Richard III (1995)

1. Your Highness.

2. Good night, Your Majesty.

3. Good night, son.

4. Father.

5. Shh!

6. Your Majesty.

7. Hut!

8. Mother.

9. Come live with me and be my love

10. And we will all the pleasures prove

11. That hills and valleys, dales and fields

12. And all the craggy mountains yield

13. Come live with me

14. And be my love

15. There will I make you a bed of roses

16. With a thousand fragrant posies

17. If these pleasures may you move

18. Live with me and be my love

19. Come live with me

20. And be my love

21. The shepherds' swains shall dance and sing

22. Then live with me and be my love

23. Come live with me

24. And be my love

25. Come live with me and be my love

26. And we will all the pleasures prove

27. A belt of straw and ivy buds

28. With coral clasps and amber studs

29. Come live with me

30. And be my love

31. There will I make you a bed of roses

32. With a thousand fragrant posies

33. And if these pleasures may you move

34. Then live with me and be my love

35. Come live with me

36. And be my love

37. If that the world and love were young

38. And truth in every shepherd's tongue

39. These pretty pleasures might me move

40. To live with you

41. And be your love

42. Come live with me

43. And be my love

44. Now is the winter of our discontent

45. made glorious summer

46. by this sun of York.

47. And all the clouds that lowered upon our house

48. in the deep bosom of the ocean buried.

49. Now all our brows bound with victorious wreaths!

50. Our bruised arms hung up for monuments,

51. our stern alarums changed to merry meetings,

52. our dreadful marches to delightful measures.

53. Grim-visaged war has smoothed his wrinkled front.

54. And now, instead of mounting barbed steeds

55. to fright the souls of fearful adversaries, he...

56. Capers nimbly in a lady's chamber

57. to the lascivious pleasing of a lute.

58. But I, that am not shaped for sportive tricks

59. nor made to court an amorous looking glass.

60. I, that am rudely stamped...

61. Deformed...

62. Unfinished...

63. Sent before my time into this breathing world,

64. scarce half made up,

65. and that so lamely and unfashionable

66. that dogs bark at me as I halt by them.

67. Why, I, in this weak piping time of peace,

68. have no delight to pass away the time,

69. unless to spy my shadow in the sun

70. and descant on mine own deformity.

71. Why, I can smile,

72. and murder while I smile,

73. wet my cheeks with artificial tears

74. and frame my face to all occasions.

75. And therefore, since I cannot prove a lover,

76. I am determined to prove a villain

77. and hate the idle pleasures of these days.

78. Plots have I laid

79. to set my brothers, Clarence and King Edward,

80. in deadly hate, the one against the other.

81. Clarence!

82. Brother.

83. What means this guard?

84. His Majesty, tendering my person's safety,

85. has appointed this conduct to convey me to the Tower.

86. What is the matter, Clarence?

87. May I know?

88. Yes, Richard, when I know, but I must protest,

89. as yet, I do not.

90. Why this it is, when men are ruled by women.

91. It's not the King who sends you to the tower.

92. - Elizabeth is Queen, Clarence, it's she. - Oh.

93. - We're not safe, brother.

94. We are not safe.

95. I beseech Your Lordships both to pardon me.

96. His Majesty has strictly given me charge

97. that no man shall have private conference,

98. of what degree soever, with your brother.

99. We speak no treason, Brackenbury.

100. We say the King is wise and virtuous

101. and his Queen... Well-struck in years.

102. I beseech you both to pardon me.

103. We know your charge, Brackenbury, and we'll obey.

104. We are the Queen's subjects and must obey.

105. Brother, farewell.

106. I will unto the King.

107. Meanwhile, this deep disgrace in brotherhood

108. touches me deeper than you can imagine.

109. Well, I know it pleases neither of us well.

110. Well, your imprisonment shall not be long.

111. I will deliver you or else lie for you.

112. Meanwhile, have patience.

113. Well, I must perforce.

114. - Farewell. - Mmm.

115. Simple, plain Clarence.

116. I do love you so that I shall shortly send your soul to heaven,

117. if heaven will take the present from my hands.

118. And now, I'll marry.

119. What though I killed her husband and his father.

120. Oh, cursed be the hand that made these holes.

121. Cursed the heart that had the heart to do it.

122. Cursed the blood that let this blood from hence.

123. If ever he have child, abortive be it.

124. If ever he have wife,

125. let her be made more miserable by the life of him

126. than I am made by my young husband's death.

127. What black magician conjures up this fiend

128. to stop devoted charitable deeds?

129. Sweet saint, for charity be not so cursed.

130. Foul devil,

131. for God's sake, hence and trouble me not,

132. for you have made this happy earth my hell!

133. If you delight to see your heinous deed,

134. behold the pattern of your butchery.

135. Lady,

136. you know no rules of charity.

137. Villain, you know no law of God nor man.

138. Vouchsafe, divine perfection of a woman,

139. of this supposed crime to give me leave,

140. by circumstance, but to acquit myself.

141. Did you not kill my husband?

142. I grant you, yes.

143. You grant me, hedgehog?

144. Then God grant me, too,

145. you may be damned for that wicked deed.

146. Gentle Lady Anne...

147. Oh, he was gentle, mild, and virtuous.

148. The fitter for the King of heaven who has him.

149. And you unfit for anyplace but hell.

150. Yes, one place else, if you will hear me name it.

151. Some dungeon.

152. Your bedchamber.

153. Let's leave this keen encounter of our wits.

154. Your beauty, which did haunt me in my sleep,

155. could make me undertake the death of all the world,

156. so I might live one hour in your sweet bosom.

157. If I thought that, I tell you, homicide,

158. I would rend that beauty from my cheeks.

159. These eyes could not endure that beauty's wreck.

160. As all the world is cheered by the sun, so I by that, it is my day,

161. my life.

162. He who bereft you, Lady, of your husband,

163. did it to help you to a better husband.

164. His better does not breathe upon the earth.

165. He lives who loves you better than he could.

166. - Where is he? - Here.

