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Enter KING EDWARD, RICHARD, DUKE OF GLOUCESTER, GEORGE, DUKE OF CLARENCE, LADY GREY, and ATTENDANTS.
Enter KING EDWARD, RICHARD, DUKE OF GLOUCESTER, GEORGE, DUKE OF CLARENCE, LADY GREY, and ATTENDANTS.
KING EDWARD
Brother of Gloucester, at Saint Albans field
This lady’s husband, Sir Richard Grey, was slain,
His land then seized on by the conqueror.
Her suit is now to repossess those lands,
5
Which we in justice cannot well deny,
Because in quarrel of the house of York
The worthy gentleman did lose his life.
KING EDWARD
Brother of Gloucester, at Saint Albans field
This lady’s husband, Sir Richard Grey, was slain,
His land then seized on by the conqueror.
Her suit is now to repossess those lands,
5
Which we in justice cannot well deny,
Because in quarrel of the house of York
The worthy gentleman did lose his life.
RICHARD
Your Highness shall do well to grant her suit;
It were dishonor to deny it her.
RICHARD
Your Highness shall do well to grant her suit;
It were dishonor to deny it her.
KING EDWARD
10
It were no less, but yet I’ll make a pause.
KING EDWARD
10
It were no less, but yet I’ll make a pause.
RICHARD , aside to CLARENCE
Yea, is it so?
I see the lady hath a thing to grant
Before the King will grant her humble suit.
RICHARD , aside to CLARENCE
Yea, is it so?
I see the lady hath a thing to grant
Before the King will grant her humble suit.
CLARENCE , formerly GEORGE , aside to RICHARD
He knows the game; how true he keeps the wind!
CLARENCE , formerly GEORGE , aside to RICHARD
He knows the game; how true he keeps the wind!
RICHARD , aside to CLARENCE
15
Silence!
RICHARD , aside to CLARENCE
15
Silence!
KING EDWARD
Widow, we will consider of your suit,
And come some other time to know our mind.
KING EDWARD
Widow, we will consider of your suit,
And come some other time to know our mind.
LADY GREY
Right gracious lord, I cannot brook delay.
May it please your Highness to resolve me now,
20
And what your pleasure is shall satisfy me.
LADY GREY
Right gracious lord, I cannot brook delay.
May it please your Highness to resolve me now,
20
And what your pleasure is shall satisfy me.
RICHARD , aside to CLARENCE
Ay, widow? Then I’ll warrant you all your lands,
An if what pleases him shall pleasure you.
Fight closer, or, good faith, you’ll catch a blow.
RICHARD , aside to CLARENCE
Ay, widow? Then I’ll warrant you all your lands,
An if what pleases him shall pleasure you.
Fight closer, or, good faith, you’ll catch a blow.
CLARENCE , aside to RICHARD
I fear her not, unless she chance to fall.
CLARENCE , aside to RICHARD
I fear her not, unless she chance to fall.
RICHARD , aside to CLARENCE
25
God forbid that, for he’ll take vantages.
RICHARD , aside to CLARENCE
25
God forbid that, for he’ll take vantages.
KING EDWARD
How many children hast thou, widow? Tell me.
KING EDWARD
How many children hast thou, widow? Tell me.
CLARENCE , aside to RICHARD
I think he means to beg a child of her.
CLARENCE , aside to RICHARD
I think he means to beg a child of her.
RICHARD , aside to CLARENCE
Nay, then, whip me; he’ll rather give her two.
RICHARD , aside to CLARENCE
Nay, then, whip me; he’ll rather give her two.
LADY GREY
Three, my most gracious lord
LADY GREY
Three, my most gracious lord
RICHARD , aside to CLARENCE
30
You shall have four if you’ll be ruled by him.
RICHARD , aside to CLARENCE
30
You shall have four if you’ll be ruled by him.
KING EDWARD
’Twere pity they should lose their father’s lands.
KING EDWARD
’Twere pity they should lose their father’s lands.
LADY GREY
Be pitiful, dread lord, and grant it then.
LADY GREY
Be pitiful, dread lord, and grant it then.
KING EDWARD
Lords, give us leave. I’ll try this widow’s wit.
RICHARD and CLARENCE stand aside.
KING EDWARD
Lords, give us leave. I’ll try this widow’s wit.
RICHARD and CLARENCE stand aside.
RICHARD , aside to CLARENCE
Ay, good leave have you, for you will have leave
35
Till youth take leave and leave you to the crutch.
RICHARD , aside to CLARENCE
Ay, good leave have you, for you will have leave
35
Till youth take leave and leave you to the crutch.
KING EDWARD
Now tell me, madam, do you love your children?
KING EDWARD
Now tell me, madam, do you love your children?
LADY GREY
Ay, full as dearly as I love myself.
LADY GREY
Ay, full as dearly as I love myself.
KING EDWARD
And would you not do much to do them good?
KING EDWARD
And would you not do much to do them good?
LADY GREY
To do them good I would sustain some harm.
LADY GREY
To do them good I would sustain some harm.
KING EDWARD
40
Then get your husband’s lands to do them good.
KING EDWARD
40
Then get your husband’s lands to do them good.
LADY GREY
Therefore I came unto your Majesty.
