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
make them hop without their crownes that denies me Haue I remoued such logs out of my sight as my brother Clarēce And king Henry the sixt to suffer a child to shadow me Nay more my nephew to disinherit me Yet most of all to be released from the yoke of my brother As I terme it to become subiect to his sonne No death nor hell shal not withhold me but as I rule I wil raign And so raign that the proudest enemy shall not abide The sharpest shoure Why what are the babes but a puffe of Gun-pouder a marke for the soldiers food for fishes Or lining for beds deuices enough to make them away Wherein I am resolute and determining needs no counsell Ho whos 's within Enters Page and Perciuall Perc. May it please your Maiestie Richard Ha villaine Maiestie Per. I speake but vpon that which shal be my good Lord Rich. But what 's he with thee Page A Messenger with a letter from the right honourable The Duke of Buckingham Exit Page Rich. Sirra giue place Ah how this title of Maiestie animates me to my purpose Rise man regard no fall haply this letter brings good lucke May it be or is it possible Doth Fortune so much fauour my happinesse That I no sooner deuise but she sets abroach Or doth she but to trie me that raising me aloft My fall may be the greater well laugh on sweete change Be as be may I will neuer feare colours nor regard ruth Valour brings fame and fame conqueres death Perciuall Per. My Lord Rich. For so thy letter declares thy name Thy trust to thy Lord is a sufficient warrant That I vtter my minde fully vnto thee And seeing thy Lord and I haue bene long foes And haue found now so fit opportunitie to ioyne league To alaie the proude enemy tell him thus as a friend I do accept of his grace and will be as readie to put in practise To the vttermost of my power what ere he shal be to deuise But whereas he hath writ that the remouing of the yoong Prince from the Queenes friends might do well Tell him thus it is the only way to our purpose For he shall shortly come vp to London to his Coronation At which instant we will be both present And where by the helpe of thy Lord I will so plaie my part That I le be more then I am and not much lesse then I looke for No nor a haire bredth from that I am Aiudge thou what it is Perciual Perc. God send it my Lord but my Lord willed me to satisfie you and to tell you by word of mouth that he hath in readinesse a braue company of men Rich. What power hath he Per. A braue band of his owne Rich. What number Per. My Lord to the number of fiue hundreth footmen And horsmen ayders vnto him is my Lord Chamberlaine and my Lord Hastings Rich. Sounes dares he trust the Lord Hastings Per. I my Lord as his owne life he is secret I warrant you Rich. Well Perciuall this matter is waightie and must not be slipt therefore return this answere to thy Lord that to morrow I will meet him for to day I cannot for now the funerall is past I must set a screene before the fire for feare of suspition again I am now to strengthen my selfe by the controuersie that is betwixt the kindred of the King deceast and the Queene that 's liuing the yoong Prince is yet in hucsters handling and they not throughly friendes now must I so worke that that water that driues the mill may drowne it I climbe Perciuall I regard more the glorie then the gaine for the very name of a King redouble a mans life with fame when death hath done his worst and so commend me to thy Lord and take thou this for thy paines Per. I thanke your grace I humbly take my leaue Exit Perciual Rich. Why so now Fortune make me a King Fortune giue me a kingdome let the world report the Duke of Gloster was a King therefore Fortune make me King if I be but King for a yeare nay but halfe a yeare nay a moneth a weeke three dayes one day or halfe a day nay an houre swounes half an houre nay sweete Fortune clap but the Crowne on my head that the vassals may but once say God saue King Richards life it is inough Sirrha who is there Enters Page Page My Lord Rich. What hearest thou about the Court Pag. Ioy my Lord of your Protectorship for the most part Some murmure but my Lord they be of the baser sort Rich. A mightie arme wil sway the baser sort authority doth terrifie But what other newes hearest thou Pag. This my Lord they say the yong king is comming vp to his coronation attended on by his two vnkles Earle Riuers Lord Gray and the rest of the Queenes kindred Rich. A parlous bone to ground vpon and a rush stifly knit which if I could finde a knot I would giue one halfe to the dogs and set fire on the other Pag. It is reported my Lord but I know not whether it be true or no that the Duke of Buckingham is vp in the Marches of Wales with a band of men and as they say hee aimes at the Crowne Rich. Tush a shadow without a substance and a feare without a