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Queen. Come, conte, my boy, we will to sanc-
Madam, farewell.
[tuary.-

Dutch. Stay, I will go with you.
Queen. You have no cause.

Arch. My gracious lady, go.

And thither bear your treasure and your goods.
For my part, I'll resign unto your grace
The seal I keep: Aud so betide to me,
As well I tender you, and all of yours!

5 Come, I'll conduct you to the sanctuary,[Excunt.

SCENE I.

In London.

АСТ III.

The trumpets sound. Enter the Prince of Wales, the Dukes of Gloster and Buckingham, Cardinal Bourchier, and others.

Buck. W

Persuade the queen to send the duke of York 15 Unto his princely brother presently?

VELCOME, sweet prince, to London, 20
to your chamber 1. [reign:
Glo. Welcome, dear cousin, ny thoughts' sove-
The weary way hath made you melancholy.

Prince. No, uncle; but our crosses on the way
Have made it tedious, wearisome, and heavy:
I want more uncles here to welcome me. [years
Glo. Sweet prince, the untainted virtue of your
Hath not yet div'd into the world's deceit :'
No more can you distinguish of a man,
Than of his outward shew; which, God he knows,
Seldom, or never, jumpeth with the heart.
Those uncles, which you want, were dangerous;
Your grace attended to their sugar'd words,
But look'd not on the poison of their hearts:
God keep you from them, and from such false

friends!

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If she deny,-lord Hastings, you go with him,
And from her jealous arms pluck him perforce.
Card. My lord of Buckingham, if my weak
oratory

Can from his mother win the duke of York,
Anon expect him here: But if she be obdurate
To mild entreaties, God in heaven forbid
We should infringe the holy privilege
Of blessed sanctuary! not for all this land,
25 Would I be guilty of so deep a sin.

Buck. You are too senseless-obstinate, my lord,
Too ceremonious, and traditional2:
Weigh it but with the grossness of this age,
You break not sanctuary in seizing him.
30 The benefit thereof is always granted
To those whose dealings have deserv'd the place,
And those who have the wit to claim the place:
This prince hath neither claim'd it, nor deserv'd it;
Therefore, in mine opinion, cannot have it:
35 Then, taking him from thence, that is not there,
You break no privilege nor charter there.
Oft I have heard of sanctuary men;
But sanctuary children, ne'er till now.

4c

45

Card. My lord, you shall o'errule my mind
for once.-

Come on, lord Hastings, will you go with me?
Hust. I go, my lord,

Prince. Good fords, make all the speedy haste

you may.

[Exeunt Cardinal, and Hastings. Say, uncle Gloster, if our brother come, Where shall we sojourn 'till our coronation? Glo. Where it seems best unto your royal self. If I may counsel you, some day, or two, 50 Your highness shall repose you at the Tower: Then where you please, and shall be thought most fit

Enter Hastings.
Buck. And, in good time, here comes the
sweating lord.
[mother come:|
Prince. Welcome, my lord; What, will our
Klast. On what occasion, God he knows, not I,
The queen your mother, and your brother York, 55
Have taken sanctuary: The tender prince
Would fain have comewith me to meet your grace,
But by his mother was perforce withheld.

Buck. Fie! what an indirect and peevish course
Is this of hers?-Lord cardinal, will your grace

'London was anciently called Camera regia. adherent to old customis,

60

For your best health and recreation.

Prince. I do not like the Tower, of any place:→→
Did Julius Cæsar build that place, my lord?

Glo. He did, my gracious lord, begin that place;
Which, since, succeeding ages have re-edify'd.
Prince. Is it upon record? or else reported
Successively from age to age, he built it?
Buck. Upon record, my gracious lord,

2 Ceremonious for superstitious; traditional for

Prince. But say, my lord, it were not register'd ;| Methinks, the truth should live from age to age, As 'twere retail'd' to a posterity,

Even to the general all-ending day.

Glo. How?
York. Little.

Prince. My lord of York will still be cross in talk;

Glo. So wise so young, they say, do ne'er live 5 Uncle, your grace knows how to bear with him.

