Richard III

RIVERS:

A virtuous and a Christian-like conclusion

To pray for them that have done scathe to us.

Madam, his Majesty doth call for you,—

And for your Grace,—and yours, my gracious ⟨lords.⟩

BUCKINGHAM:

Well, let them rest.—Come hither, Catesby.

Thou art sworn as deeply to effect what we intend

As closely to conceal what we impart.

Thou knowest our reasons, urged upon the way.

What thinkest thou? Is it not an easy matter

To make William Lord Hastings of our mind

For the installment of this noble duke

In the seat royal of this famous isle?

He, for his father’s sake, so loves the Prince

That he will not be won to aught against him.

BUCKINGHAM:

What think’st thou then of Stanley? Will not he?

He will do all in all as Hastings doth.

BUCKINGHAM

Good Catesby, go effect this business soundly.

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

RICHARD

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

You shall, my lord.

MESSENGER

I’ll go, my lord, and tell him what you say.

Many good morrows to my noble lord.

HASTINGS

Good morrow, Catesby. You are early stirring.

What news, what news in this our tott’ring state?

It is a reeling world indeed, my lord,

And I believe will never stand upright

Till Richard wear the garland of the realm.

HASTINGS

I’ll have this crown of mine cut from my shoulders

Before I’ll see the crown so foul misplaced.

But canst thou guess that he doth aim at it?

Ay, on my life, and hopes to find you forward

Upon his party for the gain thereof;

And thereupon he sends you this good news,

That this same very day your enemies,

The kindred of the Queen, must die at Pomfret.

HASTINGS

Indeed, I am no mourner for that news,

Because they have been still my adversaries.

But that I’ll give my voice on Richard’s side

To bar my master’s heirs in true descent,

God knows I will not do it, to the death.

God keep your Lordship in that gracious mind.

HASTINGS

But I shall laugh at this a twelve-month hence,

That they which brought me in my master’s hate,

I live to look upon their tragedy.

Well, Catesby, ere a fortnight make me older

I’ll send some packing that yet think not on ’t.

’Tis a vile thing to die, my gracious lord,

When men are unprepared and look not for it.

HASTINGS

O monstrous, monstrous! And so falls it out

With Rivers and Grey; and so ’twill do

With some men else that think themselves as safe

As thou and I, who, as thou know’st, are dear

To princely Richard and to Buckingham.

The Princes both make high account of you—

⌜Aside.⌝ For they account his head upon the Bridge.

BUCKINGHAM

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

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?

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.

I’ll signify so much unto him straight.

BUCKINGHAM

I fear he will. Here Catesby comes again.

Now, Catesby, what says his Grace?

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

Refuse not, mighty lord, this proffered love.

O, make them joyful. Grant their lawful suit.

⟨RICHARD

O, do not swear, my lord of Buckingham!⟩

Call him again, sweet prince. Accept their suit.

If you deny them, all the land will rue it.

RICHARD

Some light-foot friend post to the Duke of Norfolk—

Ratcliffe thyself, or Catesby. Where is he?

Here, my good lord.

RICHARD

Catesby, fly to the Duke.

I will, my lord, with all convenient haste.

RICHARD

⌜Ratcliffe,⌝ come hither. Post to Salisbury.

When thou com’st thither— Dull, unmindful villain,

Why stay’st thou here and go’st not to the Duke?

First, mighty liege, tell me your Highness’ pleasure,

What from your Grace I shall deliver to him.

RICHARD

O true, good Catesby. Bid him levy straight

The greatest strength and power that he can make

And meet me suddenly at Salisbury.

I go.

MESSENGER

Such proclamation hath been made, my lord.

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.

RICHARD

What is ’t o’clock?

It’s suppertime, my lord. It’s nine o’clock.

RICHARD

I will not sup tonight. Give me some ink and paper.

What, is my beaver easier than it was,

And all my armor laid into my tent?

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

RICHARD

The sun will [not] be seen today.

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.

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

RICHARD

Off with his son George’s head!

My lord, the enemy is past the marsh.

After the battle let George Stanley die.

RICHARD

A horse, a horse, my kingdom for a horse!

Withdraw, my lord. I’ll help you to a horse.