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Sound a sennet. Enter RICHARD in pomp; BUCKINGHAM, CATESBY, RATCLIFFE, LOVELL, a page, and others
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Trumpets play. RICHARD enters, already crowned and dressed as a king. BUCKINGHAM, CATESBY, a PAGE, and others enter with him.
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RICHARD Stand all apart. —Cousin of Buckingham.
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RICHARD Everyone stand aside.—Cousin Buckingham.
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Others move aside
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Everyone moves aside.
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BUCKINGHAM My gracious sovereign.
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BUCKINGHAM My gracious king.
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RICHARD Give me thy hand.
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RICHARD Give me your hand.
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Here he ascendeth the throne. Sound trumpets
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RICHARD ascends the throne with BUCKINGHAM at his side.
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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?
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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?
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BUCKINGHAM Still live they, and forever let them last.
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BUCKINGHAM Let them last forever.
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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.
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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?
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BUCKINGHAM Say on, my loving lord.
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BUCKINGHAM Go on, my loving lord.
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RICHARD Why, Buckingham, I say I would be king,
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RICHARD Why, Buckingham, I say I want to be king.
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BUCKINGHAM Why so you are, my thrice-renownèd lord.
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BUCKINGHAM Why, you are king, your highness.
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RICHARD
15Ha! Am I king? 'Tis so—but Edward lives.
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RICHARD Ha! Am I king? I guess I am. But Edward is still alive.
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BUCKINGHAM True, noble prince.
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BUCKINGHAM True, noble prince.
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