Bad is the world; and all will come to nought, [Exit. SCENE VII. The same. Court of Baynard's Castle. Enter GLOSTER and BUCKINGHAM, meeting. Glo. How, now, how now? what say the citizens? Glo. Touch'd you the bastardy of Edward's children? I bade them, that did love their country's good, Buck. No, so God help me, they spake not a word; But, like dumb statuas, or breathless stones, † 9 ——— seen in thought,] That is, seen in silence, without notice or detection. Star'd on each other, and look'd deadly pale. And ask'd the mayor, what meant this wilful silence: Then he was urg'd to tell my tale again; — Glo. What tongueless blocks were they: Would they not speak? Will not the mayor, then, and his brethren, come? As I can say nay to thee for myself, No doubt we'll bring it to a happy issue. 2 1 Buck. Go, go, up to the leads; the lord mayor knocks. [Exit. GLOSTER. - intend some fear:] Perhaps, pretend; though intend will stand in the sense of giving attention. JOHNSON. 2 As I can say nay to thee, &c.] i. e. if (says Richard) you speak for them as plausibly as I in my own person, or my own purposes, shall seem to deny your suit, there is no doubt but we shall bring all to a happy issue. Enter the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Citizens. Enter, from the Castle, CATESBY. Now, Catesby! what says your lord to my request? He is within, with two right reverend fathers, Divinely bent to meditation: And in no wordly suit would he be mov'd, To draw him from his holy exercise. Buck. Return, good Catesby, to the gracious duke; Are come to have some conference with his grace. [Exit. Buck. Ah, ha! my lord, this prince is not an Edward! He is not lolling on a lewd day-bed," But on his knees at meditation; Not dallying with a brace of courtezans, Happy were England, would this virtuous prince But, sure, I fear, we shall ne'er win him to it. 3 May. Marry, God defend, his grace should say us nay! day-bed,] i. e. a couch, or sofa. to engross―] to fatten, to pamper. God defend, his grace should say us nay!] This pious and courtly mayor was Edmund Shaw, brother to Dr. Shaw, whom Richard had employed to prove his title to the crown, from the pulpit at Saint Paul's Cross. Buck. I fear, he will: Here Catesby comes again. Re-enter CATESBY. Now, Catesby, what says his grace? Cate. He wonders to what end you have assembled Such troops of citizens to come to him, His grace not being warn'd thereof before, He fears, my lord, you mean no good to him. Buck. Sorry I am, my noble cousin should Suspect me, that I mean no good to him: By heaven, we come to him in perfect love; And so once more return and tell his grace. [Exit CATESBY. When holy and devout religious men Enter GLOSTER in a Gallery above, between Two May. See, where his grace stands 'tween two clergymen! Buck. Two props of virtue for a christian prince, To stay him from the fall of vanity: And see a book of prayer in his hand; Of thy devotion, and right christian zeal. Glo. My lord, there needs no such apology; I rather do beseech you pardon me, Who, earnest in the service of my God, Neglect the visitation of my friends. But, leaving this, what is your grace's pleasure? Buck. Even that, I hope, which pleaseth God above, And all good men of this ungovern'd isle. Glo. I do suspect, I have done some offence, That seems disgracious in the city's eye; And that you come to reprehend my ignorance. Buck. You have, my lord; Would it might please your grace, On our entreaties to amend your fault! Glo. Else wherefore breathe I in a christian land? Buck. Know, then, it is your fault, that you resign The supreme seat, the throne majestical, The scepter'd office of your ancestors, Best fitteth my degree, or your condition: 6 And almost shoulder'd in the swallowing gulph—] Shoulder'd has the same meaning as rudely thrust into. 7 Which to recure,] To recure is to recover. |