Enter Buckingham, Lord Stanley, Earl of Derby,
Hastings, Bishop of Ely, Norfolk, Ratcliffe, Lovell, with
others, 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? BUCKINGHAM
Is all things ready for the royal time? STANLEY
It is, and wants but nomination. 5 ELY
Tomorrow, then, I judge a happy day. BUCKINGHAM
Who knows the Lord Protector’s mind herein?
Who is most inward with the noble duke? ELY
Your Grace, we think, should soonest know his
mind. 10 BUCKINGHAM
We 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. HASTINGS
I thank his Grace, I know he loves me well. 15
But 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, 20
Which I presume he’ll take in gentle part. | The time has come for one of Richard's council meetings. Before Richard arrives, those assembled confirm the purpose of the meeting: to discuss the coronation date of the young King Edward (the day he'll actually be crowned). They've already settled on the following day, so they're just waiting for Richard to show up and speak his mind. |
Enter Richard, Duke of Gloucester. ELY
In happy time here comes the Duke himself. RICHARD
My noble lords and cousins all, good morrow.
I have been long a sleeper; but I trust
My absence doth neglect no great design 25
Which by my presence might have been concluded. BUCKINGHAM
Had you not come upon your cue, my lord,
William Lord Hastings had pronounced your part—
I mean your voice for crowning of the King. RICHARD
Than my Lord Hastings no man might be bolder. 30
His Lordship knows me well and loves me well.—
My lord of Ely, when I was last in Holborn
I saw good strawberries in your garden there;
I do beseech you, send for some of them. ELY
Marry and will, my lord, with all my heart. 35 Exit Bishop of Ely. RICHARD
Cousin of Buckingham, a word with you. They move aside. Catesby hath sounded Hastings in our business
And finds the testy gentleman so hot
That he will lose his head ere give consent
His master’s child, as worshipfully he terms it, 40
Shall lose the royalty of England’s throne. BUCKINGHAM
Withdraw yourself awhile. I’ll go with you. Richard and Buckingham exit. | Richard shows up late and sends the Bishop of Ely off to go collect some strawberries for him. Next he draws Buckingham aside for a private conference about Hastings' unwillingness to join their scheme. Richard and Buckingham decide to exit and talk privately for a bit. |
STANLEY
We have not yet set down this day of triumph.
Tomorrow, in my judgment, is too sudden,
For I myself am not so well provided 45
As else I would be, were the day prolonged. Enter the Bishop of Ely. ELY
Where is my lord the Duke of Gloucester?
I have sent for these strawberries. HASTINGS
His Grace looks cheerfully and smooth this
morning. 50
There’s some conceit or other likes him well
When that he bids good morrow with such spirit.
I think there’s never a man in Christendom
Can lesser hide his love or hate than he,
For by his face straight shall you know his heart. 55 STANLEY
What of his heart perceive you in his face
By any livelihood he showed today? HASTINGS
Marry, that with no man here he is offended,
For were he, he had shown it in his looks. | Ely returns with the strawberries just in time to hear Stanley and
Hastings talking. Hastings declares that Richard is a really sweet guy
and seems happy – there's no way he's angry with anyone in the room. |
Enter Richard and Buckingham. RICHARD
I pray you all, tell me what they deserve 60
That do conspire my death with devilish plots
Of damnèd witchcraft, and that have prevailed
Upon my body with their hellish charms? HASTINGS
The tender love I bear your Grace, my lord,
Makes me most forward in this princely presence 65
To doom th’ offenders, whosoe’er they be.
I say, my lord, they have deservèd death. RICHARD
Then be your eyes the witness of their evil. He shows his arm. Look how I am bewitched! Behold mine arm
Is like a blasted sapling withered up; 70
And this is Edward’s wife, that monstrous witch,
Consorted with that harlot, strumpet Shore,
That by their witchcraft thus have markèd me. HASTINGS
If they have done this deed, my noble lord— RICHARD
If? Thou protector of this damnèd strumpet, 75
Talk’st thou to me of “ifs”? Thou art a traitor.—
Off with his head. Now by Saint Paul I swear
I will not dine until I see the same.—
Lovell and Ratcliffe, look that it be done.—
The rest that love me, rise and follow me. 80 They exit. Lovell and Ratcliffe remain,
with the Lord Hastings. | Richard returns with Buckingham, acting like he's in a rage. Richard claims that his physical deformity is the result of witchcraft. He offers up his limp arm as evidence that Queen Elizabeth and Mistress Shore have been conspiring to wither him and potentially even kill him. (Richard knows he's full of it. He already told us that his arm has been deformed since birth.)
Richard accuses Hastings of sympathizing and conspiring with Queen Elizabeth and Jane Shore, which constitutes treason. Richard orders Hastings' execution. |
HASTINGS
Woe, woe for England! Not a whit for me,
For I, too fond, might have prevented this.
Stanley did dream the boar did raze his helm,
And I did scorn it and disdain to fly.
Three times today my foot-cloth horse did stumble, 85
And started when he looked upon the Tower,
As loath to bear me to the slaughterhouse.
O, now I need the priest that spake to me!
I now repent I told the pursuivant,
As too triumphing, how mine enemies 90
Today at Pomfret bloodily were butchered,
And I myself secure in grace and favor.
O Margaret, Margaret, now thy heavy curse
Is lighted on poor Hastings’ wretched head. RATCLIFFE
Come, come, dispatch. The Duke would be at 95
dinner.
Make a short shrift. He longs to see your head. HASTINGS
O momentary grace of mortal men,
Which we more hunt for than the grace of God!
Who builds his hope in air of your good looks 100
Lives like a drunken sailor on a mast,
Ready with every nod to tumble down
Into the fatal bowels of the deep. LOVELL
Come, come, dispatch. ’Tis bootless to exclaim. HASTINGS
O bloody Richard! Miserable England, 105
I prophesy the fearfull’st time to thee
That ever wretched age hath looked upon.—
Come, lead me to the block. Bear him my head.
They smile at me who shortly shall be dead. They exit. | Hastings boo-hoos that Margaret's curse against him has come true. Ratcliffe is all, "Hurry up and stop crying – Richard can't have dinner until you're dead." Hastings screams, "O bloody Richard! Miserable England!" and then declares that all of his enemies are going to die soon anyway. |