Buc.
Welcome, sweet prince, to London, to your chamber.

Ric.
Welcome, dear cousin, my thoughts' sovereign:
The weary way hath made you melancholy.

Pri.
No, uncle; but our crosses on the way
Have ^note made it tedious, wearisome, and heavy:
I want more uncles here to welcome me.

Ric.
Sweet prince, the untainted virtue of your years
Hath ^note not yet div'd into the world's deceit:
No ^note 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!

Pri.
God keep me from false friends! but they were none.

Ric.
My lord, the mayor of London comes to greet you. Enter the Lord Mayor, and his Train.

May.
God bless your grace with health and happy days!

Pri.
I thank you, good my lord—and thank you all.— [they kiss his Hand, and retire.
I thought, my mother, and my brother York,
Would long ere this have met us on the way:—
Fie, what a slug is Hastings! that he comes not
To tell us, whether they will come, or no. Enter Hastings.

Buc.
And, in good time, here comes the sweating lord.

Pri.
Welcome, my lord: What, will our mother come?

Has.
On what occasion, God he knows, not I,
The queen your mother, and your brother York,
Have taken sanctuary: The tender prince
Would fain have ^note come with me to meet your grace,
But by his mother was perforce withheld.

Buc.
Fie! what an indirect and peevish course
Is this of hers?—Lord cardinal, will your grace
Persuade the queen to send the duke of York

Unto his princely brother presently?
If she deny,—Lord Hastings, go ^note with him ^note,
And from her jealous arms pluck him perforce.

Car.
My lord of Buckingham, if my weak oratory
Can from his mother with the duke of York,
Anon expect him here: But if she be obdurate
To mild entreaties, God in heaven forbid ^note
We should infringe the holy priviledge
Of blessed sanctuary! not for all this land
Would I be guilty of so great a ^note sin.

Buc.
You are too senseless-obstinate, my lord,
Too ceremonious and traditional:
Weigh it but14Q0877 with the greenness ^{note note} of his ^note age,
You break not sanctuary in seizing him.
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 ^note, in mine opinion, cannot have it:
Then, taking him ^note from thence, that is not there,
You break no priviledge nor charter there.
Oft have I heard of sanctuary men;
But sanctuary children, ne'er till now.

Car.
My lord, you shall o'er-rule my mind for once.—
Come on, lord Hastings, will you go with me?

Has.
I go, my lord.

Pri.
My lords, ^note make all the speedy haste you may. [Exeunt Has. and Car.
Say, uncle Gloster, if our brother come,
Where shall we sojourn 'till our coronation?

Ric.
Where it seems best ^note unto your royal self.
If I may counsel you, some day, or two,

Your highness shall repose you at the tower:
Then where you please, and shall ^note be thought most fit
For your best health and recreation.

Pri.
I do not like the tower, of any place:—
Did Julius Cæsar build that place, my lord?

Buc.
He did, my gracious lord, begin that place;
Which, since, succeeding ages have re-edify'd.

Pri.
Is it upon record? or else reported
Successively from age to age, he built it?

Buc.
It is upon record, my gracious lord.

Pri.
But say, my lord, it were not register'd;
Methinks, the truth should live from age to age,
As 'twere retail'd ^note to all posterity,
Even to the generall all-ending day.

Ric.
So wise so young, they say, do ne'er live long.

Pri.
What say you, uncle?

Ric.
I say, without characters, fame lives long.
&clquo;Thus, like ^note14Q0878 the formal vice, iniquity,&crquo;
&clquo;I moralize,—two meanings in one word.&crquo;

Pri.
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 makes no conquest of this ^note conqueror;
For yet he lives in fame, though not in life.—
I'll tell you what, my cousin Buckingham.

Buc.
What, my good lord ^note?

Pri.
An if I live until I be a man,
I'll win our antient right in France again,
Or die a soldier, as I liv'd a king.

&clquo;Ric.
&clquo;Short summers lightly ^note have a forward spring.&crquo; Enter York, Hastings, and the Cardinal.

Buc.
Now, in good time, here comes the duke of York.

Pri.
Richard of York! how fares our loving brother ^note?

Yor.
Well, my dread lord ^note; so must I call you now.

Pri.
Ay, brother; to our grief, as it is yours:
Too late he dy'd, that might have kept that title ^note,
Which by his death hath lost much majesty.

Ric.
How fares our cousin, noble lord of York?

Yor.
I thank you, gentle uncle. O, my lord,
You said, that idle weeds are fast in growth:
The prince my brother hath out-grown ^note me far.

Ric.
He hath, my lord.

Yor.
And therefore is he idle?

Ric.
O, my fair cousin, I must not say so.

Yor.
Then he is more beholding to you, than I.

Ric.
He may command me, as my sovereign;
But you have power in me, as in a kinsman.

Yor.
I pray you, uncle, then, give me this dagger.

Ric.
My dagger, little cousin? with all my heart.

