Let vengeance mischiefes tortures light on thee and thine And after death thou maist more torture feele then when Excon turnes the restlesse wheele And banne thy soule where ere thou seeme to rest But come my my friends let me away Herald My Lord we are sorie But come laie hands on Banister Exeunt Enter King Richard sir William Catesbie and others King The goale is got and golden Crowne is wonne And well deseruest thou to weare the same That ventured hast thy bodie and thy soule But what bootes Richard now the Diademe Or kingdome got by murther of his friends My fearefull shadow that still followes me Hath sommond me before the seuere iudge My conscience witnesse of the blood I spilt Accuseth me as guiltie of the fact The fact a damned iudgement craues Whereas impartiall iustice hath condemned Meethinkes the Crowne which I before did weare Inchast with Pearle and costly Diamonds Is turned now into a fatall wreathe Of fiery flames and euer burning starres And raging fiends hath past ther vgly shapes In Stygian lakes adrest to tend on me If it be thus what wilt thou do in this extremitie Nay what canst thou do to purge thee of thy guilt Euen repent craue mercie for thy damned fact Appeale for mercy to thy righteous God Ha repent not I craue mercy they that list My God is none of mine Then Richard be thus resolu'd To pace thy soule in vallence with their blood Soule for soule and bodie for bodie yea mary Richard That 's good Catesbie Cat. You cald my Lord I thinke King It may be so But what thinkst thou Catesbie Cat. Of what my Lord King Why of all these troubles Cat. Why my Lord I hope to see them happily ouercom'd King How villain doest thou hope to see me happily ouercom'd Cat. Who you my Lord King Ay villaine thou points at me thou hopest to see me ouercom'd Cat. No my good Lord your enemies or else not King Ha ha good Catesbie but what hearest thou of the Duke of Buckingham Cat. Why he is dead my Lord he was executed at Salisbury yesterday King Why t is impossible his friends hopes that he shall outline me to be my head Cat. Out-liue you Lord that 's straunge King No Catesbie if a do it must be in fames And since they hope he shall out liue me to be my head He hops without his head rests among his fellow rebels Cat. Mary no force my Lord King But Catesbie what hearest thou of Henry Earle of Richmond Cat. Not a word my Lord King No hearest thou not he liues in Brittaine In fauour with the Duke Nay more Lady Margaret his mother conspires against vs And perswades him that hee is lineally descended from Henry The fourth and that he hath right to the Crowne Therefore tell me what thinkst thou of the Earle Cat. My Lord I thinke of the Earle as he doth deserue A most famous gentleman King Villaine doest thou praise my foe and commend him to my face Cat. Nay my Lord I wish he were as good a friend as he is a foe else the due deserts of a traytor King What 's that Cat. Why my Lord to loose his head King Yea mary I would t were off quickly then But more to the strengthening of his title She goes about to marry him to the Queenes eldest daughter Ladie Elizabeth Cat. Indeed my Lord that I heard was concluded By all the nobilitie of Brittaine King Why then there it goes The great diuell of hell go with all A marriage begun in mischiefe shall end in blood I thinke that accursed sorrceresse the mother Queene Doth nothing but be with me and hatcheth conspiracies And brings out perillous birds to wound Their Countries weale The Earle is vp in Armes And with him many of the Nobilitie He hath ayde in France He is rescued in Brittaine And meaneth shortly to arriue in England But all this spites me not so much As his escape from Landoyse the Dukes Treasuror Who if he had bene prickt foorth for reuenge He had ended all by apprehending of our foe But now he is in disgrace with the Duke And we farther off our purpose then to fore But the Earle hath not so many byting dogs abroad As we haue sleeping curres at home here Readie for rescue Cat. But my Lord I maruell how he should get aide there Considering he is no friend to Brittaine King Ay so thou maist maruell how the Duke of Brittaine Durst wake such a foe as England against him But euill fare makes open warre But who comes there Catsbie Ha one of our spurres to reuenge The Lord Standley father in law to Ladie Margaret His comming is to vs Catsbie Wert not that his life might serue For apprehension against our foe He should haue neither Iudge nor Iury But guiltie death without any more ado Now Lord Standley what newes Haue you receiued any letters of your late embassage into Brittaine What answere haue you receiued of your letters Enter Lord Standley and his sonne George Stand. Why my Lord for that I sent I haue receiued King And how doth your sonne then is he in health Standley For his health my Lord I do not mistrust King Faith tell vs when meanes he to arriue in England And how many of our Nobilitie is with him And what power is with him Standley And please your grace His power is vnknowne to me Nor willingly would not I be priuy to such causes King Oh good wordes Lord Standley but giue me leaue to gleane out of your golden field of eloquence how braue you pleade ignorance as though you knew not of your sonnes departure into Brittaine out of England Stand. Not I my Lord King Why is not his mother thy wife dares he passe ouer without the blessing of his mother whose husband thou art Stand. I desire your maiestie but giue me leaue to speake King Yea speak Standley no doubt some fine coloured tale Stand. And like your grace wheras you mistrust that I knew of my sonnes departure out of England into Brittaine God I take to record it was vnknowne to me nor know not yet what his pretence is for at his departure was I one of the priuy councell to your brother King Edward the fourth and that she was able to relieue him without my helpe I hope her sufficiencie is knowne to your grace Therefore I humbly craue pardon King Well Standley I feare it will be proued to the contrarie that thou didst furnish him both with mony and munition which if it be then looke for no fauour at my hands but the due deserts of a traitor but let this passe What 's your repaire to our presence Stan. Only this my Lord that I may repaire from the court to my house in the country King Ay sir that you might be in Cheshire and Lancashire then should your Postes passe inuisible into Brittaine and you to depart the realme at your pleasure or else I to suffer an
