Richard III

by: William Shakespeare

Act 4 Scene 2

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Original Text	Modern Text
Sound a sennet. Enter RICHARD in pomp; BUCKINGHAM, CATESBY, RATCLIFFE, LOVELL, a page, and others	Trumpets play. RICHARD enters, already crowned and dressed as a king. BUCKINGHAM, CATESBY, a PAGE, and others enter with him.
RICHARD Stand all apart. —Cousin of Buckingham.	RICHARD Everyone stand aside.—Cousin Buckingham.
Others move aside	Everyone moves aside.
BUCKINGHAM My gracious sovereign.	BUCKINGHAM My gracious king.
RICHARD Give me thy hand.	RICHARD Give me your hand.
Here he ascendeth the throne. Sound trumpets	RICHARD ascends the throne with BUCKINGHAM at his side.
Thus high, by thy advice 5And thy assistance is King Richard seated. But shall we wear these glories for a day, Or shall they last and we rejoice in them?	Because of your advice and your help, I have a high position now. But will I wear these honors for only a day or will I enjoy them for a long time?
BUCKINGHAM Still live they, and forever let them last.	BUCKINGHAM Let them last forever.
RICHARD Ah, Buckingham, now do I play the touch, 10To try if thou be current gold indeed. Young Edward lives; think now what I would speak.	RICHARD Oh Buckingham, now I’m going to test to see if you’re truly made of gold. Young Prince Edward is still alive—what do you think I’m going to say next?
BUCKINGHAM Say on, my loving lord.	BUCKINGHAM Go on, my loving lord.
RICHARD Why, Buckingham, I say I would be king,	RICHARD Why, Buckingham, I say I want to be king.
BUCKINGHAM Why so you are, my thrice-renownèd lord.	BUCKINGHAM Why, you are king, your highness.
RICHARD 15Ha! Am I king? 'Tis so—but Edward lives.	RICHARD Ha! Am I king? I guess I am. But Edward is still alive.
BUCKINGHAM True, noble prince.	BUCKINGHAM True, noble prince.

Read the Summary of Act IV, scenes i–iii

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