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York. You mean to bear me, not to bear with

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I moralize,-two meanings in one word.
Prince. That Julius Cæsar was a famous man;
With what his valour did enrich his wit,
His wit set down to make his valour live:
Death nakes no conquest of this conqueror;
For now he lives in fanie, though not in life.-15
I'll tell you what, my cousin Buckingham.
Buck. What, my gracious lord?
Prince. An if I live until I be a man,

I'll win our ancient right in France again,
Or die a soldier, as I liv'd a king.

Glo. Short summers lightly have a forward spring.

[Aside

20

Enter York, Hastings, and the Cardinal. Buck. Now, in good time, here comes the 25 duke of York. [brother? Prince. Richard of York, how fares our loving York. Well, my dread lord; so must I call you

now.

Prince. Ay, brother; to our grief, as it is yours: 30 Too late he died, that might have kept that title,

Which by his death has lost much majesty.

Glo. How fares our cousin, noble lord of York?
York. I thank you, gentle uncle. O, my lord, 35
You said, that idie weeds are fast in growth:
The prince my brother hath outgrown me far.
Glo. He hath, my lord.

York. And therefore is he idle?

Glo. O my fair cousin, I must not say so.
York. Then is he more beholden to you, than I.
Glo. He may command me, as my sovereign;
But you have power in me, as in a kinsman.

York. I pray you, uncle, give me this dagger.
Glo. My dagger, little cousin? with all my heart.
Prince. A beggar, brother?

sons!

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Prince. My lord protector needs will have it so.
York. I shall not sleep in quiet at the Tower.
Glo. Why, what should you fear?

York. Marry, my uncle Clarence' angry ghost;
My grandam told me, he was murther'd there.
Prince. I fear no uncles dead.

Glo. Nor none that live, I hope.

Prince. An if they live, I hope, I need not fear, But come, my lord, and, with a heavy heart, Thinking on them, go I unto the Tower.

[Exeunt Prince, York, Hastings, Cardinal,
and Attendants.

Buck. Think you, my lord, this little prating
York

Was not incensed by his subtle mother,
To taunt and scorn you thus opprobriously?
Glo. No doubt, no doubt; O,'tis a parlous boy;
Bold, quick, ingenious, forward, capable;
40 He's all the mother's, from the top to toe.
Buck. Well, let them rest.-Come hither,
Catesby; thou art sworn

45

York. Of my kind uncle, that I know will give:
And, being but a toy, which is no gift to give.
Glo. A greater gift than that I'll give my cousin.
York. A greater gift! O, that's the sword to it? 50
Glo. Ay, gentle cousin, were it light enough.
York. Ŏ then, I see, you'll part but with light
gifts;

In weightier things you'll say a beggar, nay.
Glo. It is too weighty for your grace to wear. 55
York. I weigh it lightly, were it heavier.

Glo. What, would you have my weapon, little
lord?
[me.
York. I would, that I might thank you as you call

i.e. diffused, dispersed. person. See note', p. 492. too fresh in our memory.

As deeply to effect what we intend,
As closely to conceal what we impart :
Thou know'st our reasons urg'd upon the way;-
What think'st thou? is it not an easy matter
To make William lord Hastings of our mind,
For the instalment of this noble duke
In the seat royal of this famous isle?

Cates. He for his father's sake so loves the prince,
That he will not be won to aught against him.
Buck. What think'st thou then of Stanley? will

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2A proverbial line. By vice the author means not a quality, but a 4i.e. commonly, in ordinary course. i.e. too lately, the loss is i.e. I should still esteem it but a trifling gift, were it heavier,

Το

To sit about the coronation.

KING RICHARD III.

If thou dost find him tractable to us,
Encourage him, and tell him all our reasons:
If he be leaden, icy, cold, unwilling,
Be thou so too; and so break off the talk,
And give us notice of his inclination :
For we to-morrow hold divided' councils,
Wherein thyself shalt highly be employ'd.

Glo. Commend me to lord William: tell him,
Catesby,

[Act 3. Scene 2..

Hast. Go, fellow, go, return unto thy lord;
Bid him not fear the separated councils:
His honour, and myself, are at the one;
And, at the other, is my good friend Catesby;
5 Where nothing can proceed, that toucheth us,
Whereof I shall not have intelligence.

Tell him, his fears are shallow, wanting instance':
And for his dreams,-I wonder, he's so fond
To trust the mockery of unquiet slumbers:
10To fly the boar, before the boar pursues,
Were to incense the boar to follow us,
And make pursuit, where he did mean no chase.
Go, bid thy master rise and come to me;
Where, he shall see, the boar will use us kindly.
And we will both together to the Tower,
Mes. I'll go, my lord, and tell him what you
[Exit.