of Northampton is not able to receiue vs and againe my vnckle of Gloster may rather thinke we come of malice against him and his blood therefore my Lords let me here your opinions for my words and her letters are all one and besides I my selfe giue consent Riuers Then thus may it please your grace I will shewe my opinion First note the two houses of Lancaster and Yorke the league of friendship is yet but greene betwixt them and little cause of variance may cause it breake and thereby I thinke it not requisite to discharge the cōpany because of this The Duke of Buckingham is vp in the Marches of VVales with a great power and with him is ioyned the Protector for what cause I know not therefore my Lords I haue spoken my mind boldly but do as your honours shall thinke good Vaugh. Why my Lord Riuers wherefore is he Protector but for the Kings safetie Riu. I sir Thomas Vaughan and therefore a traitor because he is Protector Gray We haue the Prince in charge therefore we neede not care Riu. We haue the Prince but they the authoritie Gray Why take you not the Duke of Buckingham for the Kings friend Riu. Yes and yet we may misdoubt the Duke of Gloster as a foe Gray Why then my Lord Riuers I thinke it is conuenient that we leaue you here behind vs at Northamton for conference with them and if you heare their pretence be good towards the King you may in Gods name make returne come with them but if not leaue them and come to vs with speed For my sister the Queene hath willed that we should dismisse our companie and the King himselfe hath agreed to it therfore we must needs obey Riuers If it please your grace I am content and humbly take my leaue of you all Exit King Farewell good vnckle ah gods if I do liue my fathers yeares as God forbid but I may I will so roote out this malice enuie sowne among the nobilitie that I will make them weary that were the first beginners of these mischiefes Gray Worthily well spoken of your princely Maiestie Which no doubt sheweth a king-like resolution Vaughon A toward yoong Prince and no doubt forward to all vertue whose raigne God long prosper among vs King But come vnckle let vs forward of our iourny towards London Riuers We will attend vpon your Maiestie Exit omnes Enters an old Inne-keeper and Richards Page Page Come on mine Oste what doest thou vnderstand my tale or no Oste. I faith my guest you haue amazed mee alreadie and to heare it again it wil mad me altogither but because I may think vpon it the better I pray you let me heare it once more Page Why then thus I serue the right honourable the Lord Protector Oste. I I know that too well Pag. Then this is his graces pleasure that this night he will be lodged in thy house thy fare must be sumptuous thy lodgings cleanly his men vsed friendly and with great curtesie and that he may haue his lodging prepared as neare Lord Riuers as possible may be Oste. Why sir if this be all this is done alreadie Page Nay more Ost. Nay sir you loue me no more here 's too much already Page Nay my Lords graces pleasure is further that when all thy guesse haue tane their chambers that thou conuey into my Lords hands the keyes of euery seuerall chamber and what my Lords pleasure is further thou shalt know in the morning Oste. How locke in my guesse like prisoners why doe you heare my guesse mee thinkes there should be little better then treason in these words you haue vttered Page Treason villaine how darest thou haue a thought of treason against my Lord therefore you were best be briefe and tell me whether you will do it or no Oste. Alasse what shall I do who were I best to offend shall I betraie that good olde Earle that hath laine at my house this fortie yeares why and I doe hee will hang me nay then on the other side if I should not do as my Lord Protector commands he will chop off my head but is there no remedie Page Come sir be briefe there is no remedie therefore be briefe and tell me straight Oste. Why then sir here 's my hand tell my Lord Protector he shall haue it I will do as he commands mee but euen against my will God is my witnesse Page Why then farewell mine Oste ste. Farewell euen the woorst guest that euer came to my house A maisters maisters what a troublesome vocation am I crept into you thinke we that be In-keepers get all the world but I thinke I shall get a faire halter to my necke but I must go see all things done to my great griefe Exit Enters the mother Queene and her daughter and her sonne to sanctuarie Earle Riuers speakes out of his chamber Ho mine Oste Chamberlaine where 's my key What pend vp like a prisoner But staie I feare I am betraid The sodain sight of Glosters Duke doth make me sore afraid I le speake to him and gently him salute Tho in my heart I enuie much the man God morrow my Lord Protector to your grace And Duke of Buckingham God morrow too Thankes noble Dukes for our good cheare for your cōpany Here enters Buckingham and Gloster and their traine Rich. Thou wretched Earle whose aged head imagins nought but treacherie Like Iudas thou admitted wast to sup with vs last night But heauens preuented thee our ils and left thee in this plight Greeu'st thou that I the Gloster Duke shuld as Protector sway And were you he was left behind to make vs both away Wilt thou be ringleader to wrōg must you guide the realme Nay ouer boord al such mates I hurl whilst I do guid the helme I le weed you out by one and one I le burne you vp like chaffe I le rend your stock vp by the rootes that yet in triumphs laffe Riu. Alas good Dukes for ought I know I neuer did offend Except vnto my Prince vnloyall I haue bene Then shew iust cause why you exclaime so rashly in this sort So falsly thus me to condemne vpon some false report But am I here as prisoner kept imprisoned here by you Then know I am as true to my Prince as the proudest in thy crue Buc. A brauely spokē good old Earle who tho his lims be num He hath his tongue as much at vse as tho his yeares were yong Ri. Spekest thou the truth how darst thou speak for iustice to apeale When as thy packing with thy Prince thy falshood do reueale A Riuers blush for shame to speake like traitor as thou art Riu. Abrayd you me as traitor to your grace No altho a prisoner I returne defiance in thy face The Chronicles I record talk of my fidelitie of my progeny Wher as in a glas thou maist behold thy ancestors their trechery The wars in
