Part 15 (1/2)

Young Edward lives-think now what I would speak.

BUCKINGHAM. Say on, my loving lord.

KING RICHARD. Why, Buckingham, I say I would be King.

BUCKINGHAM. Why, so you are, my thrice-renowned lord.

KING RICHARD. Ha! am I King? 'Tis so; but Edward lives.

BUCKINGHAM. True, n.o.ble Prince.

KING RICHARD. O bitter consequence: That Edward still should live-true n.o.ble Prince!

Cousin, thou wast not wont to be so dull.

Shall I be plain? I wish the b.a.s.t.a.r.ds dead.

And I would have it suddenly perform'd.

What say'st thou now? Speak suddenly, be brief.

BUCKINGHAM. Your Grace may do your pleasure.

KING RICHARD. Tut, tut, thou art all ice; thy kindness freezes.

Say, have I thy consent that they shall die?

BUCKINGHAM. Give me some little breath, some pause, dear Lord, Before I positively speak in this.

I will resolve you herein presently. Exit CATESBY. [Aside to another] The King is angry; see, he gnaws his lip.

KING RICHARD. I will converse with iron-witted fools [Descends from the throne]

And unrespective boys; none are for me That look into me with considerate eyes.

High-reaching Buckingham grows circ.u.mspect.

Boy!

PAGE. My lord?

KING RICHARD. Know'st thou not any whom corrupting gold Will tempt unto a close exploit of death?

PAGE. I know a discontented gentleman Whose humble means match not his haughty spirit.

Gold were as good as twenty orators, And will, no doubt, tempt him to anything.

KING RICHARD. What is his name?

PAGE. His name, my lord, is Tyrrel.

KING RICHARD. I partly know the man. Go, call him hither, boy. Exit PAGE The deep-revolving witty Buckingham No more shall be the neighbour to my counsels.

Hath he so long held out with me, untir'd, And stops he now for breath? Well, be it so.

Enter STANLEY

How now, Lord Stanley! What's the news?

STANLEY. Know, my loving lord, The Marquis Dorset, as I hear, is fled To Richmond, in the parts where he abides. [Stands apart]

KING RICHARD. Come hither, Catesby. Rumour it abroad That Anne, my wife, is very grievous sick; I will take order for her keeping close.

Inquire me out some mean poor gentleman, Whom I will marry straight to Clarence' daughter- The boy is foolish, and I fear not him.

Look how thou dream'st! I say again, give out That Anne, my queen, is sick and like to die.

About it; for it stands me much upon To stop all hopes whose growth may damage me.

Exit CATESBY I must be married to my brother's daughter, Or else my kingdom stands on brittle gla.s.s.

Murder her brothers, and then marry her!

Uncertain way of gain! But I am in So far in blood that sin will pluck on sin.

Tear-falling pity dwells not in this eye.

Re-enter PAGE, with TYRREL

Is thy name Tyrrel?

TYRREL. James Tyrrel, and your most obedient subject.

KING RICHARD. Art thou, indeed?

TYRREL. Prove me, my gracious lord.