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Richard IIIThe Cambridge Dover Wilson Shakespeare

Volume 29

William Shakespeare Edited by John D over Wilson

CAmBRID gE UNIVERSIT y PRESS

Cambridge New york melbourne madrid Cape Town Singapore São Paolo Delhi

Published in the United States of America by Cambridge University Press, New york

www.cambridge.orgInformation on this title: www.cambridge.org/9781108006019

© in this compilation Cambridge University Press 2009

This edition first published 1954, 1961This digitally printed version 2009

ISBN 978-1-108-00601-9

This book reproduces the text of the original edition. The content and language reflect the beliefs, practices and terminology of their time, and have not been updated.

THE WORKS OF SHAKESPEAREEDITED FOR THE SYNDICS OF THE

CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY PRESS

BY

JOHN DOVER WILSON

RICHARD III

RICHARD III

CAMBRIDGE

AT THE UNIVERSITY PRESS

I968

CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY PRESSCambridge, New York, Melbourne, Madrid, Cape Town, Singapore,

Sao Paulo, Delhi

Cambridge University PressThe Edinburgh Building, Cambridge CB2 8RU, UK

Published in the United States of America byCambridge University Press, New York

www.cambridge.orgInformation on this title: www.cambridge.org/9780521094962

© Cambridge University Press 1954, 2008

This publication is in copyright. Subject to statutory exceptionand to the provisions of relevant collective licensing agreements,

no reproduction of any part may take place without the writtenpermission of Cambridge University Press.

First published 1954Pocket edition giving the New Shakespeare

text and glossary with corrections 1959Second impression, with further corrections 1961

Third impression 1965First paperback edition 1968

Re-issued in this digitally printed version 2009

A catalogue record for this publication is available from the British Library

ISBN 978-0-521-07553-4 hardbackISBN 978-0-521-09496-2 paperback

CONTENTSINTRODUCTION :

A. TEXT AND DATE

B. THE SOURCES

(a) The chronicles(h) Shakespeare's debt to More(c) The Mirror for Magistrates

PACE Vll

vii

xixi

xivxxiii

(d) The True Tragedy of Richard III and other pre-Shakespearian dramas

C. STYLE

D. CHARACTER AND PLOT

THE STAGE HISTORY

TO THE READER

THE TRAGEDY OF RICHARD THE THIRD

THE COPY FOR RICHARD III, 1597 AND 1623

NOTES

GLOSSARY

xxvm

xxxiii

xxxvi

xlvi

Ixiii

t

140

161

259

Vll

INTRODUCTION

A. T E X T AND D A T E

For a present-day editor the outstanding problem ofRichard III is its text, the origins and nature of whichwere first satisfactorily explained, and the superiority ofthe folio to the quarto version finally vindicated, in abook published by Professor Patrick of Arizona asrecently as 1936.1 Since then only one edition as far asI know has appeared, Professor Peter Alexander's inThe Tudor Shakespeare, 1951; and the fact that his textdiffers from Aldis Wright's in the classical CambridgeShakespeare* in well over a thousand readings reveals atonce the corrupt state of most current texts and themagnitude of the issues involved. For a discussion ofthese issues the reader is referred to Sir Walter Greg'sEditorial Problem in Shakespeare, 1942 (2nd ed.1951),3 or to the Note on the Copy below. Consideringit was but a single item in a thorough-going recensionof the whole canon, Alexander's Richard III is anastonishing tour de force; and the present edition isdeeply indebted to it.4 First drafting my own text inthe light of Patrick's theory and Greg's comment uponit, I was reassured to find on turning to Alexander's thatour differences as regards readings, where the choice laybetween the folio and the quarto, were remarkably few.In some of these he won me over; in others, as my notesrecord, he did not. Speaking generally, however,I convinced myself that drastic as his purge had been,

1 The Textual History of'Richard III', by D. L. Patrick,Stanford University Press.

1 The Cambridge Shakespeare (2nd ed. 1891).3 Pp. 77-88.* His punctuation I have found particularly helpful.

viii R I C H A R D I I I

it had not been drastic enough; in other words, that hehad not sufficiently allowed for the corrupting influenceof the quarto text upon the folio. For the folioRichard III, or at least some five-sixths of it, wasprinted, as P. A. Daniel showed seventy years ago, notfrom a theatre manuscript, but from a copy of the sixthquarto (1622), imperfectly collated with such a manu-script. Thus it is contaminated not only by misprintsoriginating in the sixth or earlier quartos but also byperversions and vulgarisms going back to the FirstQuarto (1597)* which as Patrick has now shown isa 'reported text', i.e. one reconstructed by actors frommemory. Alexander has overlooked some of the folioreadings traceable to quarto misprints,1 and has hardlyat all availed himself of the liberty implied in Greg'simportant statement that readings in which the folio andthe quartos agree are those 'most vulnerable tocriticism and open to emendation'.3 Accepting thischallenge I have not hesitated to print some sixtyreadings3 in my text which depart both from folio andquartos (i.e. they are emendations in the fullest sense ofthe word), and from most editions, includingAlexander's, published during the last hundred years,though a large proportion may be found in those of theeighteenth century. For over half of them, whetheroriginal or revived, I stand indebted to Miss AliceWalker and Mr J. C. Maxwell. To the latter, indeed,this edition owes a good deal more besides, inasmuch ashe read through the whole in draft, enriched the noteswith valuable suggestions drawn from the stores of hisreading, and rid them of not a few errors.

Our earliest dated reference to the play is its entry inthe Stationers' Register on 20 October 1597 by the

1 See pp. 151-2 below.2 Greg, op. cit. p. 88.3 See pp. 156-8, for a list of these.

I N T R O D U C T I O N ix

London publisher, Andrew Wise, which was succeededin the same year by the issue of the First Quarto editionunder the following compendious, if somewhat ostenta-tious, title, derived perhaps from a play-bill:

The Tragedy of | King Richard the third. | Containing, |His treacherous Plots against his brother Clarence: | thepittiefull murther of his innocent nephewes: | his tyrannicallvsurpation: with the whole course | of his detested life, andmost deserued death. |

As it hath beene lately Acted by the | Right honourablethe Lord Chamber- | laine his seruants.

The performances here alluded to were, however,assuredly not those of the play's original production.Wise's text, which we now label Q i, was as ProfessorPatrick has shown, in fact printed neither from theauthor's manuscript nor from a prompt-book derivedfrom it, but in all likelihood from a version vamped upby a troupe of the Chamberlain's company touring theprovinces in the summer of 1597, when, as we know,owing to a government restraint of plays in Londonfrom 28 July till early in October1 they undertook theironly prolonged tour between 1594. and the end ofElizabeth's reign.2 It follows that London perform-ances from the authentic 'book' must have been ofearlier date; and, since the play is a sequel to 3 Henry VI,and closely connected with it,3 while its style andpsychology are generally regarded as belonging to thefirst period of Shakespeare's dramatic career, it wasprobably composed soon, if not immediately, after thatplay, which would date it as Chambers suggests4

1 Chambers, Elizabethan Stage, i. 298-9.* Chambers, William Shakespeare, i. 64.3 Shakespeare had obviously begun Richard Him mind,

if not on paper, when writing the soliloquy at 3 Henry VI,3. 2. I24.ff.

4 Chambers, William Shakespeare, i. 61, 270.

x R I C H A R D I I I

towards the end of 1592 or some time during 1593.Now Shakespeare may have had a good deal of timeupon his hands at this period, since from 28 June 1592and, except for a brief season at the Christmas andTwelfth Night festivities, right down to near the end of1593, all the London theatres were closed owing toa severe attack of the plague.1 And, though the twoPoems he then wrote and dedicated to Southamptonwill account for some of the time, we may guess thatthe rest was occupied in the composition of playsagainst the day when the number of deaths by plagueper week would fall low enough in London to permitof public performances once again. If so Richard IIIwas probably one of the plays written at this period,while we may plausibly suppose that it was firstproduced by the Chamberlain's company shortly afterits formation in the spring of 1594.

That it was instantly successful, whenever produced,allows of little doubt. And Crookback, which is knownto have been one of Burbage's parts,* is likely to havebeen that for which he was most famous in the middlenineties. The play's immense popularity is also attestedby the fact that no fewer than six editions of it werepublished in quarto before a better text was includedin the Folio of 1623, a record only equalled by theQuarto of 1 Henry IF 'with the humorous conceits ofSir Iohn Falstaffe'; while the number of contemporaryallusions to it, or imitations of it, which have survivedseems to be larger than that of any other Shakespeareplay except perhaps Hamlet? It was in fact the bestshocker of the age, with a villain who embodied some ofthe Elizabethans' pet detestations. As a monster,

1 See 2 Henry VI, Introduction, p. x.* Elizabethan Stage, ii. 308. See Stage-History, p. xlvii.3 See Herford, Eversley Shakespeare, vi. 395-6, and our

Stage-History he. cit.

I N T R O D U C T I O N xi

physically and morally, he ministered to the pleasurableabhorrence which men of all periods and classesexperience in the contemplation of a hideous andinhuman criminal type; and as a godless and blood-thirsty tyrant he was admirably fitted to be the pro-tagonist of a Senecan tragedy, at that date the only formof tragedy approved by the literary dictators.

B. T H E SOURCES1

(a) The chronicles

What may be called the ultimate sources of the play,though Shakespeare is unlikely to have made direct useof either of them, are (i) the Anglica Historia ofPolydore Vergil, an Italian humanist who, coming toEngland in 1502 as a collector of Peter's Pence, waslater engaged by Henry VII to write the first Tudorhistory of England, which he completed about 1516and began to publish in 1534; and (ii) The History ofKing Richard the Third, by Sir Thomas More, which,left unfinished about 1513, was not published untilafter his death. Though very different in scope anddiffering also in detail when treating the same period,the two books were written by friends, inspired byloyalty to the house of Tudor, and revealing much thesame outlook and political prejudices. These Morehimself imbibed, together with much of his facts, fromRichard's contemporaries including More's father, his

1 This section, though an independent survey, owesmuch to C. L. Kingsford, English Historical Literature inthe Fifteenth Century, 1913, and G. B. Churchill, Richardthe Third up to Shakespeare, 1900. For Polydore and therelation between the chronicles readers may also be referredto The 'Anglica Historia'' of Polydore Vergil, ed. by DenysHay, 1950, and Polydore Vergil by the same author, 1952.

xii R I C H A R D I I I

grandfather, and his patron Cardinal Morton, the Bishopof Ely who fetches strawberries for Richard in Act 3,scene 5, and who was actually one of the principalagents of Richard's downfall, as More is evidently aboutto make clear when his book breaks off short in themiddle of a lengthy discussion between Morton andBuckingham on the subject of Richard's claim to thethrone. Thus More's History covers the play down toAct 4, scene 4, the eve of Buckingham's rebellion, andis to that point its main, almost its sole, source. Yet, aswe shall see, the play owes something to Polydore bothin atmosphere and structure, together with a few'facts' and incidents here and there, which will beindicated in the Notes. Both More and Polydore,however, reached the dramatist through the medium ofHall and Holinshed, the chroniclers upon whom theplay is immediately based, and it is necessary thereforeto give some account of the versions or perversionswhich they offered.

First, then, More left behind him two texts of hisHistory, both now accepted as authentic;1 one in Latin,which takes us down to the coronation of Richard; andthe other in English, which as just noted stops short alittle later on. The Latin manuscript was printed withMore's Latina Opera in 1566; the English one nineyears earlier with the English Works collected andpublished by More's son-in-law Rastell in 1557. ButRastell had the Latin before him also and so was ableto insert here and there into his English text briefadditional passages translated from it, carefully indi-cating at the same time their presence and extent. Verydifferent was the treatment accorded to a copy of theEnglish manuscript which at a still earlier date fell intothe hands of the hack-chronicler Richard Grafton, who

1 R. W. Chambers, Thomas More, pp. 21, 115-17. Forprevious doubts, v. Kingsford, op. cit, pp. 185-90.

I N T R O D U C T I O N xiii

garbled it at will, supplemented it for Richard's reignwith material drawn mainly from Polydore, and printedit in 1543 as part of his prose 'continuation' ofHardyng's verse Chronicle. It was this corrupt versionof More's English History, lacking of course Rastell'sinsertions from the Latin, which Hall adopted practi-cally word for word, except for a few moralizingadditions, in the chronicle entitled The Union of theHouses of Lancaster and York that he published in 1548,drawing upon Polydore in his turn for an independentaccount of the rest of Richard's reign, with elaborationsof his .own such as the 'orations' of Richard andRichmond at Bosworth, from which the two speechesin Act 5, scene. 3, are derived.1 Twenty years later theindustrious Grafton returned to the charge with a freshaccount of the usurpation and reign of Richard whichformed the chapters on Edward V and Richard III inhis Chronicle at large, 1569, and virtually consisted ofa reprint of Rastell's text eked out by Hall's chronicle,both of which were now available. Finally we come tothe play's principal direct source, the chapters onEdward IV, Edward V and Richard III in theChronicles of Holinshed, who furnished a faithfulreproduction of Rastell's text, together with much fromHall for what came before and what followed theevents More describes, while he also took over some ofthe items for which Grafton was responsible.

Of all these chronicles two only, the compilations ofHall (or Grafton, 1569)* and of Holinshed, wereactually utilized for the drafting of the play. Recourseto Holinshed is proved by verbal links or misreadings,such as those cited in my notes on 1. 1. 137, 2.3

1 Chambers, pp. 115-17; Kingsford, pp. 187-8, 263.a Grafton's Chronicle at large follows Hall so closely

that it is often impossible to say which of the two is thesource.

xiv R I C H A R D I I I

(Material)', by the reference to details not given inother sources, such as the bleeding of Henry VI'scorpse (1.2.55-6) and the omen of RougemontCastle (4. 2. 102—10); and finally by the error of'mother's' for 'brother's' at 5. 3. 324, which provesfurther that the edition used was not the first but thesecond (1587), in which this error originated. Nor isthe play's debt to Hall any less certain, though Hall'sclose dependence upon Grafton's continuation ofHardyng makes it necessary to keep that in view asa possible alternative. Thus the brace of bishopsbetween whom Richard stands at the audience given tothe Mayor in 3. 7, 'ornaments' not spoken of in Moreor Holinshed, might have been set down to Hall'snotorious Protestant prejudice, were they not to befound in Grafton's Hardyng (1543), as were also thepoints he supplied at 2 .1 .67-9 and 3. I. 164.1

A conclusive link with Hall (or Grafton, 1569),however, is to be seen in the reference at 3. 5. 76-8 toa tyrannical execution by Edward IV. All More,Grafton's Hardyng (1543) and Holinshed tell us is thevictim's name and that he 'was for a word spoken inhaste, cruelly beheaded'; from Hall (or Grafton, 1569)alone could Shakespeare have learnt that he was aLondon tradesman jesting upon the sign of the crownhanging before his shop.

(<£) Shakespeare's debt to More

Yet when all is said Shakespeare's chief debt, whetherlie knew it or not, was to Sir Thomas More; and it isstrange, to some extent exasperating, that this of allplays should be the joint product of the two greatestminds of the Tudor age, since it afforded little or noscope for the humanity, tenderness and spiritual depth

1 See notes below.

I N T R O D U C T I O N xv

which characterize them both. Had he completed, onhis own account, the revision begun in the famousThree Pages of The Book of Sir Thomas More, now lyingat the British Museum, Shakespeare might have givenus all these things and more in a portrait of the greatChancellor himself. As it is we must make the best ofthe portrait below of our legendary Bunchback, aportrait which is virtually all More's except—a largeexception—for the twinkle in the eye and the tone ofvoice; a tone self-assured, almost impishly gay, andmost engagingly cynical, which we first hear in theopening soliloquy and listen to entranced until at lastconscience makes its inevitable entry with the ghosts inAct 5—though even then, be it noted, only when thevoice is stilled and the mind wrapped in sleep. And yet,since this gaiety is hardly at all evident in what Richardhas to say in Henry VI,1 it seems likely that it wassuggested by the irony w,hich is so striking a feature ofMore's History? For though he depicts Richardmerely as a grim arch-villain, More constantly viewshim from a drily humorous standpoint. When Richard,for example, as part of the campaign for the blackeningof Hastings's character after his suspiciously hastyexecution, orders his paramour, Mistress Shore, to beput to open penance, More remarks that in this heshows himself 'a goodly continent prince, clean andfaultless of himself, sent out of heaven into this viciousworld for the amendment of men's manners'.3 To amind like Shakespeare's, which took suggestion as a

1 What there is of it in 8 Henry VI was, I suspect, addedafter Shakespeare began reading the chronicles forRichard III.

1 Cf. Tillyard, Shakespeare's History Plays, p. 209.3 More, History of King Richard the Third, ed. by

J. R. Lumby, p. 53; Holinshed, Chronicles, 1587, .iii.724/2.

xvi R I C H A R D I I I

cat laps milk, such comments, aided by Grafton's touch,of the brace of bishops at the audience with the Mayor,were probably enough to supply the whole apparatus ofRichard's mock sanctimony: the 'odd old ends stolenforth of Holy Writ', the downcast eye as he says, ' Ithank my God for my humility', the shocked protest of'O do not swear, my lord of Buckingham', and so forth.What More did not and surely would not have sug-gested is the infectious glee which Richard takes in theconcoction and carrying out of his various intrigues, soinfectious that whereas with Iago, his nearest parallel,our sympathies are all for the victims, with Richard wedespise the victims and almost applaud the villain.

More's Richard III, his biographer R. W. Chamberstells us, 'with all its grim characterization of the lastYorkist k ing. . . is not a piece of Lancastrian propa-ganda', as Polydore Vergil's account of the reign andHall's undoubtedly were, but 'an attack on the non-moral statecraft of the early sixteenth century'.1 Is heright when he goes on to claim that 'Shakespeare'sRichard is More's Richard' in this as in other respects?Does not the pleasure which the dramatist takes in himand makes his audience share, eclipse any such ethical-political significance? To our modern minds, which,despite all the current jargon of ambivalence andambiguity, are far more of the single-track type thanthose of the Elizabethans, it would seem that this mustbe .so. But in the post-medieval world, half-Christian,half-pagan, and not in the least rationalistic in our senseof the word, it was not only possible but for persons ofany intelligence almost a matter of course to entertaintwo or three apparently inconsistent attitudes or valuesat the same time. Nor was there anything novel incondemning on moral or religious grounds a character

1 R. W. Chambers, op. cit. p. 117.

I N T R O D U C T I O N xvii

thoroughly enjoyed on aesthetic ones. By Shakespeare'sday playgoers had been accustomed to such 'ambi-valence' for centuries. Herod, the Vice, the Devilhimself, had been at once horrible and comic in theMiracles. And their failure to understand this two-mindedness in the Elizabethan audience has led manycritics astray in their estimate of the true significance ofFalstaff. Thus only by realizing that Shakespeareexpects us at once to enjoy and to detest the monstrousRichard can we fully appreciate the play he wrote abouthim. And though this gaiety and attitude of self-assured contempt are additions to More's portrait, wecan be sure that had More lived to see Shakespeare'sre-creation of his History he would have applauded it tothe echo, with the pride of a master in a pupil who hasbettered his instruction. It is in fact difficult toexaggerate Shakespeare's debt to More at this stage ofhis development; probably he learnt as much from himas he did from Plutarch later. 'It is from More',Chambers notes for example, 'that Shakespeare takessomething of the tragic idea in which his Richard IIIreminds us of Greek drama: the feeling of fate hangingover blind men who can see what is happening to othersbut are unconscious of their own danger. "The vainsurety of man's mind, so near his death"—that is themoral of More's Richard III.' Or again observe how inpassing from Henry VI to Richard III we seem to stepstraight from the medieval into the modern world. Thatis partly because the rise of totalitarian states, which isthe mark of our time, has brought Europe back to thetechnique of Italian renaissance politics, whileRichard III, with its intrigues, counterplots, suddenexecutions, and secret assassinations, is the earliest andmost faithful representation in English drama of thecharacter of a fifteenth- or sixteenth-century Italiantyrant. But this Shakespeare owed almost entirely to

xviii R I C H A R D I I I

More, who was a grown man when Alexander VI died,and having heard much of the Borgias and other Italianrulers may have involuntarily transferred some of theirfeatures to the last Yorkist king, persuaded theretoperhaps by Cardinal Morton. And that Shakespeare, tosome extent at least, himself realized the Italian analogiesis suggested by Richard's scoffing attitude towardsreligion and his boast (in defiance of history, chrono-logical and biographical alike) that he will 'set themurderous Machiavel to school'.1 It is even possiblethat the portrait of the portentous Margaret, which isShakespeare's own, may owe something to the extra-ordinary character of that Amazon, if not 'Amazoniantrull', Catarina Sforza. In any case the age which,produced the real woman would have found nothingbeyond belief in the fictitious one.

Shakespeare's audience then accepted the play as,like its main source, a reflection upon 'the non-moralstatecraft of the early sixteenth century', and no doubtof the later sixteenth century too. But what aboutLancastrian or rather Tudor propaganda ? The notionthat More's History is a deliberate falsification ofRichard's career and character in the interests ofHenry VII, who it has actually been suggested himselfmurdered the young princes after Bosworth,2 is ofcourse absurd. Minor inaccuracies, like the lacunae,are inevitable in a book left unfinished and unrevised,while the invention of long speeches for characters likeEdward IV and Buckingham was what had beenexpected of a historian since the days of Thucydides.It is even likely that More gave play to his artisticinstincts by dramatizing some of the episodes. But

1 3 Henry VI, 3. 2. 193.a I do not say he was incapable of it. The liquidation of

Clarence's son (v. note, 4. 2. 54) shows him clearing thesteps to the throne, like a prudent upstart.

I N T R O D U C T I O N xlx

nothing of this touches his veracity, which is surelybeyond question: he sincerely believed Richard was thesort of man he depicts, capable not only of the actionshe ascribes to him but also of those he admits weremere rumours. Hearsay was indeed the only sourceavailable when he wrote; yet hearsay of a very differentauthority from that upon which a modern journalistmight build in an attempt to denigrate a statesmanrecently dead. True, More's patron, Cardinal Mortonis unlikely to have taken an impartial or objective viewof Richard. But it is not certain that Morton was hischief, or even an important witness; and, had he been,the information he gave was easily checked by that ofmany others living during the events of 1483-5, moreparticularly by what he heard from the lips of his fatherand grandfather, both men of indubitable integrity andprominent citizens of London. In a word, we cannotdoubt that More presents us the essential truth aboutRichard as he saw it, and if his purpose in setting itforth was to hold the mirror up to later governors andprinces, that only means that he like Shakespeare wasof his age.1

And Shakespeare was no more primarily concernedwith Tudor propaganda than he was. He could hardlyhave done other than represent Henry of Richmond asa kind of St George and the king he slays as much likea dragon as a human being may be. No doubt, too, inhis revision of the Henry VI plays he had accepted theconventional Tudor philosophy of history. Nor did heever consciously turn his back upon it. It was thereforean element in his Richard III as it was in More's. Inboth, however, it held a very minor position in thescale of values; and as regards the play it is not difficult

1 Cf. A. F. Pollard, 'The Making of Sir ThomasMore's Richard IIP {Essays in honour of James Tait, 1933,pp. 223 ff.).

xx R I C H A R D I I I

to see why. Richard III was the first 'history' Shake-speare was free to re-create at will. It is not surprisingtherefore that his rapidly developing genius shouldimpose on the basic political pattern he had inheritedfrom Henry VI, if not from an original Tragedy ofRichard III, new and more fascinating patterns of hisown. How new and how highly wrought we shall seein section D (p. xxxvi).

Yet while Shakespeare learnt much from More, heof course took his own way. He was free to dramatizeto the top of his bent More's half-dramatized material,and to treat as facts as many of the rumours as he chose.And two departures are particularly noteworthy for theglimpse they seem to give us of his mind. The first isa small but rather amusing point of difference. Aseveryone knows, Richard's favourite expletive in theplay is 'by Saint Paul', though he actually swears 'bySaint John' in the opening scene. In the History heswears once only, when he declares that he will not dineuntil he sees the head of Hastings, and he swears then'by Saint Paul' in obvious allusion to Acts xxiii, whichrelates how forty Jews took an oath 'that they wouldneither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul'.1 PerhapsShakespeare adopted this as Richard's habitual oath,because its protestant flavour added a touch to the mock-Puritan piety which is one of the more entertainingmasks that his Richard assumes.* But perhaps he missedthe original point in More being probably less familiarwith the Scriptures than he.

The second and more fundamental difference is thepart played by the City in the two accounts of Richard'srise to power. As Herford observes, 'Holinshed's [i.e.More's] Richard is as malignant and as resolute' as

1 Cf. R. Noble, Shakespeare's Biblical Knowledge, p. 136.2 Cf. supra pp. xv-xvi. A flavour of Chadband seems to

hang about Richard's whole circle, see e.g. 3. 2. 109-10, n.

INTRODUCTION xxi

Shakespeare's; 'but he is more cautious, and he hasreason to be so. For he has to deceive or to master thetrained political intelligence of England', whereas inthe play 'this obstacle is insignificant, for of thatpolitical intelligence there is very little to be seen. The"Citizens" who in 2. 2 timidly shake their heads asthey "see the waters swell before a boisterous storm",but "leave it all to God" are not men before whomvery great circumspection was needed... . And they arefitly represented by the credulous Mayor of 3. 5'.1 Inthe History, on the other hand, the Mayor, brother ofthe sycophantic preacher, Dr Shaw, is indeed a climberwho has been previously got at.* But he is an exception;and More never lets us forget that the ordinary citizensof London are clear-eyed and hostile, if helpless,spectators of Richard's successive moves towards thecrown. When for example Richard tells them howurgently necessary the execution of Hastings had been,'every man answered him fair as though no manmistrusted the matter, which of truthno man believed'.3

The defamatory proclamation misses fire entirely sinceeveryone notices that a document issued two hoursafter Hastings's death must have taken a very muchlonger time to prepare and engross; one citizensardonically observing 'that it was written by pro-phecy'.4 And the two civic gatherings, the one to hearBuckingham at the Guildhall and the other to offerRichard the crown at Baynard's Castle, are brilliantlydescribed from the citizens' point of view. Three timesBuckingham's outrageous proposal, backed by scurri-lous attacks upon the good name of the Queen and theDuchess of York in order to stamp as bastards both the

1 Eversley Shakespeare, vi. 393-4-2 See note, 3. 5. 102-3.3 More, op. cit. pp. 51-2. I modernize More's spelling.* More, p. 53.

xxii R I C H A R D I I I

young princes and their father Edward IV, is listenedto by the horrified body in 'a marvellous obstinatesilence'; and when for the fourth time he adjures themto declare whether or no they agreed to Richard'selection as king, 'the people', indeed, 'began to whisperamong themselves secretly that the voice was neitherloud nor distinct, but as it were the sound of a swarmof bees', but all he could get to declare themselves werea few prentice boys and a claque of his own retainerswho shouted 'as loud as their throats could give,"King Richard! King Richard!" and threw up theircaps in token of joy'. 'And therewith', concludesMore, 'the lords came down and the company dissolvedand departed, the more part all sad; some with gladsemblance that were not very merry, and some.. . notable to dissemble their sorrow were fain at his[Buckingham's] back to turn their face to the wall,while the dolour of their heart burst out at their eyes.'1

Such was the attitude of the average citizen. Thedeputation to Baynard's Castle next day was a moreselect body, viz. the Mayor, the aldermen and the chiefcommoners, the last category no doubt selected as wellas select. Their attitude was therefore more cynicalthough no less critical. For, as Richard stood abovethem in the gallery and Buckingham at their headhumbly offered him the crown, (More commentsdeliciously) 'there was no man so dull that heard thembut he perceived well enough that all the matter wasmade [=arranged] between them... .And so they saidthat these matters be kings' games, as it were stage-plays, and for the more part played upon scaffolds; inwhich poor men be but the lookers-on. And they thatwise be will meddle no farther. For they that sometime step up and play with them, when they cannot

1 More, pp. 73-4.

I N T R O D U C T I O N xxiii

play their parts, they disorder the play and do them-selves no good'.1

Yet though the citizens did nothing overt to 'disorderthe play', Richard's successive ineffective attempts towin their applause show that the play was a failure evenbefore its crowning scene of the coronation. Andwhether More's account of his career be strictlyhistorical or not, it remains a remarkable constitutionaldocument inasmuch as it tells us how a trained andprofound political intelligence in England during thefirst half of the sixteenth century regarded the relationsbetween the monarchy and public opinion. A dramatist,however, has little use for constitutional theory, andanything but a docile and credulous city would havedisordered the play as Shakespeare conceived it. Yet isthere not something more than this in the differencebetween the two treatments? For More was himselfa Londoner and his father or grandfather may well havebeen one of those present at the Guildhall and Baynard'sCastle, whereas Shakespeare was, at any rate in inten-tion, a country gentleman, and nothing he writeselsewhere about the rising citizen class, or citizens ingeneral, displays much sympathy for or understandingof them.

(c) 'The Mirror for Magistrates' and theClarence scenes

So much for More and the chronicles. But therewere other 'histories' of Richard Crookback available,three literary accounts in particular, still extant and allprobably composed before Shakespeare wrote his play,which is I think certainly indebted to one of them andalmost certainly to another. Earliest of the three is agroup of so-called 'tragedies' in The Mirror for

1 Ibid. pp. 78-9.

xxiv R I C H A R D I I I

Magistrates (Part I, 1559; Part II, 1563),1 composedby William Baldwin and other versifiers, who presenteminent or notorious personages in history telling theirsad or terrible stories, as 'mirrors' or salutory warningsto those who come after. That Shakespeare wasthoroughly conversant with this very large and very dullvolume has been suggested in two books widely read inrecent years.2 Neither author offers any evidence forthe thesis beyond general probability, and finding nonemyself in any of the seven Histories which it has beenmy lot to edit since 1939, Histories which present asmany as twenty-one of the figures in Baldwin's galleryof mirrors, I grew increasingly sceptical as time went on.There are similarities, of course, as there were bound tobe in literary compositions which drew their materialfrom the same chronicles. But this made the widedivergencies all the more striking; divergencies ofinterpretation, of attitude, of the facts selected fortreatment. Furthermore, in view of the frequency withwhich Shakespeare echoes the very words of hisindubitable sources, like Golding, Holinshed, orNorth, it was surely remarkable that no verbal parallelscould be observed between these seven histories andThe Mirror, if the latter had been, as is claimed, 'oneof the important influences of Shakespeare's youth'.3

And then I came to Richard III, eighth and last historyto be edited in the Lancastrian double-cycle, anddiscovered unquestionable parallels in the very firstscene! Two will be enough, I think, to establish thepoint. The business of the ' G ' prophecy which feeds

1 I quote below from the edition edited by Dr Lily B.Campbell in 1938, to the advantage of us all.

J E. M. W. Tillyard, Shakespeare's History Plays, 1944;Lily B. Campbell, Shakespeare's 'Histories'; mirrors ofElizabethan policy, 1947.

3 Tillyard, op. cit. p. 72.

I N T R O D U C T I O N xxv

Edward IV's suspicions of his brother Clarence, andcomes from Polydore, not More, is thus clumsily setout by Holinshed:

Some haue reported that the course of this noble mansdeath rose of a foolish prophesie, which was that afterK. Edward one should reigne whose first letter of his nameshould be a G.1

The eighteenth tragedy of TheMirror is that of George,Duke of Clarence, who tells us, in Baldwin's doggerel,

A prophecy was found, which sayd a G,Of Edwardes children should destruccion be.Me to be G, because my name was GeorgeMy brother thought, and therfore did me hate.But woe be to the wicked heades that forgeSuch doubtful dreames to brede vnkinde debate.*

And in Shakespeare's version, Richard tells us,

Plots have I laid, inductions dangerous,By drunken prophecies, libels and dreams,To set my brother Clarence and the kingIn deadly hate the one against the other.,.About a prophecy, which says that GOf Edward's heirs the murderer shall be.3

Holinshed gives no hint, as does The Mirror, that theprophecy was forged by 'wicked heads'; Shakespeareshows us the wicked head forging it. Holinshed speaksof 'grudge' and 'malice' between the brothers; theword with Shakespeare and The Mirror is 'hate'.Holinshed says nothing, as they do, about the murderof Edward's heirs. Finally, the two couplets whichstate the prophecy have the same rhyme, the samerhythm, and are in other respects so similar that one isa palpable echo of the other. The connexion is certain:the Clarence 'tragedy' in The Mirror was one of the

1 Holinshed, Chronicles, 1587, iii. 703/1.8 The Mirror, 'Clarence', Mi8r-6. J I . I , 32-40.

xxvi R I C H A R D I I I

sources of Richard III. My other example is scarcelyless cogent, and is more interesting for the light itthrows upon Shakespeare's mind at work. Baldwin'sClarence concludes the account of his death in theTower with these lines:

Howbeit they bound me whether I would or no,And in a butte of Malmesey standing by,Newe Christned me, because I should not crie.1

The quibble in the last line is the more arresting thatlight touches are rare in The Mirror. It certainlyarrested Shakespeare, who gave it, however, a wittierand more pregnant point by associating it with the' G ' prophecy. Informed by Clarence that the crimefor which he is sent to prison is the name George,Richard exclaims:

Alack, my lord, that fault is none of yours;He should, for that, commit your godfathers:Belike his majesty hath some intentThat you should be new-christ'ned in the Tower.'

And by turning the old jest and setting this fresh napupon it, Shakespeare loses nothing of its former rele-vance; on the contrary he adds irony and depth to it,since every spectator who knew anything of historywould know of the baptism that awaited Clarence.Baldwin's wise-crack becomes in Richard's mouthcharged with hideous omen.

These parallels seem to have escaped the notice ofthe critics above-mentioned, although both had beensingled out in 1900 by Churchill, who did not, however,realize their full value as evidenced Others adduced by

1 The Mirror, loc. cit. M369-71. • 1. 1. 47-50.3 Churchill, op. cit. pp. 239-41. Tillyard makes no

mention of this book, the most important monograph onthe sources of Richard III yet published, and Campbelldismisses it in a couple of pages.

I N T R O D U C T I O N xxvii

him, together with some he overlooks, will be cited inmy notes. Here I wish to draw attention to the factthat all of them come from one only of the eight'tragedies' in The Mirror which concern Richard III.And though I have recently reread everything Baldwinand his collaborators put into the mouth of Henry VI,Edward IV, Rivers, Hastings, Buckingham, Richard ofGloucester, and Mistress Shore in turn, with an earopen for echoes in the play, I did not detect a singleparallel worth considering. I am therefore driven toconclude both that Shakespeare consulted The Mirrorfor Richard III alone of his histories and that theonly 'tragedy' he made use of was Clarence.

What then led him to turn to The Mirror for thesescenes ? The only reason I can suggest is that he openedthe volume to look at another item, which he may wellhave recalled and wished to re-read before going towork upon what is to many modern readers the out-standing passage in Richard III. I refer to Clarence'sDream, which might have been composed in deliberaterivalry of Sackville's Induction, the only genuine poemin The Mirror except The Complaynt of Buckingham bythe same writer. The latest of a long line of Englishvision-poems going back to the Roman de la Rose of thethirteenth century, Clarence's Dream, as a fearfulvision of the after-life, belongs to a special class of suchpoems, which drew their inspiration from the sixth bookof the Aeneid and Dante's Inferno; and here its onlyvernacular forerunners, apart from the Induction, areSir David Lindsay's Dreme and Gavin Douglas'sPrologue to the seventh book of the Aeneid, both in lateMiddle Scots. When we recollect how little poetry ofreal merit was available in the language of his day beforethe nineties, can we doubt that Shakespeare had readand admired Sackville's majestic study of horrifyingdesolation long before 1593, or that its influence was

xxviii R I C H A R D I I I

still at work when he sat down to write Clarence'sDream; a dramatic poem, be it noted, entirely of hisown invention, without a hint of the kind anywhere inthe chronicles ? Surely, when Clarence tells us

I passed, methought, the melancholy floodWith that sour ferryman which poets write ofUnto the kingdom of perpetual night,1

his creator was thinking of Sackville among otherpoets, and may even have had in mind his lines:

We passed on so far furth tyl we saweRude Acheron, a lothsome lake to tellThat boyles and bubs vp swelth as blacke as hell,Where grisly Charon at theyr fixed tideStil ferreies ghostes vnto the farder side.*

Prince Edward's cry, again,Seize on him, Furies, take him unto torment,'

looks like an echo of Sackville'sSorrowe I am, in endeles tormentes payned,Among the furies in the infernall lake.4

Lastly, if all this be granted, it will be granted alsothat after re-reading one poem in The Mirror for theClarence scenes, Shakespeare would naturally haveturned and glanced through the Clarence 'tragedie'itself and have consciously or unconsciously picked upa word or two here and there from it.

(d) The influence of1 The True Tragedy ofRichard IIP and other pre-Shakespearian dramas

Next in point of time after The Mirror come twodramatic compositions, in which Richard figures as atypical villain of the Senecan type. One of these is an

1 i- 4- 45-7-8 Mirror, 'The Induction', 11. 479-83.3 1. 4. 57. 4 Induction, 11. 108-9.

I N T R O D U C T I O N xxix

academic Latin play, Ricardus Tertius, written about1580 by Dr Thomas Legge, Master of Gonville andCaius College. A popular production at Cambridge tojudge from contemporary references and from the factthat nine copies of it are still extant, it is of slight interestto students of Shakespeare, since neither in plot nor inother respects does it bear much resemblance to hisplay; and there seems little likelihood that he was evenacquainted with it.1 The other, in the vernacular,raises, however, important and complicated issues.A strange work, which could never have been acted asit stands, it was published in 1594 under the title ofThe True Tragedy of Richard the Third, and isobviously a Bad Quarto, i.e. a 'reported text' of anauthentic play belonging to an earlier date.2 Churchillnoted that it contains a large number of parallels withShakespeare's play, some of them strikingly close, anddeclared it to be a 'certain' source of Richard III? Buthe was writing in 1900 before the rise of criticalbibliography, and in particular before the nature andorigin of Bad Quartos had received general recognition,so that recent critics, taking their cue from Chambers,who found 'the text so bad as to render any inferencehazardous', have tended to neglect his evidence. Aftera re-examination of this and a careful comparison of thetwo dramatic texts involved, I have convinced myselfthat Shakespeare must have utilized either The TrueTragedy as printed in 1594 or the authentic lost play

1 Chambers, Elizabethan Stage, in. 4075 WilliamShakespeare, i. 304; Churchill, op. cit. p. 393. The text hasbeen twice published, (i) in 1884 by Barron Field, togetherwith The True Tragedy, for the (old) Shakespeare Society;(ii) in 1908 by H. H. Furness in his Variorum, Richard III.

1 See Chambers, William Shakespeare {loc. cit.); Kirsch-baum in R.E.S. Jan. 1938.

3 Churchill, op. cit. pp. 396-528.

xxx R I C H A R D I I I

lying behind it; and I think the balance of probabilityfavours the second alternative. There is no room here toset out the case in full or even to cite more than a fewof the parallels in the notes; and I must therefore referthe reader to an article on the subject in Dr McMana-way's Shakespeare Quarterly (March 1953). ThereI have restated what seem to me the more cogent ofChurchill's arguments, and in particular that concerningthe well-known parallel between the two texts inRichard's desperate cry for 'A horse! a horse!' whenwe last see him at Bosworth. Peek's Battle of Alcazaroffers yet a third parallel, as Churchill and earlierstudents have noted, in the cry 'A horse! a horse!villain a horse' which Muly Mahomet, the Moorishtyrant, utters to his Boy at his last entry in a similarpredicament to that of Richard.1 What Churchill hasnot observed is that the scene in Peele's play is as clearlyderived, directly or indirectly, from Hall's account ofthe death of Richard III, as are the correspondingscenes in the two plays which concern him. It lookstherefore as if Peele was either himself the author of theold play on Richard or wrote his Alcazar with thatplay in mind. In either case the original Richard IIIwould seem to belong like Alcazar to a date somewherebefore the end of 1591.* On the other hand, the dateof the publication of The True Tragedy, which followedits entry in the Stationers' Register on 19 June 1594,would surely be too late for the inception of Shakes-peare's play, which was in all probability begun in 1592and completed in 1593.

Yet, if Shakespeare made use of this earlier drama oreven of the Bad Quarto of it in 1594, the differences

1 See note 5. 4. 7-10.• Greg, Alcazar andOrlando,-p. 8. Churchill, pp. 484 ff.,

argues, I think plausibly, that it was written as a continua-tion of 3 Henry VI, in its pre-Shakespearian form I assume.

I N T R O D U C T I O N xxxi

between his version and the one imperfectly preservedin the latter are so many and so wide that it can haveprovided him with little more than a point d'appui.Certainly his revision, if revision it were, must have beenfar more drastic and high-handed than that whichI postulate for 2 and 3 Henry VI. Perhaps after theunpleasant business of Greene's dying outburst, hedetermined to give no further occasion for anyone toraise the cry of 'Upstart Crow'. When we consider,however, the construction of his Richard III, asMr R. A. Law has expounded it,1 the play can, I think,be shown to owe more to its predecessor than wouldappear on the surface. Noting that the initial dramaticproblem of Richard III was to impose at least the formof unity upon the miscellaneous jumble of events in thechronicles between the death of Henry VI and theaccession of Henry VII, Law points out that onemethod pursued by the dramatist was, after a first act,which is mainly invented, to confine the action as far aspossible to the happenings of a single year in thechronicles. Thus in Acts 2, 3, 4 and the first scene ofAct 5 our attention is wholly directed to 1483, afterwhich it is immediately switched to the Battle ofBosworth (22 August 1485), with which the playconcludes. Now this is precisely the structure of TheTrue Tragedy, which begins, after an Induction, witha scene at Edward's death-bed; and though dramatizingsome episodes in 1483 from the chronicles whichShakespeare either passes over or merely alludes to,those which it omits he omits also, notably the corona-tion of Richard III. It would seem, therefore, as if theframework of Richard III, at any rate in its mainoutline^ may have been constructed by the dramatistresponsible for the old play.

1 R. A. Law, 'Richard III: its composition', PMLA.LX. 689-96 (1945).

xxxii R I C H A R D I I I

Finally, there are links in Richard III with yetanother pre-Shakespearian play, viz. The True Chronicleof King Leir,1 entered for publication in the Stationers'Register on 14 May 1594 and performed at the Roseby the Queen's Company a month earlier, thoughprobably dating 'from before the plague of 1592-3'.*Clearly, as Law shows in an earlier article than thatjust referred to,3 the dialogue concerning the murderersof Clarence (1.4) has a very close connexion with thedialogue concerning the would-be murderer of KingLeir (11. 145off.). There are in fact quite a largenumber of parallels, most of them verbal but some alsoin situation. Nor are they all confined to the murderersof Clarence, since Law finds one in the dialoguebetween Richard and Anne (1.2. 104-6), and I findanother, which he does not note, between the oathsproposed by Richard and non-suited by the Queen-Mother in 4.4.366 ff. and the oaths which themurderer proposes and King Leir similarly non-suits inLeir, 11. 1625-33. The parallels, which all occur in onescene of Leir, are thus found in three separate scenes inRichard III. But these three scenes are themselvesstructurally connected, if we allow Law's theory thatShakespeare in part contrived the composition of hisfirst act (a) by inventing a Clarence scene and trans-ferring to it the murderers who in More, Hall, andThe True Tragedie are engaged by Richard to smotherthe Princes in the Tower, and (6) by inventing a scenein which Richard woos Anne and so anticipates thesituation and certain features of the courtship of thePrincess Elizabeth which though represented by

1 The earliest extant edition, dated 1605, was reprintedfor the Malone Society by Greg in 1907, and I quote fromthis text.

* W. W. Greg, Modern Language Review, v. 516.3 PMLA. xxvii. 117-41 (1912)-

I N T R O D U C T I O N xxxiii

Shakespeare in 4. 4 is suggested by the chronicles. Allthings considered, it can hardly be doubted that in thisinstance Shakespeare, and not the unknown author ofLeir, was the borrower.

C. STYLE

As already observed, if a pre-Shakespearian play liesbehind Richard III Shakespeare had travelled a longway from it before he completed the drama as we nowknow it. There are, it is true, words and phrases hereand there which recall Greene or Peele, and one or twoshort scenes in feeble verse which conceivably can betheirs; but otherwise the mind and voice are Shake-speare's throughout. While in the Henry VI trilogy andin Titus Andronicus we are constantly pulled up shortby sudden transitions of style and as constantly offendedby vapid thought and tawdry imagery, in Richard IIIwe have practically nothing of this. On the contrary weare swept forward from beginning to end by the'compulsive force' of a poetic and dramatic genius inthe full vigour and flamboyance of youth. Much hasbeen written in recent years about the style ofRichard III., but nothing I think that may not be foundin the following terse and brilliant summary bySir Edmund Chambers:

There are 'dull ' scenes, but the style is uniform through-out. It is a highly mannered rhetorical style, extravagantin utterance, with many appeals and exclamations. Thereis much violence and vituperative speech; the word 'blood'runs like a leit-motif through the play. Epithets, andsometimes nouns, are piled up, in pairs, with or withouta conjunction; in triplets or even greater numbers. Typesof line-structure tend to recur. One is based on such atriplet; another is a 'balanced' line, of noun and epithetagainst noun and epithet. A 'clinching' line at the end ofa speech is also common. There are 'cumulative' passages

xxxiv R I C H A R D I I I

of parallel lines with parisonic beginnings or ending.Words and phrases are repeated for emphasis. There ismuch 'ringing of the changes* on individual words,between line and line and speech and speech. Sometimesthis is progressive, as new words are introduced. Some-times it takes the form of a bitter pun. There is rhetoricalstructure, in antithesis, antiphon, stichomythia. Some ofit is ultimately of Senecan origin. All these features occurindividually in pre-Shakespearean plays and recur in laterShakespearean plays, with diminishing frequency. But I donot think that they are quite so massed and multipliedelsewhere.1

And to the conclusion that the whole is Shakespeare'she makes only one exception: ' I am not certain', heobserves, ' that the extremely ineffective speeches of theghosts (5 .3 . 118-76) may not be a spectaculartheatrical addition.' if these speeches, we may note, beomitted, the context hardly suffers, while as they occurin one of those portions of the text which we assumehave nothing behind them but a quarto, i.e. the versionreconstructed from actors' memories, he may be right.On the other hand, the verse which the ghosts speak,if originally Shakespeare's, may well have been en-feebled by memorial dilution. Or perhaps Shakespearehad just grown tired, as well he might at that stage ofthe composition; for the verse, though poor, is not, likeso much in Henry VI, 'of quite a different complexionfrom the inferior parts of his 'undoubted performancesand visions'.* Or it may belong, Mr Maxwell suggests,to the style he affected for pageants, which tended to becommonplace till the end of his career.

1 William Shakespeare, i. 302-3. I retain his spelling,'Shakespearian*, which I think undesirable, though A. C.Bradley and others use it.

1 Malone's words cited in Boswell's ed. of Malone'sShakespeare, xviii. 557.

I N T R O D U C T I O N xxxv

A stylistic blemish of another kind, not noted byChambers, deserves a word, if only because it ischaracteristically Shakespearian. I refer to the 'tangles',of which quite a number occur in this text, and whichare of special interest because, occurring as they do in anearly play, they are simpler in character than thosefound later, and so reveal more plainly the source of thetrouble in the writer's mind. Discussing the 'tangles'in Hamlet I wrote for example eighteen years ago:

There can be little doubt that occasionally Shakespeare,because his imagination raced ahead of his pen, because hegrew tired, or simply because, like the humblest author ofus all, he was gravelled, not for matter—that never seemedto fail him—but for the appropriate word or phrase, leftpassages behind him in the process of composition thatneeded straightening out or pruning afterwards.1

Having now edited Richard III, I am inclined toaccount for tangles on rather different grounds. For theobvious cause of them all here is, not lack of words, butwhat one may call a logical breakdown or syntacticalincoherence. A couple of examples will illustrate thepoint. Buckingham, sealing his league with the Queenat the dying king's bedside, delivers himself as follows(2 .1 .32-5) :

Whenever Buckingham doth turn his hateUpon your grace, but with all duteous loveDoth cherish you and yours, God punish meWith hate in those where I expect most love!

Hamilton Thompson, the Arden editor, rightly ex-plains the difficulty here as arising 'from the attempt tocombine two strong asseverations, whose meaning is

1 The Manuscript of Shakespeare's 'Hamlet', p . 24. Cf.Greg, The Editorial Problem in Shakespeare, pp. ix, 103,105.

xxxvi R I C H A R D I I I

opposed, in one connected sentence'. In the same way,he points out in a note on 2. 3. 12—15:

In him there is a hope of government,Which, in his nonage, council under him,And in his full and ripened years, himselfNo doubt, shall then and till then govern well—

that the meaning suffers 'from the connexion by oneverb of two ideas, one present, the other future'.1

What appear to be similar syntactical incoherences areto be found at 1. 3. 161-2; 2. 2. 5-7; 3. 7. 133-6;and I should add to those the cruxes at 1. 3. 63—9and 2. 2. 117-19, together with the logical incon-sistency at 5. 3. 243-4.* What is involved in everycase, be it observed, is no failure of poetic power orfacility, no groping for the right word, but a mind intowhich the ideas or images (the two were one) flowedwith such ease and rapidity that occasionally it wasunable to erect a logical or syntactical framework quickenough to carry them. And I suggest that an examina-tion of the tangles in later plays will suggest that mostof these are probably due to a like cause. In any case,one could hardly have a better glimpse of Shakespeare'smind and hand going together. 'And what he thoughthe uttered with that easiness', the players tell us, 'thatwe 'have scarce received from him a blot in his papers.'His imagination never left him time to blot!

D. CHARACTER AND P L O T

Popular as Richard III is and has always been on thestage, the critics took some time to discover its peculiarexcellence. Johnson and Malone agreed that the praiseit generally received was 'greatly beyond its merit'

1 Cf. Abbot, Shakespearian Grammar, § 371.2 See notes below for these examples, and cf. the note on

S.HeTiry VI, 5. 6. 41-3.

INTRODUCTION xxxvii

seeing that 'some parts are trifling, others shocking, andsome improbable';1 while Steevens went so far as toascribe a measure of such merit as it possessed to Cibber's'judicious reformation', which had rid it of 'langours',like Clarence's dream and the 'ravings of Margaret',passages he believed no 'modern audience' would havelistened to with patience.2 Even for Coleridge it waschiefly significant as an exhibition 'in a tone of sublimemorality' of 'the dreadful consequences of placing themoral in subordination to the mere intellectual being';criticism which, like his more famous remarks onHamlet, illuminates the critic's uneasy consciencerather than Shakespeare's art. It was the humorist,Charles Lamb, who first saw the play in true per-spective, and all that has been since written on Richard'scharacter is little more than an elaboration of the ideasset forth in an article which he published in TheMorning Post for 4 January 1802, criticizing a highlypopular production at Covent Garden with G. F.Cooke in the title-role. The notice deserves quotationboth as a fine piece of dramatic criticism and as salutaryadvice, not yet wholly impertinent, to Shakespeare's'fellows' of the acting profession.

Allowing that Cooke presented 'a very original andvery forcible portrait.. . of the monster Richard, as heexists in the popular idea', Lamb singled out threeaspects of the part which, he misrepresented orvulgarized.

1st. His predominant and masterly simulation.-He has a tongue can wheedle with the Devil.

It has been the policy of that antient and grey simulator,in all ages, to hide his horns and claws. The Richard ofMr. Cooke perpetually obtrudes his. We see the effect of his

1 Boswell's ed. of Malone's Shakespeare, xix. 243.* Ibid. p. 244.

xxxviii R I C H A R D I I I

deceit uniformly successful, but we do not comprehendhow it succeeds. We can put ourselves, by a very commonfiction, into the place of the individuals upon whom it acts,and say, that, in the like case, we should not have beenalike credulous. The hypocrisy is too glaring and visible.It resembles more the shallow cunning of a mind which isits own dupe, than the profound and practised art of sopowerful an intellect as Richard's. It is too obstreperousand loud, breaking out into triumphs and plaudits at itsown success, like an unexercised noviciate in tricks. It hasnone of the silent confidence, and steady self-command ofthe experienced politician; it possesses none of that fineaddress, which was necessary to have betrayed the heart ofLady Anne,1 or even to have imposed upon the duller witsof the Lord Mayor and citizens.

2ndly. His habitual jocularity, the effect of buoyantspirits, and an elastic mind, rejoicing in its own powers, andin the success of its machinations. This quality of un-strained mirth accompanies Richard, and is a prime featurein his character. It never leaves him; in plots, in stratagems,and in the midst of his bloody devices, it is perpetuallydriving him upon wit, and jests, and personal satire,fanciful allusions, and quaint felicities of phrase. It is oneof the chief artifices by which the consummate master ofdramatic effect has contrived to soften the horrors of thescene, and to make us contemplate a bloody and viciouscharacter with delight. Nowhere, in any of his plays, is tobe found so much of sprightly colloquial dialogue, andsoliloquies of genuine humour, as in Richard. Thischaracter of unlaboured mirth Mr. Cooke seems entirely topass over, and substitutes in its stead the coarse, tauntinghumour, and clumsy merriment of a low-minded assassin.

Srdly. His personal deformity. When the Richard ofMr. Cooke makes allusions to his own form, they seemaccompanied with unmixed distaste and pain, like someobtrusive and haunting idea. But surely the Richard ofShakespeare mingles in these allusions a perpetual reference

1 How often does the wooing fail to win us in the theatrefor lack of 'that fine address* I (J.D.W.)

I N T R O D U C T I O N xxxix

to his own powers and capacities, by which he is enabledto surmount these petty objections; and the joy of a defectconquered, or turned into an advantage, is one cause of thesevery allusions, and of the satisfaction with which his mindrecurs to them. These allusions themselves are made in anironical and good humoured spirit of exaggeration—themost bitter of them are to be found in his self-congratu-lating soliloquy spoken in the very moment and crisis ofjoyful exultation on the success of his unheard of courtship.1

This appreciation of Richard III, which would nowbe accepted as just by most critics, but was somethingnew in 1802, must be set down, partly of course toLamb's genius, but partly also to the fact that fewbefore him had been in a position to view the play inits historical perspective, seeing that the earliest attemptto establish the chronological order of the plays hadbeen published by Malone only twenty years before,while it was Lamb himself who six years later openedthe eyes of the world at large to the wealth of dramaticliterature in the age of Shakespeare by the publicationof his famous Specimens. Thus, though Cooke was stillplaying Cibber's version,2 Lamb was able to appraiseRichard III for what it was at the time of its originalproduction without wronging it, as some critics are stillapt to do, by depreciating it in comparison with thelater tragedies. With ethics almost as conventional as itsstructure is formal, of shallow depth, and devoid oftenderness—except for the rather sugary picture of thetwo dead princes in the Tower, which the murderersindulge in once the deed is safely accomplished, and

1 The Worh of Charles Lamb,'ed. by E. V. Lucas, 1912,'Miscellaneous Prose', pp. 41-4. For an up-to-date paralleland contrast the reader may be referred to Mr T . C.Worsley's interesting critique of Sir Laurence Olivier'sRichard in The Fugitive Art, 1952, pp. 57-9.

1 See Stage-History, p. xlviii.

xl R I C H A R D I I I

which Hazlitt strangely picks out for special com-mendation—Richard III shows us little or nothing ofthe 'mighty Poet of the human Heart'.1 Yet Londoners,to whom in 1594 tragedy meant Senecan tragedy, e.g.The Spanish Tragedy, The Jew of Malta (in whichBarabas is 'brought in' as Lamb notes, 'with a largepainted nose to please the rabble') or, to quote Lambonce again, 'the lunes of Tamburlaine\ must havefound Shakespeare's dramatization of More's Historyalmost incredibly brilliant. Nor is it possible even to-day to name any other drama as consummate asRichard III in its own kind, a kind that having broughtit thus to perfection Shakespeare never again essayed.It is indeed this very perfection which has blindedmany to the play's true character. For the kind inquestion is not rightly tragedy, but melodrama; themelodrama of genius, yet all the more melodrama forthat.

So much has been written on the play, and so well,since the time of Lamb, that it would be impertinentin me to attempt yet another general criticism. Let itsuffice to emphasize some of the points made by others.In the first place it is interesting to pick up a threaddropped earlier in this Introduction and inquire whatpolitical ideas, if any, may be gleaned from the play, inview of the stress laid upon Shakespeare's politicalphilosophy in recent criticisms of the Histories. A morepersuasive and in my view sounder exposition is one byR. G. Moulton which appeared as long ago as 1885.2

After giving us in one chapter the best analysis ofRichard's character since Lamb, Moulton considers the

1 Keats, Letters, 9 June 1819. (To Miss Jeffrey.)2 Shakespeare as a dramatic artist, ed. 1901, a book not

mentioned either by Dr Tillyard or by Mr A. P. Rossiter,who writes on 'The Structure of Richard the Third'{Durham University Journal, Dec. 1938).

I N T R O D U C T I O N xli

structure of Richard HI in a second, entitled 'How-Shakespeare weaves Nemesis into History'. The plot,he observes, 'presents to us the world of history trans-formed into an intricate design of which the recurrentpattern is Nemesis',1 while the various lines of the plotare

linked together into a system, the law of which is seen tobe that those who triumph in one nemesis become thevictims of the next; so that the whole suggests 'a chain ofdestruction* like that binding together the orders of thebrute creation which live by preying upon one another.*

This last image, though Moulton does not observe it, isnow recognized as a favourite one with Shakespeare3

and may well have been present in his mind as he wrotethe play. In any case, the fates of Clarence, the Wood-villes, Hastings, and Buckingham, which togetherconstitute the underplot, clearly exemplify the patternin question.

When Clarence perished it was the King who dealt thedoom and the Queen's party who triumphed; the wheel ofNemesis goes round and the King's death follows the deathof his victim, the Queen's kindred are naked to thevengeance of their enemies, and Hastings is left to exult.Again the wheel of Nemesis revolves, and Hastings at themoment of his highest exultation is hurled to destruction,while Buckingham stands by to point the moral with a gibe.Once more the wheel goes round, and Buckingham hearssimilar gibes addressed to himself and points the same moralin his own person.4

These minor actions, all concerned with the House ofYork, are moreover seen within the larger circle of the

1 Op. cit. p. 108. * Op. cit. p. no .3 Cf. for example, Troilus and Cressida, i . 3. 119-24;

and Sir Thomas More, 11. 80-7 of Shakespeare's Addition.* Moulton, op. cit. p. 110.

R. i n - 3

xlii R I C H A R D I I I

Wars of the Roses, symbolized by the two survivingdowagers of the rival houses, introduced for the solepurpose of giving form to this theme, viz. the oldDuchess of York, from whom are descended all thefactions that 'successively triumph and fall' in the play,and (once again in defiance of history and probability)the old Queen Margaret, whose 'function is to pointout' that the woes of the House of York are merely thenemesis for their wrongs to the House of Lancaster.Nor is Margaret always allowed the last word; for atone point, the other characters round upon her, toremind the audience that her woes were themselvesa nemesis for wrongs done to the House of York,a reminder which seems to open up 'a vista of nemesesreceding further and further back into history'.1

Furthermore, to prevent these reiterated retributionsseeming tedious or mechanical Shakespeare gives them,the effect of strokes of fate, by making each victimadmit the justice of the blow when it falls, by repre-senting each blow as the fulfilment of a prophecy, andby the frequent introduction of ironical touches.Finally, this intricate patterning is devised as a back-ground to the central character. For,

although the various Nemesis Actions have been carried onby their own motion and by the force of retribution asa principle of moral government, yet there is not one ofthem which reaches its goal without at some point of itscourse receiving an impetus from contact with Richard.Richard is thus the source of movement to the whole drama,communicating his own energy through all parts. It is onlyfitting that the motive force to this system of nemesesshould be itself a grand Nemesis Action, the Life andDeath, or crime and retribution, of Richard III?

And Moulton concludes by tracing the fall of Richard;a fall which resembles that of a man 'slipping down the

1 Moulton, op. cit. pp. 111-13. a Ibid. p. 119.

I N T R O D U C T I O N xliii

face of a precipice, with desperate clingings andconsciously increasing impetus'. It begins, ironically,at the moment when, the desire of his heart at lastsecure through the murder of the princes, we see himseated on the throne 'in pomp, crowned'; and it bringshim at last to the dreadful realization, especially insleep, 'that the finger of Nemesis has been pointing athim all his life and he has never seen it'.1

I have devoted some space to Moulton's analysis,partly because I feel his merits as a critic have beenunduly neglected,2 but chiefly for two other reasons.First, though the structural pattern he brings out is oneadmirably adapted to tragedy, is indeed not unlike thatof Macbeth, it is even more serviceable in a play thecentral figure of which is a Senecan tyrant, that is tosay, a villain of the melodramatic type. On the onehand its obvious artificiality tends to make his arti-ficiality seem less obvious, and on the other thereiteration of its conventional morality keeps theaudience 'feeling good', while leaving them free toenjoy the wickedness of the villain to their hearts'content; a double satisfaction which is of the essence ofmelodrama. If Marlowe gave London 'magnificentmelodrama, saved only from absurdity by flashes ofenchanting poetry',3 Shakespeare showed that melo-drama could also be magnificent art when furnished witha skilfully worked plot, to say nothing of the 'enchantingpoetry' of Clarence's dream. And in the second place,Moulton's criticism teaches us that when composingRichard III Shakespeare had artistic or dramaticconsiderations in mind rather than any concern for the

1 Ibid. p. 121.* Despite Granville-Barker*s tribute to it as the pioneer

work of a 'penetrating and powerful mind* {Companion toShakespeare Studies, p. 352).

3 Macneile Dixon, Tragedy, p. 31.

xliv R I C H A R D I I I

commonwealth or the glorification of the House ofTudor. Richmond had to appear in the last act, becauseRichard and the play both end with the Battle ofBosworth; and he had to go off with a speech on theunion of the two houses and the blessings of peace,because every groundling would expect something ofthe sort; Richard III being the last of the tetralogy.But what a stick he is, and how conventional are hissentiments and perfunctory his verse!1 Indeed, onecannot but remark the casual, not to say careless, treat-ment of the Tudor theme throughout. The note is firststruck in the third scene,* but is so muted there thatonly a spectator well read in the chronicles could havecaught it. The Princess Elizabeth is never introduced,and at the end of the long scene of Richard's wooing ofher by proxy, we are at a loss to understand what theQueen-Mother's intentions are. It is true that we hearin the next scene that she has actually consented to themarriage with Richmond, and I think with Hudson,Brandes, E. K. Chambers and Palmer,3 that Shake-speare meant us to suppose that Richard is hoodwinkedin this his second outrageous courtship. But he wasassuredly not 'palpably outwitted' as Chambers putsit; and it is rather strange that Shakespeare shouldleave his audience in doubt for over a hundred andtwenty lines whether or no the ancestress of his ownQueen Elizabeth had sold her daughter to a man whosehands were red with the blood of her sons, even though

1 Note especially the last seven lines with identicalopenings in. the second and fifth.

1 See note 1.3. 20-9.3 Hudson, Shakespeare's Life, etc., ii. 166; Brandes,

William Shakespeare (1916 ed.), p. 134; E. K. Chambers,Shakespeare: a Survey, p. 19; John Palmer, PoliticalCharacters of Shakespeare, p. 105. This too was Cibber'sview, v. Stage-History, p. xlix and note, 4. 4. 429-30.

INTRODUCTION xlr

we are undeceived shortly after. How differently thewhole dynastic business was dealt with in the original ofThe True Tragedy may be gathered from the promi-nence of the Princess from the outset of the BadQuarto text, from her betrothal with Richmond on thestage, and above all from the conclusion of the textwhich takes the form of a prophetic vision of the gloriescoming to the Tudor dynasty and in particular toElizabeth the Great herself. From all which it appears,to me at least, unlikely that Shakespeare's 'main end'in Richard III was 'to show the working out of God'swill in English history'.1

J. D. W.May 1952

* Tillyard, op. cit. p. 208.

xlvi

THE STAGE-HISTORY OFRICHARD III

The play, to judge by the apparent frequency ofperformance, has been one of the most popular in thecanon. But this is deceptive, since in its period ofgreatest vogue, the eighteenth century, and even downto Henry Irving, a perversion by Colley Cibber waspresented, in whole or part, in the place of Shake-speare. The present survey will cover the stage-historyof both the original play, and of its eighteenth-centurysupplanter.

The words 'lately Acted by the Right Honourablethe Lord Chamberlaine his seruants' which appear onthe title-page of the first Quarto are repeated down to1605, and duly altered in 1612 and 1622 to 'latelyActed by the King Maiesties Seruants'. But no recordof the performances has yet been discovered. On16 November 1633, it was played 'by the K. players'at Court before King Charles and the Queen;1 but thisis the only notice of the play before the closing of thetheatres in 1642. Yet its popularity in Shakespeare'stime and after is abundantly attested by the repeatedQuartos, and by many allusions. Meres in PalladisTamia (1598) lists it as one of the six plays provingShakespeare to be 'most excellent' in tragedy 'amongthe English' as Seneca 'among the Latines'. The nextyear John Weever in his Epigrammes pairs 'Richard'with 'Romeo' in an eulogy of Shakespeare's 'issue'.3

1 The Dramatic Records of Sir Henry Herbert, ed. byJ. Q.Adams (1917), p. 53.

1 v. the sonnet, Ad Guilielmum Shakespeare, in E. K.Chambers, William Shakespeare: Facts and Problems (1930),ii. 199. The 'Richard' may, however, mean RichardII.