15

His ancient knot of dangerous adversaries To-morrow are let blood at Pomfret-castle; And bid my friend, for joy of this good news, Give mistress Shore one gentle kiss the more. Buck. Good Catesby, go, effect this business soundly. Cates. My good lords both, with all the heed I [can. Glo. Shall we hear from you, Catesby, ere we Cates. You shall, my lord. Glo. At Crosby-place, there you shall find us 20 [sleep? both. [Exit Catesby.

Buck. Now, my lord, what shall we do, if we

perceive

Lord Hastings will not yield to our complots? Glo. Chop off his head, man;—somewhat we will do:

say.

Enter Catesby.

Cates. Many good morrows to my noble lord
Hast. Good morrow, Catesby; you are early
stirring;

What news, what news, in this our tottering state?
Cates. It is a reeling world, indeed, my lord;
25Till Richard wear the garland of the realm.
And, I believe, will never stand upright,
Hast. How? wear the gariand? dost thou mean
Cates. Ay, my good lord.
Hast. I'll have this crown of mine cut from
[the crown?
Before I'll see the crown so foul misplac'd.
my shoulders,
But canst thou guess that he doth aim at it? [ward
Cates. Ay, on my life; and hopes to find you for-
Upon his party, for the gain thereof:

And, look, when I am king, claim thou of me
The earldom of Hereford, and all the moveables
Whereof the king my brother was possess'd.
Buck. I'llclaimthat promise at your grace's hand. 30
Glo.And look to have it yielded withallkindness.
Come, let us sup betimes; that afterwards
We may digest our complots in some form.
[Exeunt.

SCENE

II.

Before Lord Hastings' house.

Enter a Messenger.

Mes. My lord, my lord,—

Hast. [Within.] Who knocks?
Mes. One from lord Stanley.

Hast. What is't o'clock?

Mes. Upon the stroke of four.

Enter Hastings.

Hast. Cannot thy master sleep these tedious nights?

Mes. So it should seem by that I have to say. First, he commends him to your noble self. Hast. And then,

And, thereupon, he sends you this good news,35 That, this same very day, your enemies,

The kindred of the queen, must die at Pomfret.

Hast. Indeed, I am no mourner for that news,
Because they have been still my adversaries:
But, that I'll give my voice on Richard's side,
40 Fo bar my master's heirs in true descent,
God knows, I will not do it, to the death. [mind!
Cates. God keep your lordship in that gracious
Hast. But I shall laugh at this a twleve-month
hence,-

45 That they, who brought me in my master's hate,
I live to look upon their tragedy.

Well, Catesby, ere a fortnight make me alder,
I'll send some packing, that yet think not on't.

Cates. 'Tis a vile thing to die, my gracious lord, 50 When men are unprepar'd, and look not for it.

Mes.Then certifies your lordship, that this night
He dreamt, the boar had rased off his helin:
Besides, he says, there are two councils held;
And that may be determin'd at the one,
Which may make you and him to rue at th' other. 55
Therefore he sends to know your lordship's plea-
If presently you will take horse with him, [sure,-
And with all speed post with him toward the north,
To shun the danger that his soul divines.

Hast.Omonstrous, monstrous! and so falls it out
With Rivers, Vaughan, Grey: and so 'twill do
With some men else, who think themselves as safe
To princely Richard, and to Buckingham.
As thou, and I; who, as thou know'st, are dear

Cates. The princes both make high account of
you.-

For they account his head upon the bridge. [Aside.
Hast. I know they do; and I have well deserv'd it.

1i. e. a private consultation, separate from the known and public council.

rashed is alway given to describe the violence inflicted by a boar. By a boar, throughout this scene, ? This term rased or is meant Gloster, who was called the boar, or the hog, as has been before observed, from his having a boar for his cognizance, and one of the supporters of his coat of arms. or act of malevolence, by which they may be justified.

i.e. wanting some example

Enter

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You may jest on, but, by the holy rood',
I do not like these several councils, I.
Hast. My lord,

I hold my life as dear as you do yours;
And never, in my days, I do protest,
Was it more precious to me than 'tis now :
Think you, but that I know our state secure,
I would be so triumphant as I am?