167. Why do you spit at me?

168. Would it were mortal poison, for your sake.

169. Never came poison from so sweet a place.

170. Never hung poison on a fouler toad.

171. Out of my sight!

172. You do infect my eyes!

173. Those eyes of yours

174. from mine have drawn salted tears.

175. Yet when I heard the story of my father's death

176. and all the standers-by had wet their cheeks like trees bedashed with rain,

177. in that sad time, my manly eyes did scorn a humble tear,

178. and what that sorrow could not thence exhale,

179. your beauty has.

180. And made them blind with weeping.

181. Teach not your lip such scorn,

182. for it was made for kissing, Lady,

183. and not for such contempt.

184. If your revengeful heart cannot forgive,

185. I humbly beg for death

186. upon my knee.

187. Now, do not pause.

188. It was I who killed your husband,

189. but it was your heavenly face which set me on.

190. Take up the blade again,

191. or take up me.

192. I will not be your executioner.

193. Then, bid me kill myself, and I will do it.

194. I have already.

195. That was in your rage. Speak it again.

196. I would I knew your heart, I fear it is false.

197. Then never was man true.

198. Put down the blade.

199. But shall I live in hope?

200. All men I hope live so.

201. Vouchsafe to wear this ring.

202. To take is not to give.

203. May I, with all expedient duty, see you?

204. And much it joys me, too,

205. to see you are become so penitent.

206. Bid me farewell.

207. It is more than you deserve,

208. but since you teach me how to flatter you,

209. imagine I have said farewell already.

210. Was ever a woman in this humor wooed?

211. Was ever a woman in this humor won?

212. I'll have her,

213. but I'll not keep her long. Eh?

214. I, who killed her husband and his father,

215. to take her in her heart's extremest hate,

216. with curses in her mouth, tears in her eyes,

217. and then to win her.

218. All the world to nothing! Ha!

219. Upon my life she finds, although I cannot,

220. myself to be a marvelous, proper man.

221. I'll entertain a score or two of tailors

222. to study fashions to adorn my body.

223. And then return lamenting to my love.

224. Shine out, fair sun, till I've bought a glass

225. that I may see my shadow as I pass!

226. Catesby.

227. Clarence still breathes.

228. Edward still lives and reigns.

229. When they are gone,

230. then shall I count my gains.

231. The King is sickly, weak, and melancholy.

232. Well, have patience, sister.

233. There's no doubt His Majesty will soon recover his accustomed health.

234. But his physicians fear for him mightily.

235. If he were dead, what would become of me?

236. The heavens have blessed you with two goodly sons

237. to be your comforters when he's gone.

238. Oh, but they're young,

239. and their minority is put into the trust of Richard Gloucester.

240. A man who loves not me, nor you, my brother.

241. - Is it confirmed he will be Lord Protector?

242. - Yeah, if the King miscarry.

243. My love, what danger can befall to you

244. so long as Edward is your constant friend

245. and a sovereign whom Richard must obey?

246. Yes, and shall obey and love you, too.

247. Ratcliffe?

248. What's his name?

249. - His name is Tyrell, sir.

250. I partly know the man.

251. Is your name Tyrell?

252. James Tyrell,

253. and your most obedient servant.

254. Are you indeed?

255. Prove me, my gracious lord.

256. Oh, I have passed a miserable night.

257. I thought that I had broken from the Tower

258. and was embarked to cross to Burgundy.

259. And in my company, my brother Richard,

260. who from my cabin tempted me to walk upon the hatches.

261. As we paced along,

262. I thought that Richard stumbled and, in falling,

263. struck me overboard

264. into the tumbling billows of the main.

265. Oh Lord, I thought what pain it was to drown.

266. What dreadful noise of water in my ears.

267. What sights of ugly death within my eyes.

268. I thought I saw a thousand fearful wrecks,

269. a thousand men that fishes gnawed upon,

270. wedges of gold, great anchors, heaps of pearl,

271. inestimable stones, unvalued jewels,

272. all scattered in the bottom of the sea.

273. Some lay in dead men's skulls,

274. and in the holes where eyes did once inhabit,

275. there were crept, as it were in scorn of eyes,

276. reflecting gems

277. that wooed the slimy bottom of the deep

278. and mocked the dead bones that lay scattered by.

279. My dream was lengthened after life.

280. Oh, then began the tempest to my soul.

281. With that, I thought a legion of foul fiends

282. environed me and howled in my ears such hideous cries

283. that, with the very noise, I trembling waked,

284. and for a season after, could not believe

285. but that I was in hell.

286. Such terrible impression made my dream.

287. Oi! Oi! Off!

288. Now then, my hardy, stout-resolved mates...

289. Ah.

290. Are you now going to dispatch this thing?

291. We are, my lord, but need a warrant to be admitted to where he is.

292. Well thought upon.

293. I have it here about me.

294. Be sudden in the execution, for Clarence is well-spoken

295. and perhaps may move your hearts to pity.

296. We go to use our hands and not our tongues.

297. I like you lads. About your business straight.

298. Your eyes drop millstones, when fools' eyes fall tears.

299. Clarence has not another day to live,

300. which done, God taking Edward to his mercy

301. and leave the world for me to bustle in.

302. God make Your Majesty joyful as you have been.

303. - Prime Minister. - Good time of day unto Your Majesty.

304. - Lord Stanley. - Your Majesty.

305. Saw you the King today?

306. But now the Duke of Buckingham and I are come from visiting His Majesty.

307. Did you confer with him?

308. Ma'am, we did.

309. He desires to make reconciliation

310. between Richard of Gloucester and your brother here.

311. Ah, would all were well. But that will never be.

312. I fear our happiness is at the height.

313. Who is it that complains unto the King,

314. that I, in truth, am stern and love them not?