S T A G E - H I S T O R Y xlvii

The play, Returnefrom Parnassus, Part II (? Christmas,1601) shows Richard Burbage coaching for the part ofRichard one Philomusus, who recites the first two linesof our play;1 and John Manningham in his Diary3

under 13 March 1602 tells a story of Shakespeare'sforestalling Burbage, in an assignation with a frailLondon auditor captivated by the latter's playing ofthe part, with the plea that 'William the Conquerorwas before Richard the third'. Other allusions proveBurbage's fame in the role, as when Richard Corbettells how his guide over Bosworth field, 'when he wouldhave said, "King Richard died", | and called "Ahorse! a horse!" he "Burbage" cried'.3 This line (5.4.7)is quoted or parodied repeatedly, from Marston'sScourge of Villainie (1598) to Hey wood's The IronAge (?i6i3) and Fletcher's Little French Lawyer(c. i6i9).4

Downes's reference in Roscius Anglicanus (1708) toRichard as one of Betterton's famous roles is not toShakespeare's play, but to Caryl's The English Princess(acted at Lincoln's Inn Fields in March 1667). But atleast one appearance in Richard III is proved by thediscovery in a copy of Quarto 8 (1634) of a cast for theplay, written on the verso of the title-page. It givesBetterton Edward IV, Kynaston Clarence, SandfordRichard, Williams Buckingham, and MountfordRichmond; while Mrs Betterton played the Duchess of

1 v. Chambers, op. cit. ii. 201, and his Elizabethan Stage(1923), iv. 38-9.

a v. Chambers, op. cit. ii. 212.3 her Boreale (pp. 193-4 in Corbet's Poems, 1647),

written in 1621 (v. Essays & Studies, x. 80-2).4 v. The Henry Irving Shakespeare, iii. 147; and for

dates, Annals of English Literature (1935), J. Q- Adams inModern Language Notes, xxxiv. 336 ff. and A. M. Clark,Thomas Heyiuood (1931), pp. 63-5.

xlviii R I C H A R D I I I

York, Mrs Bracegirdle Anne, Mrs Knight QueenMargaret, and Mrs Barry Queen Elizabeth. Thecombination proves a date later than the union of theDuke's and King's Companies in 1685. July 1692 isthe latest possible dating, since Williams left in Augustand did not return till after Mountfort's death in aduel in December; while the names of Michael Leeand Hodgson in the cast make 1690 an almost certainterminus a quo.1

In July 1700 Cibber's play was acted at Drury Lane,Cibber himself taking the title part, though little fittedfor it. In his Preface to the play as printed, and in hisApology for his Life, he complains that the Master ofthe Revels in licensing the play for the stage excisedthe whole of the first act; it was so acted 'for some fewyears' before this act was restored. Act 1 is largelycompiled from 3 Henry VI, with a relation of the battleof Tewkesbury at the beginning, and the murder at theend. Hence Cibber concludes that it was cut out forfear that the distresses of Henry VI might arousesympathy for James II, now an exile in France.>• Cibber's play, called by Davies in his DramaticMiscellanies, 1783 (i. 3) 'a very pleasing pasticcio', wasto Hazlitt a 'striking example' of'the manner in whichShakespeare's plays have been . . . mangled by modernmechanists'. It is a greatly abridged and viciouslyadulterated version of our play, honeycombed withfragments (some 190 lines) from most of the otherHistories. Out of its (roughly) 2050 lines more than1060 are poor, and sometimes quite execrable, verse byCibber himself to some 800 odd retained from Shake-speare. Many scenes and characters are totally omitted;Clarence, Edward IV, Margaret and Hastings alldisappear. This drastic cutting may secure, as Prof.

1 v. the Times Literary Supplement, 27 June and 4 July1935, and 30 April, 7 May and 18 June 1938.

S T A G E - H I S T O R Y xlix

Odell repeatedly insists,1 a more compact drama which'acts better'. Such a lengthy scene as 4. 4, for example,with its long drawn-out ending in what is in effecta doublet of the wooing of Anne, is certainly improvedby much cutting. Cibber also added an aside showingQueen Elizabeth's consent as only a ruse to gain timefor Richmond's enterprise? But some of the mosteffective scenes are jettisoned, such as 1.4, with thedream and murder of Clarence, and 2.4, with theCouncil where the unsuspecting Hastings is denouncedas a traitor; and the absence of Margaret, at once theChorus and the embodied Nemesis of the play, is lossirreparable. The insertions from the other Histories areusually ill-suited to their new setting. Thus Morton'spraise of the dead Hotspur (2 Hen. IF, 1.1.112-23)is absurd when transferred to Henry's quite young son,Edward, in the opening scene. The four lines ofBolingbroke to Gaunt (Ric. II, 1. 3. 294-5, 298-9)are out of character in the mouth of the meek Henry VI,as are also the fourteen lines lifted from Hen. V, 4 Prol.,when uttered by Richard the night before BosworthField. The news of Hotspur's death is drawn on asecond time (2 Hen. IF, 1. 1. 155-60) to give a dyingspeech to Richard after four feeble lines by Cibber.Henry V's famous speech before Harfleur contributesfour lines (H. F, 3. 1. 3-6) to Richmond before thebattle, and a condensed version of Henry IV's soliloquyon sleep (2 Hen. IF, 3. 1.4-31) is given to Anne,lamenting her marriage in a newly added scene. Mostlines from Shakespeare are marred in the borrowing;Cibber, as Genest amply demonstrates, cannot evenpilfer without altering for the worse.3 The cuts of whole

1 G. C. D. Odell, Shakespeare from Betterton to Irving(1921), i. 75; ii. 153, 271. * See 4. 4.429-30, n.

3 The 1700 ed. of the play, however, in the EdinburghNational Library differs in wording in some places from

1 R I C H A R D I I I

scenes leave Richard always in the centre of the action;but he is a melodramatic villain without the subtlety andwit of Shakespeare's murderer. A touch of the lover,as in the new scene with Anne after marriage, wherea transfer of affection to Elizabeth is announced in anaside—' My heart's vacant, and she shall fill her place'—only makes him psychologically more incredible.1 YetCibber's version entirely displaced the originalRichard III on the stage till Macready's partial attemptat restoration of Shakespeare in 1821; and neither his,nor Phelps's more thoroughgoing return to Shakespearein 1845 could divert theatrical fashion from Cibber.Only after Irving's 1877 performance was his travestyeffectively discarded. Even then, till at least veryrecent times Cibber's two most popular perversions—'Off with his head! So much for Buckingham', and'Richard's himself again'—might be heard quoted asShakespeare.

Cibber's play was performed eighty-seven timesfrom 1701 till the advent of Garrick. For fifty-two of

Genest's quotations (from Tonson's 1736 ed. of Cibber'sWorks) 5 and his crowning example of Cibber's ineptitude(which makes Richard impute bastardy to himself insteadof to Clarence) is not in the 1700 original. It is clearlya printer's error of 'me' for 'him' (see Genest's SomeAccount of the English Stage 1660-1830 (1832), ii. 204-5).In Modern Language Notes, xlii. 29-32 (1927), A. C.Sprague describes a whole scene depicting the murder ofthe two Princes which editions from 1718 onwardsomitted.

1 See for Cibber's play Hazlitt, Characters of Shake-speare's Plays (1817) (Everyman's ed., pp. 176-9); Genest,op. cit. ii. 195-219; Furness's Variorum, p. 604; Odell,op. cit. i. 75-6; Hazelton Spencer, Shakespeare Improved(1927), pp. 335-8. C. B. Hogan, Shakespeare in the Theatre,ijoi-1800; Performances in London, ijoi-50 (1952)*p. 378.

S T A G E - H I S T O R Y li

these Drury Lane was the venue; but from 1721Lincoln's Inn Fields became a serious competitor, withfifteen performances. Goodman's Fields showed theplay nine times and Covent Garden seven in the period.1

At Lincoln's Inn Fields Ryan, previously Richmond atDrury Lane on 6 December 1715, took the title part.In Goodman's Fields Richard was acted by Delane onseven of the nine nights. Cibber doubtless monopolizedthe part at the Lane till he retired in 1733, though onlyseven play-bills give the cast as well as the title of theplay. He also acted it at the three performances in thenew theatre in Haymarket (January to May 1710)with Mrs Porter as Queen Elizabeth, a part she alwaysplayed with Cibber. Quin, who had first actedBuckingham in Lincoln's Inn Fields in November1721, and regularly until May 1734 at Covent Garden,succeeded him as Richard at Drury Lane from October1734; but on 31 January 1739, Cibber, returning tothe stage, again essayed the part, only to discover it tobe too arduous for his nearly seventy years. In the thirdAct he confessed to Victor behind the scenes that hewould give fifty guineas to be at home. 'His crackedpipe', says Thomas Davies, 'could not give force to theanimated scenes'.* Of the women acting in his timeone may mention, besides Mrs Porter, Mrs Horton inthe parts of Lady Anne and the Queen, and MrsPritchard as Lady Anne, both at Drury Lane.

Advertised falsely as 'A Gentleman (who neverappeared on any stage)' Garrick made his debut inLondon at Goodman's Fields on 19 October 1741, andinstantly took the town by storm. All the character of

1 v. Hogan, op. cit. pp. 378-90. His lists supersedeGenest's far from exhaustive record.

4 v. Benjamin Victor, History of the Theatres rf Londonand Dublin (1761), ii. 48; and Davies, Dramatic Miscel-lanies (1783), ii. 222.

Hi R I C H A R D I I I

Richard, we are told, was visible in his face as heentered before he had spoken a word. In his tones andactions in the soliloquy in 5 . 3 , which Murphydescribes in detail, ' the audience saw an exact imitationof nature' in strongest contrast with the declamationand conventional gestures of Quin and Ryan. It wasa new and thrilling experience. T h e theatre wascrowded to see him for seven nights that month, andfive more times before Christmas. Pope, coming on2 November, with Betterton's acting still in hismemory, declared Garrick 'never had his equal, andnever will have a rival'. 'Garrick is a new religion',said Quin, but prophesied that the craze, like White-field's success as an evangelist, would not last long.1

Next year, however, when Goodman's Fields wasclosed down in May after five more performances ofour play, Drury Lane engaged him for the autumn, andin a sort of trial run there of three nights he choseRichard as his role on 31 May. From this time till1776, he was seen in the part nearly forty times inDrury Lane, and three times at Covent Garden in 1746,before he became Lacy's partner in Drury Lane thenext year. From 1741 to 1776 only three seasons werewithout Richard III at Covent Garden, and three atDrury Lane.* At Covent Garden Quin (on his returnthere in 1741) and Ryan played the title part till 1750and 1754 respectively, but with diminishing success;we hear from Genest of Quin's being 'much hissed' on26 October 1750. Their chief successors were Spranger

1 For these statements see Arthur Murphy, Life ofGarrick (1801), i. 22-4; and cf. Davies, Memoirs of DavidGarrick (3rd ed. 1781), i. 45-50. Hogarth's engraving ofhis painting of Garrick's awaking from the dream wasshown in the Arts Council's Historical Exhibition ofShakespearian Production, 1947 (Catalogue, no. 11).

* Mr Hogan has supplied me with these figures.

S T A G E - H I S T O R Y liii

Barry in 1757 and 1758 ('lamentably deficient', saidWilkinson), William Smith (1761-73) and Macklin(twice in 1775). Smith joined Garrick and actedRichard for him in 1774 and 1775 at Drury Lane, asdid Sheridan in 1744-5 anc^ 1760-1, after playing thepart at Covent Garden in 1744 and 1754. The latterwas popular despite his unpleasing voice and figure, andGarrick owned that he was very advantageous to him.1

But the best of Garrick's substitutes was Henry Mossopfrom 1751 to 1759; Holland from 1760 to 1769 wasa mere imitator.* In his farewell to the stage Garrickchose Richard III again as one of his three Shakespearetragedies, playing the usurper for three nights between27 May and 5 June 1776 to the youthful Mrs Siddons'sLady Anne, her first tragic part in London. But in thisthere was scanty hint of her future triumphs.3 Garrick'smost frequent Queen was Mrs Pritchard (1743-68);but Peg Woffington acted Lady Anne for him seventimes between 3 May 1743 and 2 April 1750. CoventGarden also saw Mrs Pritchard as the Queen (withQuin) in October 1744, a n d Mrs Bellamy in 1758(with Barry) and 1766; while Mrs Horton, Mrs Cibberand Peg Woffington all played both the Queen andLady Anne there on different occasions.

After Garrick retired Macklin acted Richard once,at Covent Garden ( n November 1776), while Smithcontinued the part at Drury Lane till 1788, andHenderson played it at the Haymarket and at DruryLane in 1777, and at Covent Garden from 1780 to1785. Kemble's first season at Drury Lane saw himpersonating Richard on 6 November 1783; his'eminently fine' face strangely incongruous with theresolve to descant on his own infirmity, as Sir Walter

1 See Davies, Memoirs of Garrick (1781) i. 300-1.a Margaret Barton, Garrick (1948), p. 195.3 See Genest, op. cit. v. 496-7.

liv R I C H A R D I I I

Scott years later observed.1 His reception was not toofavourable; but he repeated the part for the Drury Lanecompany more than twenty times from 1788, when hebecame manager, till 1801,* and four times from 1811at Covent Garden, the last on 29 November 1814. In1803 and 1804 he surrendered the part at CoventGarden to G. F. Cooke, who had first acted it there on31 October 1800, and himself took Richmond. Cookeoutdid him in popularity, and played Richard till 1810.Leigh Hunt and Charles Lamb both condemnedCooke for failing to dissemble his villainy, and Lamb(who praised 'the sportive relief Kemble threw intothe darker shades of Richard') for the absence ofspontaneous mirth and humour in his rendering; buthe admired the 'fire and novelty of his manner' asagainst the prevalent tendency towards a 'frozendeclamatory style'.3 Kemble's desire for historicalaccuracy furnished the play in the rebuilt Drury Laneafter 1794 with correct antiquarian settings painted byCapon of the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey,and Elizabethan buildings, till the 1809 fire destroyedthem; but his costumes in 1783 were 'the strangestmedley of shabby old English and foreign habits'.4 Forhis 1811 production his revision of the play left it

1 Cited in H. H. Furness's Variorum edition, note on1. 1. 35 (1. 1. 30).

* Mr Hogan's lists show twenty down to 1800.3 Leigh Hunt, On the Performers of the London Theatres,

1807, pp. 217-19; Lamb, Essays ofElia, 'On the ArtificialComedy of the Last Century' (from the London Examiner,April 1822, 'The Old Actors'); and Miscellaneous Prose,ed. E. V. Lucas, pp. 41-2, and note, p . 442. Cf. supra,Introduction, pp. xxxviii-xxxix.

4 See J. Boaden, Memoirs of John Philip Kemble, 1825,ii. 101-3; and Herschel Baker, J. P. Kemble, 1942, p. 262,citing the Morning Chronicle for 7 November 1783.

S T A G E - H I S T O R Y lv

essentially Cibber's version, which he thought an'admirable alteration'.1 The next year his brotherCharles, previously Richmond, took his place asRichard on 21 September; and in the season of1813-14 C. M. Young did so twice. Mrs Siddonsacted Queen Elizabeth in 1792, 1796 and 1812, aninadequate role for the display of her powers.Mrs J. P. Kemble in 1787, and Mrs Stephen Kemblein 1783 and 1790, played Lady Anne, while MrsWard and Mrs Powell were seen in both parts duringKemble's acting period.

Some nine months before his last performance, hissupremacy was challenged by a newcomer. EdmundKean first played Richard at Drury Lane on 12 February1814, his second part (Shylock his first) in his firstLondon season. Like Garrick before him he instantlyleapt into permanent fame, and it became the mostpopular of his Shakespearian roles. The crowds thatbesieged the doors a week later for his second time asRichard recalled the memorable nights of 174.1-2.A new style of acting, full of 'life and spirit anddazzling rapidity', made Kemble's more stately mannerseem to many lifeless—'statue-like', was Hazlitt'sword.2 From now on till his last night in the part,21 January 1833, London saw him repeating hissuccesses in it every year except in 1826, when he wasin America and Canada. From October 1827 toJanuary 1829, he transferred himself to CoventGarden, where on 22 October 1827 his son Charles

1 J. P. Kemble, Macbeth and Richard III, 1817, p. 127.2 For Kean as Richard, and comparisons with Kemble

and others, see Hazlitt, Characters of Shakespeare's Plays(Everyman ed.), pp. 174-5; View of the English Stage,1818 {Works, ed. Waller and Glover), viii. 200-4,378-9; and H. N. Hillebrand, Edmund Kean, 1933, esp.pp. 330-44.

Ivi R I C H A R D I I I

was his Richmond. In his latest years he also acted thepart in the Haymarket (1830-2). Through the lateryears, succumbing more and more to drink, andprematurely ageing, he sometimes almost broke downin acting; yet he only once failed to command applausefrom packed audiences. On 24 January 1825, atDrury Lane, after Alderman Cox's suit against him foradultery, his words were drowned in a tumult of ribaldinsults and counter-demonstrations, through which heyet undauntedly acted the play to the end.

Overlapping Kean's were the Richards of J. B. Boothat Covent Garden (February 1817), and Drury Lane(October 1825), and of C. M. Young at the Gardenin December 1826. But no serious rival in the partappeared till Macready. He was first seen in it inLondon on 25 October 1819 at Covent Garden, whenthe production proved an immense success, and avertedthe threatened bankruptcy of the theatre. The critics,including Leigh Hunt, rated the new actor on a levelwith Kean.1 His next Covent Garden production(12 March 1821) is chiefly noteworthy as the firstassault on Cibber's version, though a very tentative one.Out of deference to current taste, it kept many ofCibber's cuts and his most popular gags, and whilerestoring Clarence's dream and the scene of Hastingsat the Council, it only allowed Margaret one appear-ance (in 1.3). The Times of 13 March described it as'merely another arrangement' than Cibber's. Even so,it failed, and the play was taken off after a second night.Mrs Faucit acted Queen Elizabeth, and Egerton asClarence was much applauded. Only twice again, andthen in the spurious version, did Macready playRichard—once in a truncated form of the play

1 See Macready, Reminiscences, ed. Sir F. Pollock, 1875,i. 194-201, which quotes the critiques at length; Hunt'sappeared in the Examiner after two performances.

S T A G E - H I S T O R Y Ivii

(Acts 1-3), followed by melodrama, at Drury Lane inApril 1836, and finally at the Haymarket in the summerof 1837; he never produced the play as Manager. AtDrury Lane, J. B. Booth gave his last Richard inNovember 1836 and Edwin Forrest his first on27 February 1837; while Charles Kean acted the partthere in spectacular productions in February 1838, andJanuary 1844, and later at the Princess's in February1854, when his wife was Lady Anne.

From about 1840 performances became relativelyinfrequent; but in 1845 the first resolute reinstatementof Shakespeare's text was made by Samuel Phelps, whohad previously acted the Cibber play at the Haymarketin the winter of 1837. Now, on 20 February atSadler's Wells, his acting version got rid of all Cibber'salterations, and apart from some transpositions andomissions offered his audience the original drama.Above all, he brought back Queen Margaret, 'playedadmirably', said the Times of 24 February, 'byMrs Warner'. It ran for twenty-four nights.1 Yet hisaim of dethroning the usurper failed. After one revival(21 March 1849), when Miss Glyn played Margaret,he returned to Cibber for his next and last productionon 23 November 1861. His nephew and part bio-grapher-to-be, had told him that his leading lady,Miss Atkinson, would not be able to act Margaret;*but that Edwin Booth had been successfully actingCibber's Richard at the Haymarket in October mayalso have influenced him. At any rate, Cibber resumedhis sway. In February 1868 and again in September1876, Drury Lane saw Barry Sullivan in the title part

1 For this version and production, see Odell, op. cit. ii.268-71; 316-18; and W. May Phelps and J. Forbes-Robertson, Life and Work of Samuel Phelps, 1886, pp. 74-5,257, 263.

* Phelps and Forbes-Robertson, op. cit. p. 202, n.

Iviii R I C H A R D I I I

(Mrs Hermann Vezin as Lady Anne). G. B. Shawdeclared him the one actor after 1845 who 'kept Cibberon the stage', producing exactly the effect Cibber hadintended.1

To Sir Henry Irving belongs the honour of effec-tively ousting the travesty of Shakespeare by the Lyceumproductions of 1877 and 1896-7. Yet, while keepingto the genuine text, he cut it very severely; in his firstrevival, as in Macready's, Margaret only appeared in1.3.* But despite condemnation in the Times of all theacting except Irving's, it scored a success, running forthree months from 29 January; and when RichardMansfield in a poorly received production at theGlobe from March to June 1889 again adoptedCibber's omissions and his opening with the murder ofHenry from 3 Henry VI, he at least mainly adhered toShakespeare's dialogue. In 1877 Kate and IsabelBateman were Queen Margaret and Lady Anne, andA. W. Pinero acted as Stanley. In Irving's secondproduction on 19 December 1896, Margaret was atlast given due scope,3 and Genevieve Ward's renderingof the part extorted even from Bernard Shaw in hisSaturday Review critique of 26 December a word ofpraise, though he castigated the choice of Gordon Craigas Edward IV and Lena Ashwell as Prince Edward.The revival lasted till 7 April 1897, but with abreak after the first night till 27 February owing to anaccident to Irving. The first night, in his grandson'sjudgement, marked 'the peak of his achievement' as anactor. His realistic Richard impressed some as acolossal Satanic figure, to be rated with Mephistopheles;others found his humour and enjoyment of villainy the

1 G. B. Shaw, Our Theatres in the Nineties, 1932, ii. 288.2 See Odell, op. cit. ii. 310.3 See Bram Stoker, Personal Reminiscences of Henry

Irving, 1906, ii. 175.

S T A G E - H I S T O R Y lix

salient feature. Tennyson admired it as one of his twobest parts.1

In the present century Genevieve Ward continuedher fine personations of Margaret—at His Majesty's toBenson's Richard in the summers of 1909 and 1911, toMartin Harvey's at the Lyceum in 1910 and again atHis Majesty's in the summer of 1916. But since 1914the Old Vic's have been the most frequent Londonproductions, ten in all. The first was Ben Greet's withRobert Atkins as Richard and Sybil Thorndike as LadyAnne from 21 November 1915; he revived the playagain in March 1918, Russell Thorndike the Richardand Mary Sumner Lady Anne. On both occasions hehimself played Edward IV. Robert Atkins followedhim as producer, pairing as Richard with MarySumner in April 1921, and cut the play so little that ittook four hours to act.2 Dame Genevieve Ward, nowaged eighty-four, gave her last rendering of Margaret.He put the play on again in 1922 from 26 February.Then came Baliol Holloway in the title part, pre-viously rendered by him at the Regent Theatre from2 December 1923, and now played to Edith Evans'sMargaret in the Old Vic from 5 October 1925; he wasagain seen in it there on 24 January 1927. His lastRichard was from 1 September 1930 at the NewTheatre to Nancy Price's Margaret, a role she filledagain at the Open Air Theatre in Regent's Park from26 June 1934, to Peter Glenville's Richard. Thereafterthe Old Vic Company resumed its virtual monopoly of

1 For Irving's revivals and acting of Richard, see BramStoker, op cit. i. 125-35; ii. 322-5; Austin Brereton, Life ofHenry Irving, 1908, i. 215-17; ii. 254-7; Odell, op. cit. ii.414-15, 449; G. B. Shaw, op. cit. ii. 285-92; GordonCrosse, Fifty Years of Shakespearean Playgoing, 1940, p. 10;Laurence Irving, Henry Irving, 1951, pp. 281-4, 596-602.

1 Gordon Crosse, op. cit. p. 69.

Ix R I C H A R D I I I

the play in London, William Devlin and Helen Haye(14 January 1936) Emlyn Williams and Jean Cadell(2 November 1937), taking Richard and Margaret;Henry Cass and Tyrone Guthrie were successively theproducers. Its most recent revivals have been JohnBurrell's in the 1944-5, and 1948-9 seasons, withSir Laurence Olivier as Richard.1 In the first (from13 September) the cast included Dame Sybil Thorndikeas Margaret, Sir Ralph Richardson as Richmond, JoyceRedman as Lady Anne and Harcourt Williams asEdward IV; in the second (from 26 January 1949)Vivien Leigh played Lady Anne. The last ten years havealso seen Donald Wolfit's Richard at the Strand andSt James's in 1942, and the Scala in 1944, as well as ontour from 1941 onwards.

At Stratford the play has been presented in eighteendistinct revivals, fourteen of them under Benson'sdirection. The first was on 26 April 1886, in a festivalof one week in Benson's first year there. His Richardwas acclaimed in a local critique as better than BarrySullivan's;* henceforward it was one of his mostsuccessful Shakespearian roles. In 18 86 the cast includedAthol Forde (Buckingham), the poet dramatist, StephenPhillips (Hastings), and George Weir, as the LordMayor. In three seasons (1908-10) Genevieve Wardrepeated at Stratford her triumphs as Margaret toBenson's Richard,3 Otho Stuart, who had appeared inthe minor role of a messenger in 1886, giving a finerendering as Clarence in these years. Under Bridges-Adams Benson's mantle fell on Baliol HoUoway, who

1 See Introduction, p. xxix, n. 1.* See M. C. Day and J. C. Trewin, The Shakespeare

Memorial Theatre, 1932, p. 66.3 The only occasions in Stratford, though Lady Benson,

Mainly Players, 1926, p. 298, writes, 'She always joined usto play Margaret in Richard HI'.

S T A G E - H I S T O R Y lxi

acted Richard here in 1921 and 1923 prior to hisLondon successes. After the 1926 fire, George Hayesplayed Richard in 1928 in the cinema, temporarilyused in place of the old theatre; in 1939 Iden Payneproduced the play in the new theatre, when JohnLaurie played Richard, and Dorothy Green Margaret.

In the United States few Shakespearian plays havebeen more popular—mostly in the Cibber version.First presented by a Philadelphian company in NewYork on 5 March 1750,1 it was shown almost everyyear there in the nineteenth century till 1889; fromthen on its vogue somewhat declined. It had beena stock piece on the transatlantic tours of Cooke and theelder Kean, as it was later for Charles Kean and BarrySullivan. J. B. Booth started his career in the States in1821 as Richard; but Edwin Forrest was the first greatAmerican tragedian in the part (1827-68). On7 January 1878, Edwin Booth (who had first playedRichard in May 1857) broke with tradition byperforming Shakespeare's text, severely cut in a versionprepared by William Winter,2 but successors declinedto follow his example, and he too fell back on Cibberin his last production in 1886.3 As late as 1920 JohnBarrymore included much of the 1700 play in hisrevival.4 The Shakespeare play was, however, theversion produced at the Midsummer Festival, 193 5, atthe Playhouse, Pasadena, California, from 5 to 7August, in a cycle of all the Histories.

C. B. YOUNG

July 19521 See G. C. D. Odell, Annals of the New Tori Stage, i.

32 ff.2 See G. C. D. Odell, op. cit. x. 365.3 Ibid. xiii. 28.* See Hazelton Spencer, Art and Life of Shakespeare,

1940 (Engl. ed. 1947)* P- i64-R. I l l - 4

lxiii

TO THE READERThe following is a brief description of the punctua-

tion and other typographical devices employed in thetext, which have been more fully explained in the Noteon Punctuation and the Textual Introduction to be foundin The Tempest volume:

An obelisk (f) implies corruption or emendationnot yet generally accepted, and suggests a reference tothe Notes.

A single bracket at the beginning of a speech signifiesan 'aside'.

Four dots represent a fullstop in the original, exceptwhen it occurs at the end of a speech, and they marka long pause. Original colons or semicolons, which denotea somewhat shorter pause, are retained, or representedas three dots when they appear to possess specialdramatic significance. Similarly, significant commashavebeen given as dashes.

Round brackets are taken from the original, and marka significant change of voice; when the original bracketsseem to imply little more than the drop in tone accom-panying parenthesis, they are conveyed by commas ordashes.

Single inverted commas (") are editorial; doubleones (" ") derive from the original, where they are usedto draw attention to maxims, quotations, etc.

The reference number for the first line is given atthe head of each page. Numerals in square bracketsare placed at the beginning of the traditional acts andscenes.

RICHARD THE THIRD

The scene: London and elsewhere in England

CHARACTERS IN T H E PLAY

KING EDWARD the FourthEDWARD, PRINCE OF WALES, afterwards\

King Edward V I sons to the KingRICHARD, Duke of York JG E O R G E , D u k e of Clarence \R I C H A R D , D u k e of Gloucester, afterwards \ ^ . L f ,

K i n g Richard I I I J K t n & Edward

A young son of Clarence [EDWARD PLANTAGENET]

HENRY, Earl of Richmond, afterwards King Henry VIICARDINAL [Thomas Bourchier, Archbishop of Canterbury]ARCHBISHOP OF YORK [Thomas Rotheram]BISHOP OF ELY [John Morton]DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM

DUKE OF NORFOLK

EARL OF SURREY, his son

ANTHONY WOODEVILLE, EARL RIVERS, brother to ElizabethMARQUIS OF DORSET and *LORD GREY, sons to ElizabethEARL OF OXFORD

LORD HASTINGS

LORD STANLEY, EARL OF DERBY

LORD LOVEL

SIR THOMAS VAUGHAN

SIR RICHARD RATCLIFFE

SIR WILLIAM CATESBY

SIR JAMES TYRREL

SIR JAMES BLOUNT

SIR WALTER HERBERT

SIR ROBERT BRAKENBURY, Lieutenant of the TowerSIR WILLIAM BRANDON

CHRISTOPHER URSWICK, a priestAnother PriestTRESSEL and BERKELEY, gentlemen attending on the Lady

AnneLord Mayor of LondonSheriff of Wiltshire

ELIZABETH, queen to King Edward IVMARGARET, widow of King Henry VIDUCHESS OF YORK, mother to King Edward IVLADY ANNE, widow of Edward Prince of Wales, the son

of King Henry VI; afterwards married to RichardA young daughter of Clarence [MARGARET PLANTAGENET]

Ghosts of those murdered by Richard III, Lords and otherAttendants; a Pursuivant, Scrivener, Citizens, Murderers,Messengers, Soldiers, etc.

'THE TRAGEDY OF

RICHARD THE THIRDwith the landing of Earl Richmond and

the Battle at Bosworth Field1

[i. I.] London. A street1 Enter RICHARD, DUKE OF GLOUCESTER, solus*

Gloucester. Now is the winter of our discontentMade glorious summer by this sun of York;And all the clouds that loured upon our houseIn the deep bosom of the ocean buried.Now are our brows bound with victorious wreaths;Our bruised arms hung up for monuments;Our stern alarums changed to merry meetings;Our dreadful marches to delightful measures.Grim-visaged war hath smoothed his wrinkled front;And now, instead of mounting barbed steeds 10To fright the souls of fearful adversaries,He capers nimbly in a lady's chamberTo the lascivious pleasing of a lute.But I, that am not shaped for sportive triclcs,Nor made to court an amorous looking-glass;I, that am rudely stamped, and want love's majestyTo strut before a wanton ambling nymph;I, that am curtailed of this fair proportion,Cheated of feature by dissembling Nature,Deformed, unfinished, sent before my time 20Into this breathing world, scarce half made up,And that so lamely and unfashionableThat dogs bark at me as I halt by them;

6 R I C H A R D T H E T H I R D 1.1.24

Why, I, in this weak piping time of peace,Have no delight to pass away the time,Unless to spy my shadow in the sunAnd descant on mine own deformity:And therefore, since I cannot prove a lover,To entertain these fair well-spoken days,

30 I am determined to prove a villainAnd hate the idle pleasures of these days.Plots have I laid, inductions dangerous,By drunken prophecies, libels and dreams,To set my brother Clarence and the kingIn deadly hate the one against the other:And if King Edward be as true and justAs I am subtle, false and treacherous,This day should Clarence closely be mewed up,About a prophecy, which says that G

40 Of Edward's heirs the murderer shall be.Dive, thoughts, down to my soul—here Clarence comes.

Enter CLARENCE, guarded, and BRAKENBURT,

Lieutenant of the Tower

Brother, good day: what means this arme'd guardThat waits upon your grace ?

Clarence. His majesty,Tend'ring my person's safety, hath appointedThis conduct to convey me to the Tower.

Gloucester. Upon what cause?Clarence. Because my name is George.Gloucester. Alack, my lord, that fault is none of yours;

He should, for that, commit your godfathers:Belike his majesty hath some intent

50 That you should be new-christ'ned in the Tower.But what's the matter, Clarence ? may I know ?

Clarence. Yea, Richard, when I know; for I protest

I.I.53 R I C H A R D T H E T H I R D 7

As yet I do not: but, as I can learn,He hearkens after prophecies and dreams;And from the cross-row plucks the letter G,And says a wizard told him that by GHis issue disinherited should be;And, for my name of George begins with G,It follows in his thought that I am he.These, as I learn, and such like toys as these 60Hath moved his highness to commit me now.Gloucester. Why, this it is, when men are ruled

by women:'Tis not the king that sends you to the Tower;My Lady Grey his wife, Clarence, 'tis sheThat tempers him to this extremity.Was it not she, and that good man of worship,Anthony Woodeville, her brother there,That made him send Lord Hastings to the Tower,From whence this present day he is delivered ?We are not safe, Clarence, we are not safe. 70

Clarence. By heaven, I think there's no man is secureBut the queen's kindred, and night-walking heraldsThat trudge betwixt the king and Mistress Shore.Heard you not what an humble suppliantLord Hastings was for his delivery ?

Gloucester. Humbly complaining to her deityGot my Lord Chamberlain his liberty.I'll tell you what, I think it is our wayIf we will keep in favour with the king,To be her men and wear her livery. 80The jealous o'erworn widow and herself,Since that our brother dubbed them gentlewomen,Are mighty gossips in our monarchy.

Brakenbury. Beseech your graces both to pardon me;His majesty hath straitly given in charge

8 R I C H A R D T H E T H I R D 1.1.86

That no man shall have private conference(Of what degree soever) with his brother.

Gloucester. Even so; an't please yourworship, Brakenbury,

You may partake of any thing we say:90 We speak no treason, man: we say the king

Is wise and virtuous, and his noble queenWell struck in years, fair, and not jealious;We say that Shore's wife hath a pretty foot,A cherry lip, a bonny eye, a passing pleasing tongue;And that the queen's kin are made gentle-folks:How say you, sir ? can you deny all this ?Brakenbury, With, this, my lord, myself have nought

to do.Gloucester. Naught to do with Mistress Shore! I tell

thee fellow,He that doth naught with her (excepting one)

100 Were best to do it secretly, alone.Brakenbury, What one, my lord?Gloucester. Her husband, knave: wouldst thou

betray me ?Brakenbury. I do beseech your grace to pardon me:

Forbear your conference with the noble duke.Clarence. We know thy charge, Brakenbury, and

will obey.Gloucester. We are the queen's abjects, and

must obey.Brother, farewell: I will unto the king;And whatsoe'er you will employ me in,Were it to call King Edward's widow sister,

n o I will perform it to enfranchise you.Meantime, this deep disgrace in brotherhoodTouches me nearer than you can imagine.

Clarence, I know it pleaseth neither of us well.

I.I.H4 RICHARD T H E T H I R D 9

Gloucester. Well, your imprisonment shall notbe long;

I will deliver you, or else lie for you:Meantime, have patience.

Clarence. I must perforce. Farewell.[Clarence, Brakenbury, and the Guard pass on

Gloucester. Go, tread the path that thou shaltne'er return:

Simple, plain Clarence, I do love thee so,That I will shortly send thy soul to heaven,If heaven will take the present at our hands. 120But who comes here ? the new-delivered Hastings ?

'Enter LORD HASTINGS1

Hastings. Good time of day unto my gracious lord!Gloucester. As much unto my good Lord Chamberlain!

Well are you welcome to the open air.How hath your lordship brooked imprisonment?

Hastings. With patience, noble lord, asprisoners must:

But I shall live, my lord, to give them thanksThat were the cause of my imprisonment.

Gloucester. No doubt, no doubt; and so shallClarence too;

For they that were your enemies are his, 130And have prevailed as much on him as you.

Hastings. More pity that the eagles shouldbe mewed,

Whiles kites and buzzards prey at liberty.Gloucester. What news abroad ?Hastings. No news so bad abroad as this

at home:The king is sickly, weak, and melancholy,And his physicians fear him mightily.

io R I C H A R D T H E T H I R D 1.1.138

Gloucester. Now, by Saint John, that news isbad indeed.

O, he hath kept an evil diet long,140 And overmuch consumed his royal person:

'Tis very grievous to be thought upon.Where is he, in his bed ?Hastings. He is.Gloucester. Go you before, and I will follow you.

[Hastings departsHe cannot live, I hope; and must not dieTill George be packed with post-horse up to heaven.I'll in, to urge his hatred more to ClarenceWith lies well steeled with weighty arguments;And, if I fail not in my deep intent,

150 Clarence hath not another day to live:Which done, God take King Edward to his mercy,And leave the world for me to bustle in!For then I'll marry Warwick's youngest daughter.What though I killed her husband and her father ?The readiest way to make the wench amendsIs to become her husband and her father:The which will I; not all so much for loveAs for another secret close intentBy marrying her which I must reach unto.

160 But yet I run before my horse to market:Clarence still breathes; Edward still lives and reigns:When they are gone, then must I count my gains.

[he goes

[1.2.] l Enter the corpse of HENRT the Sixth, withhalberds to guard it; LADY JNNE being the mourner1,attended by Tressel and Berkeley

Anne. Set down, set down your honourable load—If honour may be shrouded in a hearse—

1.2.3 R I C H A R D T H E T H I R D «

Whilst I awhile obsequiously lamentTh'untimely fall of virtuous Lancaster.Poor key-cold figure of a holy king!Pale ashes of the house of Lancaster!Thou bloodless remnant of that royal blood!Be it lawful that I invocate thy ghost,To hear the lamentations of poor Anne,Wife to thy Edward, to thy slaught'red son, 10Stabbed by the selfsame hand that made these wounds!Lo, in these windows that let forth thy lifeI pour the helpless balm of my poor eyes.O cursed be the hand that made these holes!Cursed the blood that let this blood from hence!Cursed the heart that had the heart to do it!More direful hap betide that hated wretchThat makes us wretched by the death of theeThan I can wish to wolves—to spiders, toads,Or any creeping venomed thing that lives! 20If ever he have child, abortive be it,Prodigious, and untimely brought to light,Whose ugly and unnatural aspectMay fright the hopeful mother at the view;And that be heir to his unhappiness!If ever he have wife, let her be madeMore miserable by the life of himThan I am by my young lord's death and thee!Come, now towards Chertsey with your holy load,Taken from Paul's to be interred there; 30And still, as you are weary of this weight,Rest you, whiles I lament King Henry's corse.

'Enter RICHARD, DUKE OF GLOUCESTER*

Gloucester. Stay, you that bear the corse, and setit down.

12 RICHARD THE THIRD 1.2.34

Anne. What black magician conjures up this fiend,To stop devoted charitable deeds ?

Gloucester. Villains, set down the corse; or, bySaint Paul,

I'll make a corse of him that disobeys.Halberdier. My lord, stand back, and let the

coffin pass.Gloucester. Unmannered dog! stand thou, when

I command:40 Advance thy halberd higher than my breast,

Or, by Saint Paul, I'll strike thee to my foot,And spurn upon thee, beggar, for thy boldness.

Anne. What, do you tremble ? are you all afraid ?Alas, I blame you not, for you are mortal,And mortal eyes cannot.endure the devil.Avaunt, thou dreadful minister of hell!Thou hadst but power over his mortal body,His soul thou canst not have; therefore, be gone.

Gloucester. Sweet skint, for charity, be not so curst.50 Anne. Foul devil, for God's sake, hence, and trouble

us not,For thou hast made the happy earth thy hell,Filled it with cursing cries and deep exclaims.If thou delight to view thy heinous deeds,Behold this pattern of thy butcheries.O, gentlemen, see, see! dead Henry's woundsOpen their congealed mouths and bleed afresh.Blush, blush, thou lump of foul deformity;For 'tis thy presence that exhales this bloodFrom cold and empty veins, where no blood dwells;

60 Thy deeds, inhuman and unnatural,Provokes this deluge most unnatural.O God, which this blood mad'st, revenge his death!O earth, which this blood drink'st, revenge his death!

1.2.64 R I C H A R D T H E T H I R D 13

Either, heaven, with lightning strike the murd'rer dead,Or earth, gape open wide and eat him quick,As thou dost swallow up this good king's blood,Which his hell-governed arm hath butchered!

Gloucester. Lad7, you know no rules of charity,Which renders good for bad, blessings for curses.

Anne. Villain, thou know'st no law of God nor man. 70No beast so fierce but knows some touch of pity.Gloucester. But I know none, and therefore am

no beast.Anne. O wonderful, when devils tell the truth!Gloucester. More wonderful, when angels are

so angry.Vouchsafe, divine perfection of a woman,Of these supposed crimes, to give me leave,By circumstance, but to acquit myself.

Anne. Vouchsafe, diffused infection of a man,Of these known evils, but to give me leave,By circumstance, to accuse thy cursed self. 80

Gloucester. Fairer than tongue can name thee, letme have

Some patient leisure to excuse myself.Anne. Fouler than heart can think thee, thou

canst makeNo excuse current but to hang thyself.

Gloucester. By such despair, I should accuse myself.Anne. And, by despairing, shalt thou stand excused

For doing worthy vengeance on thyselfThat didst unworthy slaughter upon others.Gloucester. Say that I slew them not?Anne. Then say they were not slain:

But dead they are, and, devilish slave, by thee. 90Gloucester. I did not kill your husband.Anne. Why, then he is alive.

14 R I C H A R D T H E T H I R D 1.2.93

Gloucester. Nay, he is dead; and slain byEdward's hands.

Anne. In thy foul throat thou liest: QueenMargaret saw

Thy murd'rous falchion smoking in his blood;The which thou once didst bend against her breast,But that thy brothers beat aside the point.

Gloucester. I was provoked by her sland'rous tongue,That laid their guilt upon my guiltless shoulders.

Anne. Thou wast provoked by thy bloody mind,100 That never dream'st on aught but butcheries:

Didst thou not kill this king ?Gloucester. I grant ye.Anne. Dost grant me, hedgehog ? then, God grant

me tooThou mayst be damne'd for that wicked deed!O, he was gentle, mild, and virtuous!

Gloucester. The better for the King of heaven, thathath him.

Anne. He is in heaven, where thou shalt never come.Gloucester. Let him thank me, that holp to send

him thither;For he was fitter for that place than earth.

Anne. And thou unfit for any place but hell,n o Gloucester. Yes, one place else, if you will hear me

name it.Anne. Some dungeon.Gloucester. Your bed-chamber.Anne. Ill rest betide the chamber where thou liest!Gloucester. So will it, madam, till I lie with you.Anne. I hope so.Gloucester. I know so. But, gentle Lady Anne,

To leave this keen encounter of our wits,And fall something into a slower method,

I.2.U7 R I C H A R D T H E T H I R D 15

Is not the causer of the timeless deathsOf these Plantagenets, Henry and Edward,As blameful as the executioner ?

Anne. Thou wast the cause of that 120accursed effect.

Gloucester. Your beauty was the cause of that effect;Your beauty, that did haunt me in my sleepTo undertake the death of all the world,So I might live one hour in your sweet bosom.Anne. If I thought that, I tell thee, homicide,

These nails should rend that beauty from my cheeks.Gloucester. These eyes could not endure that

beauty's wrack;You should not blemish it, if I stood by:As all the world is cheered by the sun,So I by that; it is my day, my life. 130Anne. Black night o'ershade thy day, and death

thy life!Gloucester. Curse not thyself, fair creature; thou

art both.Anne. I would I were, to be revenged on thee.Gloucester. It is a quarrel most unnatural,

To be revenged on him that loveth thee.Anne. It is a quarrel just and reasonable,

To be revenged on him that killed my husband.Gloucester. He that bereft thee, lady, of

thy husband,Did it to help thee to a better husband.Anne. His better doth not breathe upon the earth. 140Gloucester. He lives that loves thee better than

he could.Anne. Name him.Gloucester. Plantagenet.Anne, Why, that was he.

16 RICHARD THE THIRD 1.2.143

Gloucester. The selfsame name, but one ofbetter nature.

Anne. Where is he ?Gloucester. Here, [she'spits at Mm'] Why

dost thou spit at me?Anne. Would it were mortal poison, for thy sake!Gloucester. Never came poison from so sweet a place.Anne. Never hung poison on a fouler toad.

Out of my sight! thou dost infect mine eyes.Gloucester. Thine eyes, sweet lady, have infected mine.

150 Anne. Would they were basilisks to strike thee dead!Gloucester. I would they were, that I might die

at once;For now they kill me with a living death.Those eyes of thine from mine have drawn salt tears,Shamed their aspects with store of childish drops:These eyes, which never shed remorseful tear,No, when my father York and Edward wept,To hear the piteous moan that Rutland madeWhen black-faced Clifford shook his sword at him;Nor when thy warlike father, like a child,

160 Told the sad story of my father's death,And twenty times made pause to sob and weepThat all the standers-by had wet their cheeksLike trees bedashed with rain—in that sad timeMy manly eyes did scorn an humble tear;And what these sorrows could not thence exhaleThy beauty hath, and made them blind with weeping.I never sued to friend nor enemy;My tongue could never learn sweet smoothing word;But, now thy beauty is proposed my fee,

170 My proud heart sues, and prompts my tongue to speak.[lshe looks scornfully at him''

Teach not thy lip such scorn, for it was made

x.z.xn RICHARD THE THIRD 17

For kissing, lady, not for such contempt.If thy revengeful heart cannot forgive,Lo, here I lend thee this sharp-pointed sword;Which if thou please to hide in this true breast,And let the soul forth that adoreth thee,I lay it naked to the deadly stroke,And humbly beg the death upon my knee.

[lhe lays his breast open: she offers at it with his sworJ'Nay, do not pause; for I did kill King Henry,But 'twas thy beauty that provoked me. 180Nay, now dispatch; 'twas I that stabbed young Edward,But 'twas thy heavenly face that set me on.

['she falls the sword*Take up the sword again, or take up me.

Anne. Arise, dissembler: though I wish thy death,I will not be thy executioner.

Gloucester. Then bid me kill myself, and I will do it.Anne. I have already.Gloucester. That was in thy rage:

Speak it again, and even with the wordThis hand, which, for thy love, did kill thy love,Shall, for thy love, kill a far truer love; 190To both their deaths shalt thou be accessary.

Anne. I would I knew thy heart.Gloucester. 'Tis figured in my tongue.Anne. I fear me both are false.Gloucester. Then never was man true.Anne. Well, well, put up your sword.Gloucester. Say, then, my peace is made.Anne. That shalt thou know hereafter.Gloucester. But shall I live in hope?Anne. All men, I hope, live so. 200Gloucester. Vouchsafe to wear this ring.Anne. To take is not to give. [she puts on the ring

R. I l l - 5

18 R I C H A R D T H E T H I R D 1.2.203

Gloucester. Look how my ring encompasseththy finger,

Even so thy breast encloseth my poor heart;Wear both of them, for both of them are thine.And if thy poor devoted servant mayBut beg one favour at thy gracious hand,Thou dost confirm his happiness for ever.

Anne. What is it?210 Gloucester. That it may please you leave these

sad designsTo him that hath most cause to be a mourner,And presently repair to Crosby House;Where, after I have solemnly interredAt Chertsey monast'ry this noble king,And wet his grave with my repentant tears,I will with all expedient duty see you:For divers unknown reasons, I beseech you,Grant me this boon.

Anne. With all my heart; and much it joys me too,220 To see you are become so penitent.

Tressel and Berkeley, go along with me.Gloucester. Bid me farewell.Anne. 'Tis more than you deserve;

But since you teach me how to flatter you,Imagine I have said farewell already.

{she goes, followed by two of the halberdsGloucester. Sirs, take up the corse.Halberdier. Towards Chertsey, noble lord?Gloucester. No, to Whitefriars; there attend

my coming.[they carry away the corpse

Was ever woman in this humour wooed?Was ever woman in this humour won?I'll have her; but I will not keep her long.

1.2.230 R I C H A R D T H E T H I R D 19

What! I, that killed her husband and his father, 230To take her in her heart's extremest hate,With curses in her mouth, tears in her eyes,The bleeding witness of my hatred by;Having God, her conscience, and these bars against me,And I no friends to back my suit at all,But the plain devil and dissembling looks,And yet to win her! all the world to nothing!Ha?Hath she forgot already that brave prince,Edward, her lord, whom I, some three months since, 240Stabbed in my angry mood at Tewkesbury?A sweeter and a lovelier gentleman—Framed in the prodigality of nature,Young, valiant, wise, and, no doubt, right royal—The spacious world cannot again afford:And will she yet abase her eyes on me,That cropped the golden prime of this sweet prince,And made her widow to a woeful bed ?On me, whose all not equals Edward's moiety ?On me, that halts and am misshapen thus ? 250My dukedom to a beggarly denier,I do mistake my person all this while:Upon my life, she finds, although I cannot,Myself to be a marv'llous proper man.I'll be at charges for a looking-glass,And entertain a score or two of tailors,To study fashions to adorn my body:Since I am crept in favour with myselfI will maintain it with some little cost.But first I'll turn yon fellow in his grave; 260And then return lamenting to my love.Shine out, fair sun, till I have bought a glass,That I may see my shadow as I pass. [he goes

20 R I C H A R D T H E T H I R D 1.3.x

[1. 3.] London. The palace

'•Enter the QXJEEN MOTHER, LORD RIVERS, andLORD GRET'

Rivers. Have patience, madam: there's no doubthis majesty

Will soon recover his accustomed health.Grey. In that you brook it ill, it makes him worse:

Therefore, for God's sake, entertain good comfort,And cheer his grace with quick and merry eyes.

Qyeen Elizabeth. If he were dead, what wouldbetide on me ?

Grey. No other harm but loss of such a lord.Qyeen Elizabeth. The loss of such a lord includes

all harms.Grey. The heavens have blessed you with a

goodly son,10 To be your comforter when he is gone.

Qyeen Elizabeth. Ah, he is young, and his minority-Is put unto the trust of Richard Gloucester,A man that loves not me, nor none of you.

Rivers. Is it concluded he shall be Protector ?2>jfeen Elizabeth. It is determined, not concluded yet:

But so it must be, if the king miscarry.

Enter BUCKINGHAM and STANLEY, EARL OF DERBT

Grey. Here come the lords of Buckingham and Derby.Buckingham. Good time of day unto your

royal grace!Stanley. God make your majesty joyful as you

have been!20 Qyeen Elizabeth. The Countess Richmond, good

my Lord of Derby,

i.3.2i R I C H A R D T H E T H I R D ai

To your good prayer will scarcely say amen.Yet, Derby, notwithstanding she's your wife,And loves not me, be you, good lord, assuredI hate not you for her proud arrogance.Stanley. I do beseech you, either not believe

The envious slanders of her false accusers,Or if she be accused on true report,Bear with her weakness, which I think proceedsFrom wayward sickness, and no grounded malice.

Queen Elizabeth. Saw you the king to-day, my 30Lord of Derby?

Stanley. But now the Duke of Buckingham and IAre come from visiting his majesty.

Qjfeen Elizabeth. What likelihood of hisamendment, lords ?

Buckingham. Madam, good hope; his gracespeaks cheerfully.

£>yeen Elizabeth. God grant him health! Did youconfer with him ?

Buckingham. Ay, madam: he desires to makeatonement

Between the Duke of Gloucester and your brothers,And between them and my Lord Chamberlain;And sent to warn them to his royal presence.

Queen Elizabeth. Would all were well! but that 40will never be:

I fear our happiness is at the height.

Enter GLOUCESTER, HASTINGS, and DERBT

Gloucester. They do me wrong, and I will not endure it.Who is it that complains unto the king,That I, forsooth, am stern and love them not?By holy Paul, they love his grace but lightlyThat fill his ears with such dissentious rumours.

7A R I C H A R D T H E T H I R D 1.3-47

Because I cannot flatter and look fair,Smile in men's faces, smooth, deceive and cog,Duck with French nods and apish courtesy,

50 I must be held a rancorous enemy.Cannot a plain man live and think no harm,But thus his simple truth must be abusedWith silken, sly, insinuating Jacks ?

Grey. To whom in all this presence speaks your grace ?Gloucester. To thee, that hast nor honesty nor grace.

When have I injured thee? when done thee wrong?Or thee ? or thee ? or any of your faction ?A plague upon you all! His royal grace(Whom God preserve better than you would wish!)

60 Cannot be quiet scarce a breathing while,But you must trouble him with lewd complaints.

Qgeett Elizabeth. Brother of Gloucester, youmistake the matter.

The king, on his own royal disposition(And not provoked by any suitor else),Aiming, belike, at your interior hatred,That in your outward action shows itselfAgainst my children, brothers, and myself,Makes him to send, that he may learn the groundOf your ill-will, and thereby to remove it.

70 Gloucester. I cannot tell: the world is grown so bad,That wrens make prey where eagles dare not perch:Since every Jack became a gentleman,There's many a gentle person made a Jack.

Slyeen Elizabeth. Come, come, we know yourmeaning, brother Gloucester;

You envy my advancement and my friends':God grant we never may have need of you!

Gloucester. Meantime, God grants that I have needofyou:

1.3.78 R I C H A R D T H E T H I R D 23

Our brother is imprisoned by your means,Myself disgraced, and the nobilityHeld in contempt, while great promotions 80Are daily given to ennoble thoseThat scarce some two days since were worth a noble.

Qyeen Elizabeth. By Him that raised me to thiscareful height

From that contented hap which I enjoyed,I never did incense his majestyAgainst the Duke of Clarence, but have beenAn earnest advocate to plead for him.My lord, you do me shameful injury,Falsely to draw me in these vile suspects.

Gloucester. You may deny that you were not 90the mean

Of my Lord Hastings' late imprisonment.Rivers. She may, my lord, for—Gloucester. She may, Lord Rivers! why, who

knows not so ?She may do more, sir, than denying that:She may help you to many fair prefermentsAnd then deny her aiding hand therein,And lay those honours on your high desert.What may she not ? She may—ay, marry, may she—Rivers. What, marry, may she ?Gloucester. What, marry, may she! Marry with a king, 100

A bachelor, and a handsome stripling too:Iwis your grandam had a worser match.

Qyeen Elizabeth. My Lord of Gloucester, I havetoo long borne

Your blunt upbraidings and your bitter scoffs:By heaven, I will acquaint his majestyOf those gross taunts that oft I have endured.I had rather be a country servant-maid

24 H I C H A R D T H E T H I R D 1.3.108

Than a great queen, with this condition,To be so baited, scorned, and storme'd at.

1Enter old^VEEN MARGARET', behind

n o Small joy have I in being England's queen.Margaret. And less'ndd be that small, God

I beseech him!Thy honour, state, and seat is due to me.

Gloucester. What! threat you me with telling ofthe king ?

Tell him, and spare not: look what I have saidI will avouch't in presence of the king:I dare adventure to be sent to th'Tower.Tis time to speak; my pains are quite forgot.

{Qyeen Margaret. Out, devil! I do remember themtoo well:

Thou kilPdst my husband Henry in the Tower,120 And Edward, my poor son, at Tewkesbury.

Gloucester. Ere you were queen, ay, or yourhusband king,

I was a pack-horse in his great affairs;A weeder-out of his proud adversaries,A liberal rewarder of his friends:To royalise his blood I spent mine own.

{$lgeen Margaret. Ay, and much better blood than hisor thine.

Gloucester. In all which time you and yourhusband Grey

Were factious for the house of Lancaster;And, Rivers, so were you. Was not your husband

130 In Margaret's battle at Saint Albans slain?Let me put in your minds, if you forget,What you have been ere this, and what you are;Withal, what I have been, and what I am.

t.3.134 R I C H A R D T H E T H I R D 2$

{Qjeen Margaret. A murd'rous villain, and so stillthou art.

Gloucester. Poor Clarence did forsake his father,Warwick;

Ay, and forswore himself,—which Jesu pardon!—(^ueen Margaret. Which God revenge!Gloucester. To fight on Edward's party for the crown;

And for his meed, poor lord, he is mewed up.I would to God my heart were flint, like Edward's, 140Or Edward's soft and pitiful, like mine:I am too childish-foolish for this world.

{Queen Margaret. Hie thee to hell for shame andleave this world,

Thou cacodemon! there thy kingdom is.Rivers. My Lord of Gloucester, in those busy days

Which here you urge to prove us enemies,We followed then our lord, our sovereign king:So should we you, if you should be our king.

Gloucester. If I should be! I had rather be a pedlar:Far be it from my heart, the thought thereof! 150

Qyeen Elizabeth. As little joy, my lord, asyou suppose

You should enjoy, were you this country's king,As little joy you may suppose in meThat I enjoy, being the queen thereof.

{Qyeen Margaret. As little joy enjoys thequeen thereof;

For I am she, and altogether joylessI can no longer hold me patient.

[aloud, advancingHear me, you wrangling pirates, that fall outIn sharing that which you have pilled from me!Which of you trembles not that looks on me ? 160If not that I am queen you bow like subjects,

26 R I C H A R D T H E T H I R D 1.3.16a

Yet that, by you deposed, you quake like rebels?Ah, gentle villain, do not turn away!

Gloucester. Foul wrinkled witch, what mak'st thouin my sight?

Queen Margaret. But repetition of what thou hastmarred;

That will I make before I let thee go.Gloucester. Wert thou not banished on pain of death?Qjieefi Margaret. I was; but I do find more pain.

in banishmentThan death can yield me here by my abode.

170 A husband and a son thou ow'st to me;And thou a kingdom; all of you allegiance:This sorrow that I have, by right is yours,And all the pleasures you usurp are mine.

Gloucester. The curse my noble father laid on thee,When thou didst crown his warlike brows with paperAnd with thy scorns drew'st rivers from his eyes,And then, to dry them, gav'st the duke a cloutSteeped in the faultless blood of pretty Rutland-—His curses, then from bitterness of soul

180 Denounced against thee, are all fall'n upon thee;And God, not we, hath plagued thy bloody deed.

Qyeen Elizabeth. So just is God, to right theinnocent.

Hastings. O, 'twas the foulest deed to slay that babe,And the most merciless that e'er was heard of!

Rivers. Tyrants themselves wept when it was reported.Dorset. No man but prophesied revenge for it.Buckingham. Northumberland, then present, wept

to see it.Qyeen Margaret. What! were you snarling all before

I came,Ready to catch each other by the throat,

L3.I9O R I C H A R D T H E T H I R D 27

And turn you all your hatred now on me? 190Did York's dread curse prevail so much with heavenThat Henry's death, my lovely Edward's death,Their kingdom's loss, my woeful banishment,Should all but answer for that peevish brat?Can curses pierce the clouds and enter heaven ?Why, then, give way, dull clouds, to my quick curses!Though not by war, by surfeit die your king,As ours, by murder, to make him a king!Edward thy son, that now is Prince of Wales,For Edward our son, that was Prince of Wales, 200Die in his youth by like untimely violence!Thyself a queen, for me that was a queen,Outlive thy glory, like my wretched self!Long mayst thou live to wail thy children's death;And see another, as I see thee now,Decked in thy rights, as thou art stalled in mine!Long die thy happy days before thy death;And, after many length'ned hours of grief,Die neither mother, wife, nor England's queen!Rivers and Dorset, you were standers by, 210And so wast thou, Lord Hastings, when my sonWas stabbed with bloody daggers: God I pray him,That none of you may live his natural age,But by some unlooked accident cut off!

Gloucester. Have done thy charm, thou hatefulwithered hag!

Qyeen Margaret. And leave out thee? stay, dog, forthou shalt hear me.

If heaven have any grievous plague in storeExceeding those that I can wish upon thee,O, let them keep it till thy sins be ripe,And then hurl down their indignation 220On thee, the troubler of the poor world's peace!

28 R I C H A R D T H E T H I R D 1.3.222

The worm of conscience still begnaw thy soul!Thy friends suspect for traitors while thou liv'st,And take deep traitors for thy dearest friends!No sleep close up that deadly eye of thine,Unless it be while some tormenting dreamAffrights thee with a hell of ugly devils!Thou elvish-marked, abortive, rooting hog!Thou that wast sealed in thy nativity

230 The slave of nature and the son of hell!Thou slander of thy heavy mother's womb!Thou loathed issue of thy father's loins!Thou rag of honour! thou detested—

Gloucester. Margaret.§>ueen Margaret. Richard!Gloucester. Ha ?Queen Margaret. I call thee not.Gloucester. I cry thee mercy then, for I did think

That thou hadst called me all these bitter names.Qyeen Margaret. Why, so I did, but looked for

no reply.O, let me make the period to my curse!

Gloucester. 'Tis done by me, and endsin 'Margaret'.

240 Qyeen Elizabeth. Thus have you breathed your curseagainst yourself.

Qyeen Margaret. Poor painted queen, vain flourishof my fortune!

Why strew'st thou sugar on that bottled spider,Whose deadly web ensnareth thee about ?Fool, fool! thou whet'st a knife to kill thyself.The day will come that thou shalt wish for meTo help thee curse this poisonous bunch-backed toad.

Hastings. False-boding woman, end thy frantic curse,Lest to thy harm thou move our patience.

1.3.249 R I C H A R D T H E T H I R D *9

§>jfeen Margaret. Foul shame upon you! you haveall moved mine.

Rivers. Were you well served, you would be taught 250your duty.

Qyeen Margaret. To serve me well, you all shoulddo me duty,

Teach me to be your queen, and you my subjects:O, serve me well, and teach yourselves that duty!

Dorset. Dispute not with her; she is lunatic.ftyeen Margaret. Peace, master marquis, you

are malapert:Your fire-new stamp of honour is scarce current.O, that your young nobility could judgeWhat 'twere to lose it, and be miserable!They that stand high have many blasts to shake them;And if they fall, they dash themselves to pieces. 260

Gloucester. Good counsel, marry: learn it, learnit, marquis.

Dorset. It touches you, my lord, as much as me.Gloucester. Ay, and much more: but I was bom

so high,Our aery buildeth in the cedar's top,And dallies with the wind, and scorns the sun.

Qyeen Margaret. And turns the sun to shade; alas! alas!Witness my son, now in the shade of death;Whose bright out-shining beams thy cloudy wrathHath in eternal darkness folded up.Your aery buildeth in our aery's nest. 270O God, that seest it, do not suffer it;As it is won with blood, lost be it so!

Gloucester. Peace, peace! for shame, if not forcharity.

Qyeen Margaret. Urge neither charity nor shametome;

3° R I C H A R D T H E T H I R D 1.3.275

Uncharitably with me have you dealt,And shamefully my hopes by you are butchered.My charity is outrage, life my shame;And in that shame still live my sorrow's rage!

Buckingham. Have done, have done.280 Qjfeen Margaret. O princely Buckingham, I'll kiss

thy hand,In sign of league and amity with thee:Now fair befall thee and thy noble house!Thy garments are not spotted with our blood,Nor thou within the compass of my curse.

Buckingham. Nor no one here; for curses never passThe lips of those that breathe them in the air.

Qyeen Margaret. I will not think but they ascendthe sky,

And there awake God's gentle-sleeping peace.[aside] O Buckingham, take heed of yonder dog!

290 Look when he fawns, he bites; and when he bites,His venom tooth will rankle to the death:Have not to do with him, beware of him;Sin, death, and hell have set their marks on him,And all their ministers attend on him.

Gloucester. What doth she say, my Lordof Buckingham ?

Buckingham. Nothing that I respect, mygracious lord.

Qyeen Margaret. What, dost thou scorn me for mygentle counsel ?

And soothe the devil that I warn thee from?O, but remember this another day,

300 When he shall split thy very heart with sorrow,And say poor Margaret was a prophetess.Live each of you the subjects to his hate,And he to yours, and all of you to God's! [she goe.

1.3.304 R I C H A R D T H E T H I R D 31

Hastings. My hair doth stand an end to hearher curses.

Rivers. And so doth mine: I muse why she'sat liberty.

Gloucester. I cannot blame her: by God'sholy mother,

She hath had too much wrong; and I repentMy part thereof that I have done to her.

Qjteen Elizabeth. I never did her any, tomy knowledge.

Gloucester. Yet you have all the vantage of her wrong. 310I was too hot to do somebody good,That is too cold in thinking of it now.Marry, for Clarence, he is well repaid;He is franked up to fatting for his pains:God pardon them that are the cause thereof!Rivers. A virtuous and a Christian-like conclusion,

To pray for them that have done scathe to us!Gloucester. So do I ever—\? speaks to himself] being

well advised,For had I cursed now, I had cursed myself.