LADY GREY
Therefore I came unto your Majesty.
KING EDWARD
I’ll tell you how these lands are to be got.
KING EDWARD
I’ll tell you how these lands are to be got.
LADY GREY
So shall you bind me to your Highness’ service.
LADY GREY
So shall you bind me to your Highness’ service.
KING EDWARD
What service wilt thou do me if I give them?
KING EDWARD
What service wilt thou do me if I give them?
LADY GREY
45
What you command that rests in me to do.
LADY GREY
45
What you command that rests in me to do.
KING EDWARD
But you will take exceptions to my boon.
KING EDWARD
But you will take exceptions to my boon.
LADY GREY
No, gracious lord, except I cannot do it.
LADY GREY
No, gracious lord, except I cannot do it.
KING EDWARD
Ay, but thou canst do what I mean to ask.
KING EDWARD
Ay, but thou canst do what I mean to ask.
LADY GREY
Why, then, I will do what your Grace commands.
LADY GREY
Why, then, I will do what your Grace commands.
RICHARD , aside to CLARENCE
50
He plies her hard, and much rain wears the marble.
RICHARD , aside to CLARENCE
50
He plies her hard, and much rain wears the marble.
CLARENCE , aside to RICHARD
As red as fire! Nay, then, her wax must melt.
CLARENCE , aside to RICHARD
As red as fire! Nay, then, her wax must melt.
LADY GREY
Why stops my lord? Shall I not hear my task?
LADY GREY
Why stops my lord? Shall I not hear my task?
KING EDWARD
An easy task; ’tis but to love a king.
KING EDWARD
An easy task; ’tis but to love a king.
LADY GREY
That’s soon performed because I am a subject.
LADY GREY
That’s soon performed because I am a subject.
KING EDWARD
55
Why, then, thy husband’s lands I freely give thee.
KING EDWARD
55
Why, then, thy husband’s lands I freely give thee.
LADY GREY
I take my leave with many thousand thanks.
She curtsies and begins to exit.
LADY GREY
I take my leave with many thousand thanks.
She curtsies and begins to exit.
RICHARD , aside to CLARENCE
The match is made; she seals it with a cursy.
RICHARD , aside to CLARENCE
The match is made; she seals it with a cursy.
KING EDWARD
But stay thee; ’tis the fruits of love I mean.
KING EDWARD
But stay thee; ’tis the fruits of love I mean.
LADY GREY
The fruits of love I mean, my loving liege.
LADY GREY
The fruits of love I mean, my loving liege.
KING EDWARD
60
Ay, but, I fear me, in another sense.
What love, think’st thou, I sue so much to get?
KING EDWARD
60
Ay, but, I fear me, in another sense.
What love, think’st thou, I sue so much to get?
LADY GREY
My love till death, my humble thanks, my prayers,
That love which virtue begs and virtue grants.
LADY GREY
My love till death, my humble thanks, my prayers,
That love which virtue begs and virtue grants.
KING EDWARD
No, by my troth, I did not mean such love.
KING EDWARD
No, by my troth, I did not mean such love.
LADY GREY
65
Why, then, you mean not as I thought you did.
LADY GREY
65
Why, then, you mean not as I thought you did.
KING EDWARD
But now you partly may perceive my mind.
KING EDWARD
But now you partly may perceive my mind.
LADY GREY
My mind will never grant what I perceive
Your Highness aims at, if I aim aright.
LADY GREY
My mind will never grant what I perceive
Your Highness aims at, if I aim aright.
KING EDWARD
To tell thee plain, I aim to lie with thee.
KING EDWARD
To tell thee plain, I aim to lie with thee.
LADY GREY
70
To tell you plain, I had rather lie in prison.
LADY GREY
70
To tell you plain, I had rather lie in prison.
KING EDWARD
Why, then, thou shalt not have thy husband’s lands.
KING EDWARD
Why, then, thou shalt not have thy husband’s lands.
LADY GREY
Why, then, mine honesty shall be my dower,
For by that loss I will not purchase them.
LADY GREY
Why, then, mine honesty shall be my dower,
For by that loss I will not purchase them.
KING EDWARD
Therein thou wrong’st thy children mightily.
KING EDWARD
Therein thou wrong’st thy children mightily.
LADY GREY
75
Herein your Highness wrongs both them and me.
But, mighty lord, this merry inclination
Accords not with the sadness of my suit.
Please you dismiss me either with ay or no.
LADY GREY
75
Herein your Highness wrongs both them and me.
But, mighty lord, this merry inclination
Accords not with the sadness of my suit.
Please you dismiss me either with ay or no.
KING EDWARD
Ay, if thou wilt say “ay” to my request;
80
No, if thou dost say “no” to my demand.
KING EDWARD
Ay, if thou wilt say “ay” to my request;
80
No, if thou dost say “no” to my demand.
LADY GREY
Then no, my lord; my suit is at an end.
LADY GREY
Then no, my lord; my suit is at an end.
RICHARD , aside to CLARENCE
The widow likes him not; she knits her brows.
RICHARD , aside to CLARENCE
The widow likes him not; she knits her brows.
CLARENCE , aside to RICHARD
He is the bluntest wooer in Christendom.