Pri.
A beggar, brother?

Yor.
Of my kind uncle, that, I know, will give;
And, being a toy, it is ^note no grief to ^note give.

Ric.
A greater gift than that I'll give my cousin.

Yor.
A greater gift! O, that's the sword to it?

Ric.
Ay, gentle cousin, were it light enough.

Yor.
O then, I see, you'll part but with light gifts;
In weightier things you'll say a beggar, nay.

Ric.
It is too weighty for your grace to wear.

Yor.
I weigh it lightly, were it heavier.

Ric.
What, would you have my weapon, little lord?

Yor.
I would, that I might thank you ^note as you call me.

Ric.
How?

Yor.
Little.

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

Uncle, your grace knows how to bear with him.

Yor.
You mean, to bear me, not to bear with me:—
Uncle, my brother mocks both you and me;
Because that I am little like an ape,
He thinks that you should bear me on your shoulders.

&clquo;Buc.
&clquo;With what a sharp-provided wit he reasons!&crquo; [to Hastings.
&clquo;To mitigate the scorn he gives ^note his uncle,&crquo;
&clquo;He prettily and aptly taunts himself:&crquo;
&clquo;So cunning, and so young, is wonderful.&crquo;

Ric.
My lord, will't please your highness pass along?
Myself, and my good cousin Buckingham,
Will to your mother; to entreat of her,
To meet you at the tower, and welcome you.

Yor.
What, will you go unto the tower, my lord?

Pri.
My lord protector here will have it so.

Yor.
I shall not sleep in quiet at the tower.

Ric.
Why, sir, what should you fear?

Yor.
Marry, my uncle Clarence' angry ghost;
My grandam told me, he was murther'd there.

Pri.
I fear no uncles dead.

Ric.
Nor none that live, I hope.

Pri.
An if they live, I hope, I need not fear.
But come, my lord; and ^note, with a heavy heart,
Thinking on them, go I unto the tower. [Exeunt Pri. Yor. Has. Car. and Attendants.

Buc.
Think you, my lord, this little prating York
Was not incensed by his subtle mother,
To taunt and scorn you thus opprobriously?

Ric.
No doubt, no doubt: O, 'tis a parlous boy;
Bold, quick, ingenious, forward, capable;
He's all the mother's, from the top to toe.

Buc.
Well, let them rest.—
Come hither, gentle Catesby; Thou art sworn,
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?

Cat.
He for his father's sake so loves the prince,
That he will not be won to ought against him.

Buc.
What think'st thou then of Stanley? will not he ^note?

Cat.
He will do all in all as Hastings doth.

Buc.
Well then, no more but this: Go, gentle Catesby,
And, as it were far ^note off, sound thou lord ^note Hastings,
How he doth stand ^note affected to our purpose;
And summon him to-morrow to the tower,
To sit about the coronation.
If thou dost find him tractable to us,
Encourage him, and tell him ^note all our reasons:
If he be leaden, icy, cold, unwilling,
Be thou so too; and so break off the talk ^note,
And give us notice of his inclination:
For we to-morrow hold divided councils,
Wherein thyself shalt ^note highly be employ'd.

Ric.
Commend me to lord William: tell him, Catesby,
His antient knot of dang'rous adversaries
To-morrow are let blood at Pomfret castle;
And bid my friend ^note, for joy of this good news,
Give mistress ^note Shore one gentle kiss the more.

Buc.
Good Catesby, go ^note, effect this business soundly.

Cat.
My good lords both, with all the heed I can.

Ric.
Shall we hear from you, Catesby, ere we sleep?

Cat.
You shall, my lord.

Ric.
At Crosby-place, ^note there shall you find us both. [Exit Catesby.

Buc.
My ^note lord, what shall we do, if we perceive
Lord Hastings ^note will not yield to our complots?

Ric.
Chop off his head;—something we will ^note determine:
And, look, when I am king, claim thou of me
Th' earldom of Hereford ^note, and all the moveables
Whereof the king my brother was possest ^note.

Buc.
I'll claim that promise at your grace's ^note hand ^note.

Ric.
And look to have it yielded with all kindness. ^note
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,— ^note [knocking.

Has. [within.]
Who knocks? ^note

Mes.
One from ^note lord ^note Stanley.

Has.
What is't o'clock?

Mes.
Upon the stroke of four. Enter Hastings.

Has.
Cannot thy ^note master14Q0879 sleep the tedious nights?

Mes.
So it should seem by ^note that I have to say.
First, he commends him to your noble lordship; ^note—

Has.
And then, ^note—

Mes.
And then ^note he sends you word, my lord,
He dreamt to-night, the boar had raz'd his ^note helm:
Besides, he says, there are two councils held; ^note
And that may be ^note determin'd at the one,
Which may make you and him to rue at the other.

Therefore he sends to know your lordship's pleasure,—
If presently you will ^note take horse with him,
And with all speed ^note post hence into the ^note north,
To shun the danger that his soul divines.