France Irish cōflicts Scotland knowes my trust When thou hast kept thy skin vnscard and let thine armor rust How thou vniustly here exclaim'st Yea far from loue or kin Was this the oath which at our princes death With vs thou didst combine But time permits now to tell thee all my minde For well t is known that but for fear you neuer wold haue clind Let Commons now haue it in hand the matter is begun Of whom I feare the lesser sort vpon thy part will run My Lords I cannot breath it out in words like to you but this My honor I will set to sale let any comman man come in And say Earle Riuers faith vnto his Prince did quaile Then will I lose my lands and life but if none so can doo Then thou Protector iniur'st me and thy copartner too But since as Iudges here you are and taking no remorce Spare me not let me haue law iniustice do your worst Buc. My Lord lay down a cooling card this game is gone too far You haue him fast now cut him off for feare of ciuill war Iniurious Earle I hardly brooke this portion thou hast giuen Thus with my honor me to touch but thy ruth shall begin Ri. But as thou art I leaue thee here Vnto the officers custody First bare him to Pomphret Castle Charge them to keep him secretly And as you heare from me so deale Let it be done immediatly Take from our Garrison one whole band To guard him thither safely Riu. And send'st thou me to common Iayle Nay then I know thy minde God blesse these yoong and tender babes That I do leaue behinde And God aboue protect them day and night Those are the marks thou aim'st at to rid them from their right Farewell sweet England and my country men Earle Riuers leades the way Yet would my life might rid you from this thrall But for my stock kinred to the Queen I greatly feare thē all And thus disloyall Duke farewell when euer this is knowne The shame and infamy thereof be sure will be thine owne Exit Rich. So now my Lord of Buckingham let vs hoyst vp saile while the winde serues this hot beginning must haue a quicke dispatch therefore I charge and command straightly that euerie high way be laid close that none may be suffered to carrie this newes before we our selues come for if word come before vs then is our pretence bewraid and all we haue done to no effect If any aske the cause why they may not passe vse my authoritie and if he resist shoote him through Now my Lord of Buckingham let vs take post to Stony Stratford where happily I le say such grace to the Princes dinner that I will make the deuoutest of them forget what meat they eate and yet all for the best I hope Exit Enter the yoong Prince Lord Gray sir Thomas Vaughon sir Richard Hapc and their traine Hapc. Lord Gray you do discomfort the King by reason of your heauinesse Gray Alasse sir Richard how can I be merry when we haue so great a charge of his grace and again this makes me to greeue the more because wee cannot heare from Earle Riuers which makes me think the Protector and he haue bene at some words King Why good vnkle comfort your selfe no doubt my vnkle Earle Riuers is well is comming no doubt with my vnkle of Gloster to meete vs else we should haue heard to the contrarie If any haue cause to feare it is my selfe therfore good vnkle comfort your selfe and be not sad Gray The sweete ioyce of such a grape would comfort a man were he halfe dead and the sweete words of such a Prince would make men carlesse of mishaps how dangerous soeuer Hap. Lord Gray we heare now by all likelihoods the Protector not to be farre therefore wee are to entertaine him and the Duke of Buckingham with curtesie both for the Princes behalfe and for our owne Gray Sir Richard Hapc I shall hardly shew the Protector or the Duke of Buckingham any mery countenance considering how hardly I haue bene vsed by them both but yet for loue to my prince I wil bridle my affectiō but in good time they come Enters Richard Duke of Buckingham and their traine Rich. Long liue my Princely Nephew in all happinesse King Thankes vnckle of Gloster for your curtesie yet you haue made hast for we lookt not for you as yet Rich. Therein I shew my humble dutie to your grace whose life I wish to redouble your deceased fathers dayes King Thankes good vnckle Buc. Long liue my gratious Prince King Thankes Buckingham but vnckle you will beare vs company towards London Rich. For that cause we came Buc. Gentlemen on afore keep your roomes how now Lord Gray doo you iustle in the presence of the King This is more then needs Gray My Lord I scarce touched you I hope it be no offence Rich. Sir no great offence but inward enuy will burst out No Lord Gray you cannot hide your malice to vs of the Kings blood King Why good vnckle let me know the cause of your suddaine quarrell Rich. Marry thus noble Nephew the old wound of enuy being rubbed by Lord Grayes venomous rashnesse is growne to such a venomous sore that it is incurable without remooue of dead flesh Buc. Lord Gray I do so much dislike thy abuse that were it not in presence of the Prince I would bid thee combate but thus and it shal like your grace I arest atache this Lord Gray Sir Thomas Vaughon and Richard Hapce of high treason to your grace And that Lord Gray hath conueyed money out of the Tower to relieue our enemies the Scots and now by currying fauour with your Maiestie he thinkes it to be hid Rich. Only this I adde you gouerne the Prince without my authoritie allowing me no more then the bare name of Protector which I wil haue in the dispight of you and therfore as your competitor Earle Riuers is alreadie imprisoned so shall you be till time affoord the law to take place Gray But whereas we are atacht as traytors to his grace and gouerne him without your authoritie why we haue authoritie from the mother Queene And for the deliuery of the mony to the Scots it was done by a generall consent of you all and that I haue your hands to shew for my discharge therfore your arest atachment is not lawfull yet as lawful as your quarell is right Rich. Thy presumption condemnes thee Lord Gray thy arest is lawfull Therefore see them speedily and secretly imprisoned and after the coronation they shall answer it by law meane while Officers looke to your charge King A Gods and is it iustice without my consent Am I a King and beare no authoritie My louing kindred committed to prison as traytors in my presence and I stand to giue aime at them A Edward would thou laist by thy fathers side or else he had liued till thou hadst
