Richard III

by: William Shakespeare

Act 2 Scene 1

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Original Text	Modern Text
Flourish. Enter KING EDWARD IV, sick, QUEEN ELIZABETH, Lord Marquess DORSET, RIVERS, HASTINGS, BUCKINGHAM, GREY, and others	Trumpets sound. KING EDWARD IV enters, sick, accompanied by QUEEN ELIZABETH, DORSET, RIVERS, HASTINGS, BUCKINGHAM, GREY, and others.
KING EDWARD IV Why, so. Now have I done a good day’s work. You peers, continue this united league. I every day expect an embassage From my Redeemer to redeem me hence, 5And more in peace my soul shall part to heaven Since I have made my friends at peace on earth Rivers and Hastings, take each other’s hand. Dissemble not your hatred. Swear your love.	KING EDWARD IV Well. Now I’ve done a good day’s work. You must all keep up this united front. Every day I expect a message from God to bring me away from here. Now my soul can depart for heaven peacefully, since my friends have made peace here on earth. Rivers and Hastings, take each other’s hand. Don’t simply hide your hatred. Swear your love for each other.
RIVERS (taking HASTINGS’s hand) By heaven, my soul is purged from grudging hate, 10And with my hand I seal my true heart’s love.	RIVERS (taking HASTINGS’s hand) I swear I have cleansed my heart of all hate. With this handshake, I guarantee my love.
HASTINGS So thrive I as I truly swear the like.	HASTINGS On my honor, I feel the same.
KING EDWARD IV Take heed you dally not before your king, Lest He that is the supreme King of kings 15Confound your hidden falsehood, and award Either of you to be the other’s end.	KING EDWARD IV Make sure you mean what you say. Otherwise God, the ultimate King, will uncover your lies and cause you to be the death of each other.
HASTINGS So prosper I as I swear perfect love.	HASTINGS On my honor, I swear I love Rivers with all my heart.
RIVERS And I as I love Hastings with my heart.	RIVERS And I love Hastings with all my heart.

Read the Summary of Act II, scenes i–ii

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