Has.
Go, fellow ^note, go, return unto thy lord;
Bid him not fear the separated councils ^note:
His honour, and myself, are at the one;
And, at the other, is my good friend Catesby ^note;
Where nothing can proceed, that toucheth us,
Whereof I shall not have intelligence.
Tell him, his fears are shallow, without instance ^note:
And for his dreams,—I wonder, he's so fond, ^note
To trust the mockery of unquiet slumbers:
To fly the boar, before the boar pursues ^note,
Were to incense the boar to follow us,
And make pursuit, where he did mean no chace.
Go, bid thy master rise and come to me;
And we will both together to the tower,
Where, he shall see, the boar will use us kindly.

Mes.
I'll go, my lord, and tell ^note him what you say. [Exit. Enter Catesby.

Cat.
Many good morrows to my noble lord!

Has.
Good morrow, Catesby; you are early stirring:
What news, what news, in this our tottering state?

Cat.
It is a reeling world, indeed, my lord;
And, I believe, will ^note never stand upright,
'Till Richard wear the garland of the realm.

Has.
How wear ^note the garland? dost thou mean the crown?

Cat.
Ay, my good lord.

Has.
I'll have this crown of mine cut from my shoulders,
Before I'll see the crown so foul misplac'd.
But canst thou guess that he doth aim at it?

Cat.
Ay, on my life; and ^note hopes to find you forward
Upon his party, for the gain thereof:
And, thereupon, he sends you this good news,—
That, this same very day, your enemies,
The kindred of the queen, must die at Pomfret.

Has.
Indeed, I am no mourner for that ^note news,
Because they have been still my adversaries ^note:
But, that I'll give my voice on Richard's side,
To bar my master's heirs in true descent,
God knows, I will not do it, to the death.

Cat.
God keep your lordship in that gracious mind!

Has.
But I shall laugh at this a twelvemonth hence,—
That they which brought ^note me in my master's hate,
I live to look upon their tragedy.
Well, Catesby, ^note ere a fortnight make me older,
I'll send some packing, that yet think not on't. ^note

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

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

Cat.
The princes both make high account of you,—
&clquo;For they account his head upon the bridge.&crquo;

Has.
I know, they do; and I have well deserv'd it.— Enter Stanley.
Come on, come on, where is your boar-spear, man?
Fear you the boar, and go so ^note unprovided? [Catesby:—

Sta.
My lord, good morrow;—and good morrow,
You may jest on, but, by the holy rood,
I do not like these several councils, I.

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

Sta.
The lords at Pomfret ^note, when they rode from London,
Were jocund, and suppos'd their states were sure ^note,
And they ^note (indeed) had no cause to mistrust;
But yet, you see, how soon the day o'er-cast.
This sudden stab ^note of rancour I misdoubt;
Pray God, I say, I prove a needless coward!
What, shall we toward the tower? ^note the day is spent.

Has.
Come, come, have with you: Wot you what, my lord?
To-day the lords you talk ^note of are beheaded.

Sta.
They, for their truth, might better wear their heads,
Than some, that have accus'd them, wear their hats ^note.
But come, let ^note us away. Enter a Pursuivant.

Has.
Go on before, ^note
I'll talk with this good fellow.—How now, sirrah? [Exeunt Sta. and Cat.
How goes the world with thee?

Pur.
The better, that your lordship please to ^note ask.

Has.
I tell thee, man, 'tis ^note better with me now,
Than when thou met'st me ^note last where now we meet:
Then was I 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.

Pur.
God hold it, to your honour's good content!

Has.
Gramercy, fellow: There, † drink that for me. ^note [throwing him his Purse.

Pur.
I thank your honour. ^note [Exit Pursuivant. Enter a Priest.

Pri.
Well met, my lord; I am glad to see your honour. ^note

Has.
I thank thee, good sir John ^note, with all my heart.
I am in your debt for your last exercise;
Come the next sabboth, and I will content you. ^note Enter Buckingham.

Buc.
What, talking with a priest, lord chamberlain ^note?
Your friends at Pomfret, they do need the priest;
Your honour hath no shriving ^note work in hand.

Has.
Good faith, and when I met this holy man,
The ^note men you talk of came into my mind.
What, go you toward the tower? ^note

Buc.
I do, my lord; but long I cannot stay ^note there ^note
I shall return before your lordship thence.

Has.
Nay, like ^note enough, for I stay dinner there.

&clquo;Buc.
&clquo;And supper too, although thou know'st it not.&crquo;
Come, will you go? ^note

Has.
I'll wait upon your lordship. ^note [Exeunt. SCENE III. Pomfret. Before the Castle. Enter, as to Execution, Grey, Rivers, and Vaughan; Ratcliff, and a Guard, with them. ^note

Riv.
Sir Richard Ratcliff,14Q0880 let me tell thee this,—
To-day shalt thou behold a subject die,
For truth, for duty, and for loyalty.

