BUCKINGHAM. But since you come too late of our intent, Yet witness what you hear we did intend. And so, my good Lord Mayor, we bid farewell.


[Exit Lord Mayor.]


RICHARD. Go, after, after, cousin Buckingham. The Mayor towards Guildhall hies him in all post. There, at your meet'st advantage 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 bestial appetite in change of lust, Which stretched unto their servants, daughters, wives, Even where his raging eye or savage heart, Without control, lusted to make a prey. Nay, for a need, thus far come near my person: Tell them, when that my mother went with child Of that insatiate Edward, noble York My princely father then had wars in France, And, by true computation 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. Yet touch this sparingly, as 'twere far off; Because, my lord, you know my mother lives.


BUCKINGHAM. Doubt not, my lord, I'll play the orator As if the golden fee for which I plead Were for myself. And so, my lord, adieu.


RICHARD. If you thrive well, bring them to Baynard's Castle, Where you shall find me well accompanied With reverend fathers and well-learned bishops.


BUCKINGHAM. I go; and towards three or four o'clock Look for the news that the Guildhall affords.


RICHARD. Go, Lovell, with all speed to Doctor Shaa. [To Ratcliffe.] Go thou to Friar Penker; bid them both Meet me within this hour at Baynard's Castle.


[Exeunt Ratcliffe and Lovell.]


Now will I go to take some privy order To draw the brats of Clarence out of sight, And to give order that no manner person Have any time recourse unto the Princes.


SCENE VI. London. A street


Enter a Scrivener.


SCRIVENER. Here is the indictment of the good Lord Hastings, Which in a set hand fairly is engrossed, That it may be today read o'er in Paul's. And mark how well the sequel hangs together: Eleven hours I have spent to write it over, For yesternight by Catesby was it sent me; The precedent was full as long a-doing And yet within these five hours Hastings lived, Untainted, unexamined, free, at liberty. Here's a good world the while! Who is so gross That cannot see this palpable device? Yet who so bold but says he sees it not? Bad is the world, and all will come to naught When such ill dealing must be seen in thought.


SCENE VII. London. Court of Baynard's Castle


Enter Richard and Buckingham at several doors.


RICHARD. How now, how now? What say the citizens?


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


RICHARD. Touched you the bastardy of Edward's children?


BUCKINGHAM. I did; with his contract with Lady Lucy, And his contract by deputy in France; Th' insatiate greediness of his desire, And his enforcement of the city wives; 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 and nobleness of mind; Laid open all your victories in Scotland, Your discipline in war, wisdom in peace, Your bounty, virtue, fair humility; Indeed, left nothing fitting for your purpose Untouched or slightly handled in discourse. And when mine oratory drew toward end, I bid them that did love their country's good Cry "God save Richard, England's royal King!"


RICHARD. And did they so?


BUCKINGHAM. No, so God help me, they spake not a word, But, like dumb statues or breathing stones, Stared each on other, and looked deadly pale. Which when I saw, I reprehended them, And asked the Mayor what meant this wilful silence. His answer was, the people were not used To be spoke to but by the Recorder. Then he was urged to tell my tale again: "Thus saith the Duke, thus hath the Duke inferred" But nothing spoke in warrant from himself. When he had done, some followers of mine own, At lower end of the hall, hurled up their caps, And some ten voices cried, "God save King Richard!" And thus I took the vantage of those few. "Thanks, gentle citizens and friends," quoth I; "This general applause and cheerful shout Argues your wisdoms and your love to Richard." And even here brake off and came away.


RICHARD. What, tongueless blocks were they! Would they not speak? Will not the Mayor then and his brethren, come?


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


RICHARD. I go, and if you plead as well for them As I can say nay to thee for myself, No doubt we bring it to a happy issue.


BUCKINGHAM. Go, go, up to the leads, the Lord Mayor knocks.


Enter the Lord Mayor and Citizens.


Welcome, my lord. I dance attendance here. I think the Duke will not be spoke withal.


Now, Catesby, what says your lord to my request?


CATESBY. He doth entreat your Grace, my noble lord, To visit him tomorrow or next day. He is within, with two right reverend fathers, Divinely bent to meditation; And in no worldly suits would he be moved To draw him from his holy exercise.


BUCKINGHAM. Return, good Catesby, to the gracious Duke; Tell him myself, the Mayor and aldermen, In deep designs, in matter of great moment, No less importing than our general good, Are come to have some conference with his Grace.


CATESBY. I'll signify so much unto him straight.


BUCKINGHAM. Ah ha, my lord, this prince is not an Edward! He is not lolling on a lewd love-bed, But on his knees at meditation; Not dallying with a brace of courtesans, 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 prince Take on his Grace the sovereignty thereof. But sure I fear we shall not win him to it.


MAYOR. Marry, God defend his Grace should say us nay!


BUCKINGHAM. I fear he will. Here Catesby comes again.


Now, Catesby, what says his Grace?


CATESBY. He wonders to what end you have assembled Such troops of citizens to come to him, His Grace not being warned thereof before. He fears, my lord, you mean no good to him.


BUCKINGHAM. 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, And so once more return and tell his Grace.


When holy and devout religious men Are at their beads, 'tis much to draw them thence, So sweet is zealous contemplation.


Enter Richard aloft, between two Bishops. Catesby reenters.


MAYOR. See where his Grace stands 'tween two clergymen!


BUCKINGHAM. 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, True ornaments to know a holy man. Famous Plantagenet, most gracious Prince, Lend favourable ear to our requests, And pardon us the interruption Of thy devotion and right Christian zeal.


RICHARD. My lord, there needs no such apology. I do beseech your Grace to pardon me, Who, earnest in the service of my God, Deferred the visitation of my friends. But, leaving this, what is your Grace's pleasure?


BUCKINGHAM. Even that, I hope, which pleaseth God above, And all good men of this ungoverned isle.


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


BUCKINGHAM. You have, my lord. Would it might please your Grace, On our entreaties, to amend your fault.


RICHARD. Else wherefore breathe I in a Christian land?


BUCKINGHAM. Know then, it is your fault that you resign The supreme seat, the throne majestical, The sceptered office of your ancestors, Your state of fortune, and your due of birth, The lineal glory of your royal house, To the corruption of a blemished stock; Whiles in the mildness of your sleepy thoughts, Which here we waken to our country's good, The noble isle doth want her proper limbs; Her face defaced with scars of infamy, Her royal stock graft with ignoble plants, And almost shouldered in the swallowing gulf Of dark forgetfulness and deep oblivion; Which to recure, we heartily solicit Your gracious self to take on you the charge And kingly government of this your land, Not as Protector, steward, substitute, Or lowly 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 cause come I to move your Grace.


RICHARD. I cannot tell if to depart in silence Or bitterly to speak in your reproof Best fitteth my degree or your condition. If not to answer, you might haply think Tongue-tied ambition, not replying, yielded To bear the golden yoke of sovereignty, Which fondly you would here impose on me; If to reprove you for this suit of yours, So seasoned with your faithful love to me, Then, on the other side, I checked my friends. Therefore, to speak, and to avoid the first, And then, in speaking, not to incur 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 revenue and due of birth, Yet so much is my poverty of spirit, So mighty and so many my defects, That I would rather 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 smothered. But, God be thanked, there is no need of me, And much I need to help you, were there need. The royal tree hath left us royal fruit, Which, mellowed by the stealing hours of time, Will well become the seat of majesty, And make, no doubt, us happy by his reign. On him I lay that you would lay on me, The right and fortune of his happy stars, Which God defend that I should wring from him.


BUCKINGHAM. 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 was he contract to Lady Lucy Your mother lives a witness to his vow, And afterward by substitute betrothed To Bona, sister to the King of France. These both put off, a poor petitioner, A care-crazed mother to a many sons, A beauty-waning and distressed widow, Even in the afternoon of her best days, Made prize and purchase of his wanton eye, Seduced the pitch and height of his degree To base declension and loathed bigamy. By her, in his unlawful bed, he got This Edward, whom our manners call the Prince. More bitterly could I 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 proffered benefit of dignity, If not to bless us and the land withal, Yet to draw forth your noble ancestry From the corruption of abusing times Unto a lineal true-derived course.


MAYOR. Do, good my lord. Your citizens entreat you.


BUCKINGHAM. Refuse not, mighty lord, this proffered love.


CATESBY. O, make them joyful; grant their lawful suit.


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


BUCKINGHAM. If you refuse it, as in love and zeal Loath 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, And equally indeed to all estates— Yet know, whe'er you accept 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 downfall of your house. And in this resolution here we leave you. Come, citizens; zounds, I'll entreat no more.


[Exeunt Buckingham, the Mayor and citizens.]


CATESBY. Call him again, sweet Prince; accept their suit. If you deny them, all the land will rue it.


RICHARD. Will you enforce me to a world of cares? Call them again. I am not made of stones, But penetrable to your kind entreaties, Albeit against my conscience and my soul.


Enter Buckingham and the rest.


Cousin of Buckingham, and sage grave men, Since you will buckle Fortune on my back, To bear her burden, whe'er I will or no, I must have patience to endure the load. But if black scandal or foul-faced reproach Attend the sequel of your imposition, Your mere enforcement shall acquittance me From all the impure blots and stains thereof, For God doth know, and you may partly see, How far I am from the desire of this.


MAYOR. God bless your Grace! We see it, and will say it.


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


BUCKINGHAM. Then I salute you with this royal title: Long live King Richard, England's worthy King!


BUCKINGHAM. Tomorrow may it please you to be crowned?


RICHARD. Even when you please, for you will have it so.


BUCKINGHAM. Tomorrow, then, we will attend your Grace; And so most joyfully we take our leave.


RICHARD. [To the Bishops.] Come, let us to our holy work again. Farewell, my cousin, farewell, gentle friends.


SCENE I. London. Before the Tower


Enter Queen Elizabeth, the Duchess of York and Marquess of Dorset, at one door; Anne Duchess of Gloucester with Clarence's young Daughter at another door.


DUCHESS. Who meets us here? My niece Plantagenet Led in the hand of her kind aunt of Gloucester? Now, for my life, she's wandering to the Tower, On pure heart's love, to greet the tender Prince. Daughter, well met.


ANNE. God give your Graces both A happy and a joyful time of day.


QUEEN ELIZABETH. As much to you, good sister. Whither away?


ANNE. No farther than the Tower, and, as I guess, Upon the like devotion as yourselves, To gratulate the gentle Princes there.


QUEEN ELIZABETH. Kind sister, thanks; we'll enter all together.


And in good time, here the Lieutenant comes. Master Lieutenant, pray you, by your leave, How doth the Prince and my young son of York?


BRAKENBURY. Right well, dear madam. By your patience, I may not suffer you to visit them. The King hath strictly charged the contrary.


QUEEN ELIZABETH. The King? Who's that?


BRAKENBURY. I mean the Lord Protector.


QUEEN ELIZABETH. The Lord protect him from that kingly title! Hath he set bounds between their love and me? I am their mother; who shall bar me from them?


DUCHESS. I am their father's mother. I will see them.


ANNE. Their aunt I am in law, in love their mother. Then bring me to their sights. I'll bear thy blame, And take thy office from thee, on my peril.


BRAKENBURY. No, madam, no. I may not leave it so. I am bound by oath, and therefore pardon me.


STANLEY. Let me but meet you, ladies, one hour hence, And I'll salute your Grace of York as mother And reverend looker-on of two fair queens. [To Anne.] Come, madam, you must straight to Westminster, There to be crowned Richard's royal queen.


QUEEN ELIZABETH. Ah, cut my lace asunder That my pent heart may have some scope to beat, Or else I swoon with this dead-killing news!