315. Because I cannot flatter and look fair,

316. smile in men's faces, smooth, deceive, and cog,

317. I must be held a rancorous enemy.

318. Cannot a plain man live and think no harm?

319. To whom in all this presence speaks, Your Grace?

320. To you, who have neither honesty nor grace.

321. When have I injured you? When done you wrong?

322. Come, come, my brother Gloucester. We know your meaning.

323. The world is grown so bad that wrens make prey

324. where eagles dare not perch.

325. You envy my advancement and my family,

326. God grant we never may have need of you.

327. Meantime, God grants that I have need of you.

328. My brother is imprisoned by your means.

329. Richard! You do me shameful injury!

330. What would you, fellow, at the Tower?

331. How came you hither?

332. I would speak with Clarence, and I came hither on my legs.

333. I never did incense His Majesty against your brother Clarence,

334. but have been an earnest advocate to plead for him.

335. You may deny that you...

336. She may, my lord.

337. She may, Lord Rivers, but who knows not so?

338. She may do more, sir, than denying that.

339. She may help you to many great promotions what may she not.

340. My Lord of Gloucester, I have too long

341. borne your blunt upbraidings and bitter scoffs!

342. I had rather be a country serving maid

343. than a great queen in this condition to be so baited, scorned, and stormed at.

344. By heaven, I will acquaint His Majesty.

345. Tell him and spare not.

346. Look, what I have said, I will avouch it in the presence of the King.

347. Before you were Queen,

348. yes, or your husband King,

349. I was a packhorse in his great affairs.

350. In all that time, you and your brother here

351. were sympathetic to the enemy.

352. Let me put in your mind, if you forget,

353. what you have been before and what you are.

354. Indeed what I have been and what I am.

355. A bottled spider.

356. My dear brother-in-law,

357. in those busy days when now you try to prove us enemies,

358. we followed then Edward, our lawful king.

359. So should she you if you should be her king.

360. If I should be?

361. I'd rather be a peddler.

362. I'm too childish, foolish for this world.

363. You poisonous, bunch-backed toad!

364. Have done. Have done.

365. Small joy have I in being this country's queen.

366. Buckingham, take heed of yonder dog.

367. Look, when he fawns, he bites.

368. Your Majesty, His Majesty has called for you.

369. What did she say, my Lord of Buckingham?

370. Nothing that I respect, my gracious lord.

371. I cannot blame her,

372. by God's Holy Mother.

373. A virtuous and a Christian-like conclusion

374. to pray for those who have done wrong to you.

375. What? Are you afraid?

376. Not to kill him... Having a warrant for it,

377. but to be damned for killing him,

378. from which no warrant can defend me.

379. I thought you'd been resolute.

380. So I am. Let him live.

381. I'll back to Richard of Gloucester and tell him so.

382. No. Wait a little.

383. Some certain dregs of conscience are yet within me.

384. Remember our reward when the deed's done.

385. He dies.

386. I forgot the reward.

387. And where's your conscience now?

388. In the Duke of Gloucester's purse.

389. In God's name.

390. - What are you? - A man as you are.

391. But not as I am, royal.

392. Nor you, as we are, loyal.

393. Who has sent you to me

394. - and why have you come? - To... To...

395. Murder me.

396. Aye.

397. But how, my friends, have I offended you?

398. Offended us you have not, but King Edward.

399. I will send you to my brother Richard

400. who shall reward you better for my life

401. than will the King for tidings of my death.

402. You are deceived.

403. Your brother Richard hates you.

404. Oh, you are wrong. He loves me, and he holds me dear.

405. Go you to him. Tell him, and he will weep.

406. Aye, millstones! As he lessoned us to weep.

407. Oh, do not slander him, for he is kind.

408. Right, as snow in harvest!

409. Richard! No!

410. Mmm-hmm.

411. Right, so now we have done a good day's work.

412. Now, friends, continue this united league.

413. Rivers and Hastings, take each other's hands.

414. Hastings, my soul is purged from grudging hate.

415. Your Majesty, I truly swear the like.

416. Elizabeth, you are not exempt in this.

417. Wife, greet Lord Hastings.

418. Let him kiss your hand.

419. There, Hastings.

420. Now, princely Buckingham.

421. Make me happy in this unity.

422. Whenever Buckingham does turn his hate upon Your Majesty,

423. God punish me with hate from those where I expect most love.

424. When I most need to employ a friend

425. and most assured that he is a friend...

426. Richard!

427. Deep, hollow, treacherous, and full of guile.

428. Good morrow to my sovereign King.

429. - Now, Richard... - And Queen.

430. I have done a good day's work.

431. Made peace of enmity, fair love of hate.

432. It's death to me to be at enmity.

433. I hate it and desire all good men's love.

434. First, ma'am, I do entreat true peace of you,

435. which I shall purchase with my duteous service.

436. - Of you, my noble, dear Lord Buckingham...

437. If ever any grudge were lodged between us.

438. Of you, Lord Hastings.

439. Of you, dear Rivers,

440. who, all without desert, has frowned on me.

441. Indeed, of all.

442. I do not know that Englishman alive

443. with whom my soul is any jot at odds

444. more than the infant that is born tonight.

445. I thank my God for my humility.

446. I wish to God all strifes were settled so.

447. My sovereign lord,

448. I do beseech Your Majesty to take your brother Clarence to your grace.

449. Why, ma'am, have I offered love for this?

450. Who knows not that the gentle Duke is dead?

451. Who knows not he is dead?

452. Who knows he is?

453. Is Clarence dead?

454. The order was reversed!

455. But he, poor man, by your first order died,

456. and that a winged mercury did bear.

457. Some tardy cripple bore the countermand.

458. Oh, God,

459. I fear thy justice will take hold of me

460. and mine, and mine, and yours for this.

461. Rivers, help me to my bed.

462. Oh, poor Clarence!

463. This is the fruits of rashness.

464. Marked you not, Hastings,

465. how that the guilty brother of the Queen looked pale

466. when he did hear of Clarence's death?