'Enter CATESBT'

Catesiy. Madam, his majesty doth call for you; 320And for your grace; and you, my gracious lords.

Qyeen Elizabeth. Catesby, I come. Lords, willyou go with me ?

Rivers. We wait upon your grace.[lall but Gloucester1 go

Gloucester. I do the wrong, and first begin to brawl.The secret mischiefs that I set abroachI lay unto the grievous charge of others.Clarence, whom I, indeed, have cast in darkness,I do beweep to many simple gulls;

3* R I C H A R D T H E T H I R D 1.3.329

Namely to Derby, Hastings, Buckingham;330 And tell them 'tis the queen and her allies

That stir the king against the duke my brother.Now, they believe it; and withal whet meTo be revenged on Rivers, Dorset, Grey:But then I sigh; and, with a piece of Scripture,Tell them that God bids us do good for evil:And thus I clothe my naked villanyWith odd old ends stol'n forth of Holy Writ;And seem a saint, when most I play the devil.

' Enter two Murderers1

But softl'here come my executioners.340 How now, my hardy stout resolved mates!

Are you now going to dispatch this thing ?I Murderer. We are, my lord, and come to have

the warrant,That we may be admitted where he is.

Gloucester. Well thought upon, I have it hereabout me. [gives the warrant

When you have done, repair to Crosby Place.But, sirs, be sudden in the execution,Withal obdurate, do not hear him plead;For Clarence is well-spoken, and perhapsMay move your hearts to pity, if you mark him.

350 1 Murderer. Tut, tut, my lord, we will not standto prate;

Talkers are no good doers: be assuredWe go to use our hands and not our tongues.

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

I like you, lads: about your business straight.Go, go, dispatch.I Murderer. We will, my noble lord. [they go

1.4.x RICHARD THE THIRD 33

[i. 4.] London. The Tower

Enter CLARENCE and BRAKENBURT

Brakenbury. Why looks your grace so heavily to-day?Clarence. O, I have passed a miserable night,

So full of fearful dreams, of ugly sights,That, as I am a Christian faithful man,I would not spend another such a night,Though 'twere to buy a world of happy days,So full of dismal terror was the time!Brakenbury. What was your dream, my lord ? I pray

you tell me.Clarence. Methoughts that I had broken from

the Tower,And was embarked to cross to Burgundy, 10And in my company my brother Gloucester,Who from my cabin tempted me to walkUpon the hatches. Thence we looked toward England,And cited up a thousand heavy times,During the wars of York and LancasterThat had befall'n us. As we paced alongUpon the giddy footing of the hatches,Methought that Gloucester stumbled, and in fallingStruck me, that thought to stay him, overboard,Into the tumbling billows of the main. 20O Lord, methought what pain it was to drown!What dreadful noise of waters in mine ears!What sights of ugly death within mine eyes!Methoughts I saw a thousand fearful wracks;A thousand men that fishes gnawed upon;Wedges of gold, great ingots, heaps of pearl,Inestimable stones, unvalued jewels,All scatt'red in the bottom of the sea.

34 R I C H A R D T H E T H I R D i.4.*9

Some lay in dead men's skulls; and in the holes30 Where eyes did once inhabit there were crept,

As 'twere in scorn of eyes, reflecting gems,That wooed the slimy bottom of the deep,And mocked the dead bones that lay scatt'red by.

Brakenbury. Had you such leisure in the timeof death

To gaze upon these secrets of the deep ?Clarence. Methought I had; and often did

I striveTo yield the ghost: but still the envious floodStopped in my soul, and would not let it forthTo find the empty, vast, and wand'ring air;

40 But smothered it within my panting bulk,Who almost burst to belch it in the sea.

Brakenbury. Awaked you not in this sore agony?Clarence. No, no, my dream was lengthened

after life.O, then began the tempest to my soul.I passed, methought, the melancholy flood,With that sour ferryman which poets write of,Unto the kingdom of perpetual night.The first that there did greet my stranger soul,Was my great father-in-law, renowned Warwick;

50 Who spake aloud, 'What scourge for perjuryCan this dark monarchy afford false Clarence?'And so he vanished. Then came wand'ring byA shadow like an angel, with bright hairDabbled in blood, and he shrieked out aloud,'Clarence is come; false, fleeting, perjured Clarence,That stabbed me in the field by Tewkesbury:Seize on him, Furies, take him unto torment!'With that, methought, a legion of foul fiendsEnvironed me, and howled in mine ears

i.4.6o R I C H A R D T H E T H I R D 35

Such hideous cries that with the very noise 60I trembling waked, and for a season afterCould not believe but that I was in hell,Such terrible impression made my dream.Brakenbury. No marvel, lord, though it

affrighted you;I am afraid, methinks, to hear you tell it.

Clarence. Ah, Keeper, Keeper, I have donethese things,

That now give evidence against my soul,For Edward's sake, and see how he requits me!O God! if my deep prayers cannot appease thee,But thou wilt be avenged on my misdeeds, 70Yet execute thy wrath in me alone;O, spare my guiltless wife and my poor children!Keeper, I prithee, sit by me awhile,My soul is heavy, and I fain would sleep.Brakenbury. I will, my lord: God give your grace

good rest! [Clarence sleepsSorrow breaks seasons and reposing hours,Makes the night morning and the noon-tide night.Princes have but their titles for their glories,An outward honour for an inward toil;And for unfelt imaginations 80They often feel a world of restless cares:So that between their titles and low nameThere's nothing differs but the outward fame.

Enter the two Murderers

I Murderer. Ho! who's here?Brakenbury. What wouldst thou, fellow? and how

cam'st thou hither ?1 Murderer. I would speak with Clarence, and I

came hither on my legs.

36 R I C H A R D T H E T H I R D 1.4.89

Brakenbury. What, so brief?90 2 Murderer. 'Tis better, sir, than to be tedious.

Let him see our commission, and talk no more.[Brakenbury 'reads' it

Brakenbury. I am in this commanded to deliverThe noble Duke of Clarence to your hands.I will not reason what is meant hereby,Because I will be guiltless from the meaning.There lies the duke asleep, and there the keys.I'll to the king, and signify to himThat thus I have resigned to you my charge.

1 Murderer. You may, sir; 'tis a point of wisdom:100 fare you well. [Brakenbury goes

2 Murderer. What, shall I stab him as he sleeps ?1 Murderer. No; he'll say 'twas done cowardly, when

he wakes.2 Murderer. Why, he shall never wake until the

great judgement-day.1 Murderer. Why, then he'll say we stabbed him

sleeping.2 Murderer. The urging of that word 'judgement'

hath bred a kind of remorse in me.n o 1 Murderer. What, art thou afraid?

2 Murderer. Not to kill him, having a warrant; butto be damned for killing him, from the which nowarrant can defend me.

1 Murderer. I thought thou hadst been resolute.2 Murderer. So I am, to let him live.1 Murderer. I'll back to the Duke of Gloucester,

and tell him so.2 Murderer. Nay, I prithee, stay a little: I hope this

passionate humour of mine will change; it was wont120 to hold me but while one tells twenty.

I Murderer. How dost thou feel thyself now?

i.4.i22 R I C H A R D T H E T H I R D 37

2 Murderer. Faith, some certain dregs of conscienceare yet within me.

1 Murderer. Remember our reward when the deed'sdone.

2 Murderer. Zounds, he dies: I had forgot thereward.

1 Murderer. Where's thy conscience now ?2 Murderer. O, in the Duke of Gloucester's purse.1 Murderer. When he opens his purse to give us our

reward, thy conscience flies out. 1302 Murderer. 'Tis no matter, let it go; there's few or

none will entertain it.1 Murderer. What if it come to thee again ?2 Murderer. I'll not meddle with it: it makes a man

a coward: a man cannot steal, but it accuseth him;a man cannot swear, but it checks him; a man cannotlie with his neighbour's wife, but it detects him: 'tisa blushing shamefaced spirit that mutinies in a man'sbosom; it fills a man full of obstacles. It made meonce restore a purse of gold, that (by chance) I found; 140it beggars any man that keeps it: it is turned out oftowns and cities for a dangerous thing; and every manthat means to live well endeavours to trust to himselfand live without it.

1 Murderer. 'Tis even now at my elbow, persuadingme not to kill the duke.

2 Murderer. Take the devil in thy mind, and believehim not: he would insinuate with thee but to makethee sigh.

1 Murderer. I am strong-framed, he cannot prevail 150with me.

2 Murderer. Spoke like a tall man that respects thyreputation. Come, shall we fall to work?

I Murderer. Take him on the costard with the hiltsR. I l l - 6

38 R I C H A R D T H E T H I R D 1.4.155

of thy sword, and then throw him into the malmsey-butt in the next room.

2 Murderer. O excellent device! and make a sop ofhim.

1 Murderer. Soft! he wakes.2 Murderer. Strike!

160 1 Murderer. No, we'll reason with him.Clarence. Where art thou, Keeper ? give me a cup

of wine.2 Murderer. You shall have wine enough, my lord,

anon.Clarence. In God's name, what art thou ?1 Murderer. A man, as you are.Clarence. But not, as I am, royal.2 Murderer. Nor you, as we are, loyal.Clarence. Thy voice is thunder, but thy looks are

humble.1 Murderer. My voice is now the king's, my looks

mine own.Clarence. How darkly and how deadly dost

thou speak!170 Your eyes do menace me: why look you pale?

Who sent you hither ? Wherefore do you come ?2 Murderer. To, to, to—Clarence. To murder me?Both. Ay, ay.Clarence. You scarcely have the hearts to tell me so,

And therefore cannot have the hearts to do it.Wherein, my friends, have I offended you ?

1 Murderer. Offended us you have not, but the king.Clarence. I shall be reconciled to him again.

180 2 Murderer. Never, my lord; therefore prepare to die.Clarence. Are you drawn forth, among a world

of men

1.4.182 R I C H A R D T H E T H I R D 39

To slay the innocent ? What is my offence ?Where is the evidence that doth accuse me ?What lawful quest have given their verdict upUnto the frowning judge? or who pronouncedThe bitter sentence of poor Clarence' death?Before I be convict by course of law,To threaten me with death is most unlawful.I charge you, as you hope to have redemptionBy Christ's dear blood shed for our grievous sins, 190That you depart and lay no hands on me:The deed you undertake is damnable.

1 Murderer. What we will do, we do upon command.2 Murderer. And he that hath commanded is our king.Clarence. Erroneous vassals! the great King of kings

Hath in the tables of his law commandedThat thou shalt do no murder: will you thenSpurn at his edict, and fulfil a man's ?Take heed; for he holds vengeance in his hand,To hurl upon their heads that break his law. 200

2 Murderer. And that same vengeance doth he hurlon thee,

For false forswearing, and for murder too:Thou didst receive the sacrament to fightIn quarrel of the house of Lancaster.

1 Murderer. And, like a traitor to the name of God,Didst break that vow, and with thy treacherous bladeUnrip'st the bowels of thy sov'reign's son.

2 Murderer. Whom thou wast sworn to cherish.and defend.

I Murderer. How canst thou urge God's dreadfullaw to us,

When thou hast broke it in such dear degree? 210Clarence. Alas! for whose sake did I that ill deed?

For Edward, for my brother, for his sake.

40 R I C H A R D T H E T H I R D 1.4.213

He sends you not to murder me for this;For in that sin he is as deep as I.If God will be avenged for the deed,O, know you, yet he doth it publicly.Take not the quarrel from his powerful arm;He needs no indirect or lawless courseTo cut off those that have offended him.

220 1 Murderer. Who made thee then a bloody minister,When gallant-springing brave Plantagenet,That princely novice, was struck dead by thee ?

Clarence. My brother's love, the devil, and my rage.1 Murderer. Thy brother's love, our duty, and

thy faults,Provoke us hither now to slaughter thee.

Clarence. If you do love my brother, hate not me;I am his brother, and I love him well.If you are hired, for meed go back again,And I will send you to my brother Gloucester,

230 Who shall reward you better for my lifeThan Edward will for tidings of my death.

2 Murderer. You are deceived, your brotherGloucester hates you.

Clarence. O, no, he loves me, and he holds me dear:Go you to him from me.

I Murderer. Ay, so we will.Clarence. Tell him, when that our princely

father YorkBlessed his three sons with his victorious arm,And charged us from his soul to love each other,He little thought of this divided friendship:Bid Gloucester think of this, and he will weep.

240 1 Murderer. Ay, millstones, as he lessoned usto weep.

Clarence. O, do not slander him, for he is kind.

1.4.242 R I C H A R D T H E T H I R D 41

I Murderer. As snow in harvest. Come, youdeceive yourself:

'Tis he that sends us to destroy you here.Clarence. It cannot be; for he bewept my fortune,

And hugged me in his arms, and swore with sobs,That he would labour my delivery.

1 Murderer. Why, so he doth, when he delivers youFrom this earth's thraldom to the joys of heaven.

2 Murderer. Make peace with God, for you mustdie, my lord.

Clarence. Have you that holy feeling in your souls, 250To counsel me to make my peace with God,And are you yet to your own souls so blind,That you will war with God by murd'ring me?O, sirs, consider, they that set you onTo do this deed will hate you for the deed.

2 Murderer. What shall we do ?Clarence. Relent, and save your souls.

Which of you, if you were a prince's son,Being pent from liberty, as I am now,If two such murderers as yourselves came to you,Would not entreat for life? Even so I beg 260As you would beg, were you in my distress.

1 Murderer. Relent! 'tis cowardly and womanish.Clarence. Not to relent is beastly, savage, devilish.

My friend, [to 2 Murderer] I spy some pity in thy looks;O, if thine eye be not a flatterer,Come thou on my side, and entreat for me.A begging prince what beggar pities not ?

2 Murderer. Look behind you, my lord.1 Murderer. ['stabs Aim'] Take that, and that: if all

this will not do,I'll drown you in the malmsey-butt within. 270

[drags out the body

4* R I C H A R D T H E T H I R D 1.4.271

2 Murderer. A bloody deed, and desperatelydispatched!

How fain, like Pilate, would I wash my handsOf this most grievous murder!

1 Murderer returns

1 Murderer. How now! what mean'st thou, that thouhelp'st me not?

By heavens, the duke shall know how slack youhave been!

2 Murderer. I would he knew that I had savedhis brother!

Take thou the fee, and tell him what I say,For I repent me that the duke is slain. [goes

1 Murderer. So do not I: go, coward as thou art.280 Well, I'll go hide the body in some hole,

Till that the duke give order for his burial:"And when I have my meed, I will away;For this will out, and then I must not stay. [goes

[2. 1.] London. The palace

Flourish. Enter KING EDWARD skk, borne in a chair,with QJJEEN ELIZABETH, DORSET, RIVERS, HASTINGS,

BUCKINGHAM, GRET, and others.

King Edward. Why, so: now have I done a goodday's work.

You peers, continue this united league:I every day expect an embassageFrom my Redeemer to redeem me hence;And more at peace my soul shall part to heaven,Since I have made my friends at peace on earth.

2.1.7 R I C H A R D T H E T H I R D 43

Hastings and Rivers, take each other's hand;Dissemble not your hatred, swear your love.Rivers. By heaven, my soul is purged from

grudging hate;And with my hand I seal my true heart's love. 10

Hastings. So thrive I, as I truly swear the like!King Edward. Take heed you dally not before

your king;Lest he that is the supreme King of kingsConfound your hidden falsehood and awardEither of you to be the other's end.

Hastings. So prosper I, as I swear perfect love!Rivers. And I, as I love Hastings with my heart!King Edward. Madam, yourself is not exempt

from this,Nor you, son Dorset; Buckingham, nor you;You have been factious one against the other. 20Wife, love Lord Hastings, let him kiss your hand;And what you do, do it unfeignedly.

Queen Elizabeth. There, Hastings; I will nevermore remember

Our former hatred, so thrive I and mine!King Edward. Dorset, embrace him; Hastings, love

lord marquis.Dorset. This interchange of love, I here protest,

Upon my part shall be inviolable.Hastings. And so swear I. [they embraceKing Edward. Now, princely Buckingham, seal thou

this leagueWith thy embracements to my wife's allies, 30And make me happy in your unity.

Buckingham, [to the Qyeen] Whenever Buckinghamdoth turn his hate

Upon your grace, but with all duteous love

44 R I C H A R D T H E T H I R D 2.1.34

Doth cherish you and yours, God punish meWith hate in those where I expect most love!When I have most need to employ a friend,And most assured that he is a friend,Deep, hollow, treacherous and full of guile,Be he unto me! this do I beg of God,

40 When I am cold in love to you or yours.[tkey 'embrace'

King Edward. A pleasing cordial,princely Buckingham,

Is this thy vow unto my sickly heart.There wanteth now our brother Gloucester here,To make the blessed period of this peace.

Buckingham. And in good time,Here comes Sir Richard RatclifFe and the duke.

Enter GLOUCESTER and RATCLIFFE

Gloucester. Good morrow to my sovereign kingand queen;

And, princely peers, a happy time of day!King Edward. Happy indeed, as we have spent

the day.50 Gloucester, we have done deeds of charity,

Made peace of enmity, fair love of hate,Between these swelling wrong-incensed peers.

Gloucester. A blessed labour, my most sovereign lord.Among this princely heap, if any here,By false intelligence, or wrong surmise,Hold me a foe; if I unwittinglyHave aught committed that is hardly borneBy any in this presence, I desireTo reconcile me to his friendly peace:

60 'Tis death to me to be at enmity;I hate it, and desire all good men's love.

2.1.62 RICHARD THE THIRD 45

First, madam, I entreat true peace of you,Which I will purchase with my duteous service;Of you, my noble cousin Buckingham,If ever any grudge were lodged between us;Of you, and you, Lord Rivers, and Lord Dorset,Of you, Lord Woodeville and Lord Scales of you,That all without desert have frowned on me;Dukes, earls, lords, gentlemen; indeed, of all.I do not know that Englishman alive 70With whom my soul is any jot at oddsMore than the infant that is born to-night:I thank my God for my humility.

Qgeen Elizabeth. A holy day shall this bekept hereafter:

I would to God all strifes were well compounded.My sovereign lord, I do beseech your highnessTo take our brother Clarence to your grace.

Gloucester. Why, madam, have I ofF'red love for this,To be so flouted in this royal presence ?Who knows not that the gentle duke is dead ? 80

['they all start'You do him injury to scorn his corse.

Rivers. Who knows not he is dead! who knows he is ?Qyeen Elizabeth. All-seeing heaven, what a world

is this!Buckingham. Look I so pale, Lord Dorset, as the rest ?Dorset. Ay, my good lord, and no man in the presence

But his red colour hath forsook his cheeks.King Edward. Is Clarence dead? the order

was reversed.Gloucester. But he, poor man, by your first order died,

And that a winged Mercury did bear;Some tardy cripple bare the countermand 90That came too lag to see him buried.

46 R I C H A R D T H E T H I R D 2.1.92

God grant that some, less noble and less loyal,Nearer in bloody thoughts, but not in blood,Deserve not worse than wretched Clarence did,And yet go current from suspicion!

Enter LORD STANLET

Stanley. A boon, my sovereign, for my service done!King Edward. I prithee, peace: my soul is full

of sorrow.Stanley. I will not rise, unless your highness

hear me.King Edward. Then say at once what is it

thou requests.100 Stanley. The forfeit, sovereign, of my servant's life;

Who slew to-day a riotous gentlemanLately attendant on the Duke of Norfolk.

King Edward. Have I a tongue to doom mybrother's death,

And shall that tongue give pardon to a slave?My brother killed no man—his fault was thought,And yet his punishment was bitter death.Who sued to me for him ? who, in my wrath,Kneeled at my feet and bid me be advised ?Who spoke of brotherhood ? who spoke of love ?

n o Who told me how the poor soul did forsakeThe mighty Warwick, and did fight for me ?Who told me, in the field at TewkesburyWhen Oxford had me down, he rescued meAnd said 'Dear brother, live, and be a king'?Who told me, when we both lay in the fieldFrozen almost to death, how he did lap meEven in his garments, and did give himself,All thin and naked, to the numb cold night ?All this from my remembrance brutish wrath

a.i.120 R I C H A R D T H E T H I R D 47

Sinfully plucked, and not a man of you 120Had so much grace to put it in my mind.But when your carters or your waiting-vassalsHave done a drunken slaughter and defacedThe precious image of our dear Redeemer,You straight are on your knees for pardon, pardon;And I, unjustly too, must grant it you. [Stanley risesBut for my brother not a man would speak,Nor I, ungracious, speak unto myselfFor him, poor soul. The proudest of you allHave been beholding to him in his life; 130Yet none of you would once beg for his life.O God, I fear thy justice will take holdOn me, and you, and mine, and yours, for this!Come, Hastings, help me to my closet. Ah,

poor Clarence![he is carried forth; Hastings, the Qyeen, Rivers, and

Dorset in attendanceGloucester. This is the fruits of rashness. Marked

you notHow that the guilty kindred of the queenLooked pale when they did hear of Clarence' death ?O, they did urge it still unto the king!God will revenge it. Come, lords, will you goTo comfort Edward with our company ? 140

Buckingham. We wait upon your grace, [they follow

[2. 2.] 'Enter the old DUCHESS OF YORK, with the twochildren of Clarence*

Boy. Good grandam, tell us, is our .father dead?Duchess. No, boy.Girl. Why do you weep so oft, and beat your breast,

And cry 'O Clarence, my unhappy son!'?Boy. Why do you look on us, and shake your head,

4« R I C H A R D T H E T H I R D a.a.6

And call us orphans, wretches, castaways,If that our noble father were alive?

Duchess. My pretty cousins, you mistake me both.I do lament the sickness of the king,

10 As loath to lose him, not your father's death;It were lost sorrow to wail one that's lost.Boy. Then you conclude, my grandam, he is dead.

The king mine uncle is to blame for it:God will revenge it, whom I will importuneWith earnest prayers, all to that effect.

Girl. And so will I.Duchess. Peace, children, peace! the king doth love

you well.Incapable and shallow innocents,You cannot guess who caused your father's death.

20 Boy. Grandam, we can; for my good uncle GloucesterTold me the king, provoked to it by the queen,Devised impeachments to imprison him:And when my uncle told me so, he wept,And pitied me, and kindly kissed my cheek;Bade me rely on him as on my father,And he would love me dearly as a child.

Duchess. Ah, that deceit should steal such gentle shape,And with a virtuous vizor hide deep vice!He is my son, ay, and therein my shame;

30 Yet from my dugs he drew not this deceit.Boy. Think you my uncle did dissemble, grandam?Duchess. Ay, boy.Boy. I cannot think it. Hark! what noise is this?

'Enter the QUEEN with her hair about her ears,RIVERS and DORSET after her'*

Qyeen Elizabeth. Ah, who shall hinder me to wailand weep,

2.2.35 R I C H A R D T H E T H I R D 49

To chide my fortune and torment myself?I'll join with black despair against my soul,And to myself become an enemy.

Duchess. What means this scene of rude impatience ?Qyeen Elizabeth. To mark an act of tragic violence.

Edward, my lord, thy son, our king, is dead. 40Why grow the branches when the root is gone ?Why wither not the leaves that want their sap ?If you will live, lament; if die, be brief,That our swift-winged souls may catch the king's,Or, like obedient subjects, follow himTo his new kingdom of ne'er-changing night.

Duchess. Ah, so much interest have I in thy sorrowAs I had title in thy noble husband!I have bewept a worthy husband's death,And lived with looking on his images: 50But now two mirrors of his princely semblanceAre cracked in pieces by malignant death,And I for comfort have but one false glass,That grieves me when I see my shame in him.Thou art a widow; yet thou art a mother,And hast the comfort of thy children left:But death hath snatched my husband from mine arms,And plucked two crutches from my feeble hands,Clarence and Edward. O, what cause have I,Thine being but a moiety of my moan, 60To overgo thy woes and drown thy cries!

Boy. Ah aunt! you wept not for our father's death,How can we aid you with our kindred tears ?

Girl. Our fatherless distress was left unmoaned;Your widow-dolour likewise be unwept!

Qyeen Elizabeth. Give me no help in lamentation;I am not barren to bring forth complaints:All springs reduce their currents to mine eyes,

50 R I C H A R D T H E T H I R D 2.3.69

That I, being governed by the watery moon,70 May send forth plenteous tears to drown the world!

Ah for my husband, for my dear lord Edward!Children. Ah for our father, for our dear

Lord Clarence!Duchess. Alas for both, both mine, Edward

and Clarence!Qgeen Elizabeth. What stay had I but Edward?

and he's gone.Children. What stay had we but Clarence ? and

he's gone.Duchess. What stays had I but they? and they

are gone.Qgeen Elizabeth. Was never widow had so dear a loss.Children. Were never orphans had so dear a loss.Duchess. Was never mother had so dear a loss.

80 Alas, I am the mother of these griefs!Their woes are parcelled, mine is general.She for an Edward weeps, and so do I;I for a Clarence weep, so doth not she:These babes for Clarence weep, and so do I;I for an Edward weep, so do not they:Alas, you three on me, threefold distressed,Pour all your tears! I am your sorrow's nurse,And I will pamper it with lamentation.

Dorset. Comfort, dear mother: God ismuch displeased

90 That you take with unthankfulness his doing:In common worldly things 'tis called ungratefulWith dull unwillingness to repay a debtWhich with a bounteous hand was kindly lent;Much more to be thus opposite with heaven,For it requires the royal debt it lent you.

Rivers. Madam, bethink you, like a careful mother,

2.2.97 R I C H A R D T H E T H I R D 51

Of the young prince your son: send straight for him;Let him be crowned; in him your comfort lives.Drown desperate sorrow in dead Edward's grave,And plant your joys in living Edward's throne. 100

Enter GLOUCESTER, BUCKINGHAM, DERBT,

HASTINGS, and RATCLIFFE

Gloucester. Sister, have comfort: all of us have causeTo wail the dimming of our shining star;But none can help our harms by wailing them.Madam, my mother, I do cry you mercy;I did not see your grace [he kneels]. Humbly on my kneeI crave your blessing.Duchess. God bless thee, and put meekness in

thy breast,Love, charity, obedience, and true duty!

Gloucester. Amen! [aside] and make me die a goodold man!

That is the butt-end of a mother's blessing: n oI marvel that her grace did leave it out.Buckingham. You cloudy princes and heart-

sorrowing peers,That bear this heavy mutual load of moan,Now cheer each other in each other's love:Though we have spent our harvest of this king,We are to reap the harvest of his son.The broken rancour of your high-swoln hearts,But lately splintered, knit, and joined together,Must gently be preserved, cherished, and kept:Me seemeth good that, with some little train, 120Forthwith from Ludlow the young prince be fetHither to London, to be-crowned our king.Rivers. Why with some little train, my Lord

of Buckingham ?

52 R I C H A R D T H E T H I R D 2.2.124

Buckingham. Marry, my lord, lest by a multitudeThe new-healed wound of malice should break out;Which would be so much the more dangerous,By how much the estate is green and yet ungoverned:Where every horse bears his commanding rein,And may direct his course as please himself,

130 As well the fear of harm as harm apparent,In my opinion, ought to be prevented.

Gloucester. I hope the king made peace with all of us;And the compact is firm and true in me.

Rivers. And so in me; and so, I think, in all.Yet, since it is but green, it should be putTo no apparent likelihood of breach,Which haply by much company might be urged:Therefore I say with noble BuckinghamThat it is meet so few should fetch the prince.

140 Hastings. And so say I.Gloucester. Then be it so; and go we to determine

Who they shall be that straight shall post to Ludlow.Madam, and you, my sister, will you goTo give your censures in this business ?

Queen Elizabeth.} . , ..ff , Y With all our hearts.Duchess. J

[all go in but Buckingham and GloucesterBuckingham. My lord, whoever j ou rneys to the prince,

For God sake let not us two stay at home:For, by the way, I'll sort occasion,As index to the story we late talked of,

150 To part the queen's proud kindred from the prince.Gloucester. My other self, my counsel's consistory,

My oracle, my prophet, my dear cousin!I, as a child, will go by thy direction.Toward Ludlow then, for we'll not stay behind.

[they go

2.3-1 RICHARD THE THIRD 53

[2.3.] London. A Street

Enter two Citizens, meeting

1 Citizen. Good morrow, neighbour, whitheraway so fast?

2 Citizen. I promise you, I scarcely know myself:Hear you the news abroad?

1 Citizen. Yes, that the king is dead.2 Citizen. Ill news, by'r lady. Seldom comes

the better.I fear, I fear, 'twill prove a giddy world.

*Enter another Citizen'

3 Citizen. Neighbours, God speed!1 Citizen. Give you good morrow, sir.3 Citizen. Doth the news hold, of good King

Edward's death ?2 Citizen. Ay, sir, it is too true, God help the while!3 Citizen. Then, masters, look to see a

troublous world.1 Citizen. No, no; by God's good grace his son 10

shall reign.3 Citizen. Woe to that land that's governed by

a child!2 Citizen. In him there is a hope of government,

Which, in his nonage, council under him,And, in his full and ripened years, himself,No doubt, shall then, and till then, govern well.

I Citizen. So stood the state when Henry the Sixth.Was crowned in Paris but at nine months old.

3 Citizen. Stood the state so? No, no, good friends,God wot;

For then this land was famously enriched

54 R I C H A R D T H E T H I R D 2.3-20

20 With politic grave counsel; then the kingHad virtuous uncles to protect his grace.

I Citizen. Why, so hath this, both by his fatherand mother.

3 Citizen. Better it were they all came byhis father,

Or by his father there were none at all;For emulation who shall now be nearest,Will touch us all too near, if God prevent not.O, full of danger is the Duke of Gloucester!And the queen's sons and brothers haught and proud:And were they to be ruled, and not to rule,

30 This sickly land might solace as before.1 Citizen. Come, come, we fear the worst; all will

be well.3 Citizen. When clouds are seen, wise men put on

their cloaks;When great leaves fall, then winter is at hand;When the sun sets, who doth not look for night?Untimely storms makes men expect a dearth.All may be well; but, if God sort it so,T i s more than we deserve, or I expect.2 Citizen. Truly, the hearts of men are full of fear:

You cannot reason almost with a man40 That looks not heavily and full of dread.

3 Citizen. Before the days of change, still is it so:By a divine instinct men's minds mistrustEnsuing danger; as by proof we seeThe water swell before a boist'rous storm.But leave it all to God. Whither away?

2 Citizen. Marry, we were sent for to the justices.3 Citizen. And so was I : I'll bear you company.

[they pass on

2.4-1 RICHARD THE THIRD 55

[2.4.] London. The palace

Enter the ARCHBISHOP OF YORK, the young DVKB

OF YORK, £>JJEEN ELIZABETH, and the DUCHESS OF

YORK

Archbishop. Last night, I hear, they lay atStony Stratford;

And at Northampton they do rest to-night:To-morrow, or next day, they will be here*

Duchess. I long with all my heart to see the prince:I hope he is much grown since last I saw him.

Qyeen Elizabeth. But I hear, no; they say my sonof York

Has almost overta'en him in his growth.York. Ay, mother, but I would not have it so.Duchess. Why, my good cousin, it is good to grow.York. Grandam, one night, as we did sit at supper, 10

My uncle Rivers talked how I did growMore than my brother: 'Ay,' quoth my

uncle Gloucester,'Small herbs have grace, ill weeds do grow apace':And since, methinks, I would not grow so fast,Because sweet flowers are slow and weeds make haste.

Duchess. Good faith, good faith, the saying didnot hold

In him that did object the same to thee:He was the wretched'st thing when he was young,So long a-growing and so leisurely,That, if his rule were true, he should be gracious. 20

Archbishop. And so, no doubt, he is, mygracious madam.

Duchess. I hope he is, but yet let mothers doubt.York. Now, by my troth, if I had been rememb'red,

56 R I C H A R D T H E T H I R D 2.4.24

I could have given my uncle's grace a flout,To touch his growth nearer than he touched mine.

Duchess. How, my young York? I prithee, let mehear it.

York. Marry, they say my uncle grew so fastThat he could gnaw a crust at two hours old:'Twas full two years ere I could get a tooth.

30 Grandam, this would have been a biting jest.Duchess. I prithee, pretty York, who told thee this?York. Grandam, his nurse.Duchess. His nurse! why, she was dead ere thou

wast born.York. If 'twere not she, I cannot tell who told me.Qyeen Elizabeth. A parlous boy: go to, you are

too shrewd.Archbishop. Good madam, be not angry with

the child.§lyeen Elizabeth. Pitchers have ears.

1 Enter a Messenger*

Archbishop. Here comes a messenger. What news ?Messenger. Such news, my lord, as grieves me

to report.40 g>jeen Elizabeth. How doth the prince ?

Messenger. Well, madam, and in health.Duchess. What is thy news?Messenger. Lord Rivers and Lord Grey

Are sent to Pomfret, and with themSir Thomas Vaughan, prisoners.Duchess. Who hath committed them ?Messenger. The mighty dukes,

Gloucester and Buckingham.Archbishop. For what ofFence ?Messenger. The sum of all I can, I have disclosed;

2.4-47 R I C H A R D T H E T H I R D 57

Why or for what the nobles were committedIs all unknown to me, my gracious lord.

Queen Elizabeth. Ay me, I see the ruin of my house!The tiger now hath seized the gentle hind; 50Insulting tyranny begins to jetUpon the innocent and aweless throne:Welcome, destruction, blood, and massacre!I see, as in a map, the end of all.

Duchess. Accursed and unquiet wrangling days,How many of you have mine eyes beheld!My husband lost his life to get the crown;And often up and down my sons were tossed,For me to joy and weep their gain and loss:And being seated, and domestic broils 60Clean overblown, themselves, the conquerors,Make war upon themselves, brother to brother,Blood to blood, self to self! PreposterousAnd frantic outrage, end thy damned spleen;Or let me die, to look on death no more!

Qyeen Elizabeth. Come, come, my boy; we willto sanctuary.

Madam, farewell.Duchess. Stay, I will go with you.Slyeen Elizabeth. You have no cause.Archbishop. My gracious lady, go;

And thither bear your treasure and your goods.For my part, I'll resign unto your grace 70The seal I keep: and so betide to meAs well I tender you and all of yours!Go, I'll conduct you to the sanctuary. [they go

R. I l l —7

58 RICHARD THE THIRD 3.1.1

[3.1.] London. A street

''The trumpets sound. Enter the young PRINCE, theDukes of GLOUCESTER and BUCKINGHAM, the LordCARDINAL, with' CATESBT, and 'others'

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

Gloucester. Welcome, dear cousin, mythoughts' sovereign:

The weary way hath made you melancholy.Prince. No, uncle; but our crosses on the way

Have made it tedious, wearisome, and heavy:I want more uncles here to welcome me.

Gloucester. Sweet prince, the untainted virtue ofyour years

Hath not yet dived into the world's deceit:Nor more can you distinguish of a man

10 Than of his outward show, which, God he knows,Seldom or never jumpeth with the heart.Those uncles which you want were dangerous;Your grace attended to their sug'red words,But looked not on the poison of their hearts:God keep you from them, and from such false friends!

Prince. God keep me from false friends! but theywere none.

Gloucester. My lord, the Mayor of London comesto greet you.

1 Enter Lord Mayor*, and his train

Mayor. God bless your grace with health andhappy days!

Prince. I thank you, good my lord, and thankyou all.

3.1.20 R I C H A R D T H E T H I R D 59

I thought my mother and my brother York 20Would long ere this have met us on the way:Fie, what a slug is Hastings, that he comes notTo tell us whether they will come or no!

''Enter LORD HASTINGS'

Buckingham. And, in good time, here comes thesweating lord.

Prince. Welcome, my lord: what, will ourmother come ?

Hastings. On what occasion God he knows, not I,The queen your mother and your brother YorkHave taken sanctuary: the tender princeWould fain have come with me to meet your grace,But by his mother was perforce withheld. 30

Buckingham. Fie, what an indirect and peevish courseIs this of hers! Lord Cardinal, will your gracePersuade the queen to send the Duke of YorkUnto his princely brother presently ?If she deny, Lord Hastings, go with him,And from her jealous arms pluck him perforce.

Cardinal. My Lord of Buckingham, if myweak oratory

Can from his mother win the Duke of York,Expect him here; but if she be obdurateTo mild entreaties, God in heaven forbid 40We should infringe the holy privilegeOf blessed sanctuary! not for all this landWould I be guilty of so deep a sin.

Buckingham. You are too senseless-obstinate,my lord,

Too ceremonious and traditional:Weigh it but with the grossness of this age,You break not sanctuary in seizing him.

6o R I C H A R D T H E T H I R D 3-1.48

The benefit thereof is always grantedTo those whose dealings have deserved the place

50 And those who have the wit to claim the place:This prince hath neither claimed it nor deserved it;Therefore, in mine opinion, cannot have it:Then, taking him from thence that is not there,You break no privilege nor charter there.Oft have I heard of sanctuary men,But sanctuary children ne'er till now.

Cardinal. My lord, you shall o'er-rule my mindfor once.

Come on, Lord Hastings, will you go with me?Hastings. I go, my lord.

60 Prince. Good lords, make all the speedy hasteyou may. [Cardinal and Hastings depart

Say, uncle Gloucester, if our brother come,Where shall we sojourn till our coronation?

Gloucester. Where it seems best unto your royal self.If I may counsel you, some day or twoYour highness shall repose you at the Tower:Then where you please, and shall be thought most fitFor your best health and recreation.

Prince. I do not like the Tower, of any place.Did Julius Caesar build that place, my lord ?

70 Buckingham. He did, my gracious lord, beginthat place;

Which, since, succeeding ages have re-edified.Prince. Is it upon record, or else reported

Successively from age to age, he built it ?Buckingham. Upon record, my gracious lord.Prince. But say, my lord, it were not regist'red,

Methinks the truth should live from age to age,As 'twere retailed to all posterity,Even to the general all-ending day.

3.1.79 RICHARD THE THIRD 61

{Gloucester. So wise so young, they say, do ne'erlive long.

Prince. What say you, uncle? 80Gloucester. I say, without characters, fame lives long.

[aside'] Thus, like the formal Vice, Iniquity,I moralize two meanings in one word.

Prince. That Julius Caesar was a famous man;With what his valour did enrich his wit,His wit set down to make his valour live:Death makes no conquest of this conqueror,For now he lives in fame, though not in life.I'll tell you what, my cousin Buckingham—Buckingham. What, my gracious lord ? 90Prince. An if I live until I be a man,

I'll win our ancient right in France again,Or die a soldier, as I lived a king.{Gloucester. Short summers lightly have a

forward spring.

HASTINGS and the CARDINAL return withyoung TORK

Buckingham. Now in good time, here comes theDuke of York.

Prince. Richard of York! how fares ourloving brother ?

Tork. Well, my dread lord; so must I call you now.Prince. Ay, brother, to our grief, as it is yours:

Too late he died that might have kept that title,Which by his death hath lost much majesty. 100

Gloucester. How fares our cousin, noble Lordof York?

Tork. I thank you, gentle uncle. O, my lord,You said that idle weeds are fast in growth:The prince my brother hath outgrown me far.

6z R ICHARD T H E T H I R D 3.1.105

Gloucester. He hath, my lord.York. And therefore is he idle?Gloucester. O, my fair cousin, I must not say so.York. Then he is more beholding to you than I.Gloucester. He may command me as my sovereign;

But you have power in me as in a kinsman.n o York. I pray you, uncle, give me this dagger.

Gloucester. My dagger, little cousin? with allmy heart.

Prince. A beggar, brother?York. Of my kind uncle, that I know will give't,

Being but a toy, which is no grief to give.Gloucester. A greater gift than that I'll give my cousin.York. A greater gift? O, that's the sword to it.Gloucester. Ay, gentle cousin, were it light enough.York. O, then, I see you'll part but with

light gifts;In weightier things you'll say a beggar nay.

120 Gloucester. It is too heavy for your grace to wear.York. I'd weigh it lightly, were it heavier.Gloucester. What, would you have my weapon,

little lord?York. I would, that I might thank you as you

call me.Gloucester. How?York. Little.Prince. My Lord of York will still be cross in talk:

Uncle, your grace knows how to bear with him.York. You mean, to bear me, not to bear with me:

Uncle, my brother mocks both you and me;130 Because that I am little, like an ape,

He thinks that you should bear me on your shoulders.(Buckingham. With what a sharp-provided wit

he reasons!

3.I.I33 RICHARD THE THIRD 63

To mitigate the scorn he gives his uncle,He prettily and aptly taunts himself:So cunning and so young is wonderful.

Gloucester. My lord, will't please you pass along?Myself and my good cousin BuckinghamWill to your mother, to entreat of herTo meet you at the Tower and welcome you.

York. What, will you go unto the Tower, my lord? 140Prince. My Lord Protector needs will have it so.York. I shall not sleep in quiet at the Tower.Gloucester. Why, what should you fear ?York. Marry, my uncle Clarence' angry ghost:

My grandam told me he was murdered there.Prince. I fear no uncles dead.Gloucester. Nor none that live, I hope.Prince. An if they live, I hope I need not fear.

But come, my lord; so with a heavy heart,Thinking on them, go I unto the Tower. 150

^A Sennet.' Hastings and the Cardinal accompanythe Princes, leaving Gloucester with Buckingham

and CatesbyBuckingham. Think you, my lord, this little

prating YorkWas not incensed by his subtle motherTo taunt and scorn you thus opprobriously ?

Gloucester. No doubt, no doubt: O, 'tis a parlous boy;Bold, quick, ingenious, forward, capable:He is all the mother's, from the top to toe.Buckingham. Well, let them rest. Come

Catesby, thou art swornAs deeply to effect what we intend,As closely to conceal what we impart:Thou know'st our reasons urged upon the way. 160What think'st thou? is it not an easy matter

6+ R I C H A R D T H E T H I R D 3.1.162

To make Lord William Hastings of our mind,For the instalment of this noble dukeIn the seat royal of this famous isle ?

Catesby. He for his father's sake so loves the princeThat he will not be won to aught against him.

Buckingham. What think'st thou then of Stanley?will not he ?

Catesby. He will do all in all as Hastings doth.Buckingham. Well, then, no more but this: go,

gentle Catesby,170 And, as it were far off, sound thou Lord Hastings

How he doth stand affected to our purpose;And summon him to-morrow to the Tower,To sit about the coronation.If thou dost find him tractable to us,Encourage him, and tell him all our reasons:If he be leaden, icy-cold, unwilling,Be thou so too; and so break off the talk,And give us notice of his inclination:For we to-morrow hold divided councils,

180 Wherein thyself shalt highly be employed.Gloucester. Commend me to Lord William: tell

him, Catesby,His ancient knot of dangerous adversariesTo-morrow are let blood at Pomfret Castle;And bid my lord, for joy of this good news,Give Mistress Shore one gentle kiss the more.Buck/ana1. Good Catesby, go, effect this

business soundly.Catesby. My good lords both, with all the heed

I can.Gloucester. Shall we hear from you, Catesby, ere

we sleep ?Catesby. You shall, my lord.

3.I.I9O RICHARD T H E T H I R D 65

Gloucester. At Crosby House, there shall you find 190us both. [Catesby goes

Buckingham. My lord, what shall we do, ifwe perceive

Lord Hastings will not yield to our complots ?Gloucester. Chop off his head—something we

will determine.And look when I am king, claim thou of meThe earldom of Hereford, and all the movablesWhereof the king my brother was possessed.

Buckingham. I'll claim that promise at yourgrace's hand.

Gloucester. And look to have it yielded withall kindness.

Come, let us sup betimes, that afterwardsWe may digest our complots in some form, [they go 200

[3. 2.] Before Lord Hastings* house; night

'Enter a Messenger to the door of Hastings*

Messenger, [knocks] My lord! my lord!Hastings, [within] Who knocks ?Messenger. One from the Lord Stanley.Hastings, [within] What is't o'clock ?Messenger. Upon the stroke of four.

[Hastings opens the doorHastings. Cannot my Lord Stanley sleep these

tedious nights ?Messenger. So it appears by that I have to say.

First, he commends him to your noble self.Hastings. What then ?Messenger. Then certifies your lordship that this night 10

He dreamt the boar had raze'd off his helm:

66 R I C H A R D T H E T H I R D 3.2.12

Besides, he says there are two councils kept;And that may be determined at the oneWhich may make you and him to rue at th'other.Therefore he sends to know your lordship's pleasure—If you will presently take horse with him,And with all speed post with him toward the north,To shun the danger that his soul divines.

Hastings. Go, fellow, go, return unto thy lord;20 Bid him not fear the separated councils:

His honour and myself are at the one,And at the other is my good friend Catesby;Where nothing can proceed that toucheth usWhereof I shall not have intelligence.Tell him his fears are shallow, without instance:And for his dreams, I wonder he's so simpleTo trust the mock'ry of unquiet slumbers.To fly the boar before the boar pursuesWere to incense the boar to follow us

30 And make pursuit where he did mean no chase.Go, bid thy master rise and come to me;And we will both together to the Tower,Where he shall see the boar will use us kindly.Messenger. I'll go, my lord, and tell him what

you say. [goes1 *Enter CATESBT'

Catesby. 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 ?

Catesby. It is a reeling world indeed, my lord;And I believe will never stand upright

40 Till Richard wear the garland of the realm.Hastings. How, wear the garland? dost thou mean

the crown?

3.2.4« RICHARD THE THIRD fy

Catesby. Ay, my good lord.Hastings. I'll have this crown of mine cut from

my shouldersBefore I'll see the crown so foul misplaced.But canst thou guess that he doth aim at it?

Catesby. Ay, on my life, and hopes to findyou 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. 50

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.

Catesby. God keep your lordship in thatgracious 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, 60I'll send some packing that yet think not on't.

Catesby. '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 outWith Rivers, Vaughan, Grey: and so 'twill doWith some men else, that think themselves as safeAs thou and I, who (as thou know'st) are dearTo princely Richard and to Buckingham.

Catesby. The princes both make high accountof you—

[aside] For they account his head upon the Bridge. 70

68 RICHARD T H E T H I R D 3.2.71

Hastings. I know they do, and I have well deserved it.1Enter LORD STAIVLET*

Come on, come on, where is your boar-spear, man ?Fear you the boar, and go so unprovided ?

Stanley. My lord, good morrow; goodmorrow, Catesby:

You may jest on, but, by the holy rood,I do not like these several councils, I.

Hastings. I hold my life as dear as you do yours;And never in my days, I do protest,Was it so precious to me as 'tis now:

80 Think you, but that I know our state secure,I would be so triumphant as I am ?Stanley. The lords at Pomfret, when they rode

from London,Were jocund and supposed their states were sure,And they indeed had no cause to mistrust;But yet you see how soon the day o'ercast.This sudden stab of rancour I misdoubt:Pray God, I say, I prove a needless coward!What, shall we toward the Tower ? the day is spent.

Hastings. Come, come, have with you. Wot you whatmy lord?

90 To-day the lords you talked of are beheaded.Stanley. They, for their truth, might better wear

their headsThan some that have accused them wear their hats.But come, my lord, let's away.

''Enter a Pursuivant*

Hastings. Go on before; I'll talk with thisgood fellow. [Stanley and Catesby depart

How now, sirrah? how goes the world with thee?

3.2.96 R I C H A R D T H E T H I R D 69

Pursuivant. The better that your lordship pleaseto ask.

Hastings. I tell thee, man, 'tis better with me nowThan when thou met'st me last where now we meet:Then was I going prisoner to the Tower,By the suggestion of the queen's allies; 100But now, I tell thee (keep it to thyself)This day those enemies are put to death,And I in better state than e'er I was.

Pursuivant. G od hold it, to your honour's good content!Hastings. Gramercy, fellow: there, drink that

forme. ['throws him his purse*Pursuivant. I thank your honour. [goes

'Enter a Priest*

Priest. Well met, my lord; I am glad to seeyour honour.

Hastings. I thank thee, good Sir John, with allmy heart.

I am in your debt for your last exercise;Come the next Sabbath, and I will content you. n o

[he whispers in his ear

* Enter BUCKINGHAM*

Buckingham. What, talking with a priest,Lord Chamberlain?

Your friends at Pomfret, they do need the priest:Your honour hath no shriving work in hand.Hastings. Good faith, and when I met this holy man,

The men you talk of came into my mind.What, go you toward the Tower ?Buckingham. I do, my lord; but long I cannot

stay there:I shall return before your lordship thence.

7° R I C H A R D T H E T H I R D 32.119

Hastings. Nay, like enough, for I stay dinner there.120 {Buckingham. And supper too, although thou

know'st it not.[aloud~\ Come, will you go ?Hastings. I'll wait upon your lordship.

[they go off together

[3. 3.] Pom/ret Castle1Enter SIR RICHARD RATCLIFFE, with halberds, carrying

the nobles' RIVERS, GRET, and FAUGH AN 'to death*

Rivers. Sir Richard Ratcliffe, let me tell thee this:To-day shalt thou behold a subject dieFor truth, for duty, and for loyalty.

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

Vaughan. You live that shall cry woe forthis hereafter.

Ratcliffe. Dispatch; the limit of your lives is out.Rivers. O Pomfret, Pomfret! O thou bloody prison,

Fatal and ominous to noble peers!10 Within the guilty closure of thy walls

Richard the Second here was hacked to death;And, for more slander to thy dismal seat,We give to thee our guiltless blood to drink.

Grey. Now Margaret's curse is fall'n upon our heads,When she exclaimed on Hastings, you, and I,For standing by when Richard stabbed her son.

Rivers. Then cursed she Richard, then cursedshe Buckingham,

Then cursed she Hastings. O, remember, God,To hear her prayer for them, as now for us!

20 And for my sister and her princely sons,

3.3.31 RICHARD T H E T H I R D 7*

Be satisfied, dear God, with our true blood,Which, as thou know'st, unjustly must be spilt.Rate life. Make haste; the hour of death is expiate.Rivers. Come, Grey, come, Vaughan, let us

here embrace:Farewell, until we meet again in heaven.

[they are led away

[3. 4.] A room in the Tower of London

BUCKINGHAM, STANLET, HASTINGS, the BISHOP OFELT, RATCLIFFE, LOVEL, with others, at a table

Hastings. Now, noble peers, the cause why weare met

Is to determine of the coronation.In God's name, speak! when is the royal day?Buckingham. Is all things ready for the royal time?Stanley. It is, and wants but nomination..Ely. To-morrow then I judge a happy day.Buckingham. Who knows the Lord Protector's

mind herein?Who is most inward with the noble duke?

Ely. Your grace, we think, should soonest knowhis mind.

Buckingham. We know each other's faces: forour hearts, 10

He knows no more of mine than I of yours;Or I of his, my lord, than you of mine.Lord Hastings, you and he are near in love.Hastings. I thank his grace, I know he loves me well;

But, for his purpose in the coronation,I have not sounded him, nor he deliveredHis gracious pleasure any way therein:

7* R I C H A R D T H E T H I R D 3.4.18

But you, my honourable lords, may name the time;And in the duke's behalf I'll give my voice,

20 Which, I presume, he'll take in gentle part.

'Enter GLOUCESTER1

Ely. In happy time, here comes the duke himself.Gloucester. My noble lords and cousins all,

good morrow.I have been long a sleeper; but I trustMy absence doth neglect no great design,Which by my presence might have been concluded.Buckingham. Had you not come upon your cue,

my lord,William Lord Hastings had pronounced your part—I mean, your voice for crowning of the king.

Gloucester. Than my Lord Hastings no man mightbe bolder;

30 His lordship knows me well, and loves me well.My lord of Ely, when I was last in Holborn,I saw good strawberries in your garden there:I do beseech you send for some of them.

Ely. Marry, and will, my lord, with all my heart.[he goes

Gloucester. Cousin of Buckingham, a word with you.[drawing him aside

Catesby hath sounded Hastings in our business,And finds the testy gentleman so hot,That he will lose his head ere give consentHis master's child, as worshipfully he terms it,

40 Shall lose the royalty of England's throne.Buckingham. Withdraw yourself a while, I'll

go with you. [they go outStanley. We have not yet set down this day

of triumph.

3.4.43 RICHARD T H E T H I R D 73

To-morrow, in my judgement, is too sudden;For I myself am not so well providedAs eke I would be, were the day prolonged.

The BISHOP OF ELY returns

Ely. Where is my Lord the Duke of Gloucester?I have sent for these strawberries.Hastings. His grace looks cheerfully and smooth

this morning;There's some conceit or other likes him well,When that he bids good-morrow with such spirit. 50I think there's ne'er a man in ChristendomCan lesser hide his love or hate than he;For by his face straight shall you know his heart.

Stanley. What of his heart perceive you in his faceBy any likelihood he showed to-day?

Hastings. Marry, that with no man here heis offended;

For, were he, he had shown it in his looks.

GLOUCESTER and BUCKINGHAM return; Gloucester witha wonderful sour countenance, knitting his brow andgnawing his lip

Gloucester. I pray you all, tell me what they deserveThat do conspire my death with devilish plotsOf damned witchcraft, and that have prevailed 60Upon my body with their hellish charms ?

Hastings. The tender love I bear your grace,my lord,

Makes me most forward in this princely presenceTo doom th'offenders: whosoe'er they be,I say, my lord, they have deserved death.

Gloucester. Then be your eyes the witness oftheir evil.

R. i n - 8

74 R I C H A R D T H E T H I R D 3.4.67

Look how I am bewitched; behold, mine armIs like a blasted sapling withered up:And this is Edward's wife, that monstrous witch,

70 Consorted with that harlot, strumpet Shore,That by their witchcraft thus have marked me.

Hastings. If they have done this deed, mynoble lord,—

Gloucester. If! thou protector of this damned strumpet,Talk'st thou to me of 'ifs' ? Thou art a traitor:Off with his head! Now, by Saint Paul I swear,I will not dine until I see the same.Lovel and Ratcliffe, look that it be done:The rest that love me, rise and follow me.

[all leave but Hastings, Ratcliffe and LovelHastings. Woe, woe for England! not a whit for me;

80 For I, too fond, might have prevented this.Stanley did dream the boar did raze our helms,And I did scorn it, and disdain to fly:Three times to-day my foot-cloth horse did stumble,And started when he looked upon the Tower,As loath to bear me to the slaughter-house.O, now I need the priest that spake to me:I now repent I told the pursuivant,As too triumphing, how mine enemiesTo-day at Pomfret bloodily were butchered,

90 And I myself secure in grace and favour.O Margaret, Margaret, now thy heavy curseIs lighted on poor Hastings' wretched head!

Ratcliffe. Come, come, dispatch; the duke wouldbe at dinner:

Make a short shrift; he longs to see your head.Hastings. O momentary grace of mortal men,

Which we more hunt for than the grace of God!Who builds his hope in air of your good looks

3.4.98 R I C H A R D T H E T H I R D 75

Lives like a drunken sailor on a mast,Ready with every nod to tumble downInto the fatal bowels of the deep. 100Love/. Come, come, dispatch; 'tis bootless to exclaim.Hastings. O bloody Richard! miserable England!

I prophesy the fearfull'st time to theeThat ever wretched age hath looked upon.Come, lead me to the block; bear him my head.They smile at me who shortly shall be dead.

[he is led away

[3. 5.] The Tower-walls

Enter GLOUCESTER and BUCKINGHAM, 'in rottenarmour, marvellous ill-favoured1

Gloucester. Come, cousin, canst thou quake, andchange thy colour,

Murder thy breath in middle of a word,And then again begin, and stop again,As if thou wert distraught and mad with terror?

Buckingham. Tut, I can counterfeit thedeep tragedian,

Speak and look back, and pry on every side,Tremble and start at wagging of a straw,Intending deep suspicion: ghastly looksAre at my service, like enforced smiles;And both are ready in their offices, joAt any time, to grace my stratagems.But what, is Catesby gone?

Gloucester. He is; and, see, he brings the mayor along.

' Enter the Mayor and CATESBT'

Buckingham. Lord Mayor,— [he starts

76 R I C H A R D T H E T H I R D 3.5.15

Gloucester. Look to the drawbridge there!Buckingham. Hark! a drum.Gloucester. Catesby, o'erlook the walls.Buckingham. Lord Mayor, the reason we have sent—Gloucester. Look back, defend thee, here are enemies!

20 Buckingham. God and our innocence defend andguard us!

Gloucester. Be patient, they are friends, Ratcliffeand Lovel.

'Enter LOVEL and RATCLIFFE, zoith Hastings' head*

Lovel. Here is the head of that ignoble traitor,The dangerous and unsuspected Hastings.

Gloucester. So dear I loved the man, that Imust weep.

I took him for the plainest harmless creatureThat breathed upon the earth a Christian;Made him my book, wherein my soul recordedThe history of all her secret thoughts.So smooth he daubed his vice with show of virtue

30 That, his apparent open guilt omitted,I mean his conversation with Shore's wife,He lived from all attainder of suspects.Buckingham. Well, well, he was the covert'st

shelt'red traitor.Would you imagine, or almost believe,Were't not that, by great preservation,We live to tell it, that the subtle traitorThis day had plotted, in the council-houseTo murder me and my good Lord of Gloucester?

Mayor. Had he done so?40 Gloucester. What! think you we are Turks

or infidels?Or that we would, against the form of law,

3.5.4a R I C H A R D T H E T H I R D 77

Proceed thus rashly in the villain's death,But that the extreme peril of the case,The peace of England and our persons' safety,Enforced us to this execution?Mayor. Now, fair befall you! he deserved

his death;And your good graces both have well proceeded,To warn false traitors from the like attempts.

Buckingham. I never looked for better at his hands,After he once fell in with Mistress Shore. 50Yet had we not determined he should die,Until your lordship came to see his end,Which now the loving haste of these our friends,Something against our meanings, have prevented:Because, my lord, I would have had you hearThe traitor speak and timorously confessThe manner and the purpose of his treasons;That you might well have signified the sameUnto the citizens, who haply mayMisconster us in him and wail his death. 60Mayor. But, my good lord, your grace's words

shall serve,As well as I had seen and heard him speak:And do not doubt, right noble princes both,But I'll acquaint our duteous citizensWith all your just proceedings in this cause.

Gloucester. And to that end we wished yourlordship here,

T'avoid the censures of the carping world.Buckingham. Which 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. 70

\the Mayor takes leave

78 R I C H A R D T H E T H I R D 3.5.71

Gloucester. 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 sonHeir to the crown, meaning indeed his house,Which, by the sign thereof, was termed so.Moreover, urge his hateful luxury

80 And bestial appetite in change of lust;Which stretched unto their servants,

daughters, wives,Even where his raging eye or savage heartWithout control listed to make a prey.Nay, for a need, thus far come near my person:Tell them, when that my mother went with childOf that insatiate Edward, noble YorkMy princely father then had wars in France;And, by true computation of the time,Found that the issue was not his begot;

90 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 oratorAs if the golden fee for which I pleadWere for myself: and so, my lord, adieu.

Gloucester. If you thrive well, bring them toBaynard's Castle,

Where you shall find me well accompaniedWith reverend fathers and well-learned bishops.

100 Buckingham. I go, and towards three or four o'clockLook for the news that the Guildhall affords. [goes

Gloucester. Go, Lovel, with all speed to Doctor Shaw;

3.5-103 RICHARD T H E T H I R D 79

[To Catesby] Go thou to Friar Penker; bid them bothMeet me within this hour at Baynard's Castle.

[they departNow will I go to take some privy orderTo draw the brats of Clarence out of sight;And to give notice that no manner personHave any time recourse unto the princes. [he goes

[3.6.] London. A street1 Enter a Scrivener*, with a paper in his hand

Scrivener. Here is the indictment of the goodLord Hastings,

Which in a set hand fairly is engrossed,That it may be to-day 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, 10That cannot see this palpable device ?Yet who's so bold, but says he sees it not?Bad is the world; and all will come to nought,When such ill dealing must be seen in thought.

[he goes

80 RICHARD THE THIRD 3.7.1

[3. 7.] A court-yard before Barnard's Castle

Enter GLOUCESTER and BUCKINGHAM

at different doors

Gloucester. How now, how now, what saythe citizens?

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

Gloucester. Touched you the bastardy ofEdward's children?

Buckingham. I did; with his contract withLady 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,

10 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 purposeUntouched or slightly handled in discourse:

20 And when mine oratory drew toward end,I bid them that did love their country's goodCry 'God save Richard, England's royal king!'

Gloucester. And did they so?Buckingham. No, so God help me, they spake not

a word;But, like dumb statuas or breathing stones,

3.7.26 R I C H A R D T H E T H I R D 81

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 use"dTo be spoke to but by the Recorder. 30Then 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 ownAt 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 shoutArgues your wisdoms and your love to Richard'— 40And even here brake off and came away.

Gloucester. What tongueless blocks were they!would they not speak ?

Buckingham. No, by my troth, my lord.Gloucester. 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; 50Play the maid's part, still answer nay, and take it.

Gloucester. I go; and if you,plead as well for themAs I can say nay to thee for myself,No doubt we'll bring it to a happy issue.

Buckingham. Go, go up to the leads; the LordMayor knocks. [Gloucester hurries away

8z RICHARD T H E T H I R D 3.7.56

The Mayor and Citizens enter the court-yard

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

CATESBT comes forth

Catesby, what says your lord to my request?Catesby. He doth entreat your grace, my noble lord,

60 To visit him to-morrow 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 thegracious duke:

Tell him, myself, the Mayor, and Alderman,In deep designs, in matter of great moment,No less importing than our general good,Are come to have some conference with his grace.

70 Catesby. I'll signify so much unto him straight.[goes in

Buckingham. Ah, ha, my lord, this prince is notan Edward!

He is not lolling on a lewd love-bed,But on his knees at meditation;Not dallying with a brace of courtezans,But meditating with two deep divines;Not sleeping, to engross his idle body,But praying, to enrich his watchful soul:Happy were England, would this virtuous princeTake on his grace the sovereignty thereof:

80 But, sure, I fear, we shall not win him to it.Mayor. Marry, God defend his grace should say

us nay!

3-7-82 R I C H A R D T H E T H I R D 83

Buckingham. I fear he will. Here Catesbycomes again.

C returns

Now, Catesby, what says his grace ?Catesby. He wonders to what end you

. have assembledSuch 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 perfit love; 90And so once more return and tell his grace.

[Catesby goes in againWhen holy and devout religious menAre at their beads, 'tis much to draw them thence,So sweet is zealous contemplation.

GLOUCESTER appears 'aloft, between two Bishops1;CATESBT returns

Mayor. See, where his grace stands, 'tweentwo clergymen!

Buckingham. Two props of virtue for aChristian 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, 100Lend favourable ear to our requests;And pardon us the interruptionOf thy devotion and right Christian zeal.

Gloucester. My lord, there needs no such apology:I do beseech your grace to pardon me,

84 R I C H A R D T H E T H I R D 3.7.106

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 aboven o And all good men of this ungoverned isle.

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

Buckingham. You have, my lord: would it mightplease your grace,

On our entreaties, to amend your fault!Gloucester. Else wherefore breathe I in a

Christian land ?Buckingham. Know then, it is your fault that

you resignThe supreme seat, the throne majestical,The scept'red office of your ancestors,

120 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 graffed with ignoble plants,And almost should'red in the swallowing gulfOf dark forgetfulness and deep oblivion.

130 Which to recure, we heartily solicitYour gracious self to take on you the chargeAnd 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,

3.7.136 RICHARD THE THIRD 85

Your right of birth, your empery, your ownFor 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. 140

Gloucester. I cannot tell if to depart in silenceOr bitterly to speak in your reproofBest fitteth my degree or your condition:If not to answer, you might haply thinkTongue-tied ambition, not replying, yieldedTo 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. 150Therefore—to speak, and to avoid the first,And then, in speaking, not to incur the las t-Definitively thus I answer you:Your love deserves my thanks, but my desertUnmeritable shuns your high request.First, if all obstacles were cut awayAnd 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, 160That I would rather hide me from my greatness,Being a bark to brook no mighty sea,Than in my greatness covet to be hidAnd 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,

86 R I C H A R D T H E T H I R D 3.7.170

170 And mate, 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 inyour 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—

180 Your mother lives a witness to his vow—And afterward by substitute betrothedTo 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 degreeTo base declension and loathed bigamy:

190 By her, in his unlawful bed, he gotThis 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 selfThis proffered benefit of dignity;If not to bless us and the land withal,Yet to draw forth your noble ancestryFrom the corruption of abusing times

200 Unto a lineal true-derived course.Mayor. Do, good my lord, your citizens

entreat you.

3.7-203 R I C H A R D T H E T H I R D 87

Buckingham. Refuse not, mighty lord, thisproffered love.

Catesby. O, make them joyful, grant theirlawful suit!

Gloucester. Alas, why would you heap this careon 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 210And gentle, kind, effeminate remorse,Which we have noted in you to your kindred,And egally 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.

Gloucester. O, do not swear, my lord of Buckingham. 220[Buckingham stalks out; citizens slowly follow

Catesby. Call him again, sweet prince, accepttheir suit:

If you deny them, all the land will rue it.Gloucester. Will you enforce me to a world of cares?