CLARENCE , aside to RICHARD
He is the bluntest wooer in Christendom.
KING EDWARD , aside
Her looks doth argue her replete with modesty;
85
Her words doth show her wit incomparable;
All her perfections challenge sovereignty.
One way or other, she is for a king,
And she shall be my love or else my queen.—
Say that King Edward take thee for his queen?
KING EDWARD , aside
Her looks doth argue her replete with modesty;
85
Her words doth show her wit incomparable;
All her perfections challenge sovereignty.
One way or other, she is for a king,
And she shall be my love or else my queen.—
Say that King Edward take thee for his queen?
LADY GREY
90
’Tis better said than done, my gracious lord.
I am a subject fit to jest withal,
But far unfit to be a sovereign.
LADY GREY
90
’Tis better said than done, my gracious lord.
I am a subject fit to jest withal,
But far unfit to be a sovereign.
KING EDWARD
Sweet widow, by my state I swear to thee
I speak no more than what my soul intends,
95
And that is, to enjoy thee for my love.              
KING EDWARD
Sweet widow, by my state I swear to thee
I speak no more than what my soul intends,
95
And that is, to enjoy thee for my love.              
LADY GREY
And that is more than I will yield unto.
I know I am too mean to be your queen
And yet too good to be your concubine.
LADY GREY
And that is more than I will yield unto.
I know I am too mean to be your queen
And yet too good to be your concubine.
KING EDWARD
You cavil, widow; I did mean my queen.
KING EDWARD
You cavil, widow; I did mean my queen.
LADY GREY
100
’Twill grieve your Grace my sons should call you
father.
LADY GREY
100
’Twill grieve your Grace my sons should call you
father.
KING EDWARD
No more than when my daughters call thee mother.
Thou art a widow and thou hast some children,
And, by God’s mother, I, being but a bachelor,
105
Have other some. Why, ’tis a happy thing
To be the father unto many sons.
Answer no more, for thou shalt be my queen.
KING EDWARD
No more than when my daughters call thee mother.
Thou art a widow and thou hast some children,
And, by God’s mother, I, being but a bachelor,
105
Have other some. Why, ’tis a happy thing
To be the father unto many sons.
Answer no more, for thou shalt be my queen.
RICHARD , aside to CLARENCE
The ghostly father now hath done his shrift.
RICHARD , aside to CLARENCE
The ghostly father now hath done his shrift.
CLARENCE , aside to RICHARD
When he was made a shriver, ’twas for shift.
CLARENCE , aside to RICHARD
When he was made a shriver, ’twas for shift.
KING EDWARD
110
Brothers, you muse what chat we two have had.
KING EDWARD
110
Brothers, you muse what chat we two have had.
RICHARD
The widow likes it not, for she looks very sad.
RICHARD
The widow likes it not, for she looks very sad.
KING EDWARD
You’d think it strange if I should marry her.
KING EDWARD
You’d think it strange if I should marry her.
CLARENCE
To who, my lord?
CLARENCE
To who, my lord?
KING EDWARD
Why, Clarence, to myself.
KING EDWARD
Why, Clarence, to myself.
RICHARD
115
That would be ten days’ wonder at the least.
RICHARD
115
That would be ten days’ wonder at the least.
CLARENCE
That’s a day longer than a wonder lasts.
CLARENCE
That’s a day longer than a wonder lasts.
RICHARD
By so much is the wonder in extremes.
RICHARD
By so much is the wonder in extremes.
KING EDWARD
Well, jest on, brothers. I can tell you both
Her suit is granted for her husband’s lands.
Enter a NOBLEMAN.
KING EDWARD
Well, jest on, brothers. I can tell you both
Her suit is granted for her husband’s lands.
Enter a NOBLEMAN.
NOBLEMAN
120
My gracious lord, Henry, your foe, is taken
And brought your prisoner to your palace gate.
NOBLEMAN
120
My gracious lord, Henry, your foe, is taken
And brought your prisoner to your palace gate.
KING EDWARD
See that he be conveyed unto the Tower.
NOBLEMAN exits.
And go we, brothers, to the man that took him,
To question of his apprehension.—
125
Widow, go you along.—Lords, use her honorably.
They exit.
RICHARD remains.
KING EDWARD
See that he be conveyed unto the Tower.
NOBLEMAN exits.
And go we, brothers, to the man that took him,
To question of his apprehension.—
125
Widow, go you along.—Lords, use her honorably.
They exit.
RICHARD remains.
RICHARD
Ay, Edward will use women honorably!
Would he were wasted—marrow, bones, and all—
That from his loins no hopeful branch may spring
To cross me from the golden time I look for.
130
And yet, between my soul’s desire and me,
The lustful Edward’s title burièd,
Is Clarence, Henry, and his son, young Edward,
And all the unlooked-for issue of their bodies
To take their rooms ere I can place myself.
135
A cold premeditation for my purpose.
Why, then, I do but dream on sovereignty
Like one that stands upon a promontory
And spies a far-off shore where he would tread,
Wishing his foot were equal with his eye,
140
And chides the sea that sunders him from thence,
Saying he’ll lade it dry to have his way.