467. God will revenge it.

468. Oh, Clarence.

469. Clarence, my unhappy son.

470. This news is bad indeed.

471. What, is he in his bed?

472. He is. Oh, he has overused his royal person much.

473. What means this scene of rude impatience?

474. Edward, my lord, your son,

475. our king is dead.

476. Why grow the branches now the root is withered?

477. Why wither not the leaves, the sap being gone?

478. Alas! I am the mother of these griefs.

479. On me pour all your tears.

480. I am your sorrow's nurse.

481. Elizabeth, have comfort.

482. We all of us have cause to wail the dimming of our shining star.

483. Though we have spent our harvest of this king,

484. we are to reap the harvest of his son.

485. Sister, think you like a careful mother

486. of the Prince of Wales, your son.

487. Send straight for him. Let him be crowned.

488. In him, your comfort lies.

489. Meseemeth good that, with some little train,

490. the Prince be brought to London to be crowned.

491. Why "with some little train," My Lord of Buckingham?

492. Lest by a multitude, dear sir,

493. the new-healed wound of civil war break out.

494. I hope the King made peace with all of us.

495. And the compact is firm and true in me.

496. And so in me. And so, I think, in all.

497. Therefore, I say, with noble Buckingham,

498. it's fitting that so few should meet the Prince.

499. Hmm.

500. - Prime Minister? - And so say I.

501. Then be it so.

502. Two mirrors of my husband's likeness

503. are cracked in pieces by malignant death.

504. And I, for comfort, have but one false glass

505. that grieves me when I see my shame in him.

506. Ma'am.

507. Mother, I do humbly crave your blessing.

508. God comfort you and put meekness in your breast,

509. love, charity, obedience and true duty!

510. Amen.

511. And make me die a good old man.

512. That's the butt-end of a mother's blessing.

513. I marvel that Her Grace did leave it out.

514. My Lord Protector.

515. My Lord Protector, whoever journeys to the Prince,

516. for God's sake, let not us two stay at home.

517. And let us part Earl Rivers from the Prince.

518. My other self.

519. I long with all my heart to see the Prince of Wales.

520. I hope he is much grown since last I saw him.

521. They say my uncle Richard grew so fast

522. that he could gnaw a crust at two-hours old.

523. Oh, go to, you parlous boy,

524. you are too shrewd.

525. Elizabeth, be not angry with your son.

526. Pitchers have ears.

527. Lord Stanley.

528. Richmond.

529. What news?

530. Such news that grieves me to report.

531. What is your news?

532. Your brother Rivers is murdered.

533. By whom?

534. Richmond?

535. Richard and Buckingham.

536. I see the ruin of my family.

537. Welcome, dear nephew.

538. Welcome to your capital.

539. I wanted more uncles here to welcome me.

540. Those uncles who you want were dangerous.

541. Your Highness attended to their sugared words

542. and looked not on the poison of their hearts.

543. God keep you from them and from such false friends.

544. God keep me from false friends? But they were none.

545. The Prime Minister Lord Hastings comes to greet you.

546. - Hastings. - Uncle Richard!

547. Catesby, is it not an easy matter to make Lord Hastings of our mind

548. for the installment of this noble Duke

549. in the seat royal of our famous land?

550. He, for the late King's sake, so loves the Prince

551. that he will not do anything against him.

552. What think you, then, of Lord Stanley

553. and the Archbishop?

554. They will do, all in all, as Hastings does.

555. Call them tomorrow early, to determine of the coronation.

556. And as it were far off, sound out Lord Hastings

557. and give us notice of his inclination.

558. Commend me to Hastings.

559. Tell him, Catesby, that Rivers is let blood.

560. - Uncle! - Oh! Oof!

561. What would you have, my little lord?

562. Because I am little like an ape,

563. I think that you should bear me on your shoulders.

564. - Uncle Richard? - Hmm?

565. Stanley.

566. Where shall we stay until our coronation?

567. If I may counsel you, some day or two

568. for your best health and recreation,

569. Your Highness shall repose you at the Tower.

570. I shall not sleep in quiet at the Tower.

571. Why? What should you fear?

572. My uncle Clarence's angry ghost.

573. Oh.

574. My grandma told me he was murdered there.

575. I fear no uncles dead.

576. Nor none who live, I hope.

577. So wise, so young, they say, do never live long.

578. Well, let them rest.

579. My Lord Protector, what shall we do

580. if we perceive Hastings will not yield to our plans?

581. Chop off his head.

582. Something we shall determine.

583. And, look, when I am king...

584. Claim you of me the Earldom of Hereford

585. and all the movables whereof the King, my brother, was possessed.

586. I'll claim that promise of your royal hand.

587. And look to have it yielded with all kindness.

588. Come, let's to supper.

589. And then?

590. My uncle dreamt tonight

591. that the boar had shown his tusks.

592. Therefore he sends to know if you will shun the danger

593. that his soul does fear.

594. Return to Lord Stanley.

595. Tell him his fears are shallow, wanting substance.

596. As for his dreams, I wonder he's so foolish.

597. Morning, Catesby.

598. Tell your uncle I shall see him at the meeting

599. where he shall see "the boar" will use us kindly.

600. Catesby, what news in this, our tottering state?

601. It is a reeling world indeed, sir.

602. And, I believe, will never stand upright till Richard wear the garland of the state.

603. How wear the garland?

604. - Do you mean the crown? - Yes, my lord.

605. I'll have this crown of mine cut from my shoulders

606. before I see the crown so foul misplaced.

607. - Hastings. - Where's your boar-spear, Lord Stanley?

608. - Hastings... - Catesby,

609. before a fortnight makes me older,

610. I'll send some packing that yet think not on it.

611. It is a vile thing to die

612. when men are unprepared and look not for it.

613. - Archbishop, you're early stirring. - I'm glad to see you, Prime Minister.

614. What, talking with a priest, Hastings?

615. Your friend Rivers, he needed a priest.

616. - What is it o'clock? - On the stroke of two.