Gre.
God bless the ^note prince from all the pack of you!
A knot you are of damned blood-suckers.

Vau.
You live, that shall cry woe for this hereafter. ^note

Rat.
Dispatch the limit of your lives is out.

Riv.
O Pomfret, 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 ^note,
We give thee up our ^note guiltless blood to drink.

Gre.
Now Margaret's curse is fall'n upon our heads,
When she exclaim'd on Hastings, you, and I, ^note
For standing by when Richard stab'd her son.

Riv.
Then curs'd she Hastings ^note, curs'd ^note she Buckingham,
Then curs'd she Richard ^note;—O, remember, God,
To hear her prayers ^note for them, as now for us!
And for my sister, and her princely sons ^note,—
Be satisfy'd, dear God, with our true bloods ^note,
Which, as thou know'st, unjustly must be spilt!

Rat.
Make haste, the hour of death is now expir'd. ^note

Riv.
Come, Grey,—come, Vaughan,—let us here embrace ^note;
Farewel, until we meet again in ^note heaven. [Exeunt. SCENE IV. London. A Room in the Tower. Stanley, Hastings, Buckingham, Bishop of Ely, and Others, discover'd sitting at a Table; Officers of the Council attending.

Has.
Now, noble peers, the ^note cause why we are met
Is—to determine of the coronation:
In God's name, speak, when is the ^note royal day?

Buc.
Are all things ready for ^note that royal time?

Sta.
They are, and ^note wants but ^note nomination.

Bish.
To-morrow ^note then I judge a happy day ^note.

Buc.
Who knows the lord protector's mind herein?

Who is most inward with the noble duke?

Bish.
Your grace, we think, should ^note soonest know his mind.

Buc.
We ^note know each other's faces: for our hearts,—
He knows no more of mine, than I of yours;
Nor I of his, my lord, than ^note you of mine:—
Lord Hastings, you and he are near in love.

Has.
I thank his grace, I know he loves me well;
But, for his purpose in the coronation,
I have not sounded him, nor he deliver'd
His gracious ^note pleasure any way therein:
But you, my ^note noble lord, may name the time;
And in the duke's behalf I'll give my voice,
Which, I presume, he'll ^note take in gentle part ^note. Enter Richard.

Bish.
In happy time, here ^note comes the duke himself.

Ric.
My noble lords and ^note cousins, all good morrow:
I have been long a sleeper; ^note but, I trust ^note,
My absence doth neglect no great design ^note,
Which by my presence might have been concluded.

Buc.
Had you not ^note come upon your cue, my lord,
William lord Hastings had pronounc'd ^note your part,—
I mean, your voice,—for crowning of the king.

Ric.
Than my lord Hastings, no man might be bolder;
His lordship knows me well, and loves me well.—
My lord of Ely, when I was last in Holborn, ^note
I saw good strawberries in your garden there;
I do beseech you, send for some of them.

Bish.
Marry, and will, my lord, ^note with all my heart. [Exit Bishop.

Ric.
Cousin of Buckingham, a word with you: [drawing him aside.
Catesby hath sounded Hastings in our business;

And finds the testy gentleman so hot,
That he ^note will lose his head, ere give consent,
His master's child, as worshipfully he ^note terms it,
Shall lose the royalty of England's throne.

Buc.
Withdraw yourself awhile, ^note I'll go with you. ^note [Exeunt Ric. and Buc.

Sta.
We have not yet set down this day of triumph:
To-morrow, in my judgment, is too sudden ^note;
For I myself am not so well provided,
As else I would be, were the day prolong'd. Re-enter Bishop of Ely.

Bish.
Where is my lord Protector? ^note I have sent
For these same strawberries.

Has.
His grace looks chearfully and smooth this morning; ^note
There's some conceit or other likes him well,
When he doth bid ^note good morrow with such spirit.
I think, there's ne'er a man in christendom,
Can ^note lesser hide his love, or hate, than he;
For by his face straight shall you know his heart.

Sta.
What of his heart perceive you in his face,
By any likelihood ^note he shew'd to-day?

Has.
Marry, that with no man here he is offended;
For, were he, he had shewn it in his looks. ^note Re-enter Richard, and Buckingham, hastily; Lovel, and Ratcliff, with them; a Guard behind.

Ric.
I pray you all, tell me what they ^note deserve, [advancing sternly toward his Seat.
That do conspire my death with devilish ^note plots
Of damned witchraft; and that have prevail'd
Upon my body with their hellish charms?

Has.
The tender love I bear your grace, my lord,
Makes me most forward in this noble presence ^note

To doom the offenders, whosoe'er ^note they be:
I say, my lord, they have deserved death.

Ric.
Then be your eyes the witness of their evil ^note,
Look how ^note I am betwitch'd; ^note behold, mine arm [stripping and laying it bare.
Is like a blasted sapling, wither'd up:
And this is Edward's ^note wife, that monstrous witch,
Consorted with that harlot, strumpet Shore,
That by their witchcraft ^note thus have marked me.