So do I wish the crown, being so far off,
And so I chide the means that keeps me from it,
And so, I say, I’ll cut the causes off,
145
Flattering me with impossibilities.
My eye’s too quick, my heart o’erweens too much,
Unless my hand and strength could equal them.
Well, say there is no kingdom then for Richard,
What other pleasure can the world afford?
150
I’ll make my heaven in a lady’s lap
And deck my body in gay ornaments,
And ’witch sweet ladies with my words and looks.
O miserable thought, and more unlikely
Than to accomplish twenty golden crowns!
155
Why, Love forswore me in my mother’s womb,
And, for I should not deal in her soft laws,
She did corrupt frail Nature with some bribe
To shrink mine arm up like a withered shrub;
To make an envious mountain on my back,
160
Where sits Deformity to mock my body;
To shape my legs of an unequal size;
To disproportion me in every part,
Like to a chaos, or an unlicked bear-whelp,
That carries no impression like the dam.
165
And am I then a man to be beloved?
O monstrous fault to harbor such a thought!
Then, since this Earth affords no joy to me
But to command, to check, to o’erbear such
As are of better person than myself,
170
I’ll make my heaven to dream upon the crown,
And, whiles I live, t’ account this world but hell
Until my misshaped trunk that bears this head
Be round impalèd with a glorious crown.
And yet I know not how to get the crown,
175
For many lives stand between me and home;
And I, like one lost in a thorny wood,
That rents the thorns and is rent with the thorns,
Seeking a way and straying from the way,
Not knowing how to find the open air,
180
But toiling desperately to find it out,
Torment myself to catch the English crown.
And from that torment I will free myself
Or hew my way out with a bloody axe.
Why, I can smile, and murder whiles I smile,
185
And cry “Content” to that which grieves my heart,
And wet my cheeks with artificial tears,
And frame my face to all occasions.
I’ll drown more sailors than the mermaid shall;
I’ll slay more gazers than the basilisk;
190
I’ll play the orator as well as Nestor,
Deceive more slyly than Ulysses could,
And, like a Sinon, take another Troy.
I can add colors to the chameleon,
Change shapes with Proteus for advantages,
195
And set the murderous Machiavel to school.
Can I do this and cannot get a crown?
Tut, were it farther off, I’ll pluck it down.
He exits.
RICHARD
Ay, Edward will use women honorably!
Would he were wasted—marrow, bones, and all—
That from his loins no hopeful branch may spring
To cross me from the golden time I look for.
130
And yet, between my soul’s desire and me,
The lustful Edward’s title burièd,
Is Clarence, Henry, and his son, young Edward,
And all the unlooked-for issue of their bodies
To take their rooms ere I can place myself.
135
A cold premeditation for my purpose.
Why, then, I do but dream on sovereignty
Like one that stands upon a promontory
And spies a far-off shore where he would tread,
Wishing his foot were equal with his eye,
140
And chides the sea that sunders him from thence,
Saying he’ll lade it dry to have his way.
So do I wish the crown, being so far off,
And so I chide the means that keeps me from it,
And so, I say, I’ll cut the causes off,
145
Flattering me with impossibilities.
My eye’s too quick, my heart o’erweens too much,
Unless my hand and strength could equal them.
Well, say there is no kingdom then for Richard,
What other pleasure can the world afford?
150
I’ll make my heaven in a lady’s lap
And deck my body in gay ornaments,
And ’witch sweet ladies with my words and looks.
O miserable thought, and more unlikely
Than to accomplish twenty golden crowns!
155
Why, Love forswore me in my mother’s womb,
And, for I should not deal in her soft laws,
She did corrupt frail Nature with some bribe
To shrink mine arm up like a withered shrub;
To make an envious mountain on my back,
160
Where sits Deformity to mock my body;
To shape my legs of an unequal size;
To disproportion me in every part,
Like to a chaos, or an unlicked bear-whelp,
That carries no impression like the dam.
165
And am I then a man to be beloved?
O monstrous fault to harbor such a thought!
Then, since this Earth affords no joy to me
But to command, to check, to o’erbear such
As are of better person than myself,
170
I’ll make my heaven to dream upon the crown,
And, whiles I live, t’ account this world but hell
Until my misshaped trunk that bears this head
Be round impalèd with a glorious crown.
And yet I know not how to get the crown,
175
For many lives stand between me and home;
And I, like one lost in a thorny wood,
That rents the thorns and is rent with the thorns,
Seeking a way and straying from the way,
Not knowing how to find the open air,
180
But toiling desperately to find it out,
Torment myself to catch the English crown.
And from that torment I will free myself
Or hew my way out with a bloody axe.
Why, I can smile, and murder whiles I smile,
185
And cry “Content” to that which grieves my heart,
And wet my cheeks with artificial tears,
And frame my face to all occasions.
I’ll drown more sailors than the mermaid shall;
I’ll slay more gazers than the basilisk;
190
I’ll play the orator as well as Nestor,
Deceive more slyly than Ulysses could,
And, like a Sinon, take another Troy.
I can add colors to the chameleon,
Change shapes with Proteus for advantages,
195
And set the murderous Machiavel to school.
Can I do this and cannot get a crown?
Tut, were it farther off, I’ll pluck it down.
He exits.