ANNE. Despiteful tidings! O unpleasing news!


DORSET. Be of good cheer, mother. How fares your Grace?


QUEEN ELIZABETH. O Dorset, speak not to me; get thee gone. Death and destruction dog thee at thy heels; Thy mother's name is ominous to children. If thou wilt outstrip death, go, cross the seas, And live with Richmond, from the reach of hell. Go, hie thee, hie thee from this slaughter-house, Lest thou increase the number of the dead, And make me die the thrall of Margaret's curse, Nor mother, wife, nor England's counted Queen.


STANLEY. Full of wise care is this your counsel, madam. Take all the swift advantage of the hours; You shall have letters from me to my son In your behalf, to meet you on the way. Be not ta'en tardy by unwise delay.


DUCHESS. O ill-dispersing wind of misery! O my accursed womb, the bed of death! A cockatrice hast thou hatched to the world, Whose unavoided eye is murderous.


STANLEY. Come, madam, come. I in all haste was sent.


ANNE. And I with all unwillingness will go. O, would to God that the inclusive verge Of golden metal that must round my brow Were red-hot steel, to sear me to the brains. Anointed let me be with deadly venom, And die ere men can say "God save the Queen."


QUEEN ELIZABETH. Go, go, poor soul; I envy not thy glory. To feed my humour, wish thyself no harm.


ANNE. No? Why? When he that is my husband now Came to me as I followed Henry's corse, When scarce the blood was well washed from his hands Which issued from my other angel husband, And that dear saint which then I weeping followed; O, when, I say, I looked on Richard's face, This was my wish: "Be thou," quoth I, "accursed For making me, so young, so old a widow; And when thou wedd'st, let sorrow haunt thy bed; And be thy wife, if any be so mad, More miserable by the life of thee Than thou hast made me by my dear lord's death." Lo, ere I can repeat this curse again, Within so small a time, my woman's heart Grossly grew captive to his honey words, And proved the subject of mine own soul's curse, Which hitherto hath held my eyes from rest; For never yet one hour in his bed Did I enjoy the golden dew of sleep, But with his timorous dreams was still awaked. Besides, he hates me for my father Warwick, And will, no doubt, shortly be rid of me.


QUEEN ELIZABETH. Poor heart, adieu; I pity thy complaining.


ANNE. No more than with my soul I mourn for yours.


DORSET. Farewell, thou woeful welcomer of glory.


ANNE. Adieu, poor soul, that tak'st thy leave of it.


DUCHESS. [To Dorset.] Go thou to Richmond, and good fortune guide thee. [To Anne.] Go thou to Richard, and good angels tend thee. [To Queen Elizabeth.] Go thou to sanctuary, and good thoughts possess thee. I to my grave, where peace and rest lie with me. Eighty odd years of sorrow have I seen, And each hour's joy wracked with a week of teen.


QUEEN ELIZABETH. Stay, yet look back with me unto the Tower. Pity, you ancient stones, those tender babes Whom envy hath immured within your walls— Rough cradle for such little pretty one, Rude ragged nurse, old sullen playfellow For tender princes, use my babies well. So foolish sorrows bids your stones farewell.


SCENE II. London. A Room of State in the Palace


The trumpets sound a sennet. Enter Richard in pomp, Buckingham, Catesby, Ratcliffe, Lovell, a Page and others.


KING RICHARD. Stand all apart. Cousin of Buckingham!


BUCKINGHAM. My gracious sovereign!


KING RICHARD. Give me thy hand.


[Here he ascendeth the throne. Sound trumpets.]


Thus high, by thy advice And thy assistance is King Richard seated. But shall we wear these glories for a day, Or shall they last, and we rejoice in them?


BUCKINGHAM. Still live they, and for ever let them last!


KING RICHARD. Ah, Buckingham, now do I play the touch, To try if thou be current gold indeed. Young Edward lives; think now what I would speak.


BUCKINGHAM. Say on, my loving lord.


KING RICHARD. Why, Buckingham, I say I would be King.


BUCKINGHAM. Why, so you are, my thrice-renowned lord.


KING RICHARD. Ha! Am I King? 'Tis so—but Edward lives.


KING RICHARD. O bitter consequence, That Edward still should live "true noble prince!" Cousin, thou wast not wont to be so dull. Shall I be plain? I wish the bastards dead, And I would have it suddenly performed. What sayst thou now? Speak suddenly, be brief.


BUCKINGHAM. Your Grace may do your pleasure.


KING RICHARD. Tut, tut, thou art all ice; thy kindness freezes. Say, have I thy consent that they shall die?


BUCKINGHAM. Give me some little breath, some pause, dear lord, Before I positively speak in this. I will resolve you herein presently.


CATESBY. [Aside.] The King is angry. See, he gnaws his lip.


KING RICHARD. [Aside.] I will converse with iron-witted fools And unrespective boys; none are for me That look into me with considerate eyes. High-reaching Buckingham grows circumspect. Boy!


PAGE. My lord?


KING RICHARD. Know'st thou not any whom corrupting gold Will tempt unto a close exploit of death?


PAGE. I know a discontented gentleman Whose humble means match not his haughty spirit. Gold were as good as twenty orators, And will, no doubt, tempt him to anything.


KING RICHARD. What is his name?


PAGE. His name, my lord, is Tyrrel.


KING RICHARD. I partly know the man. Go, call him hither, boy.


[Aside.] The deep-revolving witty Buckingham No more shall be the neighbour to my counsels. Hath he so long held out with me, untired, And stops he now for breath? Well, be it so.


How now, Lord Stanley, what's the news?


STANLEY. Know, my loving lord, The Marquess Dorset, as I hear, is fled To Richmond, in the parts where he abides.


KING RICHARD. Come hither, Catesby. Rumour it abroad That Anne my wife is very grievous sick; I will take order for her keeping close. Inquire me out some mean poor gentleman, Whom I will marry straight to Clarence' daughter. The boy is foolish, and I fear not him. Look how thou dream'st! I say again, give out That Anne, my Queen, is sick and like to die. About it, for it stands me much upon To stop all hopes whose growth may damage me.


I must be married to my brother's daughter, Or else my kingdom stands on brittle glass. Murder her brothers, and then marry her— Uncertain way of gain! But I am in So far in blood that sin will pluck on sin. Tear-falling pity dwells not in this eye.


Is thy name Tyrrel?


TYRREL. James Tyrrel, and your most obedient subject.


KING RICHARD. Art thou indeed?


TYRREL. Prove me, my gracious lord.


KING RICHARD. Dar'st thou resolve to kill a friend of mine?


TYRREL. Please you. But I had rather kill two enemies.


KING RICHARD. Why then thou hast it; two deep enemies, Foes to my rest, and my sweet sleep's disturbers, Are they that I would have thee deal upon. Tyrell, I mean those bastards in the Tower.


TYRREL. Let me have open means to come to them, And soon I'll rid you from the fear of them.


KING RICHARD. Thou sing'st sweet music. Hark, come hither, Tyrrel. Go, by this token. Rise, and lend thine ear. [Whispers.] There is no more but so. Say it is done, And I will love thee, and prefer thee for it.


TYRREL. I will dispatch it straight.


BUCKINGHAM. My lord, I have considered in my mind The late request that you did sound me in.


KING RICHARD. Well, let that rest. Dorset is fled to Richmond.


BUCKINGHAM. I hear the news, my lord.


KING RICHARD. Stanley, he is your wife's son. Well, look unto it.


BUCKINGHAM. My lord, I claim the gift, my due by promise, For which your honour and your faith is pawned: Th' earldom of Hereford, and the movables Which you have promised I shall possess.


KING RICHARD. Stanley, look to your wife. If she convey Letters to Richmond, you shall answer it.


BUCKINGHAM. What says your Highness to my just request?


KING RICHARD. I do remember me, Henry the Sixth Did prophesy that Richmond should be King, When Richmond was a little peevish boy. A king perhaps—


BUCKINGHAM. My lord—


KING RICHARD. How chance the prophet could not at that time Have told me, I being by, that I should kill him?


BUCKINGHAM. My lord, your promise for the earldom—


KING RICHARD. Richmond! When last I was at Exeter, The Mayor in courtesy showed me the castle And called it Rougemount, at which name I started, Because a bard of Ireland told me once I should not live long after I saw Richmond.


KING RICHARD. Ay, what's o'clock?


BUCKINGHAM. I am thus bold to put your Grace in mind Of what you promised me.


KING RICHARD. Well, but what's o'clock?


BUCKINGHAM. Upon the stroke of ten.


KING RICHARD. Because that, like a jack, thou keep'st the stroke Betwixt thy begging and my meditation. I am not in the giving vein today.


BUCKINGHAM. Why then, resolve me whether you will or no.


KING RICHARD. Thou troublest me; I am not in the vein.


[Exit followed by all save Buckingham.]


BUCKINGHAM. 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!


SCENE III. London. Another Room in the Palace


TYRREL. The tyrannous and bloody act is done, The most arch deed of piteous massacre That ever yet this land was guilty of. Dighton and Forrest, who I did suborn To do this piece of ruthless butchery, Albeit they were fleshed villains, bloody dogs, Melted with tenderness and mild compassion, Wept like two children in their deaths' sad story. "O, thus," quoth Dighton, "lay the gentle babes;" "Thus, thus," quoth Forrest, "girdling one another Within their alabaster innocent arms. Their lips were four red roses on a stalk, And in their summer beauty kissed each other. A book of prayers on their pillow lay, Which once," quoth Forrest, "almost changed my mind. But, O, the devil—" There the villain stopped; When Dighton thus told on: "We smothered The most replenished sweet work of nature That from the prime creation e'er she framed." Hence both are gone with conscience and remorse They could not speak; and so I left them both To bear this tidings to the bloody King.


And here he comes. All health, my sovereign lord.


KING RICHARD. Kind Tyrrel, am I happy in thy news?


TYRREL. If to have done the thing you gave in charge Beget your happiness, be happy then, For it is done.


KING RICHARD. But didst thou see them dead?


TYRREL. The chaplain of the Tower hath buried them, But where, to say the truth, I do not know.


KING RICHARD. Come to me, Tyrrel, soon, at after-supper, When thou shalt tell the process of their death. Meantime, but think how I may do thee good, And be inheritor of thy desire. Farewell till then.


TYRREL. I humbly take my leave.


KING RICHARD. The son of Clarence have I pent up close; His daughter meanly have I matched in marriage; The sons of Edward sleep in Abraham's bosom, And Anne my wife hath bid the world good night. Now, for I know the Breton Richmond aims At young Elizabeth, my brother's daughter, And by that knot looks proudly on the crown, To her go I, a jolly thriving wooer.


Enter Ratcliffe.


RATCLIFFE. My lord!


KING RICHARD. Good or bad news, that thou com'st in so bluntly?


RATCLIFFE. Bad news, my lord. Morton is fled to Richmond, And Buckingham, backed with the hardy Welshmen, Is in the field, and still his power increaseth.


KING RICHARD. Ely with Richmond troubles me more near Than Buckingham and his rash-levied strength. Come, I have learned that fearful commenting Is leaden servitor to dull delay; Delay leads impotent and snail-paced beggary; Then fiery expedition be my wing, Jove's Mercury, and herald for a king! Go, muster men. My counsel is my shield. We must be brief when traitors brave the field.


SCENE IV. London. Before the Palace


QUEEN MARGARET. So now prosperity begins to mellow, And drop into the rotten mouth of death. Here in these confines slily have I lurked To watch the waning of mine enemies. A dire induction am I witness to, And will to France, hoping the consequence Will prove as bitter, black, and tragical. Withdraw thee, wretched Margaret. Who comes here?


