About it; for it stands me much upon,' To stop all hopes, whose growth may damage me.[Exit CATESBY. I must be married to my brother's daughter, Or else my kingdom stands on brittle glass :— 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 ene mies, Foes to my rest, and my sweet sleep's disturbers, Tyr. Let me have open means to come to them, K. Rich. Thou sing'st sweet musick. Hark, come hither, Tyrrel; Go, by this token :-Rise, and lend thine ear: There is no more but so:-Say, it is done, It is of the utmost consequence to my designs. [Whispers. 2 Act. And I will love thee, and prefer thee for it. Re-enter BUCKINGHAM. [Exit. Buck. My lord, I have consider'd in my mind The late demand that you did sound me in. K. Rich. Well, let that rest. Dorset is fled to Richmond. Buck. I hear the news, my lord. K. Rich. Stanley, he is your wife's son:-Well, look to it. Buck. My lord, I claim the gift, my due by promise, For which your honour and your faith is pawn'd; The earldom of Hereford, and the moveables, Which you have promised I shall possess. K. Rich. Stanley, look to your wife; if she convey Letters to Richmond, you shall answer it. Buck. What says your highness to my just request? K. Rich. I do remember me,-Henry the sixth Did prophecy, that Richmond should be king, When Richmond was a little peevish2 boy. A king!-perhaps Buck. My lord, K. Rich. How chance, the prophet could not at that time, Have told me, I being by, that I should kill him? 2 Foolish. Because a bard of Ireland told me once, I should not live long after I saw Richmond. Buck. My lord, K. Rich. Buck. Ay, what's o'clock? I am thus bold To put your grace in mind of what you promis'd me. K. Rich. Well, but what is't o'clock? Buck. Of ten. K. Rich. Well, let it strike. Buck. Upon the stroke Why, let it strike ? K. Rich. Because that, like a Jack,3 thou keep'st the stroke Betwixt thy begging and my meditation. I am not in the giving vein to-day. Buck. Why, then resolve me whe'r you will, or no. K. Rich. Thou troublest me; I am not in the vein. [Exeunt King RICHARD, and Train. Buck. And is it thus ? repays he my deep service With such contempt? made I him king for this? O, let me think on Hastings; and be gone To Brecknock, while my fearful head is on. [Exit. SCENE III. The same. Enter TYRREL. Tyr. The tyrannous and bloody act is done; The most arch deed of piteous massacre, 3 An image like those at St. Dunstan's church in Fleet-street. 4 His castle in Wales. That ever yet this land was guilty of. Albeit they were flesh'd villains, bloody dogs, Their lips were four red roses on a stúlk, Which once, quoth Forrest, almost chang'd my mind; Enter King RICHARD. And here he comes :-All health, my sovereign lord! K. Rich. Kind Tyrrel! am I happy in thy news? Tyr. If to have done the thing you gave in charge Beget your happiness, be happy then, Tyr. The chaplain of the Tower hath buried them; But where, to say the truth, I do not know, K. Rich. Come to me, Tyrrel, soon, at after supper, When thou shalt tell the process of their death. Mean time, but think how I may do thee good, And be inheritor of thy desire. Farewell, till then. Tyr. I humbly take my leave. [Exit. K. Rich. The son of Clarence have I pen'd up close; His daughter meanly have I match'd in marriage; Enter CATESBY. Cate. My lord,— K. Rich. Good news or bad, that thou com'st in so bluntly? Cate. Bad news, my lord: Morton is fled to Rich mond ; And Buckingham, back'd with the hardy Welsh men, Is in the field, and still his power encreaseth. K. Rich. Ely with Richmond troubles me more near, Than Buckingham and his rash-levied strength. The country in which Richmond had taken refuge. |