King Richard III | Page 8

misshapen thus? My dukedom to a beggarly denier, I
do mistake my person all this while: Upon my life, she finds, although I
cannot, Myself to be a marvellous proper man. I'll be at charges for a
looking-glass; And entertain a score or two of tailors, To study fashions
to adorn my body: Since I am crept in favour with myself, I will
maintain it with some little cost. But first I'll turn yon fellow in his
grave; And then return lamenting to my love.-- Shine out, fair sun, till I
have bought a glass, That I may see my shadow as I pass.
[Exit.]

SCENE III. London. A Room in the Palace.
[Enter QUEEN ELIZABETH, LORD RIVERS, and LORD GREY.]
RIVERS. Have patience, madam: there's no doubt his majesty Will
soon recover his accustom'd health.
GREY. In that you brook it ill, it makes him worse: Therefore, for
God's sake, entertain good comfort, And cheer his grace with quick and
merry eyes.
QUEEN ELIZABETH. If he were dead, what would betide on me?
GREY. No other harm but loss of such a lord.
QUEEN ELIZABETH. The loss of such a lord includes all harms.
GREY. The heavens have bless'd you with a goodly son To be your
comforter when he is gone.
QUEEN ELIZABETH. Ah, he is young; and his minority Is put unto
the trust of Richard Gloster, A man that loves not me, nor none of you.
RIVERS. Is it concluded he shall be protector?
QUEEN ELIZABETH. It is determin'd, not concluded yet: But so it

must be, if the king miscarry.
[Enter BUCKINGHAM and STANLEY.]
GREY. Here come the Lords of Buckingham and Stanley.
BUCKINGHAM. Good time of day unto your royal grace!
STANLEY. God make your majesty joyful as you have been!
QUEEN ELIZABETH. The Countess Richmond, good my Lord of
Stanley, To your good prayer will scarcely say amen. Yet, Stanley,
notwithstanding she's your wife, And loves not me, be you, good lord,
assur'd I hate not you for her proud arrogance.
STANLEY. I do beseech you, either not believe The envious slanders
of her false accusers; Or, if she be accus'd on true report, Bear with her
weakness, which I think proceeds From wayward sickness, and no
grounded malice.
QUEEN ELIZABETH. Saw you the king to-day, my Lord of Stanley?
STANLEY. But now the Duke of Buckingham and I Are come from
visiting his majesty.
QUEEN ELIZABETH. What likelihood of his amendment, lords?
BUCKINGHAM. Madam, good hope; his grace speaks cheerfully.
QUEEN ELIZABETH. God grant him health! Did you confer with
him?
BUCKINGHAM. Ay, madam; he desires to make atonement Between
the Duke of Gloster and your brothers, And between them and my lord
chamberlain; And sent to warn them to his royal presence.
QUEEN ELIZABETH. Would all were well!--but that will never be: I
fear our happiness is at the height.
[Enter GLOSTER, HASTINGS, and DORSET.]
GLOSTER. They do me wrong, and I will not endure it:-- Who are
they that complain unto the king That I, forsooth, am stern and love
them not? By holy Paul, they love his grace but lightly That fill his ears
with such dissentious rumours. Because I cannot flatter and look fair,
Smile in men's faces, smooth, deceive, and cog, Duck with French nods
and apish courtesy, I must be held a rancorous enemy. Cannot a plain
man live, and think no harm, But thus his simple truth must be abus'd
With silken, sly, insinuating Jacks?
GREY. To who in all this presence speaks your grace?
GLOSTER. To thee, that hast nor honesty nor grace. When have I
injur'd thee? when done thee wrong?-- Or thee?--or thee?--or any of

your faction? A plague upon you all! His royal grace,-- Whom God
preserve better than you would wish!-- Cannot be quiet scarce a
breathing while, But you must trouble him with lewd complaints.
QUEEN ELIZABETH. Brother of Gloster, you mistake the matter. The
king, on his own royal disposition, And not provok'd by any suitor
else-- Aiming, belike, at your interior hatred That in your outward
action shows itself Against my children, brothers, and myself-- Makes
him to send; that thereby he may gather The ground of your ill-will,
and so remove it.
GLOSTER. I cannot tell: the world is grown so bad That wrens make
prey where eagles dare not perch: Since every Jack became a
gentleman, There's many a gentle person made a Jack.
QUEEN ELIZABETH. Come, come, we know your meaning, brother
Gloster; You envy my advancement, and my friends'; God grant we
never may have need of you!
GLOSTER. Meantime, God grants that we have need of you: Our
brother is imprison'd by your means, Myself disgrac'd, and the nobility
Held in contempt; while great promotions Are daily given to ennoble
those That scarce,