cause but yet if my neighbours house bee on fire let me seeke to saue mine owne in trust is treason time slippth it is ill iesting with edge tooles or dallying with Princes matters I le strike whillst the yron is hote and I le trust neuer a Duke of Buckingham no neuer a Duke in the world further then I see him And sirrha so follow me Exit Richard Pag. I see my Lord is fully resolued to climbe but how hee climbes I le leaue that to your iudgements but what his fall will be that 's hard to say But I maruell that the Duke of Buckingham and he are now become such great friends who had wont to loue one another so well as the spider doth the flie but this I haue noted since he hath had the charge of Protector how many noble men hath fled the realme first the Lord Marcus sonne to the Queene the Earle of Westmorland and Northumberland are secretly fled how this geare will cotten I know not But what do I medling in such matters that should medle with the vntying of my Lordes points faith do euen as a great many do beside medle with Princes matters so long til they proue themselues beggars in the end Therfore I for feare I should be taken nipping with any words I le set a locke on my lips for feare my tongue grow too wide for my mouth Exit Page Enter the yoong Prince his brother Duke of Yorke Earle Riuers Lord Gray sir Hapce sir Thomas Vaughan Kng. Right louing vnckles and the rest of this company my mother hath written and thinks it conuenient that we dismisse our traine for feare the towne
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
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
Richard now maist thou see thy end at hand why sirs why fear you thus why we are ten to one if you seeke promotion I am a King alreadie in possession better able to performe then he Louell Catesby le ts ioyne louingly and deuoutly togither and I will diuide my whole kingdome amongst you Both We will my Lord King We will my Lord a Catesbie thou lookest like a dog and thou Louell too but you will runne away with them that be gone and the diuel go with you all God I hope God what talke I of God that haue serued the diuell all this while No fortune and courage for mee and ioyne England against mee with England Ioyne Europe with Europe come Christendome and with Christendome the whole world and yet I will neuer yeeld but by death onely By death no die part not childishly from thy Crowne but come the diuell to claime it strike him down tho that Fortune hath decreed to set reuenge with triumphs on my wretched head yet death sweete death my latest friend hath sworne to make a bargaine for my lasting fame and this I this verie day I hope with this lame hand of mine to rake out that hatefull heart of Richmond and when I haue it to eate it panting hote with salt and drinke his blood luke warme tho I be sure t wil poyson me Sirs you that be resolute follow me the rest go hang your selues Exit The battell enters Richard wounded with his Page King A horse a horse a fresh horse Page A flie my Lord and saue your life King Flie villaine looke I as tho I would flie no first shall this dull and sencelesse ball of earth receiue my bodie cold and void of sence you watry heauens rowle on my gloomy day and darksome cloudes close vp my cheerfull sownde downe is thy sunne Richard neuer to shine againe the birdes whose feathers should adorne my head houers aloft dares not come in sight yet faint not man for this day if Fortune will shall make thee King possest with quiet Crown if Fates deny this ground must be my graue yet golden thoughts that reached for a Crowne danted before by Fortunes cruell spight are come as comforts to my drooping heart and bids me keepe my Crowne and die a King These are my last what more I haue to say I le make report among the damned soules Exit Enters Richmond to battell againe and kils Richard Enters Report and the Page Report How may I know the certain true report of this victorious battell fought to day my friend what ere thou beest tel vnto mee the true report which part hath wonne the victorie whether the King or no Page A no the King is slaine and he hath lost the day and Richmond he hath wonne the field and tryumphs like a valiant conquerer Report But who is slaine besides our Lord and soueraigne Page Slaine is the worthie Duke of Northfolke he with him sir Robart Brokenby Lieftenant of the Tower besides Louell he made also a partner in this Tragedie Report But where 's sir William Catsby Page Hee is this day beheaded on a stage at Lester because he tooke part with my Lord the King But stay Report thou shalt heare me tell the briefe discourse And how the battell fell then knowe Report that Richard came to fielde mounted on horsback with as high resolue as fierce Achillis mongst the sturdie Greekes whom to encounter worthie Richmond came accompanied with many