THE TRUE TRAGEDY OF RICHARD THE THIRD
PART IIModern spelling version
Transcribed by Ramon Jimenez
Edited for the web by Robert Brazil
All rights reserved. Copyright 2005 © R. Jimenez and elizabethanauthors.com
The True Tragedie of Richard the third
Published anonymously 1594
SECOND HALF
... Into hell fire, let not my soul be hurled. [1188]
(Exit Shore's Wife)
Scene xii
Enter Master Tyrell, and Sir Robert Brakenbury. [1190]
BRAKENBURY: Master Tyrell, the King hath written, that for one
night I should deliver you the keys, and put you in full possession.
But good Master Tyrell, may I be so bold to demand a question
without offence?
TYRELL: Else God forbid, say on what e'er it be.
BRAKENBURY: Then this, Master Tyrell, for your coming I partly
knovv the cause, for the King oftentimes hath sent to me to have
them both dispatched. But because I was servant to their father,
being Edvvard the Fourth, my heart would never give me
to do the deed. [1200]
TYRELL: Why Sir Robert, you are beside the matter. What need
you use such speeches? What matters are between the King and
me, I pray you leave it, and deliver me the keys.
BRAKENBURY: Ah, here with tears I deliver you the keys, and so fare-
well Master Tyrell.
Exit Brakenbury. Enter Forest.
TYRELL: Alas, good Sir Robert, he is kind-hearted, but it must
not prevail; what I have promised the King I must perform.
But ho, Myles Forest.
FOREST: Here Sir. [1210]
TYRELL: Myles Forest, have you got those men I spake of? They
must be resolute and pitiless.
FOREST: I warrant you, Sir, they are such pitiless villains that
all London cannot match them for their villany. One of their
names is Will Sluter, yet the most part calls him Black Will;
the other is Jack Denton -- two murderous villains that are
resolute.
TYRELL: I prithee call them in that I may see them, and speak
with them. (Enter Will and Jack)
FOREST: Ho, Will and Jack: [1220]
WILL: Here Sir, we are at hand.
FOREST: These be they that I told you of.
TYRELL: Come hither, sirs. To make a long discourse were but a
folly; you seem to be resolute in this cause that Myles Forest
hath delivered to you. Therefore, you must cast away pity, and not
so much as think upon favour, for the more stern that you
are, the more shall you please the King.
WILL: Zounds Sir, ne'er talk to us of favour; tis not the first
that Jack and I have gone about.
TYRELL: Well said, but the King's pleasure is this, that he will have [1230]
no blood shed in the deed doing. Therefore, let me hear your
advises?
FOREST: Why then, I think this, Master Tyrell, that as they sit
at supper there should be two dags ready charged, and so suddenly
to shoot them both through.
(1234. dags: heavy pistols or handguns)
TYRELL: No, I like not that so well. What sayest thou Will?
What is thy opinion?
WILL: Tush, here's more ado than needs; I pray bring me
where they are, and I'll take them by the heels and beat their
brains against the walls. [1240]
TYRELL: Nay, that I like not, for 'tis too tyrannous.
DENT: Then hear me, Master Tyrell, let Will take one, and
I'll take another, and by the life of Jack Denton we'll cut both
their throats.
TYRELL: Nay, sirs, then hear me. I will have it it done in this
order; when they be both abed and at rest, Myles Forest, thou shalt
bring them up both, and between two feather beds smother
them both.
FOREST: Why this is very good, but stand aside, for here comes
the Princes. I'll bring you word when the deed is done. [1250]
Exit Tyrell.
Enter the Princes [King Edward and Richard, Duke of York]
YORK: How fares my noble Lord and loving brother?
KING: Ah, worthy brother, Richard, Duke of York, my cause
of sorrow is not for my self, but this is it that adds my sorrow
more -- to see our uncle whom our father left as our Protector
in minority, should so digress from duty, love and zeal, so
unkindly thus to keep us up prisoners, and know no sufficient
cause for it.
YORK: Why brother, comfort yourself, for though he detain [1260]
us a while, he will not keep us long; but at last he will send us to
our loving mother again, whither if it please God to send us,
I doubt not but our mother would keep us so safe, that all the
Prelates in the world should not deprive her of us again. So
much I assure myself of. But here comes Myles Forest. I prithee,
Myles, tell my kingly brother some merry story to pass away
the time, for thou seest he is melancholy.
KING: No Myles, tell me no merry story, but answer me to
one question. What was he that walked with thee in the gar-
den? Me thought he had the keys. [1270]
FOREST: My Lord, it was one that was appointed by the King
to be an aide to Sir Thomas Brakenbury.
(1272. Thomas Brakenbury: an error for Robert Brakenbury)
KING: Did the King? Why Myles Forest, am not I King?
FOREST: I would have said, my Lord, your uncle the Protector.
KING: Nay, my kingly uncle I know he is now; but let him
enjoy both crown and kingdom, so my brother and I may
but enjoy our lives and liberty. But tell me, is Sir Robert
Brakenbury clean discharged?
FOREST: No my Lord, he hath but charge for a night or two.
KING: Nay then, new officers, new laws; would we had kept [1280]
the old still. But who are they whose ghastly looks doth present
a dying fear to my living body? I prithee, tell me Myles what
are they?
FOREST: One, my Lord, is called Jack Denton; the other is called
Will Slawter. But why starts your Grace?
KING: Slawter? I pray God he come not to slaughter my
brother and me, for from murder and slaughter, good Lord deliver
us. But tell me, Myles, is our lodging prepared?
FOREST: Aye my Lord, if it please your brother and you to walk up.
KING: Then come brother, we will go to bed. [1290]
FOREST: I will attend upon your Grace.
YORK: Come Myles Forest, bear us company.
FOREST: [to Will and Denton] Sirs, stay you two here, and when
they are asleep I'll call you up. Exit Forest
DENTON: I promise thee, Will, it grieves me to see what moan
these young Princes make. I had rather than forty pounds I had
ne'er ta'en it in hand. 'Tis a dangerous matter to kill innocent
princes; I like it not.
WILL: Why you base slave, are you faint-hearted? A little thing
would make me strike thee, I promise thee. [1300]
DENTON: Nay, go forward, for now I am resolute. But come, let's
to it.
WILL: I prithee, stay; he'll call us up anon. But sirrah Jack,
didst thou mark how the King started when he heard my name?
What will he do when he feels me? (Enter Forest)
FOREST: But ho, sirs, come softly, for now they are at rest.
WILL: Come, we are ready. By the mass, they are asleep
indeed.
FOREST: I hear they sleep. And sleep, sweet Princes, never wake
no more, for you have seen the last light in this world. [1310]
DENTON: Come, press them down; it boots not to cry again.