Has.
If they have done this deed, my noble lord, ^note—

Ric.
If! thou protector of this damned strumpet,
Talk'st thou to me ^note of ifs? Thou art a traitor,—
Off with his head;—now by saint Paul I swear, ^note
I will not dine until I see the same.—
Lovel, and Ratcliff, look that it be done;—
The rest, that love me, rise, and ^note follow me. [Council rise in Confusion; and Exeunt, with Ric. and Buc.

Has.
Woe, woe, for England! not a whit for me;
For I, too fond, might have prevented this:
Stanley did dream, the boar did raze his helm ^note;
But I disdain'd it, and did scorn ^note to fly:
Three times to-day my foot-cloth horse did stumble,
And startl'd ^note, when he look'd upon the tower,
As loth to bear me to the slaughter-house.
O, now I need the ^note priest that spake to me:
Now I repent I told the pursuivant,
As too triúmphing, how mine ^note enemies
To-day at ^note Pomfret bloodily were butcher'd,
And I myself secure in grace and favour.
O, Margaret, Margaret, now thy heavy curse
Is lighted ^note on poor Hastings' wretched head.

Rat.
Dispatch, my lord, the duke would be at dinner; ^note
Make a short shrift, he longs to see your head.

Has.
O momentary grace of mortal ^note men,
Which we more hunt for than the ^note grace of God! ^note
Who builds his hope ^note in air ^note of your fair looks ^note,
Lives like a drunken sailor on a mast;
Ready, with every nod, to tumble down
Into the fatal bowels of the deep.

Lov.
Come, come, dispatch; 'tis bootless to exclaim. ^note

Has.
O bloody Richard!—miserable England!
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 ^note shall be dead. [Exeunt. SCENE V. The same. The Tower-Walls. Enter Richard, and Buckingham, in rusty Armour, marvellous ill-favour'd.

Ric.
Come, cousin, canst thou quake, and change thy colour?
Murther thy breath in middle of a word,—
And then again begin ^note, and stop again,
As if thou wert ^note distraught ^note, and mad with terror?

Buc.
Tut, ^note I can counterfeit the deep tragedian;
Speak, and look back, and pry on every side,
Tremble and start at wagging of a straw, ^note
Intending deep suspicion: gastly looks
Are at my service, like enforced smiles;
And both are ready in their offices,
At any time ^note, to grace my stratagems.
But what, is Catesby gone? ^note

Ric.
He is; and, see, he brings the mayor along. ^note

Enter the Lord Mayor, and Catesby.

Buc.
Let me alone to entertain him.—Lord mayor, ^note—

Ric.
Look to the draw-bridge there.

Buc.
Hark, hark! a drum. ^note

Ric.
Catesby, o'er-look the walls.

Buc.
Lord mayor, the reason we have sent for you ^note,—

Ric.
Look back, defend thee, here are enemies.

Buc.
God and our innocency defend and guard ^note us! Enter Lovel, and Ratcliff, with Hastings' Head.

Ric.
Be patient, they are friends; Ratcliff, and Lovel. ^note

Lov.
Here is the head of that ignoble traitor, ^note
The dangerous and unsuspected Hastings.

Ric.
So dear I lov'd the man, that I must weep.
I took him for the plainest harmless creature, ^note
That breath'd upon the earth a christian; ^note
Made ^note him my book, wherein my soul recorded
The history of all her secret thoughts:
So smooth he daub'd his vice with shew of virtue,
That, his apparent open guilt omitted,—
I mean, his conversation with Shore's wife,—
He liv'd ^note from all attainder of suspect.

Buc.
Well, well, he was the covert'st shelter'd traitor
That ever liv'd.14Q0881—Look you, my lord mayor,
Would you imagine ^note, or almost believe,
(Wert not, that ^note by great preservation
We live to tell it you) the ^note subtle traitor
This day had ^note plotted, in the council-house,
To murther me, and my good lord of Gloster?

May.
What, had he so? ^note

Ric.
What! think you we are Turks, or infidels?
Or that we would ^note, against the form of ^note law,

Proceed thus rashly in the ^note villain's death;
But that the extream peril of the case,
The peace of England, and our persons' safety,
Enforc'd us to this execution?

May.
Now, fair befal you! he deserv'd his death;
And your good graces both ^note have well proceeded,
To warn false traitors from the like attempts.
I never look'd for better at his hands, ^note
After he once fell in with mistress Shore.

Buc. ^note
Yet had we not determin'd he should die, ^note
Until your lordship came to see his end ^note;
Which now the loving ^note haste of these † our friends,
Somewhat ^note against our meaning ^note, hath ^note prevented:
Because, my lord, we would ^note have had you heard
The traitor speak, and timorously confess
The manner and the purpose of his treasons ^note;
That you might well have signify'd the same
Unto the citizens, who, haply, may
Misconstrue us in him, and wail his death.