Original Text

Modern Text
Enter KING EDWARD, RICHARD, DUKE OF GLOUCESTER, GEORGE, DUKE OF CLARENCE, LADY GREY, and ATTENDANTS.
Enter KING EDWARD, RICHARD, DUKE OF GLOUCESTER, GEORGE, DUKE OF CLARENCE, LADY GREY, and ATTENDANTS.
KING EDWARD
Brother of Gloucester, at Saint Albans field
This lady’s husband, Sir Richard Grey, was slain,
His land then seized on by the conqueror.
Her suit is now to repossess those lands,
5
Which we in justice cannot well deny,
Because in quarrel of the house of York
The worthy gentleman did lose his life.
KING EDWARD
Brother of Gloucester, at Saint Albans field
This lady’s husband, Sir Richard Grey, was slain,
His land then seized on by the conqueror.
Her suit is now to repossess those lands,
5
Which we in justice cannot well deny,
Because in quarrel of the house of York
The worthy gentleman did lose his life.
RICHARD
Your Highness shall do well to grant her suit;
It were dishonor to deny it her.
RICHARD
Your Highness shall do well to grant her suit;
It were dishonor to deny it her.
KING EDWARD
10
It were no less, but yet I’ll make a pause.
KING EDWARD
10
It were no less, but yet I’ll make a pause.
RICHARD , aside to CLARENCE
Yea, is it so?
I see the lady hath a thing to grant
Before the King will grant her humble suit.
RICHARD , aside to CLARENCE
Yea, is it so?
I see the lady hath a thing to grant
Before the King will grant her humble suit.
CLARENCE , formerly GEORGE , aside to RICHARD
He knows the game; how true he keeps the wind!
CLARENCE , formerly GEORGE , aside to RICHARD
He knows the game; how true he keeps the wind!
RICHARD , aside to CLARENCE
15
Silence!
RICHARD , aside to CLARENCE
15
Silence!
KING EDWARD
Widow, we will consider of your suit,
And come some other time to know our mind.
KING EDWARD
Widow, we will consider of your suit,
And come some other time to know our mind.
LADY GREY
Right gracious lord, I cannot brook delay.
May it please your Highness to resolve me now,
20
And what your pleasure is shall satisfy me.
LADY GREY
Right gracious lord, I cannot brook delay.
May it please your Highness to resolve me now,
20
And what your pleasure is shall satisfy me.
RICHARD , aside to CLARENCE
Ay, widow? Then I’ll warrant you all your lands,
An if what pleases him shall pleasure you.
Fight closer, or, good faith, you’ll catch a blow.
RICHARD , aside to CLARENCE
Ay, widow? Then I’ll warrant you all your lands,
An if what pleases him shall pleasure you.
Fight closer, or, good faith, you’ll catch a blow.
CLARENCE , aside to RICHARD
I fear her not, unless she chance to fall.
CLARENCE , aside to RICHARD
I fear her not, unless she chance to fall.
RICHARD , aside to CLARENCE
25
God forbid that, for he’ll take vantages.
RICHARD , aside to CLARENCE
25
God forbid that, for he’ll take vantages.
KING EDWARD
How many children hast thou, widow? Tell me.
KING EDWARD
How many children hast thou, widow? Tell me.
CLARENCE , aside to RICHARD
I think he means to beg a child of her.
CLARENCE , aside to RICHARD
I think he means to beg a child of her.
RICHARD , aside to CLARENCE
Nay, then, whip me; he’ll rather give her two.
RICHARD , aside to CLARENCE
Nay, then, whip me; he’ll rather give her two.
LADY GREY
Three, my most gracious lord
LADY GREY
Three, my most gracious lord
RICHARD , aside to CLARENCE
30
You shall have four if you’ll be ruled by him.
RICHARD , aside to CLARENCE
30
You shall have four if you’ll be ruled by him.
KING EDWARD
’Twere pity they should lose their father’s lands.
KING EDWARD
’Twere pity they should lose their father’s lands.
LADY GREY
Be pitiful, dread lord, and grant it then.
LADY GREY
Be pitiful, dread lord, and grant it then.
KING EDWARD
Lords, give us leave. I’ll try this widow’s wit.
RICHARD and CLARENCE stand aside.
KING EDWARD
Lords, give us leave. I’ll try this widow’s wit.
RICHARD and CLARENCE stand aside.
RICHARD , aside to CLARENCE
Ay, good leave have you, for you will have leave
35
Till youth take leave and leave you to the crutch.
RICHARD , aside to CLARENCE
Ay, good leave have you, for you will have leave
35
Till youth take leave and leave you to the crutch.
KING EDWARD
Now tell me, madam, do you love your children?
KING EDWARD
Now tell me, madam, do you love your children?
LADY GREY
Ay, full as dearly as I love myself.
LADY GREY
Ay, full as dearly as I love myself.
KING EDWARD
And would you not do much to do them good?
KING EDWARD
And would you not do much to do them good?
LADY GREY
To do them good I would sustain some harm.
LADY GREY
To do them good I would sustain some harm.
KING EDWARD
40
Then get your husband’s lands to do them good.
KING EDWARD
40
Then get your husband’s lands to do them good.