Jack, upon them so lustily. But Master Forest, now they are dead,
what shall we do with them?
FOREST: Why, go and bury them at the heap of stones at the
stair foot, while I go and tell Master Tyrell that the deed is done.
WILL: Well, we Will: Farewell Master Forest.
Exit Will and Denton. Enter Tyrell.
TYRELL: How now, Myles Forest,
is this deed dispatched?
FOREST: Aye Sir, a bloody deed we have performed. [1320]
TYRELL: But tell me, what hast thou done with them?
FOREST: I have conveyed them to the stairs' foot among a heap
of stones, and anon I'll carry them where they shall be no more
found again, nor all the chronicles shall ne'er make mention what
shall become of them. Yet good Master Tyrell, tell the King
my name, that he may but reward me with a kingly thanks.
TYRELL: I will go certify the King with speed that Myles Forest,
Will Slawter, and Jack Denton -- they three have done the deed.
And so farewell.
Exeunt omnes. [1330]
Scene xiii
Enter Banister and the Duke of Buckingham
with his dagger drawn.
BANISTER: Ah good my Lord, save
my life.
BUCKINGHAM: Ah villain, how canst thou ask for mercy, when thou
hast so unjustly betrayed me?
BANISTER: I desire your Grace but give me leave to speak.
BUCKINGHAM: Aye, speak thy last, villain, that those that hear it may see
how unjustly thou hast betrayed me.
BANISTER: Then thus, my Lord. First, the proclamation was death
to him that harboured your Grace. [1340]
BUCKINGHAM: Ah villain, and a thousand crowns to him that could
betray me.
BANISTER: Ah my Lord, my obeisance to my Prince is more.
BUCKINGHAM: Ah villain, thou betrayedst me for lucre, and not for
duty to thy Prince. Why Banister, a good servant thinks his life
well spent, that spends it in the quarrel of his Master. But villain,
make thyself ready, and here receive thy death.
Enter a Herald.
HERALD: Henry, Duke of Buckingham, I arrest thee in King
Richard's name as a traitor. [1350]
BUCKINGHAM: . Well, Herald, I will obey thy 'rest. But am I arrested in
King Richard's name, usurping Richard? That insatiate blood
sucker? That traitor to God and man? Ah Richard, did I in Guild-
Hall plead the orator for thee, and held thee in all thy sly and
wicked practices, and for my reward dost thou allot me death?
Ah Buckingham, thou playedst thy part and made him King, and
put the lawful heirs besides. Why then is Buckingham guilty
now of his death? Yet had not the Bishop of Ely fled, I had
escaped.
Enters six others, to rescue
the Duke [1360]
ALL: Come, the Duke of Buckingham
shall not die.
We will take him away by force.
HERALD: Why villains, will you be traitors to your
Prince?
BUCKINGHAM:Nay, good my friends, give me leave to speak,
And let me entreat you to lay your weapons by.
Then know this, countrymen; the cause I am arrested this,
Is for bringing in your lawful King,
Which is Henry Earl of Richmond, now in Brittany;
And means ere long to land at Milford Haven in Wales, [1370]
Where I do know he shall have aid of the chiefest of the Welsh.
He is your lawful King, and this a wrongful usurper.
When you shall hear of him landed in that place,
Then take up weapons and amaine to him;
He is the man must reave you of this yoke,
And send the usurper headless to his home.
And poor Buckingham prays upon his knees,
To bless good Richmond in his enterprise;
And when the conquest shall be given to him,
Grant he may match with Lady Elizabeth, [1380]
As promise hath to fore by him been past.
While then, my friends, leave me along
to death,
(1382.
While then: till then)
And let me take this punishment in peace.
Ah Buckingham, was not thy
meaning good
In displacing the usurper, to raise a lawfull king?
Ah Buckingham, it was too late.
The lawful heirs were smothered in the Tower.
Sweet Edward and thy brother,
I ne'er slept quiet thinking of your deaths.
But vaunt Buckingham, thou was altogether innocent of their deaths. [1390]
But thou, villain, whom of a child I nursed thee up,
And hast so unjustly betrayed thy Lord,
Let the curse of Buckingham ne'er depart from thee.
Let vengeance, mischiefs, tortures, light on thee and thine.
And after death thou maist more torture feel,
Than when Exeon turns the restless wheel.
And ban thy soul where e'er thou seem to rest.
(1396.
Exeon: Ixion. In Greek legend, a treacherous king
who was condemned by Zeus to be
bound to a wheel of fire
that revolved throughout eternity.
Cf. King Lear IV, vii, 47.)
But come, my my friends, let me away.
HERALD: My Lord, we are sorry. But come, lay hands on
Banister.
Exeunt. [1400]
Scene xiv
Enter King Richard, Sir William Catesby, and others.
KING: The goal is got, and golden crown is won,
And well deservest thou to wear the same,
That ventured hast thy body and thy soul;
But what boots Richard, now the diadem
Or kingdom got, by murder of his friends?
My fearful shadow that still followed me,
Hath summoned me before the severe judge;
My conscience, witness of the blood I spilt,
Accuseth me as guilty of the fact; [1410]
The fact a damnéd judgement craves,
Whereas impartial justice hath condemned.
Methinks the crown which I before did wear,
Enchased with pearl and costly diamonds,
Is turned now into a fatal wreath
Of fiery flames, and ever burning stars;
And raging fiends hath passed their ugly shapes,
In studient lakes, addressed
to tend on me.
(1418a.
studient: perhaps Stygian, pertaining to the River Styx; infernal,
gloomy.
Cf. Troilus and Cressida III, ii, 8.)
(1418b.
addressed: poised to act, prepared to.)
If it be thus, what wilt thou do in this extremity?
Nay, what canst thou do to purge thee of thy guilt? [1420]
Even repent, crave mercy for thy damnéd fact?
Appeal for mercy to thy righteous God?
Ha, repent? Not I; crave mercy they that list.
My God is none of mine. Then Richard be thus resolv'd,
To pace thy soul in vallence with their blood,
(1425.
To pace . . . blood: to measure thy soul in valiance (bravery) with
their blood.)
Soul for soul, and body for body, yea marry, Richard,
That's good. Catesby!
CATESBY: You called my Lord, I think?
KING: It may be so. But what think'st thou Catesby?
CATESBY: Of what my Lord? [1430]
KING: Why, of all these troubles.
CATESBY: Why, my Lord, I hope to see them happily overcom'd.
KING: How villain, dost thou hope to see me happily overcom'd?
CATESBY: Who you, my Lord?