Enter Duchess of York and Queen Elizabeth.


QUEEN ELIZABETH. Ah, my poor Princes! Ah, my tender babes, My unblown flowers, new-appearing sweets! If yet your gentle souls fly in the air And be not fixed in doom perpetual, Hover about me with your airy wings And hear your mother's lamentation.


QUEEN MARGARET. [Aside.] Hover about her; say that right for right Hath dimmed your infant morn to aged night.


DUCHESS. So many miseries have crazed my voice That my woe-wearied tongue is still and mute. Edward Plantagenet, why art thou dead?


QUEEN MARGARET. [Aside.] Plantagenet doth quit Plantagenet; Edward for Edward pays a dying debt.


QUEEN ELIZABETH. Wilt thou, O God, fly from such gentle lambs, And throw them in the entrails of the wolf? When didst Thou sleep when such a deed was done?


QUEEN MARGARET. [Aside.] When holy Harry died, and my sweet son.


DUCHESS. Dead life, blind sight, poor mortal living ghost, Woe's scene, world's shame, grave's due by life usurped, Brief abstract and record of tedious days, Rest thy unrest on England's lawful earth, [Sitting.] Unlawfully made drunk with innocent blood.


QUEEN ELIZABETH. Ah, that thou wouldst as soon afford a grave As thou canst yield a melancholy seat, Then would I hide my bones, not rest them here. [Sitting.] Ah, who hath any cause to mourn but we?


If ancient sorrow be most reverend, Give mine the benefit of seigniory, And let my griefs frown on the upper hand. If sorrow can admit society,


[Sitting down with them.]


Tell o'er your woes again by viewing mine. I had an Edward, till a Richard killed him; I had a husband, till a Richard killed him. Thou hadst an Edward, till a Richard killed him; Thou hadst a Richard, till a Richard killed him.


DUCHESS. I had a Richard too, and thou didst kill him; I had a Rutland too; thou holp'st to kill him.


QUEEN MARGARET. Thou hadst a Clarence too, and Richard killed him. From forth the kennel of thy womb hath crept A hell-hound that doth hunt us all to death: That dog, that had his teeth before his eyes, To worry lambs and lap their gentle blood; That excellent grand tyrant of the earth, That reigns in galled eyes of weeping souls; That foul defacer of God's handiwork Thy womb let loose to chase us to our graves. O upright, just, and true-disposing God, How do I thank thee that this carnal cur Preys on the issue of his mother's body, And makes her pew-fellow with others' moan!


DUCHESS. O Harry's wife, triumph not in my woes! God witness with me, I have wept for thine.


QUEEN MARGARET. Bear with me. I am hungry for revenge, And now I cloy me with beholding it. Thy Edward he is dead, that killed my Edward; The other Edward dead, to quit my Edward; Young York, he is but boot, because both they Matched not the high perfection of my loss. Thy Clarence he is dead that stabbed my Edward; And the beholders of this frantic play, Th' adulterate Hastings, Rivers, Vaughan, Grey, Untimely smothered in their dusky graves. Richard yet lives, hell's black intelligencer, Only reserved their factor to buy souls And send them thither. But at hand, at hand Ensues his piteous and unpitied end. Earth gapes, hell burns, fiends roar, saints pray, To have him suddenly conveyed from hence. Cancel his bond of life, dear God, I pray, That I may live to say "The dog is dead."


QUEEN ELIZABETH. O, thou didst prophesy the time would come That I should wish for thee to help me curse That bottled spider, that foul bunch-backed toad!


QUEEN MARGARET. I called thee then, vain flourish of my fortune; I called thee then, poor shadow, painted queen, The presentation of but what I was, The flattering index of a direful pageant; One heaved a-high to be hurled down below, A mother only mocked with two fair babes; A dream of what thou wast; a garish flag, To be the aim of every dangerous shot; A sign of dignity, a breath, a bubble; A queen in jest, only to fill the scene. Where is thy husband now? Where be thy brothers? Where are thy two sons? Wherein dost thou joy? Who sues, and kneels, and says, "God save the Queen?" Where be the bending peers that flattered thee? Where be the thronging troops that followed thee? Decline all this, and see what now thou art: For happy wife, a most distressed widow; For joyful mother, one that wails the name; For one being sued to, one that humbly sues; For Queen, a very caitiff crowned with care; For she that scorned at me, now scorned of me; For she being feared of all, now fearing one; For she commanding all, obeyed of none. Thus hath the course of justice wheeled about And left thee but a very prey to time, Having no more but thought of what thou wast To torture thee the more, being what thou art. Thou didst usurp my place, and dost thou not Usurp the just proportion of my sorrow? Now thy proud neck bears half my burdened yoke, From which even here I slip my weary head, And leave the burden of it all on thee. Farewell, York's wife, and Queen of sad mischance. These English woes shall make me smile in France.


QUEEN ELIZABETH. O thou well skilled in curses, stay awhile, And teach me how to curse mine enemies.


QUEEN MARGARET. Forbear to sleep the night, and fast the days; Compare dead happiness with living woe; Think that thy babes were sweeter than they were, And he that slew them fouler than he is. Bettering thy loss makes the bad-causer worse. Revolving this will teach thee how to curse.


QUEEN ELIZABETH. My words are dull. O, quicken them with thine!


QUEEN MARGARET. Thy woes will make them sharp and pierce like mine.


DUCHESS. Why should calamity be full of words?


QUEEN ELIZABETH. Windy attorneys to their clients' woes, Airy succeeders of intestate joys, Poor breathing orators of miseries, Let them have scope, though what they do impart Help nothing else, yet do they ease the heart.


DUCHESS. If so, then be not tongue-tied. Go with me, And in the breath of bitter words let's smother My damned son, that thy two sweet sons smothered.


The trumpet sounds. Be copious in exclaims.


Enter King Richard and his Train, including Catesby, marching.


KING RICHARD. Who intercepts me in my expedition?


DUCHESS. O, she that might have intercepted thee, By strangling thee in her accursed womb, From all the slaughters, wretch, that thou hast done.


QUEEN ELIZABETH. Hid'st thou that forehead with a golden crown Where should be branded, if that right were right, The slaughter of the Prince that owed that crown, And the dire death of my poor sons and brothers? Tell me, thou villain-slave, where are my children?


DUCHESS. Thou toad, thou toad, where is thy brother Clarence, And little Ned Plantagenet his son?


QUEEN ELIZABETH. Where is the gentle Rivers, Vaughan, Grey?


DUCHESS. Where is kind Hastings?


KING RICHARD. A flourish, trumpets! Strike alarum, drums! Let not the heavens hear these tell-tale women Rail on the Lord's anointed. Strike, I say!


[Flourish. Alarums.]


Either be patient and entreat me fair, Or with the clamorous report of war Thus will I drown your exclamations.


DUCHESS. Art thou my son?


KING RICHARD. Ay, I thank God, my father, and yourself.


DUCHESS. Then patiently hear my impatience.


KING RICHARD. Madam, I have a touch of your condition, That cannot brook the accent of reproof.


KING RICHARD. Do then, but I'll not hear.


DUCHESS. I will be mild and gentle in my words.


KING RICHARD. And brief, good mother, for I am in haste.


DUCHESS. Art thou so hasty? I have stayed for thee, God knows, in torment and in agony.


KING RICHARD. And came I not at last to comfort you?


DUCHESS. No, by the Holy Rood, thou know'st it well Thou cam'st on earth to make the earth my hell. A grievous burden was thy birth to me; Tetchy and wayward was thy infancy; Thy school-days frightful, desp'rate, wild, and furious; Thy prime of manhood daring, bold, and venturous; Thy age confirmed, proud, subtle, sly, and bloody, More mild, but yet more harmful, kind in hatred. What comfortable hour canst thou name That ever graced me with thy company?


KING RICHARD. Faith, none but Humphrey Hower, that called your Grace To breakfast once, forth of my company. If I be so disgracious in your eye, Let me march on and not offend you, madam. Strike up the drum.


DUCHESS. I prithee, hear me speak.


KING RICHARD. You speak too bitterly.


DUCHESS. Hear me a word, For I shall never speak to thee again.


DUCHESS. Either thou wilt die by God's just ordinance Ere from this war thou turn a conqueror, Or I with grief and extreme age shall perish And never more behold thy face again. Therefore take with thee my most grievous curse, Which in the day of battle tire thee more Than all the complete armour that thou wear'st. My prayers on the adverse party fight; And there the little souls of Edward's children Whisper the spirits of thine enemies And promise them success and victory. Bloody thou art; bloody will be thy end. Shame serves thy life and doth thy death attend.


QUEEN ELIZABETH. Though far more cause, yet much less spirit to curse Abides in me, I say amen to her.


KING RICHARD. Stay, madam, I must talk a word with you.


QUEEN ELIZABETH. I have no more sons of the royal blood For thee to slaughter. For my daughters, Richard, They shall be praying nuns, not weeping queens, And therefore level not to hit their lives.


KING RICHARD. You have a daughter called Elizabeth, Virtuous and fair, royal and gracious.


QUEEN ELIZABETH. And must she die for this? O, let her live, And I'll corrupt her manners, stain her beauty, Slander myself as false to Edward's bed, Throw over her the veil of infamy. So she may live unscarred of bleeding slaughter, I will confess she was not Edward's daughter.


KING RICHARD. Wrong not her birth; she is a royal princess.


QUEEN ELIZABETH. To save her life I'll say she is not so.


KING RICHARD. Her life is safest only in her birth.


QUEEN ELIZABETH. And only in that safety died her brothers.


KING RICHARD. Lo, at their births good stars were opposite.


QUEEN ELIZABETH. No, to their lives ill friends were contrary.


KING RICHARD. All unavoided is the doom of destiny.


QUEEN ELIZABETH. True, when avoided grace makes destiny. My babes were destined to a fairer death, If grace had blessed thee with a fairer life.


KING RICHARD. You speak as if that I had slain my cousins.


QUEEN ELIZABETH. Cousins, indeed, and by their uncle cozened Of comfort, kingdom, kindred, freedom, life. Whose hand soever lanced their tender hearts, Thy head, all indirectly, gave direction. No doubt the murd'rous knife was dull and blunt Till it was whetted on thy stone-hard heart, To revel in the entrails of my lambs. But that still use of grief makes wild grief tame, My tongue should to thy ears not name my boys Till that my nails were anchored in thine eyes, And I, in such a desp'rate bay of death, Like a poor bark of sails and tackling reft, Rush all to pieces on thy rocky bosom.


KING RICHARD. Madam, so thrive I in my enterprise And dangerous success of bloody wars, As I intend more good to you and yours Than ever you or yours by me were harmed!


QUEEN ELIZABETH. What good is covered with the face of heaven, To be discovered, that can do me good?


KING RICHARD. Th' advancement of your children, gentle lady.


QUEEN ELIZABETH. Up to some scaffold, there to lose their heads.


KING RICHARD. Unto the dignity and height of fortune, The high imperial type of this earth's glory.


QUEEN ELIZABETH. Flatter my sorrows with report of it. Tell me what state, what dignity, what honour, Canst thou demise to any child of mine?


KING RICHARD. Even all I have—ay, and myself and all Will I withal endow a child of thine; So in the Lethe of thy angry soul Thou drown the sad remembrance of those wrongs Which thou supposest I have done to thee.


QUEEN ELIZABETH. Be brief, lest that the process of thy kindness Last longer telling than thy kindness' date.


KING RICHARD. Then know, that from my soul I love thy daughter.