Call them again: I am not made of stone,But penetrable to your kind entreaties,Albeit against my conscience and my souL

'BUCKINGHAM and the rest* return

Cousin of Buckingham, and sage grave men,Since you will buckle fortune on my back,

88 R I C H A R D T H E T H I R D 3.7.229

To bear her burthen, whe'er I will or no,230 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 meFrom 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.Gloucester. In saying so, you shall but say the truth.Buckingham. Then I salute you with this

royal title:240 Long live King Richard, England's worthy king!

All. Amen.Buckingham. To-morrow may it please you to

be crowned ?Gloucester. Even when you please, for you will have

it so.Buckingham. To-morrow then we will attend

your grace:And so most joyfully we take our leave.

Gloucester. Come, let us to our holy work again.Farewell, my cousin; farewell, gentle friends.

[they go

4.1.1 RICHARD THE THIRD 89

[4. 1.] Before the Tower

Enter QUEEN ELIZABETH, DUCHESS OF YORK, andMARQUIS OF DORSET,- meeting ANNE, DUCHESS OF

GLOUCESTER, and LADY MARGARET PLANTAGENET,

CLARENCE'S young daughter

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

Anne. God give your graces bothA 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. 10

Qjfeen Elizabeth. Kind sister, thanks: we'll enterall together.

BRAKENBURT comes from the Tower

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.

Qjeen Elizabeth. The king! who's that?Brakenbury. I mean the Lord Protector.Qgeen Elizabeth. The Lord protect him from that 20

kingly title!R. I l l - 9

90 R I C H A R D T H E T H I R D 4.1.M

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.

[he goes within

LORD STANLEY comes up

Stanley. Let me but meet you, ladies, onehour hence,

30 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.

^jeeen 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 ?Qyeen Elizabeth. O Dorset, speak not to me, get

thee gone!40 Death and destruction dogs 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.

4.1.48 R I C H A R D T H E T H I R D 91

Stanley. Full of wise care is this your counsel, madam.[to Dorset] Take all the swift advantage of the hours;You shall have letters from me to my son 50In 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 hastewas sent.

Anne. And I with all unwillingness will go.O, would to God that the inclusive vergeOf golden metal that must round my brow 60Were 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!'

Qyeen Elizabeth. Go, go, poor soul, I envy notthy 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 handsWhich issued from my other angel husband,And that dear saint which then I weeping followed— 70O, 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 wed'st, let sorrow haunt thy bed;And be thy wife—if any be so—madeMore miserable by the life of theeThan thou hast made me by my dear lord's death!'Lo, ere I can repeat this curse again,

92 R I C H A R D T H E T H I R D 4-1.79

Within so small a time, my woman's heart80 Grossly grew captive to his honey words

And proved the subject of mine own soul's curse,Which hitherto hath held mine eyes from rest;For never yet one hour in his bedDid 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.

Qgeen Elizabeth. Poor heart, adieu! I pitythy complaining.

Anne. No more than with my soul I mournfor yours.

90 Qgeen Elizabeth. Farewell, thou woeful welcomerof 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 £>jeen 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.

Styeen Elizabeth. Stay, yet look back with me untothe Tower.

Pity, you ancient stones, those tender babes100 Whom envy hath immured within your walls!

Rough cradle for such little pretty ones!Rude ragged nurse, old sullen playfellowFor tender princes, use my babies well!So foolish sorrow bids your stones farewell.

[they depart

4.2.1 RICHARD THE THIRD 93

[4. 2.] London. The Palace1 Sennet. Enter RICHARD, in pomp1, crowned;BUCKINGHAM, CATESBT, a Page, and others

King Richard. Stand all apart. Cousinof Buckingham!

Buckingham. My gracious sovereign!King Richard. Give me thy hand, [trumpets sound

as he ascends the throne^ Thus high, bythy 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. 10Buckingham. 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.Buckingham. True, noble prince.King Richard. O bitter consequence!

That Edward still should live 'true noble prince'1Cousin, 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 say'st thou now? speak suddenly, be brief. 20

94 R I C H A R D T H E T H I R D 4.2.21

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. [he goes

(Catesfy. The king is angry: see, he gnaws his lip.King Richard. I will converse with iron-witted fools

And unrespective boys: none are for me {descends from30 That look into me with considerate eyes: Ms throne

High-reaching Buckingham grows circumspect.Boy!

Page. My lord?King Richard. Know'st thou not any whom

corrupting goldWill tempt unto a close exploit of death?

Page. I know a discontented gentlemanWhose humble means match not his haughty spirit:Gold were as good as twenty orators,And will, no doubt, tempt him to any thing.

King Richard. What is his name?Page. His name, my lord, is Tyrrel.

40 King Richard. I partly know the man: go, call himhither, boy. [Page goes

The deep-revolving witty BuckinghamNo more shall be the neighbour to my counsels.Hath he so long held out with me untired,And stops lie now for breath? Well, be it so.

4Enter STANLET*

How now, Lord Stanley!Stanley. Know, my loving lord,

4.2.46 RICHARD T H E T H I R D 95

The Marquis Dorset, as I .hear, is fledTo Richmond in the parts where he abides.

[stands apartKing Richard. Come hither, Catesby. Rumour

it abroadThat Anne, my wife, is very grievous sick:I will take order for her keeping close. 50Inquire 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 outThat Anne, my queen, is sick and like to die.About it! for it stands me much uponTo stop all hopes whose growth may damage me.

[Catesby hurries forthI must be married to my brother's daughter,Or else my kingdom stands on brittle glass...Murder her brothers, and then marry her! 60Uncertain way of gain! But I am inSo far in blood that sin will pluck on sin:Tear-falling pity dwells not in this eye.

Re-enter Page with TrRREL

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, I had rather kill two enemies.King Richard. Why, there thou hast it: two

deep enemies,Foes to my rest and my sweet sleep's disturbers, 70Are they that I would have thee deal upon:

9<> R I C H A R D T H E T H I R D 4.2.72

Tyrrel, 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. [goes

BUCKINGHAM returns

80 Buckingham. My lord, I have considered inmy 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: 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 movablesWhich you have promised I shall possess.

King Richard. Stanley, look to your wife: ifshe convey

90 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 bey.A king! perhaps—

4.2.96 RICHARD THE THIRD 97

Buckingham. My lord!King Richard. How chance the prophet could not

at that timeHave 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, ioo

The mayor in courtesy showed me the castle,And called it Rougemont: at which name I started,Because a bard of Ireland told me onceI should not live long after I saw Richmond.Buckingham. My lord!King Richard. Ay, what's o'clock ?Buckingham. I am thus bold to put your grace

in mindOf what you promised me.

King Richard. Well, but what's o'clock ?Buckingham. Upon the stroke of ten.King Richard. Well, let it strike.Buckingham. Why let it strike ? n oKing Richard. Because that, like a Jack, thou

keep'st the strokeBetwixt thy begging and my meditation.I am not in the giving vein to-day.Buckingham. May it please you to resolve me in

my suit ?King Richard. Thou troublest me, I am not in

the vein. [goesBuckingham. And is it thus ? repays he my

deep serviceWith such contempt? made I him king for this?O, let me think on Hastings, and be goneTo Brecknock, while my fearful head is on! [goes

98 RICHARD THE THIRD 4.3.1

[4. 3.] The same, later

'''Enter TTRREL'

Tyrrel. The tyrannous and bloody act is done,The most arch deed of piteous massacreThat ever yet this land was guilty of.Dighton and Forrest, whom I did subornTo do this piece of ruthless butchery,Albeit they were fleshed villains, bloody dogs,Melting with tenderness and mild compassion,Wept like two children in their death's sad story.*O, thus,' quoth Dighton, 'lay the gentle babes':

10 'Thus, thus,' quoth Forrest, 'girdling one anotherWithin their alabaster innocent arms:Their lips were four red roses on a stalk,Which 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;Whilst Dighton thus told on: 'We smotheredThe most replenished sweet work of NatureThat from the prime creation e'er she framed.'

20 Hence all o'er 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.

Enter KING RICHARD

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.

4.3.27 RICHARD THE THIRD 99

King Richard. But didst thou see them dead?Tyrrel. I did, my lord.King Richard. And buried, gentle Tyrrel?TyrreL The chaplain of the Tower hath.

buried them;But where, to say the truth, I do not know. 3°

King Richard. Come to me, Tyrrel, soon atafter-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. [he goesKing 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 this world good night.Now, for I know the Breton Richmond aims 40At 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 nearThan Buckingham and his rash-levied strength. 50

ioo R I C H A R D T H E T H I R D 4.3.51

Come, I have learned that fearful commentingIs 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.

[they go

[4. 4.] Before the palace

'Enter old QUEEN MARGARET*

Qgeen Margaret. So now prosperity begins to mellowAnd 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 consequenceWill prove as bitter, black, and tragical.Withdraw thee, wretched Margaret: who comes here ?

Enter §>UEEN ELIZABETH and the DUCHESS OF TORK

Qyeen Elizabeth. Ah, my poor princes! ah, mytender babes!

10 My unblown flowers, new-appearing sweets!If yet your gentle souls fly in the airAnd be not fixed in doom perpetual,Hover about me with your airy wingsAnd hear your mother's lamentation!

($>jeen Margaret. Hover about her; say, that rightfor right

Hath dimmed your infant morn to aged night.Duchess. So many miseries have crazed my voice,

4.4-18 R I C H A R D T H E T H I R D lot

That my woe-wearied tongue is still and mute.Edward Plantagenet, why art thou dead ?

(Jtyeen Margaret. Plantagenet doth quit Plantagenet, 20Edward for Edward pays a dying debt.

S^een Elizabeth. Wilt thou, O God, fly from suchgentle lambs,

And throw them in the entrails of the wolf?When didst thou sleep when such a deed was done?

{filyeen Margaret. When holy Harry died, and mysweet son.

Duchess. Dead life, blind sight, poor mortalliving ghost,

Woe's scene, world's shame, grave's due bylife usurped,

Brief abstract and record of tedious days,Rest thy unrest on England's lawful earth,Unlawfully made drunk with innocent blood! 30

[sitsQyeen Elizabeth. Ah, that thou wouldst as soon

afford a graveAs thou canst yield a melancholy seat!Then would I hide my bones, not rest them here.Ah, who hath any cause to mourn but we?

[sits down by herQyeen Margaret, [advancing] If ancient sorrow be

most reverend,Give mine the benefit ef seniory,And let my griefs frown on the upper hand.If sorrow can admit society, [sits down with themTell o'er your woes again by viewing mine:I had an Edward, till a Richard killed him; 40I had a Harry, till a Richard killed him:Thou hadst an Edward, till a Richard killed him;Thou hadst a Richard, till a Richard killed him.

102 R I C H A R D T H E T H I R D 4.4.44

Duchess. I had a Richard too, and thou didstkill him;

I had a Rutland too, thou holp'st to kill him.Qyeen Margaret. Thou hadst a Clarence too, and

Richard killed him.From forth the kennel of thy womb hath creptA hell-hound that doth hunt us all to death:That dog, that had his teeth before his eyes,

50 To worry lambs and lap their gentle blood;That foul defacer of God's handiwork;That excellent grand tyrant of the earth,That reigns in galled eyes of weeping souls—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 curPreys 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!60 God witness with me, I have wept for thine.

Qjteen Margaret. Bear with me; I am hungryfor revenge,

And now I cloy me with beholding it.Thy Edward he is dead, that killed my Edward;Thy other Edward dead, to quit my Edward;Young York he is but boot, because both theyMatched 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,

70 Untimely smothered in their dusky graves.Richard yet lives, hell's black intelligencer,Only reserved their factor, to buy soulsAnd send them thither: but at hand, at hand,Ensues his piteous and unpitied end:

4.4-75 R I C H A R D T H E T H I R D 103

Earth gapes, hell burns, fiends roar, saints pray,To have him suddenly conveyed from hence:Cancel his bond of life, dear God, I plead,That I may live and say 'The dog is dead!'

Qgeen Elizabeth. O, thou didst prophesy the timewould come

That I should wish for thee to help me curse 80That bottled spider, that foul bunch-backed toad!

Qgeen Margaret. I called thee then vain flourish ofmy 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; 90A queen in jest, only to fill the scene.Where is thy husband now? where be thy brothers?Where be 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 queen, a very caitiff crowned with care; 100For one being sued to, one that humbly sues;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 whirled about,And left thee but a very prey to time;

104 R I C H A R D T H E T H I R D 4.4.107

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

n o Usurp the just proportion of my sorrow?Now thy proud neck bears half my burthened yoke;From which even here I slip my weary head,And leave the burthen 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!Qjeen Margaret. Forbear to sleep the nights, and

fast the days;Compare dead happiness with living woe;

120 Think that thy babes were sweeter than they were,And he that slew them fouler than he is:Bett'ring thy loss makes the bad causer worse:Revolving this will teach thee how to curse.

Queen Elizabeth. My words are dull; O, quickenthem with thine!

Qj/een Margaret. Thy woes will make them sharpand pierce like mine. [she goes

Duchess. Why should calamity be full of words?Qjeen Elizabeth. Windy attorneys to their

client woes,Airy succeeders of intestate joys,Poor breathing orators of miseries!

130 Let them have scope: though what they will impartHelp 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 smotherMy damned son, that thy two sweet sons smothered.The trumpet sounds: be copious in exclaims.

4.4.136 RICHARD THE THIRD 105

'Enter KING RICHARD and his train*, marchingwith drums and trumpets

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!

§>$een Elizabeth. Hid'st thou that forehead with. 140a 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 thybrother Clarence?

And little Ned Plantagenet, his son?Qyeen 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 150Rail on the Lord's anointed: strike, I say!

['Flourish. Alarums'Either be patient, and entreat me fair,Or with the clamorous report of warThus 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.

106 RICHARD THE THIRD 4.4.160

160 Duchess. O, let me speak!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 burthen was thy birth to me;Tetchy and wayward was thy infancy;

170 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 Hour,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.

180 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.King Richard. So.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 perishAnd never more behold thy face again.

4.4-188 R I C H A R D T H E T H I R D 107

Therefore take with thee my most grievous curse,Which, in the day of battle, tire thee moreThan all the complete armour that thou wear'st! 190My prayers on the adverse party fight;And there the little souls of Edward's childrenWhisper the spirits of thine enemiesAnd promise them success and victory.Bloody thou art, bloody will be thy end;Shame serves thy life and doth thy death attend.

[she goesQueen Elizabeth. Though far more cause, yet much

less spirit to curseAbides in me; I say amen to her.

King Richard. Stay, madam; I must talk a wordwith you. [draws her aside

Qjieen Elizabeth. I have no moe sons of the 200royal 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.

Qyeen Elizabeth. And must she die for this ? O, lether 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, 210I will confess she was not Edward's daughter.

King Richard. Wrong not her birth, she is aroyal princess.

Queen Elizabeth. To save her life, I'll say she isnot so.

King Richard. Her life is safest only in her birth.

108 R I C H A R D T H E T H I R D 4.4.215

Qyeen Elizabeth. And only in that safety diedher brothers.

King Richard. No, at their births good starswere opposite.

Qyeen Elizabeth. No, to their lives ill friendswere contrary.

King Richard. All unavoided is the doom of destiny.Slyeen Elizabeth. True, when avoided grace

makes destiny:220 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!Elizabeth. Cousins indeed, and by their

uncle cozenedOf 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 bluntTill it was whetted on thy stone-hard heartT o revel in the entrails of my lambs.

230 But that still use of grief makes wild grief tame,My tongue should to thy ears not name my boysTill 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 enterpriseAnd dangerous success of bloody wars,As I intend more good to you and yoursThan ever you or yours by me were harmed!

240 Queen Elizabeth. What good is covered with theface of heaven,

T o be discovered, that can do me good ?

4.4.243 R I C H A R D T H E T H I R D 109

King Richard. Tli'advancenient of your children,gentle lady.

Qyeen Elizabeth. Up to some scaffold, there to losetheir heads ?

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

Qyeen Elizabeth. Flatter my sorrow with reportof 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 myselfand all,

Will I withal endow a child of thine; 250So in the Lethe of thy angry soulThou drown the sad remembrance of those wrongsWhich thou supposest I have done to thee.

Slue en Elizabeth. Be brief, lest that the process ofthy 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 ?Qyeen Elizabeth. That thou dost love my daughter

from thy soul:So from thy soul's love didst thou love her brothers; 260And from my heart's love I do thank thee for it.

King Richard. Be not so hasty to confoundmy meaning:

I mean that with my soul I love thy daughter,And do intend to make her Queen of England.

Qyeen Elizabeth. Well then, who dost thou meanshall be her king?

R. Ill - I O

no RICHARD T H E T H I R D 4.4.266

King Richard. Even he that makes her queen: whoelse should be ?

Queen Elizabeth. What, thou ?King Richard. Even so: how think you of it ?Qyeen Elizabeth. How canst thou woo her ?King Richard. That would I learn of you,

270 As one being best acquainted with her humour.Queen Elizabeth. And wilt thou learn of me?King Richard. With all my heart.Qj/een 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 MargaretDid to thy father, steeped in Rutland's blood—A handkerchief; which, say to her, did drainThe purple sap from her sweet brother's body,And bid her wipe her weeping eyes withal.

280 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 notthe way

To win your daughter.Qjeen 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 loveof her.

290 Queen Elizabeth. Nay, then indeed she cannot choosebut hate thee,

Having bought love with such a bloody spoil.

4.4.292 R I C H A R D T H E T H I R D m

King Richard. Look what is done cannot benow 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 begetMine issue of your blood upon your daughter:A grandam's name is little less in love 300Than 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 groansEndured 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, 310Therefore accept such kindness as I can.Dorset your son, that with a fearful soulLeads discontented steps in foreign soil,This fair alliance quickly shall call homeTo 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 timesRepaired with double riches of content. 320What! we have many goodly days to see:The liquid drops of tears that you have shedShall come again, transformed to orient pearl,Advantaging their loan with interest

i i* R I C H A R D T H E T H I R D 4.4.325

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

330 Of golden sovereignty; acquaint the princessWith the sweet silent hours of marriage joys:And when this arm of mine hath chastisedThe petty rebel, dull-brained Buckingham,Bound with triumphant garlands will I comeAnd 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? herfather's brother

Would be her lord? or shall I say her uncle?340 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 bythis alliance.

§>yeen Elizabeth. Which she shall purchase with still-lasting war.

King Richard. Tell her the king, that maycommand, entreats.

Qyeen Elizabeth. That at her hands which theking's King forbids.

King Richard. Say she shall be a high andmighty queen.

flueen Elizabeth. To vail the title, as her mother doth.350 King Richard. Say I will love her everlastingly.

Qjeen Elizabeth. But how long shall that title'ever' last?

4-4-352 R I C H A R D T H E T H I R D 113

King Richard. Sweetly in force unto her fairlife's end.

Qyeen Elizabeth. But how long fairly shall her sweetlife last?

King Richard. As long as heaven and naturelengthens it.

Qgeen Elizabeth. As long as hell and Richard likesof it.

King Richard. Say, I, her sovereign, am hersubject love.

£>jfeen Elizabeth. But she, your subject, loathessuch sovereignty.

King Richard. Be eloquent in my behalf to her.Qgeen Elizabeth. An honest tale speeds best being

plainly told.King Richard. Then plainly to her tell my 360

loving tale.Qgeen 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.

Qyeen Elizabeth. Harp on it still shall I till heart-strings break.

King Richard. Now, by my George, my garter,and my crown—

§lgeen Elizabeth. Profaned, dishonoured, and thethird usurped.

King Richard. I swear—£>jeen Elizabeth. By nothing; for this is no oath:

H4 R I C H A R D T H E T H I R D 4-4-370

370 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. Then, by my self—Qyeen Elizabeth. Thy self is self-misused.King Richard. Now, by the world—£>jfeen Elizabeth. 'Tis full of thy foul wrongs.King Richard. My father's death—Qyeen Elizabeth. Thy life hath it dishonoured.King Richard. Why then, by God—Qyeen Elizabeth. God's wrong is most of all.

If thou didst fear to break an oath with Him,380 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 the prey for worms.What canst thou swear by now ?King Richard. The time to come.Qjfeen Elizabeth. That thou hast wronged in the

time o'er past;390 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 hastMisused ere used, by times ill-used o'erpast.

4.4.398 R I C H A R D T H E T H I R D 115

King Richard. As I intend to prosper and repent,So thrive I in my dangerous affairsOf hostile arms! myself myself confound! 400Heaven 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: 410It 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-fond in great designs.

Qyeen Elizabeth. Shall I be tempted of the devil thus ?King Richard. Ay, if the devil tempt you to do good. 420§>yeen Elizabeth. Shall I forget myself to be myself?King Richard. Ay, if yourself's remembrance

wrong yourself.9lyeen 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 breedSelves of themselves, to your recomforture.

Qyeen Elizabeth. Shall I go win my daughter tothy will?

King Richard. And be a happy mother by the deed.

li6 R I C H A R D T H E T H I R D 4.4.429

Queen Elizabeth. I go. Write to me very shortly,430 And you shall understand from me her mind.

King Richard. Bear her my true love's kiss[kissing her]; and so, farewell. [she goes

Relenting fool, and shallow-changing woman!1 Enter RATCLIFFE'; CATESBT following

How now! what news?Ratcliffe. Most mighty sovereign, on the

western coastRideth a puissant navy; to our shoresThrong 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

440 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 comest thither—[to Catesby] Dull

unmindful villain,Why stay'st thou here, and go'st not to the duke?

Catesby. First, mighty liege, tell me yourhighness' pleasure,

What from your grace I shall deliver to him.450 King Richard. O, true, good Catesby: bid him

levy straightThe greatest strength and power that he can make,And meet me suddenly at Salisbury.

4-4-453 RICHARD THE THIRD "7

Catesby. I go. [he goesRatcliffe. 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.

'Enter LORD STANLET*

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 460nor bad!

What need'st thou run so many miles about,When thou mayest 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, butby 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 470sword 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 ?

n 8 R I C H A R D T H E T H I R D 4-4-475

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 mistrustme not.

480 King Richard. Where is thy power then to beathim 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 inthe north.

King Richard. Cold friends to me: what do theyin 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

490 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.[goes

4-4-499 RICHARD THE THIRD 119

'Enter a Messenger*

Messenger. My gracious sovereign, nowin Devonshire,

As I by friends am well advertised, 500Sir Edward Courtney, and the haughty prelate,Bishop of Exeter, his elder brother,With many moe confederates, are in arms.

'i Enter another Messenger*

2 Messenger. In Kent, my liege, the Guildfordsare in arms;

And every hour more competitorsFlock to the rebels and their power grows strong.

1 Enter another Messenger*

3 Messenger. My lord, the army of great Buckingham—King Richard. Out on you, owls! nothing but

songs of death ? [he strikes himThere, take thou that, till thou bring better news.

3 Messenger. The news I have to tell your majesty 510Is that, by sudden floods and fall of waters,Buckingham's army is dispersed and scattered;And he himself wand'red 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 proclaimedReward to him that brings the traitor in ?

3 Messenger. Such proclamation hath been made,my lord.

'Enter another Messenger*

4 Messenger. Sir Thomas Lovel and LordMarquis Dorset,

iao R I C H A R D T H E T H I R D 4.4.520

520 '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 boatUnto the shore, to ask those on the banksIf they were his assistants, yea or no;Who answered him, they came from BuckinghamUpon his party: he, mistrusting them,Hoised sail and made his course again for Brittany.

King Richard. March on, march on, since we areup in arms;

530 If not to fight with foreign enemies,Yet to beat down these rebels here at home.

CATESBT returns

Cateshy. My liege, the Duke of Buckinghamis taken;

That is the best news: that the Earl of RichmondIs with a mighty power landed at MilfordIs colder tidings, yet they must be told.King Richard. Away towards Salisbury! While we

reason here,A royal battle might be won and lost:Some one take order Buckingham be broughtTo Salisbury; the rest march on with me.

\a flourish as they go

4-5.1 RICHARD THE THIRD 121

[4.5.] LORD STANLEY'S house

LORD STANLEY and SIR CHRISTOPHER URSWICK,

a priest

Stanley. Sir Christopher, tell Richmond thisfrom me:

That in the sty of the most deadly boarMy 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 consentedHe should espouse Elizabeth her daughter.But, tell me, where is priricely Richmond now ?

Christopher. At Pembroke, or at Ha'rford-west, 10in 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. 20Farewell. [they go

122 RICHARD THE THIRD 5.1.1

[5.1.] Salisbury. An open place

Enter a Sheriffl with halberds'1, leading BUCKINGHAMlto execution'

Buckingham. Will not King Richard let me speakwith 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 miscarriedBy underhand corrupted foul injustice,If that your- moody discontented soulsDo through the clouds behold this present hour,Even for revenge mock my destruction!

' 10 This is All-Souls' day, fellow, is it not?Sheriff. It is, my lord.Buckingham. Why, then All-Souls' day is mjr

body's doomsday.This is the day which in King Edward's timeI wished might fall on me when I was foundFalse to his children and his wife's allies;This is the day wherein I wished to fallBy the false faith of him whom most I trusted;This, this All-Souls' day to my fearful soulIs the determined respite of my wrongs:

20 That high All-Seer which I dallied withHath turned my feigned prayer on my head,And given in earnest what I begged in jest.Thus doth He force the swords of wicked menTo 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,

5-1-27 RICHARD THE THIRD 123

Remember Margaret was a prophetess.'Come, lead me, officers, to the block of shame;Wrong hath but wrong, and blame the due of blame.

[they pass on

[5.2.] The camp near Tamzaorth1Enter RICHMOND, OXFORD, BLUNT, HERBERT,

and others, with drum and colours'1

Richmond. Fellows in arms, and my mostloving friends,

Bruised underneath the yoke of tyranny,Thus far into the bowels of the landHave we marched on without impediment;And here receive we from our father StanleyLines of fair comfort and encouragement.The wretched, bloody, and usurping boar,That spoils your summer fields and fruitful vines,Swills your warm blood like wash, and makes

his troughIn your embowelled bosoms—this foul swine 10Is 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 peaceBy this one bloody trial of sharp war.

Oxford. Every man's conscience is a thousand men,T o fight against this guilty homicide.

Herbert. I doubt not but his friends will turn to us.Blunt. He hath no friends but what are friends 20

for fear,Which in his dearest need will fly from him.

i*4 RICHARD T H E T H I R D 5.3.22

Richmond. All for our vantage. Then, in God'sname, march:

True hope is swift, and flies with swallow's wings;Kings it makes gods, and meaner creatures kings.

[they march away

[5. 3.] Bosworth Field

'Enter KING RICHARD in arms with NORFOLK', theEARL OF SURRET, and others

King Richard. Here pitch our tent, even herein 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

to-night—But where to-morrow? Well, all's one for that.Who hath descried the number of the traitors?

10 Norfolk. Six or seven thousand is theirutmost power.

King Richard. Why, our battalia treblesthat 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:

5-3.17 RICHARD T H E T H I R D 125

Let's lack no discipline, make no delay;For, lords, to-morrow is a busy day.

[they depart to survey the ground the whilesoldiers pitch the royal tent

Enter, on the other side of the field, RICHMOND, SIR

WILLIAM BRANDON, OXFORD, and others. Soldierspitch Richmond's tent

Richmond. The weary sun hath made a golden set,And by the bright tract of his fiery car 20Gives token of a goodly day to-morrow.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 good-night to him, 30And by the second hour in the morningDesire 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 leastSouth from the mighty power of the king.Richmond. If without peril it be possible,

Sweet Blunt, make some good means to speak 40with 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 to-night!

126 R I C H A R D T H E T H I R D 5.3.44

Richmond. Good night, good Captain Blunt.Come, gentlemen,

Let us consult upon to-morrow's business:In to my tent! the dew is raw and cold.

['they withdraw into the tent''

Enter, to his tent, KING RICHARD, NORFOLK,

RATCLIFFE, CATESBT, and others

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 to-night.

Give me some ink and paper.50 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 to-morrow,

gentle Norfolk.Norfolk. I warrant you, my lord. [he goesKing Richard. Catesby!Catesby. My lord?King Richard. Send out a pursuivant-at-arms

5o To Stanley's regiment; bid him bring his powerBefore sunrising, lest his son George fallInto the blind cave of eternal night. [Catesby goesFill me a bowl of wine. Give me a watch.Saddle white Surrey for the field to-morrow.Look that my staves be sound, and not too heavy.Ratcliffe!

Ratcliffe. My lord?

5.3.68 R I C H A R D T H E T H I R D «7

King Richard. Saw'st thou the melancholyLord Northumberland ?

Rate/if e. Thomas the Earl of Surrey and himself,Much about cock-shut time, from troop to troop 70Went through the army, cheering up the soldiers.

King Richard. So, I am satisfied. A bowlof wine:

I have not that alacrity of spiritNor 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 tentAnd help to arm me. Leave me, I say.

[Ratcliffe goes; Richard withdraws into his tent

Enter STANLEY 'to RICHMOND in his tent\ Lords andothers attending

Stanley. Fortune and victory sit on thy helm!Richmond. All comfort that the dark night 80

can affordBe 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 th'arbitrementOf bloody strokes and mortal-staring war. 90I, 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:

128 R I C H A R D T H E T H I R D 5.3.94

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 timeCuts off the ceremonious vows of loveAnd ample interchange of sweet discourse

100 Which so long sund'red 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 to-morrow,When I should mount with wings of victory:Once more, good night, kind lords and gentlemen.

[they leave; Richmond kneelsO Thou, whose captain I account myself,Look on my forces with a gracious eye;

n o Put in their hands thy bruising irons of wrath,That they may crush down with a heavy fallTh'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!

['sleeps'

'The Ghost of PRINCE EDWARD, son to Henry the Sixth',appears between the tents

Ghost. [lto Richard'] Let me sit heavy on thysoul to-morrow!

Think how thou stab'st me in my prime of youth120 At Tewkesbury: despair therefore, and die!

5.3-I2I R I C H A R D T H E T H I R D 129

['to Richmond'] Be cheerful, Richmond; for thewronged souls

Of butchered princes fight in thy behalf:King Henry's issue, Richmond, comforts thee.

[vanishes

*The Ghost O/HENRT THE SIXTH* appears

Ghost, [to Richard] When I was mortal, myanointed 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![lto Richmond'] Virtuous and holy, be

thou conqueror!Harry, that prophesied thou shouldst be ting,Doth comfort thee in thy sleep: live and flourish! 130

{vanishesiThe Ghost of CLARENCE* appears

Ghost, [to Richard] Let me sit heavy on thysoul to-morrow!

I that was washed to death with fulsome wine,Poor Clarence, by thy guile betrayed to death.To-morrow 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!

[vanisheslThe Ghosts of RIVERS, GREY, and FAUGHAN' appear

Ghost of Rivers, [to Richard] Let me sit heavy on thysoul to-morrow,

Rivers, that died at Pomfret! Despair, and die! 140R. I l l - I I

I3<> RICHARD THE THIRD 5.3.141

Ghost of Grey, [to Richard] Think upon Grey, andlet thy soul despair!

Ghost of Vaughan. [to Richard] Think uponVaughan, and, with guilty fear,

Let fall thy lance: despair, and die!''All to Richmond'' Awake, and think our wrongs

in Richard's bosomWill conquer him! awake, and win the day!

[they vanish

'The Ghost of LORD HASTINGS' appears

Ghost, [to 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!

150 Arm, fight, and conquer, for fair England's sake![vanishes

*The Ghosts of the two young Princes'1 appear

Ghosts, [to Richard] Dream on thy cousinssmothered 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 art gels guard thee from the boar's annoy!Live, and beget a happy race of kings!Edward's unhappy sons do bid thee flourish.

[they vanish

'The Ghost ofJNNE his wife' appears

Ghost, ['to Richard'] Richard, thy wife, thatwretched Anne thy wife,

5.3.i6o R I C H A R D T H E T H I R D 131

That never slept a quiet hour with thee, 160Now fills thy sleep with perturbations:To-morrow 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. [vanishes

'The Ghost of BUCKINGHAM' appears

Ghost, ['to Richard'] The first was I that helpedthee 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! 170Dream 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 falls in height of all his pride, [vanishes

King'Richard starts out of his dream*

King Richard. Give me another horse! bind upmy 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. 180Cold 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. Myself upon myself?

132 R I C H A R D T H E T H I R D 5.3.187

Alack, I love myself. For any goodThat I myself have done unto myself?O, no! Alas, I rather hate myself

190 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 high'st degree;Murder, stern murder, in the dir'st degree;All several sins, all used in each degree,Throng to the bar, crying all 'Guilty! guilty!'.

200 I shall despair. There is no creature loves me;And if I die, no soul will pity me:Nay, wherefore should they, since that I myselfFind in myself no pity to myself?Methought the souls of all that I had murderedCame to my tent, and every one did threatTo-morrow's vengeance on the head of Richard.

RATCLIFFE comes to the tent

Ratcliffe. My lord!King Richard. Zounds! who is there?Ratcliffe. My lord; 'tis I. The early village cock

210 Hath twice done salutation to the morn;Your friends are up, and buckle on their armour.

King Richard. O Ratcliffe, I have dreamed afearful dream!

What thinkest thou, will all our friends prove true ?Ratcliffe. No doubt, my lord.King Richard. Ratcliffe, I fear, I fear—Ratcliffe. Nay, good my lord, be not afraid

of shadows.

5.3.216 R I C H A R D T H E T H I R D 133

King Richard. By the apostle Paul, shadows to-nightHave struck more terror to the soul of RichardThan can the substance of ten thousand soldiersArmed in proof, and led by shallow Richmond.'Tis not yet near day. Come, go with me; 220Under our tents I'll play the eaves-dropper,To hear if any mean to shrink from me. [they go

'Enter the Lords to RICHMOND, sitting 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 dreamsThat ever ent'red in a drowsy headHave I since your departure had, my lords.Methought their souls whose bodies Richard murdered 230Came to my tent and cried on victory:I promise you my soul is very jocundIn 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.

tHis oration to his soldiers', who gather about the tent

More than I have said, loving countrymen,The leisure and enforcement of the timeForbids to dwell upon: yet remember this,God and our good cause fight upon our side; 240The prayers of holy saints and wronged souls,Like high-reared bulwarks, stand before our faces.Richard except, those whom we fight against

134 R I C H A R D T H E T H I R D 5.3.244

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;250 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,

260 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 attemptShall be this cold corpse on the earth's cold face;But if I thrive, the gain of my attemptThe least of you shall share his part thereof.Sound drums and trumpets bold and cheerfully;

270 God and Saint George! Richmond and victory![they march azvay

KING RICHARD returns with RATCLIFFE

King Richard. What said Northumberland astouching Richmond ?

Ratcliffe. That he was never trained up in arms.

5.3.273 R I C H A R D T H E T H I R D 13S

King Richard. He said the truth: and what saidSurrey then ?

Ratcliffe. He smiled and said 'The better forour purpose.'

King Richard. He was in the right; and so indeedit is. {'clock strikes*

Tell the clock there. Give me a calendar.Who saw the sun to-day ?

Ratcliffe. Not I, my lord.King Richard. Then he disdains to shine; for by

the bookHe should have braved the east an hour ago:A black day will it be to somebody. 280Ratcliffe!

Ratcliffe. My lord?King Richard. The sun will not be seen to-day;

The sky doth frown and lour upon our army.I would these dewy tears were from the ground.Not shine to-day! Why, what is that to me.More than to Richmond ? for the selfsame heavenThat frowns on me looks sadly upon him.

NORFOLK enters in haste

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: 290I 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.

136 R I C H A R D T H E T H I R D 5.3.298

They thus directed, we will followIn the main battle, whose puissance on either side

300 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.

This found I on my tent this morning.[he shows him a paper

King Richard, [reads] 'Jockey of Norfolk, be nottoo 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,

310 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 forthTo desperate ventures and assured destruction.

320 You sleeping safe, they bring to you unrest;You having lands, and blest with beauteous wives,They would distrain the one, distain the other.And who doth lead them but a paltry fellow,Long kept in Bretagne at our mother's cost?A milksop, one that never in his lifeFelt so much cold as over shoes in snow?

5.3.327 R I C H A R D T H E T H I R D 137

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, 330For want of means, poor rats, had hanged themselves.If we be conquered, let men conquer us,And not these bastard Bretons, whom our fathersHave 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? ['drum afar off'] 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 340Amaze the welkin with your broken staves!

1 Enter a Messenger*

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! 350Upon them! Victory sits on our helms, [they charge

[5.4.] 'Alarum: excursions'*. Re-enter NORFOLK/and forces fighting; to him CATESBr

Catesby. Rescue, my Lord of Norfolk, rescue, rescue!The king enacts more wonders than a man,

138 R I C H A R D T H E T H I R D 5.4.3

Daring and opposite to every danger:His horse is slain, and all on foot he lights,Seeking for Richmond in the throat of death.Rescue, fair lord, or else the day is lost!

c Alarums. Enter RICHARD'

King Richard. A horse! a horse! my kingdom fora horse!

Catesby. Withdraw, my lord; I'll help you to a horse.King Richard. Slave, I have set my life upon a cast,

10 And I will stand the hazard of the die.I think there be six Richmonds in the field;Five have I slain to-day instead of him.A horse! a horse! my kingdom for a horse!

[they pass on[5. 5.] ' Alarum. Enter RICHARD with RICHMOND;

they fight; RICHARD is slain*

A retreat is sounded; then with a flourish re-enterRICHMOND, and STANLEY 'bearing the crown, withdivers other lords'

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 royaltyFrom the dead temples of this bloody wretchHave 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 thy young George Stanley living?10 Stanley. He is, my lord and safe in Leicester town;

Whither, if it please you, we may now withdraw us.

5.5.x* RICHARD THE THIRD »39

Richmond. What men of name are slain oneither side?

Stanley. John Duke of Norfolk, WalterLord Ferrers,

Sir Robert Brakenbury, and Sir William Brandon.Richmond. Inter their bodies as becomes their births:

Proclaim a pardon to the soldiers fledThat 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, 20That 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 that divided York and LancasterDivided in their dire division,O, now let Richmond and Elizabeth,The true succeeders of each royal house, 30By God's fair ordinance conjoin together!And let their heirs, God if his will be so,Enrich the time to come with smooth-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 increaseThat would with treason wound this fair land's peace!Now civil wounds are stopped, Peace lives again: 40That she may long live here, God say Amen! [they go

140

THE COPY FORRICHARD III,1597 AND 1623

Six quartos of Richard III were printed before theplay appeared in the First Folio (1623), viz. Q 1(1597), Q 2 (1598), S 3 (1602), Q 4 (1605), S 5

(1612), and Q 6 (1622); and such is the complexity ofthe situation that a modern editor cannot afford toignore any one of these seven texts entirely, though thetwo principals are of course Q 1 and F I. By the end oflast century we had come to know a good deal aboutF 1. P. A. Daniel, for example, claimed that the bulkof it was printed from a copy of Q 6 which had beenextensively, though by no means thoroughly, correctedand supplemented from a playhouse manuscript,1 whileAlexander Schmidt proved that two portions of it,viz. 3. 1. 1-164 and everything after 5. 3. 47, togetheramounting to over 520 lines or about a sixth of thewhole, were printed from a copy of Q 3, which hadserved as a prompt-book in the theatre.* Yet while thecopy for Q 1 remained undefined, editors were left atsixes and sevens, since though some 200 lines shorterthan F. and differing from it in almost every line, theQuarto text was on the whole so respectable that it

1 Introduction to the Griggs facsimile of Richard III(Q 1), 1883. The proof of Daniel's theory was actually firstprovided by Greg (see my note on 4. 4. 365-6). Cf. alsoAlice Walker, First Folio Textual Problems, 1953, pp. 13 fF.

* Shakespeare Jahrbuch (1880), XV, 307, criticizing anearlier article (vii, 130) by Delius, who found in F theauthentic text and in Q 1 a very careless, unauthorizedtranscript.

RICHARD III, 1597 AND 1623 141

seemed the better of the two in the eyes of many. ThusAldis Wright adopted it as his basis in the classicalCambridge Shakespeare (1864); so did Her ford in TheEversley (1900) and M. R. Ridley in The New Temple(193 5).1 The F. text, on the other hand, was the choiceof W. J. Craig in The Oxford Shakespeare (1904) andof Hamilton Thompson in The Arden (1907). Need-less to say all these editors, except Ridley, freely helpedthemselves to such readings from the alternative text astook their fancy.

During the present generation, however, the secretof Q 1 has been penetrated; mainly owing to work,Sir Walter Greg's in particular, on the Bad Quartos ofother texts. In 1930 Sir Edmund Chambers, observingthat the circumstances of its publication give no hint ofirregularity, suggested that the printer's copy was astage version carelessly transcribed by the book-holderof the Chamberlain's men, who being familiar with theplay, which he had prompted, often allowed himself tofollow the purport of the text rather than the actualwords before him, 'thus vulgarizing the style, andproducing in a minor degree the features of a reportedtext'.2 In 1936 Professor D. L. Patrick went a stepfurther, when he advanced the theory that the copy wasa memorial reconstruction of a stage version by theplayers of the company, including their prompter, who'unquestionably had a good deal to do with the makingof the quarto text', and suggested that in fact it was anauthorized, though not an authentic, prompt-bookprepared for the enforced provincial tour of theChamberlain's men in the summer of 1597, when the

1 While Mr Ridley's text is 'verbally that of Q 1 *, lieessays valiantly to make the best of both worlds by meansof his brackets.

* William Shakespeare, 1930, i. 298-300.

Hz T H E C O P Y FOR

London theatres were closed by authority.1 The thesis,temperately argued and exhaustively documented, wastoo reasonable for serious challenge; and has since beendriven home by Greg, who, accepting the 1597 touras a likely occasion, suggested in turn that the companywere compelled to reconstruct the text 'by an effort ofcommunal memory', because they had lost the prompt-book or left it behind in London. At the same time heraised and dealt with a number of outstanding points.*

Thus Q 1, though degraded to the rank of BadQuartos, holds a position of its own, if in some wayssimilar to that of the Pied Bull Lear, while whatevermay be true of the latter, the Quarto of Richard IIIis important as presenting us with a text derived fromthe memories of Shakespeare's company. Its compara-tive excellence, for instance, affords a remarkabletestimony to the fidelity with which his fellow-actorsspoke his lines, and the fact that it runs to over 3400lines, i.e. only about 100 fewer than the F. Hamlet,effectually disposes of the theory that all his plays werelimited to a 'two hours' traffic of the stage'.3

With this explanation of Q 1 by Chambers andPatrick and the earlier explanation of F. by Schmidtand Daniel, a modern editor now knows more or lesswhere he stands, though he knows also that the taskbefore him is an extremely difficult and complicatedone. For do what he will he can never entirely escapethe pervading influence of the reported text. Whendealing with 3. 1. 1-164 and the last 358 lines of the

1 The Textual History of 'Richard IIP, 1936, pp. 33,147 ff. Actually the idea that Q 1 was an actor's perversionof the genuine text had been advanced by AlexanderSchmidt in 1880.

* The Editorial Problem in Shakespeare, 1942, pp. 77 fF.3 v. Alfred Hart, Shakespeare and the Homilies, 1934,

pp. 96 ff.

RICHARD III, 1597 AND 1623 143

play, which were printed from Q 3 in the F., he hasindeed nothing else to go upon; and here, in so far asQ 3 is a mere reprint of Q 2, which is in its turn areprint of Q 1, this last text must be his basis, since Q 3is of course corrupted by misprints, both its own andthose it has taken over from Q 2. For these twosections, then, he must be content with what the playersremembered of the play in 1597. Yet even so his courseis not altogether clear. In the first place the copy ofQ 3 used by Jaggard in 1623 came from the theatre,since it transmits to F. a few additional stage-directionsevidently supplied by the prompter, and these are ofcourse of editorial interest. And in the second place allcopies of Q 3 bear the words 'Newly augmented' on thetitle-page and that this (though 'augmented' is absurd)was not simply an empty publisher's puff, as previousinvestigators seem to have assumed, is proved by theappearance for the first time in this text of the Ghosts of5. 3 in the chronological order of their deaths, by thecorrection of speech-prefixes at 3.4. 6; 3. 5. 51; and5. 3.139; and by the tidying up and filling out of thestage-directions generally, including the addition ofC/a.azvaketh, at I. 4. 160. At first sight, it seems unlikelythat these changes imply reference to a playhouse manu-script, or that the copy of Cj 2 used had been touchedup by a prompter. Yet there is even stronger evidencethat the copy of Q 1 used for the printing of Q 2 hadbeen corrected in similar fashion. For it is in Q 2 thatwe first find a couple of lines at 1.1.101-2 and thefamous reading ' I am F at 5. 3.183 * in place of thenonsensical' I and I ' of Q r. Neither of these can withprobability be credited to a compositor's mother wit.They must be corrections either, as Pollard conjec-tured, in sheets of Q 1 which do not happen to have

1 I owe this point to the Librarian of Trinity College,Cambridge.

144 T H E COPY FOR

survived in any extant example, or by someone intouch with Shakespeare's draft. It looks after all as ifsome understanding existed between the company andAndrew Wise, the publisher of Qq I, 2 and 3.

Finally, Mr Maxwell has called my attention tothree variants in the Q 3 portions of the text where theF. readings seem so much better than those of Q 3that they make us wonder whether there may not afterall be a manuscript of some sort, perhaps a muchtattered leaf or so, behind F. at this point.1 The variantsare: 3. 1. 9 'No' (F.), 'Nor' (Q); 5. 3. 202 'Nay,' (F.),'And' (Q); 5. 3. 232 'my Heart' (F.), 'mysoule' (Q).The 'Nay' at 5. 3. 202 is indeed so compelling thatI have printed it in my text, however it be explained. Itshould be noted, moreover, that the Q 'And' looks as if ithad been caught from the previous line, while 'my soule'in line 232 might well have been echoed either by thereporter or the compositor from' their soules' in line 230.

Turning to the portions of F. not printed from Q 3we are here faced with the influence of Q 6, which,though corrected and supplemented from the play-house manuscript before it served as copy for F.,transmitted a number of misprints to that final edition,its own as well as those it inherited from earlier Qq.When therefore we find F. agreeing with Q 6 asagainst Q 1, the presumption is that Q 1 gives us themore correct reading. Thus both for those passageswhich F. derives from Q 3, and also elsewhere when-ever F. is found to agree with Q 6, Q 1, despite itsorigin, is our best available text. On the other hand, asGreg puts it, 'whenever F. differs from Q 6 [in thatpart of the text which was not printed from Q 3] andthere is no reason to suspect an error of the correctoror compositor, it must be taken to reproduce the manu-

1 Miss Walker {pp. cit. p. 28) conjectures that the openingleaves of the manuscript were damaged. Cf. infra, p. 167.

RICHARD 111, I 5 9 7 AND 1 6 2 3 145

script and preserve the words of the author*. He alsopoints out that the elaborate stage-directions, thevariation in speakers' names, and one or two otherfeatures of F. in those portions dependent upon themanuscript, indicate that the manuscript itself musthave been either the author's original draft or closelyrelated to it.1 When, however, he claims that themanuscript had also served as prompt-copy in perform-ance, I can follow him as little as I could with similarclaims in regard to the copies for the F. Henry VI plays.Finally, he notes, readings in which F. agrees withboth Q 6 and Q 1, 'instead of being the best authenti-cated, are just the most vulnerable to criticism and opento emendation'.* Except in the point he makes aboutthe prompt-book, my own scrutiny of the text for thepresent edition has discovered nothing which conflictswith these general conclusions, though I find only toomany reasons to suspect corruption in F., some of whichmust I think derive from the manuscript. Turningthen from principles to their application, I begin byconsidering:

LIKES OMITTED FROM F.

In plays for which two good texts exist it is generallyeasy to decide when a line or part of a line has beenomitted from one of them. Even in single-text playsa break in the sense will often show it. And inRichard III ako the sense of the context makes it prettyclear that the following, derived from Q 1, have beenoverlooked in F.:1. 2. 20a To take Is not to give.1. 2. 225 Sirs, take up the corse.

1 The Editorial Problem, pp. 87-8. See also AliceWalker, op. cit. pp. 18-19, who, I note, agrees that themanuscript was not used as prompt-copy.

a Greg, p. 88.R. H I - 1 2

146 T H E COPY FOR

z. 4.237 And charged us from his soul to love each other.2.2. 84-5 • . .and so do Ij

I for an Edward -weep....4.4. 39 Tell o'er your woes again by viewing mine.5.3.212-14 K. Richard. O Ratcliffe, I have dreamed a

fearful dream!What thinkest thou—will all our friends prove

true?Ratcliffe. No doubt, my lord.

The following five lines found in Q 1 but absent fromF. are of more doubtful authority because not essentialto the context:

1.3.114 Tell him, and spare not: look what I have saida. 2.145 With all our hearts.3. 3.1* Ratcliffe. Come, bring forth the prisoners,3.4. 58* Stanley. I pray God he be not, I say.3. 7.43 Buckingham. No, by my troth, my Lord.

Alexander prints the first only; I give the first, thesecond, and the last, the benefit of the doubt, because,though all but one are incomplete lines, they aremetrical and add something to the context, if notabsolutely necessary to it; and reject the other two astmmetrical and superfluous, though Patrick considersthat 3 . 3 . 1 * provides Q 1 with an opening to the scene*more interesting to the audience and more effectivedramatically' than F.1 Finally, there is the problem ofI . 3. 68-9, which should I think be considered underthis head. The Queen, explaining to Gloucester whythey have been sent for to the King's bedside, declares

The king, on his own royal dispositionAnd not provoked by any suitor elseAiming, belike, at your interior hatred,That in your outward action shows itselfAgainst my children, brothers, and myself,Makes him to send that he may learn the ground.

1 Op. cit. pp. 137-8.

RICHARD III, I 5 9 7 AND 1623 H7

Thus abruptly ends the speech in F., which Alexanderfollows. But, since we are left in the dark what 'ground'alludes to, Malone was surely right in surmisinga line lost here; and Pope was surely right too in hisbelief that Q I'S expansion of F.'s last line into

Makes him to send that thereby he may gatherThe ground of your ill-will and to remove it

supplies the words for the necessary restoration, eventhough they stand in need of some rearrangement. Hetherefore printed

Makes him to send that he may learn the groundOf your ill-will, and thereby to remove it—

which appears to round off the speech perfectly.

INCORRECT OR M I S L E A D I N G P R E F I X E S IN F.1

F.'s prefixes appear preferable to Q i ' s at 1. 3. 7,30, 54; 1.4. 164, 168, 172, 234, 240, 247, 249;2. 2. 3, 5; 2. 3. 3 etseq. (v. notes); 3.4. 6, 93; 3. 5. 22;3. 7. 222; 5. 2. 17, 19, 20; 5. 3. 3, 139. On the otherhand, Q i ' s are I think definitely preferable to F.'s at:

1.3. 304, which Q 1 gives to Hastings, and F. toBuckingham, although he has shown himself utterlycontemptuous of Margaret's invective in 1. 296.

1. 3. 309, which Q I gives to £>j. (i.e. QueenElizabeth) and F. to Mar. (i.e. Queen Margaret) bya still more palpable error, though one perhaps due toShakespeare's neglecting to make a clear distinction inthe manuscript between the two Queens.

2. 1. 82, which Q 1 gives to Rivers and F. to theKing, who is surely less likely to express himself thus atthis point.

1 See Alice Walker, op. at. p. 33, for the F. compositors'prefixes.

148 T H E COPY FOR

2. 4. 36, which Q 1 gives to the kindly old arch-bishop (cf. his speech in 1. 21) and F. to the Duchessof York, a mistake explicable enough in a dialogue inwhich three Yorks (Prince, Duchess, and archbishop)take part.1

In all but the first of these the context makes it quiteclear that g i ' s prefixes are right, and Alexanderaccepts them. But he does not accept, understandablyenough, a prefix which first appeared (perhaps byaccident) in Q 2, though to my mind it is no lessobviously correct, and was accepted as such by AldisWright, W. J. Craig, and Herford. I refer to 4. 1. 90which both Q 1 and F. give to Dorset, I believe simplybecause the player of that part has only one other lineto speak in the whole scene. Anyhow it must havebeen his in the prompt-book though when seen in itscontext thus:

88 Queen Elizabeth. Poor heart, adieu! I pity thycomplaining.

89 Anne. No more than with my soul I mourn for yours.90 Dorset. Farewell, thou woeful welcomer of glory!91 Anne. Adieu, poor soul, that tak'st thy leave of it—it is surely impossible to deny that 1. 90 rightly belongsto Queen Elizabeth whom Anne addresses in 1. 91. Ifthen Dors, stood in the manuscript, as seems to followfrom the fact that the collating scribe deleted the §>jf.of Q 6 in its favour, we must suppose that it was one ofthose prompter's jottings that occasionally occur inShakespeare's manuscripts.2 Another incorrect prefix inboth Q 1 and F. is discussed in 1. 3. 273, n.

Prefixes in Shakespeare's hand are, however, morelikely to mislead through lack of uniformity than throughsheer inaccuracy. A striking instance of this, unless

1 In addition to these I follow Q 1 with more hesitationat r. 4. 87, 90, 166.

a See my edition of 3 Henry VI, p. 118, n. 3.

RICHARD III, 1 5 9 7 A N D 1 6 2 3 149

I am mistaken, is afforded by the Keeper-Brakenburyproblem of 1.4. The scene is headed Enter Clarenceand Keeper in F., and their speeches are prefixed Keep.and Cla. accordingly for seventy-six lines, which,conclude as follows:

Keeper, I prythee sit by me a-while,My Soule is heavy, and I faine would sleepe.

Keep. I will my Lord. God giue your Grace good rest.Enter Brakenbury the Lieutenant.

Bra. Sorrow breakes Seasons, and reposing houres,

After this Brakenbury has three speeches all prefixedBra. until his exit at 1. 100. Thus the 'Keeper' andBrakenbury, the 'Lieutenant', appear as distinct personsin F., and many editors, including Alexander, takethem as such, on the assumption that the titles denotea difference of rank. The assumption, though natural, isby no means indisputable, in view of the fact that Moredescribes Brakenbury in one place as Constable, and inanother as Keeper, of the Tower.1 And the playersclearly took the two as one, since Q 1 heads the sceneEnter Clarence, Brokenbury and omits the second entryat 1. 75. Now the saving of small parts is undeniablya feature of Q 1, and Patrick conjectured that here theplayers departed from Shakespeare's intention for thatpurpose? Yet the introduction of a keeper, i.e. warder,as well as Brakenbury, is so undesirable from thetheatrical, and so superfluous from the dramatic, pointof view, that we may well ask how Shakespeare,essentially a man of the theatre, can have made himselfresponsible for it. We may ask too why, if they weremeant to be two persons, one the superior officer of theother, no word of any kind passes between them asBrakenbury enters at 1. 75. On the contrary, the

1 History of Richard the Third (ed. Lumby), pp. 81, 119.8 Op. cit. p . 21.

IS© THE COPY FOR

'Keeper' having promised to sit by Clarence, apparentlysits on silently without exit, while the 'Lieutenant'begins his little moralizing speech upon the sleep ofprinces, abruptly and without preface, for all the worldas if he too had been sitting by Clarence. Everything isexplained, however, if we suppose that at this point themanuscript behind F. consisted of leaves of Shake-speare's draft, in which 11. 76-283 represent the sceneas originally composed, a scene that opened withBrakenbury entering to find Clarence sleeping or, moreprobably with Brakenbury 'discovered' sitting by him;while 11. 1-75, which comprise Clarence's dream,represent an afterthought written on a separate leaf andperhaps written when Shakespeare was not at thetheatre and so without the manuscript play-book toremind him of the 'Keeper's' name.1 In a word, Ithink Q 1 here gives us what Shakespeare intended.

O T H E R Q I READINGS PREFERRED TOTHOSE OF F .

In addition to the foregoing and to variants dealtwith below arising from alterations made in 1623 forthe sake of decorum, there remain two groups wherethe readings of Q 1 are in my opinion better than thoseofF.

(a) Q 1 readings preferred to F. ( < Q 6)

As already stated when F. agrees against Q 1 withQ 6, the Q i reading should normally be followed.Instances of the kind will be found at: 1.1.65,71,124;1. 2. 235; 1. 3.17, 321; 1. 4.13, 22, 101, 166, 239,275> 3- 2- 9° ; 3- 5- 2O> 65> 73» 3- 6 - I 2 > 3- 7- 20> 4°»125; 4. 3. 5, 13; 4. 4. 112, 118, 200, 239, 269,275> 347> 365-6, 393, 508, 535. Several of these are

1 Miss Walker observes to me that 'Brakenbury' is notnamed by F. in 4. 1.

RICHARD III, I 5 9 7 AND 1 6 2 3 151

complicated by misreporting or misprints in Q 1 and/ormisprints or miscorrection in F. The followingexamples illustrate the process of degradation in someof its various forms; what I take as the true readingsbeing starred,

z. 1.6$tQ 1 "That tempers him to this extremityQ 6 That tempts him to this extremity

F. That tempts him to this harsh extremityAlexander follows Q 1.

1 . 1 . 71:Q 1 There Is no man Is securdeQ 6 There is no man secur'd

F. There is no man secureCapell There's no man is secure

Alexander There is no man is secure

1.3.331:Q i and you my nohle Lo:Q 6 and you my noble Lord

F. and yours my gracious Lord.Alexander *and you, my gracious lords.

3- 5- 6 5 :

Q 1 *in this causeQ6 in this ease

F. in this caseAlexander follows Q 1.

3- 5> 73'Q 1 *meetst aduantageQ 6 meetest aduantage

F. meetest vantageAlexander follows Q 1.

4.3« 5«Q 1 this ruthles peece of butcherieQ 6 this ruthfull peece of butchery

F. this peece of ruthfull ButcheryPope *this piece of ruthless butchery

Alexander follows F.

i?2 T H E COPY FOR

4.4.112:Q 1 •weary neckQ 6 -wearied necke

F. •wearied headAlexander *weary head

Q 1 *tidings, yetQ 6 newes, yet

F. Newes, but yetAlexander tidings, but yet

In 1.1. 65 where Q 1 gives the true reading, a mis-print in Q 6 (inherited from Q 2) is 'corrected' by F.In 1. I. 71 Q 1 expands, I conjecture, 'there's' andmisreports or misprints 'secure' as 'securde'; Q6(following Q 4) omits the second 'is'; and F. also omitsit, while rectifying the misprint 'securde' in. Qx. InI. 3. 321 Q 1 prints 'Lords' as 'Lo:' for short; Q6(following Q 3) takes the word as a singular; and F.,which restores 'gracious' from the manuscript emends'you' to 'yours' apparently in an attempt to makesense of the result. In 3. 5. 66, Q 6 having misprinted'cause' as 'ease', 'ease' is in turn 'corrected' to 'case'by F. In 3. 5. 74 and 4. 3. 5 the process is obvious,F.'s placing of'peece' in the latter being justified whenwe remember that the word meant 'masterpiece'.

(&) Oder Q 1 readings preferred to F.

I reckon that Q 1 is to be preferred to F. in somethirty-five readings (apart from prefixes) which are nottraceable in F. to Q 6. All are recorded in the notesand most are trivialities or misprints of a type to whichcompositors were commonly prone at that period.A few, however, deserve a word of explanation.

At 1.1. 26, for example, Q 1 prints 'spie' and F.'see', while at 1.1.133 Qx prints 'prey' and F.'play'. In both cases £) 1 (which Alexander follows) is

RICHARD III, I597 AND 1623 153

so manifestly superior that it is difficult to believe itincorrect, inasmuch as 'spy' gives just the sense ofstealthy observation which the context demands, and'prey' is even more essential to the sense. In both casestoo the F. readings may, I suggest, be put down to thesame cause, the miscorrection of a literal misprint: foromit the p in 'spie' and the resulting 'sie' would almostinevitably be corrected to 'see', while 'prey' (spelt'pray'; cf. 4. 4. 57, Ant. & C/eo. 3. 13. 199) mightwell be set up as 'ptay' (t and r being type similar inappearance and thus often interchanged by printers1) andif so would easily be 'corrected' t o ' play'. The F.'earth'for 'death' (2.4.65) is probably a correction too.

Other even more palpable errors of F. were evidentlycorrected in Q 1, i.e. (we may assume) in the prompt-book, by someone familiar with the chronicles. Forinstance the F. 'Dorset' in 2. 1. 7, which Shakespearemust have written in a moment of aberration appearscorrectly as 'Hastings' in g i ; the F. 'London' in2.2.142 and 154 rightly becomes 'Ludlow';* andline 2. 1. 67 in F.—

Of you, Lord Woodeville and Lord Scales of you—

is deleted, because 'Woodeville' and 'Scales' are bothtitles of Rivers, who has already been mentioned in1. 66. This last instance exemplified the usual vaguenessabout names on Shakespeare's part and a surprisingknowledge of the chronicles on the part of his prompter,a knowledge which is also strikingly shown at 3. 2. 93,where Q gives us the stage-direction Enter Hastin. aPursuivant, although F. has no hint anywhere that in

1 E.g. note the misprints in F. Ant. & Cleo. 1. 3. 25'fitst' (first), 2. 3. 3 'ptayers' (prayers), 2. 5. 52 'Bur'(But), 2. 7. 9 'greatet' (greater), 2. 7. n o 'beate' (bear),4. 6. 20 'mote' (more), 4. 12. 3 "ris ' ('tis), etc.

* A similar error at 3. 2. 82 is overlooked in Q 1.

154 T H E COPY FOR

More, Hall, and Holinshed the officer Lord Hastingstalks with on his way to the Tower bore the same nameas himself. Alexander (SA.'s Henry VI, etc., p. 160)holds that Q i here 'preserves what stood in the originalmanuscript' and so adopts its S.D. together with thewords 'Well met, Hastings' (Q i ) in place of 'Hownow, sirrah' (F.) in his Tudor text, while Miss Walker{First Folio Problems, p. 30) concurring in this,suggests that the F. readings are due to 'editorialinterference'. If the introduction of the pursuivant'sname had any dramatic point, one might agree. It hasnone whatever and merely puzzles the reader (ignorantof More) in Alexander's text, as Shakespeare's audiencewould assuredly have been puzzled had they heardHastings calling another man by his own name withoutany sort of explanation.1 One must, I think, concludetherefore that Shakespeare either overlooked the pointin More or (more probably) rejected it as over-complicating an already sufficiently complicateddramatic situation.

C O R R U P T READINGS COMMON TO F. AND Q I

Greg observes, it will be remembered, that readingscommon to F. and Q 1 are specially open to suspicionin this text. Now there are two very obvious ways inwhich a text like Q 1 is likely to contaminate the verseof a dramatist: (i) by expanding his contractions in thesupposed interest of literary decorum, an error intowhich someone preparing a reported text for pressmight well fall; and (ii) by the inclusion of those littleconnectives, such as ' O ' , etc., to which all actors areprone.2 The following variants exhibit the expansion

1 See my notes at 3. 2. 93, 95.* See Greg, Alcazar and Orlando, pp. 316-18, and my

Manuscript of Shakespeare's 'Hamlet', pp. 78-9.

RICHARD III, I 5 9 7 AND 1623 155

process at work: 1.3.184 (F. *ere', Q i 'euer');2.2.74, 75 (F« 'he's', Q 1 <iie is')> 2.2.154 (F«'wee'l, Q l 'we will'); 2.4.31 (F. 'prythee', Qt'pray thee'); 2.4. 35 (F. 'parlous', Q 1 'perilous')—and there are further instances in which the copy forF. has clearly been corrected. Others which were Ithink overlooked in 1623 will be found in the notesbelow.1 Similarly little actors' connectives are revealedin the following variants: 1.2.141 (F. 'He liues',Qx 'Go to, he liues'); 1.2.187 (F. 'That was',Q 1 'Tush, that was'); 1.4. 90 (F. "Tis better (Sir)',Q 1 'O Sir, it is better')—and so on.* In theseinstances the F. collator must have removed theconnectives from the Q 6 copy. Yet he undoubtedlyoverlooked a number of others. Nor do simple andtrivial errors of this kind by any means exhaust thepossibilities of the deep-seated disease of the text beforeus. 'Conservatism', Miss Walker writes, 'in theediting of this play is no virtue'. The situation, indeed,invites emendation on a quite unusually large scale.3And, though emendation must always be both perilousand tentative, the regularity of Shakespeare's verse atthis period, the verbal patterns into which it falls, andits 'highly mannered rhetorical style', all help us todetect corruption when it exists and at times to cure itwith some assurance. I have indeed ventured as stated

1 At 1.1. 715 3 . 1 . 79, 118, 154; cf. 4 . 4 . 39.3 Patrick, op. cit. p . 92, lists twenty-six examples of the

kind.3 Miss Walker, op. cit. pp. 23-5, estimates that there may

be some 140 errors common to F . and Q 6; the numberbeing derived from an ingenious calculation, worked outby Sir Walter Greg, based on the number of errorsoriginating in Q 2-6 which escaped correction in F . Andshe suspects, she tells me, another 150 errors common toF. and Q 3.