followers and then my Lord displayde his colours straight and with the charge of Trumpet Drum and Fyfe these braue batalians straight encountred but in the skirmish which cōtinued long my Lord gan faint which Richmond straight perceiued and presently did sound afresh alarme but worthie Richard that did neuer flie but followed honour to the gates of death straight spurd his horse to encounter with the Earle in which encountry Richmond did preuaile taking Richard at aduantage then he threw his horse and him both to the ground and there was woorthie Richard wounded so that after that he nere recouered strength But to be briefe my maister would not yeeld but with his losse of life he lost the field Report farewell Enter Earle Richmond Earle Oxford L. Standley and their traine with the Crowne Rich. Now noble Peeres and woorthie country-men since God hath giuen vs fortune of the day let vs first giue thankes vnto his Deitie next with honors fitting your deserts I must be gratefull to my country men and woorthie Oxford for thy seruice showne in hote encountring of the enemy Earle Richmond bindes himselfe in lasting bondes of faithfull loue perfect vnitie Sory I am for those that I haue lost by our so dangerous encountring with the foe but sorow cannot bring the dead to life and therefore are my sorrows spent in vaine Onely to those that liue thus much I say I will maintain them with a manuall paie And louing father lastly to your self tho not the least in our expected aide we giue more thankes for your vnlooked for aide then we haue power on sodaine to declare but for your thanks I hope it shall suffise that I in nature loue honor you L. Stan. Well spoken sonne and like a man of worth whose resolutiō in this battell past hath made thee famous mongst thy enemies And thinke my son I glory more to heare what praise the common people gaue of thee then if the Peeres by general full consent had set me downe to weare the Diadem Then liue my sonne thus loued of thy friends and for thy foes prepare to combate them Oxf. And Oxford vowes perpetuall loue to thee wishing as many honours to Earle Richmond as Caesar had in conquering the world I doubt not but if faire fortune follow thee to see thee honoured mongst thy country men as Hector was among the Lords of Troy or Tulley mongst the Romane Senators Rich. How fares our louely mother Queene Enters mother Queene and Elizabeth Queene In health Earle Richmond glad to heare the newes that God hath giuen thee fortune of the day But tell me Lords where is my sonne Lord Marquesse Dorset that he is not here what was he murthered in this Tragedie Rich. No louely Queene your sonne doth liue in France for being distrest and driuen by force of tempest to that shore and many of our men being sicke and dead we were inforst to aske the King for aide as well for men as for munition which then the King did willingly supply prouided that as hostage for those men Lord Marquesse Dorset should be pledge with thē But Madame now our troubled warre is done Lord Marquesse Dorset shall come home againe Queene Richmond gramercies for thy kinde good newes which is no little comfort to thy friends to see how God hath beene thy happie guide in this late conquest of our enemies And Richmond as thou art returned with victorie so we will keepe our words effectually
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
bin better able to rule If my neere kindred be committed to prison what remains for me a crowne A but how so beset with sorrows that the care grief wil kil me ere I shal enioy my kingdome Well since I cannot command I wil intreat Good vnkle of Gloster for all I can say little but for my vnkle Lord Gray what need he be a theef or conuey money out of the Tower when he hath sufficient of his own But good vnkle let me baile them all If not I will baile my vnckle Lord Gray if I may Rich. Your grace vndertakes you know not what the matters are perillous especially against the Lord Gray King What perilous matters considering he is a friend to vs Rich. He may be a friend to win fauour so climbe to promotion in respect of his equals His equals nay his betters King I know my vnckle will conceale no treason or dangerous heeresie from vs Ric. Yes secrets that are too subtil for babes Alasse my Lord you are a child and they vse you as a child but they consult and conclude of such matters as were we not carefull would proue preiudiciall to your Maiesties person Therefore let not your grace feare any thing by our determination for as my authoritie is onely vnder your grace so shall my loyaltie deserue hereafter the iust recompence of a true subiect therefore I hauing charge frō my brother your father our late deceased king during the minoritie of your grace I wil vse my authoritie as I see good King Ay me vnhappie king Gray Nay let not your grace