Page:Richard III (1927) Yale.djvu/63

Richard the Third, II. ii

Duch. Was never mother had so dear a loss.

Alas! I am the mother of these griefs:

Their woes are parcell'd, mine is general.

She for an Edward weeps, and so do I;

I for a Clarence weep, so doth not she:

These babes for Clarence weep, [and so do I;

I for an Edward weep,] so do not they:

Alas! you three, on me, threefold distress'd,

Pour all your tears; I am your sorrow's nurse,

And I will pamper it with lamentation.

Dor. Comfort, dear mother: God is much displeas'd

That you take with unthankfulness his doing.

In common worldly things 'tis call'd ungrateful,

With dull unwillingness to repay a debt

Which with a bounteous hand was kindly lent;

Much more to be thus opposite with heaven,

For it requires the royal debt it lent you.

Riv. Madam, bethink you, like a careful mother,

Of the young prince your son: send straight for him;

Let him be crown'd; in him your comfort lives.

Drown desperate sorrow in dead Edward's grave,

And plant your joys in living Edward's throne.

Rich. Sister, have comfort: all of us have cause

To wail the dimming of our shining star;

But none can help our harms by wailing them.

Madam, my mother, I do cry you mercy;

I did not see your Grace. Humbly on my knee

I crave your blessing.

 80 mother griefs; cf. n.

81 parcell'd: i.e. distributed among them severally

general: i.e. embraces the griefs of all

94 opposite: in opposition

103 help: remedy