156 T H E COPY FOR

above,1 to print over sixty emendations. A fair propor-tion are gleaned from eighteenth- or early nineteenth-century editors, Pope being a specially fruitful source:four come from The Oxford Shakespeare edited by Craig;and some twenty-two are here proposed for the first time.Taking the list as a whole, I owe six to Miss AliceWalker, who hearing I was editing this play, generouslyplaced at my disposal a number of conjectures shehad made when working on the text some yearsago, and had then discussed in principle with SirWalter Greg. Another eight, mostly rather obvious,are my own. And the remaining eight belong toMr J. C. Maxwell, who coming last into the fieldnaturally found less that seemed to cry out for re-formation, though what I think is the plum of thecollection, the emendation which restores the F. line-arrangement at 1.4. 256-67, stands to his credit.* Itshould be added that neither of my kind helpers is to beheld accountable for the emendations suggested by theother or by me. Here is a list of them, a justificationfor each item being given in the notes below:

1.1.49 (J.D.W.<Pope) om. CO\1.1. 84 Q.D.W.<Dyce) om. T .1.1. 95 (J.C.M.< Marshall) 'kin' for 'kindred'.1.1.103 (J.D.W.) om. 'and withalT.1.1.112 (J.D.W.) 'nearer' for 'deeper*.1. 2.15-16 (A.W.) Transpose lines.1. 2. 27 (A.W.<Blackstone) 'life' for 'death*.1. 2. 28 (J.D.W. after Cibber) Line reworded.1. 2. 79-80 (A.W.< Spedding) 'Of... accuse1 for 'For

...curse'.1. 2.120 (A.W.) 'of that' for 'and most'.1 See Introduction, p. viii.a To save space their contributions both here and in my

notes are labelled 'A.W.' and 'J.C.M.' respectively, whileI hope to be pardoned if I use the ugly abbreviation 'Al.*to denote Professor Alexander.

RICHARD 111, I 5 9 7 AND 1623 157

1.3. 68-9 (J.D.W.< Pope) A line added.1. 3. 155 (Craig < Heath) 'As* for 'A'.1. 3. 273 (A.W.) Transfer from 'Buck.' to 'Glouc.'.1. 3. 313 (A.W.< Pope) om. 'as*.1. 4. 26 (J.D.W.<Kinnear) 'ingots' for 'anchors'.1. 4. 228 (A.W.< Becket) Punct.1.4. 242 (A.W.< Pope) om. 'Right*.1. 4. 256-67 (J.C.M.) Tyrwhitt's arrangement revoked.2. 1. 56 (A.W.< Pope) om. 'or in my rage'.2. 1. 67 (J.C.M.) 'Lord Dorset' for 'of Dorset'.2. 1. 67-8 (A.W.) Lines transposed.2. 2. 39 (J.C.M.) 'mark' for 'make'.2. 4. 13 (J.C.M.) 'ill' for 'great'.2.4. 63 Q.C.M.) ' to ' for 'against*.

(J.D.W.<Taylor) o«. 'O*.3. 1. 39 (J.C.M.) om. 'Anon*.3. r. 52 (J.C.M.) om. 'And'.3. 1. 113-14 (J.C.M. <Lettsom) 'give't'for 'giue And'.3. 1. 118 (Craig<Pope) 'you'll' for 'you will'.3. 1. 121 (J.D.W. <Hanmer) ' I 'd ' for ' I ' .3. 1.150 (J.D.W.) 'we' for T .3. 1. 157-8 (J.C.M. < Pope) om. 'hither' and rearrange

lines.3.1.162 (J.D.W. < Pope) Transpose the words

•William Lord'.3.1. 191 (A.W.<Pope) om. 'Now*.3. 2. 77 (J.D.W.) Follow Q<Malone, but om. 'My

lord'.3.4. 51 (J.D.W. < Pope) 'ne'er' for 'neuer*.3. 4. 64 (A.W. < Johnson) Punct.3.5.33 (A.W. < Pope) om. 'that ever lived'

(following).3. 5. 55 (A.W. < Keightley) 'hear' for 'heard*.3. 7. 58 (J.C.M.< Pope) om. 'Now'.3. 7. 224 (Craig<Pope) 'stone' for 'stones'.4. r. 75 (A.W.<Ferrers) 'so—made' for 'so mad*.4. 2.45 (J.D.W.< Collier) om. 'what's the news?'.4. 2. 68 (A.W. after Pope) om. 'But' and rearrange.4. 2. 84 (J.D.W.) om. 'well'.4.4. 77 (J.D.W. <Daniel) 'plead* for 'pray*.

158 T H E COPY FOR

4.4. 216 (A.W.< Pope) 'No* for ' L o \4.4. 271 (A.W.< Pope) om. 'Madam'.5. 2. 8 (J.D.W. < Cap.) 'spoils' for 'spoyl'd'.5. 3.186 (J.D.W. <Capell) om. 'What?'.5. 3.187 (J.C.M.) om. 'Wherefore?'.5. 3. 209 (J.D.W.< A.H.T.) om. 'Ratcliffe*.5. 3. 213 (J.D.W.) Rearrange.5.'3; 214 (J.D.W. < Pope) om. ' 0 \5. 3. 269 (J.D.W.< Staunton) 'bold' for 'boldly*.5. 3. 304 (Craig< Capell) 'too' for 'so'.5. 3. 322 (J.D.W.<Warburton and Marshall) 'dis-

train' for 'restrain'.5.4. 3 (J.C.M.<Q8+Tyrwhitt) 'and' for 'an*.5. 5. 27 (J.C.M. < Johnson) 'that' for 'this'.5. 5. 28 (J.D.W.) 'this' for 'their'.5. 5. 32 (J.C.M.) 'his' for 'thy'.

BOWDLERISM IN F.

One source of corruption in F. remains to beconsidered, viz. alterations made in 1623 in deferenceto the censor or to the supposed susceptibilities of thereader. Patent examples of this may be seen in thefollowing parallels:

1.4.189-91:F. I charge you, as you hope for any goodneffe,

That you depart, and lay no hands on me.Q 1. I charge you as you hope to haue redemption,

By Chrifts deare bloud fhed for our grievous linnes,That you depart and lay no hands on me.

3. 7. 219-20:F. \_Buck.~\ Come Citizens, we •will entreat no more.

Exeunt.Q 1. '[Buck.'] Come Citizens, zounds ile entreat no more.

Glo. O do not fweare my Lord of Buckingham.

Here the F. text had been clearly altered to meetcriticism on the score of blasphemy. It may be assumed

RICHARD III, 1 5 9 7 A N D 1 6 2 3 159

too that the Murderers in 1.4 have been deprived ofoaths for the same reason, though (in view of Q I'Stendency to vulgarization) how many is a nice questionwhich like Professor Alexander I solve by acceptinga selection only. The deletion again of a longer passage,some twenty lines, towards the end of 4. 2 we mayprobably put down to the influence, direct or indirect,of the censor on the political side. The lines in question,which comprise the famous 'clock' passage at 4. 2. 96—114, are not, Patrick has shown, a piece of actors' gagintroduced into Q, as some conjecture, but have beencut out of the copy from which F. was printed, seeingthat they refer to matter in two separate passages ofHolinshed, while Richard's line (115)

Thou troublest me, I am nofin the vein,

which appears in both F. and Q, is undeniably con-nected with 1. 113,

I am not in the giving vein today,

which appears in Q 1 only.1 Patrick was unable toexplain the cut; but a year later W. J. Griffin andR. B. McKerrow pointed out that the deleted linesmight well have been considered dangerous at the timewhen F. was published, since the reference to anunlucky castle at Richmond (11. 100-4) would havesounded inauspiciously in the ears of King James whopossessed a palace of that name, while a Buckinghamwhose demands upon his sovereign were repeated likestrokes of a clock might seem to reflect upon James'sfavourite, who like 'his predecessor in the title wasambitious, grasping and importunate', and whosemonopolies Parliament had actually attempted tocurtail in 1621.*

1 Patrick, op. ctt. p. 143.8 Review of English Studies, 1937, xiii. 329-32.

ifo T H E COPY

P.S. Shortly before dispatching this volume to theprinters I had the privilege of reading in proof thechapter on Richard III in Miss Alice Walker's forth-coming book on First Folio Problems: six plays('Shakespeare Problems Series', Cambridge UniversityPress). Beyond adding a reference or two in the notesand footnotes, I have not been able to avail myself ofher conclusions, though I do not find any seriousdifferences between us, except in regard to Tyrwhitt'srearrangement of 1.4. 256-67 and the name of thepursuivant at 3. 2. 93, on which two points I remainunpersuaded. But the chapter carries forward ourknowledge of the F. text in three important directionsby offering (i) a plausible hypothesis to explain whytwo Qq (Q 3 and Q 6) were used in preparing thecopy, (ii) an examination of the aims and accuracy ofthe collator who prepared the copy, and (iii) anilluminating discussion of the work of the two com-positors who printed the text, distinguishing the stintsfor which either was responsible, and determining theirrespective merits or demerits as craftsmen. Clearly muchof the F. corruption which cannot be put down to Qcontamination may be attributed to compositor B,whom she proves to have been the more careless of thetwo, and who set up 1.1.1 to 1. 3.1-126; 1. 3. 257to 3.1.19; 4. 3. 3 to 4.4. 431; and 4.4. 535 to theend.

NOTESAll significant departures from the Folio text are

recorded, followed in brackets by the name of the text orcritic originating the reading. Line-numeration forreferences to plays not yet in this edition is that found inBartlett's Concordance, 1894, and the Globe Shakespeare.

F. stands for the First Folio (1623), F 2, 3, etc., forthe later Folios (1632, 1663, etc.); Q 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6for the successive Quartos of 1597, 1598, 1602, 1605,1612, and 1622; S.D. for stage-direction; Sh. forShakespeare and Shakespearian; G. for glossary.Common words (e.g. prot>.=probably; sp.=spelling;mispr.=misprint; misc.=printer's miscorrection), aswell as the names of characters and editors, are also abbre-viated when convenient. 'Edd.' = 'most mod. edd.'

The following is a list of abridged titles, etc., cited:Abbott=^/ Sh. Grammar, by E. A. Abbott, 1886;A.H.T.=the ed. by A. Hamilton Thompson in TheArden Sh. 1907; Al.=the ed. by Peter Alexander inThe Tudor Sh. (Collins), 1951; Al., SL's H. FI=Sh.'s 'Henry W and 'RichardIIP by Peter Alexander,1929; A.W.=Miss Alice Walker; A.W. First F. Prob.= First Folio Textual Problems, by Alice Walker, 1953;B.C.P. = The Book of Common Prayer-, Camb. = TheCambridge Sh. (2nd ed. 1892); Cap. -• the ed. of Sh.by Edward Capell, 1768; Chambers, Wm. Sh.-=William Sh., Facts and Problems, by E. K. Chambers,1930; Chambers, Eliz. St. = The Elizabethan Stage,byE.K.Chambers, 1923; Churchill=G.B.Churchill,Richard III up to Sh., Berlin, 1900; Craig=TheOxford Sh., ed. by W. J. Craig; Daniel=J Time-Analysis of Sh.'s Plays, by P. A. Daniel, New Sh. Soc.Trans. 1877-9; Franz=Die Sprache Shakespeares(4th ed.) by W. Franz, 1939; Fiench=Shakespeareana

R. I l l - 1 3

i6a N O T E S

Genealogica, by G. R. French, 1869; Furness = the ed.in Variorum Sh., by H. H. Furness, 1908; G.M.=theed. by George Macdonald ('The Warwick Sh.') 1896;Grafton, i543=Hardyng (q.v.); Grafton, 1569=^Chronicle at Large, 1569, by Richard Grafton [reprintof 1809 cited]; Greene [plays cited from RobertGreene, Plays and Poems, ed. J. C. Collins, 1905;other writings from his Works, ed. A. B. Grosart,1881-6]; Greg, Ed. Prob. = The Editorial Problem inSh., by W. W. Greg (ed. ii) 1951; Hall = 7%* Unionof the Two Noble and Illustre Famelies of Lancastre andYorke, by Edward Hall, 1548-50 [reprint of 1809cited]; Han.=the ed. of Sh., by Th. Hanmer, 1743-4;Hardyng=The Chronicle of Iohn Hardyng.. .with AContinuacion of the storie in prose [by Richard Graf-ton], 1543 [reprint of 1812 cited]; Herford = the ed. byC. H. Herford ('Eversley Sh.'), 1900; Hoi. = TheChronicles of Englande, Scotlande, and Irelande*, byRaphael Holinshed (unless otherwise stated cited fromvol. iii, 2nd ed., 1587); J. = the ed. of Sh. by SamuelJohnson, 1765; J.C.M. = Mr J. C. Maxwell; Kyd =The Works of Thomas Kyd, ed. by F. S. Boas, 1901;Law = ''Richard III: its composition', by R. A. Law,PMLA. (1945), vol. 60; KingLeir, cited from MaloneSociety Reprint, 1907; Lyly = The Works of JohnLyly, ed. by R. W. Bond, 1902; Mai.=James Boswell'sVariorum ed. of Malone''s Sh., 1821; Marshall=TheHenry Irving Sh., ed. by F. A. Marshall and others,1888-90; Mirror=The Mirror for Magistrates, 1559—71, ed. by L. B. Campbell, 1938; M.L.N.=ModernLanguage Notes; More = Sir Thomas More's History ofKing Richard the Third, written c. 1513, and printedin 1557 [cited from the ed. by J. R. Lumby, 1883];MSH.-The MS. of Sh.'s 'Hamlet', by J. DoverWilson, 1934; N a s h e « = r ^ Works of Thomas Nashe,ed. by R. B. McKerrow, 1904-10; N b l 5 5 V

NOTES 163

Biblical Knowledge, by Richmond Noble, 1935;O.D.E.P. = The Oxford Dictionary of English Proverbs;O.lL.T). = The Oxford English Dictionary, Onions =A Sh. Glossary, by C. T . Onions, 1919; P.=the ed. ofSh.: Twenty-Three Plays, by T . M. Parrott, 1938;Patrick = The Textual History of 'Richard IIP, byD. L. Patrick, Stanford Univ., 1936; Peele=rA?Works of George Peele, ed. by A. H. Bullen, 1888;Volydoie=Jnglica His tor ia, 1555, by Polydore Vergil[cited from a mid-16th c. Engl. translation in MS., ed.by H. Ellis, Camden Soc. 1844]; Pope=the ed. ofSh. by Alexander Pope, 1723-5; R.E.S. = The Reviewof English Studies; Rowe=the ed. of Sh. by NicholasRowe, 1709-10; Sackville's Induction cited fromMirror (q.v.); Schmidt= Sh. Lexicon, by AlexanderSchmidt, 3rd ed., 1902; Schucking = Character Prob-lems in Sh.'s Plays by L. L. Schucking, 1922; S.-Giles=Sh.'s Heraldry, by C. W. Scott-Giles, 1950; Sh.Eng.=Sh.'s England, 1916; Sh.'s Hand= Sh.'s Hand inthe Play of Sir Thomas More, by A. W. Pollard, etc.1923; Sh. £>j(art.=Shakespeare Quarterly, in (Oct.1952), pp. 299-306, 'Sh.'s R. Ill and The TrueTragedy''; Sh. Survey=Sh. Survey, ed. by AllardyceNicoll; Steev. = the ed. of J.'s Sh. by G. Steevens, 1773 5Stone = Sh.'s Holinshed, by W. G. Boswell-Stone,1896; Sugden=^ Topographical Diet, to Sh., byE. H. Sugden, 1925; Theob.=the ed. of Sh. byL. Theobald, 1733; Thomson *=Sh. and the Classics,by J. A. K. Thomson, 1952; Tilley=D ict. of Proverbs,by M. P. Tilley, 1950; Tillyard = Sh.'s History Plays,by E. M. W. Tillyard, 1944; T.R.<=The TroublesomeRaigne of King Iohn, 1591 [cited from Furnivall'sfacsimile, 1888]; T.T. = The True Trage die of Richardthe Third, 1594 [cited from Mai. Soc. Rep. ed. W. W.Greg, 1929]; Wright=the ed. by Aldis Wright('Clarendon Sh.'), 1880.

164 N O T E S

Lineation. The F. text contains a good deal ofirregular lineation, but nearly all of it can be explainedas due to the occurrence of lines overlong for the widthof the column, especially at the beginning of speeches(v. R.E.S., n.s., ii. 543).

Punctuation. Though without subtleties suggestiveof the author's hand, the F. punctuation gives rise to fewdifficulties. Some eight readings alone seem to exhibita misunderstanding of the text, see notes at 1. 3. 351;I. 4. 186-7,. 228; 2. 2. 86-7; 3. 4. 64; 3. 5. 7-8;4- 4- 37-8; 5 .3 . 9155. 5. 27-9.

Acts and Scenes. The Q texts are undivided, but anattempt was made to introduce acts and scenes into F.Of these the act-divisions have been accepted by editorstogether with the scene divisions of the first two acts.After this it has been found necessary to add three newscenes to Act 3; to make two scenes out of F 4. 2; to endF 5. 2 at 1. 24; and to split the remainder into threescenes.

Stage-directions. For an illuminating table of thedirections in Q and F. see Greg, Ed. Prob. pp. 171-2.A large number of those peculiar to F. clearly derivefrom the author's manuscript and are of special interestas being, like those in 2 and 3 Henry VI, both moredetailed and more 'literary' than the S.D.S found inthe later plays of Sh. Cf. the note on Stage-directionson p. 119 of 2 Henry VI and such S.D.s belowas 'She looks scornfully at him' (r. 2. 170), 'He layshis breast open, she offers at it with his sword'(1. 2. 178), 'They all start' (2. 1. 80), 'Enter theQueen with her hair about her ears, Rivers and Dorsetafter her' (2. 2. 33), 'Enter Richard, and Buckingham,in rotten armour, marvellous ill-favoured' (3. 5 head),'Enter Buckingham with Halberds, led to execution'(5. 1 head).

NOTES 165

Names of the Characters. First given, imperfectly, byRowe. For Tressel and Berkeley see the note onI. 2. 221. Brakenbury is first mentioned by the sourcesin connexion with the murder of the Princes; cf.Introd. p. xxxii. Stanley is sometimes called 'LordStanley' and sometimes 'Derby' or 'Lord of Derby'in F. It seemed best to prefix his speeches 'Stanley'throughout.

Title (see p. 5). As printed in F. at the beginningof the play.

I. IMaterial. Hints for Ric.'s soliloquy (1-41), and for

much of the rest of the sc, were furnished by More's'Description of Richard the third' (pp. 5-7). I quotefrom Hoi. (p. 712), which reproduces More almostverbatim:

'Richard the third sonne [of Richard of York], of whomewe now intreat, was in wit and courage equall with eitherof them [i.e. Ed. IV and George of Clarence], in bodie andprowesse farr vnder them both, litle of stature, ill featuredof limmes, crooke backed, his left shoulder much higherthan his right, hard fauored of visage, and such as is instates [i.e. persons of rank] called warlie [warlike], in othermen otherwise; he was malicious, wrathfull, enuious, andfrom afore his birth euer froward. It is for truth reported,that the duchesse his mother had so much adoo in histrauell, that she could not be deliuered of him vncut, andthat he came into the world with the feet forward, as menbe borne outward [i.e. as men are carried out for burial],and (as the fame runneth also) not vntoothed, whether menof hatred report aboue the truth, or else that naturechanged hir course in his beginning, which in the courseof his life manie things vnnaturallie committed. So that thefull confluence of these qualities, with the defects of fauourand amiable proportion, gaue proofe to this rule ofphysiognomie: Distortum <vultum sequitur distorsio morum.['So that.. .morum' is added by Hoi.]

166 NOTES I.I.

'None euill captelne was he in the warre, as to which hisdisposition was more meetly than for peace. Sundrievictories had he, & sometimes ouerthrowes; but neuer ondefault, as for his owne person, either of hardinesse orpolitike order. Free was he called of dispense, and some-what aboue his power liberall: with large gifts, he gat himvnstedfast freendship, for which he was faine to pill andspoile in other places, and get him stedfast hatred. He wasdose and secret, a deepe dissembler, lowlie of countenance,arrogant of heart, outwardlie companiable where heinwardlie hated, not letting to kisse whome he thought tokill: despitious and cruell, not for euill will alway, but ofterfor ambition, and either for the suertie or increase of hisestate.

'Friend and fo was much what indifferent, where hisaduantage grew, he spared no mans death whose life with-stoode his purpose. He slue with his owne hands KingHenrie the sixt, being prisoner in the Tower, as menconstantlie said, and that without commandement orknowledge of the king, which would vndoubtedlie (if hehad intended that thing) haue appointed that butcherlieoffice to some other than his owne borne brother. Somewise men also weene that his drift, couertlie conueied,lacked not in helping foorth his brother of Clarence to hisdeath; which he resisted openlie, howbeit somewhat (asmen deemed) more faintlie than he that were hartilieminded to his wealth [i.e. more feebly than one solicitousfor his well-being].

'And they that thus deeme, thinke that he long time inKing Edwards life forethought to be king; in case that theking his brother (whose life he looked that euill diet shouldshorten) should happen to deceasse (as in deed he did) whilehis children were yoong. And they deeme, that for thisintent he was glad of his brothers death the duke ofClarence, whose life must needs have hindered him sointending, whether the same duke of Clarence had kept himtrue to his nephue the yoong king, or enterprised to be kinghimselfe. But of all this point is there no certeintie, and whoso diuineth vpon coniectures, maie as well shoot too farreas too short.'

I.I. NOTES 167

On this last point cf. Mirror (Clar., 11. 330-4):

For this I -was commaunded to the tower,The king my brother was so cruel-harted:And whan my brother Richard saw the howerWas cum, for which his hart so sore had smarted,He thought it best take the time before it parted.

Other loans or echoes from the sources in this scene arecited below; see esp., for the prophecy about the letter G,note 11.32-40 (cf. In trod, p.xxv); for the (inferred) imprison-ment of Hastings, note 11. 66-8; and for Shore's wife andHastings, notes 11. 72-7, 94. Most of the crimes mentionedby Hol.(<More), together with the details of Richard'smonstrous birth, are now regarded as unhistorical and partof the Tudor legend.

Text. A.W. thinks 'the text of this scene verycorrupt' and notes Greg's suspicion that 'the MS. wasnone too well preserved'. Cf. p. 144, and n. 2.

S.D. Loc. (Cap.) Entry (F.).1. Now i.e. after the battle of Tewkesbury.the winter Cf. Sidney, Ast. tff Stella, 69, 'Gone is

the winter of my miserie' [Steev.]2. sun F. £>q 'Son' 'fonne'. A quibble (Ed. IV

being Rich, of York's son), but referring esp. to theYorkist badge of the sun-in-splendour, prob. adoptedbecause it had been Ric. II's (v. R. II, Introd. p. xii),but traced by Hoi. to the vision of three suns atMortimer's Cross (cf. 3 H. VI 2. I. 25-40). SeeS.-Giles, pp. 141-3, 172-4.

6. bruisid arms Cf. Lucr. n o .9-15. Grim-visaged. . . looking-glass Cf. V.A. 103-8.

Both echo Campaspe 2. 2. [Lyly, ii. 330], 'Is the war-like sound of drum and trump turned to the softnoise of lyre and lute ? the neighing of barbed steeds,whose loudness fills the air with terror. . . converted tddelicate tunes, and amorous glances?' [Reed]. With

i68 N O T E S I.I.

'grim-visaged' cf. Sackville's Induction, 386-7,'Warre. . .with visage grym'.

12-13. He.. Jute i.e. he (the warrior) dances tothe accompaniment of the pleasantly lascivious lute.Prob. alluding to the amorous Ed. IV (cf. 11. 72-3,

)9)I4ff. not shaped etc. For Ric.'s attitude to his de-

formity, v. Lamb cited Introd. p. xxxviii. sportive v. G.15. amorous Cf. 'lascivious' (1. 13). Both 'glass'

and 'lute' produce 'the effects characterized by theadjectives' (Furness).

17. wanton ambling nymph Cf. Ham., 3.1.147 'Youjig, you amble', etc. wanton F. 'wonton'.

18. curtailed.. .proportion Cf. 'defects of. . .pro-portion' {Mat. above).

19. feature v. G.dissembling i.e. hiding my real greatness under a

deceptive appearance. Cf. 2. 1. 8 and G. Critics,forgetting Ric.'s true opinion of himself, have set asidethis most obvious sense of the word.

20. Deformed, unfinished Cf. 3 H. VI, 5. 6. 51.21. made up=completed (cf. Tim. 5. 1. 101, Cymb.

4. 2. 109), with a quibble on the tailoring sense,continued in 'unfashionable'. See G. 'lamely'.

22. lamely and unfashionable Idiom of the extendedsuffix. Cf. 3. 4. 48; 5. 1. 36; Oth. 3. 4. 79; R. II,1. 3. 3; Abbott, §397.

24. piping v. G. and cf. Ado, 2. 3. 13-15.26. spy (Qq) F. 'fee'. Cf. Note on Copy, p. 153

and 1. 133, n. 'Spy' implies stealthy observation.27. descant v. G. and 1 T.R. xiii, 144, 'Fetch in the

man to descant of this show'.28-31. since etc. Cf. Bacon, Essay 44, 'Of

Deformity': 'Deformed persons are commonly evenwith Nature. For as Nature hath done ill by them; sodoe they by Nature: Being for the most part (as the

i.r. N O T E S 169

Scripture saith) voidof'NaturalI Affection; And so theyhave their Revenge of Nature' [Wright]. See alsopassage about Nature in Mat. above.

29. tvell-spoken days i.e. time in which soft wordshave replaced hard knocks.

32. inductions dangerous 'beginnings of mischief(Wright) v. G. 'induction' and 'danger'. Cf. 4. 4. 5;1 H. IF, 3. 1. 2. A quibble, continuing 'plots'.Q 'inductious dangerous' v.R.E.S. io.42,xviii, 316—17;1946, xxii, 53.

3 2-40. Plots... shall be The c G ' prophecy comes,not from More, but Polydore (p. 167), whence itpassed to Grafton, 1543, Hall, and Hoi. (703/1), whorecord it with Clarence's death under the seventeenthyear of Ed. IV. But Sh. prob. took it from Mirror(v. Introd. p. xxv).

36. true and just i.e. 'unsuspicious of foul play'(Wright).

41. Dive.. .my soul Cf. Greene, Bacon, 941 'Todiue into the center of my heart'.

S.D. (after F.). For Brakenbury v. p. 165.45. the Tower (Q) F.+edd. 'th' Tower' Com-

positor's elision, due to length of line.49. Belike (Pope) F. £>q. 'O belike' v. Note on

Copy, p. 155.50. nezv-christ'n/d Dramatic irony. Echoes Mirror

(v. Introd. p. xxvi).52. for (Qq) F. 'but'—prob. misprint by attrac-

tion with 'But' in 1. 51.61. Hath(F.). g q ' H a u e ' . Cf. Franz, § 156.62. Why> this it is Again at Gent. 5. 2. 49; Ant.

2. 7. n .63-5. '77/ not...extremity Hall (326) attributes

the K.'s disquiet at the ' G ' prophecy to 'the Quene orher bloud which were euer mistrusting and priuelybarkynge at the kynges lignage'. Hoi. (703) adopts

17° N O T E S I . I .

Hall's words but relates them to Ckr.'s projectedmarriage with, the Duch. of Burgundy, she F. 'fhee.'

65. tempers.. .extremity (Q 1) F. ( < Q 6,+misc.)'tempts him to this harsh Extremity', v. Note on Copy,p. 151. For the image cf. Mirror (Clar. 11. 341-2):'This made him [Richard] plye the while the waxe wassoft I To find a meane to bring me to an ende'.

66-8. Was it not... Tower This incident wasinferred from More's account (50; Hoi. 723) ofHast.'s meeting with a Pursuivant outside the Towerin which he recalls an encounter at the same placeearlier. Cf. 3. 2. 93-105 and 3. 2. Mat.

66. good.. .worship As one might speak of analderman.

67. Woodeville (Cap.) F . 'Woodeulle'. £q'Wooduile'.

71. there's...is secure (Ca*p. Camb.) v. Note onCopy, p. 151. See Walton, R.E.S. May '59, p. 13 i,n.3»

72-7. heralds.. .liberty Cf. Hoi. 729/1. For a 'de-scription' of Jane Shore, wife of a goldsmith, mistressof Ed. IV, and later of Hastings, v. More (54), Hoi.(725), who note: 'For manie that had highlie offended,she obteined pardon'. Cf. 1. 94, n.

75. for his delivery (Qq) F. (+some) 'for herdelivery'. The 'her', caught perhaps from 'her deity'(1. 76), is sometimes explained as 'deliverance by hermeans', which seems not only 'strained and awkward'(A.H.T.) but comically ambiguous.

77. Lord Chamberlain i.e. Hastings. Cf. 2. I. 134.80. men i.e. servants.81. jealous suspicious-natured (i.e. of him, Ric).o'erworn widow i.e. the Queen.82. dubbed.. .gentlewomen A double sneer: (1)

The Queen and her kindred were indeed exalted inrank by her marriage, but were already gentlefolk,though Ric. pretends they came of yeoman or peasant

I.I. N O T E S

stock; (2) Jane Shore was no gentlewoman, but it isRic.'s cue to lump brother Edward's two womentogether as 'gossips' or cronies.

83. our (F.) i.e. belonging to the House of York.Qq 'this'—which may be right; note 'our' in 1. 82.

84. Beseech (Dyce, ed. ii) F. £>q ' I befeech'. Cf.Note on Copy, p. 155.

87. his (Qq) F. 'your'—prob. caught from 1. 88;cf. 1. 75, n. 88. an't (Pope + edd.) F. Qq 'and'.

92. jealious (F.) Qq+edd. 'iealous'. The metrerequires a trisyllable.

94. a.. .pleasing tongue Cf. More, 54; Hoi. 725/1:

For a proper wit had she, and could both read •well andwrite, merrie in companie, readie and quicke of answer,neither mute nor full of bable, sometime tawnting withoutdispleasure, and not without disport.

95. kin (Marshall; J.C.M.) Cf. the reverse errorin 3. 7. 212. F. Qq (+edd.) 'Kindred'—echoes 1. 72.

101-2. What.. .betray me? (Q 2, F.) Cf. p. 143,Pollard {Companion to Sh. Stud. 1934, p. 278), Greg,p. 87, n. 4; and (for another explanation) R.E.S. xviii(1942), pp. 315-16.

103. me: (J.D.W.) F. Qq 'me, and withalT.105. We know etc. A.W. suspects corruption.

Seymour (1805) conj. 'We're the King's subjects, andwe will obey', which would add much point toGlouc.'s reply; but J.C.M. suggests that it would bebetter to give such a line to Brack, thus completing thepattern. I am tempted to read:

Clar. We know thy charge, Brakenbury, and will obey.Brak. We're the King's subjects, and we should obey.Glouc. We are the queen's abjects, and must obey.

Cf. Lyly, Campaspe, 1.1. 75, 'be not as abjects ofwar but as subjects of Alexander'.

172 NOTES I.I.

109. widow Of Sir John Grey.112. nearer (J.D.W.) F. Qq+edd. 'deeper'—

echoing 'deep' (1. i n ) . The idiom 'touch near'(v. G. 'near') occurs nine times elsew. in Sh. (e.g.2. 3. 26; 2. 4. 24 below); 'touch deep' once.

115. or else (F.+edd.) Stress 'lie for you' with afeminine ending, and no emendation is needed (J.C.M.).

lie for = (a) go to prison for, (J>) tell lies about.116. patience.. .perforce Proverb. Of. Rom. 1. 5.

91; Tilley, p. m .Farewell (F. Qq) Hanmer om., prob. rightly.S.D. F. 'Exit. Clar.'117. return. 118. Clarence, (F; Al. punct.)

Most edd. read 'return' and 'Clarence!'121. S.D. (F.)124. the open (Q) F . (<Q 6) 'this open'.127-8. them.. .the cause Cf. 11. 66-9, and notes.132. eagles.. .mewed v. G. 'mew'.133. prey (Qq) F. 'play'. Cf. Note on Copy, p.153

and above 1. 26, n. Hastings implies that the Wood-villes were free to strike down their victims at will.

137. his physicians etc. Stone (343, n. 2) citesHoi. 708/2, 'there was little hope of recouerie in thecunning of his physicians'—a point not in Hall.

138. Saint John (F.) Q 'Saint Paul'. Cf. Introd.p. xx and 3. 4. 75, n.

139. an evil diet Echoing More (7), Hoi. (712/2),V. I. I Mat. and G. 'diet'.

142. Where is he, (F.) Qq 'What is he' .144. S.D. F. 'exit Haftings'.146. with post-horse by express; v. G. A charac-

teristic touch of blasphemy; cf. 2 Kings ii. 11. Collierconj. 'with post haste'.

153. Warwick's youngest daughter Lady Anne,widow of Edward, Prince of Wales. Cf. 5 H. VI,3. 3. 242; 4. I. 118; and 4. I. Mat.

I.I. NOTES 173

154. father i.e. her father-in-law, Henry VI .158. another.. .intent Thus Sh. palms off on the

audience a highly effective scene which 'does notadvance the action, i.e. the career of Ric , in the least'(Herford).

160. / run.. .market i.e. I count my chickensbefore they are hatched. Cf. Tilley, M 649.

162. gains cf. 'market' (1. 160). S.D. F. 'Exit ' .

I . 2

Material. While the action of this sc. is fictitious some ofits details are not, viz. (i) Anne's parentage and formerhusband (Hoi. 751/1), (ii) H. VI's funeral. Hoi. (690/2)relates that on 22 May 1471 H. VI's body was taken fromthe Tower 'with billes and glaues' to St Paul's where itrested for a day, then to Blackfriars, and thence by boatto 'the monasterie of Chertseie' where it was buried. Hoi.takes this from Hall (303) but adds that the corpse wasseen to bleed both at St Paul's and at Blackfriars. Cf.11. 55-6, and n.

S.D. Loc. No change needed. Entry (F.) +'attended.. .Berkeley' (Alexander). 'Halberds'=halberdiers. Cf. 'billes and glaues' (Mat.), which Hoi.implies is not fit pomp for a royal funeral. N.B. In 3. 3.'halberds' accompany traitors to the scaffold.

1. Set...load Cf. 2 T.R. vi. 1 'Set downe, setdowne the load not worth your pain'.

3. obsequiously v. G .5. key-cold Cf. Lucr. 1774 and Tilley, K 23.8. Be it lawful etc. It was not lawful for Protestants

to invoke the Saints (v. B.C.P. Article xxii). Sheassumes H. VI had been canonized. Cf. 4. I. 70;4. 4. 25; 5. 1. 4; Introd. to 3 H. VI, p. xxxv.

10. slaughtered (F.) Qq'flaughtered'. For this andsimilar elisions v. H. T . Price, English Institute Essays,*947 (Columbia Univ. 1948), pp. 147 ff.

174 NOTES 1.2.

12. windows.. .life i.e. the wounds. Alluding tothe custom of opening the windows (v. G.) to allow adying soul to pass. Cf. K. John 5. 7. 29 [G.M.].

14. O cursed...these holes (F.) Q. + Camb.*Curft.. .thefe fatal holes'—which Al. reads.

15. Cursed the blood etc. A line not in Qq andtherefore added to the copy for F. (i.e. Q 6 corrected).Printed in F. as 1. 16, but clearly, I think, as A.W.(First F. Prob. p. 32) conj., inserted by the compositorat the wrong place.

19. to wolves, to spiders (F.) Q + Camb. 'to adders,Ipiders'. Ric. is called a wolf in Mirror (Clar. 1. 360).

21. abortive v. G.22. Prodigious, v. G.25. unhappiness v. G.27-8. More miserable...thee (A.W. + J.D.W.).

Qq 1-6 print:

As miserable by the death of him,

As I am made by my poore Lord and thee.

which F. gives as:

More miserable by the death of himThan I am made by my young Lord and thee.

Clearly an instance of incomplete correction (cf. pp. 151—52), since the sense is absurd. Any wife of such amonster would be happy, not miserable, at his death,while it is not Prince Edward and King Henry whomake Anne miserable but their death. Fortunately, wecan check this actor's muddle by her own report of thewords, spoken as if to Richard, at 4 . 1 . 76-7:

More miserable by the life of theeThan thou hast made me by my dear lord's death

—where be it noted Qq again read 'death' for 'life',though here the F. collator has spotted it. The conj.'life' for 'death' (A.W.<Blackstone) in 1. 27 above

i.2. N O T E S 175

must therefore be correct, and I claim that my re-wording of 1. 28, if not exactly what Sh. wrote, comesmuch nearer it than F. Both emendations, indeed, asI discovered after drafting this note, were virtuallyanticipated by Colley Cibber who in his 1700 perver-sion of the play (v. St Hist. p. xlviii) gives (for2.1.27-8):

More miserable by the life of himThan I am now by Edward's death and thine.

It is tempting to read 'thine' likewise in 1. 28 above;but'thee'addressed to Henry's corpse implies his death.

32. S.D. F. 'Enter Richard Duke of Glofter'.39. stand (Q) F.'Stand'ft'.47-8. Thou hadst...not have Cf. Matt. x. 28

[Noble].54. pattern v. G.56. bleed Hoi. app. invents this (v. Mat.) but does

not, like Sh., associate it with the presence of themurderer. Cf. Caes. 3. 2. 190, n. (i).

59. empty.. .dwells The effect of death ace. to theold physiology; cf. Caes. 2. 1. 289-90, n.

60. deeds (F.) £>q 'deed'. She refers to bothmurders.

61. Provokes Cf. Franz, § 155.deluge Monstrous sin had provoked the first deluge.63. O earth.. .revenge Cf. Gen. iv, 11 [Noble].65. gape.. .quick Cf. Numb. xvi. 30-3.70. no law (Qq + J.C.M.) F. 'nor law'.71. No beast.. .pity Cf. Caes. 3. 2. 105-6, n.5

Sh. Survey, ii. 36-7, 42, n. 3.77. By circumstance by detailed argument.78. diffused infection.. .man 'The play upon words

was more aimed at . . . than their appropriateness'(Wright).

a man (Qq) F. 'man' Prob. compositor's omission.

176 NOTES x.2.

79-80. Of.. .accuse (Spedding; A.W.) F. 'Of...curse' Qq Most edd. 'For.. .curse'. As Miss Walkernotes (p. 26), ' "curse this cursed self" foozles Anne'sreturn in the verbal game which starts with Ric.'s"acquit" in 1. 77 and is carried on with the "accuse"and "excuse" interchange until 1. 88'. The collatorcorrected Q 6 'For', but overlooked its 'curse'.

102. hedgehog v. G. Alludes also to Ric.'s hunch-back and to his badge; cf. 1. 3. 228, n.

120. of that accursed effect (A.W.) Q F+most edd.'and most accurft effect'—which is clearly corrupt.Edwards (apud Camb.) conj. 'of that most curs'deffect' and Hanmer 'and most accursed th' effect'.

136. reasonable A.W. conj. 'natural', because therules of the game require Anne to counter his' unnatural'.

138. thee{Qq) F. ' the' .144. S.D. (F.).145. Would it.. .poison Cf. Tillev, v. 28 'to spit

one's venom'.147. poison.. .toad Cf. 3 H. VI, 2. 2. 138, and n.149. infected Cf. L.L.L. 2. 1. 228; 5. 2. 420.151. at once=once and for all. Cf. Maxwell in

M.L.R. vol. xlix.154. Shamed...aspects (F.) shamed their glances,

i.e. made me ashamed to look up. Qq read 'afpect'.155-66. These eyes.. .weeping (F.) Qq omit.15 5-62. These eyes... cheeks This account does not

tally with that in 3 H. VI (1. 3; 1. 4; 2. 1), thoughRic.'s inability to weep is common to both versions{3 H. VI, 2. 1. 79-86). 160. weep F. 'weepe:'.

163. Like trees... rain Cf. Titus, 3. 1. 111-13.rain—(Al.)-F. 'raine.'.166. blind with weeping Cf. Titus, 2. 4. 52; 3. 1.

2705 5- 3- 49-170. S.D. (F.). 178. S.D. (F.).182. S.D. (F.) v. G.'fall'.

x.s. N O T E S 177

195. was man (Q) F. ( < Q 6) *man was*.202. To take.. .give (Q) i.e. ' I take the ring but

give no pledge of troth in return' (G.M.). See theMarriage Service in B.C.P. F. omits, together withthe prefix for 1. 201; cf. Note on Copy, p. 145.S.D. (F.).

203. Look hozo=]xist as (v. G. 'look').204. thy breast.. .my poor heart. The stock pro-

testation of lovers. Cf. Tilley, L 565 'the lover is notwhere he lives but where he loves'; V.A. 5 80-2; L.L.L.5. 2. 812; Son. 22. 5-7. Derived from Matt. vi.21 'where your treasure is there will your heart bealso'.

212. Crosby House (F.) Qq 'Crosbie place'. Cf.'Place' (1. 3. 345), and 'House' (3. 1. 190). Bothnames current. More, whose daughter Margaret.Roper lived there after his death, calls it 'Crosbiesplace in Bishops gates strete wher the protectour kepthis household' (43).

217. unknown i.e. secret. Actually 'unknown' toSh.! Cf. x. 1. 158, n., and Merch. 5. 1. 279-80, n.

221. Tressel and Berkeley Not spoken of elsewhere.French (251) thinks 'Tressel' (F.) Qq "TressilT,an error for 'Trussil', the name of a Warwickshirefamily. If so, both names occur as small parts inMarlowe's Ed. II (5. 1), a Pembroke man's play, inwhich Sh. perhaps acted, and from which I conj. heborrowed them.

222. 'Tis more etc. i.e. 'to fare well is more' etc.224. S.D. F. 'Exit two with Anne'.225. Sirs.. .corse (Q) F.omits. Cf.p. 145. Perhaps

'Sirs' is a player's addition.226. Whitefriars (F., Qq) The Carmelite priory.

Perhaps an error in reporting (F. < Q 6) since Hoi.(v. Mat.) reads 'Blackfriars'.

S.D. F. 'Exit Coarfe'.

178 NOTES 1.2.

227-8. Was...toon? A stock formula, first popu-larized by Greene; cf. Titus, 2. 1. 82-3, n.; 1 H. VI,5- 3- 78-9, n.

230. What! I that etc. Cf. Berowne in L.L.L.3. 1. 172 ff. # .

233. my hatred (F.) i.e. for the whole Lancastrianhouse. Qq 'her hatred'.

235. withal (F < Q 6 'with all') Q 'at all'.238. Rat The modern 'eh?' Cf. 1. 3. 234. Here

a chuckle.240. three months The hist, battle of Tewkesbury

was 4 May 1471 and the corpse reached Chertsey onthe 23rd.

242-3. A sweeter.. .nature Cf. Hoi. 688/2, 'a faireand well proportioned young gentleman'.

244. royal .i.e. nobie, generous in every way. Cf.G. and Caes. G.

247. cropped.. .prime The image recurs at 1 H. IV,5. 4. 72-3. Cf. 3 H. VI, Introd. p. xii.

250. halts (F.) Qo/halt'.260. /»=into.

Material. The references to historical (or unhlstorical)events in this long fictitious sc. will be most convenientlydealt with as they occur. See notes on 11. 15, 20-9, 42 if.,128-30.

S.D. Loc. (after Theob.) Entry (F.).5. eyes (F.) Qq 'words'. For 'quick eyes' cf.

V.A. 140; Rom. 3. 5. 222.6. If he.. .on me Repeated by F. in passing from

one page to the next.7. No other harm F. assigns to 'Gray'; Q I to

'Ry'=Rivers.15. determined, not concluded settled, though not

yet actually decreed. Ace. to More (23) and Hoi.

i.3. NOTES 179

(716/2) Ric. was first made Protector at a Councilmeeting after Ed. V's arrival in London from Ludlow(3. 1 below); and Mirror ('Richard', 11. 15-16) seemsto agree with this on p. 360. But in T.T., as in R. Ill,he is nominated as such before Ed. I V's death; cf.Polydore (171) who relates that Ed. IV 'made his will,wherin he constitutyd his soones his heyres, whom hecommyttyd to the tuytion of Rycherd his brother, dukeof Glocester;' and Mirror, p. 383 ('Shore's Wife',1. 293), which implies that Ric. became Protector uponEd. I V's death. Cf. SL $jjart. pp. 302-3.

16. S.D. (after F.); v. Names of the Characters,p. 165.

17. come the lords (Q) F. 'comes the Lord '<£)6'comes the Lords'. Cf. p. 150.

20-9. The Countess Richmond etc. Margaret, wifeof Lord Stanley, Earl of Derby, but widow of EdmundTudor, and thus mother of Henry Tudor, Earl ofRichmond (H. VII), is here spoken of to remind theaudience of her son's claim to the throne and of hiscoming victory at Bosworth. But the allusion is hardlyexplicit enough to be understood except by readers ofthe chronicles. Cf. Introd. p. xliv.

24. arrogance i.e. in aspiring to the crown for herson.

26—9. The envious . . . malice There seems nosuggestion in the chron. for these lines.

30. Saw you etc. F . assigns to 'Qu. ' ; Q 1 to'Ry. '

37. your brothers Cf. 1. 67; 3. 1. 6, 12; 4. 4. 381.Her son Grey is evidently taken to be her brother bySh., as he is in T.T.\ Rivers is her only brother. Cf.Sh. Quart, p. 302.

41. S.D. (Camb.) F. 'Enter Richmond'.42 ff. They do me wrong etc. This and Ric.'s later

speeches reflect More (12-14), and Hoi. (714)

»8o N O T E S 1.3.

which describe his secret attempts to 'kindle' enmityagainst the Queen and her family after Ed. IV's death;the same arguments are used.

49. apish courtesy Cf. L.L.L. 5. 2. 325, K. John,5. 2. 131; A.T.L. 2. 5. 25.

53. With (F.) Qq 'By'. Cf. Schmidt 'with' {ad.

54. To whom etc. F. assigns to 'Grey'; Q 1 to' Ry.'whom (Qq + edd.) F.+Al. 'who'.63-8. The king...to send i.e. 'the fact that the

king guesses at your hatred makes him send' (Abbott§ 376). Cf. Introd. p. xxxvi.

68-9. that.. .remove it (Pope). F. (+A1.) 'that hemay learn the ground'. Q 'that thereby he maygather | the ground of your ill will and to remove it'.Cf. Note on the Copy, p. 146-7.

71. wrens.. .perch Cf. 1. 1. 132-3.72. Jack.. .gentleman Prov. expression, cf. Tilley,

J2-5.77. / have need of i.e. I am in distress through.80—2. promotions etc. Cf. 1. 1. 82.89. draw.. .suspects involve me in these vile

suspicions. For 'suspect' (sb.), a favourite word withGreene, cf. 3. 5. 32; 2 H. VI, 1. 3. 134, n.

90. deny.. .not Cf. the double negatives in 11. 13,60.

97. lay on attribute to.102. Iwisv. G. and^ . fcf C. 1. 3.11, n.n o . S.D. (F. + Camb.'behind').i n . God I beseech him (F.) Qq 'God I befeech

thee'. Cf. 1. 212 and 5. 5. 32.114. Tell.. .said (£>) F. omits.look what = whatever (v. G.).117. pains v. G.118. I do remember (F.) Qq ' I remember*. N.B.

'devil' is usually monosyllabic in Sh.

1.3. NOTES x8i

125. royalise Not again in Sh. Common in Peeleand Greene.

128-30. factious.. .slain? Conflicts with 3 H. FI,3. 2. 1-7, where Ed. IV calls him 'Sir Richard Grey*and says he fell fighting for the Yorkists; but agreeswith Hoi. (726/1) who calls him 'John Greie anesquier, whome King Henrie made Knight vpon thefield' of St Albans, where he fell. Hoi. (668/1) leaveshis "faction" doubtful. For 'battle' v. G.

135-6. Clarence.. .forswore himself Cf. 3 H. FI,5.1 . 81-106.

142. childish-foolish The hyphen is Theob.'s.143. Hie (Q) F. 'High'—a spelling found in

Lucr. 1334.144. cacodemon v. G. The word occurs in the

Colloquies of Erasmus (cf. Thomson p. 96). See alsoNashe, i. 376. 36.

155. As little (Heath; Dyce) F. Qq (+edd.)'A little*. "'As" is wanted for the rhetoric' (A.W.).

157. S.D. (Cap.)158-9. pirates.. .filled Cf. 2 H. FI, 1.1. 22off.160. of(Q) F.'off'.161-2. If not.. .rebels i.e. 'If you bow not as

subjects because I am queen, at least you quakebecause you have deposed me' (P.). Cf. Introd.p. xxxvi.

163. gentle villain This sarcastic comment uponhis 'pitiful' heart (1. 141) and his contempt for theWoodville 'Jacks' (11. 70-3) is a kind of doubleoxymoron, since 'gentle' — {a) well-born, (J>) kindly,and 'villain' = («) peasant, (j>) scoundrel.

164. what mak'st thou—vthzt are you doing. Inreply she takes' 'mak'st' in its ord. sense.

165. But.. .marred I come merely to make recitalof your crimes. The 'make-mar' anthithesis was prov.Cf. Tilley, M48, and L.L.L. 4. 3. 188, etc.

R. I l l - 1 4

i8a NOTES 1.3.

167. banishid Not ace. to the chron. or 3 H. FI,$• 7' 38-41. Actually she went to France in 1475 anddied there in 1482, a year before Ed. IV's death.

174-81. The curse,. .deed At 3 H. FI, 1.4. mff .York rails, but does not curse.

178. faultless v. G. pretty Cf. 'babe' (1.183). ForRut.'s real age v.3H.FI,i.$. Mat.

185. Tyrants v. G. 'tyranny'.187. Northumberland.. At. Cf. 3 H. FI, 1.4.172.188. What! Cf. 2 H.FI. 1. 1. 76, n.194. Should all.. .for could all not quite pay for.I97ff. Though etc. Every curse is fulfilled; each

victim recalls the curse when his hour comes; and in4. 4. Marg. returns to exult in-the vengeance she hascalled down [G.M.]. Cf. Introd. p. xlii.

197. by surfeit Cf. 1.1.139 and Mirror (Clarence,11. 337—8) 'For though the king within a while haddied, I As nedes he must he surfayted so oft'.

199-200. thy...our 'thy' is contemptuous; 'our'royal.

206. stalled Cf. Greene, Bacon, 182, *A friernewly stalde in Brazennose'.

215. hag—witch.219. them i.e. heaven. Plur. cf. R. II, 1.2.6-7, n.228. hog Allusion to Ric.'s badge, the white boar.

Cf. 1. 2. 102; 3. 2. 11, etc.230. slave of nature 'mean and contemptible by

nature' (Schmidt). Cf. Cymb. 5. 2. 5.234. Ha?=eh.i what did you say? Cf. 1. 2. 238;

5- 3- 5-241. vain flourish 'empty show' (G.M.).242. bottled (a) 'swollen with venom' (Wright),

(b) 'hunchbacked' (Herford). Cf. 4.4. 81, and G.251. do me duty do obeisance to me.256. Your fire-new stamp etc. Sir Thomas Grey,

the Qu.'s eldest son, had only been created Earl of

1.3. NOTES 183

Dorset in 1475, eight years earlier (Hoi. 702).stamp v. G.

259-60. They.. .pieces. A matter of commonobservation in days when eminence in the statedepended upon the monarch's favour. Cf. the prov.' T h e highest climbers have the greatest falls' (Tilley,C 414).

264. Our aery i.e. the eagle brood of the House ofYork. Cf. 3 H. VI, 2. 1. 9 1 ; 5. 2. 12; and Ezek.xvii. 3.York. Cf.SH. VI,2. 1.91; 5 .2 .12 ; and Ezek. xvii. 3.

265. scorns the sun Because eagle-sighted.267. my son Quibbling on 'sun ' .273. Peace etc. (A.W.) F . Qq (+edd.) assign to

lBuck.\ which 'cannot be right in view of Marg.'s11. 274-6 and 280-4 ' (A.W.), whereas the former aremore apt to Glouc. than to 'Riv. ' to whom Lettsomassigned the speech.

277. My charity.. .shame 'Outrage is the onlycharity shown me, and a life of shame is all the lifepermitted me ' (Hudson, ap. Furness).

280. princely This epithet, a favourite with Greene,Peele and Marlowe, occurs thirteen times in R. III.

285-6. curses never pass.. .air Cf. Tilley, C 924.'Curses return upon the heads of those that curse.'

287. / will not think ' I am determined not tothink' (J.C.M.).

288. awake God's.. .peace rouse God from h i s . . .peace. Cf. R. II, 1. 3. 132; Ps. xliv. 23; lxxviii. 65.

gentle-sleeping Theob.'s hyphen.289. S.D. (J.D.W.). Cf. 1. 295.290. Look when—%.% soon as (v. G.).303. S.D. F. 'Exit ' .304. My hair etc. Q gives to Hast.; F . to Buc.

Cf. Note on Copy, p. 147.an end (F.) Q 'on end' . Cf. Earn. 1. 5. 19 and

Franz. §238 .

184 N O T E S 1.3.

309. / never etc. Q gives to §>jf.; F . to Mar.Q).Cf. Note on Copy, p. 147.

313. for (Pope: A.W.) Q.F. (+edd.) 'as for'. Cf.p. 155,157.

316-17. A...to us Such backing of Ric. seemsinappropriate to Riv. except as bitter sarcasm. Poss.the speech belongs to Buck.

us! (Al.) F. 'vs.'.318. S.D. (F.)—after this line; S. Walker first

suggested aside at 'ever'.319. S.D.(F.).321. you...lords (Al.) F. 'yours my gracious

Lord'; Q 1 'you my noble Lo: ' ; Q 6 'you my nobleLord'. Cf. Note on Copy, p. 151.

324. I do., .brawl Cf. Tilley, C579, 'Complain toprevent complaint'.

327. whom (Q 1) F. 'who'. Euphony requiresS [A.W.].

329. Namely v. G.335. do.. .evil Cf. Matt. v. 44, and Luke vi. 27.337. old odd ends stale and ill-assorted scraps. Cf.

Ado, 1. 1. 268-71.338. S.D. (F.).342, 350, 356. F. prefixes lFil*344. S.D. (Cap.)351. Talkers... doers Cf. Tilley, T64.doers: be assured (Camb. < F 4) F. ( < Q 6) 'doers, be

aflured'.353. drop millstones Cf. Troil. 1. 2. 158; Tilley,

M 9 6 7 .r . 4

Material. Hoi. (703/1) relates that Ed. IV took 'suchdispleasure* with Clar. 'that finallie the duke was cast intothe Tower and therewith adiudged for a traitor, and priuiliedrowned in a butt of malmesie'. For the rest, the scene isinvented, being based partly on the account of the murder

1.4. N O T E S 185

of the Princes in Hoi. 735/1* perhaps via Mirror or T.T.(v. 1. 96, n.)> while it is related in some way to the dialoguebetween Leir and the Murderer in King Leir, 11.1452-1755,which is also related to 4. 4. 367-8, v. note. Cf. Introd.p. xxxiij and Law, PMLA. xxvii. 123-33.

S.D. Loc. (edd.) Entry (most edd. except Al.)F.; Al. 'Enter Clarence and Keeper' Q 'EnterClarence, Brokenbury'. Cf. 1. 75 S.D. and Note onCopy, p. 149.

1. Why looks.. .heavily Cf. 2 H. FI, 1. 2 . 1 .5-6. spend...buy Note the word play.9. Methoughts (F., Q) Again at 1. 24. Probably the

actor's form. Cf. 'methought', Jl. 18, 21, 36, 45, 58;5. 3. 204, 230, and all but twice elsew. in Sh.

10. Burgundy i.e. the Low Countries. The onlyreference in the play to the marriage of Margaret,sister of Ed. IV, Clar. and Ric, to the Duke ofBurgundy. But cf. 5. 3. 324, n.

13. Upon the hatches Cf. 2 H. FI, 3. 2. 103.thence (Q) F.<Q 6 'there'.

19. thought (Q, F.) Pope 'sought*—poss. right,since 'thought' echoes 'Methought' (1. 18).

22. waters (Q) F.(<£> 6) 'water'. Cf. Rev. i. 15.22-3. mine ears.. .mine eyes (F.<Q 6) Q i(+Al.)

'my eares...my eies' As 'mine' before a vowel ismore normal in Sh. we may prob. assume that Q 6happens to be correct here. Cf. 4. 1. 82, n.

24-33. a thousand.. .wracks etc. Poss. suggestedby tales of the enormous losses of the Spanish Armada,1588. Cf. also the Treasure of Mammon, F.Q. 11.vii. 4, 5, which includes 'great ingowes'.

26. ingots (Kinnear; J.D.W.) F., Qq. 'Anchors' |'anchors'. 'Ingots is far more apt to the context and'anchors' may have passed muster with the correctorsince 'ch' and 'g ' are not unlike in secretary hand.A.W. tells me McKerrow thought 'ouches' likely and

i86 N O T E S 1.4.

J.C.M. notes a parallel to this in Spenser F.Q. HI. iv.23. But cf. 'ingowes' in last note.

29-31. skulls.. .gems Cf. Temp. 1. 2. 401-2.32—3. wooed.. .mocked The gems in the skulls

seemed to glance around like a capricious lover. Cf.Rom. 1. 4. 100 ff. 39. vastv.G.

41. #"A» (F.) Qq 'Which' Cf. Franz, §335.45. /<W the Styx.46. /><^/J Cf. Jen. vi. 298-9; Inferno iii. 109-105

Mirror, 'The Induction'. Cf. Introd. p. xxviii.49. father-in-law v. G.50. /«7«ry Cf. 3 H. FI, 5.1.103 ff.53. A shadow Ed., Prince of Wales.58. methought (F) Q 1-6 'me thoughts'. Cf.

11. 9, 24.66. .£>#«•, J T ^ r (F.) Q. 'Brokenbury'.68. requits (F.) £>q.+all edd. 'requites'. See G.69-72. O God... children (F.) Qq omit.75. S.D. (J.) F.; Al. 'Enter Brakenbury the

Lieutenant.' Cf. Note on Copy, p. 149.76-83. Sorrow.. .fame Very different verse from

the preceding; but on Sh.'s favourite theme of thecares that wait upon a crown.

80. for unfelt imaginations i.e. instead of thepleasures, etc., which the world imagines they enjoybut which they never feel.

83. S.D. (F.) Edd. add lthe\85-7. how cam'st.. .legs Prov. Cf. Tilley, L191.87. / would speak etc. (As Mal.+edd.) F. assigns

to *z Mur.' Q to 'Exec' (= 1 Mur.) Clearly belongs tothe man who spoke 1. 84.

90. 'Tis better, etc. (Qi) F. gives to ' l \91. S.D. F. 'Reads'.96. There lies etc. As the body is to be dragged off

later the use of the inner stage is not required.and there He deposits the keys, e.g. on a table, to

i.4. N O T E S 187

avoid personal contact with the men. Cf. Mirror(p. 363 'Richard', 1. 85) 'the Keyes he rendered, butpartaker would not be | Of that flatigious facte'; andT.T. 11.1204-5. 'A [=ah] here with teares I deliueryou the Keyes, and so far well maister Terrell.'

100. fare. F. 'Far' (Not in Q). A Sh. spelling.S.D. F. 'Exit'. 101. / (Q 1) F . (<£ 6) 'we'.

109. remorse v .G. 119. passionate v .G.122. Faith, some (Qq+Al.) F. 'Some' Cf. p. 155.126. Zounds (Qq+Al.) F. 'Come' Cf. p. 159.134. with it After this Q 1 prints 'it is a dangerous

thing'—which some may feel is required as a generalproposition, what follows being particular examples.

138. shamefaced v .G.143. live well enjoy life. Cf. 'good life', Tw. Nt.

2. 3. 38.145. }Tis (F.) Qq 'Zounds it is' AI. 'Zounds, 'tis'.147. Take the devil i.e. Arrest your devil of a

conscience (where he lurks).155. throw.. .into (F.) Qq+edd. 'chop.. .in'.160. Q 3 gives S.D. 'Cla. awaketh'. Cf. p. 143.164, 168. F. assigns to ' 1 ' ; Q 1 to ' 2 ' .166. Nor...loyal (Q 1) F . ( < £ 6 ) assigns to V

[Murderer].172. To, to, to—(F.) Qq assigns to'Am.'[=both].

Ditto in 11. 234, 240.183. drawn...men Cf. Nobody &f Somebody

(before 1606) 'Art thou call'd forth amongst a thousandmen' [Steev.j. The commas are G.M.'s.

184. quest.. .verdict Cf. Mirror, 'Clarence*,11.3 51—2, 'And covertly within the tower they called JA quest to geve such verdite as they should'.

186-7. death?.. Jaw, (F 2+edd.) F., £q 'death,. . .law?'

189-192. as you.. .sins (Qq) F. 'as you hope forany goodnefle' Cf. Note on Copy, p. 158.

188 NOTES 1.4.

193 £F. What etc. Note the change from prose toverse and the elevation of the tone both socially andmorally.

195. Erroneous v. G.196. tables (Q) F. 'table'. Cf. Exod. xxxii. 15.

The sing, in Meas. I. 2. 9 accords with its context.199-200. for he holds.. .law Cf. Deut. xxxii. 35.207. Unrip'st (F.) Past tense.210. deary. G.216. you, yet F. 'you yet,*. Cf. G. 'yet*.221. gallant-springing Cf. 3 H. VI, 2. 6. 50;

Spenser, Shep. Cal., Feb. 1. 52, 'That wouldest myspringing youngth to spiP. [Mai.]

222. novice i.e. newly made Knight; cf. 5 H. VI,2.2. 58-65.

228. hired, for meed go (Becket; A.W.) F.Qq+edd.'hyred for meed, go'.

237. And charged.. .other (Qq) F. om.239. think of(Q 1) F.(<£> 6) 'think on*.242. As snow etc. (Pope; A.W.) F. Qq 'Right, as

snow'. See p. 155. Cf. Prov. xxvi. 1, 'As snow insummer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemlyfor a fool', and Tilley S590 (which does not citeProv. xxvi. 1). 1 Murd. quibbles on 'kind'=natural[Wright].

244.-6. / / cannot...delivery Cf. the differentversion at I. 1. 107if. One of Sh.'s 'episodic intensi-fications' (Schikking, pp. H3ff.). Cf. Macb. 1. 7.54, n.

labour my delivery Found in Kyd, Sp. Trag., 3. 7.33; cf. Marlowe, Jew, 3. 3. 60 'labour thy admission'[A.H.T.]

247, 249. As F.; Qq assign 1. 247 to '2 ' , 1. 249 toV .

254-5. they that...deed Cf. R. II, 5. 6. 39-40;Tilley, K64.

1.4. NOTES 189

256-67. What shall...pities not? (J.C.M.) F.text and arrangement, except for 11. 260-1 where F.reads

Would not intreat for life, as you would beggeWere you in my distresse—

and J.C.M. emends as I print. This makes sense,restores the metre; and, by preserving the F. order, notonly avoids a transition from 'you' to 'thou' in thesame speech, but shows Clar., repelled by the savageryof 1 Murd., turning in last appeal to the more humane2 Murd., who in 1. 268 seems actually attempting tosave him. Collier came near this solution but his conj.'so pity me' after 'distress' (1. 261) does not convince,whereas J.C.M.'s 'Even so I beg' (1. 260) seems to meright in wording and position, while it is easy to imaginethe eye of the F. collator passing from one clauseending in 'beg' to another.

What the latter had to work upon in Q 6 was:

2. What fhall we doe?Cla. Relent, and faue your foules.1. Relent, tis cowardly, and womanifh.Cla. Not to relent, is beaftly, fauage diuelifh.My friend I fpie fome pittie in your lookesj

Oh if thy eye be not a flatterer,Come thou on my fide, and intreat for me,A begging Prince, what begger pitties not?

Adopting J.'s suggestion that the lines (257—60)omitted in Qq were misplaced in F., Tyrwhitt (1766)and most later edd. read as follows:

Sec. Murd. What shall we do?Clar. Relent, and save your souls.First Murd. Relent! 'tis cowardly and womanish.Clar. Not to relent is beastly, savage, devilish.

Which of you, if you were a prince's son,Being pent from liberty, as I am now,

N O T E S 1.4.

If two such murderers as yourselves came to you,Would not entreat for life?My friend, I spy some pity in thy looks;O, if thine eye be not a flatterer,Come thou on my side, and entreat for me,As you would beg, were you in my distressA begging prince what beggar pities not?

262. 'tis (£)+edd.) F. 'no: 'TV. The 'no' (acceptedin 1954) is clearly compositorial.

Relent! 'tis (Q2+J.C.M.) F. 'Relent, no! 'tis'.269. S.D. (F.)270. S.D. (J.D.W.) F. 'Exit'.271. A...dispatched Cf. T.T. 11. 1319-20. 'Tir.

How now Myles Foreft, is this deed defpatcht? For.I fir, a bloodie deed we haue performed' [Churchill].

272. like Pilate Cf. Matt, xxvii. 24.273. S.D. F. 'Enter 1 Murtherer'.274-5. How now — been Verse in Q; prose in F.275. By heavens (Q) F. (<£> 6) 'By Heauen'.278. S.D. F.'Exit'.283. this i.e. murder. Cf. Tilley, M1315 S.D.