be dismaid for our imprisonmēt but I would we could warrant your grace from harme so we humbly take our leaues of your grace hoping that ere long we shall answer by law to the shame disgrace of you all Exit Rich. Go you shall answere it by law Kin. But come vnkle shal we to Lon. to our vntimely cronatiō Rich. What else and please your maiestie where by the way I will appoint trustie Officers about you Buc. Sound Trumpet in this parley God saue the King Rich. Richard Enter the mother Queene and her yoong sonne the Duke of Yorke and Elizabeth Yorke May it please your grace to shew to your children the cause of your heauines that we knowing it may be copartners of your sorrowes Q. Ay me poore husbandles queene you poore fatherlesse princes Eliz. Good mother expect the liuing and forget the dead What tho our father be dead yet behold his children the image of himselfe Queene Ay poore Princes my mourning is for you and for your brother who is gone vp to an vntimely crownation Eliz. Why mother he is a Prince and in handes of our two vnckles Earle Riuers Lord Gray who wil no doubt be carefull of his estate Queen I know they will but kings haue mortall enemies as well as friends that esteeme and regard them A sweet children when I am at rest my nightly dreames are dreadful Me thinks as I lie in my bed I see the league broken which was sworne at the death of your kingly father t is this my children and many other causes of like importance that makes your aged mother to lament as she doth Yorke May it please your grace Queene A my son no more grace for I am so sore disgraced that without Gods grace I fall into dispaire with my selfe but who is this Enter a Messenger York What art thou that with thy gastly lookes preaseth into sanctuary to affright our mother Queene Messen A sweet Princes doth my countenance bewray me My newes is doubtfull and heauie Eliz. Then vtter it to vs that our mother may not heare it Queene A yes my friend speake what ere it be Mess. Then thus may it please your grace The yong prince comming vp to his coronation attended on by his two vnckles Earle Riuers and Lord Gray and the rest of your kindred was by the Duke of Buckingham and the Protector met at stonie Stratford where on a suddaine grew malice betweene the Duke of Buckingham and the Lord Gray but in the end the Duke of Buckinghams malice grew so great that he arested and attached all those of your kindred of high treason whereupon the Protector being too rash in iudgement hath committed them all to Pomphret Castle Queene Where I feare he will butcher them all but where is the Prince my sonne Messen. He remaines at London in the Bishops palace in the hands of the Protector Queene A traitors will they laie hands on their Prince and imprison his Peeres which no doubt meanes well towards him But tell me art not thou seruant to the Arch-Bishop of Yorke Messen. Yes and it please your grace for himselfe is here at hand with Letters from the Councell and here he comes Enter Cardinall Queene But here my friend griefe had almost made me forget thy reward A come my Lord thou bringest the heauie newes come shoote thine arrow and hit this heart that is almost dead with griefe alreadie Car. What ere my newes be haue patience the Duke of Gloster greets your grace Queene Draw home my Lord for now you hit the marke Car. The Prince your sonne doth greete your grace Queene A happie gale that blew that arrow by A let me see the Letter that he sent perhaps it may prolong my life a while Yorke How doth my brother is he in health my Lord Card. In health sweete Prince but longes to haue thy companie Yorke I am content if my mother will let me go Card. Content or not sweete Prince it must be so Queene Hold and haue they persuaded thee my sonne to haue thy brother too away from me nay first I will know what shall become of thee before I send my other sonne to them Card. Looke on this Letter and aduise your selfe for thus the Councell hath determined Queene And haue they chosen thee among the rest for to persuade me to this enterprise No my Lord and thus persuade your selfe I will not send him to be butchered Card. Your grace misdoubts the worst they send for him only to haue him bedfellow to the King and there to staie keep him company And if your sonne miscary then let his blood be laid vnto my charge I know their drifts and what they do pretend for they shall both this night sleepe in the Tower and to morrow they shall come forth to his happie coronation Vpon my honour this is the full effect for see the ambusht nobles are at hand to take the Prince away from you by force if you will not by faire meanes let him go Queene Why my Lord wil you breake Sanctuary and bring in rebels to affright vs thus No you shall rather take away my life before you get my boy away from me Card. Why Madame haue you taken Sanctuary Queene I my Lord and high time too I trow Card. A heauie case when Princes flie for aide where cut-throates rebels and bankerouts should