be But Madame what answere do you returne if I could persuade you t were best to let him go Queene But for I see you counsell for the best I am content that you shall haue my son in hope that you will send him safe to me here I deliuer him into your hands Farewell my boy commend me to thy brother Yorke Mother farewell and farewell sister too I will but see my brother and returne to you Queene Teares stops my speech Come let vs in my Lord Exit Car. I will attend vpon your grace Hold take the Prince the Queen I haue done I le take my leaue and after you I le come Exit Car. Yorke How now my friend shall I go to my brother Cates. What else sweete Prince and for that cause wee are come to beare you company Exit omnes Enter foure watch-men Enter Richards Page Pag. Why thus by keeping company am I become like vnto those with whom I keepe company As my Lorde hopes to weare the Crown so I hope by that means to haue preferment but in steed of the Crowne the blood of the headles light vpon his head he hath made but a wrong match for blood is a threatner and will haue reuenge He makes hauocke of all to bring his purpose to passe all those of the Queens kinred that were committed to Pomphret Castle hee hath caused them to be secretly put to death without iudgemēt the like was neuer seen in England He spares none whom he but mistrusteth to be a hinderer to his proceedings he is straight chopt vp in prison The valiant Earle of Oxford being but mistrusted is kept close prisoner in Hames Castle Againe how well Doctor Shaw hath pleased my Lord that preached at Paules Crosse yesterday that proued the two Princes to be bastards whereupon in the after noone came downe my Lord Mayor and the Aldermen to Baynards Castle and offered my Lord the whole estate vpon him and offered to make him King which he refused so faintly that if it had bene offered once more I know he would haue taken it the Duke of Buckingham is gone about it and is now in the Guild Hall making his Oration But here comes my Lord Enter Richard and Catesby Ric. Catesby content thee I haue warned the Lord Hastings to this Court and since he is so hard to be wonne t is better to cut him off then suffer him he hath bene all this while partaker to our secrets and if he should but by some mislike vtter it then were we all cast away Cates. Nay my Lord do as you will yet I haue spoken what I can in my friends cause Rich. Go to no more ado Catesby they say I haue bin a long sleeper to day but I le be awake anon to some of their costs But sirrha are those men in readinesse that I appointed you to get Pag. I my Lord giue diligent attendance vpon your grace Rich. Go to looke to it then Catesby get thee thy weapons readie for I will enter the Court Cat. I will my Lord Exit Pag. Doth my Lord say he hath bene a long sleeper to day There are those of the Court that are of another opinion that thinks his grace lieth neuer lōg inough a bed Now there is court held to day by diuerse of the Councell which I feare me wil cost the Lord Hastings and the Lord Standley their best cappes for my Lord hath willed mee to get halfe a dozen ruffians in readinesse and when he knocks with his fist vpon the boord they to rush in and to crie treason treason and to laie hands vpon the Lord Hastings and the Lord Stannley which for feare I should let slip I will giue my diligent attendance Enter Richard Catesby and others pulling Lord Hastings Rich. Come bring him away let this suffice thou and that accursed sorceresse the mother Queene hath bewitched me with assistance of that famous strumpet of my brothers Shores wife my withered arme is a sufficient testimony deny it if thou canst laie not Shores wife with thee last night Hast. That she was in my house my Lord I cannot deny but not for any such matter If. Rich. If villain feedest thou me with Ifs ands go fetch me a Priest make a short shrift and dispatch him quickly For by the blessed Saint Paule I sweare I will not dine till I see the traitors head away sir Thomas suffer him not to speak see him executed straight let his copartner the Lord Standly be carried to prison also t is not his broke head I haue giuen him shall exscues him Exit with Hastings Catesbie goe you and see it presently proclaimed throughout the Citie of London by a Herald of Armes that the cause of his death and the rest were for conspiring by Witchcraft the death of me and the Duke of Buckingham that so they might gouern the King and rule the realme I thinke the proclamation be almost done Cate. I my good Lord and finished too Rich. Well then about it But hearest thou Catesbie meane while I will listen after successe of the Duke of Buckingham who is labouring all this while with the Citizens of London to make me King which I hope shall be shortly for thou seest our foes now are fewer and we neerer the marke then before and when I haue it looke thou for the place of thy friend the Lord Hastings meane while about thy businesse Cat. I thanke your grace Exit Catesbie Rich. Now sirrha to thee there is one thing more vndone which grieues me more then all the rest and to say the truth it is of more importance then all the rest Pag. Ah that my Lord would vtter it to his Page then should I count my selfe a happie man if I could ease my Lord of that great doubt Rich. I commend thy willingnesse but it is too mightie and reacheth the starres Pag. The more waightie it is the sooner shall I by doing it increase your honours good liking toward me Rich. Be assured of that but the matter is of waight great importance and doth concerne the state Pag. Why my Lord I will choake them with gifts that shall performe it therefore good my Lord trust me in this cause Rich. Indeed thy trust I know to be so true that I care not to vtter it vnto thee Come hither yet the matter is too waightie for so meane a man Page Yet good my Lord vtter it Rich. Why thus it is I would haue my two Nephewes the yoong Prince and his brother secretly murthered Sownes villaine t is out wilt thou do it or wilt thou betray me Page My Lord you shall see my forwardnesse herein I am acquainted with one Iames Terrell that lodgeth-hard by your honors chamber with him my Lord will I so worke that soone at night you shall speake with him Rich. Of what reputation or calling is that Terrell may we trust him with that which once knowne were the vtter confusion of me and my friends