KING: Aye villain, thou points at me. Thou hopest to see me
overcom'd.
CATESBY: No, my good Lord; your enemies, or else not.
KING: Ha, ha, good Catesby; but what hearest thou of the
Duke of Buckingham?
CATESBY: Why he is dead, my Lord; he was executed at Salisbury
yesterday.
KING: Why tis impossible, his friends hopes that he shall out-
live me, to be my head.
CATESBY: Outlive you, Lord; that's strange. [1440]
KING: No Catesby, if a do, it must be in fames,
(1441.
fames: perhaps "flames".)
And since they hope he shall outlive me, to be my head,
He hops without his head, and rests among his fellow rebels.
CATESBY: Marry, no force, my Lord.
(1444
Marry, no force: no matter)
KING: But Catesby, what hearest thou of Henry Earl of Richmond ?
CATESBY: Not a word, my Lord.
KING: No? Hearest thou not he lives in Brittany,
In favour with the Duke?
Nay more, Lady Margaret his mother conspires against us,
And persuades him that he is lineally descended from Henry [1450]
The Fourth, and that he hath right to the crown.
Therefore, tell me what thinkst thou of the Earl?
CATESBY: My Lord, I think of the Earl as he doth deserve,
A most famous gentleman.
KING: Villain, dost thou praise my foe, and commend him
to my face?
CATESBY: Nay my Lord. I wish he were as good a friend as he is a
foe, else the due deserts of a traitor.
KING: What's that?
CATESBY: Why my Lord, to lose his head. [1460]
KING: Yea, marry, I would 'twere off quickly, then.
But more to the strengthening of his title,
She goes about to marry him to the Queen's eldest daughter,
Lady Elizabeth.
CATESBY: Indeed, my Lord, that I heard was concluded,
By all the nobility of Brittany.
KING: Why then, there it goes,
The great devil of hell go with all.
A marriage begun in mischief, shall end in blood.
I think that accursed sorceress, the mother Queen, [1470]
Doth nothing but bewitch me, and hatcheth conspiracies,
And brings out perilous birds to wound
Their country's weal.
The Earl is up in arms,
And with him many of the nobility.
He hath aid in France;
He is rescued in Brittany,
And meaneth shortly to arrive in England.
But all this spites me not so much,
As his escape from Landois, the Duke's Treasurer, [1480]
Who, if he had been prickt forth for revenge,
He had ended all by apprehending of our foe,
But now he is in disgrace with the Duke,
And we farther off our purpose than to fore;
But the Earl hath not so many biting dogs abroad,
As we have sleeping curs at home here,
Ready for rescue.
CATESBY: But my Lord, I marvel how he should get aid there,
Considering he is no friend to Brittany.
KING: Aye, so maist marvel how the Duke of Brittany, [1490]
Durst wake such a foe as England against him;
But evil fare makes open war.
But who come there, Catseby?
Ha, one of our spurs to revenge:
The Lord Stanley, father-in-law to Lady Margaret,
(1495.
Lord Stanley, father in law to Lady Margaret:
Thomas Stanley was actually Margaret's
second husband,
and stepfather to Henry Tudor.)
His coming is to us, Catesby,
Wert not that his life might serve,
For apprehension against our foe,
He should have neither judge nor jury,
But guilty death without any more ado. [1500]
Now, Lord Stanley, what news?
Have you received any letters of your late embassage into
Brittany? What answer have you received of your letters?
Enter Lord Stanley, and his son George.
STANLEY: Why my Lord, for that
I sent, I have received.
KING: And how doth your son then, is he in health?
STANLEY: For his health my Lord, I do not mistrust.
KING: Faith tell us, when means he to arrive in England?
And how many of our nobility is with him? [1510]
And what power is with him ?
STANLEY: And please your Grace,
His power is unknown to me,
Nor willingly would not I be privy to such causes.
KING: Oh good words, Lord Stanley, but give
me leave to glean out of your golden field of eloquence, how
brave you plead ignorance, as though you knew not of your
sons departure into Brittany out of England.
STANLEY: Not I, my Lord.
KING: Why, is not his mother thy wife, and dares he pass over [1520]
without the blessing of his mother, whose husband thou art?
STANLEY: I desire your majesty but give me leave to speak.
KING: Yea, speak Stanley, no doubt some fine coloured tale.
STANLEY: And like your Grace, whereas you mistrust that I knew
of my son's departure out of England into Brittany. God I
take to record it was unknown to me, nor know not yet what
his pretence is. For at his departure, was I one of the Privy Coun-
cil to your brother King Edward the Fourth, and that she was
able to relieve him without my help. I hope her sufficiency is
known to your Grace. Therefore, I humbly crave pardon. [1530]
KING: Well Stanley, I fear it will be proved to the contrary
-- that thou didst furnish
him both with money and munition,
which if it be, then look for no favour at my hands, but the due
deserts of a traitor; but let this pass. What's your repair to our
presence?
STANLEY: Only this, my Lord, that I may repair from the Court,
to my house in the country.
KING: Aye, Sir, that you might be in Cheshire and Lancashire;
then should your posts pass invisible into Brittany, and you
to depart the realm at your pleasure, or else I to suffer an intol- [1540]
lerable foe under me, which I will not. But Stanley, to be brief,
thou shalt not go. But soft, Richard, but that it were better to be
alone than to have noisome company, he shall go, leaving for
his loyalty a sufficient pledge. Come hither, Stanley; thou shalt
go, leaving me here thy son and heir George Stanley for
a pledge, that he may perish for thy fault if need should be. If
thou likest this, go. If not, answer me briefly, and say quickly
no.
STANLEY: I am to advise myself upon a secret cause, and of a
matter that concerns me near. Say that I leave my son unto [1550]
the King, and that I should but aid Earl Richmond, my son
George Stanley dies; but if my faith be kept unto my Prince,
George Stanley lives. Well, I will accept the King's proffer.
And please your Grace, I am content, and will leave my son
to pledge.
KING: Here, come hither, and with thee take this lesson.
Thou art set free for our defence,
Thou shalt upon thy pledge make this promise,
Not only to stay the hindrance of the Earl,
But to prevent his purpose with thy power. [1560]
Thou shalt not seek by any means to aid or rescue him.
This done, of my life thy son doth live.
But otherwise, thy son dies and thou too, if I catch thee;
And it shall go hard, but I will catch thee.
STANLEY: And you shall go apace, and yet go without me.
But I humbly take my leave of your Grace. Farewell George.
KING: How now, what do you give him letters?
STANLEY: No my Lord, I have done;
The second sight is sweet, of such a son.
(Exit Stanley) [1570]
KING: Carry George Stanley to prison.