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
for euer Page For his trust my Lord I dare be bounde onely this a poore gentleman he is hoping for preferment by your grace and vpon my credit my Lord he will see it done Rich. Well in this be verie circumspect and sure with thy diligence be liberall and looke for a day to make thee blesse thy self wherin thou seruedst so good a Lord And now that Shores wifes goods be confiscate goe from me to the Bishop of London and see that she receiue her open penance let her be turnd out of prison but so bare as a wretch that worthely hath deserued that plague and let there be straight proclaimation made by my Lord the Mayor that none shall releeue her nor pittie her and priuie spies set in euerie corner of the Citie that they may take notice of them that releeues her for as her beginning was most famous aboue all so will I haue her end most infamous aboue all Haue care now my boy and winne thy maisters heart for euer Enter Shores wife Shores Ah vnfortunate Shores wife dishonour to the King a shame to thy countrey and the onely blot of defame to all thy kindred Ay why was I made faire that a King should fauour me But my friends should haue preferd discipline before affection for they know of my folly yea my owne husband knew of my breach of disloyaltie and yet suffered me by reason hee knew it bootlesse to kicke against the pricke A sweet King Edward little didst thou thinke Shores wife should haue bene so hardly vsed thy vnnaturall brother not concent with my goods which are yet confiscate in his custodie but yet more to adde to my present miserie hath proclaimed vpon great penaltie that none whatsoeuer shall either aide or succour me but here being comfortlesse to die in the streets with hunger I am constrained to beg but I feare t is in vaine for none will pittie me Yet here comes one to whom I haue done good in restoring his lands that were lost now will I trie him to see if he will giue mee anything Enters Lodowicke Lo. A time how thou suffrest fortune to alter estates changest the mindes of the good for the worst How many headlesse Peeres sleepe in their graues whose places are furnish'd with their inferiours Such as are neither nobly borne nor vertuously minded My heart hardly bewailes the losse of the yoong King by the outrage of the Protector who hath proclamed himselfe King by the name of Richard the third The Commons murmure at it greatly that the yoong King and his brother should be imprisoned but to what end t is hard to say but many think they shall neuer come forth againe But God do all for the best and that the right heires may not be vtterly ouerthrowne Shore A gods what a griefe is it for me to aske where I haue giuen Lod. A my good Lord Hastings how innocently thou diedst the heauens beare witnesse Shores wife Good sir take pittie vppon mee and releeue mee Lod. Indeed t is pittie to see so faire a face to aske for almes But tell me hast thou no friends Shore Yes sir I had many frends but when my chiefest friend of all died the rest then forsooke me Lod. Belike then thy fact was notorious that thy friends leauing thee would let thee go as a spoyle for villaines But hearst thou I prethie tell me the truth and as I am a gentleman I will pittie thee Shore A Lodowick tell thee the truth why halfe this intreatie serued thee when thy lands had bene cleane gone had it not bene for Shores wife and doest thou make me so long to begge for a litle Lod. Indeed my lands I had restored me by mistresse Shore but may this be she Shore I Lodowicke I am she that begged thy lands of King Edward the fourth therefore I pray thee bestow something on me Lod. A gods what is this world and how vncertaine are riches Is this she that was in such credit with the King Nay more that could command a King indeed I cannot deny but my lands she restored me but shall I by releeuing of her hurt my selfe no for straight proclamation is made that none shall succour her therefore for feare I should be seene talke with her I will shun her company and get me to my chamber and there set downe in heroicall verse the shameful end of a Kings Concubin which is no doubt as wonderfull as the desolation of a kingdome Exit Shores A Lodowick if thou wilt giue me nothing yet staie and talke with me A no he shuns my company all my friends now forsake mee In prosperitie I had many but in aduersitie none A gods haue I this for my good I haue done for when I was in my cheefest pomp I thought that day wel spent wherein I might pleasure my friend by sutes to the King for if I had spoken he would not haue said nay For tho he was King yet Shores wife swayd the swoord I where neede was there was I bountifull