Page:Richard III (1927) Yale.djvu/52

38

He needs no indirect or lawless course

To cut off those that have offended him.

1. Mur. Who made thee then a bloody minister,

When gallant-springing, brave Plantagenet,

That princely novice, was struck dead by thee?

Clar. My brother's love, the devil, and my rage.

1. Mur. Thy brother's love, our duty, and thy faults,

Provoke us hither now to slaughter thee.

Clar. If you do love my brother, hate not me;

I am his brother, and I love him well.

If you are hir'd for meed, go back again,

And I will send you to my brother Gloucester,

Who shall reward you better for my life

Than Edward will for tidings of my death.

2. Mur. You are deceiv'd, your brother Gloucester hates you.

Clar. O, no! he loves me, and he holds me dear:

Go you to him from me.

1. Mur. Ay, so we will.

Clar. Tell him, when that our princely father York

Bless'd his three sons with his victorious arm,

[And charg'd us from his soul to love each other,]

He little thought of this divided friendship:

Bid Gloucester think on this, and he will weep.

1. Mur. Ay, millstones; as he lesson'd us to weep.

Clar. O! do not slander him, for he is kind.

1. Mur. Right;

As snow in harvest. Come, you deceive yourself.

'Tis he that sends us to destroy you here.

Clar. It cannot be; for he bewept my fortune,

And hugg'd me in his arms, and swore, with sobs,

 230 gallant-springing; cf. n.

231 novice: youth

232 My brother's love: my love of my brother

234 Provoke: urge

249 lesson'd: taught

252 snow in harvest; cf. n.