QUEEN ELIZABETH. My daughter's mother thinks it with her soul.


KING RICHARD. What do you think?


QUEEN ELIZABETH. That thou dost love my daughter from thy soul. So from thy soul's love didst thou love her brothers, And from my heart's love I do thank thee for it.


KING RICHARD. Be not so hasty to confound my meaning. I mean that with my soul I love thy daughter, And do intend to make her Queen of England.


QUEEN ELIZABETH. Well, then, who dost thou mean shall be her king?


KING RICHARD. Even he that makes her Queen. Who else should be?


QUEEN ELIZABETH. What, thou?


KING RICHARD. Even so. How think you of it?


QUEEN ELIZABETH. How canst thou woo her?


KING RICHARD. That would I learn of you, As one being best acquainted with her humour.


QUEEN ELIZABETH. And wilt thou learn of me?


KING RICHARD. Madam, with all my heart.


QUEEN ELIZABETH. Send to her, by the man that slew her brothers, A pair of bleeding hearts; thereon engrave "Edward" and "York." Then haply will she weep. Therefore present to her—as sometimes Margaret Did to thy father, steeped in Rutland's blood— A handkerchief, which, say to her, did drain The purple sap from her sweet brothers' body, And bid her wipe her weeping eyes withal. If this inducement move her not to love, Send her a letter of thy noble deeds; Tell her thou mad'st away her uncle Clarence, Her uncle Rivers, ay, and for her sake Mad'st quick conveyance with her good aunt Anne.


KING RICHARD. You mock me, madam; this is not the way To win your daughter.


QUEEN ELIZABETH. There is no other way, Unless thou couldst put on some other shape, And not be Richard, that hath done all this.


KING RICHARD. Say that I did all this for love of her?


QUEEN ELIZABETH. Nay, then indeed she cannot choose but hate thee, Having bought love with such a bloody spoil.


KING RICHARD. Look what is done cannot be now amended. Men shall deal unadvisedly sometimes, Which after-hours gives leisure to repent. If I did take the kingdom from your sons, To make amends I'll give it to your daughter. If I have killed the issue of your womb, To quicken your increase I will beget Mine issue of your blood upon your daughter. A grandam's name is little less in love Than is the doting title of a mother; They are as children but one step below, Even of your mettle, of your very blood; Of all one pain, save for a night of groans Endured of her, for whom you bid like sorrow. Your children were vexation to your youth, But mine shall be a comfort to your age. The loss you have is but a son being King, And by that loss your daughter is made Queen. I cannot make you what amends I would; Therefore accept such kindness as I can. Dorset your son, that with a fearful soul Leads discontented steps in foreign soil, This fair alliance quickly shall call home To high promotions and great dignity. The King, that calls your beauteous daughter wife, Familiarly shall call thy Dorset brother; Again shall you be mother to a king, And all the ruins of distressful times Repaired with double riches of content. What, we have many goodly days to see. The liquid drops of tears that you have shed Shall come again, transformed to orient pearl, Advantaging their loan with interest Of ten times double gain of happiness. Go then, my mother, to thy daughter go. Make bold her bashful years with your experience; Prepare her ears to hear a wooer's tale; Put in her tender heart th' aspiring flame Of golden sovereignty; acquaint the Princess With the sweet silent hours of marriage joys, And when this arm of mine hath chastised The petty rebel, dull-brained Buckingham, Bound with triumphant garlands will I come And lead thy daughter to a conqueror's bed; To whom I will retail my conquest won, And she shall be sole victoress, Caesar's Caesar.


QUEEN ELIZABETH. What were I best to say? Her father's brother Would be her lord? Or shall I say her uncle? Or he that slew her brothers and her uncles? Under what title shall I woo for thee, That God, the law, my honour, and her love Can make seem pleasing to her tender years?


KING RICHARD. Infer fair England's peace by this alliance.


QUEEN ELIZABETH. Which she shall purchase with still-lasting war.


KING RICHARD. Tell her the King, that may command, entreats.


QUEEN ELIZABETH. That at her hands, which the King's King forbids.


KING RICHARD. Say she shall be a high and mighty queen.


QUEEN ELIZABETH. To vail the title, as her mother doth.


KING RICHARD. Say I will love her everlastingly.


QUEEN ELIZABETH. But how long shall that title "ever" last?


KING RICHARD. Sweetly in force unto her fair life's end.


QUEEN ELIZABETH. But how long fairly shall her sweet life last?


KING RICHARD. As long as heaven and nature lengthens it.


QUEEN ELIZABETH. As long as hell and Richard likes of it.


KING RICHARD. Say I, her sovereign, am her subject low.


QUEEN ELIZABETH. But she, your subject, loathes such sovereignty.


KING RICHARD. Be eloquent in my behalf to her.


QUEEN ELIZABETH. An honest tale speeds best being plainly told.


KING RICHARD. Then plainly to her tell my loving tale.


QUEEN ELIZABETH. Plain and not honest is too harsh a style.


KING RICHARD. Your reasons are too shallow and too quick.


QUEEN ELIZABETH. O no, my reasons are too deep and dead— Too deep and dead, poor infants, in their graves.


KING RICHARD. Harp not on that string, madam; that is past.


QUEEN ELIZABETH. Harp on it still shall I till heart-strings break.


KING RICHARD. Now, by my George, my Garter, and my crown—


QUEEN ELIZABETH. Profaned, dishonoured, and the third usurped.


KING RICHARD. I swear—


QUEEN ELIZABETH. By nothing, for this is no oath. Thy George, profaned, hath lost his lordly honour; Thy Garter, blemished, pawned his knightly virtue; Thy crown, usurped, disgraced his kingly glory. If something thou wouldst swear to be believed, Swear then by something that thou hast not wronged.


KING RICHARD. Now, by the world—


QUEEN ELIZABETH. 'Tis full of thy foul wrongs.


KING RICHARD. My father's death—


QUEEN ELIZABETH. Thy life hath that dishonoured.


KING RICHARD. Then, by myself—


QUEEN ELIZABETH. Thyself is self-misused.


KING RICHARD. Why, then, by God—


QUEEN ELIZABETH. God's wrong is most of all. If thou didst fear to break an oath with Him, The unity the King my husband made Thou hadst not broken, nor my brothers died. If thou hadst feared to break an oath by Him, Th' imperial metal circling now thy head Had graced the tender temples of my child, And both the Princes had been breathing here, Which now, two tender bedfellows for dust, Thy broken faith hath made a prey for worms. What canst thou swear by now?


KING RICHARD. The time to come.


QUEEN ELIZABETH. That thou hast wronged in the time o'erpast; For I myself have many tears to wash Hereafter time, for time past wronged by thee. The children live whose fathers thou hast slaughtered, Ungoverned youth, to wail it in their age; The parents live whose children thou hast butchered, Old barren plants, to wail it with their age. Swear not by time to come, for that thou hast Misused ere used, by times ill-used o'erpast.


KING RICHARD. As I intend to prosper and repent, So thrive I in my dangerous affairs Of hostile arms! Myself myself confound! Heaven and fortune bar me happy hours! Day, yield me not thy light, nor, night, thy rest! Be opposite all planets of good luck To my proceeding if with dear heart's love, Immaculate devotion, holy thoughts, I tender not thy beauteous princely daughter. In her consists my happiness and thine; Without her follows to myself and thee, Herself, the land, and many a Christian soul, Death, desolation, ruin, and decay. It cannot be avoided but by this; It will not be avoided but by this. Therefore, dear mother—I must call you so— Be the attorney of my love to her; Plead what I will be, not what I have been; Not my deserts, but what I will deserve. Urge the necessity and state of times, And be not peevish found in great designs.


QUEEN ELIZABETH. Shall I be tempted of the devil thus?


KING RICHARD. Ay, if the devil tempt you to do good.


KING RICHARD. Ay, if your self's remembrance wrong yourself.


QUEEN ELIZABETH. Yet thou didst kill my children.


KING RICHARD. But in your daughter's womb I bury them, Where, in that nest of spicery, they will breed Selves of themselves, to your recomforture.


QUEEN ELIZABETH. Shall I go win my daughter to thy will?


KING RICHARD. And be a happy mother by the deed.


QUEEN ELIZABETH. I go. Write to me very shortly, And you shall understand from me her mind.


KING RICHARD. Bear her my true love's kiss; and so, farewell.


Relenting fool, and shallow, changing woman!


How now, what news?


RATCLIFFE. Most mighty sovereign, on the western coast Rideth a puissant navy; to our shores Throng many doubtful hollow-hearted friends, Unarmed, and unresolved to beat them back. 'Tis thought that Richmond is their admiral; And there they hull, expecting but the aid Of Buckingham to welcome them ashore.


KING RICHARD. Some light-foot friend post to the Duke of Norfolk. Ratcliffe, thyself, or Catesby. Where is he?


CATESBY. Here, my good lord.


KING RICHARD. Catesby, fly to the Duke.


CATESBY. I will my lord, with all convenient haste.


KING RICHARD. Ratcliffe, come hither. Post to Salisbury. When thou com'st thither— [To Catesby.] Dull, unmindful villain, Why stay'st thou here, and go'st not to the Duke?


CATESBY. First, mighty liege, tell me your Highness' pleasure, What from your Grace I shall deliver to him.


KING RICHARD. O, true, good Catesby. Bid him levy straight The greatest strength and power that he can make, And meet me suddenly at Salisbury.


RATCLIFFE. What, may it please you, shall I do at Salisbury?


KING RICHARD. Why, what wouldst thou do there before I go?


RATCLIFFE. Your Highness told me I should post before.


KING RICHARD. My mind is changed.


Stanley, what news with you?


STANLEY. None good, my liege, to please you with the hearing; Nor none so bad but well may be reported.


KING RICHARD. Hoyday, a riddle! Neither good nor bad. What need'st thou run so many miles about When thou mayst tell thy tale the nearest way? Once more, what news?


STANLEY. Richmond is on the seas.


KING RICHARD. There let him sink, and be the seas on him! White-livered runagate, what doth he there?


STANLEY. I know not, mighty sovereign, but by guess.


KING RICHARD. Well, as you guess?


STANLEY. Stirred up by Dorset, Buckingham, and Morton, He makes for England, here to claim the crown.


KING RICHARD. Is the chair empty? Is the sword unswayed? Is the King dead? The empire unpossessed? What heir of York is there alive but we? And who is England's King but great York's heir? Then tell me, what makes he upon the seas?


STANLEY. Unless for that, my liege, I cannot guess.


KING RICHARD. Unless for that he comes to be your liege, You cannot guess wherefore the Welshman comes. Thou wilt revolt and fly to him, I fear.


STANLEY. No, my good lord; therefore mistrust me not.


KING RICHARD. Where is thy power, then, to beat him back? Where be thy tenants and thy followers? Are they not now upon the western shore, Safe-conducting the rebels from their ships?


STANLEY. No, my good lord, my friends are in the north.


KING RICHARD. Cold friends to me. What do they in the north, When they should serve their sovereign in the west?


STANLEY. They have not been commanded, mighty King. Pleaseth your Majesty to give me leave, I'll muster up my friends, and meet your Grace Where and what time your Majesty shall please.


KING RICHARD. Ay, ay, thou wouldst be gone to join with Richmond. But I'll not trust thee.


STANLEY. Most mighty sovereign, You have no cause to hold my friendship doubtful. I never was nor never will be false.


KING RICHARD. Go then, and muster men, but leave behind Your son George Stanley. Look your heart be firm, Or else his head's assurance is but frail.


STANLEY. So deal with him as I prove true to you.