.F. 'Exit'.2. 1

Material. The scene opens as it were towards the end ofthe meeting at Ed. IV's deathbed, described in Hoi. (713-14<More, 8-12), to which the King summons the two courtfactions, 'especially the Marquess of Dorset, the Queen'sson, and Lord Hastings', in the hope of reconciling them.Whereupon, 'the lords recomforting him with as goodwords as they could, and answering for the time as theythought to stand with his pleasure, there in his presence, asby their words appeared, ech forgaue other, and ioinedtheir hands togither; when (as it after appeared by theirdeeds) their hearts were farre asunder'. But the king'sreception of the news of Clar.'s death (11. 86 ff.) is based onan earlier passage in Hoi. (703/KHall 326) which relatesthat though 'consenting to his death, yet he much didboth lament.. .& repent his sudden execution: insomuch

2.1. N O T E S 19*

that, when anie person sued to him for the pardon of male-factors condemned to death, he would accustomablie saie& openlie speake: "Oh infortunate brother, for whose lifenot one would make sute"'. Hoi. dates this 1477 and Ed.'sdeath 1483. Note Rio not present at the deathbed in Hoi.,though he is in T.T. Cf. SA. i^art. p. 300.

S.D. Loc. Camb. (after Cap.) Entry (after Cap.)F. includes' Wooduill' with Rivers though, they are thesame person (cf. Note on Copy, p. 153), and Catesby,who does not speak.

5. more at peace (Cap.+edd.) F. 'more to peace'Q 'now in peace'—'At peace.. .to heaven' balances'at peace on earth' in 1. 6. The F. comp. prob.anticipates the second 'to' in 1. 5.

7. Hastings and Rivers (Rowe +A1.) F. 'Dorfet andRiuers' Qq 'Riuers and Haftings'. For the slip'Dorset' v. Note on Copy, p. 153. The prefix in 11.11,16, etc. is correctly given as 'Haft.'

8. Dissemble v. G.11. So thrive I, as I Again at 4. 4. 236, 399;

cf. 2. 1. 16, 24; 2. 4. 71-2; 1 H. VI, 3. 1. 174;2 H. VI, 5. 2.17. Elsewhere in Sh. only at Oth. 3.4.126-8 I think.

28. S.D. (Cap.)29. princely Cf. 1. 3. 280, n.32. S.D. (Rowe).32-5. Whenever...love, Cf. 5. I. I2*F. For the

syntax, v. Introd. p. xxxv.39. God(Qq; edd.) F. 'heaven'. Cf. Note on Copy,

p. 158.40. S.D. F. 'Embrace'.45-6. Jndin...duke(F.) Q 'And in good time here

comes the noble Duke'. It is difficult to believe that Qdoes not here give the orig. text and that Ratcliffe wasnot thrust into the F. as an afterthought (? a prompter'sjotting) in order to give Ric. an attendant. Patrick (p. 26)

*9* NOTES a.x.

argues that he was cut out of Q to save a part. S.D. F.•Enter Ratcliffe, and Glofter'. Q 'Enter Gloceft.'

47-8. Good...day! So friendly!56. unwittingly (Q) F. 'Vnwillingly'. After this

Qq F. (+edd.) have 'or in my rage', which Pope omitsand Miss Walker conj. (I think rightly) an actor's ad-dition, echoing 'in thy rage' (1. 2. 187). Our humbleChristian Glouc. would never admit to flying intoa rage.

58. By any (Qq) F.( +A1.) 'To any' Perhaps 'To 'caught from 1. 59.

66. Lord Dorset (J.C.M.) F < Q 6 ' Lord Dorset'(J.C.M.), the 'of caught from 1. 67. If 'Lord' wascarelessly written 'L. ' it might resemble the Q 6 'of.

67. Of you.. .of you. Cf. Note on Copy, p. 153.Both titles of Rivers. Furness traces the error to ahurried reading of Hall (347<Harding, 475): 'Thegouernaunce of this younge Prince was committed toolord Antony Wooduile erle Ryuers and lord Scales',which suggests three separate persons. Note Hoi.omits 'lord Scales' in transcribing. F. prints this 1.after 1. 68; transposition conj. by Miss Walker (p. 32).

68. without desert without my deserving it. Cf.Gent. 2. 4. 57; Err. 3. 1. 112.

73. humility v. G.80. S.D. (F.)82. Who knows For prefix v. Note on Copy, p. 147.93. Nearer...blood Cf. Macb. 2. 3. 140-1 and

Tilley, K38 'The nearer in kin the less in kindness'.but not (Q 1) F. 'and not' (cf. 'and', 1. 92) Al. 'an

not'.95. S.D. F.'Enter Earle of Derby'.99. requests Cf. Franz, §152.100. The forfeit... life i.e. the forfeited life of my

servant;105-6. My brother... death Cf. Meas. 5.1.444-50.

2.i. NOTES 193

105. was thought i.e. "never passed into action"(G.M.).

108. at (Q 1) F. 'and'.113. When... down This incident is invented. Cf.

3 H. VI, 5. 4; 5. 5.118. thirty. G.124. the image etc. Cf. Gen. i. 27, and below,

4 . 4 . 5 1 .126. S.D. (after Furnivall).129. The proudest of you all A Greene cliche*.134. S.D. (J.D.W.) F. 'Exeunt fome with K. &

Queen.'Come, Hastings,...closet The duty of a Lord

Chamberlain.141. S.D. F. 'exeunt'.

2. 2

Material, (i) Both Clar.'s infant children (cf. 4. 2. 51-2,53, nn.), Edward and Margaret, were beheaded whengrown up, and thus 'died the verie surname of Plantagenet'(Hoi. 703). (ii) See Mat. 2. 1. ad fin. for the death of Ed.and Clar. (iii) Buck.'s advice (11. 120-7) is based on Hoi.714 (<More, 14), who relates that Ric. persuades the Qu.to the same effect. T.T. also gives the initiative to Buck.

S.D. Loc. No change needed. Edd. shift the sceneto 'the palace'. Entry (F.).

1. Good grandam etc. F. prefixes this 'Edw.*(v. Mat.) but his later speeches 'Boy'.

3. do you (Qq) F. 'you'.3, 5. Q gives the first of these speeches to 'Boy', the

second to 'Gerl.'5-7. Why... alive? For the syntax, v. In trod,

p. xxxvi and Abbott, § 371.18. Incapable v. G.27-8. shape.. .vizor. ..vice See G. for the word

play.

194 N O T E S 2.2.

30. Tetfrom.. .deceit Cf. Tit. 2. 3.145; Rom. 1. 3.68; Tilley, E198, 'To suck evil from the dug'.

33. S.D. (F.) 'her hair...ears' = the conventionaldishevelment of bereavement, cf. Constance (K.J.3. 4) and Ophelia {Ham. 4. 5).

38-9. scene.. .act Note the playhouse metaphors.39. mark (J.C.M. conj.) Qq. F. 'make'—which

A.H.T. glosses 'make up, complete', citing Cymb.I. 4. 9, not a close parallel.

47-8. interest.. .title Note the legal metaphors.47. / (Q 1) F. om.50-1. images.. .mirrors Both words=likenesses,

i.e. children. Cf. Son. 3. 9. 'thou art thy mother'sglass'; Lucr. 1758-64.

61. overgo v. G., and 3 H. VI, 2. 5. 123.67. to bring forth=in giving birth to.68-70. All springs.. .world! For such hyperbole,

v. Tit., Introd. p. lii. reduce Imperative, v. G.69. governed.. .moon Like the ocean.77-9. Was never etc. A Spenserism (F.Q. 1. ii. 23,

II. 4-5, etc.), affected by Greene (e.g. Jas. IF, 11. 390-I, 603). dear v. G.

81. Their.. .general Each has her own particularwoes, I have the woes of all.

83. weep (£) i+edd.) F. 'weepes'.84-5. and so.. .Edward weep F. omits. Cf. Note

on Copy, p. 146.86-7. distressed Pour (edd.) F. Miftreft: | Power'

< Q 6 ( < Q 1) 'diftreft, | Powre'.94. opposite with heaven Cf. Ham. I . 2. 92-101.100. plant...throne Cf. R. II, 5. 1. 63-5. S.D.

CF.).101. Sister He fulfils the promise of I . I . 109

[Wright].105. S.D. (J.D.W.). Cf. Cor. 2. 1. 168, n.109. S.D. Hanmer+most mod. edd. mark the aside

a.3. NOTES 19S

before 'Amen*. Al. puts it after, for surely the 'Amen'is uttered solemnly aloud.

117. rancour 'Harvest ' (1. 116) suggested 'rank-ness', which suggested rancour or festering in turn[J.CJM.]. O.E.D. cites Camden, Remains, 1605,p. 207: 'Through the rancor of the poyson, the woundwas iudged incurable.' Cf. 1. 125, K. John, 5. 2. 14.T h e image is that of an ulcerated wound swollen withthe poison of hatred to bursting point, and recentlydressed.

hearts (£>) F . 'hates' The Q is supported by 1 H. FI,3. 1. 26 'envious malice of thy swelling heart' andTitus, 5. 3. 13. T h e F . 'hates' may be 'a compositor'serror' (A.W.).

121. Ludlow in Shropshire, whither the Prince ofWales had been sent by Ed. IV to exercise authorityover his Principality. Cf. Hoi. 714/1; More, 12.

124-40. Marry. . . And so say I Qq omit. Closelyrelated to T.T., 11. 492-503 [Churchill, p . 505].Cf. Patrick, p . 20, Greg. p . 81, n., Sk. Quart.pp. 301-2.

127. the estate i.e. the Yorkist regime, greenCf. More, 87, "that grene world". But the extra-metrical 'green and' looks like an actor's anticipationof 'green ' in 1. 135.

128. tears...rein controls its own guiding-rein.Cf. Lear, 3. 1. 27.

132. / hope="I take it we are all agreed that.Cf.2.4. $"(J.C.M.).

142. Ludloto (gq) F. 'London'. Cf. 1. 154;3. 2. 82, and Note on Copy, p. 153. As the name iscorrect in 1. 121, the error may be due to ' L ' writtenfor 'Ludlow' in the manuscript.

145. With all our hearts (Q) F . (+A1.) omits.Q.'s prefix is^»/.—poss. a misprint ioxAmb. [Marshall].Cf. Note on Copy, p. 146.

196 NOTES 2.2.

S.D.F.'Exeunt, j Manet Buckingham, and Richard'.147. For God sake (F.; Al.) Q 'For Gods fake'.151. consistory v. G .154. Ludlow (Qq) F. 'London'. Cf. 1. 142, n.

S.D. F. 'Exeunt'.

2.3.Material. Hoi. 721/2 (<More, 43) speaking of Ric.'s

secret plan of the two councils, goes on 'Yet began there. . .some maner of muttering among the people as though allshould not long be well, though they neither wist what theyfeared, nor wherefore: were it, that before such great thingsmetis hearts of a secret instinct of nature misgive them; as thesea without wind siuelleth of himselfe sometime beforea tempest'. Stone (353) notes that the italicized words areechoed in 11. 38-44 below but do not occur in Hall.

S.D. Loc. (edd.) Entry. (Cap.) F. 'Enter oneCitizen at one doore, and another at the other'.

3. Hear. .. abroad? Q gives this to ' 1', after whichit differs from F. in its assignments for most of the sc.

4. Seldom.. .better Prov. cf. Tilley, B332.11. Woe. . . child Cf. Ecclesiastes x. 16, cited from

the Vulgate in 'The duke of Buckingham's oration'advocating Ric.'s claims (Hoi. 730/1; More, 71). Cf.Tilley, W600.

12-15. In him...govern well J. supposed a linelost after 1. 12; Mai. one lost after 1. 13, but the passageis prob. one of those syntactical tangles to which Sh.'searly style was prone. Cf. Introd. p. xxxvi. Boswellparaphrases: 'We may hope well of his governmentunder all circumstances: we may hope this of hiscouncil while he is in his nonage, and of himself in hisriper years' [Mai. xix. 87]. Cf. Woodstock, 1. 1. 152(ed. Rossiter) 'they guide the nonage King'.

16. Henry Trisyllabic. Cf. 4. 2. 92.17. in Paris.. .old H. VI ascended the throne in

1422 at nine months old, as stated at 2 H. VI, 4. 9. 4

a. 3. NOTES 197

and 3 H. VI, 1. 1. 112, but was not 'crowned at Paris'until 1431 (cf. 1 H. VI, 4. 1. note on Mat.)

21. virtuous uncles Bedford and Gloucester. Cf.1 H. VI.

31. we fear.. .well Cf. Tilley, W912, 'It is goodto fear the worst'.

32-5. When clouds.. .dearth None of these fourseeming proverbs occurs in Tilley. For the first, cf.'Son. 34. 1-4. 35. makes (F.) Q ( + edd.) 'make'.

38-44. Truly.. .storm Cf. Mat. above.43. Ensuing ( Q i ; F. catchword on p. 184) F.

(1. 1 of p. 185) 'Pursuing'.46. sent.. .justices To give evidence, I suppose, or

serve on the jury in the court of the local J.P.S, or of thejustices of assize.

47. S.D. F. 'Exeunt'.

2.4.Material. The main points of Hol.'s (715-16 < More,

15-20) account of the events in this scene are (i) Ric. andBuck, meet Rivers, in general charge of Ed. V, at North-ampton, spend a friendly evening with him but arrest himnext morning, (ii) They then proceed to Stony Stratford,a stage nearer London, •where Ed. V was sleeping, bringhim back to Northampton, give him a fresh retinue, arrestGrey and Vaughan, and dispatch them with Rivers to beexecuted at Pomfret. (iii) News of these arrests reaches theQu. at Westminster the following night, whereupon shebetakes herself 'with hir yoonger sonne and hir daughters. . . in to the sanctuarie, lodging. . . in the abbats place',(iv) The archb. of York (Chancellor of England), havingreceived the same night at Westminster similar news fromHastings, with the assurance that 'all shall be well', visitedthe Qu., pointed out that if any evil happened to the king,the young Duke of York must immediately be crowned inhis stead, and left with her the Great Seal, the specificemblem and instrument of sovereignty, as an assurance.

198 NOTES 2.4.

S.D. hoc. (edd.) Entry (edd.) F. 'Enter Arch-bifhop, young Yorke, the Queene, and the DutchefTe.'Q 'Enter Cardinall, Dutches of Yorke, Qu., yongYorke.' Q combines two archbishops in one, asperhaps did Sh.; cf. 3. 1. Mat. That the entries includethree 'Yorks' (arch., prince, and duch.) is prob. theorigin of the incorrect assignments by F. at 11. 21 and36. Cf. p. 148.

1-2. Stony Stratford.. .Northampton (F.) Q re-verses the names to accord with dramatic and topo-graphical consistency, since S.S. is 14 miles nearerLondon than N.; and most edd. have followed. But F.,as the metre shows, gives us what Sh. wrote, while itagrees with the hist, order of events (v. Mat. 2. 4.).

9. good(F.) Qq'young'. 'Good'is awkward with'good' later in the line; on the other hand the Q'young' may be an echo of 'young' in 1. 26. cousinv. G.

13. /// weeds.. .apace Cf. Tilley, W238, 'An illweed grows apace'.

///(J.C.M. conj.) F. Q (+edd.) 'great'—'a reporter'santithesis to "small". The rhetorical pattern is chiastic'(J.C.M.).

21. And...madam Prefixed 'Car.' (Q 1), 'Yor.'(F.). See Note on Copy, p. 148.

28. gnaw. . .old Cf. 1. 1. Mat.36. Good child For prefix v. Note on Copy,

p. 148.37. Pitchers Cf. Tilley, C363, 'Little pitchers

have wide ears'. She seems to imply that the boy hadoverheard the remark from herself [G.M.]. Cf. 3. 1.151-3. S.D.(F.).

42. Pomfret The mod. 'Pontefract'.45. For what offence? F. and Qq assign to 'Arch'

('Car.') and the question comes naturally from a LordChancellor.

2.4. NOTES 199

51 . jet (Qq) F . ' I u t t ' . T w o forms of the sameword (v. O.E.D. 'jut* v. 2 ) ; ' je t ' being that found(4 times) elsewhere in Sh., but ' j u t ' in this sense not.

63. Preposterous (Taylor ap. Camb.; J.D.W.)F. Cjq (+edd.) 'O prepoftorous'. Cf. Note on Copy,p. 155.

self to se/f (J.CM.<a. suggestion by A.W.) F. Qq(+edd.) 'felfeagainft felfe'. The change regularizes themetre; and 'againft' looks like reporting, since Q alsoreads 'bloud againft bloud' whereas the F. prepositionis ' to ' .

65. death (Qq+edd.) F. 'earth'. Cf. Son. 146,14,'And Death once dead, there's no more dying then'[Cap.]. Seep. 153.

66. sanctuary i.e. the whole cathedral precincts.Cf. Stanley, Westminster Abbey (1868), pp. 360-9.

69. thither. . .goods The Arch, found the Qu.troubled with 'much heavinesse, rumble, hast, andbusinesse, cariage, and conueiance of hir stuffe intosanctuarie' (Hoi. 716/1).

73. S.D. F. 'Exeunt'.

Material. From Hoi. (716/2-72I/I<More, 22-41,together with the compact between Ric. and Buck., whichcomes from More's Latin version and is omitted by Hall).In Hoi. (1) the Mayor meets Ed. V at Hornsey, Ric. andthe Council only when he reaches the city; (2) Hastingsplays no part in these events; (3) most of the narrative istaken up with a long satirical disquisition by Buck, onSanctuaries (cf. 11. 44-56 below), and by a still longercolloquy between the Qu. and the Card, which Sh. does notutilize. N.B. By a slip, which Hoi. repeats, More twicedescribes the Cardinal as arch, of York, instead of Canter-bury. As Hall corrects this and Sh. speaks of Arch, ofYork in 2. 4 and Cardinal in 3. 1. it might be thought hehas consulted Hall. But Daniel (p. 328, n.) and Stone

N O T E S 3.1.

(p. 357, n.) doubt whether Sh. had 'more than onepersonage' in mind. Certainly the two prelates are oneboth in T.T. and in Q 1.

S.D. Loc. (edd.) Entry (after F.) Edd. add'Catesby' who appears in F. at 1. 150 S.D. andtranslate 'Lord Cardinall' as 'Cardinal Bourchier'though that name is not in Sh. (cf. Mat.).

1—164. Printed from Q3. See Note on Copy, p. 140.1. London .. >. chamber Cf. marginal heading 'Lon-

don the kings especiall chamber' in Hoi. 729/2.6—16. / want . . . none Reflects a conversation in

Hoi. (715/2) at Stony Stratford in which Ed. V, whentold that his uncle Rivers and his half-brothers Greyand Dorset had plotted treason, replies: 'What mybrother Marquesse [Dorset] hath doone I cannot saie,but in good faith I dare well answer for mine VncleRiuers and my brother here [Grey] that they beinnocent.' 'Yea, my liege (quoth the duke of Bucking-ham) they haue kept their dealing in these matters farrefro the knowledge of your good Grace.' The languagein T.T. is here even closer to that of Sh.

9-11. Nor more.. .heart Cf. I Sam. xvi. 7 'For manlooketh on the outward appearance but the Lordlooketh on the heart' [Noble].

9. Nor (Q 1-6, +edd.) F. 'No'—which seems togive better sense. Cf. Note on the Copy, p. 144.

29. have (Q 1, F.) Q 3 omits.31-6. Fie.. .perforce Cf. Ric.'s words in Hoi.

(717/1< More, 2 5; Hall, 352) sending the Card, to theQu.

And if she be percase so obstinate.. .that neither his wiseand faithfull aduertisement can not moue hir nor anie mansreason content hir: then shall w e . . .fetch him out of thatprison.. .that all the world shall. . .perceiue that it wasonelie malice, frowardnesses, or follie that caused hir tokeepe him there.

3.i. NOTES 201

39. Expect (Steev. conj.) F. Qq (+edd.) 'Anonexpect'—reporter's supplement [J.C.M.].

39—42. tut if. . .sanctuary! Though consenting togo, the Card, protested that if she refused

God forbid that anie man should, for anie thing earthlie,enterprise to breake the immunitie & libertie of the sacredsanctuarie [Hoi. 717/2].

40. in heaven (Q 1) F. (<Q 3) omit.43. ^ ( 2 ) F . ( < Q 3 ) ' g r e a t \44-56. You are.. .tillnow Based on Buck.'s reply

to the Card., in which he declared sanctuaries shouldonly be used in reasonwhich is not fullie so farre foorth as may serue to let vs ofthe fetching foorth of this noble man [the young duke]. . .in which he neither is nor can be a sanctuarie man... .Andverelye, I haue often heard of sanctuarie men, but I neuerheard earst of sanctuarie children.. . .He can be nosanctuarie man, that neither hath wisdome to desire it, normalice to deserue it. . . .And he that taketh one out ofsanctuarie to do him good, I saie plainlie, that he breakethno sanctuarie (Hoi. 717/2-718/2).

44. senseless-obstinate Theob. supplies hyphen.46. Weigh.. .this age Meaning debated. G.M.

paraphrases (as virtually does A.H.T.), 'Look at thequestion broadly, as people do nowadays'. Sh. has inmind the contrast between weighing things in thegross, and weighing them by 'scruple' like anapothecary (cf. G. 'ceremonious', 'grossness').

with = against. Cf. Meas. 2. 2. 127 (J.C.M.).52. Therefore (F 2) F. Qq (+edd.) 'And therefore'

—reporter's supplement [J.C.M.].56. ne'er (F.) Qq. 'neuer'. Cf. Note on Copy,

p. 155.57. o'er-rule (F.) Qq 'ouerrule'. Cf. Note on Copy,

p. 155.60. S.D. F. 'Exit Cardinall and Haftings'—at 1. 59.

R. Ill 15

2oa N O T E S 3.1.

63. seems (Q 1) F. ( < Q 3) 'thinkft'.68. I do.. .place i.e. I like the T . least of all places.

For this ' o f cf. 2 H. VI, 1. 3. 162; Mad. 5. 8. 4.69. Julius... build Cf. R. II, 5. 1. 2, n.; M.L.N.,

kiii. 228-33; P.M.L.J. lxiv. 916, 927, n. 82.70. He did etc. Al. (<Steev.) assigns to'G/0.' But

'my lord' (1. 69) is Buck.; Glou. is 'uncle' to the P.elsewhere [J.C.M.].

78. all-ending (Q 1) F. (<Q 3) 'ending'.79. So wise.. .long Cf. Tilley, L384, 'Too soon

wise to live long' and Greene, x. 238. ne'er (Pope;Ridley) F. Qq (+edd.) 'neuer'. Cf. Note on Copy,p. 155.

81. without characters i.e. even without the help ofwritten records.

82. S.D. (F 2) the formal Vice i.e. the stock Vice(v. G.) in morality plays.

83. / moralize... word ' I imply a double meaningin one phrase' (A.H.T.). The phrase is 'live long',which the young K. had overheard. But there isdramatic irony in Ric.'s 'moralizing', since the fameof these boys, whom he intends to leave unrecordedin history, would never die.

85. With what.. .wit i.e. 'What . . .wit with'.87. this (Q 1) F < £ 3 'his'.88. lives in fame... in life Cf. Tit. In trod,

pp. xxix, xlvii, 1. 1. 158, n.94. S.D. (J.) Short.. .spring Cf. 1. 155, n.; Tilley,

F774 'sharp frosts bite forward springs'. S.D. F.'Enter young Yorke, Haftings, and Cardinall'.

96. loving (Q 1) F . < Q 3 'noble'.97. dread (Qi) F . < g 3 'deare'.i n . My dagger.. .heart A double meaning here.113-14. give't, Being (Lettsom conj.; J.C.M.)

F. Qq 'giue, And being'.118-19. light.. .weightier trivial.. .morevaluable.

3.i. NOTES 203

118. you'll (Pope; Craig) F. £>q 'you will*. Cf.p. 155.

120. heavy (Q 1) F .<Q 3 'waightie'.121. I'd weigh (Hanmer; J.D.W.) F. £>q ' I

weigh' He means ' I shouldn't think much of it, evenif . . . ' A.W. (<Lettsom) conj. 'I 'd wear' (which"picks up Glouc's last word and extends the range ofthe quibble". A.W.).

123. as (Q 1) F.<£> 3 'as as'.126-7. still...tear with him Noble cites Luke

xiv. 27.131. He thinks.. .shoulders A gibe at Ric.'s hunch-

back, alluding apparently to a saddle which an 'ape-bearer' {Wint. 4. 3. 92) wore upon his shoulders. Cf.Plaine Percevall (c. 1590) 'You [are] . . . thinkingbelike to ride vpon my crup shoulders ( = hunchback):I am no Ape Carrier' (ed. Petheram, i860, p. 20).Steev. cites Ulpian Fulwell, The First part of the eightliberale science, 1576, 'thou hast an excellent back tocarry my lord's ape', and Mason 3 H. VI, 3.3.157-8.

132. sharp-provided keen and pregnant. Theob.'shyphen.

136. will't (Pope) F. Qq 'wilt'.141. needs (Q 1) F.(<£) 3) omits.148. fear i.e. fear for them.149. soQ. C. M. i960). F < Q 3 'and'. The 1954

conj. 'we'for 'I ' in 1.150 is withdrawn. S.D. (J.D.W.)F. 'A Senet. Exeunt Prince, Yorke, Haftings andDorfet. Manet Richard, Buckingham, and Catesby'.N.B. 'Senet' and 'and Catesby' added to Q 3 in F.(v. Note on Copy, p. 143). For 'Sennet' v. G., andfor 'Dorset' and 'Catesby' v. S.D. Entry at head ofscene.

152. Incensid. v. G.154. parlous (Mai., Camb., etc.) F. Qq 'perilous'.

Cf. Note on Copy, p. 155.

204 NOTES 3.1.

155. forward cf. 1. 94.157-8. Well'.. .intend (Pope; J.C.M.) F. £>q

(+most edd.) read:Well, let them reft: Come hither Catesby,Thou art fworne as deepely to effect what we intend.

The reporter added 'hither' and so upset the metre.157. let them rest let them be; i.e. they're safe!Catesby. Hoi. (722/1<More, 44) writes that

Catesby 'was a man well learned in the lawes of thisland' who owed everything to Hastings and was veryintimate with him, so that he trusted him implicitly.Cf. 3. 2. 22-4.

160. know'st(F.) Qq'knoweft'.161. think'st (F.) Qq 'thinkeft'. Cf. Note on

Copy, p. 155.162. Lord William Hastings (Pope) F. ( < Q 3)

+edd. 'William Lord Haftings'. The order of thereported text was that in formal use and occurs at3. 4. 27, but is here ruinous to the metre, as it is in Qat 1. 192 below. Cf. Note on the Copy, p. 155, foot.

164. in the seat royal Hall (375<Hardyng, 516),but not Hoi., writes that Ric. 'sate in the seate roial'after being proclaimed king [Wright]. But cf. 'regalseat' in 3 H. VI (v. 1. 1. 26, n.).

165. He for etc. From here down to 5. 3. 47 F.becomes again the substantive text.

167. think'st (F.) Qq 'thinkest'.170. as it were far off, sound etc. Cf. Hoi. 722/1:

he mooued Catesbie to prooue with some words cast outa farre off, whether he could thinke it possible to win thelord Hastings vnto their part [Stone, 362].

176. icy-cold Camb. (<Ingleby conj.) supplies thehyphen; Al. (<F.) omits it.

179. divided councils Ric.'s object here is not madeas clear as it is in Hoi. (v. 3. 4 Mat.) where we are told

3. i. N O T E S 205

the councils were held one at the Tower and the other'at Crosbies'. Hall (358) writes 'Baynardes Castle' for'the Tower', but corrects the error on p. 359.

182-3. knot. . Jet blood v. G. for quibbles.185. Give.. .kiss Cf. 1. 1. 72-7, n. and 3. 5. 31.190. Crosby House (F.) gq 'Crosby place'. Cf.

I. 2. 212, n.S.D. F. 'Exit Catesby'.191. My lord (Pope; A.W.) F. £>q 'Now, my

Lord'. Actor's connective. Cf. A.W. First F. Prob.p. 27.

192. Lord Eastings (F.) Q 'William Lo: Haftings'.193. something etc. He has not yet invented an

excuse. Thus Sh. prepares us for the flagrantly trumped-up charge in More, which he uses in 3. 4.

194-6. look when I am king.. .possessed Hoi .(721/2 < More, 42-3) writes that 'it was agreed' Ric.should have Buck.'s aid 'to make him king', and inreturn Buck, should have 'quiet possession of theearldome of Hereford, which he claimed as hisinheritance.. . . Besides these requests.. . the protector,of his own mind, promised him a great quantitie of thekings treasure, and of his houshold stuffe'. Not in Hall.

look when=as soon as (v. G.).200. digest v. G. for quibble. S.D. F. 'Exeunt*.

3.2.Material. The 'facts' of this sc. are all taken from Hoi.

(721/2-723/2 < More, 48-51), but rearranged and set indifferent circumstances. E.g. (i) Stanley's distrust of thetwo councils and the dream of the Boar are not thereconnected; (ii) Hoi. (More) doubts whether Catesbyactually sounded Hastings, but tells us that he reported toRic. and Buck, he had done so, together with Hastings'reply; (iii) Hastings' encounters on the way to the Towerare made much more of by More than by Sh., who ignores

2o6 NOTES 3.2.

the fact that the Pursuivant was also called Hastings andavails himself little of the ominous character of theincidents, which More underlines, and Hoi. made 'Fore-tokens of imminent misfortune'.

S.D. Loc.1 Before... house' (Theob.) Entry (F.)1. S.D. (after Cap.).2. S.D. (Theob.).5. S.D. (J.D.W.) F. 'Enter Lord Haftings'.10. certifies v. G. Found in Sh. again only in

1 H. VI (twice) and Merch. 2. 8. 10.11. raz/d.. .helm Cf. Hoi. (723/1 <More, 48):

so fearfull a dreame; in which him thought that a boarewith his tuskes so rased them both by the heads, that thebloud ran about both their shoulders

N.B. 'razed' here=lacerated; in Sh.=plucked (off).For 'boar' v. 1.3. 228, n.

13-14. And that... th'other Cf. Hoi. (722/1<More, 44; Hall, 359): 'For while we (quoth he)talke of one matter in the tone place, little wot wewherof they talke in the other place'.

16-18. take horse divines In Hoi. (723/1<More, 48) after the dream of the Boar, Stanley 'hadhis horsse readie, if the Lord Hastings would go withhim, to ride yet so farre the same night, that they shouldbe out of danger yer [=ere] daie'.

20-4. Bid.. .intelligence This follows Hoi. 723/1closely again.

20. councils (gq+edd.) F. 'Councell'.22. my good friend (F.) Qq 'my feruant'—a

significant difference.26-30. And for his dreams.. .chase He is even

more contemptuous in Hoi.28. pursues (Al.) F. 'purfues,'.34. S.D. F. 'Exit. I Enter Catesby*.

3.2. N O T E S 207

40. garland The word is More's (68,1. 32; v. Hoi.729/1).

41. F. punct.43-4. I'll have... Before Til see etc. Cf. 2 H. FI,

I. 1. 124-5; 3 H- yj> T- I - 244—5-60-8. ere a fortnight.. .Buckingham There seems

nothing in the sources to suggest these vague threats.70. S.D. (Rowe) upon the Bridge the heads of

traitors stuck upon poles, were exposed above the northentrance of L. Bridge. There is no evidence that thehead of Hastings was placed there.

71. S.D. (F.).77. I hold.. .yours (J.D.W.) F. (+A1.) 'My Lord,

I hold my Life as deare as yours' Qq 'My Lo: I houldmy life as deare as you doe yours'. The Q 'you doe' isnecessary to the sense [Mai.], while I take 'My Lord'as actor's connective. Cf. Note on Copy, p. 155, and1. 72 which Q reports 'What my Lo: where is yourboare-speare man?'.

82. London (F. £>q.) A.H.T. 'Ludlow'—which ispossible; cf. notes 2. 2. 142, 154.

85. see (Al.) F. 'fee,'.88. the day is spent i.e. 'it is getting late*. Cf.

V.A. 717 'the night is spent'. At 1. 119 below dinneris still in prospect.

90. talked (Q 1 'talkt') F. (<Q6) 'talke'.92. wear their hats 'keep their offices' (P.).93. S.D. (F.) Q 'Enter Haftin. a Pursuiuant'. Cf.

Note on Copy, p. 153-4. And for the whole episode v.3. 2. Mat. More closes his graphic account with thesewords (Hoi. 723/2): 'O good God, the blindnesse ofour mortall nature, when he most feared, he was ingood suretie; when he reckoned himself surest, he losthis life, and that within two houres after.'

94. S.D. (after F.).95. sirrah? (F.) Qq (+A1.) 'Haftings'. Cf. 1.93, n.

ioZ NOTES 3.2.

105. S.D. (F.).106. S.D. F. 'Exit Purfuiuant | Enter a Preeft.'108. Sir John. v. G. 'Sir.'109-10. exercise.. .Sabbath In conjunction these

two words suggest a Puritan 'prophesying'. But v. G.'exercise', and 11. n 3-14.

n o . contentyou HereF.(+someedd.) prints 'Priejl.He wait vpon your Lordfhip'. As the speech is extra-metrical and is repeated in 1. 121 where it completesthe line, and as neither is found in Q, Maxwell conj.that its first appearance represents an erroneous insertionin Q 6 by the collator. Camb. and Craig omit the speech.

S.D. (Q). F. omits ' h e . . .ear'. The episode of thePriest follows More (Hoi.) closely, but Sh. substitutesBuck, for 'a knight'.

113. no shriving work Cf. Ham. 5.2. 47.120. Rowe's 'aside' And supper too i.e. And take

your last meal too. Cf. 3 H. VI, 5. 5. 85, n.121. S.D. F. 'Exeunt'.

3-3 -Material. Based on Hoi. (725/KMore, 55-6) or Hall

(364), which also describe Ratcliffe as a knight 'whoseseruice the protector speciallie vsed in that councell, and inthe execution of such lawlesse enterprises, as a man that hadbeene long secret with him, hauing experience of the world,and a shrewd wit, short & rude in speech, rough &boisterous of behauiour, bold in mischiefe, as far from pitieas from all feare of God'. He was actually governor ofPomfret (=Pontefract); cf. French, p. 234.

S.D. hoc. (Theob.) Entry (Camb.) F . ' E n t e r . . .carrying the Nobles to death at Pomfret'. Cf. the'halberds' in 1. 2 S.D. (head).

1. Before this Qq (+most edd. exc. Al.) read 'Rat/.Come bring foorth the prifoners'. Cf. Note on Copy,p. 146.

3-3. NOTES 209

3. For truth, i. loyalty A Peelean line. Cf. Tit.In trod. p. xxx, and nn. Much of this short scene mightbe Peek's.

14. Margaret's curse Cf. 1. 3. 1965".16. standing by Echoes 1. 3. 210.23. expiate Cf. G. and Son. 22. 4.25. S.D. F. 'Exeunt'.

3-4-Material. From Hoi. (721/2-723/i<More, 43-8) it

appears that Ric. passes from one council to the other,coming late to the Tower (c. 9 a.m.) because he had been atthe secret Crosby council, returning after a little to thelatter and then revisiting the Tower (between 10 and11 a.m.) in order to arrest Hastings. But the account is longand rambling and what happened does not seem to havebeen clear in Sh.'s mind, though he based the scene on Hoi.

S.D. Loc. (edd.) 'The sc. is laid in the great roomin the upper story of the White Tower, which wasformerly the Council Chamber' (Wright). Entry (afterF.) I omit F.'s 'Enter' and 'Norfolke', who does notspeak until 5. 3 where he first appears in the dialogue.Ratcliffe and Lovell are not of the council in Hoi.,while Ratcliffe has just been seen at Pomfret in 3. 3.Q tries to remove this inconsistency by substitutingCatesby, but he is supposed to be at the other council.As Wright notes, the difficulty cannot 'be removedwithout doing more violence to the text than an editoris justified in using' (Camb. note xv).

2. the coronation i.e. of Ed. V.5. nomination v. G.6. Q 1 gives this to 'Ryu.'; Q 3 to 'Bifh.'; F. to

'Ely.'10. We know etc. Q. prefaces this with 'who I, my

Lo:?\19. FII give my voice The Lord Chamberlain both

210 N O T E S 34.

in Parliament and in the Council 'frequently servedas the royal mouthpiece' (Chambers, Eliz. St. i, 38).

23. / have.. .sleeper Cf. Hoi. 722/2, 'Saiengmerilie that he had beene a sleeper that daie'; T.T.,932, 'he hath bene a long sleeper to-day'.

28. / mean 'A weak unpoetical trick of Peek's'(Hart). Cf. 3. 5. 31; 4. 1. 19;+. 2.72; Tit. 3:1.203;4. 2. 62; 1 H. VI, 5. 5. 20, n.; 3 H. VI, 3. 2. 58;4 . 6 . 51.

31-3. My Lord.. .strawberries For Ely v. Introd.p. xii. Ely Palace stood in Holborn; but in 1578 passedinto possession of Sir Ch. Hatton, and is now calledHatton Garden. The episode here serves to emphasizeRic.'s genial mood, and prevents him having to speakof the coronation.

34. S.D. F. 'Exit Bifliop'. 35. S.D. (Cap.).41. S.D. F. 'Exeunt'.45. S.D. F. 'Enter the Bifhop of Ely'.46-7. Where strawberries F. prints as verse;

but the speech is clearly prose.48-53. His grace... heart 'One of the finest

strokes of the play' (Hazlitt).49. some conceit The little surprise he has for

Hastings!51. ne'er (Pope; J.D.W.) F. Qq (+edd.) 'neuer'.

Cf. p. 154-5.55. likelihood' (Q) F. 'livelihood'.57. looks After this Q has ' Dar. [ = Derby] I pray

God he be not, I say'. S.D. (J.D.W.) F . ' Enter Richardand Buckingham'. Cf. Hoi. (722/2): 'He returned intothe chamber . . . with a woonderfull soure angriecountenance, knitting the browes, frowning andfretting, and gnawing on his lips.'

64. offenders ...be, (J.'s punct.; A.W.) F. (+edd.)'Offendors, whofo'ere they be:'.

66-7. mine arm . .. witheredup Cf. jH.VI, 3. 2.156.

3.4. NOTES 2"

70. strumpet Shore She is dragged in so as to catchHastings, who falls into the trap.

75. by saint Paul Cf. Introd. p. xx.78. S.D. F. 'Exeunt. | Manet Louell and

Ratcliffe, with the Lord Haftings.'81. raze our helms (Al.) F. 'rowfe our Helmes';

Qq 'race his helme'; Rowe 'rase our helms'. The'our' follows the source and not the play (cf. 3. 2. 11and n.); 'rowfe' may be a misreading of 'raife', taken•as 'roufe'—cf. MSH. p. 108.

83. Three... stumble Cf. Hoi. (723/1): 'In ridingtowards the Tower , . . . his horsse twise or thrisestumbled with him, almost to the falling'. For 'foot-cloth horse' v. G. and 2 H. VI, 4. 7. 42-3.

85. bear.. .slaughter-house Cf. 2 H. FI, 3. I. 212.93. dispatch Cf. Rat. at 3. 3. 7.93-4. Come, come, etc. Q 1 assigns to 'Cat.'the juke.. .head Follows Hoi. (<More) v. closely.97. in air... looks 'on the airy foundation of men's

friendly looks' (G.M.).98-100. a drunken sailor.. .deep Cf. 2 H. IF,

3. 1. 18-21, and Prov. xxiii. 34 [Genevan version]:'Thou shalt bee as one that sleepeth in the middes ofthe sea, and as he that sleepeth in the top of the mast'—With this marginal comment 'Though drunkennesmake them more insensible then beastes, yet can theynot refrain'. [Thomas Carter, Sh. and Holy Scripture,1905, p. 139, cited Furness.]

106. S.D. F. 'Exeunt'.

3-5 -Material. The situation of this sc. closely follows that

described in Hoi. (723-4 < More 51) or Hall (362), whilethe imputations against Hastings are taken from 'theprotectors proclamation' (Hoi. 724/KMore, 52).

2ia NOTES 3.5-

S.D. hoc. (Theob.) Entry (F.) Cf. Hoi. 724/1'harnessed in old ill faring briganders, such as no manshould weene that they would vouchsafe to haue putvpon their backs, except that some sudden necessitiehad constreined them.'

4. tvert (Qq) F. 'were'. The subjunct. 'thou were'is found in 16c. (v. O.E.D. 'be ' 7. 2), but not I thinkelsew. in Sh.

5. the deep tragedian Compare what follows withHam. 3. 2. 1—34; and it seems poss. that Buck, wasexpected to caricature the antics of a 'ham' actor(? Edward Alleyn) in 11. 14-21.

7. Tremble.. .straw Prov. Cf. Tilley, W5, citingNashe, iii. 219, 'Vppon the least wagging of a strawto put them in feare where no feare is '; and V.A. 302.

7-8. straw, Intending deep suspicion: (edd.) F.'Straw: Intending deepe fufpition,'. Cf. G. 'intend'.

13. S.D. (F.).14. S.D. (J.D.W.<11. 6-9).17. o'erlook inspect.20. innocence ( g i ) F. (<Q 6) 'Innocencie*.21. S.D. (F.). 22. Q assigns to 'Cat.'27. Made . . . book Cf. Cor..5. 2. 14-15 [Wright].32. from free from attainders. G.suspects Cf. i . 3. 89, n.33. covert'st sheltered the most successfully camou-

flaged. Buck, (acting impatience) retorts upon Ric.'s"plainest harmless" (1. 25).

traitor. After this F. Qq (+edd.) print the hyper-metrical 'That euer liued'—an expansion by the player'of what is implicit in "was" ' (A.W.). Pope omittedit.

34. Would... believe Cf. G. 'almost', and K. John,4- 3- 43-

41-2. against...rashly i.e. act thus hastily andirregularly.

3.5- NOTES « 3

49-50. / never etc. F. gives to 'Buck.'; Qqcontinues to 'Mayor' and many edd. (including Al.)follow. But 1. 49 refers to 'attempts' in 1. 48 and musttherefore be spoken by one of those threatened.

51-60. Yet had etc. By Q 1, 2 assigned to 'Dut.',Q 3 to 'Clo.', and Q 4, Q 6 to 'Glo.'

54. have Plur. by attraction from "friends".55. hear (Keightley; A.W.) F. gq 'heard'—

which is 'ugly in construction and sound' (A.W.)—after 'would' and 'had'.

65. cause ( Q i ) F. 'cafe'<£>6 'eafe'. Cf. Noteon Copy, p. 151.

70. S.D. F. 'Exit Maior\73. your.. .time 'the most advantageous moment

you can find' (G.M.).tneet'st advantage (Q 1) F. 'meetest vantage'<Q 6

'meetest aduantage'. Cf. p. 151.-74. Infer=allege ;v.G. Sense found again at 3.7.12,

twice in 3 H. VI, once in Timon, but not elsewh. inSh. Frequent in Greene.

75. a citizen One Burdet, whom Hoi. (728/2<More, 67) names without giving the circumstances,which came to Sh. either from Hall (369) or Grafton(ii. 107). Ace. to Stow {Annals, 1580, p. 680) he wasa grocer in Cheapside, called Walker. Shops of allkinds had signs.

79-83. his hateful.. .prey Buck.'s speech (Hoi.729/1) makes much of this.

luxury v. G.83. listed (Q) F. (+A1.)'lufted'. Q avoids repeti-

tion of 'lust' (1. 80) and implies the casual whims ofa tyrant.

85-91. when that.. .father In Hoi. (727/2<More, 63-5) Dr Shaw pronounces Ed. IV and Clar.bastards and 'by their favours' more resembling othermen than the Duke of York (cf. 3.7.12-14, n 0- York's

«4 NOTES 3.5.

being abroad and 'the computation of the time' areadded by Sh. and appear to be borrowed from the storyof the Bastard's parentage in K. John or T.R.

86. insatiate Cf. 3. 7. 7; Hoi. 729/1, 'greedieappetite.. .insatiable'.

92-3. Tet. . .fives Cf. Hoi. 725/2<More 58.94. play the orator A Greene cliche. Cf. 1 H. VI,

4. 1. 175, 2 H. VI, Introd. p. xxxv, foot.97. Barnard's Castle v. G.101. S.D. F. 'Exit Buckingham'.102-3. doctor Shaw, . .Friar Penker Hoi. (725/2

<More 56-7) describes these as 'both doctors ofdiuinitie, both great preachers, both of more learningthan vertue, of more fame than learning' and states thatRic. and Buck, took them, with Edmund Shaw theMayor of London, into their confidence after theexecution of Hastings.

103. S.D. (Cap.) /V»fcr(Cap.<Hol.)F.'Peuker\104. S.D. F. 'Exit'.106. brats of Clarence Cf. 2. 2. Mat.107. notice (Qq) F. (+edd.) 'order'—prob. com-

positor's repetition of 1. 105.manner person (F.) Qq (+edd.) 'manner of perfon'.

For the ellipsis of 'of v. O.E.D. 'manner 9'.108. S.D. F. 'Exeunt'.

3-6.Material. Hoi. (724/1 < More, 52-3) states that the

proclamation -was issued within two hours of Hastings'sdeath 'and was so curiouslie indicted & so faire written inparchment in so well a set hand, and therewith of it selfe solong a processe, that euerie child might well perceiue thatit was prepared before. For all the time, betweene his deathand the proclaming, could scant haue sufficed vnto thebare writing alone, all had it bene but in paper andscribled foorth in hast at aduenture. So that vpon the

3.6. NOTES 215

proclaming thereof one that was schoolemaister of Powles,of chance standing by , . . . said vnto them that stood abouthim: Here is a gaie goodlie cast foule cast awaie for hast[=Here is a fine good rough draft shamefully spoiltthrough haste.]'. Italics mine.

S.D. Loc. (Cap.) Entry (Q) F. 'Enter a Scrivener'.2. a set handy. G.3. in Paul's 'Proclamations were often read at

St Paul's, either in the cathedral or at the Cross'(Sugden). In Hoi. (More) the document is evidentlystuck up. sequel (F. Qq.) ? sequence.

7. precedent original draft, v. G.10-12. Who is...it not? Reflects More as cited

in Introd. p. xxi. 10. Who is (F.) Q 1 'Whoes'.12. who's (Q 1 'Whoes') F . ( < £ 6)+Al. 'who' .

13. in thought silently. S.D. F. 'Exit*.

3-7-Material, (i) Buck.'s account of what happened at the

Guildhall is based on the account of the events in Hoi.(728/KMore 66) with hints from Hoi. (726/7 < More,59-66). (ii) The visit of the Mayor to Baynard's Castle alsofollows Hoi. (731<More, 74-7) with this difference, that,making comic capital out of the words 'with a byshop onevery hand of him', which Grafton and Hall (372) add to Hoi.(v. Introd. pp. xiv, xvi), Shakespeare gives a 'holy exercise'as the reason for Ric.'s pretended reluctance to grantaudience instead of the timidity which Hoi. (More) alleges,and which is glanced at in 11.-83-7. From 1. 95 onwards'Sh. expands his authorities freely' (A.H.T.).

S.D. Loc. Theob.+edd. 'Baynard's Castle'. Forthe 'court-yard' v. 1. 55, n. Entry (after F.).

5. Lady Lucy Hoi. (726<More, 59-62) explainsthat the Duchess of Y., to prevent Ed. IV marryingLady Grey, alleged he was contracted to Dame Eliza-beth Lucy and, having gotten her with child, was 'her

216 NOTES 3.7.

husband before God', though when put on oath,Dame Lucy herself confessed 'they were neuerensured' (i.e. formally betrothed). Dr Shaw and Buck,of course ignore this last point.

6. in France i.e. to the Lady Bona; v. 5 H. VI, 3 .3 .and below 1. 182, n.

7. insatiate (Q) F. 'vnfatiate'. Cf. 3. 5. 86.8. his enforcement etc. Cf. 3. 5. 79-83, n.12. infer Cf. 3. 5. 74, n.12-14. your lineaments . . . mind Cf. Hoi. 727/2

< More 64; Hall, 368:

But the lord protector he [Dr Shaw] said the verie nobleprince, the speciall paterne of knightlie prowesse, as wellin all princelie behauior, as in the lineaments and fauour ofhis visage, represented the verie face of the noble duke hisfather.

That Sh. interprets 'knightlie prowesse' as referringto Ric.'s Scottish campaign shows a knowledge ofearlier chapters of Hoi. or Hall.

17. humility v. G.20-41. And when... came away The chron. closely

followed here, except that in them Buck, after onefailure 'rehersed.. .the same matter againe in otherorder and other words' with no better success.

20. mine (Q 1) F. ( < Q 6) 'my'.25. statuas (Steev. from Reed) F. Q 'Statues'.

Cf. O.E.D. 'statua' and Caes. 2. 2. 76, n.breathing stones Cf. Hoi. 728/KMore, 66, 'they

stood as they had beene turned into stones for woonderof this shamefull sermon'.

33. in..:himself 'on i is own responsibility'(G.M.).

40. wisdoms (Q 1) F. (<£) 6) 'wifdome'.42. What...they! (Camb.) F. 'What . . .they,'

Al. 'What , . . . they? ' .

3.7. N O T E S U7

43. No., .lord F. and Al. omit. Cf. Note on Copy,p. 146.

45. intend Cf. 3. 5. 8.48. between.. .churchmen Cf. 3. 7. Mat,49. make (F.) Qq 'build'. N.B. Q 1 catches at the

wrong metaphor; v. G. 'ground'.51. the maid's part etc. Cf. Tilley, M34, 'Maids

say nay and take it '; O.D.E.P. p. 397; and Ovid,Amoves, 1. v. 15-16, 'quae cum ita pugnaret, tamquamquae vincere nollet, | victa est'.

5 2-3. if you. . . myself 'if you play your part as wellas I can pky mine' (G.M.).

54. we'll (Qq 'week') F. (+A1.) 'we\ F. makesimprob., if not imposs., grammar.

55. to the leads In More Ric. 'stood aboue in agallerie'. S.D. F. 'Enter the Maior, and Citizens'.

56. dance attendance 'wait to be admitted'(Wright). Cf. H. Fill, 5. 2. 31.

57. S.D. F. 'Enter Catesby'.58. Catesby (Pope; J.C.M.) F.+Al. 'Now Catesby'.

Q 1 'Here corns his feruant: how now Catesby'. Thecollator should have deleted 'now' as well as the rest.Cf. 1. 83, n.

70. S.D. F. 'Exit'.72. lolling F. Qq 'lulling'—a variant sp. With

'love-bed', cf. 'day-bed' Tw. Nt. 2. 5. 48.77. watchful v. G. and 5. 3. 115.82. Here.. .again (F. not Qq) Poss. a S.D. which

has slipped into the text; cf. 'Ring the bell' F. Macb.2. 3. 80. Omit it, andI.83 (without'How now') wouldcomplete the rest of 1.82. YetitsechoinQatl. 58suggestsit was spoken on the stage. S.D. F. 'Enter Catesby'.

83. Now (F.) Q 'How now'. Here 'Now' seemsmore apt than in 1. 58. But v. last note.

84. He wonders Edd. read 'My lord'( < Qq) at beg.of Cat.'s speech to complete 1. 83. Cf. 1. 82, n.

*i8 N O T E S 3.7.

91. S.D. F. 'Exit'.93. 'tis much v. G. 'much*.94. zealous v. G. S.D. F. 'Enter Richard aloft,

between two Bifhops.'98-9. Qq omit.99. ornaments 'Includes the attendant bishops'

(Wright).108. But leaving this A Greene cliche; cf. Friar

Bacon, 830, Orlando (frequent), Works, iv. 64, 89,172,187, etc. See also 1 T.R. ix. 15.

118. majestical Cf. H. F, 4. I. 263.120. due F. 'Deaw'.125. her (Pope<Q 1) F. (<Q 6) 'his'. 126. Her

(Pope<Qi) F . (<Q6) 'His' . 127. Her (Pope) F.'His ' . Q om. 1. 127. I conj. that 'Her ' was prob.altered to 'His' in 11. 126, 127 by the compositor toaccord with F. ( < Q 6) 'his', overlooked by correctorin 1. 125.

127. Her.. .plants Mai. cites Dr Shaw's text,'Bastard slips shall neuer take deep root', Wisdom iv. 3(Hoi. 727 <More, 64).

133-6. Not as.. .own For construction, v. In trod,p. xxxvi.

144-53. If'not.. .answeryou Qqomit.158. ripe v. G. revenue v. G.166. much... there need ' I much need the ability

requisite to give you help, if help were needed' (J.).168. stealing hours Cf. 5. 3. 85; Son. 104, 10.175. the respects.. .trivial the considerations you

urge are at once over subtle and unimportant.180. Tour mother etc. Cf. 1. 5, n.182. Bona.. .France The chron. differ. In Hoi.

(667) she is sister of the French queen, in Hoi.(726<More, 58) daughter of the Spanish king; inHardyng (502) alone sister to the French king.

183. petitioner Cf. 3 H. VI, 3. 3.

3-7. N O T E S ai9

185. A.. .widow Cf. 1. 1. 81, 110, n.187. purchase, v. G.188. Seduced.. .degree Abstract for concrete;

v. G. 'pitch', 'degree'.189. bigamy Alluding to his previous contracts;

but marriage with a widow was bigamy ace. to canonlaw [Wright]; and his mother actually charged Ed. IVwith this crime ace. to Hoi. 726/2 <More 60.

193. to some alive i.e. his mother. Cf. 3.5. 85—91,11.196. benefit v. G. dignity v. G.; 2 H. VI, 3. 1.

338, n.198. draw forth v. G.200. true-deriv/d. Theob.'s hyphen.211. effeminate remorse tender pity. Cf. I. 2. 156.212. kindred (Y.) Q 'kin'. Cf. 1. 1. 95, n.214. whe'er (Theob.)219. Zounds! I'll (gq) F. 'we will'. Cf. Note on

Copy, p. 158.220. O, do.. .Buckingham. (Qq) F. omits, Cf.

Note on Copy, p. 158. S.D. (J.D.W.) F.'Exeunt'—but not 'omnes', since Glouc. and Cat. keep it up.

222. If.. .rue it Q 1 gives to 'Ano.'224. stone (Pope; Craig) F. Qq 'ftones'. The plur.

in Lear 5. 3. 257 and Hoi. (cited 1. 25 above) is usedwith a plur. subject. Here 'the sing, is much moreidiomatic' (A.W.).

226. S.D. F. 'Enter Buckingham, and the reft.'229. whe'er (Steev.) F. 'where', no, F. 'no.'.233. Tour mere enforcement 'the simple fact that

you have compelled me' (G.M.).acquittance A verb of Greene's coinage (cf. Works,

viii. 16). O.E.D. gives one more instance only {PastonLetters).

247. cousin (Pope<Q 1) F. 'coufins'. S.D. F.'Exeunt'.

220 N O T E S 4.1.

4 . 1 .Material. Contents of the sc. imaginary, except for

references to Ric.'s coronation and to Richmond (v. notes).

S.D. Loc. (Theob.) Entry (after Camb.) F. 'Enterthe Queene, Anne Duchefle of Gloucefter, theDuchefle of Yorke, and Marqueffe Dorset'.

1. niece v. G.2. Led in Cf. K. Joh'n, 2. 1. 236.4. princes (Theob.) F. Qq 'Prince', cf. 1. 10.10. gratulate Favourite word with Peele and

Greene. Cf. Tit. 1.1. 221; Looking glass for London,1- 53-

11. S.D. F. 'Enter the Lieutenant'.18-19. The King...Protector In T.T. (1. 1271)

Ed. V. is similarly taken aback when, catching sight ofTyrrel in the Tower, he is told the man is one'appointed by the king' to assist Brakenbury [Skot-towe]. Cf. Sh. Qyart. pp. 303-4.

26. take.. .thee i.e. take on your office.27. ;V=office.28. S.D. F. 'Exit Lieutenant. | Enter Stanley.'32-3. to Westminster etc. The coronation is

described in Hoi. 733-4 (<Hall, 376; not More).34-6. Ah...news\ (Al.<F.) Most edd. divide

like Q 'heart | May . . .swoon | With'.34. lace i.e. of the bodice or stays. Cf. Wint. 3. 2.

172; Ant. 1. 3. 71.36. dead-killing Cf. Lucr. 540 'a cockatrice' dead-

killing eye'.42. outstrip Continues the image in 'dogs'.go cross v. G. 'cross (adv.)'.43. Richmond After Tewkesbury he had been sent

to Brittany. Cf. 3 H. VI, 4. 6. 92-102. In Hoi. (743)Dorset goes with the Qu. into sanctuary, joins Buck.'srebellion, and later escapes to Brittany.

4.i. N O T E S M I

46-7. Margaret's curse Cf. I. 3. 209, echoed in

50. my son i.e. his stepson Richmond. Cf. I. 3.20-9, n.

53. ill-dispersing v. G. Theob.'s hyphen.54. the bed of death 'i.e. the birth-place of death'

(Schmidt).55-6. A cockatrice.. .murderer Cf. Lucr. 540

(cited 1. 36, n.).59-61. that the inclusive.. .brains 'She seems to

allude to the ancient mode of punishing a regicide. . .by placing a crown of iron, heated red-hot, upon hishead' (Steev.). v. G. 'verge', 'round'.

66. No? Why, when (J.D.W.) F. 'No: why?When'. Al. 'No, why? When'.

70. followed— (J.D.W.) F. 'follow'd:'.73. so old a widow she feels she had been a widow

many years, so slowly has the time passed since hedied.

75. so—made (Ferrers; A.W.) Q 'fo madde,' F.(edd.) 'fo mad,' Q 6 'fo badde'. Despite F.'s correctionof Q 6, Ferrers's conj. is surely correct. [A.W.]

76. life (F.) Q 'death'. Cf. 1. 2. 27-8, n.82. mine F.(<Q 6) Q 1 (Al.) 'my'. But here Q 6

prob. tallies with the MS.; 'mine' is more normal andthe collator corrected the previous word [Maxwell].

84. golden.. .sleep Cf. Caes. 2. 1. 230, n; Tit. 2. 3.26, n.; Peele, Garter, 422, 'her golden sleep'.

85. his timorous dreams After the murder of thePrinces, Hoi. (73 5/2<More 85) writes, King Ric.'neuer thought himself sure' and 'tooke ill rest anights, laie long waking and musing. . .rather slum-bered than slept, troubled with fearefull dreames,suddenlie sometime start vp, lept out of his bed, andran about the chamber'. Cf. 4. 2. 70, the dreams in5-3-, and Macbeth passim.

R. Ill - 16

N O T E S 4.1.

90. Farewell.. .glory/ (so Qq) F. gives to 'Dors,'Cf. Note on Copy, p. 148.

96. Eighty Actually sixty-eight at this date andlived for another twelve years [Wright].

98-104. Q. Eliz. Stay. . .farewell Qq omit.104. sorrow (Rowe) F. 'Sorrowes'. The sing, per-

sonifies. S.D. F. 'Exeunt'.

4.2.Material. Based on incidents in Hoi. or Hall, rearranged

and often differently interpreted: e.g. (i) they attribute thebreach between Ric. and Buck. (11. 1-31, 80-119) to Ric.'srefusal to grant him the Hereford title and property(Hoi. 736/1 <More, 87; Hall, 382) not to Buck.'s refusal toassent to the murder of the Princes, though Buck, tells Mortonlater that he 'neuer agreed nor condescended* to thatcrime (Hoi. 739/2<Hall, 387; not in More); (ii) Thoughthe Tyrrel episode follows Hoi. (734/2 < More, 81) closely,it there takes place at Warwick and after Brakenbury hadrefused to comply with Ric.'s orders (cf. 11. 34ff., n.).Other points derive as follows: rumours of Anne's sick-ness (11. 48-50, 56, v. note) from Hoi. 731/1 < Hall, 407;plan to marry Princess Eliz. (11. 59-61) from Hoi. 752/*< Hall, 407; disposal of Clar.'s daughter (11. 51-2) fromHoi. 752/2 (v. note); idiocy of Clar.'s son (1. 53) fromHoi. 787/2; Dorset's flight from Hoi. 743 (v. 4. 1. 43, n.);warning to Stanley (11. 84, 89-90) from Hoi. 746/KHall,398; H. VI's prophecy (11. 92-3) from Hoi. 678/2 < Hall,287; the omen of Rougemont near Exeter (11. 100-4) fromHoi. 746/K Hooker, the chronicler of Exeter; Buck.'sflight to Brecknock (11.119-20) from Hoi. 736/2 < More, 88.

S.D. Loc. (Camb.) Entry (Camb.) F. 'Sound aSennet. Enter Richard in pompe, Buckingham,Catesby, Ratcliffe, Louel'. £> 'the Trumpets found,Enter Richard crowned, Buckingham, Catesby, withother Nobles'.

3. S.D. F. 'Sound'. Q 'Here he afcendeth thethrone'.

4. a. N O T E S " 3

8. play the touch act like a touchstone; v. G.'touch (sb.)', 'current'.

io. Young Edward lives etc. Cf. the hints toHubert, K. John, 3. 3. sgff-

16. That.. .prince (Qq, F.+my commas) Theob.+most edd. place 'true noble prince' in paren-thesis, as if a mocking repetition. But Wright,following Q, F. punctuation, points out that the 'bitterconsequence' (or sequel) was that Edward still lived asthe true prince (or legitimate heir). Al. prints 'shouldlive—true noble prince!' which seems obscure. Cf.Ric.'s echo of Stanley, 4. 4. 476.

19-20. suddenly.. .suddenly (F.; Qq) 'The repeti-tion is suspicious' (J.C.M.).Poss. inl. 19'imrr>ediately',a word the report gives in 1. 26 for 'presently'.

26. presently v. G. S.D. F. 'Exit Buck.'.27. gnaws his lip A trick noted by More (cf. 3. 4.

57, n.) and by Polydore, p. 227, from whom Hoi.(760) takes it.

28. iron-witted Not, I think, 'unfeeling' (Schmidt;Onions) but 'obtuse' (cf. G.). S.D. (Mai.).

30. look...eyes scrutinize me with calculatingeyes. Cf. Ant. 4. 15. 27-8.

31. High-reaching Cf. 2 H. VI, 3. 1. 158, 'thatreaches at the moon'.

33 £F. Know'st thou etc. Ace. to Hoi. (734/2<More, 82), after Brak.'s (not Buck.'s) refusal tomurder the Princes (cf. Mat.), Ric. learns from 'asecret page of his' that Tyrrel, whose ambitiousdesigns Ratcliffe and Catesby had hitherto thwarted('longing for no mo parteners of the princes fauour'),would be prepared for any task the king commandedhim.

34. close v. G. exploit v. G. S.D. F. 'Exit'.36. haughty spirit Cf. Hoi. 734/2: 'The man had

a high heart, and sore longed vpward'.

224 N O T E S 4 . 2 .

40. partly v. G. boy (F.; Al.) Pope 4-most edd.om. Qq 'prefently'.

43-4. heldont.. . breath? Metaphor from the chase.44. S.D. (F.).45. How...Stanley! F. Qq add 'what's the

newes', which I agree with Collier (ap. Camb.,note xviii) is 'an interpolation'.

47. S.D. (Camb.).48-60. Rumour.. .marry her! These rapidly con-

ceived and various projects, drawn from widelyseparated passages in Hoi. (v. Mat.), create an effect atonce of intellectual brilliance and of over-excitement.

51-2. Inquire.. .daughter Cf. 4. 3. 37. Ten yearsold at this date, she was later created Countess ofSalisbury and married by Henry VII to his cousin,Sir Richard Pole (cf. Hoi. 703/2). Stone (396)suggests that she is here confounded with her firstcousin, Ed. IV's younger daughter, Cecily, and quotesHoi. 752/2 who writes that in 1485,

tidings were brought [to Richmond] that king Richard(being without children, & now a widower) intendedshortlie to marie the ladie Elizabeth his brothers daughter;and to prefer the ladie Cicilie hir sister to a man found ina cloud [=in obscurity] and of an vnknowne linage andfamilie.

53. foolish i.e. an idiot. Ace. to Hoi. 787/2 havingbeen kept in the Tower from infancy by Henry VII(not Ric. as stated in 4. 3. 36) the boy became 'a verieinnocent'. In 1499 he was executed for supposedconspiracy with Perkin Warbeck.

54. Look.. .dream'st 'Even Catesby is staggeredfor a moment at the nature of the orders' (G.M.).

56. stands. . .upon v. G.57. S.D. (after Cap.) F. omits.59. stands.. .glass Cf. Sapho & Phao, 1.1.4 [Lyly

ii, 373] 'Who climeth, standeth on glasse'.

4.2. NOTES «5

61-2. I am.. .sin Cf. Macb. 3. 4. 136-8, 'I am inblood I stepped in so far that should I wade no more, |Returning were as tedious as go o'er'.

63. S.D. (Cap.) F. 'Enter TyrreT.68. ? lease... I had (A.W.<Pope, 'Please you,

I'd') F. (+A1.) 'Pleafeyou: I But I had' Q 1-2 'I myLord, but I had'.

69. there (Q+most edd.) F.+Al. 'then'. 'Why,there thou hast it' is the reg. Sh. idiom (cf. 1 H. IV,3. 3. 13, 'Why, there is it'). I conj. the sp. 'ther' (cf.Sh.'sHand, p. 134. and MSH. 107) was misread 'then'.