LADY GREY
Therefore I came unto your Majesty.
LADY GREY
Therefore I came unto your Majesty.
KING EDWARD
I’ll tell you how these lands are to be got.
KING EDWARD
I’ll tell you how these lands are to be got.
LADY GREY
So shall you bind me to your Highness’ service.
LADY GREY
So shall you bind me to your Highness’ service.
KING EDWARD
What service wilt thou do me if I give them?
KING EDWARD
What service wilt thou do me if I give them?
LADY GREY
45
What you command that rests in me to do.
LADY GREY
45
What you command that rests in me to do.
KING EDWARD
But you will take exceptions to my boon.
KING EDWARD
But you will take exceptions to my boon.
LADY GREY
No, gracious lord, except I cannot do it.
LADY GREY
No, gracious lord, except I cannot do it.
KING EDWARD
Ay, but thou canst do what I mean to ask.
KING EDWARD
Ay, but thou canst do what I mean to ask.
LADY GREY
Why, then, I will do what your Grace commands.
LADY GREY
Why, then, I will do what your Grace commands.
RICHARD , aside to CLARENCE
50
He plies her hard, and much rain wears the marble.
RICHARD , aside to CLARENCE
50
He plies her hard, and much rain wears the marble.
CLARENCE , aside to RICHARD
As red as fire! Nay, then, her wax must melt.
CLARENCE , aside to RICHARD
As red as fire! Nay, then, her wax must melt.
LADY GREY
Why stops my lord? Shall I not hear my task?
LADY GREY
Why stops my lord? Shall I not hear my task?
KING EDWARD
An easy task; ’tis but to love a king.
KING EDWARD
An easy task; ’tis but to love a king.
LADY GREY
That’s soon performed because I am a subject.
LADY GREY
That’s soon performed because I am a subject.
KING EDWARD
55
Why, then, thy husband’s lands I freely give thee.
KING EDWARD
55
Why, then, thy husband’s lands I freely give thee.
LADY GREY
I take my leave with many thousand thanks.
She curtsies and begins to exit.
LADY GREY
I take my leave with many thousand thanks.
She curtsies and begins to exit.
RICHARD , aside to CLARENCE
The match is made; she seals it with a cursy.
RICHARD , aside to CLARENCE
The match is made; she seals it with a cursy.
KING EDWARD
But stay thee; ’tis the fruits of love I mean.
KING EDWARD
But stay thee; ’tis the fruits of love I mean.
LADY GREY
The fruits of love I mean, my loving liege.
LADY GREY
The fruits of love I mean, my loving liege.
KING EDWARD
60
Ay, but, I fear me, in another sense.
What love, think’st thou, I sue so much to get?
KING EDWARD
60
Ay, but, I fear me, in another sense.
What love, think’st thou, I sue so much to get?
LADY GREY
My love till death, my humble thanks, my prayers,
That love which virtue begs and virtue grants.
LADY GREY
My love till death, my humble thanks, my prayers,
That love which virtue begs and virtue grants.
KING EDWARD
No, by my troth, I did not mean such love.
KING EDWARD
No, by my troth, I did not mean such love.
LADY GREY
65
Why, then, you mean not as I thought you did.
LADY GREY
65
Why, then, you mean not as I thought you did.
KING EDWARD
But now you partly may perceive my mind.
KING EDWARD
But now you partly may perceive my mind.
LADY GREY
My mind will never grant what I perceive
Your Highness aims at, if I aim aright.
LADY GREY
My mind will never grant what I perceive
Your Highness aims at, if I aim aright.
KING EDWARD
To tell thee plain, I aim to lie with thee.
KING EDWARD
To tell thee plain, I aim to lie with thee.
LADY GREY
70
To tell you plain, I had rather lie in prison.
LADY GREY
70
To tell you plain, I had rather lie in prison.
KING EDWARD
Why, then, thou shalt not have thy husband’s lands.
KING EDWARD
Why, then, thou shalt not have thy husband’s lands.
LADY GREY
Why, then, mine honesty shall be my dower,
For by that loss I will not purchase them.
LADY GREY
Why, then, mine honesty shall be my dower,
For by that loss I will not purchase them.
KING EDWARD
Therein thou wrong’st thy children mightily.
KING EDWARD
Therein thou wrong’st thy children mightily.
LADY GREY
75
Herein your Highness wrongs both them and me.
But, mighty lord, this merry inclination
Accords not with the sadness of my suit.
Please you dismiss me either with ay or no.
LADY GREY
75
Herein your Highness wrongs both them and me.
But, mighty lord, this merry inclination
Accords not with the sadness of my suit.
Please you dismiss me either with ay or no.
KING EDWARD
Ay, if thou wilt say “ay” to my request;
80
No, if thou dost say “no” to my demand.
KING EDWARD
Ay, if thou wilt say “ay” to my request;
80
No, if thou dost say “no” to my demand.
LADY GREY
Then no, my lord; my suit is at an end.
LADY GREY
Then no, my lord; my suit is at an end.
RICHARD , aside to CLARENCE
The widow likes him not; she knits her brows.
RICHARD , aside to CLARENCE
The widow likes him not; she knits her brows.
CLARENCE , aside to RICHARD
He is the bluntest wooer in Christendom.