617. Now, gentlemen, the cause why we are met is to determine of the coronation.

618. Oh, speak. When is the royal day?

619. Are all things ready?

620. They are.

621. Who knows the Lord Protector's mind in this?

622. Your Lordship, we think, should soonest know his mind.

623. We know each other's faces.

624. For our hearts, he knows no more of mine than I of yours.

625. Or I of his, my lord, than you of mine.

626. Hastings, you and he are near in love.

627. I have not sounded him,

628. but you, my noble lords, may name the time,

629. and on the Duke's behalf, I'll give my voice.

630. Good day to you all. Oh, I've been long a sleeper.

631. Had you not come upon your cue, my lord,

632. William Lord Hastings had pronounced your part.

633. Then, my Lord Hastings, no man might be bolder.

634. He knows me well and loves me well.

635. I pray you all...

636. Tell me what they deserve who do conspire my death.

637. And have prevailed upon my body with their damned witchcraft.

638. I'll say, my lord, they have deserved death.

639. Let be your eyes the witness of their evil.

640. See how I am bewitched.

641. Behold.

642. My arm is like a blasted sapling,

643. withered up

644. by Queen Elizabeth, that monstrous witch.

645. If she has done this deed, my noble lord...

646. If?

647. You, protector of this damned Elizabeth.

648. Talk you to me of "ifs"?

649. You are a traitor.

650. Off with his head!

651. Now, by Saint Paul I swear I will not dine until I see the same!

652. The rest that love me, rise and follow me!

653. The Duke would be at dinner

654. and longs to see your head.

655. So dear, I loved the man

656. - that I must weep.

657. Would you imagine that the subtle traitor had plotted

658. in the Parliament to murder me?

659. And the Lord Protector?

660. Had he done so?

661. Lord Mayor, the civil peace enforced us to this execution.

662. Now he deserved his death.

663. And do not doubt but that I shall acquaint my duteous city colleagues

664. with all your just proceedings in this cause.

665. Buckingham, go after to the council house.

666. Infer the bastardy of Edward's children.

667. Moreover, urge Edward's hateful lechery

668. which stretched unto their servants, daughters, wives.

669. Doubt not, my lord, I'll play the orator as if the golden fee for which I plead

670. were for myself.

671. Catesby.

672. Give order that no manner of person have any time recourse

673. unto the princes.

674. When scarce the blood was well-washed from his hands

675. which issued from my other, angel husband.

676. Oh, when I say I looked on Richard's face, this was my wish.

677. "Be you," I said, "accursed.

678. "And when you wed, let sorrow haunt your bed."

679. Within so small a time,

680. my woman's heart

681. grossly grew captive to his honey words,

682. and proved subject to my own soul's curse.

683. Buckingham, what say the citizens?

684. Did you infer the bastardy of Edward's children?

685. I did.

686. The insatiate greediness of his desire, his tyranny for trifles, his own bastardy.

687. Your discipline in war, wisdom in peace, your bounty, virtue,

688. fair humility.

689. And when my oratory drew to an end,

690. I bade those who did love their country's good

691. cry, "God save King Richard, England's royal king!"

692. - And did they so? - No.

693. - So God help me, they spoke not a word. - Bah!

694. What tongue-less blocks are they! Would they not speak?

695. The Lord Mayor and his colleagues have arrived.

696. Pretend some fear.

697. Be not easily won by our requests.

698. And look, you, put a prayer book in your hand.

699. Play the maid's part. Still answer no and take it.

700. - Ratcliffe. - No doubt we'll bring it to a happy issue.

701. You shall see what I can do.

702. Catesby.

703. He does entreat you, my Lord Buckingham, to visit him tomorrow or next day.

704. He is within, with two right reverend priests.

705. Tell him myself, the Mayor,

706. and these gentlemen have come to have some conference with him.

707. I'll tell him what you say, my lord.

708. Ah, Lord Mayor.

709. Richard is not King Edward.

710. He is not lulling on a lewd love-bed, but meditating with two deep divines,

711. praying to enrich his watchful soul.

712. Happy were England would this virtuous man

713. take on his Grace the sovereignty thereof.

714. - God defend Richard should say no to us. - I fear he will.

715. - Catesby. - He wonders to what end

716. you have assembled such troops of citizens to speak with him.

717. My lord, he fears you mean no good to him.

718. By heaven, we come to him in perfect love.

719. My Lord Protector?

720. Pray pardon us the interruption of your devotions.

721. My lord, there needs no such apology.

722. - I do suspect I have done some offense. - You have.

723. Will it please you to amend your fault?

724. Else wherefore breathe I in a Christian land?

725. Know then, it is your fault that you refuse the supreme seat,

726. the throne majestical.

727. We heartily solicit you take on the kingly government of this your land,

728. not as Lord Protector, but from blood to blood,

729. your right of birth, your empery, your own.

730. Your love deserves my thanks.

731. But my desert unmeritable, shuns your high request.

732. First if all obstacles were... cut away,

733. yet, so much is my poverty of spirit, so mighty and so many my defects,

734. that I should rather hide me from my greatness.

735. But God be thanked, there is no need of me.

736. The royal tree has left us royal fruit.

737. You say the Prince of Wales is your brother's son?

738. So say we, but born before his wedding day.

739. Then, good my lord, take to your royal self

740. this proffered benefit of dignity.

741. - Good my Lord Protector... - We entreat you.

742. Refuse not, Gloucester, this proffered love!

743. Truly, the hearts of men are full of fear.

744. I am unfit for state and majesty.

745. Then we will plant some other on the throne.

746. I do beseech you take it not amiss. I cannot, nor I will not, yield to you.

747. Your brother's son will never reign our king.

748. Gentlemen, come! I will entreat no more. God's wounds!

749. Oh, do not swear, my Lord of Buckingham!

750. Call him again, my lord. Accept the crown.

751. Will you enforce me to a world of cares?

752. Call him again.

753. My lord. My Lord Buckingham!

754. I'm not made of stone.

755. Gentlemen, since you will buckle fortune on my back,

756. I must have patience...

757. To endure the load.

758. But God doth know, and you may partly see,

759. how far I am

760. from the desire of this.

