Page:Richard III (1927) Yale.djvu/17

Richard the Third, I. i

Tendering my person's safety, hath appointed

This conduct to convey me to the Tower.

Rich. Upon what cause?

Clar. Because my name is George.

Rich. Alack! my lord, that fault is none of yours;

He should, for that, commit your godfathers.

O! belike his majesty hath some intent

That you should be new-christen'd in the Tower.

But what’s the matter, Clarence? may I know?

Clar. Yea, Richard, when I know; but I protest

As yet I do not: but, as I can learn,

He hearkens after prophecies and dreams;

And from the cross-row plucks the letter G,

And says a wizard told him that by G

His issue disinherited should be;

And, for my name of George begins with G,

It follows in his thoughts that I am he.

These, as I learn, and such like toys as these,

Have mov'd his highness to commit me now.

Rich. Why, this it is, when men are rul'd by women:

'Tis not the king that sends you to the Tower;

My Lady Grey, his wife, Clarence, 'tis she

That tempers him to this extremity.

Was it not she and that good man of worship,

Anthony Woodville, her brother there,

That made him send Lord Hastings to the Tower,

From whence this present day he is deliver'd?

We are not safe, Clarence; we are not safe.

Clar. By heaven, I think there is no man secure

But the queen's kindred and night-walking heralds

That trudge betwixt the king and Mistress Shore.

 44 Tendering: having regard for

45 conduct: escort

49 belike: perhaps

54 hearkens: inquires

55 cross-row: i.e. the alphabet; cf. n.

58 for: because

60 toys: whims, idle fancies

62 this: thus

65 tempers; cf. n.

67 Anthony Woodville; cf. n.

72 night-walking heralds; cf. n.

73 Mistress Shore; cf. n.

