Page:Richard III (1927) Yale.djvu/19

Richard the Third, I. i

Brak. What one, my lord?

Rich. Her husband, knave. Wouldst thou betray me?

Brak. I do beseech your Grace to pardon me; and withal

Forbear your conference with the noble duke.

Clar. We know thy charge, Brakenbury, and will obey.

Rich. We are the queen's abjects, and must obey.

Brother, farewell: I will unto the king;

And whatsoe'er you will employ me in,

Were it to call King Edward's widow sister,

I will perform it to enfranchise you.

Meantime, this deep disgrace in brotherhood

Touches me deeper than you can imagine.

Clar. I know it pleaseth neither of us well.

Rich. Well, your imprisonment shall not be long;

I will deliver you, or else lie for you:

Meantime, have patience.

Clar. I must perforce: farewell.

Rich. Go, tread the path that thou shalt ne'er return,

Simple, plain Clarence! I do love thee so

That I will shortly send thy soul to heaven,

If heaven will take the present at our hands.

But who comes here? the new-deliver'd Hastings!

Hast. Good time of day unto my gracious lord!

Rich. As much unto my good lord chamberlain!

Well are you welcome to this open air.

 102 betray: i.e. trap me into speaking treason

106 abjects: i.e. the most servile of her subjects; cf. n.

109 widow; cf. n.

110 enfranchise: set free

115 lie for you: be imprisoned in your stead; cf. n.