GEORGE: Alas my Lord, shall I go to prison?
KING: Shall you go to prison, what a question's that?
So pricked the lamb, and wound the dam.
How likest thou this, Catesby?
CATESBY: Oh my Lord, so excellent that you have imprisoned his
son.
KING: Nay, now will we look to the rest,
But I sent the Lord Lovell to the mother Queen,
Concerning my suit to her daughter Elizabeth, [1580]
But see, in good time here he is.
How now, Lovell, what news?
What saith the mother Queen to my suit?
Enter Lovell.
LOVELL: My Lord, very strange she was at the first,
But when I had told her the cause, she gave consent,
Desiring your majesty to make the nobility privy to it.
KING: God have mercy, Lovell, but what said Lady Elizabeth?
LOVELL: Why my Lord, strange, as women will be at the first;
But through entreaty of her mother, she quickly gave consent. [1590]
And the Queen willed me to tell your Grace that she means to
leave Sanctuary, and to come to the Court with all her daughters.
KING: Aye, marry, Lovell, let not that opportunity slip. Look
to it Catesby. Be careful for it, Lovell, for thereby hangs such
a chance, that may enrich us and our heirs for ever. But Sirs, heard
ye nothing of the Scottish nobles that met at Nottingham, to
confer about the marriage of my niece?
CATESBY: Not a word my Lord.
Enter Messenger.
KING: God's wounds, who is that? Search the villain. Has he [1600]
any dags about him?
MESSENGER: No, my Lord, I have none.
KING: From whence comes thou?
MESSENGER: From the peers at Nottingham and Scotland and they
greet your Majesty.
LOVELL: Sirrah, is the marriage concluded between the Scottish
Earl and the fair Lady Rosa?
CATESBY: Prithee, tell us. Is it concluded?
PAGE: How says thou, is it concluded?
KING: Nay, will you give me leave to tell you that? Why, you [1610]
villains, will you know the secrets of my letter by interrupting
messengers that are sent to me? Away, I say, begone; it is time
to look about. Away, I say. What? Here yet, villains?
MESSENGER: My Lord, I have somewhat to say besides.
KING: Then speak it. What hast thou to say?
MESSENGER: This my Lord: when the peers of England and Scot-
land met at Nottingham together, to confer about the marriage
of your niece, it was straight determined that she should be mar-
ried with the Scottish Earl. And further, my Lord, the Council
commanded me to deliver unto your Grace the treasons of Cap- [1620]
tain Blunt, who had the Earl of Oxford in charge in Hammes Castle.
Now are they both fled, and purposeth to aid the Earl of
Richmond against your Grace. Now, my Lord, I take my leave.
KING: Messenger stay! Hath Blunt betrayed?
Doth Oxford rebel and aid the Earl Richmond?
May this be true? What? Is our prison so weak,
Our friends so fickle, our ports so ill lookt to,
That they may pass and repass the seas at their pleasures?
Then every one conspires, spoils our conflex,
(1629
conflex: conflux - a flowing together; Cf. Troilus I, iii, 7)
Conquers our castles, and arms themselves [1630]
With their own weapons unresisted?
O villains, rebels, fugitives, thieves, how are we betrayed,
When our own swords shall beat us,
And our own subjects seeks the subversion of the state,
The fall of their Prince, and sack of their country -- of his!
Nay, neither must nor shall, for I will
Army with my friends and cut off my enemies,
And beard them to their face that dares me;
And but one, aye, one -- one beyond the seas that troubles me.
Well, his power is weak, and we are strong; [1640]
Therefore I will meet him with such melody
That the singing of a bullet shall send him merrily
To his longest home. Come, follow me.
Scene xv
Enter Earl Richmond, Earl Oxford, P. Landois, and Captain Blunt.
RICHMOND: Welcome, dear friends and loving countrymen,
Welcome, I say, to England's blissful isle,
Whose forwardness I cannot but commend,
That thus do aid us in our enterprise.
My right it is, and sole inheritance,
And Richard but usurps in my authority; [1650]
For in his tyranny he slaughtered those
That would not succour him in his attempts,
Whose guiltless blood craves daily at God's hands,
Revenge for outrage done to their harmless lives:
Then courage, countrymen, and never be dismayed,
Our quarrel's good, and God will help the right,
For we may know by dangers we have passed,
That God no doubt will give us victory.
OXFORD: If love of gold, or fear of many foes,
Could once have daunted us in our attempts, [1660]
Thy foot had never toucht the English shore,
And here Earl Oxford plights his faith to thee,
Never to leave in what we have underta'en,
But follow still with resolution,
Till thou be crowned as conquerer in the field,
Or lose thy life in following of thy right.
Thy right, brave Richmond, which we will maintain,
Maugre the proudest bird of Richard's brood.
Then cousin Richmond being resolved thus,
Let us straight to arms, and God and Saint George for us. [1670]
BLUNT: As this brave Earl have said, so say we all,
We will not leave thee till the field be won,
Which if with fortunate success we can perform,
Think then Earl Richmond that I followed thee,
And that shall be honour enough for me.
Lan. So saith Landois that honors Richmond so
With love unfeigned for his valor past,
That if your honour lead the way to death,
Peter Landois hath sworn to follow thee.
For if Queen mother do but keep her word, [1680]
And what the peers have promised be performed,
Touching the marriage with Elizabeth,
Daughter to our King Edward the Fourth,
And by this mariage join in unity
Those famous Houses Lancashire and York,
Then England shall no doubt have cause to say,
Edward's coronation was a joyful day.
And tis is all Landois desires to see.
RICHMOND: Thanks, Landois, and hear Earl Richmond's vows:
If their kind promises take but effect, [1690]
That as they have promised I be made King,
I will so deal in governing the state,
Which now lies like a savage sheltered grove,
Where brambles, briars, and thorns, overgrow those sprigs,
Which if they might but spring to their effect,
And not be crossed so by their contraries,
Making them subject to these outrages,
Would prove such members of the Commonweal,
That England should in them be honoured,
As much as ever was the Roman state, [1700]
When it was govern'd by the consuls' rule.
And I will draw my sword brave countrymen,
And never leave to follow my resolve,
Till I have mowed those brambles, briars and thorns
That hinder those that long to do us good.
OXFORD: Why, we have 'scapt the dangeroust brunt of all,
Which was his garrison at Milford Haven.
Shall we dismay, or daunt our friends to come?
Because he took the Duke of Buckingham?
No, worthy friends, and loving countrymen, [1710]
Oxford did never bear so base a mind;
He will not wink at murders secretly put up,
Nor suffer upstarts to enjoy our rights,
Nor live in England under an usurping king,
And this is Oxford's resolution.
