Richard III – Act 4 Scene 3

SIR JAMES TYRREL

The tyrannous and bloody act is done,

This bloody act of tyranny is done,

The most arch deed of piteous massacre

The most abhorrent, wretched massacre

That ever yet this land was guilty of.

That ever was conducted in this land.

Dighton and Forrest, who I did suborn

Dighton and Forrest, whom I had persuaded

To do this piece of ruthless butchery,

To do this ruthless act of butchery,

Albeit they were fleshed villains, bloody dogs,

Although they’re bloody ruthless murderers,

Melted with tenderness and kind compassion,

They melted out of tenderness and pity,

Wept like two children in their deaths’ sad story.

And wept like children at this tragedy.

“O, thus,” quoth Dighton, “lay the gentle babes.”

‘Like this,’ said Dighton, ‘lay the gentle children.’

“Thus, thus,” quoth Forrest, “girdling one another

‘Like this,’ said Forrest, ‘holding one another

Within their alabaster innocent arms.

Together in their innocent white arms.

Their lips were four red roses on a stalk,

Their lips, like four red roses on a stalk,

Which in their summer beauty kissed each other.

Under a summer’s sun tenderly kissed.

A book of prayers on their pillow lay,

A prayerbook lay beside them on a pillow,

Which once,” quoth Forrest, “almost changed my mind;

Which almost,’ Forrest said, ‘did change my mind;

But O! The devil” – there the villain stopped;

But, oh, that devil’ – then the villain stopped;

When Dighton thus told on, “We smothered

Dighton continued on, ‘We suffocated

The most replenished sweet work of Nature

The very sweetest work of Mother Nature

That from the prime creation e’er she framed.”

That was her finest work since time began.’

Hence both are gone with conscience and remorse

Then both men left, confounded with remorse

They could not speak; and so I left them both,

So much they couldn’t speak; and then I left them

To bear this tidings to the bloody King.

To share the news with this bloodthirsty King.

[ENTER KING RICHARD.]

And here he comes. All health, my sovereign lord!

And here he comes. Good health, my sovereign lord!

KING RICHARD III

Kind Tyrrel, am I happy in thy news?

Kind Tyrrel, do you bring me happy news?

SIR JAMES TYRREL

If to have done the thing you gave in charge

If you mean finishing the task you gave me

Beget your happiness, be happy then,

Will make you happy, then you can be happy,

For it is done.

For it is done.

KING RICHARD III

But didst thou see them dead?

But did you see them dead?

SIR JAMES TYRREL

I did, my lord.

I did, my lord.

KING RICHARD III

And buried, gentle Tyrrel?

And buried, gentle Tyrrel?

SIR JAMES TYRREL

The chaplain of the Tower hath buried them,

The chaplain of the Tower buried them,

But where (to say the truth) I do not know.

But, truthfully, I don’t know where that was.

KING RICHARD III

Come to me, Tyrrel, soon, at after-supper,

Right after supper, come to me then, Tyrrel,

When thou shalt tell the process of their death.

When you will tell me more of how they died.

Mean time, but think how I may do thee good,

And, meanwhile, ponder how I can reward you

And be inheritor of thy desire.

To give you anything that you desire.

Farewell till then.

Goodbye till then.

SIR JAMES TYRREL

I humbly take my leave.

I’ll humbly leave you now.

KING RICHARD III

The son of Clarence have I pent up close,

I’ve locked the son of Clarence up to hold him,

His daughter meanly have I matched in marriage,

And married off his daughter to a poor man,

The sons of Edward sleep in Abraham’s bosom,

And Edward’s sons are sleeping with the angels,

And Anne my wife hath bid this world good night.

And my wife Anne has bid this world goodnight.

Now for I know the Britain Richmond aims

Now I know that the Breton Richmond plans

At young Elizabeth, my brother’s daughter,

To woo Elizabeth, my brother’s daughter,

And by that knot looks proudly on the crown,

So being wed to her gives him the crown,

To her go I, a jolly thriving wooer.

And so I’ll go to her to beat him to it.

SIR RICHARD RATCLIFFE

My lord –

My lord…

KING RICHARD III

Good or bad news, that thou com’st in so bluntly?

Good or bad news? You’ve come in so abruptly.

SIR RICHARD RATCLIFFE

Bad news, my lord. Morton is fled to Richmond,

Bad news, my lord, for Ely’s fled to Richmond,

And Buckingham, backed with the hardy Welshmen,

And Buckingham, backed by the tough Welsh army

Is in the field, and still his power increaseth.

Is on the march and he’s growing in power.

KING RICHARD III

Ely with Richmond troubles me more near

Ely with Richmond is more troubling

Than Buckingham and his rash-levied strength.

Than Buckingham with his swift-gathered mob.

Come, I have learned that fearful commenting

I’ve learned that when we talk of things that scare us,

Is leaden servitor to dull delay;

It causes indecision and delay;

Delay leads impotent and snail-paced beggary.

Delay will weaken us and make us paupers.

Then fiery expedition be my wing,

So I’ll act with the fury of a fire,

Jove’s Mercury, and herald for a king!

And send a message of the king’s desire!

Go muster men. My counsel is my shield;

Go gather soldiers. Wit protects my fight;

We must be brief when traitors brave the field.

We must be swift when traitors show their might.