May.
But, my ^note good lord, your grace's ^note word ^note shall serve,
As well as I ^note had seen, and heard ^note him speak:
And do not doubt, ^note right noble princes both,
But I'll acquaint our ^note duteous citizens
With all your just proceedings in this case ^note.

Ric.
And to that end we wish'd ^note your lordship here,
To avoid the censures of the carping ^note world ^note.

Buc.
But since ^note you came ^note too late for our ^note intent ^note,
Yet witness what you hear ^note we did intend:
And so, my good lord ^note mayor, we bid farewel. [Exit Mayor.

Ric.
Go ^note, after, after, cousin Buckingham.
The mayor towards Guild-hall hies him in all post:—

There, at your meetest vantage of the time,
Infer 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 house,
Which, by the sign thereof, was termed so.
Moreover, urge his hateful luxury,
And beastial ^{note note} appetite in change of lust;
Which stretch'd unto their servants, daughters ^note, wives,
Even where his raging ^note eye,14Q0882 or savage heart,
Without controul, listed ^note to make his prey ^note.
Nay, for a need, thus far come near my person:—
Tell them, when that my mother went with child
Of that insatiate ^note Edward, noble York,
My princely father, then had wars in France;
And, by just computation ^note of the time,
Found, that the issue was not his begot;
Which well appeared in his lineaments,
Being nothing like the noble duke my father:
But touch ^note this sparingly, as 'twere far off;
Because, my lord, you know, ^note my mother ^note lives.

Buc.
Doubt not ^note, my lord; I'll play the orator,
As if the golden fee, for which I plead,
Were for myself: and so, my lord, adieu. ^note

Ric.
If you thrive well, bring them to Baynard's castle;
Where you shall find me well accompany'd,
With reverend fathers, and well-learned bishops.

Buc.
I go; and, towards three or four o'clock ^note,
Look for the news that the Guild-hall affords. [Exit Buckingham.

Ric.
Go, Lovel, with all speed to doctor Shaw,— ^note
Go thou [to Cat.] to friar Penker;—bid them both

Meet me, within this hour, at Baynard's castle. [Exeunt Lov. and Cat.
Now will I in, to ^note take some privy order
To draw the brats of Clarence out of sight;
And to give notice, that ^note no manner person ^note
Have, any time ^note, recourse unto the princes. [Exeunt. SCENE VI. The same. A Street. Enter a Scrivener.

Scr.
Here † is ^note the indictment of the good lord Hastings;
Which in a set hand fairly is engross'd,
That it may be to-day ^note read o'er in Paul's.
And mark how well the sequel hangs together:—
Eleven hours I have ^note spent to write it over,
For yesternight by Catesby was it sent me ^note;
The precedent ^note was full as long a doing:
And yet within these five hours Hastings liv'd ^note,
Untainted, unexamin'd, free, at liberty.
Here's a good world the while!—Who is ^note so gross,
That cannot see ^note this palpable device?
Yet who so ^note so bold, but says—he sees it not?
Bad is the world; and all will come to nought.
When such bad dealing ^note must be seen in thought. [Exit. SCENE VII. The same. Court of Baynard's Castle. Enter Richard, and Buckingham, meeting.

Ric.
How now, how now? what ^note say the citizens?

Buc.
Now by the holy mother of our Lord,
The citizens are mum, say not ^note a word.

Ric.
Touch'd you the bastardy of Edward's children?

Buc.
I did; with his contráct ^note with lady Lucy,
And his contráct by deputy in France:

The insatiate ^note greediness of his desire ^note,
And his enforcement of the city wives; ^note
His tyranny for trifles; his own bastardy,—
As being got, 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 ^note and nobleness of mind:
Lay'd open ^note all your victories in Scotland,
Your discipline in war, wisdom in peace,
Your bounty, virtue, fair humility;
Indeed, left nothing, fitting for your purpose ^note,
Untouch'd, or slightly handl'd, in discourse.
And, when my oratory ^note drew toward end ^note,
I bad ^note them, that did love ^note their country's good,
Cry—God save Richard, England's royal king!

Ric.
And did they so?

Buc.
No, so God help me, they spake not a word ^note;
But, like dumb statues, or unbreathing ^note stones,
Star'd each ^note on other, and look'd deadly pale.
Which when I saw, I reprehended them;
And ask'd the mayor, what meant ^note this wilful silence:
His answer was,—the people were not us'd ^note
To be spoke to, but by their own recorder.
Then he was urg'd to tell my tale again;—
Thus saith the duke,14Q0883 thus hath the duke infer'd;
But nothing spoke ^note in warrant from himself.
When he had done, some followers of mine own,
At lower ^note end the ^note hall, hurl'd up their caps,
And some ten voices cry'd, God save king Richard!
And thus I took the vantage of those few,— ^note
Thanks, gentle citizens ^note, and friends, quoth I;

This general applause, and chearful shout ^note,
Argues your wisdom ^note, and your love ^note to Richard:
And even here brake ^note off, and came away.

