And therefore cannot have the hearts to do it. 1 Murd. Offended us you have not, but the king. Are you call'd forth from out a world of men,] I think it may be better read: Are ye cull'd forth. Johnson. The folio reads; "Are you drawn forth among a world of men." I adhere to the reading now in the text. So, in Nobody and Somebody, 1598: "Art thou call'd forth amongst a thousand men Malone. The reading of the text is that of the quarto, 1598. crowner's quest law." Steevens. 9 Before I be convict &c.] Shakspeare has followed the current tale of his own time, in supposing that Clarence was imprisoned by Edward, and put to death by order of his brother Richard, without trial or condemnation. But the truth is, that he was tried, and found guilty by his Peers, and a bill of attainder was afterwards passed against him. According to Sir Thomas More, his death was commanded by Edward; but he does not assert that the Duke of Gloster was the instrument. Polydore Virgil says, though he talk'd with several persons who lived at the time, he never could get any certain account of the motives that induced Edward to put his brother to death. See p. 47, n. 8. Malone. 1- as you hope for any goodness,] The quarto reads: "As you hope to have redemption." I have adopted the former words, for the sake of introducing variety; the idea of redemption being comprised in the very next line. Steevens. This arbitrary alteration was made, and the subsequent line was omitted, by the editors of the folio, to avoid the penalty of the Stat. 3 Jac. I. C. 21. Malone. By Christ's dear blood shed for our grievous sins, 1 Murd. What we will do, we do upon command. Hath in the table of his law commanded, 2 Murd. And that same vengeance doth he hurl on thee, For false forswearing, and for murder too: 1 Murd. And, like a traitor to the name of God, Didst break that vow; and, with thy treacherous blade, Unrip'dst the bowels of thy sovereign's son. 2 Murd. Whom thou wast sworn to cherish and defend. 1 Murd. How canst thou urge God's dreadful law to us, When thou hast broke it in such dear degree? Clar. Alas! for whose sake did I that ill deed? For Edward, for my brother, for his sake: 1 Murd. Who made thee then a bloody minister, When gallant-springing, brave Plantagenet, 2-dear-] This is a word of mere enforcement, and very frequently occurs, with different shades of meaning, in our author. So, in Timon of Athens : "And strain what other means is left unto us, . 3 O, know you, that &c.] The old copies-O, know you yet,but we should read that instead of yet. In the MS. copy that would naturally have been written yt. Hence the mistake, which I have corrected, by the advice of Dr. Farmer. Steevens. That princely novice, was struck dead by thee? Clar. If you do love my brother, hate not me; 2 Murd. You are deceiv'd, your brother Gloster hates you.7 Clar. O, no; he loves me, and he holds me dear: Go you to him from me. Both Murd. Ay, so we will. Clar. Tell him, when that our princely father York Bless'd his three sons with his victorious arm, 4 - springing, - Plantagenet,] Blooming Plantagenet; a prince in the spring of life. Johnson. So, in Spenser's Shepherd's Calendar, 1579: "That wouldest me my springing youth to spill." Malone. When gallant, springing,] This should be printed as one word, I think;-gallant-springing. Shakspeare is fond of these compound epithets, in which the first adjective is to be considered as an adverb. So, in this play, he uses childish-foolish, senseless-obstinate, and mortal-staring. Tyrwhitt. 5-novice,] Youth; one yet new to the world. Johnson. 6 If you are hir'd for meed,] Thus the quarto 1597 and the folio. The quarto 1598, reads-If you be hired for need; which is likewise sense: If it be necessity which induces you to commit this murder. Malone. 7-your brother Gloster hates you.] Mr. Walpole, some years ago, suggested, from the Chronicle of Croyland, that the true cause of Gloster's hatred to Clarence was, that Clarence was unwilling to share with his brother that moiety of the estate of the great Earl of Warwick, to which Gloster became entitled on his marriage with the younger sister of the Dutchess of Clarence, Lady Anne Neville, who had been betrothed to Edward Prince of Wales. This account of the matter is fully confirmed by a letter, dated Feb. 14, 1471-2, which has been lately published Paston Letters, Vol. II, p. 91: "Yesterday the king, the queen, my lords of Clarence and Gloucester, went to Shene to pardon; men say, not all in charity. The king entreateth my lord of Clarence for my lord of Gloucester; and, as it is said, he answereth, that he may well have my lady his sister-in-law, but they shall part no livelihood, as he saith; so, what will fall, can I not say. Malone And charg'd us from his soul to love each other, 1 Murd. Ay, mill-stones; as he lesson'd us to weep. Clar. O, do not slander him, for he is kind. 1 Murd. Right, as snow in harvest. Come, you de ceive 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, That he would labour my delivery. 1. Murd. Why, so he doth, when he delivers you From this earth's thraldom to the joys of heaven. 2 Murd. Make peace with God, for you must die, my lord. Clar. Hast thou that holy feeling in thy soul, Ah, sirs, consider, he, that set you on To do this deed, will hate you for the deed. 2 Murd. What shall we do? Clar. Relent, and save your souls. & 1 Murd. Relent! 'tis cowardly, and womanish. Which of you, if you were a prince's son, If two such murderers as yourselves came to you,- My friend, I spy some pity in thy looks; Come thou on my side, and entreat for me, 8 and save your souls, &c.] The six following lines are not in the old edition. (i. e. the quarto.] Pope. They are not necessary, but so forced in, that something seems omitted to which these lines are the answer. Johnson. 9- what beggar pities not?] I cannot but suspect that the lines, which Mr. Pope observed not to be in the old edition, are now misplaced, and should be inserted here, somewhat after this manner: Clar. A begging prince what beggar pities not? 2 Murd. Look behind you my lord. 1 Murd. Take that, and that; if all this will not do, [Stabs him. [Exit, with the Body. I'll drown you in the malmsey-butt within. 2 Murd. A bloody deed, and desperately despatch'd! How fain, like Pilate, would I wash my hands Of this most grievous guilty murder done? Re-enter first Murderer. 1 Murd. How now? what mean'st thou, that thou help'st me not? By heaven, the duke shall know how slack you have been. 2 Murd. I would he knew, that I had sav'd his brother! Take thou the fee, and tell him what I say; [Exit. 1 Murd. So do not I; go, coward, as thou art.- Vil. A begging prince! [Exit: Clar. Which of you, if you were a prince's son, &c. Upon this provocation, the villain naturally strikes him. Johnson. Mr. Pope's note is not accurately stated. I believe this passage should be regulated thus: Clar. Relent and save your souls. 1. Vil. Relent! 'tis cowardly and womanish. Clar. Not to relent is beastly, savage, devilish. Which of you if you were a prince's son, Being pent If two such Would not entreat for life? My friend, I spy O, if thine eye Come thou on my side and entreat for me, As you would beg, were you in my distress. A begging prince what beggar pities not. Tyrwhitt. I think with Mr. Tyrwhitt that these lines have been inserted in a wrong place. Malone. I have regulated the text according to Mr. Tyrwhitt's instruction. Steevens. A begging prince what beggar pities not?] To this, in the quarto, the murderer replies: "I, thus and thus: if this will not serve "I'll chop thee in the malmesey but in the next roome." and then stabs him. Steevens. |