MESSENGER. My gracious sovereign, now in Devonshire, As I by friends am well advertised, Sir Edward Courtney, and the haughty prelate, Bishop of Exeter, his elder brother, With many more confederates, are in arms.


SECOND MESSENGER. In Kent, my liege, the Guilfords are in arms, And every hour more competitors Flock to the rebels, and their power grows strong.


THIRD MESSENGER. My lord, the army of great Buckingham—


KING RICHARD. Out on you, owls! Nothing but songs of death?


There, take thou that till thou bring better news.


THIRD MESSENGER. The news I have to tell your Majesty Is, that by sudden floods and fall of waters, Buckingham's army is dispersed and scattered, And he himself wandered away alone, No man knows whither.


KING RICHARD. I cry thee mercy. There is my purse to cure that blow of thine. Hath any well-advised friend proclaimed Reward to him that brings the traitor in?


THIRD MESSENGER. Such proclamation hath been made, my lord.


FOURTH MESSENGER. Sir Thomas Lovell and Lord Marquess Dorset, 'Tis said, my liege, in Yorkshire are in arms. But this good comfort bring I to your Highness: The Breton navy is dispersed by tempest. Richmond, in Dorsetshire, sent out a boat Unto the shore, to ask those on the banks If they were his assistants, yea or no?— Who answered him they came from Buckingham Upon his party. He, mistrusting them, Hoised sail, and made his course again for Brittany.


KING RICHARD. March on, march on, since we are up in arms, If not to fight with foreign enemies, Yet to beat down these rebels here at home.


CATESBY. My liege, the Duke of Buckingham is taken. That is the best news. That the Earl of Richmond Is with a mighty power landed at Milford Is colder tidings, yet they must be told.


KING RICHARD. Away towards Salisbury! While we reason here A royal battle might be won and lost. Someone take order Buckingham be brought To Salisbury; the rest march on with me.


SCENE V. A Room in Lord Stanley's house


Enter Stanley Earl of Derby and Sir Christopher Urswick.


STANLEY. Sir Christopher, tell Richmond this from me: That in the sty of the most deadly boar My son George Stanley is franked up in hold; If I revolt, off goes young George's head; The fear of that holds off my present aid. So get thee gone. Commend me to thy lord; Withal say that the Queen hath heartily consented He should espouse Elizabeth her daughter. But tell me, where is princely Richmond now?


CHRISTOPHER. At Pembroke, or at Ha'rfordwest in Wales.


STANLEY. What men of name resort to him?


CHRISTOPHER. Sir Walter Herbert, a renowned soldier; Sir Gilbert Talbot, Sir William Stanley, Oxford, redoubted Pembroke, Sir James Blunt, And Rice ap Thomas, with a valiant crew, And many other of great name and worth; And towards London do they bend their power, If by the way they be not fought withal.


STANLEY. Well, hie thee to thy lord; I kiss his hand. My letter will resolve him of my mind. Farewell.


SCENE I. Salisbury. An open place


Enter Sheriff and Halberds, with Buckingham, led to execution.


BUCKINGHAM. Will not King Richard let me speak with him?


SHERIFF. No, my good lord; therefore be patient.


BUCKINGHAM. Hastings, and Edward's children, Grey, and Rivers, Holy King Henry, and thy fair son Edward, Vaughan, and all that have miscarried By underhand, corrupted foul injustice, If that your moody discontented souls Do through the clouds behold this present hour, Even for revenge mock my destruction. This is All-Souls' day, fellow, is it not?


SHERIFF. It is.


BUCKINGHAM. Why, then All-Souls' day is my body's doomsday. This is the day which, in King Edward's time, I wished might fall on me when I was found False to his children and his wife's allies. This is the day wherein I wished to fall By the false faith of him whom most I trusted. This, this All-Souls' day to my fearful soul Is the determined respite of my wrongs. That high All-Seer which I dallied with Hath turned my feigned prayer on my head And given in earnest what I begged in jest. Thus doth He force the swords of wicked men To turn their own points in their masters' bosoms. Thus Margaret's curse falls heavy on my neck: "When he," quoth she, "shall split thy heart with sorrow, Remember Margaret was a prophetess." Come lead me, officers, to the block of shame; Wrong hath but wrong, and blame the due of blame.


[Exit with Officers.]


SCENE II. Plain near Tamworth


Enter Richmond, Oxford, Blunt, Herbert, and others, with drum and colours.


RICHMOND. Fellows in arms, and my most loving friends, Bruised underneath the yoke of tyranny, Thus far into the bowels of the land Have we marched on without impediment; And here receive we from our father Stanley Lines of fair comfort and encouragement. The wretched, bloody, and usurping boar, That spoiled your summer fields and fruitful vines, Swills your warm blood like wash, and makes his trough In your embowelled bosoms—this foul swine Is now even in the centre of this isle, Near to the town of Leicester, as we learn. From Tamworth thither is but one day's march. In God's name, cheerly on, courageous friends, To reap the harvest of perpetual peace By this one bloody trial of sharp war.


OXFORD. Every man's conscience is a thousand men, To fight against that guilty homicide.


HERBERT. I doubt not but his friends will turn to us.


BLUNT. He hath no friends but what are friends for fear, Which in his dearest need will fly from him.


RICHMOND. All for our vantage. Then in God's name, march. True hope is swift, and flies with swallow's wings; Kings it makes gods, and meaner creatures kings.


SCENE III. Bosworth Field


Enter King Richard in arms, with Norfolk, Ratcliffe and the Earl of Surrey with others.


KING RICHARD. Here pitch our tent, even here in Bosworth field. My Lord of Surrey, why look you so sad?


SURREY. My heart is ten times lighter than my looks.


KING RICHARD. My lord of Norfolk.


NORFOLK. Here, most gracious liege.


KING RICHARD. Norfolk, we must have knocks, ha, must we not?


NORFOLK. We must both give and take, my loving lord.


KING RICHARD. Up with my tent! Here will I lie tonight. But where tomorrow? Well, all's one for that. Who hath descried the number of the traitors?


NORFOLK. Six or seven thousand is their utmost power.


KING RICHARD. Why, our battalia trebles that account. Besides, the King's name is a tower of strength Which they upon the adverse faction want. Up with the tent! Come, noble gentlemen, Let us survey the vantage of the ground. Call for some men of sound direction; Let's lack no discipline, make no delay, For, lords, tomorrow is a busy day.


[The tent is now ready. Exeunt.]


Enter Richmond, Sir William Brandon, Oxford, Herbert, Blunt, and others who pitch Richmond's tent.


RICHMOND. The weary sun hath made a golden set, And by the bright track of his fiery car Gives token of a goodly day tomorrow. Sir William Brandon, you shall bear my standard. Give me some ink and paper in my tent; I'll draw the form and model of our battle, Limit each leader to his several charge, And part in just proportion our small power. My Lord of Oxford, you, Sir William Brandon, And you, Sir Walter Herbert, stay with me. The Earl of Pembroke keeps his regiment.— Good Captain Blunt, bear my goodnight to him, And by the second hour in the morning Desire the Earl to see me in my tent. Yet one thing more, good captain, do for me. Where is Lord Stanley quartered, do you know?


BLUNT. Unless I have mista'en his colours much, Which well I am assured I have not done, His regiment lies half a mile at least South from the mighty power of the King.


RICHMOND. If without peril it be possible, Sweet Blunt, make some good means to speak with him, And give him from me this most needful note.


BLUNT. Upon my life, my lord, I'll undertake it; And so God give you quiet rest tonight.


RICHMOND. Good night, good Captain Blunt.


Come, gentlemen, Let us consult upon tomorrow's business; Into my tent. The dew is raw and cold.


[Richmond, Brandon Herbert, and Oxford withdraw into the tent. The others exeunt.]


Enter to his tent, King Richard, Ratcliffe, Norfolk and Catesby with Soldiers.


KING RICHARD. What is't o'clock?


CATESBY. It's supper time, my lord. It's nine o'clock.


KING RICHARD. I will not sup tonight. Give me some ink and paper. What, is my beaver easier than it was? And all my armour laid into my tent?


CATESBY. It is, my liege, and all things are in readiness.


KING RICHARD. Good Norfolk, hie thee to thy charge; Use careful watch; choose trusty sentinels.


NORFOLK. I go, my lord.


KING RICHARD. Stir with the lark tomorrow, gentle Norfolk.


NORFOLK. I warrant you, my lord.


KING RICHARD. Catesby!


KING RICHARD. Send out a pursuivant-at-arms To Stanley's regiment. Bid him bring his power Before sunrising, lest his son George fall Into the blind cave of eternal night.


Fill me a bowl of wine. Give me a watch. Saddle white Surrey for the field tomorrow. Look that my staves be sound, and not too heavy. Ratcliffe!


RATCLIFFE. My lord?


KING RICHARD. Saw'st thou the melancholy Lord Northumberland?


RATCLIFFE. Thomas the Earl of Surrey and himself, Much about cockshut time, from troop to troop Went through the army, cheering up the soldiers.


KING RICHARD. So, I am satisfied. Give me a bowl of wine. I have not that alacrity of spirit Nor cheer of mind that I was wont to have. Set it down. Is ink and paper ready?


RATCLIFFE. It is, my lord.


KING RICHARD. Bid my guard watch; leave me. Ratcliffe, about the mid of night come to my tent And help to arm me. Leave me, I say.


[Exit Ratcliffe. Richard withdraws into his tent; attendant soldiers guard it.]


Enter Stanley Earl of Derby to Richmond in his tent.


STANLEY. Fortune and victory sit on thy helm!


RICHMOND. All comfort that the dark night can afford Be to thy person, noble father-in-law. Tell me, how fares our loving mother?


STANLEY. I, by attorney, bless thee from thy mother, Who prays continually for Richmond's good. So much for that. The silent hours steal on, And flaky darkness breaks within the east. In brief, for so the season bids us be, Prepare thy battle early in the morning, And put thy fortune to the arbitrement Of bloody strokes and mortal-staring war. I, as I may—that which I would I cannot— With best advantage will deceive the time, And aid thee in this doubtful shock of arms. But on thy side I may not be too forward, Lest, being seen, thy brother, tender George, Be executed in his father's sight. Farewell; the leisure and the fearful time Cuts off the ceremonious vows of love And ample interchange of sweet discourse, Which so-long-sundered friends should dwell upon. God give us leisure for these rites of love! Once more, adieu. Be valiant, and speed well.


RICHMOND. Good lords, conduct him to his regiment. I'll strive with troubled thoughts to take a nap, Lest leaden slumber peise me down tomorrow When I should mount with wings of victory. Once more, good night, kind lords and gentlemen.


[All but Richmond leave his tent.]


[Kneels.] O Thou, whose captain I account myself, Look on my forces with a gracious eye; Put in their hands Thy bruising irons of wrath, That they may crush down with a heavy fall Th' usurping helmets of our adversaries; Make us Thy ministers of chastisement, That we may praise Thee in the victory. To Thee I do commend my watchful soul Ere I let fall the windows of mine eyes. Sleeping and waking, O, defend me still!


Enter the Ghost of young Prince Edward, son to Harry the Sixth.


GHOST OF EDWARD. [To King Richard.] Let me sit heavy on thy soul tomorrow. Think how thou stabbed'st me in my prime of youth At Tewksbury; despair therefore, and die! [To Richmond.] Be cheerful, Richmond, for the wronged souls Of butchered princes fight in thy behalf. King Henry's issue, Richmond, comforts thee.


Enter the Ghost of Henry the Sixth.


