THE earliest known copy of this popular tragedy is a quarto published in 1597, entitled,— "The Tragedy of King Richard the Third. Containing, His treacherous Plots against his brother Clarence: the pittiefull murther of his innocent nephewes: His tyrannicall vsurpation : with the whole course of his detested life, and most deserued death. As it hath beene lately acted by the Right honourable the Lord Chamberlaine, his seruants. At London, Printed by Valentine Sims, for Andrew Wise, dwelling in Paules Church-yard, at the signe of the Angell, 1597." In 1598, another edition appeared bearing the same title, and in addition the author's name, "William Shake-speare." The next impression, brought out in 1602, professes to be Newly augmented;" this was followed by a fourth in 1605, and a fifth in 1613, which was the last quarto copy prior to the publication of the folio in 1623. Subsequently, three other quarto editions, dated respectively 1624, 1629, and 1634, were published, not one of which however, it is noticeable, contains the passages first found in the folio. Although an historical piece on the same subject,-" The True Tragedie of Richard the Third: wherein is showne the death of Edward the fourth, with the smothering of the two young Princes in the Tower: with a lamentable ende of Shores wife, an example for all wicked women. And lastly, the conjunction and ioyning of the two noble houses, Lancaster and Yorke. As it was playd by the Queenes Maiesties Players,"-was issued in 1594, there are no proofs that Shakespeare has any obligations to it: his only authorities appear to have been the old chroniclers. Malone has remarked that the textual variations between the quarto version of this play and the folio are more numerous than in any other of our author's works. This is true, and the diversity has proved, and will continue to prove, a source of incalculable trouble and perpetual dispute to his editors, since, although it is admitted by every one properly qualified to judge, that a reasonably perfect text can only be formed from the two versions, there will always be a conflict of opinions regarding some of the readings. Upon the whole, we prefer the quarto text, though execrably deformed by printing-office blunders, and can by no means acquiesce in the decision that those passages found only in the folio are "additions" made by the poet, subsequent to the publication of the early quartos. On the contrary, we believe those very passages to have been structural portions of the piece, and the real additions to be the terse and vigorous bits of dialogue peculiar to the quartos. Is it credible that so accomplished a master of stagecraft as Shakespeare, after witnessing the representation of Richard the Third, would have added above eighty lines to the longest scene in this or perhaps any other play? Is it not far more probable that these lines in Act IV., those touching the young prince's train in Act II., the nine in Gloucester's mock reply to the Mayor and Buckingham, and some others, formed originally part of the text and were omitted to accelerate the action, and afford space for the more lively and dramatic substitutions which are met with in the quartos alone? But although in these and a few other instances the folio copy appears to have been an earlier one than that used by the printers of the quartos, it must be admitted that there are numerous places in which the text of the former has undergone minute and careful correction, and where, both in rhythm and in language, it is superior to the previous editions. Malone conjectured that Shakespeare wrote "Richard the Third" in 1593; the received impression at the present day is, that he produced it very shortly before its first publication. in 1597. DUCHESS of YORK, Mother to King Edward IV., Clarence, and Gloucester. LADY ANNE, Widow of Edward Prince of Wales, Son to King Henry VI.; afterwards married to the Duke of Gloucester. A Young Daughter of CLARENCE. Lords, and other Attendants; two Gentlemen, a Pursuivant, Scrivener, Citizens, Murderers Messengers, Ghosts, Soldiers, &c. SCENE, ENGLAND. And now, instead of mounting barbed steeds, But I, that am not shap'd for sportive tricks, comes. up, His majesty, Tendering my person's safety, hath appointed This conduct to convey me to the Tower. GLO. Upon what cause? CLAR. Because my name is George. As yet I do not: but, as I can learn, (*) First folio, see. (†) First folio, should. (1) First folio, but. Of a lute.] In the quartos, lute is misprinted love. b That tempers him to this extremity.] So the first quarto, 1597. 1 he folio 1623 reads: "That tempts him to this harsh extremity." But the queen's kindred, and night-walking heralds That trudge betwixt the king and mistress Shore. GLO. Humbly complaining to her deity BRAK. I beseech your graces both to pardon me; His majesty hath straitly given in charge, That no man shall have private conference (Of what degree soever) with his brother. GLO. Even so, an please your worship; Brakenbury, You may partake of anything we say: BRAK. What one, my lord? GLO. Her husband, knave:-wouldst thou betray me? BRAK. I beseech your grace to pardon me; and, withal, Forbear your conference with the noble duke. CLAR. We know thy charge, Brakenbury, and will obey. GLO. We are the queen's abjects, and must obey. Brother, farewell; I will unto the king; CLAR. I know it pleaseth neither of us well. I will deliver you, ort lie for you : * CLAR. I must perforce: farewell. [Exeunt CLARENCE, BRAKENBURY, and Guard. GLO. Go, tread the path that thou shalt ne'er return! Simple, plain Clarence, I do love thee so, GLO. Go you before, and I will follow you. [Exit HASTINGS. He cannot live, I hope; and must not die Till George be pack'd with post-horse up to heaven. I'll in, to urge his hatred more to Clarence, With lies well steel'd with weighty arguments; And if I fail not in my deep intent, Clarence hath not another day to live: Which done, God take king Edward to his mercy, And leave the world for me to bustle in! For then I'll marry Warwick's youngest daughter: What though I kill'd her husband and her father; The readiest way to make the wench amends, Is to become her husband and her father: The which will I; not all so much for love As for another secret close intent, By marrying her, which I must reach unto. But yet I run before my horse to market: Clarence still breathes, Edward still lives and reigns; When they are gone, then must I count my gains. Exit. SCENE II.-The same. Another Street. Enter the corpse of KING HENRY the SIXTH, borne upon a hearse, Gentlemen bearing halberds, to guard it; and LADY ANNE as mourner. ANNE. Set down, set down your honourable load, If honour may be shrouded in a hearse,- Lo, in those windows, that let forth thy life, I |