761. If you will outstrip death,

762. go across the seas and live, dear Richmond, from the reach of hell.

763. Go, my dear nephew, from this slaughterhouse.

764. Long live King Richard!

765. Richard! Richard! Richard!

766. Brackenbury, how are my sons, the princes?

767. Right well, Your Majesty.

768. By your patience, I may not permit you to visit them.

769. - The King has strictly charged the contrary. - The King!

770. - I mean, the Lord Protector. - The Lord protect him from that kingly title.

771. I am their mother. Who should keep me from them?

772. I am bound by oath.

773. And therefore, pardon me.

774. Go you to Richard, and good angels guard you.

775. Stay yet. Look back with me unto the Tower.

776. Pity, you ancient stones, those tender princes

777. whom envy has immured within your walls.

778. Rough cradle for such little pretty ones.

779. Rude, ragged nurse, use my babies well.

780. Now, Buckingham! Thus high, by your advice

781. and your assistance, is King Richard seated.

782. But shall we wear these glories for a day,

783. or shall they last and we rejoice in them?

784. Still live they, and forever let them last.

785. The princes live.

786. - Think now what I would speak. - Say on, Your Majesty.

787. - Why, Buckingham, I say I would be king. - Why so you are!

788. The princes live.

789. Buckingham, you never used to be so dull.

790. Shall I be plain?

791. I wish the bastards dead, and I would have it suddenly performed.

792. What say you now?

793. Speak suddenly, be brief.

794. Your Majesty may do your pleasure.

795. Tut, tut, you are all ice.

796. Your kindness freezes.

797. Say, have I your consent that they shall die?

798. Give me some little breath, some pause, Your Majesty,

799. before I positively speak in this.

800. High reaching, Buckingham grows circumspect.

801. Has he held out so long with me untired and stops he now for breath?

802. Well...

803. Be it so.

804. Lord Stanley!

805. Your Majesty.

806. What's the news?

807. The Archbishop, as I hear,

808. has joined with Richmond in France, Your Majesty.

809. Richmond aims to marry young Elizabeth,

810. my brother Edward's daughter,

811. and by that knot, he hopes to gain my crown.

812. Richmond is your nephew.

813. Well... Look to it.

814. - Your Majesty. - Catesby!

815. Rumor it abroad that Anne, my wife, is very grievous sick.

816. Look how you dream! I say again, give out that Anne, my queen, is sick

817. and like to die.

818. Tyrell.

819. I must be married now to young Elizabeth,

820. or else my kingdom stands on brittle glass.

821. Murder her brothers and then marry her.

822. Tyrell.

823. Dare you resolve to kill a friend of mine?

824. Sir, please you, I'd rather kill two enemies.

825. There you have it. Two deep enemies.

826. Tyrell...

827. I mean those bastards in the Tower.

828. Say it is done, and I will love you for it.

829. It... is... done.

830. Your Majesty.

831. Your Majesty, I claim the earldom of Hereford,

832. which you promised I should possess.

833. Well, let that rest.

834. - The Archbishop has fled to Richmond. - I hear the news.

835. What says Your Majesty to my just request?

836. As I remember, it was prophesied that Richmond should be king.

837. A king. Perhaps. Perhaps.

838. - Your promise for the earldom. - Riche monde.

839. - Your Majesty, I... - Yes. What's o'clock?

840. I am thus bold to put Your Majesty in mind of what you promised me.

841. Well, but what's o'clock?

842. - Upon the stroke of ten. - Then let it strike.

843. Why let it strike?

844. Because that, like a jack, you keep the stroke

845. between your begging and my meditation.

846. I am not in the giving vein today.

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

848. You trouble me! I am not in the vein!

849. Never yet one hour in his bed have I enjoyed the golden dew of sleep,

850. but have been woken by his timorous dreams.

851. Besides, he hates me

852. and will, no doubt, shortly be rid of me.

853. Let me think of Hastings and be gone.

854. Kind Tyrell.

855. Am I happy in your news?

856. It is done, Your Majesty.

857. But did you see them dead... And buried?

858. I did, Your Majesty.

859. Gentle Tyrell, come to me, Tyrell, soon,

860. at after supper...

861. When you shall tell the story of their death.

862. Meanwhile, but think how I may do you good

863. and be inheritor of your desire.

864. The sons of Edward sleep in Abraham's bosom.

865. And Anne...

866. My wife shall bid this world good night.

867. Uncertain way of gain, but I am in so far in blood

868. that sin will pluck on sin.

869. Tear-falling pity dwells not in this eye.

870. - Your Majesty! - Ratcliffe.

871. Upon the southern coast, there rides a powerful navy.

872. It's thought that Richmond is its admiral.

873. Buckingham has fled to welcome him ashore.

874. We must be brief when traitors brave the field.

875. Are you my son?

876. Yes, I thank God, my father, and yourself.

877. You toad!

878. Where are the princes?

879. And your wife?

880. Mother, I have a touch of your condition

881. that cannot brook the accent of reproof.

882. - Oh, let me speak! - Be brief, dear Mother, for I am in haste.

883. - A grievous burden was your birth to me. - And came I not, at last, to comfort you?

884. You came on earth to make the earth my hell.

885. Tetchy and wayward was your infancy,

886. your schooldays frightful, desperate, wild and furious.

887. Your prime of manhood daring, bold and adventurous.

888. Your age confirmed, proud, subtle, sly and bloody.

889. What comfortable hour can you name that ever graced me with your company?

890. If I be so disgracious...

891. Oh, hear me a little, for I shall never speak to you again.

892. So?

893. To war take with you my most grievous curse.

894. My prayers shall on Richmond's party fight.

895. Bloody you are, bloody will be your end.

896. Shame serves your life and will your death attend.

897. I leave for France.

898. Be not tongue-tied.

899. You are a dream of what you were, a breath, a queen in jest.

900. Where is your husband now? Where is your brother?

901. Where are your two sons? Wherein joy?

902. Who sues and kneels and says, "God save the Queen"?

903. Where are the bended peers that flatter you?

904. Where be the thronging troops that followed you?

905. Teach me how to curse my enemy!

906. Forbear to sleep the nights and fast the days.

907. Think that your babes were sweeter than they were,

908. and he that slew them, fouler than he is!