70. Foes.. .disturbers. Cf. Macb. pp. lx-lxi.71. deal upon deal with.76. S.D. (F.).77. no more but so nothing but that. Cf. Ham. 1.3.

10.79. S.D. F. 'Exit.' I 'Enter Buckingham*.82. Dorset.. .Richmond Cf. 4. 1. 43, n.84. Stanley...look unto it Ace. to Hoi. (746/1)

Rio charges Stan, 'to keepe hir [his wife] in somesecret place' and so cut her off from communicatingwith her son [Richmond]. Cf. 11. 89-90.

look unto it (J.D.W.) F. (+Al.) 'well, looke vnto it',Qq ( + most edd.) 'Wei looke to it'. The F. is half-corrected. Hereford(F 2) F.'Hertford', Qq'Herford'.

87. Th'earldom etc. Cf. 3. 1. 194-6, n.92-4. / do remember.. .boy Cf. 3 H. VI, 4. 6.

70-6; Hoi. 678/2.96-113. My lord...vein to-day (Q 1). F. omits,

prob. on political grounds. Cf. Note on Copy, p. 159.Based not only on Hoi. 746/1 (the prophecy of Ric.'sdeath; cf. Al., Sh.'s H. VI, pp. 159f.) but also onHoi. 739/2:

He did not onelie first delaie me, and afterward denaieme, but gaue me such vnkind words, with such tawnts &retawnts, ye, in manner checke and checkemate to the

226 N O T E S 4.2.

vttermoste proofe of my patience as though I had neuerfurthered him, but hindered him j as though I had put himdown, and not set him vp.

—a passage which clearly 'supplies the suggestion forthe manner in which the snubbing is administered'(Patrick, p. 143).

98. / being by He was not by at the time; v.3H. FI, 4. 6. 68 ff.

him i.e. the prophet. Cf. 3 H. FI, 5. 6. 57, 'Die,prophet'.

I I I . a Jack Grossly insulting; v. G. 'Jack*.keetfst the stroke Double meaning; v. G. 'keep'.114. resolve me set my mind at rest.115. S.D. F. 'Exit'.116-17. repays...for this Cf. Hoi. 739/2 cited

11. 97-114, n.119. Brecknock A manor in Wales where Buck,

kept Morton in custody ace. to Ric.'s orders (Hoi. 733)and to which he fled after the breach with Ric. (Hoi.736). S.D. F. 'Exit'.

4-3-Material. LI. 1-35 based on Hoi. 735/1 < More, 83; but

they give no hint of any remorse on the part of themurderers; e.g. Tyrrel ' rode. . . in great hast to KingRichard, and shewed him all the maner of the murther;•who gave him great thanks, and (as some saie) there madehim knight'. See nn. below for special parallels, as also forthe sources of 11. 40-8.

S.D. Loc. 'The same' (Cap.), 'later' (J.D.W.).Entry F. Sc.-division introduced by Cap.+edd.; noshift of place hinted at in dialogue; and the fore-shortening of time is normal.

1-23. The tyrannous and bloody act etc. Tyrrel'shigh-flown pathos serves to intensify at once the horror

4-3- N O T E S 227

and pity of the audience and the blackness of Ric.'scrime.

3. That ever etc. F. begins a new page here, andTyrrel's speech becomes 'full of errors, due to hastysetting' (A.W.). Cf. Note on Copy, p. 160.

4. whom I (Q 1) F. 'who I*. Cf. 1. 3. 327, n.5. this. . .ruthless (Pope, etc.) Q 1 'this ruthless

peece of, Q 6 'this ruthfull peece of, F. ( + Rowe,etc.)'this peece of ruthfull'. F. is half-corrected. Cf. p. 151.

piece=masterpiece.6. fleshed v. G. More describes Miles Forrest as

'a fellow fleshed in murther before time'.7. Melting (Q 1; A.W.) F. 'Melted'.8. two (Q 1; edd.) F. ' to ' .death's (Collier) F. 'deaths'. Most edd. 'deaths".9-13. 0 thus.. .other Sharon Turner (v. Furness,

p. 611) compares the Babes in the Wood, slain by twovillains at the order of a wicked uncle; a tale prob.known to Sh. and if so perh. recalled to his mind by thename Forrest.

11. alabaster F. 'Alablafter'—the usual 16th c. sp.Cf. Oth. 5. 2. 5, and Lucr. 419. N.B. all three exx.associate a sleeping victim before death with a recum-bent figure upon a tomb.

12-13. Their lips.. .other Cf. M.N.D. 3. 2. 208-11 .

13. trhich(Q 1-5)Q6'When'. F.(+some)'And'—prob. a correction of Q 6. Cf. pp. 150—2.

15. 0*w(Q)F.'one''. 17. Whilst (Q) F. 'When'.18. The most replenished Cf. Wint. 2. 1. 79.20. all o'er-gone (J.C.M. i960) F. Qq 'both are

gone'. Cf. p. 258.23. S.D. F. 'Enter Richard'.24. Kind v. G. An apt epithet!29-30. The chaplain. . .know. Hoi. states that the

murderers first buried them 'at the staire foot' but

228 NOTES 4.3.

that later at Ric.'s orders 'a priest of. . . Brakenberiestooke vp the bodies againe and secretlie interred themin such place, as. . .could neuer since come to light'.

31. soon. . ,supper=towards late supper; v. G.'soon at', 'after-supper'.

soon at (Q) F. 'foone, and'.after-supper Staunton's hyphen. Cf. T.T. 1. 997,

'soone at night you shall speake with him' (i.e. Tyrrel).32. tell the process Cf. Merck. 4 . 1 . 271; Ham. 3. 3.

29.33. do.. .good v. G. 'good (ii)'.thee (Q) F. ' the' .34. inheritor v. G.35. S.D. F. omits exit.36. 2 % JO*. . .close Cf. 4. 2. 53, n.38. Abraham's bosom Cf. Luke xvi. 22; R. II,

4. 1. 104.39. Anne.. .goodnight She died 16 March 1485,

'either by inward thought and pensiuenesse of hart, orby infection of poison, which is affirmed to be mostlikelie'(Hoi. 751/1; Hall, 407).

40-1 . Breton (Cap.+edd.) F. (+A1.)'Britaine'.Richmond aims etc. Ace. to Hoi. (745/2 < More

101-2) he swore on 25 Dec. 1483 in the presence ofDorset and other English nobles to marry 'the ladieElizabeth' immediately 'after he shuld be possessed ofthe crowne'.

42. looks.. .crown lifts a haughty eye towards thecrown.

43. S.D. (F.).46. Morton is fled Ace. to Hoi. (741< Hall, 390)

after plotting with Buck, in favour of Richmond'secretlie disguised, in a night departed (to the dukesgreat displeasure). . .and so sailed into Flanders, where,he did the earle of Richmond good seruice'.

47-8. Buckingham.. .in the field. Ace. to Hoi.

4-3- N O T E S 229

(743; Hall, 393), Ric. hearing of Buck.'s plotstemporized with him until he could collect an army,but in the end each at the head of a large force (Buck.'sbeing 'a great power of wild Welshmen') advancedtowards the other. Cf. 4. 4. 511-12, n.

51—3. fearful.. .beggary timorous discussion onlyleads to delay, and delay leads to helpless and torpidruin.

leads (Q) F. 'leds\55. Jove's Mercury Cf. Marlowe, Ed. II, 1.4. 370,

'As fast as Iris or Jove's Mercury'.and herald'=and therefore herald. Cf. Abbott, §95 ;

Franz, § 590.56. my counsel.. .shield i.e. 'Deliberation is useless;

we must fight'. (G.M.)57. S.D. F. 'Exeunt'.

4.4.Material. The sc. as a whole is imaginary. But see Hall,

406 and Hoi. 750/2 for 11. 199-431. In chron. Ric. tries topersuade her only to desert Richm. and be reconciled tohim. Anne not being yet dead, the idea of marryingEliz.'s daughter is not broached to her, though that, it ismade clear, is his real purpose.

S.D. F. heads it 'Scena Tertia' v. 4. 3. (head).hoc. (Cap.). Entry (F.).

1-2. now.. .death Cf. Marston, Antonio's Revenge(1599), 5. 1. 8-10, 'now is his fate growne mellow, |Instant to fall into the rotten jawes | Of chap-falnedeath' [Steev.]. Cf. also K. John, 2. 1. 456.

5. induction v. G.6. will to France Cf. 1. 3. 167, n.8. S.D. (Camb.) F.'Enter Dutchefle and Queene'.10. unblown (Q) F. 'vnblowed'. Cf. Oth. 3. 3.

182 (F.) 'blow'd', for which the same F. compositorwas responsible [A.W.]. But '(un)blowed' is poss.

23° N O T E S 4.4.

12. doom v. G.13. Hover.. .wings Cf. Ham. 3. 4. 103.15. right for right 'justice answering to the claim

for justice' (J.). Cf. 5. 1. 29.16. infant morn 'bright young lives' (G.M.).agid night the night that death brings to the old.18. woe-wearied Cf. Rom. 5. 3. 112, 'world-

wearied'.20. doth quit requites.21. a dying debt a debt which only his death could

pay—alluding to 'Death pays all debts' (Tilley, D148).Cf. 1H. 7^,3.2.157.

22-4. Wilt thou, O God etc. Cf. Mad. 4. 3. 223,'Did heaven look on, | And would not take theirpart?' For 'fly.. .lambs.. .wolf, cf. John x. 12, andfor 'sleep' v. 1. 3. 288, n.

26. Dead life etc. The oxymoron, esp. in momentsof emotion, is characteristic of Sh.'s early style. Cf.Rom. 3. 2. 73-85.

29. Rest thy unrest Cf. Tit. 4. 2. 31; echo of Kyd'sSp.Trag. 1.3. 553. 13.29.

30, 34, 38. S.D. (after Camb.) F. omits.37-8. hand. If.. .society, (Warb.) F. 'hand, If.. .

society.'39. Tell.. .mine (Q) F. omits. Cf. p. 145.o'er (Theob.+later edd.) Q 'ouer'. Cf. Note on

Copy, pp. 154-5.40. an Edward etc. Cf. 5 H. VI, 5. 5. 39.41. Harry (Camb.) Q 'Richard', F. 'hufband'.

A name is clearly required by the context; 'Richard'is as clearly wrong, while 'husband' looks like" anattempt to correct 'Richard' [Spedding]. Read 'Harry'and 1. 41 reiterates 1. 25, while it gives -point to 1. 59.

42. an Edward i.e. Ed. V.43. a Richard i.e. young York.44. a Richard i.e. York in 5 H. VI.

4-4. N O T E S 231

45. Rutland Ric. not present in 3 H. VI, 1. 3. 47.holp'st (Q 3) F. 'hop'ft'.52-3. That excellent. ..That reigns F. reverses

these lines; Cap. rearranged.55-6. O upright.. .How do I Cf. the similar turn

of phrase in Merch. 4. 1. 221, 'O wise young judge, howI do honour thee!' [Furness].

carnal v. G.57. Preys F. 'Prayes'.64. 7% *Afer (g) F. 'The other'.65. A*/ A?o/ only makeweight; v. G. 'boot*.71. intelligencer v. G.72. reserved.. .factor i.e. not yet sent to hell only

so that he may act as their commercial agent.to buy souls As he had bought Anne's, Buckingham's,

etc.77. Cancel his bond of life Cf. Macb. 3. 2. 49-50;

Cymb. 5. 4. 28. Exact meaning uncertain; perh.derived from Romans viii. 21, 'the bondage of corrup-tion', or merely a development of the metaphor 'leaseof life' (v. 2 H. FI, 4. 10. 5) or 'lease of nature'(Macb. 4. 1. 99).

I plead (P. A. Daniel; J.D.W.) F.; Qq. ' I pray'.Cf. 'pray' (1. 75). 'Plead' fits the legal context andgives a rhyme for 'dead' (cf. F.Q. 1. x. 43). Marg.'snext two speeches end in rhyme.

79. prophesy See 1. 3. 245-6. In 1. 81 she repeatsMarg.'s words, as Marg. herself does in 11. 82-3.

83-5. Shadow. . .painted.. .presentation. . .index.. .pageant v. G. All theatrical images. C. B. Youngsuggests that 'poor shadow' reminded Sh. of M.N.D.5. 1. 210, 'the best in this kind are but shadows', andso evokes a cluster of player-images.

84. of but For this position of 'but ' v. Abbott,§ 129, and Troil. 3. 3. 155, 'where one but goesabreast'.

NOTES 4.4.

86. a-high (Pope) F. £>q 'a high*.88-9. a garish flag.. .shot i.e. 'so brilliant an

apparition that she might well be the aim of all thedangerous shots of envy' (Furness). Cf. Tit. 2. 1.2-4, n.

flag=standard-bearer; shot=marksman.90. sign Emphatic. Cf. G.; Ado, 4. 1. 32; Oth.

1. 1. 157. 97. Decline v. G.100. For queen.. .sues (Qq; Camb.) F. transposes

the lines. 101. caitiff" v. G.105. the course. ..about Cf. Tto. Nt. 5. 1. 376,

'Thus the whirligig of time brings in his revenges'.whirled (F.) Q 'wheel'd'.107-8. wast, To...art. (edd.) F. 'waft. T o . . .

art,'112. weary head (Al.) F . 'wearied head' ( < Q 6

'wearied necke'); £) 1 'weary neck'.118. nights...days (Q 1) F. (<£>6) 'n ight . . .

day'.122. bad causer Steev.+some edd. 'bad-causer'.

The hyphen 'destroys the true force of the epithet'(A.H.T.).

125. S.D. F. 'Exit Margaret'.126-31. Why should calamity.. .the heart Cf.

3 H. VI, 5. 5. 44. Thus Sh. forestalls criticism ofMarg.'s 'deep extremes' {Tit. 3 .1 . 216). Cf. Furness'scomment (pp. 323—4).

127-31. Windy.. .the heart Cf. Tit. 3. 1. 233-4;Mad. 4. 3. 209-10; and V.A. 333-6:

So of concealed sorrow may be said;Free vent of words love's fire doth assuage:But when the heart's attorney once is mute,The client breaks, as desperate of his suit. [Mai.]

127. client (Q) F. 'Clients'. S. Walker conj.'clients, woes'.

4-4- N O T E S 233

128. succeeders (Q; F.) A.W. suspects a commonerror, as a legal term seems wanted to parallel' attorneys' and' orators'. If so,' recorders' might serve.

intestate (Q) v. G. F. 'inteftine'—apparentlysuggested to the F. compositor by flatulence! Cf.'winds', 1. 127, and 'Let them have scope', 1. 130.

130. Let them have scope Cf. 2 H. VI, 3. 1. 176,and above 4. 1. 35.

135. S.D. F. 'Enter King Richard, and his Traine'.For the object of Ric.'s 'expedition' v. 4. 3. 47-8, n.

141. Where.. .right, (Rowe ii + many edd.) Qq'Where.. .grauen, if.. .right', F. 'where't.. .branded,if.. .right?' The F. " t ' was prob. added to support themisleading query.

172. Thy age confirmed Thy maturity v. G.'confirmed'.

173. harmful—kind(S. Walker+A1.) F. 'harmfull;Kinde'. Most edd.'harmful, Kind'. Qq omit the line.

176. Humphrey Hour F. 'Humfrey Hower'; Q'Humphrey houre'. Unexplained. Rossiter (DurhamUniv. Journal, Dec. 1938, p. 68, n. 25) suggests areference to the hour when she was delivered of Ric.at birth; but this does not help with 'Humphrey',usually though doubtfully interpreted as alluding to'dining with Duke Humphrey', i.e. going without ameal, like indigent gentlemen who loitered in DukeHumphrey's walk, old St Paul's, while others dined.Perh. an obs. expression familiar to Eliz. midwives.

i88ff. curse etc. The curse gives a foretaste of 'allhis victims will say to him the night before Bosworthfield' (Stopford Brooke, ap. Furness).

189. tire A quibble; v. G.196. attend = (a) wait upon, 'serve'; (i) wait for.

S.D. F. 'Exit'.199-432. Stay, madam.. .woman Part of this

dialogue seemed to J. 'ridiculous and the whole

234 N O T E S 4.4.

improbable', and Wright agreed. Both Hall (406) andHoi. (750/2) marvel at the Queen's 'inconstancy' andmake it clear that, having promised the princess toRichmond, she was later persuaded by Ric. to give herto him, and that she even orders Dorset 'to leaue theearle, and without delaie repaire into England'. Sh.leads the audience to accept this view in the presentsc. and undeceives them almost immediately after, i.e.in 4. 5, when we learn/or the first time that Queen Eliz.has 'heartily consented' to the match with Richmond.Sh. may have intended a counter-stroke to Ric.'swooing of Anne: at one moment we feel he hastriumphed once again over 'shallow-changing woman'and at the next that, since even a woman can nowhoodwink him, his star must indeed have sunk. Yet ifthese were Sh.'s intentions he does not make themtheatrically clear. Cf. 11.429-30, n. and Introd. p. xliv.

200. moe (Q 1) F. ( < Q 6 ) 'more'.216. No (Pope; A.W.) F. Qq+Al. ' L o \ The

change 'improves the sense and verbal patterning'(A.W.).

births (Q; A.W.) F. 'birth'. Cf. 'lives' in 1. 217.219. avoided grace i.e. one who has rejected the

grace of God. 221. cousins! F. 'Cofins?'222-35. K. Rich. You.. .bosom Qq omit.226. indirectly gave directions Cf. Ham. 2. 1. 63;

K. John, 3. 1. 275-6.228. whetted...heart Cf. 2 H. IF, 4. 5. 107;

Merch. 4. 1. 123-4.230. stilluse i.e.constantandhabitualindulgencein.232-3. anchored. . .bay Cf. Son. 137. 6, 'If eyes

corrupt by over partial looks | Be anchored in the baywhere all men ride.' But here the image of a deerturning at bay seems also present.

234-5. Like aPoor bark e t c- Cf. S H. VI, 5. 4. 3 ff.,for the image elaborated.

4-4- N O T E S 235

237. dangerous success hazardous issue.239. you or yours (Q 1) F. (<Q 6) 'you and yours'

—echoes 1. 238 (F. Q 1). He 'intends' good to both,and has never harmed either.

245. The high... type Cf. Hoi. (671/2 < Hall, 270)'the high type of his honour'; 3 H. VI, 1. 4.121, andG. 'type'.

248. demise The legal term ironically suggests thathis claims are illegal.

251-2. in the Lethe drown Cf. 2 H. IF, 5. 2. 72, n.In Jen. vi. 713-15 it is the drinking of Lethe thatbrings forgetfulness. But the idea of immersion ordrowning was current in Sh.'s day (e.g. see Mirror,pp. 246,1. 28; 268,1. io, though on p. 302, Induction,1. i n , Sackville follows Vergil); and Root {Class.Myth, in Sh. p. 67) suggests that it may derive fromDante (Purg. 31. ior) .

254. the process.. .kindness i.e. the story of yourkind intentions.

257. with her soul i.e. with all her heart. Cf.H. F. 3. 6. 8.

259. from v. G. A quibble continued in 11. 259-60.269. wouldI (Q 1) F. (<Q 6) ' I would'.271. With all (Pope; A.W.) F. £>q, 'Madam, with

all'.275. sometimes (Q, 1) F. (<Q 6)'fometime'. Cf.

G.278. brother's body Rowe read 'brothers' bodies'.

But the sing, pairs with 'Rutland's' and is enough forthe purpose. That she knew the princes were smothered(v. 4. 4. 134) is beside the point.

285. this is (Q) F. 'this'.289-343. Say.. .years? Qq omit.290. hate Tyrwhitt conj. 'love' and Mason 'have'

(ironical).292. Look wi^/=whatever (v. G.).

236 N O T E S 4.4.

293. .f/W/='cannot but' (Onions, citing this).deal act.301. dotingv.G. 304. painv. G. 305. &Vv. G.31 o-11. / cannot. . . I can Cf. Tilley, N 5 4 , ' He that

will not when he may, when he would he shall have nay'.323. orient pearl Cf. M.N.D. 4. 1. 53; Ant. 1. 5.

41; and G. 'orient'.324-5. loan. . .Often times (Theob.) F . ' l oue . . .

Often-times'. One of Theob.'s triumphs. For'loan'(sp. 'lone') misprinted 'loue'-v. MSH. p. 108.

344. infer Cf. G. and 3. 5. 74, n.; 3. 7. 12, 32;5. 3. 314. O.E.D. glosses this instance 'bring about,cause'; but Ric. is supplying her with arguments.

345. still-lasting Alexander's hyphen.349. vail(F.) Qq ( + edd.) 'waile'. After 'high

and mighty', 'vail' (v. G.) is clearly right.352. fair happy.353. fairly happily.last After 'last' (1. 351) this is suspicious. Poss. Sh.

wrote 'stretch'.356. subject love (Qq) F. (+many edd.) 'Subiect

low'. 'Love' is needed in antithesis to 'loathes' (1. 357)[Wright].

362. too quick (Qq) F. 'to quicke'.365-6. Harp not...break (Q 1) F. reverses the

lines because Q 6 omitted 1. 364 and the collatorinserted it at the wrong place. Greg (Ed. Prob.p. 86, n. 2) notes this as enough by itself to prove theuse of Q 6 as copy.

367-78. Now by my George.. .most of all. Cf. Leir,11. 1625-33:

Me/. That to be true, in fight of heauen I fweare.Leir. Sweare not by heauen, for feare of puniihment:

The heauens are guiltleffe of fuch haynous acts.Mef. I fweare by earth, the mother of us all.Leir. Sweare not by earth; for fhe abhors to beare

4-4- N O T E S 237

Such baftards, as are murtherers of her fonnes.Mef. Why then, by hell, and all the deuils I fweare.Leir. Sweare not by hell; for that ftands gaping wide

To fwallow thee, and if thou do this deed.

378. God— I God's (after Q) F. 'Heauen. |Heauens'.

380. The unity i.e. the reconciliation in 2. 1.381. brothers (?) Qq 'brother'. Cf. 1. 3. 37, n.382. hadst. . .by (F. gq) The gq have the same

words in 1. 379, where F. corrects them to 'didd'st.. .with', and I suspect should have done so here also.

386. two tender (F. gq) Cap. (Roderick conj.) 'tootender'.

389. That thou hast wronged i.e. by filling it withsorrow.

391. Hereafter time i.e. the time to come.392. The children Poss. she means Clarence's.393. in their ( g 1) F. ( < g 6 ) 'with their'—cf.

1. 395. in their age =when they grow old; 'with theirage'=along with old age [G.M.].

397. o'erpast ( g 1) F. 'repast'. J.C.M. suggeststhat the corrector accidentally struck through the 'o 'while altering 'mifufed' ( g 6) to 'ill-vs'd' (F.).

404. proceeding (F.) g'proceedings'.408. to myself. . .the land He names himself first!

[Delius].414. attorney Cf. 1. 127; 5. 3. 83.418. peevish-fond ( g 1 'pieuifh, fond') F.'peeuifli

found'. Mai. conj. hyphen.421. forget. . .to be myself i.e. 'forget myself, the

wronged mother, to be myself, the royal queen-mother' (A.H.T.).

425. nest of spicery Alluding to the fabled nest inArabia upon which the Phoenix was burnt and thusgave birth to a new phoenix [Steev.]. Cf. 3 H. VI, 1.4.35, and Nashe, ii. 243, 23-5.

23& NOTES 4.4.

429-30. / go...mind In Cibber's version (v.p. xlviii ff.) she is given an aside here to indicate that shemerely pretends to yield. L. 429 halts and is I suspectslightly corrupt.

431. S.D. (after J.) F. 'Exit £>.\432. Relenting etc. Cf. Aen. iv. 569-70, 'Varium

et mutabile semper Femina' [A.H.T.] and Hoi.(7 5 0/2 < Hall, 406), 'Suerlie the inconstancie of thiswoman were muche to be maruelled at' [Wright].

S.D. (Cap.) F. 'Enter Ratcliffe'.434-539. on the western coast . . . with me. Tele-

scoped and kaleidoscoped history. In Oct. 1483 Ric.marched towards Salisbury to meet Buck.; but cut offby floods (11. 511-14) from his Welsh levies Buck, wascaptured (1. 532), and executed at Salisbury (5. 1) on31 Oct. Shortly after this Richmond put to sea(11. 463 ff.) with an invading army, but his navy wasdispersed by tempest, and though he appeared ofFPoolein a single vessel and Ric. attempted to lure him ashoreby causing false intelligence to reach him that thetroops he could see on land were Buck.'s, he returnedto France (11. 522—8) and did not actually invadeEngland until two years later (11. 533-5), while it wasto help him repel this invasion that Ric. sends for theDuke of Norfolk (1. 441).

442. thyself— The dash is Alexander's.445. Ratcliffe; come (Rowe) F. 'Catesby come'.

Not in Qq. The F. error may be set down to thecollator, who had much to alter in Q 6 at this point,and may well have been puzzled by the dialogue.

446. S.D. (Rowe) Dull... villain Ric.'s irritableabsent-mindedness here, indicative of his losing grip, isparalleled in Macb. 5. 3.

453. I go (F. Qq) Not needed, and prob. an actor'saddition. S.D. F. 'Exit'.

457. S.D. (F.).

4-4. N O T E S 239

465. White-livered runagate Cf. 'lily-livered boy',Macb. 5. 3.15. By 'runagate' (v. G.) Ric. implies thatRichm. is a renegade subject.

485. in the north The Stanleys had been since the14th c. and still are the chief family in Lancashire andCheshire.

491. Ay, ay, (Qq ' I , I,') F . ' I , ' .495-6. leave behind.. .George Stanley Hoi. (751/2)

notes Ric.'s great mistrust of 'lord Stanleie' whom he'in no wise would suffer' to depart 'into his countrieto visite his familie... (as he openlie said, but the truthwas, to the intent to be in perfect readinesse to receiuethe earle of Richmond at his first arriuall in England). . . before he had left as a hostage in the court GeorgeStanleie, lord Strange, his first begotten sonne andheire'.

499. S.D. F. 'Exit Stanley. Enter a MefTenger.'501-4. Sir Edward Courtney.. .the Guildfords

These are named in Hoi. 743/1 as rising to supportBuck, in 1483.

503, 506. S.D.s (F.).508. owls.. .songs of death? Cf. Lucr. 165; Macb.

2. 2. 3 and 1 H. VI, 4. 2. 15. S.D. (after F.).you (SI 1) F . ( < Q 6 ) ' y e \511-12. by sudden foods etc. On pp. 743-4 Hoi.

relates that Buck, was prevented from joining forceswith his Welsh army by great floods which caused theSevern to overflow 'all the countrie adioining', so thathe was compelled to fly, and £1000 was offered for hiscapture by a proclamation dated 23 Oct. 1483.

518. S.D. (F.).519-20. Lovel.. .Dorset.. .in Yorkshire It is

typical of the high-handed treatment of historical timein this scene that Hoi. (743/1) records this rising withthose of Courtney in Devon and the Guildfords inKent (v. 11. 500-5) as taking place in 1483 directly

24° N O T E S 4.4.

after Dorset's escape from sanctuary and before hiscrossing the Channel to join Richmond, of which weheard as proposed in 4. 1. 39-43, and as accomplishedin 4. 2. 45-7.

522-8. The Breton navy... Brittany Having heardin 1. 434 that Richmond's navy is 'on the westerncoast' (as it was in 1485) we are now told it is offDorset (as it was in 1483). Cf. 11. 434-539, n. And in11. 533-4 he had landed at Milford Haven! Breton(Cap.+edd.) F. 'Britaine'.

528. Hoised sail For Greene's use of 'hoise',V.2H.FI, 1. 1.167, n.

531. S.D. F.'Enter Catesby'.535. tidings, yet (Q 1) F. 'Newes, but yet '<Q 6

'newes, yet'. Cf. Note on Copy, p. 152.536-7. towards Salisbury.. .lost This, which has

no relation to Richmond's landing in 1485, is a relic ofthe campaign against Buck, in 1483. Cf. 11. 434-

539' n-539. S.D. F. 'Florifh. Exeunt'.

4.5.Material. The priest Christopher Urswick, afterwards

a chaplain and ambassador to Henry VII, is mentioned byHoi. (742/1 and Hall, 392) as a chaplain in 1483 to Henry'smother, the Countess of Richmond, who proposed sendinghim to her son in Brittany but then changed her mind andsent another messenger. Urswick's name is given promi-nence, however, in Hol.'s margin and thus offered itself tothe dramatist as that of a confidential agent of the family.For the reference to George Stanley (1. 3), v. 4.4.495-6, n.,and for the Queen's consent to the marriage with Richmondv. 4. 4. 199-432, n. The names in 11. 12-15 a r e c^ie^ byHoi. (753/2 and 749/1) as among Richmond's supporters.;

S.D. Loc. (Camb.+Hanmer) Entry F. 'EnterDerby and Sir Christopher'. Stanley has not been

4.5- N O T E S 241

called 'Derby' in F. since his first two entries at 1. 3.16, and 2. 1. 95. For 'sir* v. G. Actually Urswick,a Doctor of Laws and Master of King's Hall Cambridge,should not be so addressed.

9. •princely Cf. r. 3. 280, n. The style of this briefscene, if Sh.'s, is very perfunctory.

10. Ha'rford-west (Cap.) Q 'Harford-weft'. F.'Hertford West'.

12. Sir Walter Herbert 'the second son of SirWilliam Herbert, a staunch Yorkist, created... in1468 Earl of Pembroke' (French, p. 238).

13. Sir Gilbert Talbot correctly so called by Hoi.on 753/2 but 'Sir George Talbot' by Hall (411) in thecorresponding passage. Uncle to the Earl of Shrews-bury. Sir William Stanley 'Derby's' brother, thoughSh. seems unconscious of this.

14. Oxford... Sir James Blunt Mentioned earlierby Hoi. (749/1) as together crossing the sea to joinRichmond in France. Blunt was the captain of HamesCastle in which Oxford had been confined afterTewkesbury (v. 3 H. FI, 5. 5. 2). redoubted Pembrokei.e. Jasper Tudor, Richmond's uncle.

15. Rice ap Thomas...crew As Richmond marchedtowards Shrewsbury he was met by this man 'with agoodlie band of Welshmen' (Hoi. 753/2). Cf. Hoi.(753/1), 'Sir Walter Herbert, with a great crue ofmen'. See G. 'crew'.

a 1. S.D. F. 'Exeunt'.

5Material. Hoi. (744/2 < Hall, 395) states that Buck,

made a full confession in the hope that Ric. would granthim an interview which he 'sore desired', whether 'to suefor pardon. . .or whether he being brought to his presencewould haue sticked him with a dagger'. [Cf. H. VIII,1. 2. 193-9.] 'Bu t . . .vpon All Soules daie, without

R. in- 17

N O T E S 5.1.

arraignment or Judgement, he was at Salisburie in the openmarketplace on a new scaffold beheaded and put to death'.Both Wright and G.M. wrongly state that Hoi. places theexecution at Shrewsbury.

S.D. Loc. (Pope + Cap.) v. Mat. Entry F. 'EnterBuckingham with Halberds, led to Execution.' Roweadded the Sheriff; the speeches at 11. 2, II beingprefixed 'Sher.' in F.

4. Holy King Henry Cf. 1. 2. 8, n.11. my lord (£>) F. omits. 'Sir' would be too

abrupt.13-17. This is the Jay. ..trusted Cf. 2. 1. 29-40

(N.B. 'wife's allies', L 15).19. the determined.. .wrongs 'the appointed time

to which the punishment of my wrong-doing has beendeferred' (G.M.).

23-4. force'.. .bosoms Cf. Caes. 5. 3. 95-6, 'Thyspirit... turns our swords | In our own proper entrails',and Ps. xxxvii. 14-15.

25. Margaret's curse Cf. 1. 3. 299-301.29. Wrong.. .wrong i.e. this unjust death is only

retribution for the unjust deaths I have been responsiblefor.

S.D. F. 'Exeunt Buckingham with Officers'.

5.2.Material. Hoi. (754/2 < Hall, 412-13) records that

Richmond marched from Shrewsbury to Lichfield and thenon to Tamworth, while Richard on his part enteredLeicester. And on the same page he emphasizes that manyof those with Richard 'inwardlie hated' him 'woorse thana tode or a serpent'.

S.D. Loc. (Hanmer) Entry (F.).3. the bowels of the land i.e. the heart of the

country. Cf. 1 H. VI, 1.1. 129, n.; 4. 7.425 Cor. 4. 5.136.

5.2. N O T E S 243

6. Lines etc. The letter sent in 4. 5.8. spoils (Cap.; J.D.W.). F. Qq 'fpoyl'd'. Edd.

cite other exx. of a sudden change of tense in Sh., butin all the present is 'historic', while here it is genuine.F. prints 1. 8 in brackets.

9. wash v. G.10. embowelled v. G.11. centre F. 'Centry'. For the F. sp. v. O.E.D.

'Centry'. 12. Near (Qi) F. 'Ne're' < Q 6 'Neere'.17, 19, 20. Q 1 assigns to ' 1 ' , ' 2 ' , and '3 Lo.'20-1. He hath no friends etc. Cf. Macb. 5. 2. 19-

20; 5.4. 13-14.dearest v. G. 'dear'.24. S.D. 'Exeunt Omnes'.

5-3-Material. The incidents in this long scene closely follow

the events as described in Hoi. (753/1-760/1 < Hall, 413-20)with slight variations noted below.

S.D. Loc. (Pope) Entry (Camb.) F. 'Enter KingRichard in Armes, with Norfolke, Ratcliffe, and theEarle of Surrey'. Surrey, Norfolk's son, later victor atFlodden, becomes Norfolk in H. Fill.

3. g i assigns to 'Cat.'5. ^ . ^ = eh? Cf. 1. 2. 238,11.1 o. six or seven Hoi. says not above five.11. trebles Hoi. 'double so much'.12. the king's name etc. Cf. Prov. xviii. 10, 'The

name of the Lord is a strong tower' [Douce].16. direction Cf. 11. 236, 302, and G.18. S.D.iQ.D.W.) F.'Exeunt', ii (Camb.<Cap.)

F. 'Enter Richmond, Sir William Brandon, Oxford,and Dorfet.'

19-21. The weary sun. ..tomorrow Cf. Ric.'swords, 11. 283-7.

24+ N O T E S 5.3.

22. Sir...standard Cf. Hoi. (759/1): 'KingRichard set on so sharplie at the first brunt that heouerthrew the earles standard and slue Sir WilliamBrandon his standard-bearer' (cf. 5. 5. 14).

25. Limit v. G. 28. you (edd.) F. 'your'.34-41. Where is...note In Hoi. (755/1) the

meeting with Stanley takes place in a town nearBosworth before Richmond encamps there.

46. S.D. i. (F.) ii (Cap.) F. 'Enter Richard,Ratcliffe, Norfolke & Catesby'.

47-end of play. F. is printed from Q 3, apparentlyuncollated with any MS. Q 1 is therefore the best textavailable here. See Note on Copy, pp. 142-3.

50. beaver v. G.54. sentinels (F.) Q 1-3 'CentinelT.57. S.D. F. 'Exit'.58-9. K. Richard. Catesby! Catesby. My lord?

(as in Pope). £)q 1-3 'Xing. Catesby! Rat. MyLord.' F. 'Rick. Ratcliffe. Rat. My Lord.' F. altersthe speech to accord with the incorrect prefix in <j).

59-62. Send out.. .night Cf. 11. 342ff., n.62. S.D. (after edd.) F. omits.63. watch ' (?)= watch-light, or candle divided

into sections which burn through a definite time; butperhaps=sentinel' (Onions). Marshall suggests 'time-piece'.

64. Saddle white Surrey suggested by the 'greatwhite courser' on which Ric. had entered Leicester(Hoi. 754/2). Other reff. to the horse in 11. 177, 289;5. 4. 4, 7-8.

65. staves v. G. 'staff'.66—77. The metre suggests there is something

Wrong with the text here; cf. 11. 72-5, n.68. Sazv'st thou (Qq) In F. 'thou' is crowded out

of the line.the.. .Northumberland Suspected by Ric; when it

5.3. NOTES *45

came to fighting he stood aside 'with a great companieand intermitted not in the battelT (Hoi. 759/2).

72. A bowl of wine (J.C.M. i960) F. Qq 'Give mea bowl of wine'. He has already asked for it at 1.63 andmay well be brusque here (J.C.M.).

73-4. / have not.. .to have Hoi. 755/1 speaks ofRic. 'not vsing the alacritie and mirth of mind andcountenance as he was accustomed to doo before hecame toward the battell'.

78. S.D. i (J.D.W.) F. 'Exit Ratclif.' u F.'Enter.. .tent'+Camb.

79 ff. Cf. 11. 34-41, n.82. loving {Q 1) F. (<Q 3) 'noble'—caught from

I.81.86. Jlaky 'streaked with light'(G.M.). ButO.ED.

glosses 'consisting of flakes...^, of snow'; andcoming from Q 3, the word is suspect. Poss. Sh. wrote'fleckled'; cf. Rom. 2. 3. 3. (New Sh.').

90. mortal-staring v. G. The hyphen is Steev.'s.91. / would I (edd.<Q 3) F. ' I would. I ' . Cf.

4. 4. 310-ir, n.100. sund'red F. 'fundred' Q$ 'fundired' Qx

'fundried'.104. strive with i.e. 'strive against' (Vaughan).thoughts (Qq) F. 'noife' a strange error. Yet, it has

been observed, 'troubled thoughts' seem inconsistentwith Richm.'s calm assurance elsewhere. Cf. 1. 149.

105. leaden slumber i.e. the heavy sleep that over-takes one after a sleepless night. Cf. Lucr. 124.

107. S.D. (J.D.W.) F. 'Exeunt. Manet Rich-mond'. Q 3 'Exeunt'.

108-17. O Thou.. .still Cf. the humbler tone ofH. V's prayer before Agincourt (H. V,\. 1. 285-301).

n o . bruising irons v. G. 'bruise'. O.E.D. doesnot countenance Herford's gloss, 'battle-axes'.

112. Th'(F.) Q 1 (+edd.) 'The'.

246 N O T E S 5-3.

114. the victory (Q 1) Q 3 'thy victor/'—which isattractive. Cf. Note on Copy, p. 144.

116. windows Cf. G. and Caes. G.117. S.D. i (F.). ii (J.D.W.) F. 'Enter the Ghoft of

Prince Edward, Sonne to Henry the fixt.'118-76. T H E GHOSTS. These appear in the order of

their death, and so recapitulate crime by crime thewhole catalogue. In Q 1-2 the young Princes enterbefore Hastings; the chronology is restored in Q 3,which suggests deliberate correction. Cf. Note onCopy, p. 143.

For the style of their speeches, v. Introd. p. xxxiv.Ric.'s dream, or at least what he says as he awakes(11. 177 S.), is suggested by Hoi. 735/2 (cited 4. 1.85, n.) and 755/1:

The fame went that he [Ric] had the same night adreadful and terrible dreame: for it seemed to him, beingasleepe, that he did see diuerse images like terrible diuels,•which pulled and haled him, not suffering him to take aniequiet or rest. . .But I thinke this was no dreame but apunction and pricke of his sinfull conscience.

118. S.D. F. 'Gh. toRi. '119. stab'st (F.) Past tense.121. S.D. F. 'Ghoft to Richm.'.123. S.D. (i) (J.D.W.). Cf. 1. 176 S.D., n.

(ii) after F.124. S.D. (Q 1) F. omits.125. deadly (Q 1) Omitted later.128. S.D. (F.).129. prophesied Cf. 3 H. VI, 4. 6. 68-76.130. thy sleep (Qq) F. 'fleepe'. 'Thy ' is emphatic.

S.D. (i) J.D.W. (ii) after F.131. S.D. F. omits, on (Q 5) Qq 1-4 F. (+some

edd.) ' in' . Cf. 1. 118.132. fulsome A pregnant word; v. G. and 1.4.157.

5-3« N O T E S 247

13$./a/I let fall.136. S.D. (F.).138. S.D. (i) J.D.W. (ii) after F.139. g i heads this 'King'; Q 3 corrects to 'Riu.'

and F. follows. Cf. Note on Copy, p. 143. on (Q 5)£>q 1-4, F. (+some edd.) 'in'. Cf. 1. 131, n.

141. S.D. (edd.). 142. S.D. (edd.).144. S.D. (after F.).145. S.D. (i) J.D.W. (ii) F. 'Enter the Ghoft of

Lord Haftings.'146. S.D. (edd.).148. despair (£)q. F.) Pope 'and despair'. I conj.

'think, despair'.149. S.D. F. 'Haft, to Rich.'150. S.D. (after F.). 151. S.D. (edd.).152. W ( Q i ) F. (<Q 3)'laid'.154. souls bid(Q 1-3) F. 'foule bids'.155. S.D. F.'Ghofts to Richm.'158. S.D. (i) J.D.W. (ii) after Camb. ( < g 1). F.

'Enter the Ghoft of Anne, his wife'.159. S.D. F. 'Ghoft to Rich.'160. That never.. ,'thee Cf. 4. 1. 82ff.; 85, n.164. S.D. F. 'Ghoft to Richm.'166. S.D. (i) J.D.W. (ii) after F.173. S.D. F. 'Ghoft to Richm.'. for hope Meaning

disputed. Wright, citing Mad. 1. 5. 35 'dead forbreath', explains 'as regards hope; and hence almostequivalent to "for want of hope'"; and Dyce citesGreene, James IF, 1.2220 (ed. Collins, ii. 152), 'whenI am dead for hope'. Steev. offers a different interpre-tation, viz. ' I died for hoping to give you aid beforeI could actually give it'; and G.M. substantially agrees,pointing out that Buck, was executed for supportingRichmond.

176. /alls (Qq) F. 'fall'. LI. 175-6 are hereindicative not optative.

248 N O T E S 5.3.

S.D. (i) (J.D.W.) Rowe+most subs. edd. read 'TheGhosts vanish', as if they had been lining up on thestage meanwhile! (ii) 'Richard.. .dream' (F.).

177. another horse He dreams (prophetically,5. 4. 7) that 'white Surrey' has been killed under him.N.B. the waking thoughts connect with Buck.'s lastWords.

180. burn blue. A sure sign that ghosts are abroad.Cf. Caes. 4. 3. 273. Marshall cites Lyly, Gallathea,2. 3. 62-5.

now (Q 1) F. (<Q 3) 'not'.dead midnight Cf. Ham. 1. 2. 198, n.181. Cold...flesh Cf. Tit. 2. 3. 212.182. What do I fear? myself? (Q i+most edd.)

Q 3 'What do I feare my felfe?'; F. 'What? doI feare my Selfe?'

183. I am I (F., Qz) Qx ' I and I ' . Q 2,accepted by all, and obviously right, echoes ' I ammyself alone' (3 H. VI, 5. 6. 83). Cf. Note on Copy,p. 144.

185. Great reason why— (Al.) Q 3 'great reafonwhy,'. F. 'Great reafon: Why?'

186. Lest I revenge. Myself (Cap.; J.D.W.) F.'Reuenge. What? my Selfe'<Q 1-3 'reuenge. Whatmy felfe'. I am tempted to read with Lettsom & Dyce'Lest I revenge myself upon myself.

187. myself. For (J.CM.) F. (+edd.) 'my Selfe.Wherefore? For'<£) 3 'my felfe, wherfore? for'.

191. I am a villain Cf. the confidence of 1. 1. 30.193. conscience.. .tongues Cf. Tilley, C601, citing

Erasmus, Adagiat 'Conscientia mille testes'; Lyly,Euphues (Bond i, 296); Greene, Philomela {Works^ xi.200) 'a guiltye conscience is a thousand witnesses'.

196. Perjury, perjury (£) 1) i.e. on the part ofConscience's tongue. Once only in Q 3-6, F.

198. used committed, degree Apparently 'relative

5.3- N O T E S 249

measure of criminality' is meant; cf. O.E.D. 6,d(earliest quot. 1676).

199. Throng to (Q 1, Q 2) F. ( < Q 3) 'Throngall to'—I think a misprint, not a correction, to the(Qq) F. 'to'th".

2 0 1 . ^ 7 / ( Q i ) F . ( < Q 3 ) ' f h a i r .202. Nay, (F.; J.C.M.) Qq (+edd.) 'And'. Cf.

Note on Copy, p. 144.204-6. Methought etc. 'These lines stand with so

little propriety at the end of this speech that I cannotbut suspect them to be misplaced. Where then shallthey be inserted?' (J.). He suggested after 1. 192;Mason, after 1. 214; Grant White, after 1. 178 or1. 212; and Vaughan agrees with this last suggestion,which, if change be needed, seems the best.

206. S.D. F. 'Enter Ratcliffe'.208. Zounds (Qq) F. omits. Cf. Note on Copy, p. 15 8.209. My lord (Q7; A.H.T.; J.D.W.) F. (+edd.)

'Ratcliffe my Lord'. 'Ratcliffe', unnecessary andhypermetrical, is prob. a 'player's connective', not, asWright suggests, 'merely a repetition' of the speech-prefix. Cf. pp. 154-5.

212-13. O Ratcliffe.. .true? (Qq) F. omits. TheF. compositor's eye jumped from 'O Ratcliffe' in1. 212 of Q 3 to 'O Ratcliffe' in 1. 214 [A.H.T.].

213. What...true? (J.D.W.) Q i 'What thinkftthou, will our friendes proue all true?' Cap. read'thinkest'.

214. Ratcliffe (Pope; J.D.W.) F. Q (+edd.) 'ORatcliffe'. This second ' O ' (cf. 1. 212) which weakensthe effect of terror, I take to be a 'player's connective'.Cf. 1. 1. 49, n.; 2. 4. 63, n.

216. By the apostle Paul Cf. 1. 1. 138, n. shadowsv. G. for quibble.

221. eaves- (F 4) F. 'Eafe-' Q 6 'ewfe-' Q 1 *eafe\'Ease'=a 16th c. sp. of 'eaves', v. O.E.D.

*5° N O T E S 5-3-

222. hearY. ( < Q 3) Q 1, Q 2 'fee*. Cf. Note onCopy, p. 143. S.D. (i) F. 'Exeunt Richard & Ratcliffe'.(ii) (F.) 'sitting in his tent' is added by F., cf. Note onCopy, p. 143.

223. F. gives this to 'Richm.'; Q 3 to 'Lords'.225. ta'en a tardy sluggard Cf. 4. 1. 52.227. fairest. ..dreams Hoi. does not speak of

Richm,'s. 231. cried on v. G.232. my soul (Q 1, Q 3) F. 'my Heart'. After

'their souls' in 1. 230, F. seems the more attractivereading. Cf. Note on the Copy, p. 144.

236. S.D. F. 'His Oration to his Souldiers'. Thisand the S.D. at 1. 313 which occurs in Q1-3(not F.), have no parallel elsewh., I think, in Sh. texts,but cf. 'Queen Elinor's Speech' in Peek's Ed. I, iii,73 S.D. Both orations are based upon Hoi. and theheadings were prob. suggested by his. The Orationbegins abruptly, as if some introd. matter had beenlost; but cf. 1. 314. Cap. added 'who. . .tent'.

240—70. God and our good cause.. .victory! InHoi. 756/1-758/2 (<Hall, 416-18) Richm. doubtsnot 'but God will.. .fight for us'; declares ''our causeis.. .iust ' , while, in the opposite host, are 'menbrought thither for feare, and not for loue. . . personswhich desire rather the destruction than saluation oftheir maister and capteine'; asks 'For what can be amore. . . godlie quarrell than to fight against a capteine,being an homicide and murtherer of his owne bloud orprogenie'; exhorts his soldiers to 'labour for your gaine& sweat for your right'; reminds them that while inRichard's time 'we . . .in Britaine.. .had small liuingsand little plentie of wealth or welfare now is the timecome to get aboundance of riches... which is thereward of your seruice, and merit of your paines';assures them for himself that 'in so iust and good acause...you shall find me this daie rather a dead

5-3. N O T E S 251

carrion vpon the cold ground, than a free prisoner ona carpet in a ladies chamber'; and concludes 'thereforein the name of God and S. George, let euerie man coura-giouslie aduance foorth his standardP [italics Stone's],

243-4. Richard.. .follow Introd. p. xxxvi; G.M.cites Milton, P.L. ii. 678.

250. foil ( S 1, Q, 2) F .<Q 3, 'foile'. Cf. R. II,1. 3. 266; 1 H. IF, 1. 2. 207.

252. set with a double meaning.255. sweat (Q 1, Q2) F.<£>3 'fweare'. Cf.

Hol.'s'sweat' (11.240-70,n.),and v.p. 153,n. 1,above.258. country's fat= ''the fat of the land' (Gen. xlv.

18). A.W. (p. 29) conj. 'foes' for 'fat'—I think animprovement, preserving the pattern.

262. quits (Q; F.) Cf. Franz. §§155, 673.264. Advance v. G.265-6. the ransom.. .corpse Cf. H. V, 4. 3. 122-3

and G. 'ransom'.269. bold(Staunton) £q , F.(+edd.) 'boldly'. Cf.

1. 338, n.270. S.D. (i) F. omits 'exeunt', (ii) F. 'Enter

King Richard, Ratcliffe, and Catesby', reading 'andCatesby' for 'e tc ' (Q 3).

271-5. What said etc. Rat. reports the results ofhis eavesdropping (cf. 11. 220-2).

272. never.. .arms Cf. Tit. 1. 1. 30; Peele'sDavid £sf Bethsabe, ix. 107. The words echo Hoi.756/2 (Ric.'s 'Oration'): 'a Welsh milkesop, a man ofsmall courage, and of lesse experience in martiall actsand feats of warre.' 275. S.D. (F.).

278. the book the calendar.279. braved v. G. N.B. the sky, still louring upon

Ric, was already shining for Richmond at 1. 86. Cf.also 1. 1. 2-4.

280. A black day.. .somebody Prov. Cf. Tilley,D88; 3 H. FIt 5. 6. 85; 2 H. IF, 5. 4. 14.

N O T E S 5.3,

282-3. The sun...army. Much is made of this'gloomy day' in T.T. (11. 1989-92).

284. from Cf. 3. 5. 32.286-7. the selfsame.. .him Cf. 19-21, 86, 279, n.S.D. (J.D.W.) F. 'Enter Norfolke'.291-300. I will lead... horse Closely follows Hol/s

account of the disposition of the forces.292. orderid (Qq) F. 'ordred'.293. out all (Q 1) F. ( < Q 3) omits.295. this ( Q i ) F . ( < Q 3 ) ' t h e \299. whose puissance (Qq; F.) Pope 'which*.301. and...boot i.e. with St George to aid us.

Cf. G. 'boot', and George a Greene (Mai. Soc), 339,'Saint Andrewe be my boote'. J.C.M. suggests thatF. 'boote' (Qq 'bootes') maybe an actor's error for'borrow', as in the chron. (v. 11. 314.—41, n.).

303. S.D. (after Q 1-3) F. omits.304. ''Jockey etc ' F. Qq give no prefix; Cap.

assigned it to Ric, prob. correctly since Norfolk couldnot read such an insult aloud to his sovereign.

of Norfolk (F.; Qq) Al. 'to Norfolk', too bold (Cap.;Craig) Q 1-5, F. (+edd.) 'fo bold'. Q 6 'to bold'.Hoi. (759/2) gives 'too bold', which is so manifestlythe better that I cannot doubt it was Sh.'s reading and'so bold' the player's 'report'. Cf. Mal.'s note.

305. bought and sold v. G.308-11. Let not...our law Mason (v. Camb.)

plausibly conj. this to be 'aside'.309—10. Conscience.. .awe Contrast his words and

attitude in 11. 178-9, 193-9. He has now recoveredhis normal 'Machiavellian' self. Cf. Introd. p. xv. Inthe Oration that Hall and Hoi. give him he confessesthe murder of his nephews and admits his sorrow for it.

309. Conscience is but (Q 1) F. 'For Confcience is'<Q 3 'Confcience is'.

312. to it (Q 1, Q 3) F. 'tooY.

5-3. N O T E S *53

313. S.D. Cf. I 236, S.D. This 'Oration' occurseven more abruptly than the other, awkwardly indeed,just after the command to charge 'pell-mell'.

314-41. What shall I say.. .staves! Cf. thefollowing from Hol.'s (<Hall's) 'Oration of KingRichard the third to the chiefteins of his armie'

(755/2-757/0 =Ye see. . . how a companie of traitors, theeues, outlawes,

and runnagates of our owne nation be aiders and partakersof his [Richmond's] feat and enterprise.. .You see also,•what a number of beggerlie Britans and faint-heartedFrenchmen be with him 'arriued to destroie vs, our iviuesand children... .And to begin with the erle of Richmondcapteine of this rebellion, he is a Welsh milkesop, a man ofsmall courage, and of lesse experience in martiall acts andfeats of warre, brought vp by my moothers ['brothers',ed. i] meanes, and mine, like a captiue in a close cage in thecourt of Francis duke of Britaine... .And as for theFrenchmen and Britans, their valiantnesse is such, that ournoble progenitors, and your valiant parts ['parents', ed. i]haue them oftener vanquished and ouercome in onemoneth, than they in the beginning imagined possiblie tocompasse and finish in a whole yeare. . . . Now saint Georgeto borow [=as our security], let vs set forward. [ItalicsStone's.]

314. inferred v. G. and cf. 3. 5. 74, n.316. A sort of etc. Cf. 2 H. VI, 3. 2. 277. Refers

to his English renegade subjects, including Richm.(cf. 4. 4. 465, n.).

317-19. A scum.. .destruction Cf. Ham. 1. 1. 97—100. i?nr/<?#.r (Cap.+edd.) F. (+A1.)'Brittaines'.

318. o'er-cloyed v. G.; fig. for over-populated. Cf.Ham. 4. 4. 27-9 (and n.), the same idea under adifferent figure.

319. ventures (Cap.) Qq, F. (+some) 'aduentures'.320. to you ( Q i ) F . < Q 3 'you to'.322. distrain (Warb.; Marshall) Qq, F. (+edd.)

254 N O T E S 5-3-

'reftrain'. J. and Cap. accepted 'distrain', whichattracted them because 'distain' followed; but Mai.ruled it out as being a legal term restricted to seizurefor non-payment of rent. Yet (as Marshall notes) atR. II, 2. 3. 131; 1 H. VI, 3. 61, it simply='confiscate'(v. O.E.D., vb.) while 'restrain' gives the much lessapt sense of 'withhold' (O.E.D.).

324. Bretagne (Hanmer) F. Qq 'Britaine'. TheFr. form avoids confusion.

at our mother's cost 'Mother's' is a misprint in Hoi.ed. ii (756/2) for 'brother's' in ed. i (<Hall 415) i.e.Ric.'s brother-in-law, the Duke of Burgundy, whosupported Richmond in exile (v. 11. 314-41, n.). Cf.1.4. 10, n., and v. Introd. p. xiv.

327. whip.. .stragglers Alluding to the statutorypenalty for vagabonds in Sh.'s England, viz. a soundwhipping by the beadle before sending them back totheir home-town.

335. in record (Q 1), F. ( < Q 3) 'on record'.337. S.D. (F.) Not in gq . Cf. Note on Copy,

' 338." Fight (Q 1) F. ( < g 3)told(Qi) F . ( < Q 3)'boldly'.340. ride in Hood charge with passion (i.e.

violently). An exp. of the chase. Cf. 1 H. VI, 4. 2. 48;Cor. 1. 1. 163.

341. Jmaze. ..staves Cf. W. Smith, The Hectorof Germany (1615), 'Speares flew in splinters half theway to heaven' [Steev.].

S.D. (F.) gq omit.342 ff. Stanley etc. Cf. 11. 59-62, and Hoi. 760/1:

When King Richard was come to Bosworth he sent apurseuant to the lord Stanleie, commanding him toaduance forward with his companie, and to come to hispresence, which thing if he refused to doo he sware byChristes passion, that he would strike off his sonnes head

5-3. NOTES *55

before he dined. The lord Stanleie answered the purseuantthat if the king did so, he had more sonnes aliue; and, asto come to him, he was not then so determined. WhenKing Richard heard this answer he commanded the lordStrange incontinent to be beheaded... .But the councellors. . .persuaded the king that it was now time to fight, & notime to execute.

345. fast the marsh Cf. Hoi. 758/2:

When King Richard saw the earles companie was passedthe marish; he did command with all hast to set vpon them.

By crossing the marsh Richmond had seized a defensibleposition and put the sun at his back.

348-9. set...George Cf. 11. 269-70.350. spleen. ..dragons Cf. K. John, 2. I. 68,

'With ladies' faces and fierce dragon's spleens'[Wright].

351. helms (Q 1, Q 4) F. (<£> 3) 'helpes'.S.D. F. 'Exeunt'.

5.4.Material. See 11. 7-10, n.

S.D. hoc. No change needed. Cap.+edd. 'Anotherpart of the field'. Entry, (after Cap.) Qq, F. 'Alarum,excurfions. Enter Catesby'.

3. Daring and (Tyrwhitt<Q 8; J.C.M.) F. Q 3(+edd.) 'Daring an'—a very awkward, almostnonsensical reading. 'Daring and opposite'= boldlyconfronting.

6. S.D. (F.) Q 3 omits 'Alarums'. Cf. p. 143.7-10. A horse'....die Ultimately derived from

Hoi. (759/2-760/1<Hall 420):

When the losse of the battell was imminent and apparent,they brought to him a swift and a light horse to conveiehim awaie. He which was not ignorant of the grudge andill will that the common people bare toward him, casting

2$6 N O T E S 5.4.

awaie all hope of fortunate successe and happie chance tocome, answered (as men saie) that on that daie he wouldmake an end of all battels or else there finish his life.

But the famous 1. 7, imitated and parodied by laterdramatists (v. Stage-History, p. xlvii), for which Hoi.gives no hint, is itself prob. derived from 'A horse ahorse, a fresh horse' which Ric. cries at Bosworth inT.T. (1. 1985) while the sc. in T.T. is certainly basedon Hoi. or Hall, since it is closer to that source than thesc. before us. Cf. also 11. 1413-17 (5. 1. 96-100) inPeek's Alcazar (<r. 1589):

Moore. A horse, a horse, villain a horse!That I may take the riuer straight and flic

Boy. Here is a horse my LordAs swiftly pac'd as Pegasus,Mount thee thereon, and saue thy selfe by flight.

See further SA. Qyart. pp. 304-6.N.B. A stage-entry on horseback being imprac-

ticable, such a cry was an effective one for a generalentering on foot in a battle scene.

13. S.D. (J.D.W.) gq , F. give no 'exeunt'.

5-5-Material, (i) Richard's death. Hoi. (759/1) states that

Richmond 'withstood his violence and kept him at theswords point. . .longer than his companions either thoughtor iudged'; but that Ric. was later overwhelmed by asudden attack of 3000 men under Sir W. Stanley, and'manfullie fighting in the middle of his enimies, wasslaine'. (ii) Henry VII's crowning. In Hoi. (760/1)Richmond gives thanks to God for the victory after whichhe praises his soldiers and orders them to bury the dead.'Then the people reioised and clapped their hands, criengvp to heauen; King Henrie, King Henrie. When the lordStanleie saw the good will and gladnesse of the people, hetooke the crowne of King Richard which was found

5.5. N O T E S 257

amongst the spoile in the field and set it on the earles head;as though he had beene elected king by the voice of thepeople.' (iii) George Stanley. In Hoi. (760/1-2) after Ric.'sdefeat was clear the boy's guards 'submitted themselves asprisoners' to him and he 'brought them to the newlyproclamed king; where of him and of his father he wasreceiued with great ioy\ Later 'in the euening KingHenrie with greate pompe came t o . . .Leicester*, (iv) Theslain. The four names come from Hoi. (759/2) and Hall(419), who add a fifth 'Sir Richard Radcliffe' which Sh.omits, rather unaccountably.

S.D. Loc. No change needed. Dyce+edd. 'Anotherpart of the field.' Entry (after Qq) F. very similar.

4. this,. .royalty (Q 1) Q 2-3 ' this. . .roialties*F. 'thefe.. .royalties'.

7. enjoy it (Q 1, Q 2) F. ( < Q 3) omits.9. is thy young (J.C.M. conj.) F. Qq 'is yong'

A touch of personal interest. The F. line halts.11. if it please you (Qq) F . ' i f you pleafe'.may now (Qq) F. omits 'now'.13. Walter (F.) Q 1-5 'Water'. Ferrers (Cap.

<Hol.) Qq, F. 'Ferris' (Hardyng 'Feris').14. Brandon Not actually slain at Bosworth, though

Hoi. states so.15. becomes (Rowe) Qq, F.'become'.18. as.. .sacrament Referring to the solemn oath

Hoi. records (v. 4. 3. 40-1, n.) in 'Rennes' Cathedral.21. haue 'Heaven' is treated as plur. Cf. 1. 3. 220.24-5. The brother...son Cf. 3 H. VI, 2. 5. 54

S.D. and passage from Hall (256) cited in the notethereon.

27-8. All that...division, (Johnson; J.C.M.)F- < Q 3 < Q J <A11 t h i s . . .their dire Diuifion'.Most edd. have adopted J.'s comma, but none I thinkhis 'that' which eases the whole passage greatly, sinceit means then ' Let them unite all that York and Lan-

258 NOTES 5.5.

caster divided' (J.'s paraphrase). We have nothing butthe reported Q 1 to rely upon here.

32. their (Q 1-2 + most edd.) F. ( < Q 3) 'thy'.GoJ if his will (J.C.M.) F. gq (+ edd.) 'God if

thy will'. Cf. 1. 3. i n ; 1. 3. 212. 'Improves therhetorical balance between 11. 29-31 and 33—4, leavingthe direct address to God for the next lines' (J.C.M.).

35. Abate v. G. 36. reduce, v. G. 41. here (F.)£>q 'heare'.

P.S. i9604. 3. 20 [cont. from p. 227] As F. is < MS here, Q

3-6 having omitted Q 1-2 version, emendation isdangerous. Yet 'oer-gone' (sp. oregone) is attractiveand still more so if supplemented with 'all' (adv.). Butif 'ore' were misprinted 'are', 'all' would becomemeaningless and be naturally replaced by 'both' fromthe next line, which reads harshly in the text as it stands.

GLOSSARY

ABATE (vb.), blunt (O.E.D. 8);5- 5- 35

ABJECT (sb.), lit. outcast,hence (quibblingly) mostservile of subjects; I. i. 106

ABORTIVE, monstrous, like amonster; i. 2. 21; I. 3. 228

ABROACH, on foot; 1. 3. 325ABROAD (of news) in circula-

tion; 1. 1. 134, 135-(quibblingly); 2. 3. 3

ABUSE, (i) do violence to;1.3. 52; (ii) bring disgrace ordishonour upon; 3. 7. 199

ACCOUNT (sb.), (i) estimation;3. 2. 69; (ii) computation,reckoning; 5. 3. 11

ACCOUNT (vb.), reckon on,expect; 3. 2. 70.

ACQUITTANCE (vb.), acquit (v.note); 3. 7. 233

ADULTERATE, adulterous (cf.Lucr. 1645); 4. 4. 69

ADVANCE, raise; 1. 2. 40;5. 3. 264, 348.

ADVANTAGE (sb.), chance, op-portunity; 3. 5. 73; 4. 1. 49;5- 3- 9 2

ADVANTAGE (vb.), 'add to thevalue of (O.E.D. 3); 4. 4.32+

ADVENTURE (vb.), risk; 1. 3.116

ADVERTISE, notify, inform;4. 4. 500

ADVISED (to be), 'consider,reflect, act after considera-tion' (O.E.D.); 1. 3. 318;4 .4 . 516

AERY, brood of young eagles;1. 3. 264, 270

AFFECTED, disposed; 3. 1. 171AFTER-SUPPER, O.E.D. glosses

'time between supper andbedtime', but the ex. atM.N.D. 5. i. 34 proves that'late supper, rere-supper'(Onions) is correct; 4. 3. 31

AGED, characteristic of, orbelonging to, old age (cf.Temp: 4. 1. 261 'agedcramps'); 4. 4. 16

A-HIGH, on high, aloft (hereonly in Sh.); 4. 4. 86

AIM (sb.), target,mark; 4.4.89ALARUM, signal 'to arms' with

drum and trumpet; 1. 1. 7;4. 4. 152 S.D.; 5. 4., 5. 5.S.D. (head)

ALLY, relative (cf. Rom. 3. I.114; A.r.L. 5. 4. 186);2. 1. 30

ALMOST, even (cf. K. John,4. 3. 43). Used to intensifya rhetor, question (O.E.D.4); 3- 5- 3+

AMAZE, terrify, alarm (O.E.D.3, 'Obs.'); 5. 3. 341

AMBLE, walk with affectedgait; 1. 1. 17

ANCHOR, fix firmly; 4. 4. 232ANSWER (vb. abs. and trans.);

atone, atone (or pay) for;1. 3. 19454. 2. 90

APPARENT, manifest; 2. 2. 130,136; 3- 5-3°

ARCH, pre-eminent (gen. inevil sense); 4. 3. 2

ARGUE, prove, evince; 3. 7. 40,r74-

ASPECT, glance, appearance;1. 2. 154

2<5O GLOSSARY

ASSURANCE, «ecurity; 4. 4. 497ATONEMENT, reconciliation;

1. 3. 36ATTAINDER, dishonouring stain

(O.E.D. 2b); prob. variantof 'attainture' (2 H. VI, 1.2. 106); 3. 5. 32

ATTEND, accompany, wait on;3. 7. 244; 4. 4. 196

ATTORNEY, (i) advocate, pleader(O.E.D. 4); 4. 4. 127,414; (ii) deputy, proxy; 5. 3.