GHOST OF HENRY. [To King Richard.] When I was mortal, my anointed body By thee was punched full of deadly holes. Think on the Tower and me. Despair, and die; Harry the Sixth bids thee despair and die. [To Richmond.] Virtuous and holy, be thou conqueror. Harry, that prophesied thou shouldst be King, Doth comfort thee in thy sleep. Live, and flourish!


Enter the Ghost of Clarence.


GHOST OF CLARENCE. [To King Richard.] Let me sit heavy in thy soul tomorrow, I, that was washed to death with fulsome wine, Poor Clarence, by thy guile betrayed to death. Tomorrow in the battle think on me, And fall thy edgeless sword. Despair, and die! [To Richmond.] Thou offspring of the house of Lancaster, The wronged heirs of York do pray for thee. Good angels guard thy battle; live, and flourish.


Enter the Ghosts of Rivers, Grey and Vaughan.


GHOST OF RIVERS. [To King Richard.] Let me sit heavy in thy soul tomorrow, Rivers that died at Pomfret. Despair and die!


GHOST OF GREY. [To King Richard.] Think upon Grey, and let thy soul despair!


GHOST OF VAUGHAN. [To King Richard.] Think upon Vaughan, and with guilty fear Let fall thy lance. Despair and die!


ALL THREE. [To Richmond.] Awake, and think our wrongs in Richard's bosom Will conquer him. Awake, and win the day.


Enter the Ghost of Hastings.


GHOST OF HASTINGS. [To King Richard.] Bloody and guilty, guiltily awake, And in a bloody battle end thy days. Think on Lord Hastings. Despair and die! [To Richmond.] Quiet untroubled soul, awake, awake. Arm, fight, and conquer for fair England's sake.


Enter the Ghosts of the two young Princes.


GHOSTS OF PRINCES. [To King Richard.] Dream on thy cousins smothered in the Tower. Let us be lead within thy bosom, Richard, And weigh thee down to ruin, shame, and death; Thy nephews' souls bid thee despair and die. [To Richmond.] Sleep, Richmond, sleep in peace, and wake in joy; Good angels guard thee from the boar's annoy. Live, and beget a happy race of kings; Edward's unhappy sons do bid thee flourish.


Enter the Ghost of Lady Anne, his wife.


GHOST OF ANNE. [To King Richard.] Richard, thy wife, that wretched Anne thy wife, That never slept a quiet hour with thee, Now fills thy sleep with perturbations. Tomorrow in the battle think on me, And fall thy edgeless sword. Despair and die! [To Richmond.] Thou quiet soul, sleep thou a quiet sleep; Dream of success and happy victory. Thy adversary's wife doth pray for thee.


Enter the Ghost of Buckingham.


GHOST OF BUCKINGHAM. [To King Richard.] The first was I that helped thee to the crown; The last was I that felt thy tyranny. O, in the battle think on Buckingham, And die in terror of thy guiltiness. Dream on, dream on of bloody deeds and death. Fainting, despair; despairing, yield thy breath. [To Richmond.] I died for hope ere I could lend thee aid, But cheer thy heart, and be thou not dismayed. God and good angels fight on Richmond's side; And Richard fall in height of all his pride.


[King Richard starts up out of his dream.]


KING RICHARD. Give me another horse! Bind up my wounds! Have mercy, Jesu!—Soft! I did but dream. O coward conscience, how dost thou afflict me! The lights burn blue; it is now dead midnight. Cold fearful drops stand on my trembling flesh. What do I fear? Myself? There's none else by. Richard loves Richard, that is, I am I. Is there a murderer here? No. Yes, I am. Then fly. What, from myself? Great reason why, Lest I revenge. What, myself upon myself? Alack, I love myself. Wherefore? For any good That I myself have done unto myself? O, no, alas, I rather hate myself For hateful deeds committed by myself. I am a villain. Yet I lie, I am not. Fool, of thyself speak well. Fool, do not flatter. My conscience hath a thousand several tongues, And every tongue brings in a several tale, And every tale condemns me for a villain. Perjury, perjury, in the highest degree; Murder, stern murder, in the direst degree; All several sins, all used in each degree, Throng to the bar, crying all "Guilty, guilty!" I shall despair. There is no creature loves me, And if I die no soul will pity me. And wherefore should they, since that I myself Find in myself no pity to myself? Methought the souls of all that I had murdered Came to my tent, and everyone did threat Tomorrow's vengeance on the head of Richard.


KING RICHARD. Zounds! Who's there?


RATCLIFFE. Ratcliffe, my lord; 'tis I. The early village cock Hath twice done salutation to the morn; Your friends are up and buckle on their armour.


KING RICHARD. O Ratcliffe, I have dreamed a fearful dream! What think'st thou, will our friends prove all true?


RATCLIFFE. No doubt, my lord.


KING RICHARD. O Ratcliffe, I fear, I fear!


RATCLIFFE. Nay, good my lord, be not afraid of shadows.


KING RICHARD. By the apostle Paul, shadows tonight Have struck more terror to the soul of Richard Than can the substance of ten thousand soldiers Armed in proof and led by shallow Richmond. 'Tis not yet near day. Come, go with me. Under our tents I'll play the eavesdropper, To see if any mean to shrink from me.


[Exeunt Richard and Ratcliffe.]


Enter the Lords to Richmond in his tent.


LORDS. Good morrow, Richmond.


RICHMOND. Cry mercy, lords and watchful gentlemen, That you have ta'en a tardy sluggard here.


LORDS. How have you slept, my lord?


RICHMOND. The sweetest sleep and fairest-boding dreams That ever entered in a drowsy head Have I since your departure had, my lords. Methought their souls whose bodies Richard murdered Came to my tent and cried on victory. I promise you, my heart is very jocund In the remembrance of so fair a dream. How far into the morning is it, lords?


LORDS. Upon the stroke of four.


RICHMOND. Why, then 'tis time to arm and give direction.


His oration to his soldiers.


More than I have said, loving countrymen, The leisure and enforcement of the time Forbids to dwell upon. Yet remember this: God, and our good cause, fight upon our side; The prayers of holy saints and wronged souls, Like high-reared bulwarks, stand before our faces. Richard except, those whom we fight against Had rather have us win than him they follow. For what is he they follow? Truly, gentlemen, A bloody tyrant and a homicide; One raised in blood, and one in blood established; One that made means to come by what he hath, And slaughtered those that were the means to help him; A base foul stone, made precious by the foil Of England's chair, where he is falsely set; One that hath ever been God's enemy. Then, if you fight against God's enemy, God will, in justice, ward you as his soldiers; If you do sweat to put a tyrant down, You sleep in peace, the tyrant being slain; If you do fight against your country's foes, Your country's fat shall pay your pains the hire; If you do fight in safeguard of your wives, Your wives shall welcome home the conquerors; If you do free your children from the sword, Your children's children quits it in your age. Then, in the name of God and all these rights, Advance your standards, draw your willing swords. For me, the ransom of my bold attempt Shall be this cold corpse on the earth's cold face; But if I thrive, the gain of my attempt The least of you shall share his part thereof. Sound drums and trumpets boldly and cheerfully! God, and Saint George! Richmond and victory!


KING RICHARD. What said Northumberland as touching Richmond?


RATCLIFFE. That he was never trained up in arms.


KING RICHARD. He said the truth. And what said Surrey then?


RATCLIFFE. He smiled, and said, "The better for our purpose."


KING RICHARD. He was in the right, and so indeed it is.


[The clock striketh.]


Tell the clock there. Give me a calendar. Who saw the sun today?


RATCLIFFE. Not I, my lord.


KING RICHARD. Then he disdains to shine, for by the book He should have braved the east an hour ago. A black day will it be to somebody. Ratcliffe!


KING RICHARD. The sun will not be seen today! The sky doth frown and lour upon our army. I would these dewy tears were from the ground. Not shine today? Why, what is that to me More than to Richmond? For the selfsame heaven That frowns on me looks sadly upon him.


NORFOLK. Arm, arm, my lord. The foe vaunts in the field.


KING RICHARD. Come, bustle, bustle! Caparison my horse. Call up Lord Stanley; bid him bring his power. I will lead forth my soldiers to the plain, And thus my battle shall be ordered: My foreward shall be drawn out all in length, Consisting equally of horse and foot; Our archers shall be placed in the midst. John Duke of Norfolk, Thomas Earl of Surrey, Shall have the leading of this foot and horse. They thus directed, we will follow In the main battle, whose puissance on either side Shall be well winged with our chiefest horse. This, and Saint George to boot! What think'st thou, Norfolk?


NORFOLK. A good direction, warlike sovereign.


[He sheweth him a paper.]


This found I on my tent this morning.


KING RICHARD. [Reads.] "Jockey of Norfolk, be not too bold. For Dickon thy master is bought and sold." A thing devised by the enemy. Go, gentlemen, every man unto his charge. Let not our babbling dreams affright our souls; Conscience is but a word that cowards use, Devised at first to keep the strong in awe. Our strong arms be our conscience, swords our law. March on. Join bravely. Let us to it pell-mell, If not to heaven, then hand in hand to hell.


His oration to his army.


What shall I say more than I have inferred? Remember whom you are to cope withal, A sort of vagabonds, rascals, and runaways, A scum of Bretons and base lackey peasants, Whom their o'er-cloyed country vomits forth To desperate adventures and assured destruction. You sleeping safe, they bring to you unrest; You having lands, and blessed with beauteous wives, They would restrain the one, distain the other. And who doth lead them but a paltry fellow, Long kept in Brittany at our mother's cost? A milksop, one that never in his life Felt so much cold as over-shoes in snow? Let's whip these stragglers o'er the seas again, Lash hence these overweening rags of France, These famished beggars, weary of their lives, Who, but for dreaming on this fond exploit, For want of means, poor rats, had hanged themselves. If we be conquered, let men conquer us, And not these bastard Bretons, whom our fathers Have in their own land beaten, bobbed, and thumped, And in record left them the heirs of shame. Shall these enjoy our lands? Lie with our wives, Ravish our daughters?


Hark, I hear their drum. Fight, gentlemen of England! Fight, bold yeomen! Draw, archers, draw your arrows to the head! Spur your proud horses hard, and ride in blood! Amaze the welkin with your broken staves!


What says Lord Stanley? Will he bring his power?


MESSENGER. My lord, he doth deny to come.


KING RICHARD. Off with his son George's head!


NORFOLK. My lord, the enemy is past the marsh. After the battle let George Stanley die.


KING RICHARD. A thousand hearts are great within my bosom. Advance our standards! Set upon our foes! Our ancient word of courage, fair Saint George, Inspire us with the spleen of fiery dragons! Upon them! Victory sits on our helms.


SCENE IV. Another part of the Field


Alarum. Excursions. Enter Norfolk and Soldiers; to him Catesby.


CATESBY. Rescue, my lord of Norfolk, rescue, rescue! The King enacts more wonders than a man, Daring an opposite to every danger. His horse is slain, and all on foot he fights, Seeking for Richmond in the throat of death. Rescue, fair lord, or else the day is lost!


KING RICHARD. A horse! A horse! My kingdom for a horse!


CATESBY. Withdraw, my lord; I'll help you to a horse.


KING RICHARD. Slave, I have set my life upon a cast, And I will stand the hazard of the die. I think there be six Richmonds in the field; Five have I slain today instead of him. A horse! A horse! My kingdom for a horse!


Alarum. Enter King Richard and Richmond. They fight. Richard is slain. Then retreat being sounded. Richmond exits, and Richard's body is carried off. Flourish. Enter Richmond, Stanley Earl of Derby, bearing the crown, with other Lords and Soldiers.


RICHMOND. God and your arms be praised, victorious friends! The day is ours, the bloody dog is dead.