RICHMOND: But Blunt, look who's that knocks.
BLUNT: My Lord, 'tis a messenger from the mother Queen,
And the Lady Stanley, your mother, with letters.
RICHMOND: Admit him straight, now shall we hear some news.
Enter Messenger.
MESSENGER: Long live Earl Richmond.
The mother Queen doth greet your honour. [1720]
RICHMOND: Welcome my friend, how fares our mother and the rest?
MESSENGER: In health, my Lord, and glad to hear of your arrival safe.
RICHMOND: My friend, my mother hath written to me of certain
that are coming in our aid, the report of whose names are referred to thee
to deliver.
MESSENGER: First, there's the Lord Talbot, the Earl of Shrewsbury's
son and heir, with a brave band of his own.There is also the Lord Fitz Herbert,
the Earl of Pembroke's son and heir.Of the gentlemen of the Welsh,
there is Sir Rhys ap Thomas, and Sir Thomas ap Richard, and Sir
Owen Williams, brave gentlemen, my Lord. These are the chief.
RICHMOND: Are these the full number of all that come? [1730]
MESSENGER: Only two more, my Lord,
which I have left unnamed.
The one is Sir Thomas Denis, a Western gentleman; and joined
with him, one Arnold Butler. A great many are willing, but dares
not as yet.
RICHMOND: Doth Arnold Butler come? I can hardly brook his
treachery, for he it was that wrought my disgrace with the
OXFORD: Well, my Lord, we are now to strengthen ourselves
with friends, and not to reap up old quarrels; say that Arnold
Butler did injure you in the time of peace; the mend is twice [1740]
made, if he stand with you in the time of wars.
RICHMOND: Well, my friend, take this for thy good news.
And commend me to our mother and the rest.
Thus, my Lords, you see God still provides for us:
But now my Lords, touching the placing of our battle best,
(1745.
battle: army)
And how we may be
least endangeréd:
Because I will be foremost in this fight,
To encounter with that bloody murderer,
Myself will lead the forward of our troop,
My Lord of Oxford, you as our second self, [1750]
Shall have the happy leading of the rear,
A place I know which you will well deserve,
And Captain Blunt, Peter Landois and you,
Shall by in quarters, as our battle's scouts,
(1754.
by in quarters: bide in quarters)
Provided, thus your bowmen Captain Blunt,
Must scatter here and there to gall their horse,
As also when that our promised friends do come,
Then must you hold hard skirmish with our foes,
Till I by cast of a counter march,
Have joined our power with those that come to us, [1760]
Then casting close, as wings on either side,
We will give a new pravado on the foe,
Therefore let us towards Atherstone amain,
Where we this night, God-willing, will encamp,
From thence towards Lichfield, we will march next day,
And nearer London, bid King Richard play.
Exit All
Scene xvi
Enter the Page
PAGE: Where shall I find a place to sigh my fill,
And wail the grief of our sore troubled King? [1770]
For now he hath obtain'd the diadem,
But with such great discomfort to his mind,
That he had better lived a private man; his looks are ghastly,
Hideous to behold, and from the privy center of his heart,
There comes such deep fetcht sighs and fearful cries,
That being with him in his chamber oft,
He moves me weep and sigh for company.
For if he hear one stir he riseth up,
And claps his hand upon his dagger straight,
Ready to stab him, whatsoe'er he be. [1780]
But he must think this is the just revenge,
The heavens have poured upon him for his sins.
Those peers which he unkindly murderéd,
Doth cry for justice at the hands of God,
And he in justice sends continual fear,
For to affright him both at bed and board,
But stay, what noise is this? Who have we here?
(Enter men to go to Richmond)
How now, sirs; whither are you going so fast?
MEN: Why, to Earl Richmond's camp to serve with him, [1790]
For we have left to serve King Richard now.
PAGE: Why comes there any more?
MEN: A number more.
(Exit men)
PAGE: Why, these are the villains my Lord would have put
his life into their hands.
Ah Richard, now do my eyes witness that thy end is at hand;
For thy commons make no more account of thee than of a
private man, yet will I as duty binds, give thee advertisements of
their unjust proceedings. My Master hath lifted out many, and [1800]
yet hath left one to lift him out of all, not only of his crown,
but also of his life. But I will in, to tell my Lord of what is
happened.
Enter Richmond and Oxford.
RICHMOND: Good my Lord depart, and leave me to my self.
OXFORD: I pray my Lord, let me go along with you.
RICHMOND: My Lord it may not be, for I have promised my father
that none shall come but my self, therefore good my Lord
depart.
OXFORD: Good my Lord, have a care of yourself. I like not these [1810]
night walks and scouting abroad in the evenings so disguised,
for you must not, now that you are in the usurper's dominions,
and you are the only mark he aims at; and your last night's
absence bred such amazement in our soldiers that they, like
men wanting the power to follow arms, were on a sudden
more liker to fly than to fight. Therefore, good my Lord, if I
may not stand near, let me stand aloof off.
RICHMOND: Content thee, good Oxford, and though I confess myself
bound to thee for thy especial care, yet at this time I pray thee
hold me excused. But farewell, my Lord, here comes my Lord [1820]
and father.
Enter Stanley and another.
STANLEY: Captain, I pray thee bring me word when thou dost
descry the enemy. And so farewell, and leave me for a while.
RICHMOND: How fares my gracious Lord and father?
STANLEY: In good health my son, and the better to see thee thus
forward in this laudable enterprise, but omitting vain circum-
stances, and to come briefly to the purpose, I am now in few
words to deliver much matter. For know this, when I came to
crave leave of the King to depart from the Court, the king very [1830]
furiously began to charge me that I was both acquainted with
thy practises and drifts, and that I knew of thy landing, and by
no means would grant me leave to go, till as pledge of my
loyalty and true dealing with the King, I should leave my young
son, George Stanley. Thus have I left my son in the hands
of a tyrant, only of purpose to come and speak with thee.
RICHMOND: But omitting this, I pray tell me, shall I look for your
help in the battle?
STANLEY: Son, I cannot, for as I will not go to the usurper, no
more I will not come to thee. [1840]
RICHMOND: Why then it is bootless for us to stay, for all we pre-
sumed upon, was on your aid.
STANLEY: Why son, George Stanley's death would do you
no pleasure.
RICHMOND: Why the time is too troublesome, for him to tend to
follow execution.
STANLEY: O son, tyrants expect no time, and George Stanley
being young and a grissell, is the more easy to be made away.
(1848.
grissell: a young or delicate person with a mountain.)
