The Works of William Shakespeare [Cambridge Edition] [Vol. 5 of 9] · William Shakespeare
SCENE III. _The same_.
_Enter_ TYRREL. _Tyr._ The tyrannous and bloody deed is done, [fdc001] The most arch act of piteous massacre [fdc002] That ever yet this land was guilty of. Dighton and Forrest, whom I did suborn [fdc004] To do this ruthless piece of butchery, [fdc005] Although they were flesh’d villains, bloody dogs, [fdc006] Melting with tenderness and kind compassion [fdc007] Wept like two children in their deaths’ sad stories. [fdc008] ‘Lo, thus,’ quoth Dighton, ‘lay those tender babes:’ [fdc009] ‘Thus, thus,’ quoth Forrest, ‘girdling one another [fdc010] Within their innocent alabaster arms: [fdc011] Their lips were four red roses on a stalk, [fdc012] Which in their summer beauty kiss’d each other. [fdc013] A book of prayers on their pillow lay; [fdc014] Which once,’ quoth Forrest, ‘almost changed my mind; [fdc015] But O! the devil’--there the villain stopp’d; [fdc016] Whilst Dighton thus told on: ‘We smothered [fdc017] The most replenished sweet work of nature That from the prime creation e’er she framed.’ [fdc019] Thus both are gone with conscience and remorse; [fdc020] They could not speak; and so I left them both, To bring this tidings to the bloody king. [fdc022] And here he comes. _Enter_ KING RICHARD. All hail, my sovereign liege! [fdc023] _K. Rich._ Kind Tyrrel, am I happy in thy news? [fdc024] _Tyr._ If to have done the thing you gave in charge [fdc025] Beget your happiness, be happy then, For it is done, my lord.
_K. Rich._ But didst thou see them dead? [fdc027] _Tyr._ I did, my lord. _K. Rich._ And buried, gentle Tyrrel? _Tyr._ The chaplain of the Tower hath buried them; But how or in what place I do not know. [fdc030] _K. Rich._ Come to me, Tyrrel, soon at after supper, [fdc031] And thou shalt tell the process of their death. [fdc032] Meantime, but think how I may do thee good, [fdc033] And be inheritor of thy desire. Farewell till soon. [_Exit Tyrrel._ [fdc035] The son of Clarence have I pent up close; [fdc036] His daughter meanly have I match’d in marriage; The sons of Edward sleep in Abraham’s bosom, And Anne my wife hath bid the world good night. [fdc039] Now, for I know the Breton Richmond aims [fdc040] At young Elizabeth, my brother’s daughter, And, by that knot, looks proudly o’er the crown, [fdc042] To her I go, a jolly thriving wooer. [fdc043] _Enter_ Catesby. _Cate._ My lord! [fdc044] _K. Rich._ Good news or bad, that thou comest in so bluntly? [fdc045] _Cate._ Bad news, my lord: Ely is fled to Richmond; [fdc046] And Buckingham, back’d with the hardy Welshmen, Is in the field, and still his power increaseth. _K. Rich._ Ely with Richmond troubles me more near [fdc049] Than Buckingham and his rash-levied army. [fdc050] Come, I have heard that fearful commenting [fdc051] Is leaden servitor to dull delay; Delay leads impotent and snail-paced beggary: [fdc053] Then fiery expedition be my wing, [fdc054] Jove’s Mercury, and herald for a king! [fdc055] Come, muster men: my counsel is my shield; [fdc056] We must be brief when traitors brave the field. [_Exeunt._
Text from Project Gutenberg, public domain in the United States.