. If heaven will take the present at our hands. Hast. Good time of day unto my gracious lord. Glo. No doubt, no doubt; and so shall Clarence too, For they that were your enemies are his, And have prevail'd as much on him as you. Hast. More pity, that the eagles should be mew'd, While kites and buzzards prey3 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*, that news is bad indeed. O! he hath kept an evil diet long, And over-much consum'd his royal person: 'Tis very grievous to be thought upon. Where is he? in his bed ?5 1 Lie in prison in your stead. 2 Not in f. e. 3 play in folio. • John: in folio. 5 quartos: What! is he in his bed? |