Page:Richard III (1927) Yale.djvu/121

Richard the Third, IV. iv

To breakfast once forth of my company.

If I be so disgracious in your eye,

Let me march on, and not offend you, madam.

Strike up the drum!

Duch. I prithee, hear me speak.

K. Rich. You speak too bitterly.

Duch. Hear me a word;

For I shall never speak to thee again.

K. Rich. So!

Duch. Either thou wilt die by God's just ordinance,

Ere from this war thou turn a conqueror;

Or I with grief and extreme age shall perish,

And never more behold thy face again.

Therefore take with thee my most grievous curse,

Which, in the day of battle, tire thee more

Than all the complete armour that thou wear'st!

My prayers on the adverse party fight;

And there the little souls of Edward's children

Whisper the spirits of thine enemies

And promise them success and victory.

Bloody thou art, bloody will be thy end;

Shame serves thy life and doth thy death attend.

Exit.

Q. Eliz. Though far more cause, yet much less spirit to curse

Abides in me: I say amen to her.

K. Rich. Stay, madam; I must talk a word with you.

Q. Eliz. I have no more sons of the royal blood

For thee to slaughter: for my daughters, Richard,

They shall be praying nuns, not weeping queens;

And therefore level not to hit their lives.

K. Rich. You have a daughter call'd Elizabeth,

 178 disgracious: out of favor

196 serves: i.e. is servant to

203 level: aim

204 Elizabeth; cf. n.

