The crown, usurp'd, disgraced his kingly glory. if something thou wilt swear to be believed, Swear then by something that thou hast not wrong'd. KING RICHARD III Now, by the world-- QUEEN ELIZABETH 'Tis full of thy foul wrongs. KING RICHARD III My father's death-- QUEEN ELIZABETH Thy life hath that dishonour'd. KING RICHARD III Then, by myself-- QUEEN ELIZABETH Thyself thyself misusest. KING RICHARD III Why then, by God-- QUEEN ELIZABETH God's wrong is most of all.
If thou hadst fear'd to break an oath by Him, The unity the king thy brother made Had not been broken, nor my brother slain:
If thou hadst fear'd to break an oath by Him, The imperial metal, circling now thy brow, Had graced the tender temples of my child, And both the princes had been breathing here, Which now, two tender playfellows to dust, Thy broken faith hath made a prey for worms.
What canst thou swear by now? KING RICHARD III The time to come. QUEEN ELIZABETH That thou hast wronged in the time o'erpast;
For I myself have many tears to wash Hereafter time, for time past wrong'd by thee.
The children live, whose parents thou hast slaughter'd, Ungovern'd youth, to wail it in their age;
The parents live, whose children thou hast butcher'd, Old wither'd plants, to wail it with their age.
Swear not by time to come; for that thou hast Misused ere used, by time misused o'erpast. KING RICHARD III As I intend to prosper and repent, So thrive I in my dangerous attempt Of hostile arms! myself myself confound!
Heaven and fortune bar me happy hours!
Day, yield me not thy light; nor, night, thy rest!
Be opposite all planets of good luck To my proceedings, if, with pure 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 this land and me, To thee, herself, and many a Christian soul, Death, desolation, ruin and decay:
It cannot be avoided but by this;
It will not be avoided but by this.
Therefore, good mother,--I must can 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. QUEEN ELIZABETH Shall I be tempted of the devil thus? KING RICHARD III Ay, if the devil tempt thee to do good. QUEEN ELIZABETH Shall I forget myself to be myself? KING RICHARD III Ay, if yourself's remembrance wrong yourself. QUEEN ELIZABETH But thou didst kill my children. KING RICHARD III But in your daughter's womb I bury them:
Where in that nest of spicery they shall breed Selves of themselves, to your recomforture. QUEEN ELIZABETH Shall I go win my daughter to thy will? KING RICHARD III And be a happy mother by the deed. QUEEN ELIZABETH I go. Write to me very shortly.
And you shall understand from me her mind. KING RICHARD III Bear her my true love's kiss; and so, farewell.
Exit QUEEN ELIZABETH
Relenting fool, and shallow, changing woman!
Enter RATCLIFF; CATESBY following How now! what news? RATCLIFF My gracious sovereign, on the western coast Rideth a puissant navy; to the shore Throng many doubtful hollow-hearted friends, Unarm'd, and unresolved to beat them back:
'Tis thought that Richmond is their admiral;
And there they hull, expecting but the aid Of Buckingham to welcome them ashore. KING RICHARD III Some light-foot friend post to the Duke of Norfolk:
Ratcliff, thyself, or Catesby; where is he? CATESBY Here, my lord. KING RICHARD III Fly to the duke:
To RATCLIFF
Post thou to Salisbury When thou comest thither--To CATESBY
Dull, unmindful villain, Why stand'st thou still, and go'st not to the duke? CATESBY First, mighty sovereign, let me know your mind, What from your grace I shall deliver to him. KING RICHARD III O, true, good Catesby: bid him levy straight The greatest strength and power he can make, And meet me presently at Salisbury. CATESBY I go.