[London,

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Enter Sir Richard Ratcliff, conducting Lord Rivers, Lord Richard Grey, and Sir Thomas 10 Vaughan to execution.

Stant. The lords at Pomfret, when they rode from
Were jocund, and suppos'd their states were sure, 15
And they, indeed, had no cause to mistrust;
But yet, you see, how soon the day o'ercast.
This sudden stab of rancour I misdoubt;
Pray God, I say, I prove a needless coward!
What, shall we toward the Tower? the day is spent. 20
Hast. Come, come, have with you.-Wot you
what, my lord?

To-day the lords you talk of are beheaded.
Stanl. They, for their truth', might better wear
their heads,

Than some, that have accus'd them, wear their
But come, my lord, let's away.
[hats.

Enter a Pursuivant.

25

35

Hast.Go on before, I'll talk with this good fellow.
[Exeunt Lord Stanley, aud Catesby. 30
Sirrah, how now? how goes the world with thee?
Purs. The better, that your lordship please to ask.
Hast. I tell thee, man, 'tis better with me now,
Thanwhenthou met'st me last where now we meet:
Then I was going prisoner to the Tower,
By the suggestion of the queen's allies;
But now, I tell thee, (keep it to thyself)
This day those enemies are put to death,
And I in better state than ere I was.
Purs. God hold it, to your honour's good con-40
Hast. Gramercy, fellow: There, drink that for
[Throws him his purse.
Purs, I thank your honour. [Exit Pursuivant.
Enter a Priest.

me.

[tent!

Priest. Well met, my lord; I am glad to see 45
your honour.
[heart.

Hast. I thank thee, good Sir John, with all my
I am in your debt for your last exercise;
Come the next sabbath, and I will content you.
Enter Buckingham.

Buck. What, talking with a priest, lord cham

berlain?

Your friends at Pomfret, they do need the priest;
Your honour hath no shriving work in hand.

50

Rat. Come, bring forth the prisoners.
Riv. Sir Richard Ratcliff, let me tell thee this,-
To-day shalt thou behold a subject die,
For truth, for duty, and for loyalty.

[you!
Grey. God keep the prince from all the pack of
A knot you are of damn'd blood-suckers. [after.
Vaugh. You live, that shall cry woe for this here-
Rat. Dispatch: the limit of your lives is out.
Riv.OPomfret, Pomfret! O thou bloody prison
Fatal and ominous to noble peers!
Within the guilty closure of thy walls,
Richard the second here was hack'd to death:
And, for more slander to thy dismal seat,
We give thee up our guiltlessbloodtodrink. [heads:
Grey. Now Margaret's curse is fallen upon our
When she exclaim'd on Hastings, you, and I,
For standing by when Richard stabb'd her son.
Riv. Then curs'd she Hastings, curs'd she
Buckingham,

Then curs'd she Richard:-O, remember, God
To hear her prayer for them, as now for us!
As for my sister, and her princely sons,-
Be satisfied; dear God, with our true bloods,
Which, as thou know'st, unjustly must be spilt!
Rat. Make haste, the hour of death is now ex-
pir'd.
[embrace:
Riv.Come,Grey,-come, Vaughan, let us here
Farewell, until we meet again in heaven. [Exeunt.

SCENE IV.
The Tower.

Buckingham, Stanley, Hastings, Bishop of Ely,
Catesby, Lovel, with others at a table.
Hust. Now, noble peers, the cause why we are
[s-to determine of the coronation: [met
In God's name, speak, when is the royal day?
Buck. Are all things ready for that royal time?
Stanl. They are, and wants but nomination.
Ely. To-morrow then I judge a happy day.
Buck. Who knows the lordprotector'smindhere-
Who is most inward with the noble duke?

[in ?.
Ely. Your grace, we think, should soonest know
his mind.
[hearts,→
Buck. We know each other's faces: for our

Hast. Good faith, and when I met this holy man, 55 He knows no more of mine, than I of yours;

The men you talk of came into my mind.
What, go you toward the Tower?

[there:

Buck. I do, my lord; but long I shall not stay I shall return before your lordship thence.

Nor I of his, my lord, than you of mine:-
Lord Hastings, you and he are near in love.
Hast. I thank his grace, I know he loves me
But, for his purpose in the coronation,

Hast. Nay, like enough, for I stay dinner there. 60 I have not sounded him, nor he deliver'd'

1i. e. the cross.

i.e. honesty.

is confession.

