PERSONS REPRESENTED. KING EDWARD THE FOURTH. Sons to the King. Brothers to the CARDINAL BOURCHIER, Archbishop of Canterbury. DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM. LEY, LORD LOVEL. SIR THOMAS VAUGHAN.-SIR RICHARD RATCLIFF. SHIRE. 2 ELIZABETH, Queen of King Edward IV. LADY ANNE, Widow to Edward Prince of Wales, Son to King Henry VI.; afterwards married to the Duke of Gloster. A young DAUGHTER of Clarence. Lords, and other Attendants; two Gentlemen, a Pursuivant, Scrivener, Citizens, Murderers, Messengers, Ghosts, Soldiers, &c. Sceue, England. LIFE AND DEATH OF KING RICHARD III. ACT I. SCENE L-London.-A Street. Enter GLOSTER. Gle. Now is the winter of our discontent Now are our brows bound with victorious wreaths; To the lascivious pleasing of a lute. But I,-that am not shaped for sportive tricks, • Dances. † Armed. To entertain these fair well-spoken days, comes. Enter CLARENCE, guarded, and BRAKENBURY. Brother, good day: what means this armed guard, That waits upon your grace? Clar. His majesty, Tendering my person's safety, hath appointed Glo. Upon what cause? Clar. Because my name is-George. Glo. Alack, my lord, that fault is none of yours; He should, for that, commit your godfathers:--O, belike, his majesty hath some intent, That you should be new christen'd in the Tower. But what's the matter, Clarence? May I know? Clur. Yea, Richard, when I know; for I protest, As yet I do not: but, as I can learn, He hearkens after prophecies and dreams; And from the cross-row plucks the letter G, And says-a wizard told him, that by G His issue disinherited should be; And, for my name of George begins with G, Glo. Why, this it is, when men are ruled by women: 'Tis not the king, that sends you to the Tower; Was it not she, and that good man of worship, Preparations for mischief. + Fancies. From whence this present day he is deliver'd? Clar. By heaven, I think, there is no man secure, Glo. Humbly complaining to her deity Got my lord chamberlain his liberty. I'll tell you what,—I think, it is our way, If we will keep in favour with the king, To be her men, and wear her livery: The jealous o'er-worn widow, and herself*, Since that our brother dubb'd them gentlewomen, Are mighty gossips in this monarchy. Brak. I beseech your graces both to pardon me; His majesty hath straitly given in charge, That no man shall have private conference, Of what degree soever with his brother. Gio. Even so? An please your worship, Brakenbury, You may partake of any thing we say: A bonny eye, a passing pleasing tongue; Brak. With this, my lord, myself have naught to do. Glo. Naught to do with mistress Shore? I tell thee, fellow, He that doth naught with her, excepting one, Brak. What one, my lord? Glo. Her husband, knave?-Wouldst thou betray me? Brak. I beseech your grace to pardon me; and withal, Forbear your conference with the noble duke. Clar. We know thy charge, Brakenbury, and will obey. Glo. We are the queen's abjects+, and must obey. Brother, farewell: I will unto the king; And whatsoever you will employ me in, + Lowest of subjects. The queen and Shore. VOL. IV. N |