STANLEY. Courageous Richmond, well hast thou acquit thee! Lo, here, this long-usurped royalty From the dead temples of this bloody wretch Have I plucked off, to grace thy brows withal. Wear it, enjoy it, and make much of it.


RICHMOND. Great God of heaven, say Amen to all! But tell me, is young George Stanley living?


STANLEY. He is, my lord, and safe in Leicester town, Whither, if it please you, we may now withdraw us.


RICHMOND. What men of name are slain on either side?


STANLEY. John, Duke of Norfolk, Walter, Lord Ferrers, Sir Robert Brakenbury, and Sir William Brandon.


RICHMOND. Inter their bodies as becomes their births. Proclaim a pardon to the soldiers fled That in submission will return to us. And then, as we have ta'en the sacrament, We will unite the white rose and the red. Smile heaven upon this fair conjunction, That long have frowned upon their enmity. What traitor hears me and says not Amen? England hath long been mad, and scarred herself: The brother blindly shed the brother's blood; The father rashly slaughtered his own son; The son, compelled, been butcher to the sire. All this divided York and Lancaster, Divided in their dire division. O, now let Richmond and Elizabeth, The true succeeders of each royal house, By God's fair ordinance conjoin together, And let their heirs, God, if Thy will be so, Enrich the time to come with smoothed-faced peace, With smiling plenty, and fair prosperous days. Abate the edge of traitors, gracious Lord, That would reduce these bloody days again, And make poor England weep in streams of blood. Let them not live to taste this land's increase, That would with treason wound this fair land's peace. Now civil wounds are stopped, peace lives again. That she may long live here, God say Amen.


INDUCTION Scene I. Before an alehouse on a heath. Scene II. A bedchamber in the Lord's house.


ACT I Scene I. Padua. A public place. Scene II. Padua. Before Hortensio's house.


ACT II Scene I. Padua. A room in Baptista's house.


ACT III Scene I. Padua. A room in Baptista's house. Scene II. The same. Before Baptista's house.


ACT IV Scene I. A hall in Petruchio's country house. Scene II. Padua. Before Baptista's house. Scene III. A room in Petruchio's house. Scene IV. Before Baptista's house. Scene V. A public road.


ACT V Scene I. Padua. Before Lucentio's house. Scene II. A room in Lucentio's house.


Persons in the Induction A LORD CHRISTOPHER SLY, a tinker HOSTESS PAGE PLAYERS HUNTSMEN SERVANTS


BAPTISTA MINOLA, a rich gentleman of Padua VINCENTIO, an old gentleman of Pisa LUCENTIO, son to Vincentio; in love with Bianca PETRUCHIO, a gentleman of Verona; suitor to Katherina


Suitors to Bianca GREMIO HORTENSIO


Servants to Lucentio TRANIO BIONDELLO


Servants to Petruchio GRUMIO CURTIS


PEDANT, set up to personate Vincentio


Daughters to Baptista KATHERINA, the shrew BIANCA


Tailor, Haberdasher, and Servants attending on Baptista and Petruchio


SCENE: Sometimes in Padua, and sometimes in Petruchio's house in the country.


SCENE I. Before an alehouse on a heath.


Enter Hostess and Sly


SLY. I'll pheeze you, in faith.


HOSTESS. A pair of stocks, you rogue!


SLY. Y'are a baggage; the Slys are no rogues; look in the chronicles: we came in with Richard Conqueror. Therefore, paucas pallabris; let the world slide. Sessa!


HOSTESS. You will not pay for the glasses you have burst?


SLY. No, not a denier. Go by, Saint Jeronimy, go to thy cold bed and warm thee.


HOSTESS. I know my remedy; I must go fetch the third-borough.


SLY. Third, or fourth, or fifth borough, I'll answer him by law. I'll not budge an inch, boy: let him come, and kindly.


[Lies down on the ground, and falls asleep.]


Horns winded. Enter a Lord from hunting, with Huntsmen and Servants.


LORD. Huntsman, I charge thee, tender well my hounds; Brach Merriman, the poor cur is emboss'd, And couple Clowder with the deep-mouth'd brach. Saw'st thou not, boy, how Silver made it good At the hedge-corner, in the coldest fault? I would not lose the dog for twenty pound.


FIRST HUNTSMAN. Why, Bellman is as good as he, my lord; He cried upon it at the merest loss, And twice today pick'd out the dullest scent; Trust me, I take him for the better dog.


LORD. Thou art a fool: if Echo were as fleet, I would esteem him worth a dozen such. But sup them well, and look unto them all; Tomorrow I intend to hunt again.


FIRST HUNTSMAN. I will, my lord.


LORD. [Sees Sly.] What's here? One dead, or drunk? See, doth he breathe?


SECOND HUNTSMAN. He breathes, my lord. Were he not warm'd with ale, This were a bed but cold to sleep so soundly.


LORD. O monstrous beast! how like a swine he lies! Grim death, how foul and loathsome is thine image! Sirs, I will practise on this drunken man. What think you, if he were convey'd to bed, Wrapp'd in sweet clothes, rings put upon his fingers, A most delicious banquet by his bed, And brave attendants near him when he wakes, Would not the beggar then forget himself?


FIRST HUNTSMAN. Believe me, lord, I think he cannot choose.


SECOND HUNTSMAN. It would seem strange unto him when he wak'd.


LORD. Even as a flattering dream or worthless fancy. Then take him up, and manage well the jest. Carry him gently to my fairest chamber, And hang it round with all my wanton pictures; Balm his foul head in warm distilled waters, And burn sweet wood to make the lodging sweet. Procure me music ready when he wakes, To make a dulcet and a heavenly sound; And if he chance to speak, be ready straight, And with a low submissive reverence Say 'What is it your honour will command?' Let one attend him with a silver basin Full of rose-water and bestrew'd with flowers; Another bear the ewer, the third a diaper, And say 'Will't please your lordship cool your hands?' Someone be ready with a costly suit, And ask him what apparel he will wear; Another tell him of his hounds and horse, And that his lady mourns at his disease. Persuade him that he hath been lunatic; And, when he says he is—say that he dreams, For he is nothing but a mighty lord. This do, and do it kindly, gentle sirs; It will be pastime passing excellent, If it be husbanded with modesty.


FIRST HUNTSMAN. My lord, I warrant you we will play our part, As he shall think by our true diligence, He is no less than what we say he is.


LORD. Take him up gently, and to bed with him, And each one to his office when he wakes.


[Sly is borne out. A trumpet sounds.]


Sirrah, go see what trumpet 'tis that sounds.


Belike some noble gentleman that means, Travelling some journey, to repose him here.


How now! who is it?


SERVANT. An it please your honour, players That offer service to your lordship.


LORD. Bid them come near.


Enter Players.


Now, fellows, you are welcome.


PLAYERS. We thank your honour.


LORD. Do you intend to stay with me tonight?


PLAYER. So please your lordship to accept our duty.


LORD. With all my heart. This fellow I remember Since once he play'd a farmer's eldest son; 'Twas where you woo'd the gentlewoman so well. I have forgot your name; but, sure, that part Was aptly fitted and naturally perform'd.


PLAYER. I think 'twas Soto that your honour means.


LORD. 'Tis very true; thou didst it excellent. Well, you are come to me in happy time, The rather for I have some sport in hand Wherein your cunning can assist me much. There is a lord will hear you play tonight; But I am doubtful of your modesties, Lest, over-eying of his odd behaviour,— For yet his honour never heard a play,— You break into some merry passion And so offend him; for I tell you, sirs, If you should smile, he grows impatient.


PLAYER. Fear not, my lord; we can contain ourselves, Were he the veriest antick in the world.


LORD. Go, sirrah, take them to the buttery, And give them friendly welcome everyone: Let them want nothing that my house affords.


[Exit one with the Players.]


Sirrah, go you to Barthol'mew my page, And see him dress'd in all suits like a lady; That done, conduct him to the drunkard's chamber, And call him 'madam,' do him obeisance. Tell him from me—as he will win my love,— He bear himself with honourable action, Such as he hath observ'd in noble ladies Unto their lords, by them accomplished; Such duty to the drunkard let him do, With soft low tongue and lowly courtesy, And say 'What is't your honour will command, Wherein your lady and your humble wife May show her duty and make known her love?' And then with kind embracements, tempting kisses, And with declining head into his bosom, Bid him shed tears, as being overjoy'd To see her noble lord restor'd to health, Who for this seven years hath esteemed him No better than a poor and loathsome beggar. And if the boy have not a woman's gift To rain a shower of commanded tears, An onion will do well for such a shift, Which, in a napkin being close convey'd, Shall in despite enforce a watery eye. See this dispatch'd with all the haste thou canst; Anon I'll give thee more instructions.


I know the boy will well usurp the grace, Voice, gait, and action of a gentlewoman; I long to hear him call the drunkard husband; And how my men will stay themselves from laughter When they do homage to this simple peasant. I'll in to counsel them; haply my presence May well abate the over-merry spleen, Which otherwise would grow into extremes.


SCENE II. A bedchamber in the Lord's house.


Sly is discovered in a rich nightgown, with Attendants: some with apparel, basin, ewer, and other appurtenances; and Lord, dressed like a servant.


SLY. For God's sake! a pot of small ale.


FIRST SERVANT. Will't please your lordship drink a cup of sack?


SECOND SERVANT. Will't please your honour taste of these conserves?


THIRD SERVANT. What raiment will your honour wear today?


SLY. I am Christophero Sly; call not me honour nor lordship. I ne'er drank sack in my life; and if you give me any conserves, give me conserves of beef. Ne'er ask me what raiment I'll wear, for I have no more doublets than backs, no more stockings than legs, nor no more shoes than feet: nay, sometime more feet than shoes, or such shoes as my toes look through the over-leather.


LORD. Heaven cease this idle humour in your honour! O, that a mighty man of such descent, Of such possessions, and so high esteem, Should be infused with so foul a spirit!


SLY. What! would you make me mad? Am not I Christopher Sly, old Sly's son of Burton-heath; by birth a pedlar, by education a cardmaker, by transmutation a bear-herd, and now by present profession a tinker? Ask Marian Hacket, the fat ale-wife of Wincot, if she know me not: if she say I am not fourteen pence on the score for sheer ale, score me up for the lyingest knave in Christendom. What! I am not bestraught. Here's—


THIRD SERVANT. O! this it is that makes your lady mourn.


SECOND SERVANT. O! this is it that makes your servants droop.


LORD. Hence comes it that your kindred shuns your house, As beaten hence by your strange lunacy. O noble lord, bethink thee of thy birth, Call home thy ancient thoughts from banishment, And banish hence these abject lowly dreams. Look how thy servants do attend on thee, Each in his office ready at thy beck: Wilt thou have music? Hark! Apollo plays,


And twenty caged nightingales do sing: Or wilt thou sleep? We'll have thee to a couch Softer and sweeter than the lustful bed On purpose trimm'd up for Semiramis. Say thou wilt walk: we will bestrew the ground: Or wilt thou ride? Thy horses shall be trapp'd, Their harness studded all with gold and pearl. Dost thou love hawking? Thou hast hawks will soar Above the morning lark: or wilt thou hunt? Thy hounds shall make the welkin answer them And fetch shrill echoes from the hollow earth.


FIRST SERVANT. Say thou wilt course; thy greyhounds are as swift As breathed stags; ay, fleeter than the roe.


SECOND SERVANT. Dost thou love pictures? We will fetch thee straight Adonis painted by a running brook, And Cytherea all in sedges hid, Which seem to move and wanton with her breath Even as the waving sedges play with wind.