intollerable foe vnder me which I will not But Standley to be brief thou shalt not go But soft Richard but that it were better to be alone then to haue noysome company he shall goe leauing for his loyaltie a sufficient pledge Come hither Standley thou shalt goe leauing me here thy sonne and heire George Standley for a pledge that hee may perish for thy fault if neede should be if thou likest this goe If not answere me briefly and say quickly no Stand. I am to aduise my selfe vppon a secret cause and of a matter that concernes me neare say that I leaue my sonne vnto the King and that I should but aide Earle Richmond my sonne George Standley dies but if my faith be kept vnto my Prince George Standley liues Well I will except the Kings proffer And please your grace I am content and will leaue my sonne to pledge King Here come hither and with thee take this lesson Thou art set free for our defence Thou shalt vpon thy pledge make this promise Not only to staie the hinderance of the Earle But to preuent his purpose with thy power Thou shalt not seeke by any meanes to aide or rescue him This done of my life thy sonne doth liue But otherwise thy sonne dies and thou too if I catch thee And it shall go hard but I will catch thee Stand. And you shall go apace and yet go without me But I humbly take my leaue of your grace Farewell George King How now what do you giue him letters Stand. No my Lord I haue done The second sight is sweet of such a sonne Exit King Carry George Standley to prison George Alasse my Lord shall I go to prison King Shall you go to prison what a question 's that So pricke the lambe and wound the damme How likest thou this Catesbie Cat. Oh my Lord so excellent that you haue imprisoned his sonne King Nay now will we looke to the rest But I sent the Lord Louell to the mother Queene Concerning my sute to her daughter Elizabeth But see in good time here he is How now Louell what newes What saith the mother Queene to my sute Enters Louell Lou. My Lord very strange she was at the first But when I had told her the cause she gaue concent Desiring your maiestie to make the nobilitie priuie to it King God haue mercy Louell but what said Lady Elizabeth Lou. Why my Lord straunge as women will be at the first But through intreatie of her mother she quickly gaue consent And the Queene wild me to tel your grace that she meanes to leaue Sanctuary and to come to the court with al her daughters King I marry Louell let not that opportunitie slippe looke to it Catesbie be carefull for it Louell for thereby hangs such a chance that may inrich vs and our heires for euer But sirs hard ye nothing of the Scottish Nobles that met at Nottingham to conferre about the marriage of my Neece Cat. Not a word my Lord Enters Messenger King Gogs wounds who is that search the villaine has he any dags about him Mess. No my Lord I haue none King From whence comes thou Mess. From the Peeres at Nottingham and Scotland they greete your Maiestie Lou. Sirrha is the marriage concluded betweene the Scottish Earle and the faire Lady Rosa Cat. Prethie tell vs is it concluded Page How saies thou is it concluded King Nay will you giue me leaue to tell you that Why you villaines will you know the secrets of my letter by interrupting messengers that are sent to me Away I say begone it is time to looke about away I say what here yet villaines Mess. My Lord I haue somewhat to say besides King Then speake it what hast thou to say Mess. This my Lord when the Peeres of England and Scotland met at Nottingham togither to confer about the marriage of your Neese it was straight determined that she shuld be married with the Scottish Earle And further my Lord the Councel commanded me to deliuer vnto your grace the treasons of Captain Blunt who had the Earle of Oxford in charge in Hames castle now are they both fled and purposeth to ayde the Earle of Richmond against your grace Now my Lord I take my leaue King Messenger staie hath Blunt betraied doth Oxford rebell and aide the Earle Richmond may this be true what is our prison so weake our friends so fickle our Ports so ill lookt too that they may passe and repasse the seas at their pleasures then euerie one conspires spoyles our Conflex conqueres our Castles and Armes themselues with their owne weapons vnresisted O villaines rebels fugetiues theeues how are we betrayd when our owne swoordes shall beate vs and our owne subiects seekes the subuertion of the state the fall of their Prince and sack of their country of his nay neither must nor shall for I will Army with my friends and cut off my enemies beard them to their face that dares me and but one I one one beyond the seas that troubles me wel his power is weake we are strong therfore I wil meet him with such melodie that the singing of a bullet shal send him merily to his lōgest home Come folow me Enter Earle Rich. Earle Oxford P. Landoys captain Blunt Rich. Welcome deare friends and louing country-men Welcome I say to Englands blisfull Ile Whose forwardnesse I cannot but commend That thus do aide vs in our enterprise My right it is and sole inheritance And Richard but vsurps in my authoritie For in his tyrannie he slaughtered those That would not succour him in his attempts Whose guiltlesse blood craues daily at Gods hands Reuenge for outrage done to their harmelesse liues Then courage countrymen and neuer be dismayd Our quarels good and God will helpe the right For we may know by dangers we haue past That God no doubt will giue vs victorie Oxf. If loue of gold or feare of many foes Could once haue danted vs in our attempts Thy foote had neuer toucht the English shoare And here Earle Oxford plites his faith to thee Neuer to leaue in what we haue vndertane But follow still with resolution Till thou be crownd as conquerer in the field Or lose thy life in following of thy right Thy right braue Richmond which we wil maintaine Maugre the proudest bird of Richards brood Then cousin Richmond being resolued thus Let vs straight to Aarms God and S. George for vs Blunt As this braue Earle haue said so say we all We will not leaue thee till the field be wonne Which if with fortunate successe we can performe Thinke then Earle Richmond that I followed thee And that shall be honour inough for mee Lan. So saith Landoyse that honors Richmond so With loue vnfeined for his valure past That if your honour leade the way to death Peeter Landoys hath sworne to follow thee For if Queen mother do but keep her word And what the Peeres haue promised