and mindfull I was still vppon the poore to releeue them and now none will know me nor succour me therefore here shall I die for want of sustenance Yet here comes another whom I haue done good vnto in sauing the life of his sonne wel I will trie him to see if he will giue me any thing Enter a Citizen and another Cit. No men no lawes no Princes no orders all 's husht neighbour now hee s king but before he was king how was the tems thwackt with ruffians what fraies had we in the streets Now he hath proclaimed peace betweene Scotland and England for sixe yeares to what end I know not vsurpers had neede to be wise Shores A good sir releeue me and bestow something vpon me Cit. A neighbour hedges haue eyes and high-wayes haue eares but who i st a beggar-woman the streets are full of them Ifaith But heere 's thou hast thou no friendes that thou goest a begging so Shore Yes sir I had friends but they are all dead as you are Citi. Why am I dead neighbour why thou arrant queane what meanst thou by that Shore I meane they are dead in charitie But I pray sir had not you the life of your sonne saued in the time of king Edward the fourth by one Shores wife Citi. Yes mary had I but art thou a sprig of the same bough I promise you neighbor I thoght so that so idle a huswife could not be without the acquaintance of so noble a strumpet well for her sake I le giue thee somewhat Shore Nay then know that I am shee that saued the life of thy condemned sonne Citi. Who art thou Shores wife Lye still purse neighbour I would not for twentie pounds haue giuen her one farthing the proclamation is so hard by king Richard Why minion are you she that was the dishonour to the King the shame to her husband the discredit to the Citie Heare you laie your fingers
to worke and get thereby somewhat to maintaine you O neighbour I grow verie choloricke and thou didst saue the life of my sonne vvhy if thou hadst not another vvould and for my part I vvould he had bene hangd seuen yeeres ago it had saued me a great deale of mony then But come let vs go in let the quean alone Exeunt Shore Alasse thus am I become an open shame to the world here shall I die in the streets for want of sustenance alasse is my fact so heinous that none will pitie me Yet heere comes another to whom I haue done good who is least able to pleasure me yet I will trie him to see if he will giue me any thing Enter Morton a Seruing man Mort. Now sir who but king Richard beares sway and hath proclaimed Iohn Earle of Lincolne heire aparant to the Crown the yoong Princes they are in the Tower nay some saies more they are murthered But this makes me to muse the Duke of Buckingham and the King is at such variance that did all in all to helpe him to the Crowne but the Duke of Buckingham is rid downe to Breaknock Castle in Wales and there he meanes to raise vp a power to pull down the vsurper but let them agree as they will for the next faire winde I le ouer seas Shore A Shores wife so neere driuen to beg of a seruingman I necessitie hath no law I must needs Good sir releeue me and giue me something Seru. Why what art thou Shore In briefe Morton I am Shores wife that haue done good to all Seru. A foole and euer thy owne enemy In troth mistresse Shore my store is but small yet as it is wee le part stakes but soft I cannot do what I would I am watcht Enters Page Shore Good Morton releeue me Seru. What should I releeue my Kings enemy Shore Why thou promist thou wouldst Seru. I tell thee I wil not so be answered Sownes I would with all my heart but for yonder villaine a plague on him Exit Page An honest fellow I warrant him How now Shores wife will none releeue thee Shore No none will releeue her that hath bene good to all Page Why t were pitie to do thee good but me thinkes she is fulsome and stinkes Shore If I be fulsome shun my company for none but thy Lord sought my miserie and he hath vndone me Pag. Why hath he vndone thee nay thy wicked and naughtie life hath vndone thee but if thou wantest maintenance why doest thou not fall to thy old trade againe Shore Nay villaine I haue done open penance and am sorie for my sinnes that are past Page Sownes is Shores wife become an holie whoore nay then we shall neuer haue done Shore Why hang thee if thy faults were so written in thy forehead as mine is it would be as wrong with thee But I prethie leaue me and get thee from me Page And cannot you keepe the Citie but you must runne gadding to the Court and you staie here a litle longer I le make you be set away and for my part would all whoores were so serued then there would be fewer in England then there be And so farewell good mistresse Shore Exit Shore And all such vsurping kings as thy Lord is may come to a shamefull end which no doubt I may liue yet to see Therfore sweet God forgiue all my foule offence And though I haue done wickedly