| ACT IV SCENE III | The Same. | |
| [Enter TYRREL] |
| TYRREL | The tyrannous and bloody deed is done. |
| The most arch of piteous massacre |
| That ever yet this land was guilty of. |
| Dighton and Forrest, whom I did suborn |
| To do this ruthless piece of butchery, | 5 |
| Although they were flesh'd villains, bloody dogs, |
| Melting with tenderness and kind compassion |
| Wept like two children in their deaths' sad stories. |
| 'Lo, thus' quoth Dighton, 'lay those tender babes:' |
| 'Thus, thus,' quoth Forrest, 'girdling one another | 10 |
| Within their innocent alabaster arms: |
| Their lips were four red roses on a stalk, |
| Which in their summer beauty kiss'd each other. |
| A book of prayers on their pillow lay; |
| Which once,' quoth Forrest, 'almost changed my mind; | 15 |
| But O! the devil'--there the villain stopp'd |
| Whilst Dighton thus told on: 'We smothered |
| The most replenished sweet work of nature, |
| That from the prime creation e'er she framed.' |
| Thus both are gone with conscience and remorse; | 20 |
| They could not speak; and so I left them both, |
| To bring this tidings to the bloody king. |
| And here he comes. |
[Enter KING RICHARD III] |
| All hail, my sovereign liege! |
| KING RICHARD III | Kind Tyrrel, am I happy in thy news? | 25 |
| TYRREL | If to have done the thing you gave in charge |
| Beget your happiness, be happy then, |
| For it is done, my lord. |
| KING RICHARD III | But didst thou see them dead? |
| TYRREL | I did, my lord. | 30 |
| KING RICHARD III | And buried, gentle Tyrrel? |
| TYRREL | The chaplain of the Tower hath buried them; |
| But how or in what place I do not know. |
| KING RICHARD III | Come to me, Tyrrel, soon at after supper, |
| And thou shalt tell the process of their death. | 35 |
| Meantime, but think how I may do thee good, |
| And be inheritor of thy desire. |
| Farewell till soon. |
[Exit TYRREL] |
| The son of Clarence have I pent up close; |
| His daughter meanly have I match'd in marriage; | 40 |
| The sons of Edward sleep in Abraham's bosom, |
| And Anne my wife hath bid the world good night. |
| Now, for I know the Breton Richmond aims |
| At young Elizabeth, my brother's daughter, |
| And, by that knot, looks proudly o'er the crown, | 45 |
| To her I go, a jolly thriving wooer. |
| [Enter CATESBY] |
| CATESBY | My lord! |
| KING RICHARD III | Good news or bad, that thou comest in so bluntly? |
| CATESBY | Bad news, my lord: Ely is fled to Richmond; |
| And Buckingham, back'd with the hardy Welshmen, | 50 |
| Is in the field, and still his power increaseth. |
| KING RICHARD III | Ely with Richmond troubles me more near |
| Than Buckingham and his rash-levied army. |
| Come, I have heard that fearful commenting |
| Is leaden servitor to dull delay; | 55 |
| Delay leads impotent and snail-paced beggary |
| Then fiery expedition be my wing, |
| Jove's Mercury, and herald for a king! |
| Come, muster men: my counsel is my shield; |
| We must be brief when traitors brave the field. | 60 |
| [Exeunt] |
Richard III: Plot Summary