RICHMOND: This news goes to my heart, but tis in vain for me
to look for victory, when with a mole-hill, we shall encounter [1850]
STANLEY: Why son, see how contrary you are, for I assure
you the chiefest of his company are liker to fly to thee, than
to fight against thee. And for me, think me not so simple but
that I can at my pleasure fly to thee, or being with them, fight
so faintly, that the battle shall be won on thy part with small
encountering. And not this besides, that the King is now come
to Leicester, and means to morrow to bid thee battle in Bosworth.
Enter Messenger.
MESSENGER: Come my Lord, I do descry the enemy. [1860]
STANLEY: Why then son, farewell, I can stay no longer.
RICHMOND: Yet good father, one word more ere you depart.
What number do you think the king's power to be?
STANLEY: Marry, some twenty thousand. And so farewell.
RICHMOND: And we, hardly five thousand, being beset with many
enemies, hoping upon a few friends; yet dispair not Richmond,
but remember thou fightest in right, to defend thy country
from the tyranny of an usurping tyrant. Therefore, Richmond
go forward; the more dangerous the battle is in attaining, it
proves the more honourable being obtained. Then forward, [1870]
Richmond! God and Saint George for me!
Quisquam regno gaudit, ô
fallax bonum.
(1872
Quisquam . . . bonum: A false boon it is,
to anyone who takes delight in ruling.
- A quotation of line 6 from L. Seneca's Oedipus.)
Scene xvii
Enter the King [Richard], and the Lord Lovell.
KING: The hell of life that hangs upon the crown,
The daily cares, the nightly dreams,
The wretched crews, the treason of the foe,
And horror of my bloody practice past,
Strikes such a terror to my wounded conscience,
That sleep I, wake I, or whatsoe'er I do,
Methinks their ghosts comes gaping for revenge, [1880]
Whom I have slain in reaching for a crown.
Clarence complains, and crieth for revenge.
My nephew's bloods, "Revenge, revenge," doth cry.
The headless peers come pressing for revenge.
And every one cries, let the tyrant die.
The sun by day shines hotly for revenge.
The moon by night eclipseth for revenge.
The stars are turned to comets for revenge.
The planets change their courses for revenge.
The birds sing not, but sorrow for revenge. [1890]
The silly lambs sits bleating for revenge.
The screeking raven sits croaking for revenge.
Whole herds of beasts come bellowing for revenge.
And all, yea all the world, I think,
Cries for revenge, and nothing but revenge.
But to conclude, I have deserved revenge.
In company I dare not trust my friend,
Being alone, I dread the secret foe:
I doubt my food, lest poison lurk therein.
My bed is uncouth, rest refrains my head. [1900]
Then such a life I count far worse to be,
Than thousand deaths unto
a damnéd death:
How wast death, I said? Who dare attempt my death?
Nay, who dare so much as once to think my death?
Though enemies there be that would my body kill,
Yet shall they leave a never dying mind.
But you villains, rebels, traitors as you are,
How came the foe in, pressing so near?
Where, where, slept the garrison that should a beat them back?
Where was our friends to intercept the foe? [1910]
All gone? Quite fled? His loyalty quite laid a bed?
Then vengeance, mischief, horror, with mischance,
Wild-fire, with whirlwinds, light upon your heads,
That thus betrayed your Prince by your untruth.
Frantic man, what meanst thou by this mood?
Now he is come more need to beat him back.
LOVELL: Sour is his sweet that favours thy delight, great is his
power that threats thy overthrow.
KING: The bad rebellion of my foe is not so much, as for to
see my friends do fly in flocks from me. [1920]
LOVELL: May it please your Grace to rest your self content, for
you have power enough to defend your land.
KING: Dares Richmond set his foot on land with such a small
power of straggling fugitives?
LOVELL: May it please your Grace to participate the cause that
thus doth trouble you?
KING: The cause, buzzard? What cause should I participate to
thee? My friends are gone away, and fled from me. Keep silence,
villain, least I by post do send thy soul to hell; not one word
more, if thou dost love thy life. Enter Catesby. [1930]
CATESBY: My Lord.
KING: Yet again, villain? O Catesby, is it thou? What? Comes
the Lord Stanley or no?
CATESBY: My Lord, he answers no.
KING: Why didst not tell him then, I would send his son
George Stanley's head to him?
CATESBY: My Lord, I did so, and he answered he had another son
left to make Lord Stanley.
KING: O villain vile, and breaker of his oath.
The bastard's ghost shall haunt him at the heels, [1940]
And cry revenge for his vile father's wrongs.
Go, Lovell, Catesby! Fetch George Stanley forth;
Him with these hands will I butcher for the dead,
And send his headless body to his sire.
CATESBY: Leave off executions, now the foe is here that
threatens us most cruelly of our lives.
KING: Zounds! Foe me no foes!
The father's fact condemns the son to die.
LOVELL: But guiltless blood will for revengement cry.
KING: Why? Was not he left for father's loyalty? [1950]
LOVELL: Therein his father greatly injured him.
KING: Did not yourselves, in presence, see the bonds sealed and assigned?
LOVELL: What, though my Lord, the vardits own, the titles doth resign?
(1953.
What tho. . . doth resign:
"What, though my Lord the verdict
recognize, and the titles resign?")
KING: The bond is broke and I will sue the fine, except you
will hinder me. What? Will you have it so?
LOVELL: In doing true justice, else we answer no.
KING: His treacherous father hath neglect his word and done
impartial past by dint of sword; therefore, sirrah, go fetch him.
(1958. done impartial past: abandoned his neutrality.)
Zounds, draw you cuts who shall go. I bid you go, Catesby. Ah
Richard, now maist thou see thy end at hand. Why Sirs, why fear [1960]
you thus? Why we are ten to one. If you seek promotion, I am
a King already in possession, better able to perform than he.
Lovell, Catesby, lets join lovingly and devoutly together, and
I will divide my whole kingdom amongst you.
BOTH:. We will my Lord.
KING: We will, my Lord. Ah Catesby, thou lookest like a dog,
And thou Lovell too; but you will run away with them that be gone,
And the devil go with you all.
God, I hope . . . God? What talk I of God,
That have served the devil all this while? [1970]
No, fortune and courage for me,
And join England against me with England,
Join Europe with Europe, come Christendom,
And with Christendom the whole world,
And yet I will never yield but by death only.
By death, no die, part not childishly from thy crown,
But come the devil to claim it, strike him down.
And though that fortune hath decreed,
To set revenge with triumphs on my wretched head,
Yet death, sweet death, my latest friend, [1980]
Hath sworn to make a bargain for my lasting fame,
And this, aye this very day, I hope with this lame hand of mine,
To rake out that hateful heart of Richmond,
And when I have it, to eat it panting hot with salt,
And drink his blood luke warm, Though I be sure 'twill poison me.
