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Richard III: Act IV, Scene 3

Richard III
Act IV, Scene 3

London. The palace.

  1. Enter Tyrrel.

Tyrrel

1 - 23
  1. The tyrannous and bloody act is done,
  2. The most arch deed of piteous massacre
  3. That ever yet this land was guilty of.
  4. Dighton and Forrest, who I did suborn
  5. To do this piece of ruthless butchery,
  6. Albeit they were flesh’d villains, bloody dogs,
  7. Melted with tenderness and kind compassion,
  8. Wept like two children in their deaths’ sad story.
  9. O, thus,” quoth Dighton, lay the gentle babes.”
  10. Thus, thus,” quoth Forrest, girdling one another
  11. Within their alabaster innocent arms.
  12. Their lips were four red roses on a stalk,
  13. Which in their summer beauty kiss’d each other.
  14. A book of prayers on their pillow lay,
  15. Which once,” quoth Forrest, almost chang’d my mind;
  16. But O! The devil”—there the villain stopp’d;
  17. When Dighton thus told on, We smothered
  18. The most replenished sweet work of Nature
  19. That from the prime creation e’er she framed.”
  20. Hence both are gone with conscience and remorse
  21. They could not speak; and so I left them both,
  22. To bear this tidings to the bloody King.
  23. Enter King Richard.
  24. And here he comes. All health, my sovereign lord!

King Richard III

24
  1. Kind Tyrrel, am I happy in thy news?

Tyrrel

25 - 27
  1. If to have done the thing you gave in charge
  2. Beget your happiness, be happy then,
  3. For it is done.

King Richard III

28
  1.                 But didst thou see them dead?

Tyrrel

29
  1. I did, my lord.

King Richard III

30
  1.                 And buried, gentle Tyrrel?

Tyrrel

31 - 32
  1. The chaplain of the Tower hath buried them,
  2. But where (to say the truth) I do not know.

King Richard III

33 - 37
  1. Come to me, Tyrrel, soon, at after-supper,
  2. When thou shalt tell the process of their death.
  3. Mean time, but think how I may do thee good,
  4. And be inheritor of thy desire.
  5. Farewell till then.

Tyrrel

38
  1.                     I humbly take my leave.
  1. Exit.

King Richard III

39 - 46
  1. The son of Clarence have I pent up close,
  2. His daughter meanly have I match’d in marriage,
  3. The sons of Edward sleep in Abraham’s bosom,
  4. And Anne my wife hath bid this world good night.
  5. Now for I know the Britain Richmond aims
  6. At young Elizabeth, my brother’s daughter,
  7. And by that knot looks proudly on the crown,
  8. To her go I, a jolly thriving wooer.
  1. Enter Ratcliffe.

Ratcliffe

47
  1. My lord

King Richard III

48
  1. Good or bad news, that thou com’st in so bluntly?

Ratcliffe

49 - 51
  1. Bad news, my lord. Morton is fled to Richmond,
  2. And Buckingham, back’d with the hardy Welshmen,
  3. Is in the field, and still his power increaseth.

King Richard III

52 - 60
  1. Ely with Richmond troubles me more near
  2. Than Buckingham and his rash-levied strength.
  3. Come, I have learn’d that fearful commenting
  4. Is leaden servitor to dull delay;
  5. Delay leads impotent and snail-pac’d beggary.
  6. Then fiery expedition be my wing,
  7. Jove’s Mercury, and herald for a king!
  8. Go muster men. My counsel is my shield;
  9. We must be brief when traitors brave the field.
  1. Exeunt.
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