Page:Richard III (1927) Yale.djvu/57

Richard the Third, II. i

To reconcile me to his friendly peace:

'Tis death to me to be at enmity;

I hate it, and desire all good men's love.

First, madam, I entreat true peace of you,

Which I will purchase with my duteous service;

Of you, my noble cousin Buckingham,

If ever any grudge were lodg'd between us;

Of you, and you, Lord Rivers, and of Dorset,

That all without desert have frown'd on me;

Of you, Lord Woodville, and Lord Scales, of you,

Dukes, earls, lords, gentlemen; indeed, of all.

I do not know that Englishman alive

With whom my soul is any jot at odds

More than the infant that is born to-night:

I thank my God for my humility.

Q. Eliz. A holy day shall this be kept hereafter:

I would to God all strifes were well compounded.

My sovereign lord, I do beseech your highness

To take our brother Clarence to your grace.

Rich. Why, madam, have I offer'd love for this,

To be so flouted in this royal presence?

Who knows not that the gentle duke is dead?

You do him injury to scorn his corse.

K. Edw. Who knows not he is dead! who knows he is?

Q. Eliz. All-seeing heaven, what a world is this!

Buck. Look I so pale, Lord Dorset, as the rest?

Dor. Ay, my good lord; and no man in the presence

But his red colour hath forsook his cheeks.

K. Edw. Is Clarence dead? the order was revers'd.

Rich. But he, poor man, by your first order died,

 59 me: myself

66 Of Dorset; cf. n.

67 without desert: i.e. without desert on my part

68 Lord Scales; cf. n.

69–72 Cf. n.

75 compounded: settled

85 presence: king's company