CLARENCE , aside to RICHARD
He is the bluntest wooer in Christendom.
KING EDWARD , aside
Her looks doth argue her replete with modesty;
85
Her words doth show her wit incomparable;
All her perfections challenge sovereignty.
One way or other, she is for a king,
And she shall be my love or else my queen.—
Say that King Edward take thee for his queen?
KING EDWARD , aside
Her looks doth argue her replete with modesty;
85
Her words doth show her wit incomparable;
All her perfections challenge sovereignty.
One way or other, she is for a king,
And she shall be my love or else my queen.—
Say that King Edward take thee for his queen?
LADY GREY
90
’Tis better said than done, my gracious lord.
I am a subject fit to jest withal,
But far unfit to be a sovereign.
LADY GREY
90
’Tis better said than done, my gracious lord.
I am a subject fit to jest withal,
But far unfit to be a sovereign.
KING EDWARD
Sweet widow, by my state I swear to thee
I speak no more than what my soul intends,
95
And that is, to enjoy thee for my love.              
KING EDWARD
Sweet widow, by my state I swear to thee
I speak no more than what my soul intends,
95
And that is, to enjoy thee for my love.              
LADY GREY
And that is more than I will yield unto.
I know I am too mean to be your queen
And yet too good to be your concubine.
LADY GREY
And that is more than I will yield unto.
I know I am too mean to be your queen
And yet too good to be your concubine.
KING EDWARD
You cavil, widow; I did mean my queen.
KING EDWARD
You cavil, widow; I did mean my queen.
LADY GREY
100
’Twill grieve your Grace my sons should call you
father.
LADY GREY
100
’Twill grieve your Grace my sons should call you
father.
KING EDWARD
No more than when my daughters call thee mother.
Thou art a widow and thou hast some children,
And, by God’s mother, I, being but a bachelor,
105
Have other some. Why, ’tis a happy thing
To be the father unto many sons.
Answer no more, for thou shalt be my queen.
KING EDWARD
No more than when my daughters call thee mother.
Thou art a widow and thou hast some children,
And, by God’s mother, I, being but a bachelor,
105
Have other some. Why, ’tis a happy thing
To be the father unto many sons.
Answer no more, for thou shalt be my queen.
RICHARD , aside to CLARENCE
The ghostly father now hath done his shrift.
RICHARD , aside to CLARENCE
The ghostly father now hath done his shrift.
CLARENCE , aside to RICHARD
When he was made a shriver, ’twas for shift.
CLARENCE , aside to RICHARD
When he was made a shriver, ’twas for shift.
KING EDWARD
110
Brothers, you muse what chat we two have had.
KING EDWARD
110
Brothers, you muse what chat we two have had.
RICHARD
The widow likes it not, for she looks very sad.
RICHARD
The widow likes it not, for she looks very sad.
KING EDWARD
You’d think it strange if I should marry her.
KING EDWARD
You’d think it strange if I should marry her.
CLARENCE
To who, my lord?
CLARENCE
To who, my lord?
KING EDWARD
Why, Clarence, to myself.
KING EDWARD
Why, Clarence, to myself.
RICHARD
115
That would be ten days’ wonder at the least.
RICHARD
115
That would be ten days’ wonder at the least.
CLARENCE
That’s a day longer than a wonder lasts.
CLARENCE
That’s a day longer than a wonder lasts.
RICHARD
By so much is the wonder in extremes.
RICHARD
By so much is the wonder in extremes.
KING EDWARD
Well, jest on, brothers. I can tell you both
Her suit is granted for her husband’s lands.
Enter a NOBLEMAN.
KING EDWARD
Well, jest on, brothers. I can tell you both
Her suit is granted for her husband’s lands.
Enter a NOBLEMAN.
NOBLEMAN
120
My gracious lord, Henry, your foe, is taken
And brought your prisoner to your palace gate.
NOBLEMAN
120
My gracious lord, Henry, your foe, is taken
And brought your prisoner to your palace gate.
KING EDWARD
See that he be conveyed unto the Tower.
NOBLEMAN exits.
And go we, brothers, to the man that took him,
To question of his apprehension.—
125
Widow, go you along.—Lords, use her honorably.
They exit.
RICHARD remains.
KING EDWARD
See that he be conveyed unto the Tower.
NOBLEMAN exits.
And go we, brothers, to the man that took him,
To question of his apprehension.—
125
Widow, go you along.—Lords, use her honorably.
They exit.
RICHARD remains.
RICHARD
Ay, Edward will use women honorably!
Would he were wasted—marrow, bones, and all—
That from his loins no hopeful branch may spring
To cross me from the golden time I look for.
130
And yet, between my soul’s desire and me,
The lustful Edward’s title burièd,
Is Clarence, Henry, and his son, young Edward,
And all the unlooked-for issue of their bodies
To take their rooms ere I can place myself.
135
A cold premeditation for my purpose.
Why, then, I do but dream on sovereignty
Like one that stands upon a promontory
And spies a far-off shore where he would tread,
Wishing his foot were equal with his eye,
140
And chides the sea that sunders him from thence,
Saying he’ll lade it dry to have his way.