be performed Touching the marriage with Elizabeth Daughter to our King Edward the fourth And by this marriage ioyne in vnitie Those famous Houses Lancashire and Yorke Then England shall no doubt haue cause to say Edwards coronation was a ioyfull day And t is is all Landoys desires to see Richm. Thanks Landoys and here Earle Richmonds vows If their kinde promises take but effect That as they haue promised I be made King I will so deale in gouerning the state Which now lies like a sauage shultred groue Where brambles briars and thornes ouer-grow those sprigs Which if they might but spring to their effect And not be crost so by their contraries Making them subiect to these outrages Would proue such members of the Common-weale That England should in them be honoured As much as euer was the Romane state When it was gouernd by the Councels rule And I will draw my swoord braue country-men And neuer leaue to follow my resolue Till I haue mowed those brambles briars and thornes That hinder those that long to do vs good Oxf. Why we haue scapt the dangeroust brunt of all Which was his garrison at Milford Hauen Shall we dismay or dant our friends to come Because he tooke the Duke of Buckingham No worthie friends and louing country-men Oxford did neuer beare so base a minde He will not winke at murthers secretly put vp Nor suffer vpstarts to enioy our rightes Nor liue in England vnder an vsurping king And this is Oxfords resolution Rich. But Blunt looke whos 's that knocks Blunt My Lord t is a messenger from the mother Queene And the Ladie Standley your mother with letters Rich. Admit him straight now shall we heare some newes Enters Messenger Mess. Long liue Earle Richmond The mother Queene doth greet your honour Rich. Welcome my friend how fares our mother the rest Mess. In health my Lord and glad to hear of your ariual safe Rich. My friend my mother hath written to me of certaine that are comming in our aide the report of whose names are referd to thee to deliuer Mess. First theirs the Lord Talbut the Earle of Shreuesbury sonne and heire with a braue band of his owne There is also the Lord Fitz Harbart the Earle of Pembrookes sonne and heire Of the Gentlemen of the Welch there is sir Prise vp Thomas and sir Thomas vp Richard sir Owen Williams braue gentlemen my Lord These are the chiefe Rich. Are these the full number of all that come Mess. Only two more my Lord which I haue left vnnamed the one is sir Thomas Denis a Westerne gentleman and ioynd with him one Arnoll Butler a great many are willing but dares not as yet Rich. Doth Arnoll Butler come I can hardly brooke his trecherie for hee it was that wrought my disgrace with the King Oxf. Well my Lord wee are now to strengthen our selues with friends and not to reape vp olde quarrels say that Arnoll Butler did iniurie you in the time of peace the mendes is twise made if he stand with you in the time of warres Rich. Well my friend take this for thy good newes And commend me to our mother and the rest Thus my Lords you see God still prouides for vs But now my Lords touching the placing of our battell best And how we may be least indangered Because I will be foremost in this fight To incounter with that bloodie murtherer My selfe wil lead the vaward of our troope My Lord of Oxford you as our second selfe Shall hall haue the happie leading of the reare A place I know which you will well deserue And Captaine Blunt Peter Landoyse and you Shall by in quarters as our battels scowtes Prouided thus your bow-men Captaine Blunt Must scatter here and there to gaull their horse As also when that our promised friends do come Then must you hold hard skirmish with our foes Till I by cast of a counter march Haue ioynd our power with those that come to vs Then casting close as wings on either side We will giue a new prauado on the foe Therefore let vs towards Aderstoe amaine Where we this night God-willing will incampe From thence towards Lichfield we will march next day And neerer London bid King Richard play Exit Enters the Page Page Where shall I finde a place to sigh my fill And waile the griefe of our sore troubled King For now he hath obtaind the Diademe But with such great discomfort to his minde That he had better liued a priuate man his lookes are gastly Hidious to behold and from the priuie sentire of his heart There comes such deepe fetcht sighes and fearefull cries That being with him in his chamber oft He mooues me weepe and sigh for company For if he heare one stirre he riseth vp And claps his hand vpon his dagger straight Readie to stab him what so ere he be But he must thinke this is the iust reuenge The heauens haue powred vpon him for his sinnes Those Peeres which he vnkindly murthered Doth crie for iustice at the hands of God And he in iustice sends continuall feare For to afright him both at bed and boord But staie what noyse is this who haue we here Enters men to go to Richmond How now sirs whither are you going so fast Men Why to Earle Richmonds Camp to serue with him For we haue left to serue King Richard now Page Why comes there any more Men A number more Exit Page Why these are the villaines my Lord would haue put his life into their hands A Richard now do my eyes witnesse that thy end is at hand For thy commons make no more account of thee then of a priuate man yet will I as dutie bindes giue thee aduertisements of their vniust proceedings My maister hath lifted out many and yet hath left one to lift him out of all not onely of his Crowne but also of his life But I will in to tell my Lord of what is happened Enters Richmond and Oxford Rich. Good my Lord depart and leaue me to my selfe Oxf. I pray my Lord let me go along with you Rich. My Lord it may not be for I haue promised my father that none shall come but my selfe therfore good my Lord depart Oxf. Good my Lord haue a care of your self I like not these night walkes and scouting abroad in the euenings so disguised for you must not now that you are in the usurper dominions and you are the onely marke he aimes at and your last nightes absence bred such amazement in our souldiers that they like men wanting the power to follow Armes were on a sodaine more liker to flie then to fight therefore good my Lorde if I may not stand neare let me stand aloofe off Rich. Content thee good Oxford and tho I confesse my self bound to thee for thy especiall care yet at this time I pray thee hold me excused But farewell my Lord heere comes my Lord and father Enters Standley and another Stan. Captaine