LORD. We'll show thee Io as she was a maid And how she was beguiled and surpris'd, As lively painted as the deed was done.


THIRD SERVANT. Or Daphne roaming through a thorny wood, Scratching her legs, that one shall swear she bleeds And at that sight shall sad Apollo weep, So workmanly the blood and tears are drawn.


LORD. Thou art a lord, and nothing but a lord: Thou hast a lady far more beautiful Than any woman in this waning age.


FIRST SERVANT. And, till the tears that she hath shed for thee Like envious floods o'er-run her lovely face, She was the fairest creature in the world; And yet she is inferior to none.


SLY. Am I a lord? and have I such a lady? Or do I dream? Or have I dream'd till now? I do not sleep: I see, I hear, I speak; I smell sweet savours, and I feel soft things: Upon my life, I am a lord indeed; And not a tinker, nor Christophero Sly. Well, bring our lady hither to our sight; And once again, a pot o' the smallest ale.


SECOND SERVANT. Will't please your mightiness to wash your hands?


O, how we joy to see your wit restor'd! O, that once more you knew but what you are! These fifteen years you have been in a dream, Or, when you wak'd, so wak'd as if you slept.


SLY. These fifteen years! by my fay, a goodly nap. But did I never speak of all that time?


FIRST SERVANT. O! yes, my lord, but very idle words; For though you lay here in this goodly chamber, Yet would you say ye were beaten out of door, And rail upon the hostess of the house, And say you would present her at the leet, Because she brought stone jugs and no seal'd quarts. Sometimes you would call out for Cicely Hacket.


SLY. Ay, the woman's maid of the house.


THIRD SERVANT. Why, sir, you know no house nor no such maid, Nor no such men as you have reckon'd up, As Stephen Sly, and old John Naps of Greece, And Peter Turph, and Henry Pimpernell; And twenty more such names and men as these, Which never were, nor no man ever saw.


SLY. Now, Lord be thanked for my good amends!


Enter the Page, as a lady, with Attendants.


SLY. I thank thee; thou shalt not lose by it.


PAGE. How fares my noble lord?


SLY. Marry, I fare well; for here is cheer enough. Where is my wife?


PAGE. Here, noble lord: what is thy will with her?


SLY. Are you my wife, and will not call me husband? My men should call me lord: I am your goodman.


PAGE. My husband and my lord, my lord and husband; I am your wife in all obedience.


SLY. I know it well. What must I call her?


LORD. Madam, and nothing else; so lords call ladies.


SLY. Madam wife, they say that I have dream'd And slept above some fifteen year or more.


PAGE. Ay, and the time seems thirty unto me, Being all this time abandon'd from your bed.


SLY. 'Tis much. Servants, leave me and her alone. Madam, undress you, and come now to bed.


PAGE. Thrice noble lord, let me entreat of you To pardon me yet for a night or two; Or, if not so, until the sun be set: For your physicians have expressly charg'd, In peril to incur your former malady, That I should yet absent me from your bed: I hope this reason stands for my excuse.


SLY. Ay, it stands so that I may hardly tarry so long; but I would be loath to fall into my dreams again: I will therefore tarry in despite of the flesh and the blood.


MESSENGER. Your honour's players, hearing your amendment, Are come to play a pleasant comedy; For so your doctors hold it very meet, Seeing too much sadness hath congeal'd your blood, And melancholy is the nurse of frenzy: Therefore they thought it good you hear a play, And frame your mind to mirth and merriment, Which bars a thousand harms and lengthens life.


SLY. Marry, I will; let them play it. Is not a commonty a Christmas gambold or a tumbling-trick?


PAGE. No, my good lord; it is more pleasing stuff.


SLY. What! household stuff?


PAGE. It is a kind of history.


SLY. Well, we'll see't. Come, madam wife, sit by my side and let the world slip: we shall ne'er be younger.


Flourish. Enter Lucentio and Tranio.


LUCENTIO. Tranio, since for the great desire I had To see fair Padua, nursery of arts, I am arriv'd for fruitful Lombardy, The pleasant garden of great Italy, And by my father's love and leave am arm'd With his good will and thy good company, My trusty servant well approv'd in all, Here let us breathe, and haply institute A course of learning and ingenious studies. Pisa, renowned for grave citizens, Gave me my being and my father first, A merchant of great traffic through the world, Vincentio, come of the Bentivolii. Vincentio's son, brought up in Florence, It shall become to serve all hopes conceiv'd, To deck his fortune with his virtuous deeds: And therefore, Tranio, for the time I study, Virtue and that part of philosophy Will I apply that treats of happiness By virtue specially to be achiev'd. Tell me thy mind; for I have Pisa left And am to Padua come as he that leaves A shallow plash to plunge him in the deep, And with satiety seeks to quench his thirst.


TRANIO. Mi perdonato, gentle master mine; I am in all affected as yourself; Glad that you thus continue your resolve To suck the sweets of sweet philosophy. Only, good master, while we do admire This virtue and this moral discipline, Let's be no stoics nor no stocks, I pray; Or so devote to Aristotle's checks As Ovid be an outcast quite abjur'd. Balk logic with acquaintance that you have, And practise rhetoric in your common talk; Music and poesy use to quicken you; The mathematics and the metaphysics, Fall to them as you find your stomach serves you: No profit grows where is no pleasure ta'en; In brief, sir, study what you most affect.


LUCENTIO. Gramercies, Tranio, well dost thou advise. If, Biondello, thou wert come ashore, We could at once put us in readiness, And take a lodging fit to entertain Such friends as time in Padua shall beget. But stay awhile; what company is this?


TRANIO. Master, some show to welcome us to town.


[Lucentio and Tranio stand aside.]


Enter Baptista, Katherina, Bianca, Gremio and Hortensio.


BAPTISTA. Gentlemen, importune me no farther, For how I firmly am resolv'd you know; That is, not to bestow my youngest daughter Before I have a husband for the elder. If either of you both love Katherina, Because I know you well and love you well, Leave shall you have to court her at your pleasure.


GREMIO. To cart her rather: she's too rough for me. There, there, Hortensio, will you any wife?


KATHERINA. [To Baptista] I pray you, sir, is it your will To make a stale of me amongst these mates?


HORTENSIO. Mates, maid! How mean you that? No mates for you, Unless you were of gentler, milder mould.


KATHERINA. I' faith, sir, you shall never need to fear; I wis it is not half way to her heart; But if it were, doubt not her care should be To comb your noddle with a three-legg'd stool, And paint your face, and use you like a fool.


HORTENSIO. From all such devils, good Lord deliver us!


GREMIO. And me, too, good Lord!


TRANIO. Husht, master! Here's some good pastime toward: That wench is stark mad or wonderful froward.


LUCENTIO. But in the other's silence do I see Maid's mild behaviour and sobriety. Peace, Tranio!


TRANIO. Well said, master; mum! and gaze your fill.


BAPTISTA. Gentlemen, that I may soon make good What I have said,—Bianca, get you in: And let it not displease thee, good Bianca, For I will love thee ne'er the less, my girl.


KATHERINA. A pretty peat! it is best put finger in the eye, and she knew why.


BIANCA. Sister, content you in my discontent. Sir, to your pleasure humbly I subscribe: My books and instruments shall be my company, On them to look, and practise by myself.


LUCENTIO. Hark, Tranio! thou mayst hear Minerva speak.


HORTENSIO. Signior Baptista, will you be so strange? Sorry am I that our good will effects Bianca's grief.


GREMIO. Why will you mew her up, Signior Baptista, for this fiend of hell, And make her bear the penance of her tongue?


BAPTISTA. Gentlemen, content ye; I am resolv'd. Go in, Bianca.


And for I know she taketh most delight In music, instruments, and poetry, Schoolmasters will I keep within my house Fit to instruct her youth. If you, Hortensio, Or, Signior Gremio, you, know any such, Prefer them hither; for to cunning men I will be very kind, and liberal To mine own children in good bringing up; And so, farewell. Katherina, you may stay; For I have more to commune with Bianca.


KATHERINA. Why, and I trust I may go too, may I not? What! shall I be appointed hours, as though, belike, I knew not what to take and what to leave? Ha!


GREMIO. You may go to the devil's dam: your gifts are so good here's none will hold you. Their love is not so great, Hortensio, but we may blow our nails together, and fast it fairly out; our cake's dough on both sides. Farewell: yet, for the love I bear my sweet Bianca, if I can by any means light on a fit man to teach her that wherein she delights, I will wish him to her father.


HORTENSIO. So will I, Signior Gremio: but a word, I pray. Though the nature of our quarrel yet never brooked parle, know now, upon advice, it toucheth us both,—that we may yet again have access to our fair mistress, and be happy rivals in Bianca's love,—to labour and effect one thing specially.


GREMIO. What's that, I pray?


HORTENSIO. Marry, sir, to get a husband for her sister.


GREMIO. A husband! a devil.


GREMIO. I say, a devil. Thinkest thou, Hortensio, though her father be very rich, any man is so very a fool to be married to hell?


HORTENSIO. Tush, Gremio! Though it pass your patience and mine to endure her loud alarums, why, man, there be good fellows in the world, and a man could light on them, would take her with all faults, and money enough.


GREMIO. I cannot tell; but I had as lief take her dowry with this condition: to be whipp'd at the high cross every morning.


HORTENSIO. Faith, as you say, there's small choice in rotten apples. But come; since this bar in law makes us friends, it shall be so far forth friendly maintained, till by helping Baptista's eldest daughter to a husband, we set his youngest free for a husband, and then have to't afresh. Sweet Bianca! Happy man be his dole! He that runs fastest gets the ring. How say you, Signior Gremio?


GREMIO. I am agreed; and would I had given him the best horse in Padua to begin his wooing, that would thoroughly woo her, wed her, and bed her, and rid the house of her. Come on.


[Exeunt Gremio and Hortensio.]


TRANIO. I pray, sir, tell me, is it possible That love should of a sudden take such hold?


LUCENTIO. O Tranio! till I found it to be true, I never thought it possible or likely; But see, while idly I stood looking on, I found the effect of love in idleness; And now in plainness do confess to thee, That art to me as secret and as dear As Anna to the Queen of Carthage was, Tranio, I burn, I pine, I perish, Tranio, If I achieve not this young modest girl. Counsel me, Tranio, for I know thou canst: Assist me, Tranio, for I know thou wilt.


TRANIO. Master, it is no time to chide you now; Affection is not rated from the heart: If love have touch'd you, nought remains but so: Redime te captum quam queas minimo.


LUCENTIO. Gramercies, lad; go forward; this contents; The rest will comfort, for thy counsel's sound.


TRANIO. Master, you look'd so longly on the maid. Perhaps you mark'd not what's the pith of all.


LUCENTIO. O, yes, I saw sweet beauty in her face, Such as the daughter of Agenor had, That made great Jove to humble him to her hand, When with his knees he kiss'd the Cretan strand.


TRANIO. Saw you no more? mark'd you not how her sister Began to scold and raise up such a storm That mortal ears might hardly endure the din?


LUCENTIO. Tranio, I saw her coral lips to move, And with her breath she did perfume the air; Sacred and sweet was all I saw in her.


TRANIO. Nay, then, 'tis time to stir him from his trance. I pray, awake, sir: if you love the maid, Bend thoughts and wits to achieve her. Thus it stands: Her elder sister is so curst and shrewd, That till the father rid his hands of her, Master, your love must live a maid at home; And therefore has he closely mew'd her up, Because she will not be annoy'd with suitors.


LUCENTIO. Ah, Tranio, what a cruel father's he! But art thou not advis'd he took some care To get her cunning schoolmasters to instruct her?