in this world Into hell fire let not my soule be hurld Exit Enter Maister Terrill and siir Robert Brokenbery Broken Maister Terrell the King hath vvritten that for one night I should deliuer you the keyes and put you in full possession But good M. Terrell may I be so bold to demand a question vvithout offence Ter. Else God forbid say on vvhat ere it be Bro. Then this maister Terrell for your comming I partly knovv the cause for the king oftentimes hath sent to me to haue them both dispatcht but because I vvas a seruant to their father being Edvvard the fourth my heart vvould neuer giue me to do the deed Ter. Why sir Robert you are beside the matter vvhat neede you vse such speeches what matters are betweene the King and me I pray you leaue it and deliuer me the keyes Broken A here with teares I deliuer you the keyes and so farwell maister Terrell Exit Ter. Alasse good sir Robert hee is kinde hearted but it must not preuaile what I haue promised the King I must performe But ho Myles Forest For. Here sir Ter. Myles Forest haue you got those men I spake of they must be resolute and pittilesse For. I warrant you sir they are such pittilesse villaines that all London cannot match them for their villanie one of their names is Will Sluter yet the most part calles him blacke Will the other is Iack Denten two murtherous villaines that are resolute Ter. I prethie call them in that I may see them and speake with them Forest Ho Will and Iack Well Here sir we are at hand For. These be they that I told you of Ter. Come hither sirs to make a long discourse were but a folly you seeme to be resolute in this cause that Myles Forest hath deliuered to you therefore you must cast away pitie not so much as thinke vpon fauour for the more stearne that you are the more shall you please the King Will Zownes sir nere talke to vs of fauour t is not the first that Iack and I haue gone about Ter. Well said but the Kings pleasure is this that he wil haue no blood shead in the deed doing therefore let me heare your aduises For. Why then I thinke this maister Terrell that as they sit at supper there should be two dags readie charged and so suddeinly to shoote them both through Terrell No I like not that so well what saiest thou Will what is thy opinion Well Tush heere 's more adoo then needes I pray bring mee where they are and I le take them by the heeles and beate their braines against the walles Ter. Nay that I like not for t is too tyrannous Dout. Then heare me maister Terrell let Will take one and I le take another and by the life of Iack Douton wee le cut both their throates Ter. Nay sirs then heare me I will haue it it done in this order when they be both a bed and at rest Myles Forest thou shalt bring them vp both and betweene two feather beds smother them both For. Why this is verie good but stand aside for here comes the Princes I le bring you word when the deed is done Exit Terrill Enter the Princes Yorke How fares my noble Lord and louing brother King A worthie brother Richard Duke of Yorke my cause of sorrow is not for my selfe but this is it that addes my sorrow more to see our vnckle whom our father left as our Protector in minoritie should so digresse from dutie loue and zeale so vnkindly
thus to keepe vs vp prisoners and know no sufficient cause for it Yorke Why brother comfort your selfe for tho he detaine vs a while he will not keepe vs long but at last he will send vs to our louing mother againe whither if it please God to send vs I doubt not but our mother would keepe vs so safe that all the Prelates in the worlde should not depriue her of vs againe so much I assure my selfe of But here comes Myles Forest I prethy Myles tell my kingly brother some mery storie to passe away the time for thou seest he is melancholy King No Myles tell me no mery storie but answere me to one question vvhat vvas he that vvalked vvith thee in the Gardeine me thought he had the keyes For. My Lord it vvas one that vvas appointed by the King to be an ayde to sir Thomas Brokenbury King Did the King vvhy Myles Forest am not I King For. I would haue said my Lord your vnckle the Protector King Nay my kingly vnckle I know he is now but let him enioy both Crowne and kingdome so my brother and I may but enioy our liues and libertie But tell me is sir Robert Brokenbery cleane discharged For. No my Lord he hath but charge for a night or two King Nay then new officers new lawes would we had kept the old still But who are they whose gastly lookes doth present a dying feare to my liuing bodie I prethee tell me Myles what are they For. One my Lord is called Iack Denten the other is called Will Slawter But why starts your grace King Slawter I pray God he come not to slaughter my brother and me for from murther and slaughter good Lord deliuer vs But tell me Myles is our lodging prepared For. I my