AVOIDED, Either (i) shunned,or (ii) expelled (cf. Err. 4. 3.6354. 4. 46); 4 .4 . 219

AWARD (vb.), decree; 2. 1. 14AWELESS, inspiring no awe;

2. 4. 52

BAR, lit. the wooden rail beforea judge's seat; fig. a tribunal(v. O.E.D. 22); 5. 3. 199

BARBED. Of a horse, armed orcaparisoned with a 'barb',i.e. 'a protective covering forthe breast and flanks.. .madeof metal plates or of leatherwith metal spikes or bosses'(O.E.D.'barb'sb.2); 1.1.10

BASILISK, fabulous reptile, saidto kill by its look or breath(cf. 3 H. VI, 3. 2. 187);1. 2. 150

BATTALIA, (< I t . battaglia)'large armed force in battlearray' (O.E.D. 2); 5. 3. II

BATTLE, army, or large armedforce; 1. 3. 130; 5. 3. 24,138, 292, 299

BAYNARD'S CASTLE, on the N.bank of the Thames, closeto the present BlackfriarsBridge; Had been Ric, Dk.of York's London house,

and was now Ric, Dk. ofGloucester's; 3. 5. 97

BEAR HARDLY, resent, bear ill-will for (cf. O.E.D. 'bear*vb. 16; Caes. G.); 2. I. 57

BEAVER, helmet (cf. 1 H. IV,4. 1. 104). Prop, the face-guard of the helmet; 5. 3. 50

BEHOLDING, beholden, underobligation, indebted; 2. 1.130

BELIKE, probably; x. I . 49;1. 3. 65

BEND, aim direct, turn. Orig.of the bow; 1. 2. 95

BENEFIT, bestowal of a right;3. 7. 196

BETTER (vb.), exaggerate, makeout better than it is (a sensenot in O.E.D.); 4. 4. 122

BID, endured. Past tense of'bide'; 4. 4. 305

BITTERLY, 'with acrimony'(Schmidt); 3. 7. 192

BLACK, evil; 1. 2. 34; 3.7.23154. 4. 71

BLACK-FACED, ominouslygloomy (cf. V.A.jy$ 'black-faced night'); 1. 2. 158

BLOOD, (i) anger, passion (cf.Merck. 1. 2. 17; Lear, 4. 2.64); 1. 2. 15; 5. 3. 340;(ii) family, kinship; 1. 3.125; 2. 1. 935 2. 4. 63;3-7-135

BLOOD-SUCKER, blood-thirstyperson; 3. 3. 5

BLUNT, rude (cf. 3 H. VI, 4. 8.2) or harsh (cf. 5 H. VI,5. 1. 86); 1. 3. 104

BLUNTLY, rudely; 4. 3. 45BOB, strike with the fist,

pommel; 5. 3. 334BOND, ? legal deed of contract

(v. note); 4. 4. 77

GLOSSARY 261

BOOT, (i) additional itemthrown in, something giveninto the bargain; 4. 4.65; (ii) 'to boot'=to ourhelp (cf. Wint. 1. 2. 80;O.E.D. 7c 'In appreciatoryphrases'); 5. 3. 301

BOTTLED, lit. shaped like aleather bottle, (hence) pro-tuberant, swollen; 1.3. 242.(v. note); 4. 4. 81

BOUGHT AND SOLD, 'betrayedfor a bribe' (O.E.D. 'buy'l i b ) , 5-3- 3°5

BRACE, pair (with a touch ofcontempt); 3. 7. 74

BRAVE (vb.), (i) challenge, defy;4.3.57; (ii) make splendid (cf.Shre-w,^. 3. 125); 5. 3. 279

BREAK, interrupt; 1. 4. 76BREATHING, living, composed

of living beings; 1. 1. 21BRUISE, crush; 5. 2. 2; 5.3.110BULK, trunk, body. A corrup-

tion of 'bouk' (=belly,body); not orig. the sameword as 'bulk* (=mass,volume); 1. 4. 40

BUNCH-BACKED, hunch-backed;1. 3. 246; 4. 4. 81

BURTHINED, burdensome; 4. 4.in

BUTT-END, fag-end; 2. 2. n oBUY, obtain; r. 4. 6; 4. 4. 72BUZZARD, inferior kind of hawk

('useless for falconry'O.E.D.); 1. 1. 133

BY'R LADY, by Our Lady, i.e.the Virgin Mary; 2. 3. 4

CACODEMON, evil spirit. Actu-ally the Gk. Ka.KoSa.l[j.a>v=a devil; I. 3. 144

CAITIFF, pitiful wretch; 4. 4.101

R. Ill 18

CAPABLE, gifted; 3. 1. 155CAPARISON (vb.), cover with a

richhorse-covering; 5.3.289CAREFUL, full of care or

anxiety; I. 3. 83CARNAL, carnivorous (O.E.D.

6; only inst. given). Perh.by mistaken assoc. with'carnage'; 4. 4. 56

CAUSE, case, affair; 3. 5. 65CENSURE, judgement, opinion;

2. 2. 144; 3. 5. 67CEREMONIOUS, scrupulous about

forms; 3. 1. 45CERTIFY, inform with cer-

tainty, assure; 3. 2. 10CHAMBER, city graced by royal

residence, a common appela-tion of London; 3. 1. 1

CHAMBERLAIN, male servantfor bed-chambers at an inn;'Lord C.'= officer in chargeof the king's private apart-ments; 1. 1. yj, 123; 1. 3.38; 3.2. i n

CHANCE (vb.), 'how chance?'=how does it come aboutthat?; 4. 2. 97

CHANGE, variation, fickleness;3. 5. 80

CHARACTER, writing, written•record; 3. 1. 81

CHARGE, (i) orders; 1. I. 105;so 'give in charge' =giveorders; 1. 1. 85; (ii) divisionof troops under a specificofficer's command; 5. 3. 25,3°7

CHARGES, AT, at the expense(of); 1. 2. 255 _

CHARM, witch's incantation;1. 3. 215

CHARTER, 'immunity' grantedby royal charter (O.E.D. 3);3. 1. 5+

262 GLOSSARYCHECK, rebuke; I. 4.136; 3. 7.

150CHEERLY, cheerily; 5. 2. 14CHURCHMAN, clergyman

(O.E.D. gives no ex. of themod. sense before 1677);3- 7- 48

CIRCUMSTANCE, 'by circum-stance* »in detailed state-ment; i . 2. 77, 80

CITE UP, call to mind; 1.4. 14CLOSE, (i) secret; 1. 1. 158;

4. 2. 34; (ii) shut up, con-fined; 4. 2. 50

CLOSELY, in secret; 3. 1. 159CLOSET, private room, bed

room; 2. 1. 134CLOSURE, enclosure; 3. 3. 10CLOUDY, gloomy, melancholy;

2. 2. 112CLOUT, piece of cloth, rag;

i- 3- *77COCKATRICE, basilisk (q.v.)>

4- i- 55COCK-SHUT TIME, evening twi-

light—the time either (a)when poultry are shut up,or (j>) when woodcock'shoot' through the gladesof a wood, and can be caughtby nets stretched across theopening (O.E.D. prefers(<*))> 5- 3- 7 °

COG, lit. cheat, use fraud,hence wheedle (Cor. 3. 2.133), fawn, use flattery(M.W.W. 3. 3. 44); 1. 3-48

COLD, (i) tepid; 4. 4. 4855(ii) discouraging (O.E.D. 9);4- 4- S3S

COMFORTABLE, cheering, cheer-ful; 4. 4. 174

COMMENTING, pondering,brooding; 4. 3. 51

COMPETITOR, associate, part-ner; 4. 4. 505

COMPLAINING, bewailing, la-ment (cf. Lucr. 1839); 4. 1.88

COMPLAINT, lament; 2. 2/67

COMPLOT, conspiracy, plot laidby more than one person;3. 1. 192, 200

CONCEIT, notion; 3. 4. 49CONCLUDE, (i) decide; 1. 3. 14;

3. 4. 25; (ii) terminate atransaction; 1. 3. 15

CONDITION, (i) proviso, stipu-lation; 1. 3. 108; (ii) dis-position, character (O.E.D.11)54.4. 158

CONDUCT (sb.), escort, guard;1. 1. 45

CONFIRMED, lit. 'firmly estab-lished'. Hence 'age con-firmed'='the time of lifeat which early tendenciesand character become fixed'(A.H.T.); 4. 4. 172

CONFOUND, (i) ruin, destroy;4. 4. 400; (ii) defeat, bringto nought; 2. 1. 14

CONJOIN, unite (O.E.D. cite*this as intrans.); 5. 5. 31

CONSEQUENCE, sequel; 4. 2 .15;4. 4. 6

CONSIDERATE, reflective; 4. 2.

3°CONSIST (in), 'reside, inhere'

(O.E.D. 6a, cites this);4. 4. 407

CONSISTORY, council-chamber(generally eccles.), hence,secret fount of wisdom;2. 2. 151

CoNSORTED,associated,leagued;3 . 4 . 7 0 5 3 . 7 . 1 3 7

CONTENT (vb.), »atisfy. A

GLOSSARY 263

euphemism for 'pay* (cf.Oth. 3. 1. 1); 3. 2. n o

CONTRACT (sb.), betrothal;

3- 7- 55 (pPle-)> espoused;3- 7- 179

CONVENIENT, suitable, fitting;4. 4. 444

CONVERSATION, sexual inti-macy (O.E.D. 3, cites this);3- 5- 3i

CONVEYANCE, underhand re-moval (generally theft); 4 .4.284

CONVICT, convicted; 1. 4. 187COSTARD, lit. a kind of apple;

slang for 'head'; I. 4. 154COUNTED, accounted, esteemed;

4. 1. 47COUSIN, (i) nephew; 3. 1. 101—

17 {passim); 4. 4. 222-3;5. 3. 151; (ii) grandchild;2. 2. 8; 2. 4. 9; (iii) formalterm of address by asovereign to a fellow-sove-reign or kinsman; 2. 2. 152;3. 1. 137; 3. 4. 22, 35;3.5 .1*3.7.22754.2. 1,17

COVERT'ST, most secret; 3. 5.33

COZEN, cheat, defraud; 4.4.223CRAZE, crack, break; 4. 4. 17CREW, band, company (not

disparaging); 4. 5. 15CROSS (adj.), perverse; 3. r.

126; (adv.), across (cf.2H. VI, 4. 1. 114); 4. 1. 42

CROSS-ROW, alphabet (fromcross prefixed to it formerlyin primers); 1. 1. 55

CRY MERCY, V. mercy \ 1.3.235,etc.

CRY ON, cry aloud (in joy orterror). Cf. Ham: G.j5- 3- 231

CUNNING, cleverJ 3. 1. 135

CURRENT. Of coinage or fig.(i) accepted as genuine; I. 2.84; 1. 3. 256; 4. 2. 9;(ii) moving freely; 2. 1. 95

CURST, spiteful; 1. 2. 49

DALLY, trifle (O.E.D. 2 b, 3;but only with 'with'); 2. .1.12; 5. 1. 20

DANGER, power to harm, mis-chief (O.E.D. 1, 6); 2. 3. 27

DARE, challenge to a fight;5-4-3

DARKLY, 'gloomily, frown-ingly' (O.E.D. 3, cite8 this);1.4. 169

DATE, duration (cf. Son. 18.

4); 4- 4- 255DAUB, lit. plaster; hence,

'cover with specious ex-terior' (O.E.D. 7); 3. 5. 29

DEAL UPON, 'set to work upon'(O.E.D. 18, cites this);4. 2. 71

DEAR, dire, grievous; 1.4.210}2- 2- 77-95 5- 2 - 2 1

DECLENSION, decline; 3. 7. 189DECLINE, go through from

beginning to end (from the:grammat. sense; cf. Trail.2- 3- 55); 4 - 4 - 9 7 .

DEEP, (i) profound in craft}1. 1. 149; 1. 3. 224; 2. 1.38; (ii) profoundly meant orfelt; 1.4. 69; (iii) profoundlyskilled or learned; 3. 5. 5;3. 7. 7 5; (iv) grievous,heinous; 2. 2. 28; 4. 2. 69;(v) profoundly important(with quibble on i); 3. 7. 67

DEEP-REVOLVING, deeply re-flective; 4. 2. 40

DEFACE, efface; 2. 1. 123DEFACER, effacer; 4. 4. 51DEGREE, rank; 3. 7. 143, 188

264 GLOSSARY

DELIVER, communicate, report;3. 4. 16; 4. 4. 449

DEMISE (vb.) transmit. Legalterm (O.E.D. 2; here onlySh.); 4. 4. 248

DENIER, small copper coin,,•or of a sou; 1. 2. 251

DENOUNCE, pronounce, de-clare (O.E.D. 1); 1. 3. 180

DENY, refuse; 3. 1. 35; 5. 3.

343DESCANT (vb.) (lit.) sing or

play extempore variationsupon a musical theme(hence fig.) comment, dis-course; 1. 1. 27; (sb.)comment; 3. 7. 49

DESERT, 'withoutdesert' = un-deservedly, and so (trans-ferred to the obj. of action)without cause; 2. 1. 68

DESPERATELY, 'with utter dis-regard of the consequences*(O.E.D.; cf. Tvo. Nt. 5. I .63); 1. 4. 271

DESPITEFUL, cruel; 4. I. 37DETERMINE, (i) decide (but

not yet carrying out); 1. 3.15; 3. 1. 193; 3. 4. 25(ii) bring to an end; 5. 1. 19

DEVOTED, sacred, holy; 1.2. 35DEVOTION, (i) devout occupa-

tion; 3. 7. 103; (ii) devout'purpose, intent' (O.E.D. 7,cites this); 4. r. 9

DICKON, familiar form of'Dick', Richard; 5. 3. 305

DIET, mode of life (O.E.D. 1)}1. 1. 139

DiFFUSED,disordered, i.e. shape-less (v. note and cf. H. V,.5. 2. 61, 'diffused attire')}1. 2. 78

DIGEST, (a) modern sense;(6) 'settle and arrange

methodically' (O.E.D. 3)}3. x. 200

DIGNITY, sovereignty, royalpower (Schmidt); 3. 7. 196

DIRECTION, (i) capacity for tac-tics; 5. 3. 16; (ii) 'tacticalarrangement' (G.M.); 5- 3-236, 302

DISCIPLINE, (i) milit. trainingor experience (O.E.D. 3 b);

3. 7. 16; (ii) mod. sense;5- 3- 17

DISCOVER, disclose, reveal; 4.4.241

DiSGRACfous, displeasing, out.of favour (O.E.D. 2); 3. 7.112; 4. 4. 178

DISMAL, ill-boding, sinister;1. 4. 7; 3. 3. 12

DISPATCH, (i) (abs.) act quickly;*• 3- 3SS5 3- 4- 93 ' I 0 I 5(a) the same, {b) kill; 1. 2.1815 3- 3- 75 (") (trans.)carry out, execute, quickly;1. 3. 341; 1. 4. 271

DISSEMBLE, 'cloak or disguise[a person or feeling] by afeigned appearance' (O.E.D.t ) ; 1. 1. 19; 2. 1. 8

DISTAIN, bring dishonour on;5- 3- 3 2 2

DISTRAIN, confiscate (v. note);5- 3- 3 2 2 .

DIVINELY, piously; 3. 7. 62Do, 'do naught', do wicked-

ness (v. naught), i.e. copulate(v. O.E.D. 'do' 16b); 1. 1.98,99 t

DOOM (sb.), death, destruction(cf. Lucr. 672, Son. 14. 14);4. 4. 12

DOOM (vb.), decide on, ad-judge; 2. 1. 10353.4.64

DOTING, tender, fond; 4. 4.301

GLOSSARY 265

DOUBTFUL, apprehensive; 4. 4.436

DRAW FORTH, rescue; 3. 7. 198

DULL, gloomy (cf. 2 H. IF,4- 3- 95)> J-. 3- ! 9 6

DUTEOUS, dutiful (of. Lucr.1360, Lear, 4. 6. 258)53- 5- 64

DUTY, respect, reverence; 1. 3.253; 2.2. 108; 3. 3. 3; 'doduty* =make obeisance; I.3.251

EDGE, sword (cf. Cor. $. 6.

"3)5 5-5-35EFFEMINATE, gentle, tender,

as a woman; 3. 7. 211EGALLY, equally; 3. 7. 213ELVISH-MARKED, marked by

malign fairies at birth; 1. 3.228

EMBASSAGE, message (O.E.D.2); 2. 1. 3

EMBOWELLED, disembowelled;5. 2. 10

EMPERY, absolute dominion;or territory under an abso-lute ruler; 3. 7. 136

END, fragment, remnant (cf.mod. 'candle-end'); 1.3.337

ENFORCEMENT, (i) violation;3. 7. 8; (ii) compulsion, con-straint; 3. 7. 233; 5. 3.238

ENFRANCHISE, set free; 1. 1.n o

ENGROSS, (i) write in the largeformal script appropriate tolegal documents; 3. 6. 2;(ii) fatten, make fat; 3. 7.76

ENTERTAIN, (i) while away,spend agreeably (cf. Lucr,1361J O.E.D. 9b); 1. 1.295(ii) maintain in one's service,employ (O.E.D. 5); 1. 2.

256; (ii) receive, take; I. 3.4; 1.4. 132

ENTREAT (vb.), treat (O.E.D.1); 4. 4. 152

ENVIOUS, malicious, malignant;1. 3. 26; 1. 4. 37

ENVY, malice; 4. 1. 100ERRONEOUS, criminal (cf. 3 H.

VI, 2. 5. 905 O.E.D. 2);1.4. 195

ESTATE, (i) government, re-gime; 2. 2. 127; (ii) class orrank of persons; 3. 7. 213

EVEN, smooth, free of ob-stacles; 3. 7. 157

EVIDENCE, (abs. for concr.),witness; 1. 4. 183

EXCELLENT (adv.), pre-emi-nently; 4. 4. 52

EXCLAIM (sb.), outcry (cf.R. II, 1. 2. 2); 1. 2. 52;4-4-135

EXCURSION, sortie, sally; 5' 4«S.D. (head)

EXERCISE, sermon, act ofworship. The term seems tobe post-reformation but wasused by both Catholics andProtestants; 3. 2. 109}3- 7- 64

EXHALE, draw forth, cause toflow (O.E.D. vb.» ib);1. 2. 58, 165

EXPEDIENT, expeditious; I. 2.216

EXPEDITION, march; 4. 4. 136EXPIATE (pple.), fully come

(the only inst. in O.E.D.;but cf. Son. 22. 4); 3. 3. 23

EXPLOIT, deed (simply); 4. 2.34

EXPOSTULATE, set forth one'sviews; 3. 7. 192

EXTREMITY, extreme severity(O.E.D. 6); r. 1. 65

266 GLOSSARY

FACTIOUS, taking sides in aquarrel or strife; I. 3. 128;2. 1. 20

FACTOR, agent; 3. 7.13+; 4. 4.7 2

FAIR (adj.), (i) happy, pros-perous; 4. 4. 352; (ii)handsome; 1. 3. 47

FAIR (adv.), courteously; 4. 4.152

FAIR BEFALL YOU, good fortunecome to you; 1. 3. 282;3- 5- 46

FAIRLY, (i) beautifully; 3. 6. 25(ii) happily; 4. 4. 353

FAITHFUL, true-believing; 1.4.

4-FALCHION, sword; 1. 2. 94FALL (sb.) (i) lapse into sin;

3. 7. 97; (ii) downwardstroke (of a sword) (cf. Oth.2- 3- 234)> 5- 3- I I X

FALL (vb.), let fall, drop; 1. 2.i8z (S.D.); 1. 3. 3S3J 5. 3.I3S» 163

FALSE-BODING, uttering falseprophecies; 1. 3. 247

FALSELY, wrongly, fraudu-lently. A quibble; J. 3. 251

FAME, common report, ru-mour; 1.4. 83

FAT, choicest produce (O.E.D.2c); 5. 3. 258

FATHER-IN-LAW, step-father(v. O.E.D.); 1. 4. 49; 5. 3.81

FAULTLESS, innocent (cf. 2 H.VI, G. 'faulty'); 1. 3. 178

FEAR (vb.), fear for (the life of);1. 1. 137; 3. 1. 148 (withobj. understood)

FEATURE, 'good shape, comeli-ness' of the whole body(O.E.D. ib) ; 1. 1. 19

FET, fetched; 2. 2. 121

FIGURE, portray; 1. 2. 193FIRE-NEW, lit. fresh from the

mint; 1. 3. 256FLATTERER (v.jlattering)\ 1. 4.

264FLATTERING, raising false

hopes; 4. 4. 85FLEETING, 'fickle, inconstant'

(O.E.D.); 1. 4. ssFLESHED. Originally term of

venery and falconry, ofhounds or hawks excited tothe chase by being givenflesh to eat; hence, inuredto bloodshed; 4. 3. 6

FLOURISH, varnish, embellish-ment; 1. 3. 241; 4. 4. 82

FLOUT, gibe, taunt; 2. 4. 24'FOIL, setting of a jewel; hence,

that which sets off some-thing to advantage; 5. 3.250

FOND, foolish; 3. 4. 80; 5. 3 .

33°FOOT-CLOTH, a richly orna-

mented covering for ahorse, hanging down to theground on each side; 3. 4-8 3 .

FOR, (i) because; I . 1 . 58; 2. 2.95; (ii) in expressions de-noting the thing staked('for my life'); 4. 1. 3

FOREWARD, vanguard; 5. 3 .293

FORFEIT, something to whichthe right is lost by the com-mission of a crime; hereloosely 'remission of theforfeit' (J.); 2. 1. 100

FORM, (i) good order; 3. I .200; (ii) established methodor procedure; 3. 5. 41 y(iii) military formation (cf.2U.7^,4.i.2oJ;s. 3.24.

GLOSSARY 267

FORM At, following the usualform, typical (cf. O.E.D. 3);3. 1. 82

FORWARD, (i) early; 3. 1. 94;(ii) precocious; 3. I. 155;(iii) eager, ardent; 3. 2. 4.6;5. 3. 94; (iv) prompt; 3. 4.63

FRANK UP, shut up in a 'frank'or sty (cf. 2 H. IV, 2. 2.H5)5 r -3- 3 H i 4-5-3

FROM, (i) free from; 3. 5. 32;(ii) apart from, at variancewith; 4. 4. 259, 260, 261;(iii) away from; 5. 3. 284

FULSOME, excessively satiatingor cloying; 5. 3. 132

GALLANT-SPRINGING ('full ofmanly promise' Herford);1. 4. 221

GARLAND, royal crown (cf.O.E.D. 3a); 3. 2. 40

GENTLE, (i) noble in rank;2. 1. 80; (with iron, quibbleon 'gentle'= tender, kind);1. 3. 163; (ii) as a compli-mentary epithet; 4. 3. 28

GEORGE, jewel on which is afigure of St George, thependant to the collar whichis a part of the insignia ofthe Garter; 4. 4. 367, 370

GONE, overwhelmed (cf. R. II,2. 1. 184, and 'overgone'8 H. VI, 2. 5. 123); 4. 3. 20

GOOD, (i) 'good time of day',v. time; 1. 1. 122; 1. 3. 18;(ii) 'do good (to a person)'•= be of use to, bestowbenefits upon; 4- 3- 33

GOODLY, (a) fine, (J>) favour-able; 5. 3. 21

GOSSIP, intimate friend, cronyj1. 1. 83

GRACE (sb.), (i) virtue, sense ofduty; 1. 3. 55; 2. 1. 121;(ii) favour; 2. 1. 77; 2. 3.10;3. 4. 90, 95; (iii) virtuousproperty (O.E.D. 13a); 2.4. 13; (iv) divine grace; 3.4.96; 4. 4. 219, 22r

GRACE (vb.), 'gratify, delight'(O.E.D. 6); 4. 4. 175

GRACIOUS, (i) godly, righteous;2. 4. 20, 21 ; 3. 2. 56;3. 7. 65; 3. 7. 100; (ii)favourable, favouring; 5. 3.109

GRAFFED, grafted; 3. 7. 127GRAMERCY, 'God reward you'

(from Old FT. 'grant merci'may God reward yougreatly); response of superiorto inferior's respectful goodwish; 3. 2. 105

GRAND, principal, chief; 4.4.52GRATULATE, greet; 4. 1. 10GRAVE, (i) weighty; 2. 3. 20;

(ii) worthy, venerable; 3. 7.227

GREEN, recently established,not long concluded; 2. 2.127

GRIEF, hardship; 3. 1. 114GROSS, stupid; 3. 6. 10GROSSLY, stupidly; 4. 1. 80GROSSNESS, 'coarseness, want

of refinement' (O.E.D.),here = 'the vulgar, practicalstandard' (A.H.T.) of theworkaday world (v. note);3. 1.46

GROUND, plain-song or bass onwhich a 'descant' (j.^.) issung; 3. 7. 49

GROUNDED, fixed, rooted, es-tablished; 1. 3. 29

GULL, simpleton, dupe; I. 3.328

268 GLOSSARY

HA? eh?5 i . 3. 2345 5. 3. 5HALBERD, (i) weapon of the

15th and 16th centuries,'a kind of combination ofspear and battle-axe...mounted on a handle 5 to7 feet long' (O.E.D.); 1. 2.40; (ii) halberdier; 1. 2.S.D. (head); 5. 1. S.D.(head)

HAP, fortune; 1. 2. 175 I. 3.84

HAPPY, propitious, favourable;3. 7. 172

HARDLY BORNE (V. bear hardly);2. 1. 57

HARSH, discordant; 4. 4. 361HATCHES, movable planks

forming a kind of deck(O.E.D. 3a); 1. 4. 13, 17.

HAUGHT, haughty; 2. 3. 28HAUGHTY, aspiring (v. note);

4. 2. 36HEAP, great company; 2. 1. 54HEARKEN AFTER, enquireabout,

seek for (O.E.D. 6); 1. 1. 54HEAVILY, sorrowfully, sadly;

1.4. i ; 2 . 3.40HEAVY, (i) grievous; 1. 4. 14;

3. 1. 5; (ii) sorrowful; 3. 1.149

HEDGEHOG, term of abuse'applied to a person who isregardless of others' feelings'(O.E.D.); 1. 2. 102

HERALD, messenger; 1. 1. 72HEREAFTER (adj.), future (cf.

1 H. VI, 2. 2. 10); 4. 4. 391HIGH-REACHING, ambitious; 4.

2. 31HOISE, hoist; 4. 4. 528HOLD (sb.), custody, imprison-

ment; 4. 5. 3HOLD (vb.), continue, always

preserve so; 3. 2. 104

HOLP. Old past tense of'help'; 1. 2. 107; 4. 4. 45

HOYDAY (obs. form of 'hey-day'), exclamation of sur-prise, impatience etc.; 4. 4.460

HULL (vb.), drift with furledsail; 4. 4. 439

HUMBLE, gentle, kind (sensenot recorded in O.E.D.; butcf. L.L.L. 5. 2. 628); 1. 2.164

HUMILITY, humanity (cf.Merck. 3.1. 64; L.L.L. 4.3.346). Cf. Huloet, Abece-darium, 1552 'Humilitie isa gentlenes of the mynde,or a gentle patience withoutangre or wrathe' (citedFurness); 2. 1. 74; 3. 7. 17

HUMOUR, (i) mood, inclination;1. 4. 119; (ii) disposition;4. 4. 270

HUMPHREY HOUR. Unex-plained (v. note); 4. 4. 176

IDEA, image (O.E.D. 7)5 3. 7.

IDLE, (i) vain, trifling; 1.1. 31}(ii) useless; 3. 1. 103, 105

ILL-DISPERSING, scattering, orspreading, evil; 4. 1. 53

ILL-FAVOURED, ugly, ill-look-ing; 3. 5. S.D. (head)

IMAGE, likeness, copy; 2. I.124; 2. 2. 50

IMAGINATION, somethingdreamt of, but not realisedin experience; 1. 4. 80

IMPEACHMENT, accusation; 2.2. 22

IMPERIAL, kingly; 4. 4. 245,

383IMPORT (vb.), involve, con-

cern; 3. 7. 68

GLOSSARY 269

INCAPABLE, unable to under-stand (cf. Ham. 4. 7. 177)52. 2. 18

INCENSE (vb.), instigate, incite(O.E.D. 4)5 1. 3. 85; 3. 1.152; 3. 2. 29

INCLINATION, disposition; 3. I .178

INCLUSIVE, encircling; 4. 1. 59INCREASE, (i) offspring, pro-

geny; 4. 4. 298; (ii) produceof the soil; 5. 5. 38

INDEX, lit. 'a table of contentsprefixed to a book' (O.E.D.5 a), hence, prologue orpreface to a book or play;2. 2. 149; 4. 4. 85

INDIRECT, not open or straight-forward; 1. 4. 218; 3. 1. 31

INDIRECTLY, 'not in expressterms' (O.E.D. 2b); 4. 4.226

INDUCTION (lit.) dramatic pro-logue in dialogue (hence,fig.) 'preparation' (J.), ini-tial step in an undertaking(O.E.D.3c); 1.1.3254.4. 5

INFECTION, plague (O.E.D. 5);1. 2. 78

INFER, allege, adduce (O.E.D.2); 3- 5- 74 (v- note); 3. 7.12, 32; 4. 4. 344; 5. 3.314

INGENIOUS, 'able, talented*(O.E.D. 1); 3. r. 155

INHERITOR, possessor; 4. 3. 34INSINUATE, ingratiate oneself,

curry favour (O.E.D. 2 b);1. 3 .53 ; 1.4. 148

INSTANCE, cause (O.E.D. 2)53. 2. 25

INSULTING, scornfully trium-phant, contemptuously ex-ulting; 2. 4. 51

INTELLIGENCER, secret agent;4-4-71

INTEND, pretend; 3. 5. 85 3. 7.

45INTENT, design, purposes *• U

149, 158INTESTATE, dead without heirsj

4. 4. 128INWARD, familiar, intimate

(O.E.D. 3); 3. 4. 8IRON, sword; 5. 3. n oIRON-WITTED, 'dull-witted,

stupid' (cf. O.E.D. 'iron'adj. 4; Rom. 4. 5. 126;Nashe, ii. 261, 29); 4. 2. 28

Iwis, certainly, assuredly; I. 3.102

JACK, (i) low common fellow;i- 3- S3» 72> 735 (») fiSure

of a man on a clock, whichstrikes the bell for the hours(alluding to (i) also); 4. 2.in

JEALOUS, suspicious; 1. x. 81,9253. 1.36

JET, encroach; 2. 4. 51JOCKEY, familiar form of

'Jack* or 'John'; 5. 3. 304JOY, (i) (trans.), rejoice at; 2. 4.

59; (ii) (intrans.), experi-ence joy, be glad; 4. 4. 93

JUMP WITH, coincide (orig.«=fall together with), agree;3- 1. "

JUST, (i) exact; 4. 4. n o ; (ii)due, suitable; 5. 3. 26

KEEP, 'keep the stroke'=(a) go on striking (cf.O.E.D. 'keep' 3 b, citingErr. 3. 1. 615 Tiv. Nt. 2. 3.75), (£) keep time (cf.O.E.D. 'stroke' 10 b); 4. 2.in

KEEPER, gaoler; I . 4. 66, 73,161

GLOSSARY

KEY-COLD, Lit. as cold as akey; prov. =»'cold in (or•as1) death' (cf. Tilley,K23, and Lucr. 1774.);1.2.5

KIND, affectionate and gentleby nature; 4. 3. 24.

KNOT, (i) company, group,here in a bad sense, e.g.gang; 3. 1. 182 (with a poss.quibble on 'knot' (O.E.D.I3)=tumour); 3. 3. 55(ii) marriage tie; 4. 3. 42

LABOUR, work for, endeavourto bring about; 1. 4. 246

LACKEY (attrib.), camp fol-lower (O.E.D. 2); 5. 3. 317

LAG, late; 2. 1. 91LAMELY, (a) haltingly, (i)

(imperfectly, defectively, in-efficiently* (O.E.D.); cf.Gent. 2. 1. 87 'lamelywrit'); 1. 1. 22

LATE (adv.), lately; 2. 2. 14953- r- 99

LAY ON, attribute to. Notrecorded by Schmidt orOnions; and by O.E.D.(27) only of 'somethingobjectionable'; 1. 3. 97

LAY OPEN, disclose, display;3- 7- IS

LEADEN, inert; 3. 1. 176; 4. 3.52; 5. 3. 105

LEADS, flat roof covered withlead (cf. O.E.D. 'lead'sb." 7); 3- 7- 55

LEAGUE, alliance, compact;1. 3. 281; 2. 1. 2, 29

LEISURE, time at one's dis-posal; 5. 3. 97, 238

LESSON (vb.), teach, instruct}1. 4. 240

LET BLOOD, bleed (surgical).

A sardonic euphemism for'kill' (cf. Caet. 3. 1. 153);3. 1. 183

LETHE, river of Hade* (v.note); 4. 4. 251

LEVEL (vb.), aim; 4. 4. 203LXWD, (i) wicked, vile; 1. 3.

61; (ii) lascivious; 3. 7.72

LIBEL, defamatory pamphlet(O.E.D. 5); 1. r. 33

LIGHT (adj.), slight, unim-portant; 3. 1. 118

LiGHT-rooT, nimble; 4. 4. 441LIGHTLY, (i) commonly, often;

3. 1. 94; (ii) slightly; 1. 3.45

LIMIT (sb.), prescribed time orperiod (cf. R. II, 1. 3. 151);3. 3. 7; (vb.), appoint (toan office or command;cf. Mack 2. 3. 51); 5. 3.25

LINEAL, possessed by right oflineal descent; 3. 7. 121

LIST, choose, like; 3. 5- 83LIVE, 'live well' == prosper

materially (cf. well to live',Merch. 2. 2. 49); I. 4. 143

LODGE (vb.), harbour (O.E.D.vb. 2c); 2. 1. 65

LOOK, 'look how' = just as; 1.2.2035'lookwhat' = what-ever; 1. 3. 114; 4 .4 . 292;'look when' = as soon as; 1.3. 290; 3. 1. 194 (v. MarkEccles, Sh.'s Use of 'LookHow', etc., J.E.G.P., xlii.1943, 386-400)

LOOKER-ON, beholder; 4. 1. 31LOVE-BED, 'bed for the in-

dulgence of lust' (Schmidt;not in O.E.D. Cf. Tiv.Nt. 2. 5.48 'day-bed'); 3.7.72

GLOSSARY 271

Low, humble, mean; 1. 4. 82LUXURY, lasciviousness, lust;

3- 5- 79

MAJESTY, 'impressive stateli-ness of demeanour'(O.E.D.),grandeur; 1. I. 16; 3. 1.100

MAKE, (i) do (only used inquestions beginning'what'),1. 3. 164; 4. 4. 474;(ii) make up, complete;2. 1. 445 (ii) muster (cf.Cor. 5. 1. 37); 4. 4. 451

MAKE MEANS, contrive; 5. 3.40, 248

MALAPERT, impudent; 1. 3.255

MALMSEY, a strong, sweetwine (orig. from Monem-vasia, later from Spain, etc.);1. 4. 270

MAP, 'detailed representationin epitome.... Very commonin the 17th c* (O.E.D. 2);2. 4. 54

MARK (vb.), brand, set a markon (cf. 1. 3. 293); 2. 2. 39;3- 4- 7i

MEANING, action intended,purpose; 1. 4. 95; 3. 5.5+

MEASURE, stately dance; 1.1. 8MEED, reward; 1. 4. 228, 282MERCURY, the messenger of

the gods in Lat. mythol.,shod with winged sandals;2. 1. 89; 4. 3. 55

METHOUGHTS. Past of theimpers. 'methinks'. This'curious form', not foundbefore Sh., 'prob. owes its" s . " to the analogy ofmethinh' (O.E.D.); 1. 4. 9(v. note), 24, 58

METTLE, substance, stuff (cf.Mad. 1. 7. 73); 4. 4. 303

MEW, MEW UP, coop, shut up.Lit. to put a hawk in a'mew' (=cage); 1. 1. 38,132; 1. 3. 139

MINISTER, servant, agent.Often in Sh. 'angel (goodor bad)'; 1. 3. 2945 1. 4.220; 5. 3. 113

MISCARRY, perish, die; I . 3.16; 5. 1. 5

MISCONSTER, misjudge (theusu. Sh. form of 'mis-construe'); 3. 5. 60

MISDOUBT, have misgivingsabout; 3. 2. 86

MISTAKE, misunderstand, takewrongly; 1. 3. 62

MISTRUST, anticipate the oc-currence of danger or mis-fortune (cf. Wint. 2. i .48); 2. 3. 42^

MOCKERY, illusion, unreal ap-pearance (cf. Macb. 3. 4.IO7)> 3- 2- 2 7

MODEL, plan; 5. 3. 24MOE, more; 4. 4. 200, 503MOIETY, small portion, part;

2. 2. 60MONUMENT, memorial; x. I. 6MORALIZE, interpret or ex-

plain the moral or symbolicalmeaning (e.g. of a passagein Scripture); hence here'draw out the hidden mean-ing of (Onions); 3. 1. 83

MORTAL-STARING, glaringfatally, with death in itseyes; 5. 3. 90

MOVE, exasperate; I. 3. 248,

249MUCH, "tis much '= i t s a

serious matter (cf. O.E.D.•much' 2 g); 3. 7. 93

27a GLOSSARY

MUSE, wonder; I. 3. 305MUTUAL, common ('Now re-

garded as incorrect' O.E.D.)}2. 2. II3

NAMELY, particularly (O.E.D.1); 1. 3- 329

NATURE, OF, by nature; I. 3.230

NAUGHT, wickedness (cf. do)\1. 1. 98, 99

NEAR(adv.), intimately, closely;1. 1. 112

NEED (sb.), (i) distress, straits;I. 3. 77; (ii) 'for a need'=if necessary, 'at a pinch'(O.E.D. 14c); 3. J. 84.

NEED (vb.), be without (somenecessary quality); 3. 7.166

NEEDFUL, urgent (cf. Mem. I .1.56)55.3.41

NEGLECT, cause something tobe neglected (O.E.D. 5); 3.4.24

NEIGHBOUR, 'the neighbourto' =privy to; 4. 2.42

NEW-APPEARING, lately be-come visible (cf. Son. 7. 3);4. 4. 10

NICE, over-subtle (cf. 8 H. VI,4. 7. 585 Shrew, 3. 1. 80);3- 7- *75

NIECE, granddaughter; 4. 1.1

NOBLE, gold coin worth 6s. 8</.;1. 3. 82

NOMINATION, specification (cf.Merch. 1. 3. 146); 3. 4. 5

OBJECT (vb.), 'object to '—urge against (O.E.D. 4);2. 4. 17

OBSEQUIOUSLY, as a dutifulmourner; 1. 2. 3

OCCASION, (i) opportunity;2. 2. 148; (ii) ground,cause; 3. 1. 26

ODDS, 'at odds' =at variance}2. 1. 71

O'ER-CLOYED, 'filled beyondsatiety' (Schmidt); 5. 3. 318

O'ERLOOK, inspect; 3. 5. 17O'ERWORN, the worse for wear;

hence (of a woman) faded;1. 1. 81

OFFEND, (i) harm, wrong, sinagainst; 1.4.177,178,219;(ii) annoy; 4. 4. 179

OFFER AT, menace; 1. 2. 178S.D.

OFFICE, 'the proper action ofan organ or faculty', bodilyor mental (O.E.D. 3 b; cf.Oth. 3. 4. 113); 3. 5. 10

OMIT, disregard (O.E.D. 2c);3- 5- 3°

OPEN, (i) patent; 3. J. 30;(ii) unobstructed (cf. O.E.D.19); 4. 2. 73

OPPOSITE (adj.), (i) antagonis-tic, adverse (astrol.); 2. 2.94; 4.4. 216,403; (ii) readyto face (danger); 5. 4. 3

ORDER, 'take order* =makearrangements (O.E.D. 14);3. 5. 105; 4. 2. 50; 4. 4.S3?

ORIENT (adj.), specially lus-trous or shining. Orig. ofpearl from the Indian seas;then of any pearl (cf. O.E.D.2b); 4. 4. 323

OUTRAGE, violent conduct orlanguage; I. 3. 277; 2. 4.64

OVERBLOWN, past; 2. 4. 61OVERGO, exceed; 2. 2. 61OWE, own (earliest sense); 4.

4.142

GLOSSARY

PACK, conspiring gang (cf.Err. 4. 4. 101; Tw. Nt.5-1- 377)5 3- 3- 4

PACK-HORSE, horse of burden;hence, fig. drudge; 1. 3. 122

PAGEANT, lit. a scene upon astage or the stage itself;fig. 'a mere empty orspecious show' (O.E.D.).The mod. sense of 'abrilliant or stately spectacle'not found until the 19th c ;4. 4. 85

PAIN, labour, effort (physicaland mental); 1. 3. 117; 4.4- 3°4

PAINTED, 'unreal, pretended'(O.E.D.); x. 3. 2415 4. 4.83

PARCELLED, particular, indi-vidual; 2. z. 81

PARLOUS. Colloq. A con-tracted form of 'perilous';'parlous boy' =enfant ter-rible (G.M.)j 2. 4. 35; 3. 1.154

PART (vb.), depart; 2. 1. 5PARTLY, slightly; 4. 2. 40PARTY, side, cause, interest;

3. 2. 47; 4. 4. 191, 527PASSING, surpassingly; 1. 1. 94PASSIONATE, compassionate

(O.E.D. 5b); 1. 4. 119PATTERN, sample, instance; 1.

2. 54PAUL'S, St Paul's Cathedral;

1. 2. 30PAWN, (i) pledge (fig.); 4. 2.

86; (ii) forfeit in exchangefor something of less per-manent value (cf. Ant. 1,4- 32)5 4- 4- 37i

PEEVISH, (i) silly (O.E.D. 1);1. 3. 194; 4. 2. 94; (ii)perverse (O.E.D. 4)5 3 .1 . 31

PEEVISH-FOND, perversely fool-ish; 4. 4. 418

PEISE, weigh; 5. 3. 105PELL-MELL, 'with vehement

onset' (O.E.D. 3)5 5. 3. 312PERFECTION, fullness (cf. 'per-

fectness' 2 H. IF, 4 .4 . 74)54. 4. 66

PERIOD, conclusion, termina-tion; 'make the period'=round off; 1. 3. 238; 2. r.44

PEW-FELLOW, associate; lit.one who shares the samepew; 4. 4. 58

PILL, rob; 1. 3. 159PIPING, (a) characterised by

music of peaceful pastoralpipes instead of fifes anddrums (O.E.D. ib) ; (b) like'the weak shrill voices ofwomen and children con-trasted with the martial voiceof men' (Hertford); 1. x. 24

PIRATE, any kind of thief 'whorobs with violence' (O.E.D.3)5 i- 3- IS 8

PITCH, lit. height to whichfalcon soars before swoopingdown on its prey; here fig.,highest point; 3. 7. 188

PLAIN, guileless, honest(O.E.D. 11)51.1.11853. 5.

PLANT, establish (cf. Macb.G.); 2. 2. 100

PLEASING, pleasure; 1. I. 13PLUCK ON, induce (cf. Meas.

2. 4. 147; Tw. Nt. 5. 1.366; K. John, 3. 1. 57)}4. 2. 62

POINT, article, item, piece(cf. O.E.D., A s ; 1 H. IF,5. x. 122 "tis a point offriendship'); I. 4. 99

*74 GLOSSARY

POLITIC, sagacious (in politicalaffairs) 2. 3. 20

POST (sb.), extreme speed; 3.5.72

POST (vb.), take post-horses(y.v.)j hence, go withspeed; 2. 2. 142; 3. 2. 17;4. 4. 441, 44S

POST-HORSE. TO travel 'post'was to make use of relays ofhorses stationed at stagesalong the highway of c. 10miles; 1. 1. 146

POWER, armed force; 4. 4. 451,480, 5345 5- 3- 3 8 , 2 9°

PRECEDENT, 'original fromwhich a copy is made'O.E.D. (Cf. K. John, 5. 2.

3)> 3- 6- 7PREPOSTEROUS, contrary to

nature; 2. 4. 63PRESENCE, (i) assembly, com-

pany; 1. 3. 54; (ii) the royalpresence-chamber and thosewithin it; 2. 1. 58, 79,85

PRESENTATION, (a) semblance(O.E.D. 5b); <J>) theatricalrepresentation; 4. 4. 84

PRESENTLY, immediately; 3.r. 34; 3. 2. 16; 4. 2. 26.

PREVENT, (i) lit. go before,anticipate; 3. 5. 54; (ii)forestall; 2. 2. 131; 2. 3.26; 3. 4. 80

PRIME, first; 4. 3. 19PRIZE, booty; 'make prize of

(here fig.)=capture; 3. 7.187

PROCESS, story; 4. 3. 32; 4. 4.254

PRODIGIOUS, abnormal, like amonster; I. 2. 22

PROLONG, postpone (cf. Ado,4. 1. 253); 3. 4. 45

PROOF, (i) experience; 2. 3. 43;(ii) impenetrable armour;5.3.219

PROPER, handsome; 1. 2. 254PROPOSE, set before one as an

object to be attained (O.E.D.2 c); 1. 2. 169

PROUDLY, haughtily, arro-gantly; 4. 3. 42

PROVIDED, well-equipped; 3.1. 132

PROVOKE, (i) call forth, giverise to (v. O.E.D. 6); 1. 2.61; (ii) incite (not only toanger) (O.E.D. 4); 1. 2. 97,99, 180; 1.3.64; 1.4.225;2. 2. 21

PUISSANCE, power, strength;5. 3. 299

PUISSANT, strong, mighty; 4.4- 435

PURCHASE (sb.), spoil, capture,booty; 3. 7. 187

PURCHASE (vb.), obtain, gain;4- 4- 345

PURSUIVANT. Either (i) juniorofficer attendant on aherald; or (ii) officer withpower to execute warrantsand make arrests (v. 1 H.VI, G.); 3. 2. 93 S.D.i3- 4- 87

PURSUIVANT-AT-ARMS = pur-suivant (i); 5. 3. 59

PUT OFF, set aside, cast off;3-7- 183

QUEST, jury; r. 4. 184QUICK, (i) alive; 1. 2. 65;

(ii) lively, animated; 1. 3. 5,196; (iii) (a) hasty, (b)alive; 4. 4. 362.

QUICKEN, (i) stimulate; 4. 4.124; (ii) give life to; 4. 4.298

GLOSSARY *75

QUIT, (i) pay (a penalty) for;4. 4. 20, 64; (ii) requite,reward, 5. 3. 262

RAG. Contemptuous term fora person (O.E.D. 3b)j I. 3.2335 5- 3- 3 2 8

RAGGED," rugged, rough, un-even; 4. 1. 102

RANKLE, cause festering wound,'breed corruption* (A.W.)(cf. R. II, 1. 3. 302); 1. 3,291

RANSOM, penalty, expiation;5. 3. 264

RASH-LEVIED, hastily raised;4- 3-5°

RASHLY, precipitately; 3. 5. 42RAZE OFF, pull or pluck off; 3.

2. n ; 3. 4. 81REASON (vb.), (i) question,

discuss (O.E.D. 4a); 1. 4.94; (ii) talk, converse(O.E.D. 2); 1. 4. 160; 2. 3.395 3- x- i32>4-4~ S3 6

RECOMFORTURE, consolation(only inst. in O.E.D.);4. 4. 426

RECURE, remedy (cf. V.A.465; 5o». 45. 9); 3.7. 130

REDEEM, deliver, set free; 2. 1.4

REDUCE, (i) bring; 2. 2. 68;(ii) bring back (orig. sense);5- 5- 3 6

RE-EDIFY, rebuild (again atTit. 1. i . 351 only in Sh.);3- i - 7 i

REFLECT, shine (cf. Tit. 1. 1.226); 1. 4. 31

REMEMBER, 'be remembered'-• recollect; 2. 4. 23

REMORSE, (i) compunction; 1.4. 109; (ii) pity, compassion(O.E.D. 3 ) ; 3. 7. 211

REMORSEFUL, compassionate,pitiful; 1. 2. 155

REPETITION, recital, relation;t. 3. 165

REPLENISHED, perfect, com-plete; 4. 3. 18

REQUIRE, demand the return of(cf. Luke xii, 20); 2. 2. 95

REQJJIT, repay. A variantof 'requite' (cf. Cor. 4.5. 76 (F.) 'requitted'); r. 4.68

RESEMBLANCE, external ap-pearance, features (O.E.D.2); 3. 7. n

RESERVE, preserve, keep alive(O.E.D. 7; cf. Meas. 5. 1.463); 4- 4- 72

RESOLVE, (i) answor or inform(a person of something);4. 2. 26; 4. 5. 20; (ii) freefrom uncertainty, satisfy thecuriosity of; 4. 2. 114

RESOLVED, resolute; 1. 3. 340RESPECT (sb.), consideration,

reflection; 3. 7. 175RESPECT (vb.), (i) pay heed to,

take notice of; 1. 3. 296;(ii) value; 1. 4. 152

RESPITE, date to which some-thing is postponed; 5. 1. 19

RETREAT, signal for retreat;5. 5. S.D. (head)

REVENUE, possession; 3. 7.158REVOLVE, consider; 4. 4. 123RIGHT, true, exact; 3. 7. 13,

103RIOTOUS, dissolute (cf. Tim. 2.

2. 168; Lear, 1. 4. 265);2. 1. 101

RIPE, ready to be enjoyed (likefruit); 3. 7. 158

ROOD, the cross on whichChrist was crucified; 3. 2.7554.4 . 166

276 GLOSSARY

ROOT (vb.), dig up with thesnout (cf. Tim. 5. 1. I 6 8 JV.A. 636); 1. 3. 228

ROUND (vb.), surround, en-circle; 4. 1. 60

ROYAL, 'noble, majestic, gene-rous, munificent' (O.E.D.9); I. 2. 244

ROYALTY, emblem of sove-reignty; 5. 5. 4

RUDE, violent, unrestrained;2. 2. 38

RUNAGATE, vagabond (cf. Cymb.1.6. 137), or perh. fugitive,runaway. Properly 'deserter',a later form of 'renegade'}4 .4 .465 #

RUNAWAY =runagate (q.v.); 5.3.316

SACRAMENT, 'receive (take)the sacrament* lit. = receiveHoly Communion as aconfirmation of a promise(O.E.D. ic); (hence) take astrong oath or pledge toperform something; (henceagain) swear, bind oneself;1.4. 203; 5.5. 18

SCAR, wound; 5. 5. 23SCATHE, harm, injury; 1.3.317SCRIVENER, professional scribe;

3. 6. S.D. (head)SEASON (sb.), time; 1. 4. 6r,

76; 5- 3- 8 7SEASON (vb.), add relish to,

render agreeable; 3. 7. 149SENIORY, seniority (only in-

stance in O.E.D.); 4. 4. 36SENNET, notes on a trumpet at

the approach or departureof a procession; 3. 1. 150,S.D.

SET (sb.), setting, sunset; 5. 3.

SET DOWN, fix a time for (cf.R. II, 4. 1. 319); 3 .4 .42

SET HAND (or 'set secretary'),the style of handwritingused for engrossing docu-ments (v. O.E.D., 'set'pple. a. 5); 3. 6. 2

SEVERAL, different, separate;3. 2. 76; 3. 7. S.D.(head);5. 3. 25, 193, 194

SHADOW, (i) departed spirit,'shade'; 1. 4. 53; 5. 3. 216;(ii) illusion, unreal appear-ance; 5. 3. 215; (iii) (a) sem-blance, (b) player; 4. 4. 83

SHAMEFACED, bashful. Properly'shamefast'; no connexionwith 'face'; 1. 4. 138

SHALLOW-CHANGING, moved bytrivialities; 4. 4. 432

SHAPE, theatr. guise (O.E.D.7, 8); 2. 2. 27

SHOT, marksman (cf. 2 II. IV,3. 2. 274)54. 4. 89

SHOULDER, jostle, 'thrustrudely' (Steev.); 3. 7. 128

SIGN, (a) mere appearance,semblance, (J>) banner; 4. 4.90

SILKEN, effeminate (cf. L.L.L.5. 2. 406; K. John, 5. 1.7 o ; F . ^ , 2 P r o l . 2 ) ; i . 3 . S3

SIR = 'dominus, the academictitle of a bachelor of arts'(Nares); hence, a form ofaddress to an ordainedclergyman; 3. 2. 108; 4. 5. 1

SIRRAH. Form of address to aninferior; 3. 2. 95

SIT, meet in counsel, takecounsel together (cf. H. V,5. 2. 81); 3. 1. 173

SLANDER OF (or 'to'), disgrace(to) (O.E.D. 3); 1. 3. 231;3- 3- I 2

GLOSSARY 277

SLAVE, contemptible wretch;1. 3- 2 3 °

SLIGHTLY, carelessly (O.E.D.2 ) ; 3- 7-19

SLUG, sluggard. The orig.sense; slug = kind of snail,not found until 18th c.j3. 1. 22

SMOOTH (adv.), mildly, blandly;3. 4. 4.8; 3. 5. 29

SMOOTH (vb.), flatter; 1. 3. 48SMOOTHING, flattering; 1. 2.

168So, good!, very well! 2. 1. I J

4. 4. 183; 5. 3. 72SOFT!, stay!, stop!; 1. 3. 339;

1.4. 15855. 3. 178SOLACE (vb.), take comfort, be

happy (O.E.D. 3); 2. 3. 30SOMETIMES, sometime, once

(cf. Ham. 1. 1. 49, Merck..,1. u 163); 4. 4. 275

SOON AT, towards (of time).(Cf. Err. 1. 2. 26; 'soon atfive o'clock'; 3. 2.173 'soonat supper-time'); 4. 3. 31

SOOTHE,cajole,flatter; 1. 3.298SOP, lit. a cake or wafer put

into a prepared drink andfloating on top; 1. 4. 157

SORT(sb.),set,'crew'; 5.3.316SORT (vb.), (i) contrive (O.E.D.

14); 2. 2. 148; (ii) dispose,ordain (O.E.D. 1 b); 2. 3. 36

SOUR, sullen, gloomy (cf. V.A.449' 655); r. 4. 46

SPEED (vb.) (i) (trans.), assist,make to prosper; 2. 3. 6;(ii) (intrans.), have measureof success, fare; 4. 4. 359

SPENT, passing (of time); 3. 2.88

SPLEEN. Regarded as the seatof various 'humours', hencehere = (i) malice; 2. 4. 64;

(ii) fiery temper, fiery im-petuosity; 5. 3. 350

SPLINTERED, bound up withsplints; 2. 2. 118

SPOIL (sb.), havoc, destruction;4 . 4 . 291

SPOIL (vb.), ravage, destroy;5 .2 .8

SPORTIVE, amorous, wanton(cf. Son. i 2 i . 6); r. 1. 14

SPURN AT, oppose contemp-tuously (cf. 'kick at ' ) ; 1. 4.198

SPURN UPON, trample upon,tread under foot; 1. 2. 42

STAFF (pi. 'staves'), shaft oflance (O.E.D. 3 a); 5. 3. 65,341

STALL, install, enthrone; 1. 3.206

STAMP, lit. = ' design o r . . .marks stamped by authorityon a piece of metal in theprocess of minting' (O.E.D.,2b); 1. 3. 256

STAND, remain inactive, delay;!• 3- 35°

STAND ON, rest on, dependupon; 4. 2. 59

STAND UPON (impers.), be ofimportance to; 4. 2. 56

START (of a horse), shy; 3. 4.

84 . . .STATE, high dignity; here,

royal position; 1. 3. 112;3- 2. 83; 3. 7. 205

STAY, support, prevent fromfalling; 1.4. r 9 ; 3-7-97

STEELED, strengthened; 1. 1.148

STILL (adj.), continual, con-stant; 4. 4. 230

STILL (adv.), continually, al-ways; 1. 3. 222, 278, etc.

STOUT, brave; 1. 3. 340

278 GLOSSARY

STRAGGLER, rover, vagabond;5- 3- 327

STRAITLY, strictly; r. I. 85STROKE, cf. keep; 4. 2. 111STRUCK, stricken, advanced;

1. 1. 92SUBTLE, crafty; 1. 1. 375 3. I.

IS 2

SUCCEEDER, heir; 4. 4. 128SUCCESS, result (good or bad);

+• 4- 237SUCCESSIVELY, by right of

succession; 3. 7. 135SUDDEN, prompt, quick; 1. 3.

346; 3. 4. 43SUDDENLY, without delay,,

promptly, quickly; 4. 2. 19,20; 4. 4. 452

SUGGESTION, instigation; 3. 2.100

SURE (adj.),secure,safe; 3.2.83SURFEIT, excessive indulgence

(O.E.D. 3); 1. 3. 197SUSPECT (sb.), suspicion (O.E.D.

1); 1. 3. 89; 3. 5. 32SWEET (sb.), scented flower

(cf. Ham. 5. 1. 237); 4. 4.10

SWELLING, swollen with anger;2. 1. 52

TA'EN TARDY, v. tardy; 4. 1.

52TAKE ORDER, V. order; 3. $.

105, etc.TALL, brave; 1. 4. 152TARDY, 'ta'en tardy' = taken

unawares, by surprise; 4. r.S2

TEEN, grief, sorrow; 4. 1. 97TEMPER (vb.), fashion, mould

(fig. from 'tempering' steel,copper, wax etc.; cf. Gent.3. 2. 64; Tit. 4. 4. n o ) ;1. 1. 65

TENDER (vb.), have tenderregard for, be concerned for;1. i.44;2.*4. 72; 4.4.406

TETCHY, fretful, peevish; 4. 4.169

THIN, thinly covered (cf.M.N.D. 2. 1. 109; R. II,3. 2. 112; and Dial. Diet.' thin' 2) . Sense not givenin O.E.D.; 2. 1. 118

TIME, TIMES, the presenttime, people at large (cf.Mad. 1. 5. 62-35 5. 8. 55);4. 4. 417; 5. 3. 92; ' in good,happy, t ime'= at the rightmoment, at a happy junc-ture; 2. 1. 45; 3. 1. 9553.4. 21; 4. 1. 12

TIMELESS, untimely; r. 2. 117TIRE, (a) make tired, (b) prey

upon (cf. Marlowe's Dido,5. 1. 317 'The grief thattires upon thine inwardsoul'); 4. 4. 189

TOUCH (sb.), touchstone (i.e. ahard basaltic stone of darkcolour, upon which the metalto be 'assayed' was rubbed soas to produce colouredstreaks, which streaks werethen compared with thosemade by standard 'touch-needles'); 4. 2. 8

TOUCH (vb.), (i) concern; 1. 1.112; 1. 3. 262; 3. 2. 23;(ii) touch upon, mention;3. 5. 925 3. 7. 4; (iii) strikeat; 2. 3. 26; 2. 4. 25

TOY, (i) idle fancy, freak offancy; 1. 1. 60; (ii) trifle,trifling ornament; 3. 1. 114

TRACT, track, course; 5. 3.20

TRIUMPH, public festivity orrejoicing; 3. 4. 42

GLOSSARY 279

TRIUMPHANT, jubilant (O.E.D.4); 3. 2. 81

TRUE-DISPOSING, justly ordain-ing ;> 4-55

TRUTH, fidelity, loyalty; 3. 2.915 3-3-3

TYPE, lit. distinguishing mark,badge (O.E.D. 3), fig. title,rank (v. note); 4. 4. 245

TYRANNOUS, cruel, ruthless;4-3-1

TYRANNY, violent and lawlessaction, violence, 2. 4. 51;3. 7. 95 J. 3. 168

UNAVOIDED1, unavoidable, in-evitable; 4. 1. 56; 4. 4. 218

UNGRACIOUS, graceless, devoidof religious virtue (O.E.D.1); 2. i. 128

UNHAPPINESS, prodigious na-ture (Hardin Craig); 1. 2.25

UNLOOSED, unexpected(O.E.D.2); 1. 3. 214

UNMANNERED, unmannerly; r.

2. 39UNMERITABLE, devoid of merit;

3- 7- 155UNPROVIDED, unarmed; 3. 2.

73UNRESPECTIVE, thoughtless,

heedless; 4. 2. 29UNSCARRED, not wounded,

unhurt; 4. 4. 210UNSWAYED, not wielded; 4. 4,

470UNTAINTED, not attainted,

unaccused (O.E.D. 1; theonly inst. given); 3. 6. 9

UNTOUCHED, not touched on,unmentioned; 3. 7. 19

UNVALUED, invaluable; 1.4.27UPPER HAND, 'on the upper

hand'•= in the place of

honour, in precedence of(the persons addressed orunderstood); 4. 4. 37

URGE, put forward as anargument; I. 3. 146; 1. 4.108

USE, 'still use'=habitual ex-perience; 4. 4. 230

VAIL, lit. lower (a sail); hence,doff (a crown etc.) in tokenof submission (O.E.D. 2);4- 4- 349

VANTAGE, (i) opportunity; 3.7. 37; (ii) advantage, bene-fit; 1. 3. 3105 5. 2. 22;(iii) 'condition favourableto success' (Schmidt); 5. 3.

VASSAL, 'base, abject person'(O.E.D. 3), wretch; 1. 4.r95

VAST. Blending the senses'boundless, immense' and'waste, desolate' (Onions).Cf. Lat. 'vastus'; r. 4. 39

VAUNT, exult; 5. 3. 288VENOM (adj.), venomous,

poisonous; 1. 3. 291VERGE, rim, circlet; 4. r. 59VICE, comic character in the

old Morality plays; alsocalled 'Iniquity'; 3. 1. 82

VIZOR, mask, disguise; herefig. 'virtuous vizor' =sem-blance of virtue; 2. 2. 28

VOICE, expression of opinion,vote (O.E.D. 10); 3. 2. 5353. 4. 19, 28

W A I T UPON, be in attendanceon, accompany; 2. 1. 141;3. 2. 121

WAITING-VASSAL, serving man;2. 1. 122

GLOSSARY

WARN, summon (O.E.D. 7)5i« 3- 39

WARRANT (sb.), guarantee,assurance; 'in w. from'=guaranteed by; 3. 7. 33

WASH (sb.), kitchen water andscraps given to pigs; 5. 2. 9

WASH (vb.), 'overwhelm aswith water' (Schmidt; cf.Oth. 5. 2. 280); 5. 3. 132

WATCH (V. note); 5. 3. 63WATCHFUL, wakeful, unsleep-

ing; 3-7-775 5; 3- " 5WATERS, heavy rain; 4. 4. 511

WATERY, controlling the tides(cf. Ham. 1. 1. 123-4'moist star', etc.; M.N.D.2. 1. 103, 'governess offloods'); 2. 2. 69

WEIGH, (i) consider; 3. 1. 46;(ii) estimate the value of(with a quibble); 3. 1. 121

WELKIN, sky; 5. 3. 341WELL-ADVISED, V. advised; I .

3-3i8WELL-SPOKEN, eloquent, per-

suasive; 1. 1. 29; 1. 3. 348WHILE (sb.), present time;

'the while' (inexclamations)ellipt. for 'at the presenttime'; 3. 6. 10

WHITE-LIVERED, cowardly. Theliver was considered theseat of courage; 4. 4. 465

WINDOW, eyelid (fig. use fromsense 'shutter', for whichv. Cats. G.); 5. 3. 116

WIT, cleverness, understand-ing; 3- i- 50, 85, 86, 133

WITHAL, (i) (adv.) moreover,in addition; 1. 3. 133, 332;4- 5- 75 (») (Prep-) with(emphatic); 3. 7. 57, 197;4. 4. 250; 4. 5. 18; 5. 3.315; (iii) (adv.) therewith;4. 4. 279

WITNESS (vb., trans, and in-trans.), bear witness to,testify; 3. 5. 69; 4. 4. 60

WITTY, clever, cunning; 4. 2.

WORD, phrase (setttentia)', 3,1.83

WORSHIP, honour, dignity; 1.1.66

WORSHIPFULLY, respectfully,reverentially; 3. 4. 39

WOT. Pres. ind. of 'to wit'= to know; 2. 3. 18 (3rdpers. sing.); 3. 2. 89 (2ndpers. plur.)

WRACK, destruction (O.E.D.sb.1 2); 1. 2. 127

WRETCH, i.e. 'poor dear'.Ter,m of pitiful endearment;2 .2 . 6

WRETCHED, hateful, despicable(cf. Lucr. 999); 5. 2. 7

YET, now as always; r. 4. 216YEOMAN, freeholder under the

rank of a gentleman; 5. 3.338

ZEALOUS, fervently pious; 3.7-94

ZOUNDS.' Expletive = 'God'swounds'} 3.7.219; 5.3.208