909. Tell me, you villain slave,

910. where are my children?

911. Where is my brother Rivers and your brother Clarence?

912. Where is Lord Hastings?

913. Elizabeth!

914. I must talk a word with you.

915. I've no more sons of the royal blood for you to slaughter.

916. You have a daughter...

917. Called Elizabeth.

918. Must she die for this?

919. Oh, let her live.

920. - Her life is safest only in her birth. - And only in that safety died her brothers.

921. You speak as if that I had slain the princes.

922. No doubt the murderous knife was dull and blunt

923. till it was sharpened on your stone-hard heart

924. to revel in the entrails of my lambs.

925. Ma'am, I intend more good to you and yours

926. than ever you or yours by me were harmed.

927. Tell me what state, what dignity,

928. what honor can you bestow on any child of mine?

929. Even all I have...

930. Yes, and myself and all will I withal endow a child of yours.

931. Be brief, lest that the process of your kindness

932. last longer telling than your kindness date.

933. Know then, that with my soul I love your daughter

934. and do intend to make her Queen of England.

935. You! What!

936. You?

937. - What think you of it? - How can you woo her?

938. Now that would I learn of you.

939. - And will you learn of me? - Madam, with all my heart.

940. Send to her, by the man who slew her brothers,

941. a pair of bleeding hearts, then will she weep.

942. If this inducement move her not, send her a letter of your noble deeds.

943. Tell her you made away her uncle Clarence, her uncle Rivers.

944. Yes, and for her sake,

945. made quick conveyance with her good aunt Anne.

946. You mock me, madam. This is not the way to win your daughter.

947. There is no other way, unless you could put on some other shape

948. and not be Richard who's done all this.

949. Say, that I did all this for love of her.

950. Well, then, she cannot choose but hate you.

951. What is done cannot be now amended.

952. Men shall deal unadvisedly sometimes.

953. If I did take the kingdom from your sons,

954. to make amends, I'll give it to your daughter.

955. Again you shall be mother of a king.

956. What! We have many goodly days to see.

957. The liquid drops of tears that you have shed

958. shall come again, transformed to orient pearl.

959. Go then, my mother. To your daughter, go.

960. Make bold her bashful years with your experience.

961. Acquaint the Princess with the sweet, silent hours of marriage joys.

962. And when these troops of mine have chastised the petty rebel

963. Richmond and dull-brained Buckingham,

964. bound with triumphant garlands will I come

965. and lead your daughter to a conqueror's bed.

966. What were I best to say?

967. Say, she shall be a high and mighty queen.

968. To wail the title as her mother does?

969. Say, I will love her everlastingly.

970. But how long fairly shall her sweet life last?

971. As long as heaven and nature lengthens it.

972. As long as hell and Richard like of it!

973. Your reasons are too shallow and too quick.

974. Oh, no! My reasons are too deep and dead.

975. Too deep and dead, my infants, in their graves.

976. Harp not on that string, madam. That is past.

977. Harp on it still shall I till heart strings break!

978. I know that Richmond aims to wed Elizabeth.

979. In her consists my happiness, and yours.

980. Without her, follows to myself and you,

981. herself, the land, and many a Christian soul,

982. death, desolation, ruin and decay.

983. It cannot be avoided but by this.

984. Be the attorney of my love to her.

985. Plead what I will be...

986. Not what I've been.

987. Shall I be tempted by the devil thus?

988. Yes, if the devil tempt you to do good.

989. But you did kill my children.

990. But in your daughter's womb, I bury them, where, in that nest of spicery,

991. they will breed.

992. Shall I go win my daughter to your will?

993. And be a happy mother by the deed.

994. Write to me very shortly,

995. and you shall understand from me her mind.

996. Bear her my true love's kiss.

997. Farewell.

998. Relenting fool...

999. That shallow, changing woman.

1000. Lord Stanley!

1001. What's the news with you?

1002. None good, Your Majesty, nor none so bad.

1003. Hoyday, a riddle. Neither good nor bad.

1004. - Once more, what news? - Richmond is on the sea.

1005. Then be the seas on him. What does he there?

1006. - Your Majesty, I know not but by guess. - Well, as you guess?

1007. Stirred up by Buckingham, he makes for England,

1008. - here to claim the crown. - Is the throne empty?

1009. Is the King dead?

1010. You will revolt and fly to him, I fear.

1011. I never was, nor never will be false.

1012. Go, then, and muster men.

1013. But leave behind with us your son young George.

1014. Stanley, look your heart be firm,

1015. or else his head's assurance is but frail.

1016. You Majesty.

1017. - The Duke of Buckingham... - Till you bring better news!

1018. The Duke of Buckingham is taken prisoner.

1019. I cry you mercy.

1020. Richmond is landed with a mighty power from France.

1021. Let's go to meet him.

1022. While we reason here, a royal battle might be won and lost.

1023. Tyrell! Give order Buckingham be brought!

1024. Welcome.

1025. Brackenbury. Richmond!

1026. Fortune and victory be with you, nephew.

1027. The Queen has heartily consented that I marry Princess Elizabeth.

1028. England rejoice!

1029. - Good, Lord Stanley. Brackenbury. - Archbishop.

1030. Prepare your advance early in the morning. On your side, I may not be too forward.

1031. Your cousin George is held in custody.

1032. Wretched, bloody, and usurping swine.

1033. I do not doubt but his friends will turn to you.

1034. He has no friends.

1035. Will not King Richard let me speak with him?

1036. - No, my good lord. - Made I him king for this?