Ric.
What tongueless blocks were they; Would they not speak? ^note
Will not the mayor then, and his brethren, come?

Buc.
The mayor is here at hand ^note; Intend ^note some fear;
Be not you spoke with, but by mighty ^note suit:
And look you get a prayer-book in your hand,
And stand between ^note two churchmen, good my lord;
For on that ground I'll make a ^note holy descant:
And be not easily won to our requests ^note;
Play the maid's part, still answer nay, and take it. ^note

Ric.
I go; And if you plead ^note as well for them,
As I can say nay to thee for myself,
No doubt we ^note bring it to a happy issue. [Knock.

Buc.
Go, go, up to the leads; ^note the lord mayor knocks. [Exit Richard. Enter the Lord Mayor; with certain Aldermen, and Others.
Welcome, my lord: I dance attendance here;
I think, the duke will not be spoke ^note withal.— Enter Catesby.
Now, Catesby? what says your lord to my request? ^note

Cat.
He doth entreat your grace, my noble lord, ^note
To visit him to-morrow, or next day:
He is within, with two ^note right ^note reverend fathers,
Divinely bent to meditation;
And in no worldly suit ^note would he be mov'd,
To draw him from his holy exercise.

Buc.
Return, good Catesby, to the gracious duke; ^note
Tell him, myself, the mayor and aldermen ^note,

In deep designs, in matter ^note of great moment,
No less importing than ^note our general good,
Are come to have some conference with his grace.

Cat.
I'll signify so much unto him straight. ^note [Exit.

Buc.
Ah ha, my lord, this prince is not an Edward!
He is not lolling ^note on a lewd day-bed ^note,
But on his knees at meditation;
Not dallying with a brace of courtezans,
But meditating with two deep divines;
Not sleeping, to engross his idle body,
But praying, to enrich his watchful soul:
Happy were England, would this virtuous ^note prince
Take on himself the ^note sov'reignty thereof; ^note
But, sure, I fear, we shall ne'er win ^note him to it.

May.
Marry, God defend ^note his grace should say us nay!

Buc.
I fear, he will: Here Catesby ^note comes again;— Re-enter Catesby.
What says your lord? ^note

Cat.
He ^note wonders to what end you have assembl'd
Such troops of citizens to come to him ^note,
His grace not being warn'd thereof before:
He fears, my lord, ^note you mean no good to him.

Buc.
Sorry I am, my noble cousin should
Suspect me, that I mean no good to him:
By heaven, we come to him in perfect love ^note;
And so once more return and tell his grace. [Exit Cat.
When holy and devout religious men
Are at their beads, 'tis much to ^note draw them thence ^note;
So sweet is zealous contemplation. Enter Richard, in a Balcony, above, between two Bishops; Catesby again, below.

May.
See, where his grace stands 'tween ^note two clergymen!

Buc.
Two props of virtue for a christian prince,
To stay him from the fall of vanity:
And, see, a book of prayer in his hand; ^note
True ornaments to know a holy man.—
Famous Plantagenet, most gracious prince,
Lend favourable ear to our requests ^note;
And pardon us the interruption
Of thy devotion, and right christian zeal.

Ric.
My lord, there needs no such apology;
I rather do beseech you ^note pardon me,
Who, earnest in the service of my God ^note,
Defer'd the ^note visitation of my friends.
But, leaving this, what is your grace's pleasure?

Buc.
Even that, I hope, which pleaseth God above,
And all good men of this ungovern'd isle.

Ric.
I do suspect, I have done some offence,
That seems ^note disgracious in the city's eye;
And that you come to reprehend my ignorance.

Buc.
You have, my lord; 'Would, it might ^note please your grace,
On our entreaties, to amend your fault ^note!

Ric.
Else wherefore breath I in a christian land?

Buc.
Know, then ^note, it is your fault, that you resign
The supream seat, the throne majestical,
The scepter'd ^note office of your ancestors,
Your state of fortune, and your due of birth, ^note
The lineal glory of your royal house,
To the corruption of a blemish'd stock:
Whilst ^note, in the mildness of your sleepy thoughts,
(Which here we waken to our ^note country's good)
The noble ^note isle doth want her proper ^note limbs;
Her face ^note defac'd with scars ^note of infamy,
Her ^note royal stock graft with ignoble plants, ^note

And almost shoulder'd in the swallowing ^note gulf
Of dark forgetfulness and deep oblivion ^note.
Which to recure ^note, we heartily sollicit
Your gracious self to take on you the charge ^note
And kingly government of this your land:
Not as protector, steward, substitute,
Or lowly ^note factor for another's gain;
But as successively, from blood to blood,
Your right of birth, your empery, your own.
For this, consorted with the citizens,
Your very worshipful and loving friends,
And by their vehement instigation,
In this just suit ^note come I to move your grace.

