KING EDWARD THE FOUrth. RICHARD, duke of York, Sons to the king. Brothers to the RICHARD, duke of Gloster, after king. wards King RICHARD III. A young Son of Clarence. HENRY, earl of Richmond, afterwards K. Henry VII. DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM. DUKE OF NORFOLK: EARL OF SURREY, his son. EARL RIVERS, Brother to king Edward's Queen. MARQUIS OF DORSET, and LORD GREY, her sons. EARL OF OXFORD. LORD HASTINGS. LORD STANLEY. LORD LOVEL. SIR THOMAS VAUGHAN. CLIFF. SIR RICHARD RAT SIR WILLIAM CATESBY. SIR JAMES TYRREL. ELIZABETH, Queen of king Edward IV. DUCHESS OF YORK, mother to king Edward IV. LADY ANNE, widow of Edward, prince of Wales, son to king Henry VI.; afterwards married to the duke of Gloster. A young Daughter of Clarence. Lords, and other Attendants; two Gentlemen, a Pursuivant, Scrivener, Citizens, Murderers, Messcngers, Ghosts, Soldiers, &c. SCENE, England. LIFE AND DEATH OF KING RICHARD III. ACT THE FIRST. SCENE 1. London. A Street. Enter GLOSTter. Glo. Now is the winter of our discontent Now are our brows bound with victorious wreaths; To the lascivious pleasing of a lute. But I,-that am not shap'd for sportive tricks, I Dances. I, that am rudely stamp'd, and want love's majesty, Of Edward's heirs the murderer shall be. comes. Enter CLARENCE, guarded, and Brakenbury. Brother, good day: What means this armed guard, That waits upon your grace? Clar. His majesty, Tendering my person's safety, hath appointed This conduct to convey me to the Tower. Glo. Upon what cause? Clar. Because my name is-George. Preparations for mischief. Glo. Alack, my lord, that fault is none of yours; He should, for that commit your godfathers: Belike, his majesty hath some intent, That you shall be new christen'd in the Tower. He hearkens after prophecies, and dreams; And, for my name of George begins with G, These, as I learn, and such like toys as these, Glo. Why, this it is, when men are rul'd by wo men: 'Tis not the king, that sends you to the Tower; Was it not she, and that good man of worship, That made him send lord Hastings to the Tower; Clar. By heaven, I think, there is no man secure, But the queen's kindred, and night-walking heralds That trudge betwixt the king and mistress Shore, Heard you not, what an humble suppliant Lord Hastings was to her for his delivery? Glo. Humbly complaining to her deity Got my lord chamberlain his liberty. I'll tell you what,—I think, it is our way, If we will keep in favour with the king, To be her men, and wear her livery: The jealous o'er-worn widow, and herself, VOL. VII. 4 The Queen and Shore, C Since that our brother dubb'd them gentlewomen, Are mighty gossips in this monarchy. Brak. I beseech your graces both to pardon me ; His majesty hath straitly given in charge, That no man shall have private conference, Of what degree soever, with his brother. Glo. Even so? an please your worship, Brakenbury, You may partake of any thing we say : We speak no treason, man;— We say, the king A bonny eye, a passing pleasing tongue; Brak. With this, my lord, myself have nought to do, And I beseech your grace to pardon me; and, withal, Forbear your conference with the noble duke. Clar. We know thy charge, Brakenbury, and will obey. sister, Glo. We are the queen's abjects, and must obey. Brother, farewell: I will unto the king; And whatsoever you will employ me in, Were it, to call king Edward's widowI will perform it to enfranchise you. Mean time, this deep disgrace in brotherhood, Touches me deeper than you can imagine. Clar. I know it pleaseth neither of us well. Glo. Well, your imprisonment shall not be long ; I will deliver you, or else lie for you: Mean time, have patience. Clar. I must perforce; farewell. [Exeunt CLARENCE, BRAKENBURY, and Guard. |