I pray thee bring me word when thou doest discrie the enemy And so farewell and leaue me for a while Rich. How fares my gratious Lord and father Stan. In good health my sonne the better to see thee thus foreward in this laudable enterprise but omitting vain circumstances and to come briefly to the purpose I am now in fewe words to deliuer much matter For know this when I came to craue leaue of the King to depart from the court the king verie furiously began to charge me that I was both acquainted with thy practises and drifts and that I knew of thy landing and by no meanes would grant me leaue to go till as pledge of my loyaltie and true dealing with the king I should leaue my yoong sonne George Standley Thus haue I left my son in the hands of a tyrant onely of purpose to come and speake with thee Rich. But omitting this I pray tell me shall I looke for your helpe in the battell Stan. Sonne I cannot for as I will not goe to the vsurper no more I will not come to thee Rich. Why then it is bootlesse for vs to staie for all we presumed vpon was on your aide Stan. Why sonne George Standlyes death would doo you no pleasure Rich. Why the time is too troublesome for him to tend to follow execution Stan. O sonne tyrants expect no time and George Standley being yoong and a grissell is the more easie to be made away Rich. This newes goes to my heart but t is in vaine for mee to looke for victorie when with a mole-hill we shall encounter with a mountaine Stand. Why sonne see how contrarie you are for I assure you the chiefest of his company are liker to flie to thee then to fight against thee and for me thinke me not so simple but that I can at my pleasure flie to thee or being with them fight so faintly that the battell shall be wonne on thy part with small incountring And note this besides that the King is now come to Lester and means to morrow to bid thee battel in Bosworth Enters Messenger Mess. Come my Lord I do discry the enemy Stand. Why then sonne farewell I can staie no longer Richm. Yet good father one word more ere you depart What number do you thinke the kings power to be Stand. Mary some twentie thousand And so farewell Richm. And we hardly fiue thousand being beset with many enemies hoping vpon a few friends yet dispair not Richmond but remember thou fightest in right to defende thy countrey from the tyrannie of an vsurping tyrant therefore Richmond goe foreward the more dangerous the battell is in atteining it prooues the more honourable being obteined Then forward Richmond God and saint George for me Quisquam regna gaudit ô fallex bonum Enters the King and the Lord Louell King The hell of life that hangs vpon the Crowne The daily cares the nightly dreames The wretched crewes the treason of the foe And horror of my bloodie practise past Strikes such a terror to my wounded conscience That sleepe I wake I or whatsoeuer I do Meethinkes their ghoasts comes gaping for reuenge Whom I haue slaine in reaching for a Crowne Clarence complaines and crieth for reuenge My Nephues bloods Reuenge reuenge doth crie The headlesse Peeres comes preasing for reuenge And euery one cries let the tyrant die The Sunne by day shines hotely for reuenge The Moone by night eclipseth for reuenge The stars are turnd to Comets for reuenge The Planets chaunge their courtsies for reuenge The birds sing not but sorrow for reuenge The silly lambes sits bleating for reuenge The screeking Rauen sits croking for reuenge Whole heads of beasts comes bellowing for reuenge And all yea all the world I thinke Cries for reuenge and nothing but reuenge But to conclude I haue deserued reuenge In company I dare not trust my friend Being alone I dread the secret foe I doubt my foode least poyson lurke therein My bed is vncoth rest refraines my head Then such a life I count far worse to be Then thousand deaths vnto a damned death How wa st death I said who dare attempt my death Nay who dare so much as once to thinke my death Though enemies there be that would my body kill Yet shall they leaue a neuer dying minde But you villaines rebels traitors as you are How came the foe in preasing so neare Where where slept the garrison that should a beat them back Where was our friends to intercept the foe All gone quite fled his loyaltie quite laid a bed Then vengeance mischiefe horror with mischance Wilde-fire with whirle winds light vpon your heads That thus betrayd your Prince by your vntruth King Frantike man what meanst thou by this mood Now he is come more need to beate him backe Lou. Sowre is his sweete that sauours thy delight great is his power that threats thy ouerthrow King The bad rebellion of my foe is not so much as for to see my friends do flie in flockes from me Lou. May it please your grace to rest your selfe content for you haue power inough to defend your land Kin. Dares Richmond set his foote on land with such a small power of stragling fugatiues Lou. May it please your grace to participate the cause that thus doth trouble you King The cause Buzard what cause should I participate to thee My friends are gone away and fled from me keep silence villaine least I by poste do send thy soule to hell not one word more if thou doest loue thy life Enters Catsbie Cat. My Lord King Yet againe vilaine ô Catesbie is it thou What comes the Lord Standley or no Cat. My Lord he answeres no King Why didst not tell him then I would send his sonne George Standleys head to him Cat. My Lord I did so he answered he had another sonne left to make Lord Standley King O vilaine vilde and breaker of his oath the bastardes ghoast shall hant him at the heeles and crie reuenge for his vild fathers wrongs go Louell Catsbie fetch George Standly forth him with these handes will I butcher for the dead and send his headlesse bodie to his fire Catesbie Leaue off executions now the foe is heere that threatens vs most cruelly of our liues King Zownes foe mee no foes the fathers fact condemnes the sonne to die Lou. But guiltlesse blood will for reuengement crie King Why was not he left for fathers loyaltie Lou. Therein his father greatly iniured him King Did not your selues in presence see the bondes sealde and assignde Lo. What tho my Lord the vardits own the titles doth resign King The bond is broke and I will sue the fine except you will hinder me what will you haue it so Lou. In doing true iustice else we answere no King His trecherous father hath neglect his word and done imparshall past by dint of sword therefore sirrha go fetch him Zownes draw you cuts who shall go I bid you go Catesby A