So do I wish the crown, being so far off,
And so I chide the means that keeps me from it,
And so, I say, I’ll cut the causes off,
145
Flattering me with impossibilities.
My eye’s too quick, my heart o’erweens too much,
Unless my hand and strength could equal them.
Well, say there is no kingdom then for Richard,
What other pleasure can the world afford?
150
I’ll make my heaven in a lady’s lap
And deck my body in gay ornaments,
And ’witch sweet ladies with my words and looks.
O miserable thought, and more unlikely
Than to accomplish twenty golden crowns!
155
Why, Love forswore me in my mother’s womb,
And, for I should not deal in her soft laws,
She did corrupt frail Nature with some bribe
To shrink mine arm up like a withered shrub;
To make an envious mountain on my back,
160
Where sits Deformity to mock my body;
To shape my legs of an unequal size;
To disproportion me in every part,
Like to a chaos, or an unlicked bear-whelp,
That carries no impression like the dam.
165
And am I then a man to be beloved?
O monstrous fault to harbor such a thought!
Then, since this Earth affords no joy to me
But to command, to check, to o’erbear such
As are of better person than myself,
170
I’ll make my heaven to dream upon the crown,
And, whiles I live, t’ account this world but hell
Until my misshaped trunk that bears this head
Be round impalèd with a glorious crown.
And yet I know not how to get the crown,
175
For many lives stand between me and home;
And I, like one lost in a thorny wood,
That rents the thorns and is rent with the thorns,
Seeking a way and straying from the way,
Not knowing how to find the open air,
180
But toiling desperately to find it out,
Torment myself to catch the English crown.
And from that torment I will free myself
Or hew my way out with a bloody axe.
Why, I can smile, and murder whiles I smile,
185
And cry “Content” to that which grieves my heart,
And wet my cheeks with artificial tears,
And frame my face to all occasions.
I’ll drown more sailors than the mermaid shall;
I’ll slay more gazers than the basilisk;
190
I’ll play the orator as well as Nestor,
Deceive more slyly than Ulysses could,
And, like a Sinon, take another Troy.
I can add colors to the chameleon,
Change shapes with Proteus for advantages,
195
And set the murderous Machiavel to school.
Can I do this and cannot get a crown?
Tut, were it farther off, I’ll pluck it down.
He exits.
RICHARD
Ay, Edward will use women honorably!
Would he were wasted—marrow, bones, and all—
That from his loins no hopeful branch may spring
To cross me from the golden time I look for.
130
And yet, between my soul’s desire and me,
The lustful Edward’s title burièd,
Is Clarence, Henry, and his son, young Edward,
And all the unlooked-for issue of their bodies
To take their rooms ere I can place myself.
135
A cold premeditation for my purpose.
Why, then, I do but dream on sovereignty
Like one that stands upon a promontory
And spies a far-off shore where he would tread,
Wishing his foot were equal with his eye,
140
And chides the sea that sunders him from thence,
Saying he’ll lade it dry to have his way.
So do I wish the crown, being so far off,
And so I chide the means that keeps me from it,
And so, I say, I’ll cut the causes off,
145
Flattering me with impossibilities.
My eye’s too quick, my heart o’erweens too much,
Unless my hand and strength could equal them.
Well, say there is no kingdom then for Richard,
What other pleasure can the world afford?
150
I’ll make my heaven in a lady’s lap
And deck my body in gay ornaments,
And ’witch sweet ladies with my words and looks.
O miserable thought, and more unlikely
Than to accomplish twenty golden crowns!
155
Why, Love forswore me in my mother’s womb,
And, for I should not deal in her soft laws,
She did corrupt frail Nature with some bribe
To shrink mine arm up like a withered shrub;
To make an envious mountain on my back,
160
Where sits Deformity to mock my body;
To shape my legs of an unequal size;
To disproportion me in every part,
Like to a chaos, or an unlicked bear-whelp,
That carries no impression like the dam.
165
And am I then a man to be beloved?
O monstrous fault to harbor such a thought!
Then, since this Earth affords no joy to me
But to command, to check, to o’erbear such
As are of better person than myself,
170
I’ll make my heaven to dream upon the crown,
And, whiles I live, t’ account this world but hell
Until my misshaped trunk that bears this head
Be round impalèd with a glorious crown.
And yet I know not how to get the crown,
175
For many lives stand between me and home;
And I, like one lost in a thorny wood,
That rents the thorns and is rent with the thorns,
Seeking a way and straying from the way,
Not knowing how to find the open air,
180
But toiling desperately to find it out,
Torment myself to catch the English crown.
And from that torment I will free myself
Or hew my way out with a bloody axe.
Why, I can smile, and murder whiles I smile,
185
And cry “Content” to that which grieves my heart,
And wet my cheeks with artificial tears,
And frame my face to all occasions.
I’ll drown more sailors than the mermaid shall;
I’ll slay more gazers than the basilisk;
190
I’ll play the orator as well as Nestor,
Deceive more slyly than Ulysses could,
And, like a Sinon, take another Troy.
I can add colors to the chameleon,
Change shapes with Proteus for advantages,
195
And set the murderous Machiavel to school.
Can I do this and cannot get a crown?
Tut, were it farther off, I’ll pluck it down.
He exits.
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