Richard III

by: William Shakespeare

Act 3 Scene 4

1 2 3 4 5

Original Text

Modern Text
Enter BUCKINGHAM, STANLEY, HASTINGS, the bishop of ELY, RATCLIFFE, LOVELL, with others, at a table
BUCKINGHAM, STANLEY, HASTINGS, the bishop of ELY, RATCLIFFE, and LOVELL, enter with others and take their seats at a table.

HASTINGS

Now, noble peers. the cause why we are met
Is to determine of the coronation.
In God’s name, speak. When is the royal day?

HASTINGS

Now, noble lords, the reason we’re meeting is to determine the day the prince will be crowned. In God’s name, speak. When should the royal day be?

BUCKINGHAM

Is all things ready for the royal time?

BUCKINGHAM

Is everything ready for that event?

STANLEY

5It is, and wants but nomination.

STANLEY

It is. All we have to do is name the day.

ELY

Tomorrow, then, I judge a happy day.

ELY

Tomorrow’s a good day.

BUCKINGHAM

Who knows the Lord Protector’s mind herein?
Who is most inward with the noble duke?

BUCKINGHAM

Who knows what the Lord Protector thinks? Who’s closest to him?

ELY

Your Grace, we think, should soonest know his mind.

ELY

You, I think, would best know what he’s thinking.

BUCKINGHAM

10We know each other’s faces; for our hearts,
He knows no more of mine than I of yours,
Or I of his, my lord, than you of mine.—
Lord Hastings, you and he are near in love.

BUCKINGHAM

We know each other’s faces, but as for our thoughts, he doesn’t know any more about my thinking than I do about yours or his—or you do about mine. Lord Hastings, you and he are close.

HASTINGS

I thank his Grace. I know he loves me well.
15But for his purpose in the coronation,
I have not sounded him, nor he delivered
His gracious pleasure any way therein.
But you, my honorable lords, may name the time,
And in the duke’s behalf I’ll give my voice,
20Which I presume he’ll take in gentle part.

HASTINGS

Thank you. I know he holds me dear, but I haven’t asked him about the coronation, and he hasn’t told me. But you, my noble lords, may name a time, and I’ll second it on the duke’s behalf, which I don’t think he’ll mind.
Enter RICHARD
RICHARD, enters.
Read the Summary of Act III, scenes ii–iv
1 2 3 4 5

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