Page:Richard III (1927) Yale.djvu/77

Richard the Third, III. i

Bold, quick, ingenious, forward, capable:

He's all the mother's, from the top to toe.

Buck. Well, let them rest. Come hither, Catesby; thou art sworn

As deeply to effect what we intend

As closely to conceal what we impart.

Thou know'st our reasons urg'd upon the way.

What think'st thou? is it not an easy matter

To make William Lord Hastings of our mind,

For the instalment of this noble duke

In the seat royal of this famous isle?

Cate. He for his father's sake so loves the prince

That he will not be won to aught against him.

Buck. What think'st thou, then, of Stanley? will not he?

Cate. He will do all in all as Hastings doth.

Buck. Well then, no more but this: go, gentle Catesby,

And, as it were far off, sound thou Lord Hastings,

How he doth stand affected to our purpose;

And summon him to-morrow to the Tower,

To sit about the coronation.

If thou dost find him tractable to us,

Encourage him, and tell him all our reasons:

If he be leaden, icy-cold, unwilling,

Be thou so too, and so break off the talk,

And give us notice of his inclination;

For we to-morrow hold divided councils,

Wherein thyself shalt highly be employ'd.

Rich. Commend me to Lord William: tell him, Catesby,

His ancient knot of dangerous adversaries

 155 forward: precocious

capable: intelligent

164 seat royal: royal throne

170 far off: indirectly; cf. n.

173 sit: confer

182 knot: group