Ric.
I cannot tell, if to ^note depart in silence,
Or bitterly to speak in your reproof,
Best fitteth ^note my degree, or your condition:
For, not to answer, you might haply think, ^note
Tongue-ty'd ambition, not replying, yielded
To bear the golden yoke of sov'reignty,
Which fondly you would here impose on me;
If to reprove you for this suit of yours,
So season'd with your faithful love to me,
Then, on the other side, I check'd my friends:
Therefore,—to speak, and to avoid the first;
And then, in speaking, not incur ^note the last,—
Definitively thus I answer you.
Your love deserves my thanks; but my desert,
Unmeritable, shuns your high request.
First, if all obstacles were cut away,
And that my path were even to the crown,
As the ripe ^note revenue and due of birth ^note;
Yet so much is my poverty of spirit,

So mighty, and so many, my defects,
That I would rather ^note hide me from my greatness,—
Being a bark to brook no mighty sea,—
Than in my greatness covet to be hid,
And in the vapour of my glory smother'd.
But, God be thank'd, there is ^note no need of me ^note;
(And much I need to help you, if need were ^note)
The royal tree hath left us royal fruit,
Which, mellow'd by the stealing hours of time,
Will well become the seat of majesty,
And make, no doubt us ^note, happy by his reign:
On him I lay that ^note you would lay on ^note me,
The right and fortune of his happy stars,—
Which, God defend, that I should wring from him!

Buc.
My lord, this argues conscience in your grace;
But the respects thereof are nice and trivial,
All circumstances well considered.
You say, that Edward is your brother's son;
So say we too, but not by Edward's wife:—
For first he was ^note contract ^note to lady Lucy,
Your mother lives a witness to his vow ^note;
And afterwards by substitute betroth'd
To Bona, sister to the king of France:
These both put by, a ^note poor petitioner,
A care-craz'd mother to a many sons ^note,
A beauty-waining and distressed widow,
Even in the afternoon of her best days,
Made prize and purchase of his wanton eye ^note,
Seduc'd ^note the pitch and height of his degree ^note
To base declension and ^note loath'd bigamy;
By her, in his ^note unlawful bed, he got
This Edward, whom our manners call—the ^note prince.

More bitterly could I ^note expostulate,
Save that, for reverence to some alive,
I give a sparing limit to my tongue.
Then, good my lord, take to your royal self,
This proffer'd benefit of dignity:
If not to bless us and the land withal,
Yet to draw forth your noble ancestry, ^note
From the corruption of abusing ^note time ^note,
Unto a lineal true-derived course.

May.
Do, good my lord; your citizens entreat you.

Buc.
Refuse not, mighty lord, this proffer'd love. ^note

Cat.
O, make them joyful, grant their lawful suit.

Ric.
Alas, why would ^note you heap those cares ^note on me?
I am unfit for state and majesty ^note:—
I do beseech you, take it not amiss;
I cannot, nor I will not yield to you.

Buc.
If you refuse it,—as, in love and zeal,
Loth to depose the child, your brother's son;
As well we know your tenderness of heart,
And gentle, kind, effeminate remorse,
Which we have noted in you to your kindred ^note,
And equally ^note (indeed) to all estates,—
Yet know, whe'r ^note you accept ^note our suit, or no,
Your brother's son shall never reign our king;
But we will plant some other in the throne,
To the disgrace and downfal of your house.
And, in this resolution, here we leave you;—
Come, citizens, we will entreat no more. ^note [Exit, with the Citizens.

Cat.
Call them again, sweet prince, accept ^note their suit;
If you deny them, all the land will rue it. ^note

Ric.
Will you enforce me to a world of cares? ^note

Well ^note, Call them again; [Exit Cat.] I am not made of stone ^note,
But penetrable to your kind entreaties ^note,
Albeit against my conscience and my soul.— Re-enter Buckingham, and the rest.
Cousin of Buckingham,—and sage ^note grave men,—
Since you will buckle fortune on my back,
To bear her burthen, whether I ^note will, or no,
I must have patience to endure the load:
But if black scandal, or foul-fac'd ^note reproach,
Attend the sequel of your imposition,
Your meer enforcement shall acquittance me
From all the impure blots and stains thereof;
For God he knows ^note, and you may partly see,
How far I am from the desire of ^note this.

May.
God bless your grace! we see it, and will say it.

Ric.
In saying so, you shall but say the truth.

Buc.
Then I salute you with this royal title ^note,—
Long live king Richard, England's worthy king ^note!

all.
Amen. ^note

Buc.
To-morrow may it ^note please you to be crown'd?

Ric.
Even when you please, for you ^note will have it so.

Buc.
To-morrow then we will attend your grace;
And so, most joyfully, we take our leave. ^note

Ric.
Come, let us to our holy work again ^note:—
Farewel, good cousin; ^note—farewel, gentle friends. [Exeunt.

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