Sirs, you that be resolute follow me, The rest go hang your selves.
Exit.
Scene xviii
The battle enters, Richard enters, wounded, with his Page.
KING: A horse, a horse, a fresh horse.
PAGE: Ah, fly my Lord, and save your life. [1990]
KING: Fly villain, look I as though I would fly,
No first shall this dull and senseless ball of earth
Receive my body cold and void of sense,
You watery heavens roll on my gloomy day,
And darksome clouds close up my cheerful sound,
Down is thy sun Richard, never to shine again,
The birds whose feathers should adorn my head,
Hovers aloft and dares not come in sight,
Yet faint not man, for this day if fortune will,
Shall make thee King possest with quiet Crown, [2000]
If Fates deny, this ground must be my grave,
Yet golden thoughts that reachéd for a Crown,
Daunted before by fortunes cruel spite,
Are come as comforts to my drooping heart,
And bids me keep my crown and die a King.
These are my last, what more I have to say,
I'll make report among the damned souls.
(Exit Page)
Enter Richmond to battle again, and kills Richard.
Scene xix
Enter Report and the Page.
REPORT: How may I know the certain true report of this victorious battle
fought to day? My friend, whate'er thou beest, tellunto me the true report.
Which part hath won the victory, whether the King or no? [2010]
PAGE: Ah no, the King is slain, and he hath lost the day; and Richmond he
hath
won the field, and triumphs like a valiant conquerer.
REPORT: But who is slain besides our Lord and sovereign?
PAGE: Slain is the worthy Duke of Norfolk he, and with him Sir Robert Brakenbury,
Lieutenant of the Tower. Besides, Lovell, he made also a partner in this tragedy.
REPORT: But where's Sir William Catesby?
PAGE: He is this day beheaded on a stage at Leicester,
Because he took part with my Lord, the King. But stay, Report,
and thou shalt hear me tell the brief discourse, And how the battle fell.
Then know, Report, that Richard came to field mounted [2020]
On horseback, with as high resolve as fierce Achilles
Mongst the sturdy Greeks, whom to encounter worthy Richmond,
Came accompanied with many followers. And then my Lord
displayed his colours straight, And with the charge of trumpet, drum, and
fife,
These brave battalions straight encountered.
But in the skirmish, which continued long,
My Lord gan faint, which Richmond straight perceived,
And presently did sound a fresh alarm.
But worthy Richard that did never fly,
But followed honour to the gates of death, [2030]
Straight spurred his horse to encounter with the Earl,
In which encounter Richmond did prevail;
And taking Richard at advantage then, He threw his horse
and him both to the ground; And there was worthy Richard
wounded, so that after that he ne'er recovered strength.
But to be brief, my Master would not yield, But with his loss
of life he lost the field. Report, farewell.
Enter Earl Richmond, Earl Oxford. Lord Stanley, and their Scene xx
train, with the crown.
RICHMOND: Now, noble peers and worthy countrymen,
Since God hath given us fortune of the day, Let us first give thanks unto
his Deity.
And next, with honors fitting your deserts, [2040]
I must be grateful to my countrymen; and worthy Oxford,
For thy service shown in hot encountering of the enemy,
Earl Richmond binds himself in lasting bonds
Of faithful love and perfect unity.
Sorry I am for those that I have lost
By our so dangerous encountering with the foe,
But sorrow cannot bring the dead to life;
And therefore are my sorrows spent in vain.
Only to those that live, thus much I say,
I will maintain them with a manuall pay. [2050]
(2050.
manuall pay: perhaps annual pay.)
And loving father, lastly to your self,
Though not the least in our expected aid,
We give more thanks for your unlooked for aid,
Than we have power on sudden to declare;
But for your thanks I hope it shall suffice that
I in nature love and honor you.
STANLEY: Well spoken, son, and like a man of worth,
Whose resolution in this battle past
Hath made thee famous mongst thy enemies.
And think my son, I glory more to hear [2060]
What praise the common people gave of thee,
Than if the peers by general full consent
Had set me down to wear the diadem.
Then live, my son, thus loved of thy friends,
And for thy foes prepare to combat them.
OXFORD: And Oxford vows perpetual love to thee,
Wishing as many honours to Earl Richmond,
As Caesar had in conquering the world.
And I doubt not but if fair fortune follow thee,
To see thee honoured mongst thy countrymen, [2070]
As Hector was among the Lords of Troy,
Or Tully mongst the Roman Senators.
RICHMOND: How fares our lovely mother Queen?
Enter Mother Queen and Elizabeth.
QUEEN: In health Earl Richmond,
glad to hear the news
That God hath given thee fortune of the day.
But tell me Lords, where is my son
Lord Marquess Dorset, that he is not here?
What? Was he murdered in this tragedy?
RICHMOND: No lovely Queen, your son doth live in France,
For being distressed and driven by force of tempest to that shore; [2080]
And many of our men being sick and dead,
We were enforced to ask the King for aid,
As well for men as for munition, which then the King
Did willingly supply, provided, that as hostage for those men,
Lord Marquess Dorset should be pledge with them.
But Madam, now our troubled war is done.
Lord Marquess Dorset shall come home again.
QUEEN: Richmond, gramercies for thy kind good news,
Which is not little comfort to thy friends,
To see how God hath been thy happy guide [2090]
In this late conquest of our enemies.
And Richmond, as thou art returned with victory,
So we will keep our words effectually.
RICHMOND: Then Madame, for our happy battle's victory,
First thanks to heaven, next to my forward countrymen.
But Madam, pardon me, though I make bold
To charge you with a promise that you made,
Which was confirmed by diverse of the peers,
Touching the marriage of Elizabeth, And having ended what I promised you,
Madam, I look and hope to have my due. [2100]
STANLEY: Then know my son, the peers by full consent,
In that thou hast freed them from a tyrant's yoke,
Have by election chosen thee as King,
First, in regard they account thee virtuous,
Next, for that they hope all foreign broils shall cease,
And thou wilt guide and govern them in peace.
Then sit thou down, my son, and here receive
The crown of England as thy proper own. Sit down.
OXFORD: Henry the Seventh, by the grace of God, King of England,
France, and Lord of Ireland, God save the King. [2110]
ALL: Long live Henry the Seventh, King of England.
RICHMOND: Thanks loving friends and my kind countrymen;
And here I vow in presence of you all,
To root abuses from this commonwealth,
Which now flows faster than the furious tide
That overflows beyond the banks of Nile.