1037. Tyrell, why look you so sad?

1038. My heart is ten times lighter than my looks, my lord.

1039. - What is it o'clock? - It's supper time, Your Majesty.

1040. I'll not sup tonight. Let's consult upon tomorrow's business.

1041. - What is the number of the traitors? - Six or seven thousand, Your Majesty.

1042. Our battalion trebles that account.

1043. Besides, the King's name...

1044. Is a tower of strength.

1045. Catesby!

1046. - Your Majesty. - Send for Lord Stanley.

1047. Bid him bring his force before sun-rising, lest his son George

1048. fall into the blind cave of eternal night.

1049. Leave me.

1050. I will.

1051. Stir with the lark tomorrow,

1052. - gentle Tyrell. - Your Majesty.

1053. Leave me, I say.

1054. Oh Lord, let Richmond and Elizabeth

1055. by your fair ordinance be joined together.

1056. And let their heirs, God, if thy will be so...

1057. Enrich the time to come with smooth-faced peace.

1058. Oh thou, whose captain I account myself,

1059. look on my forces with a gracious eye,

1060. put in their hands thy bruising arms of wrath

1061. that we may praise thee in thy victory.

1062. Sleeping and waking.

1063. Defend me still.

1064. Are you my son? You toad!

1065. Richard!

1066. - You do me shameful... - Bloody will be your end!

1067. You do infect my eyes!

1068. My Lord of Gloucester,

1069. I have too long borne your blunt upbraidings!

1070. Because that I am little like an ape,

1071. I think that you should bear me on your shoulders.

1072. Where are my children?

1073. I did but dream.

1074. Oh, coward conscience.

1075. What do I fear? There's none else by.

1076. Richard loves Richard.

1077. That is, I am I.

1078. Is there a murderer here?

1079. No. Yes...

1080. I am.

1081. I love myself. But why?

1082. For any good that I myself have done unto myself?

1083. Oh, no. Alack, I rather hate myself...

1084. For hateful deeds committed by myself.

1085. I'm a villain.

1086. But I lie. I am not.

1087. Fool, of thyself speak well.

1088. Fool, do not flatter.

1089. My conscience has a thousand, several tongues

1090. thronged to the bar, crying all, "Guilty! Guilty!"

1091. I shall despair.

1092. There is no creature loves me,

1093. and if I die, no soul will pity me.

1094. - Your Majesty. - Ratcliffe.

1095. - Will all our friends prove true? - No doubt, Your Majesty.

1096. Ratcliffe, I fear... I fear...

1097. Oh, no, Your Majesty.

1098. Be not afraid of shadows.

1099. How have you slept, my lord?

1100. The sweetest sleep, the fairest-boding dreams

1101. that ever entered in a drowsy head.

1102. Conscience is but a word that cowards use.

1103. Remember whom you are to cope with.

1104. All a sort of vagabonds, rascals and runaways.

1105. And who does lead them but a paltry fellow, a milksop.

1106. If we be conquered, let men conquer us.

1107. Let's whip these stragglers over the seas again.

1108. Shall these enjoy our lands? Lie with our wives?

1109. Ravish our daughters?

1110. What says Lord Stanley? Will he bring his force?

1111. My lord, he has refused to come to you.

1112. Then off with his son George's head.

1113. Stanley...

1114. Your Majesty! Your Majesty!

1115. Richard! Richard!

1116. A horse! A horse!

1117. My kingdom for a horse!

1118. James Tyrell, rescue...

1119. Escape, Your Majesty! Escape! I'll help you to a horse!

1120. Escape? Slave!

1121. Stop! Stop!

1122. Richard!

1123. No! No!

1124. Let's do it pell-mell.

1125. If not to heaven,

1126. then hand in hand to hell.

1127. I'm sitting on top of the world

1128. I'm rolling along

1129. Yes, rolling along

1130. And I'm quitting the blues of the world

1131. I'm singing a song

1132. Yes, singing a song

1133. Glory hallelujah

1134. I just told the parson

1135. Hey, Par, get ready to call

1136. Just like Humpty Dumpty

1137. I'm going to fall

1138. And I'm sitting on top of the world

1139. I'm rolling along

1140. Rolling along

1141. Don't want any millions

1142. I'm getting my share

1143. I've only got one suit, just one

1144. That's all I can wear

1145. A bundle of money

1146. Don't make me feel gay

1147. A sweet little honey

1148. Is making me sad

1149. And I'm sitting

1150. Sitting on top, top of the world

1151. I'm rolling along

1152. Rolling along

1153. And I'm quitting

1154. Quitting the blues, blues of the world

1155. I'm singing a song

1156. Just singing a song

1157. Glory hallelujah

1158. I just told the parson

1159. Hey, Par, get ready to call

1160. Just like Humpty Dumpty

1161. I'm going to fall, yeah

1162. I'm sitting on top of the world

1163. I'm rolling along

1164. Yes, rolling along

1165. And I'm quitting

1166. The blues of the world

1167. I'm singing a song

1168. Yes, singing a song

1169. Glory hallelujah

1170. I just told the parson

1171. Hey, Par, get ready to call

1172. Just like Humpty Dumpty

1173. I'm going to fall

1174. And I'm sitting on top of the world

1175. I'm rolling along

1176. Rolling along

1177. Don't want any millions

1178. I'm getting my share

1179. I've only got one suit, just one

1180. That's all I can wear

1181. A bundle of money

1182. Don't make me feel gay

1183. My sweet little honey

1184. Is making me sad

1185. And I'm sitting

1186. Sitting on top, top of the world

1187. I'm rolling along

1188. Rolling along

1189. And I'm quitting

1190. Quitting the blues, blues of the world

1191. I'm singing a song

1192. Just singing a song

1193. Glory hallelujah

1194. I just told the parson

1195. Hey, Par, get ready to call

1196. Just like Humpty Dumpty

1197. I'm going to fall

1198. Yeah, I'm sitting

1199. On top, top of the world

1200. I'm rolling along, rolling along