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- William Shakespeare: Richard III, Act II, Scene IV
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Scene IVLondon. The palaceEnter the Archbishop of York, young York, Queen Elizabeth, and the Duchess of YorkArchbishop of YorkLast night, I hear, they lay at Northampton; At Stony-Stratford will they be to-night: To-morrow, or next day, they will be here.Duchess of YorkI long with all my heart to see the prince: I hope he is much grown since last I saw him.Queen ElizabethBut I hear, no; they say my son of York Hath almost overta’en him in his growth.YorkAy, mother; but I would not have it so.Duchess of YorkWhy, my young cousin, it is good to grow.YorkGrandam, one night, as we did sit at supper, My uncle Rivers talk’d how I did grow More than my brother: ‘Ay,’ quoth my uncle Gloucester, ‘Small herbs have grace, great weeds do grow apace:’ And since, methinks, I would not grow so fast, Because sweet flowers are slow and weeds make haste.Duchess of YorkGood faith, good faith, the saying did not hold In him that did object the same to thee; He was the wretched’st thing when he was young, So long a-growing and so leisurely, That, if this rule were true, he should be gracious.Archbishop of YorkWhy, madam, so, no doubt, he is.Duchess of YorkI hope he is; but yet let mothers doubt.YorkNow, by my troth, if I had been remember’d, I could have given my uncle’s grace a flout, To touch his growth nearer than he touch’d mine.Duchess of YorkHow, my pretty York? I pray thee, let me hear it.YorkMarry, they say my uncle grew so fast That he could gnaw a crust at two hours old ‘Twas full two years ere I could get a tooth. Grandam, this would have been a biting jest.Duchess of YorkI pray thee, pretty York, who told thee this?YorkGrandam, his nurse.Duchess of YorkHis nurse! why, she was dead ere thou wert born.YorkIf ’twere not she, I cannot tell who told me.Queen ElizabethA parlous boy: go to, you are too shrewd.Archbishop of YorkGood madam, be not angry with the child.Queen ElizabethPitchers have ears.Enter a MessengerArchbishop of YorkHere comes a messenger. What news?MessengerSuch news, my lord, as grieves me to unfold.Queen ElizabethHow fares the prince?MessengerWell, madam, and in health.Duchess of YorkWhat is thy news then?MessengerLord Rivers and Lord Grey are sent to Pomfret, With them Sir Thomas Vaughan, prisoners.Duchess of YorkWho hath committed them?MessengerThe mighty dukes Gloucester and Buckingham.Queen ElizabethFor what offence?MessengerThe sum of all I can, I have disclosed; Why or for what these nobles were committed Is all unknown to me, my gracious lady.Queen ElizabethAy me, I see the downfall of our house! The tiger now hath seized the gentle hind; Insulting tyranny begins to jet Upon the innocent and aweless throne: Welcome, destruction, death, and massacre! I see, as in a map, the end of all.Duchess of YorkAccursed and unquiet wrangling days, How many of you have mine eyes beheld! My husband lost his life to get the crown; And often up and down my sons were toss’d, For me to joy and weep their gain and loss: And being seated, and domestic broils Clean over-blown, themselves, the conquerors. Make war upon themselves; blood against blood, Self against self: O, preposterous And frantic outrage, end thy damned spleen; Or let me die, to look on death no more!Queen ElizabethCome, come, my boy; we will to sanctuary. Madam, farewell.Duchess of YorkI’ll go along with you.Queen ElizabethYou have no cause.Archbishop of YorkMy gracious lady, go; And thither bear your treasure and your goods. For my part, I’ll resign unto your grace The seal I keep: and so betide to me As well I tender you and all of yours! Come, I’ll conduct you to the sanctuary.Exeunt
William Shakespeare: Richard III, Act II
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William Shakespeare: Richard III, Act II, Scene II
- William Shakespeare: Richard III, Act II, Scene II
TrendingHere are the facts and trivia that people are buzzing about.
Did Birds Evolve from Dinosaurs?
The Twelve Dancing Princesses
Current Events This Week: January 2023
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Andersen’s Fairy Tales: Contents
The Celtic Twilight: A Teller of Tales
TrendingHere are the facts and trivia that people are buzzing about.
Did Birds Evolve from Dinosaurs?
The Twelve Dancing Princesses
Current Events This Week: January 2023
African Americans by the Numbers
Andersen’s Fairy Tales: Contents
The Celtic Twilight: A Teller of Tales
- Did Birds Evolve from Dinosaurs?
- The Twelve Dancing Princesses
- Current Events This Week: January 2023
- African Americans by the Numbers
- Andersen’s Fairy Tales: Contents
- The Celtic Twilight: A Teller of Tales