1

[well;

2 A familiar phrase in parting, as much as, I have something to say to you.. i, e, continue it. i. e. performance of divine service. ! Shriving work

His

His gracious pleasure any way therein:
But you, my noble lord, may name the time:
And in the duke's behalf I'll give my voice,
Which, I presume, he'll take in gentle part.
Enter Gloster.

5

Ely. In happy time, here comes the duke himself.
Glo. My noble lords and cousins, all good mor-
I have been long a sleeper; but I trust, [row,
My absence doth neglect no great design,
Whichbymy presence might havebeenconcluded. 10
Buck. Had you not come upon your cue', my
lord,

Williamlord Hastings had pronounc'd your part,-
I mean, your voice,-for crowning of the king.
Glo. Than my lord Hastings, no man might be 15
bolder;

His lordship knows me well, and loves me well.-
My lord of Ely, when I was last in Holborn,
I saw good strawberries in your garden there;
I do beseech you, send for some of them.
Ely. Marry, and will, my lord, with all my heart.
[Exit Ely.
Glo. Cousin of Buckingham, a word with you.
Catesby hath sounded Hastings in our business;
And finds the testy gentleman so hot,
That he will lose his head, ere give consent,
His master's child, as worshipfully he terms it,
Shall lose the royalty of England's throne.
Buck.Withdraw yourself awhile, I'll gowithyou.

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me;

For I, too fond, might have prevented this:
Stanley did dream, the boar did rase his helm;
But I disdain'd it, and did scorn to fly. [ble,
Three times to-day my foot-cloth horse 'did stum-
20 And started, when he look'd upon the Tower,
As loth 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 triumphing, how mine enemies
25 To-day at Pomfret bloodily were butcher'd,
And Linyself secure in grace and favour.
O, Margaret, Margaret, now thy heavy curse
Is lighted on poor Hastings' wretched head.

[Exeunt Gloster and Buckingham. 30 Stanl. We have not yet set down this day of triumph.

To-morrow, in my judgement, is too sudden;
For I myself am not so well provided,
As else I would be, were the day prolong'd.
Re-enter the Bishop of Ely.

Ely. Where is my lord protector? I have sent
For these strawberries.
[morning;

Cates. Dispatch, my lord, the duke would be
at dinner;

Make a short shrift; he longs to see your head.
Hast. O momentary grace of mortal men,
Which we more hunt for than the grace of God!
Who builds his hope in air of your fair looks,
35 Lives like a drunken sailor on a mast;
Ready, with every nod, to tumble down
Into the fatal bowels of the deep.

40

Hast. His grace looks chearfully and smooth this
There's some conceit or other likes him well,
When he doth bid good morrow with such spirit.
I think there's ne'er a man in Christendom,
Çan lesser hide his love, or hate, than he;
For by his face straight shall you know his heart.
Stant. What of his heart perceive you in his face, 45
By any likelihood he shew'd to-day?

[ed

Hast. Marry, that with no man here he is offend-
For, were he, he had shewn it in his looks.

Re-enter Gloster and Buckingham.
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 noble 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

50|

Loc. Come, come, dispatch; 'tis bootless to ex-
claim.
[gland!
Hast. Oh, bloody Richard !-miserable En-
I prophesy the fearful'st time to thee,
That ever wretched age hath look'd upon.-
Come, lead me to the block, bear him my head;
They smile at me, who shortly shall be dead,

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[Excunt.

Enter Gloster, and Buckingham, in rusty armour, marcellous ill-favour'd.

Glo.Come,cousin, canst thou quake, and change
thy colour?

Murder thy breath in middle of a word,—
And then again begin, and stop again,
55 As if thou wert distraught, and mad with terror?
Buck.Tut, I can counterfeit the deep tragedian ;
Speak, and look back, and pry on every side,
Tremble and start at wagging of a straw,
Intending deep suspicion: ghastly looks

The cue, queue, or tail of a speech, consists of the

This expression is borrowed from the theatre. last words, which are the token for an entrance or answer. To come on the cue, therefore, is to come at the proper time. The housings of a horse, and sometimes a horse him

i.e. appearance. self, were anciently denominated a foot-cloth.

Are

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