THE True Tragedie of Richard the third Wherein is showne the death of Edward the fourth with the smothering of the two yoong Princes in the Tower With a lamentable ende of Shores wife an example for all wicked women And lastly the coniunction and ioyning of the two noble Houses Lancaster and Yorke As it was playd by the Queenes Maiesties Players LONDON Printed by Thomas Creede and are to be sold by William Barley at his shop in Newgate Market neare Christ Church doore 1594 THE TRVE TRAGEDIE OF RICHARD THE THIRD Enters Truth and Poetrie To them the Ghoast of George Duke of Clarence Ghost CResse cruor sanguinis satietur sanguine cresse Quod spero scitio O scitio scitio vendicta Exit Poetrie Truth well met Truth Thankes Poetrie what makes thou vpon a stage Poet. Shadowes Truth Then will I adde bodies to the shadowes Therefore depart and giue Truth leaue To shew her pageant Poe. Why will Truth be a Player Truth No but Tragedia like for to present A Tragedie in England done but late That will reuiue the hearts of drooping mindes Poe. Whereof Truth Marry thus Richard Plantagenet of the House of Yorke Claiming the Crowne by warres not by descent Had as the Chronicles make manifest In the two and twentith yeare of Henry the sixth By act of Parliament intailed to him The Crowne and titles to that dignitie And to his ofspring lawfully begotten After the decease of that forenamed King Yet not contented for to staie the time Made warres vpon King Henry then the sixth And by outrage suppressed that vertuous King And wonne the Crowne of England to himselfe But since at Wakefield in a battell pitcht Outragious Richard breathed his latest breath Leauing behind three branches of that line Three sonnes the first was Edward now the King George of Clarence and Richard Glosters Duke Then Henry claiming after his decease His stile his Crowne and former dignitie Was quite suppressed till this Edward the fourth Poe. But tell me truth of Henry what ensued Tru. Imprisoned he in the Tower of London lies By strict command from Edward Englands King Since cruelly murthered by Richard Glosters Duke Poe. Whose Ghoast was that did appeare to vs Tru. It was the ghost of George the duke of Clarēce Who was attected in King Edwards raigne Falsly of Treason to his royaltie Imprisoned in the Tower was most vnnaturally By his owne brother shame to parents stocke By Glosters Duke drowned in a but of wine Poe. What shield was that he let fall Tru. A shield conteining this in full effect Blood sprinkled springs blood spilt craues due reuenge Whereupon he writes Cresse cruor Sanguis satietur sanguine cresse Quod spero scitio O scitio scitio vendicta Poe. What maner of man was this Richard Duke of Gloster Tru. A man ill shaped crooked backed lame armed withall Valiantly minded but tyrannous in authoritie So during the minoritie of the yoong Prince He is made Lord Protector ouer the Realme Gentiles suppose that Edward now hath raigned Full two and twentie yeares and now like to die Hath summond all his Nobles to the Court To sweare alleageance with the Duke his brother For truth vnto his sonne the tender Prince Whose fathers soule is now neare flight to God Leauing behind two sonnes of tender age Fiue daughters to comfort the haplesse Queene All vnder the protection of the Duke of Gloster Thus gentles excuse the length by the matter And here begins Truthes Pageant Poetrie Wend with me Exeunt Enter Edward the fourth Lord Hastings Lord Marcus and Elizabeth To them Richard Hastings Long liue my soueraigne in all happinesse Marcus An honourable age with Cressus wealth Hourely attend the person of the King King And welcome you Peeres of England vnto your King Hast. For our vnthankfulnesse the heauens hath throwne thee downe Mar. I feare for our ingratitude our angry God doth frowne King Why Nobles he that laie me here Can raise me at his pleasure But my deare friends and kinsmen In what estate I now lie it is seene to you all And I feele my selfe neare the dreadfull stroke of death And the cause that I haue requested you in friendly wise To meete togither is this That where malice enuy sowing sedition in the harts of men So would I haue that admonished and friendly fauours Ouercome in the heart of yon Lord Marcus and Lord Hastings Both for how I haue gouerned these two and twentie yeares I leaue it to your discretions The malice hath still bene an enemy to you both That in my life time I could neuer get any lege of amity betwixt you Yet at my death let me intreate you to imbrace each other That at my last departure you may send my soule To the ioyes celestiall For leauing behinde me my yoong sonne Your lawfull King after my decease May be by your wise and graue counsell so gouerned Which no doubt may bring comfort To his famous realme of England But what saith Lord Marcus and Lord Hastings What not one word nay then I see it will not be For they are resolute in their ambition Elizabeth Ah yeeld Lord Hastings And submit your selues to each other And you Lord Marcus submit your selfe See here the aged King my father How he sues for peace betwixt you both Consider Lord Marcus you are son to my mother the Queene And therefore let me intreat you to mittigate your wrath And in friendly sort imbrace each other King Nay cease thy speech Elizabeth It is but folly to speake to them For they are resolute in their ambitious mindes Therefore Elizabeth I feele my selfe at the last instant of death And now must die being thus tormented in minde Hast. May it be that thou Lord Marcus That neither by intreatie of the Prince curtuous word of Elizabeth his daughter May withdraw thy ambition from me Marc. May it be that thou Lord Hastings Canst not perceiue the marke his grace aimes at Hast. No I am resolute except thou submit Marc. If thou beest resolute giue vp the vpshot And perhaps thy head may paie for the losses King Ah Gods sith at my death you iarre What will you do to the yoong Prince after my decease For shame I say depart from my presence and leaue me to my self For these words strikes a second dying to my soule Ah my Lords I thought I could haue commanded A greater thing then this at your hands But sith I cannot I take my leaue of you both And so depart and trouble me no more Hast. With shame and like your Maiestie I submit therfore Crauing humble pardon on my knees And would rather that my body shal be a pray to mine enemy Rather then I will offend my Lord at the houre And instance of his death King Ah thankes Lord Hastings Eliza. Ah yeeld Lord Marcus sith Lord Hastings Is contented to be vnited King Ah yeeld Lord Marcus thou art too obstinate Marc. My gracious Lord I am content