And loving father, and my other friends,
Whose ready forwardness hath made me fortunate,
Richmond will still in honourable love
Count himself to be at your dispose; [2120]
Nor do I wish to enjoy a longer life than
I shall live to think upon your love.
But what saith fair Elizabeth to us?
For now we have welcomed our other friends,
I must bid you welcome, Lady, amongst the rest;
And in my welcome crave to be resolved,
How you resolve touching my proferred love unto you;
Here your mother and the peers agree,
And all is ended, if you condescend.
ELIZABETH: Then know, my Lord, that if my mother please, [2130]
I must in duty yield to her command;
For when our aged father left his life,
He willed us honour still our mother's age;
And therefore as my duty doth command,
I do commit myself to her dispose.
QUEEN: Then here, my Lord, receive thy royal spouse,
Virtuous Elizabeth; for both the peers and Commons do agree,
That this fair Princess shall be wife to thee.
And we pray all, that fair Elizabeth may live for aye,
(2139.
for aye: forever)
And never yield to death. [2140]
RICHMOND: And so say I, thanks to you all my Lords,
That thus have honoured Richmond with a crown;
And if I live, then make account, my Lords,
I will deserve this with more than common love.
STANLEY: And now were but my son George Stanley here,
How happy were our present meeting then.
But he is dead, nor shall I evermore
See my sweet boy whom I do love so dear;
For well I know the usurper in his rage
Hath made a slaughter of
my aged joy. [2150]
RICHMOND: Take comfort, gentle father, for I hope my brother
George will turn in safe to us.
(2152.
turn in safe: return in safety)
STANLEY: Ah no, my son, for he that joys in blood
Will work his fury on the innocent.
Enter two Messengers with George Stanley
STANLEY: But, how now? What noise it this?
MESSENGER: Behold, Lord Stanley we bring thy son, thy son
George Stanley, whom with great danger we have saved from
fury of a tyrant's doom.
STANLEY: And lives George Stanley? Then happy that I am [2160]
to see him freed thus from a tyrant's rage. Welcome my son,
my sweet George, welcome home.
GEORGE: Thanks my good father, and George Stanley
Joys to see you joined in this assembly.
And like a lamb kept by a greedy wolf
Within the encloséd center of the earth,
Expecting death without delivery,
Even from this danger is George Stanley come,
To be a guest to Richmond and the rest;
For when the bloody butcher heard your honour did refuse [2170]
To come to him, he like a savage tiger then enraged,
Commanded straight I should be murdered,
And sent these two to execute the deed,
But they, that knew how innocent I was,
Did post him off with many long delays,
Alleging reasons to allay his rage.
But 'twas in vain, for he like to a starved lioness,
Still called for blood, saying that I should die.
But to be brief, when both the battles joined,
These two and others, shifted me away. [2180]
RICHMOND: Now seeing that each thing turns to our content,
I will it be proclaimed presently, that trait'rous Richard
Be by our command, drawn through the streets of Leicester.
Stark naked on a collier's horse let him be laid,
For as of others' pains he had no regard,
So let him have a traitor's due reward.
Now for our marriage and our nuptial rites,
Our pleasure is they be solemnized
In our Abbey of Westminster, according to the ancient custom due,
The two and twentieth day of August next. [2190]
Set forwards then, my Lords, towards London straight,
There to take further order for the state.
MESSENGER: Thus, Gentles may you here behold,
The joining of these Houses both in one,
By this brave Prince Henry the Seventh,
Who was for wit compared to Solomon.
His government was virtuous in every way,
And God did wondrously increase his store.
He did subdue a proud rebellious Lord
That did encounter him upon black health. [2200]
(2200.
black health: presumably "black heath")
He died when he had reigned full three and twenty years eight months,
and some odd days, and lies
buried in Westmister. He died and left
behind a son.
MESSENGER: A son he left, a Harry of that name,
A worthy, valiant, and victorious Prince;
For on the fifth year of his happy reign, he entered France,
And to the Frenchmen's costs, he won Turwin and Turney.
(2207.
Turwin, Turney: Thérouanne, Tournai. Cities captured by Henry
VIII in 1513.)
The Emperor served this King for common pay,
(2208.
The Emperor was Maximilian I, whom Henry VIII paid a daily allowance
to join him in an attack on France
in 1513.)
And as a mercenary prince did follow him.
Then after Morle and Morles, conquered he, [2210]
(2210]
Morles: Morlaix, a town in Brittany near Brest. In July, 1522
an English fleet entered its harbor,
and several thousand soldiers "
captured, pillaged, and burned the town.)
Still did keep the Frenchmen at a bay.
And lastly, in this King's decreasing age he conquered Bullen,
(2212.
Bullen; Boulogne, which Henry VIII captured during his 1544 expedition
to France.)
And after when he was turned home he died, when he had reigned
full thirty-eight years, nine months and some odd days, and was
buried in Windsor. He died and left three famous sprigs behind him.
Edward the Sixth, he did restore the Gospel to his light, and fini-
shed that his father left undone. A wise young Prince, given
greatly to his book. He brought the English service first in use,
and died when he had reigned six years, five months, and some
odd days, and lieth buried in Westminster. [2220]
ELIZABETH: Next after him a Mary did succeed, which married
Philip, King of Spain. She reigned five years, four months,
and some odd days, and is buried in Westminster. When she
was dead, her sister did succeed.
QUEEN: Worthy Elizabeth, a mirror in her age, by whose
wise life and civil government, her country was defended from
the cruelty of famine, fire and sword, war's fearful messengers.
This is that Queen, as writers truly say,
That God had marked down to live for aye.
Then happy England mongst thy neighbor isles, [2230]
For peace and plenty still attends on thee;
And all the favourable Planets smiles
To see thee live, in such prosperity.
She is that lamp that keeps fair England's light,
And through her faith her country lives in peace.
And she hath put proud Antichrist to flight,
And been the means that civil wars did cease.
Then England, kneel upon thy hairy knee,
And thank that God that still provides for thee.
The Turk admires to hear her government, [2240]
And babies in Jewry, sound her princely name,
All Christian Princes to that Prince hath sent,
After her rule was rumored forth by fame.
The Turk hath sworn never to lift his hand,
To wrong the Princess of this blesséd land.
'Twere vain to tell the care this Queen hath had,
In helping those that were oppressed by war,
And how her Majesty
hath still been glad,
When she hath heard of peace, proclaim'd from far.
Geneva, France, and Flanders hath set down, [2250]
The good she hath done, since she came to the crown.
For which, if e'er her life be ta'en away,
God grant her soul may live in heaven for aye.
For if her Grace's days be brought to end,
Your hope is gone, on whom did peace depend.
F I N I S.
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