Lord if it please your brother you to walke vp King Then come brother we will go to bed For. I will attend vpon your grace Yorke Come Myles Forest beare vs company For. Sirs staie you two here and when they are a sleep I le call you vp Exit Dent. I promise thee Will it greeues mee to see what mone these yoong Princes make I had rather then fortie pounds I had nere tane it in hand t is a dangerous matter to kill innocent princes I like it not Will Why you base slaue are you faint hearted a little thing would make me strike thee I promise thee Dent. Nay go forward for now I am resolute but come le ts too it VVill I prethee staie hee le call vs vp anon But sirrha Iacke didst thou mark how the King started when he heard my name What will he do when he feeles me For. But ho sirs come softly for now they are at rest VVill Come we are readie by the masse they are a sleepe indeed For. I heare they sleep and sleepe sweet Princes neuer wake no more for you haue seene the last light in this world Iack Come presse them downe it bootes not to cry againe Iack vpon them so lustily But maister Forest now they are dead what shall we do with them For. Why goe and bury them at the heape of stones at the staire foote while I goe and tell maister Terrell that the deed is done VVill Well we will farewell maister Forest Enter Terrell Ter. How now Myles Forest is this deed dispatcht For. I sir a bloodie deed we haue performed Ter. But tell me what hast thou done with them For. I haue conueyd them to the staires foote among a heape of stones and anon I le carry them where they shall be no more found againe nor all the cronicles shall nere make mentiō what shall become of them yet good maister Terrell tell the King my name that he may but reward me with a kingly thanks Ter. I wil go certifie the King with speed that Myles Forest Will Slawter and Iack Denten they three haue done the deed And so farewell Exeunt omnes Enter the Duke of Buckingham with his dagger drawne Ban. Ah good my Lord saue my life Buc. Ah villaine how canst thou aske for mercie when thou hast so vniustly betraied me Ban. I desire your grace but giue me leaue to speake Buc. I speake thy last villain that those that heare it may see how vniustly thou hast betraied me Ban. Then thus my Lord First the proclamation was death to him that harboured your grace Buc. Ah villaine and a thousand crownes to him that could betraie me Ban. Ah my Lord my obeysance to my Prince is more Buc. Ah villain thou betraiedst me for lucre and not for dutie to thy Prince why Banister a good seruant thinkes his life well spent that spends it in the quarrel of his maister But villain make thy selfe readie and here receiue thy death Enter a Herald Herald Henry Duke of Buckingham I arest thee in King Richards name as a traytor Buc. Well Herald I will obey thy rest But am I arrested in King Richardes name vsurping Richard that insatiate blood succour that traitor to God man Ah Richard did I in Guild-Hall pleade the Orator for thee and held thee in all thy slie and wicked practises and for my reward doest thou alot me death Ah Buckingham thou plaidst thy part and made him King and put the lawfull heires besides why then is Buckingham guiltie now of his death yet had not the Bishop of Ely fled I had escaped Enters sixe others to rescue the Duke All Come the Duke of Buckingham shall not die We will take him away by force Herald Why villaines will you bee Traytours to your Prince Buckingham Nay good my friends giue me leaue to speake and let me intreate you to laie your weapons by Then know this countrey men the cause I am thus this Is for bringing in your lawfull King which is Henry Earle of Richmond now in Brittaine and meanes ere long to land at Milford Hauen in Wales where I doo know hee shall haue ayde of the cheefest of the Welch hee is your lawfull King and this a wrongfull vsurper When you shall heare of him landed in that place then take vp weapons and amaine to him hee is the man must reaue you of this yoake and send the vsurper headlesse to his home and poore Buckingham praies vpon his knees to blesse good Richmond in his enterprise and when the conquest shall be giuen to him graunt he may match with Ladie Elizabeth as promise hath to fore by him bene past while then my friendes leaue mee alone to death and let me take this punishment in peace Ah Buckingham was not thy meaning good in displacing the vsurper to raise a lawfull king Ah Buckingham it was too late the lawfull heires were smothered in the Tower sweet Edward and thy brother I nere slept quiet thinking of your deaths But vaunt Buckingham thou wast altogither innocent of their deaths But thou vilain whom of a child I nurst thee vp and hast so vniustly betraied thy Lorde Let the curse of Buckingham nere depart from thee
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