"He capers nimbly in a lady's chamber, But I, that am not fhap'd for sportive tricks, WARBURTON. Difembling is here put very licentiously for frandful, deceit ful. 4 And therefore, fince I cannot prove a lover,] Shakespeare very diligently inculcates, that the wickednefs of Richard proceeded from his deformity, from the envy that rofe at the comparifon of his own perfon with others, and which incited him to disturb the pleasures that he could not partake. And hate the idle pleasures.] Inductions dangerous.] Preparations for mischief. The Induction is preparatory to the action of the play. And And, if King Edward be as true and juft, Of Edward's Heirs the Murtherer fhall be. Enter Clarence guarded, and Brakenbury. Brother, good day, what means this armed Guard, Clar. His Majefty, Tend'ring my perfon's fafety, hath appointed Clar. Because my name is George. Glo. Alack, my lord, that fault is none of yours; That you should be new chriftened in the Tower. Clar. Yea, Richard, when I know; for, I proteft, As yet I do not; but as I can learn, He hearkens after Prophefies and Dreams, And, for my name of George begins with G, sEdward be as true and juft,] i. e. as open hearted and free from deceit. WARB. The meaning is only this; if Edward keeps his word. Was Was it not fhe, and that good man of worship, That made him fend lord Haftings to the Tower! We are not fafe, Clarence, we are not fafe. Clar. By heav'n, I think, there is no man fecure Brak. I beg your Graces both to pardon me: Glo. Ev'n fo, an't pleafe your worship? Brakenburg, You may partake of any thing we lay, We fpeak no treafon, man-we fay, the King Brak. With this, my lord, myfelf have nought to do. Shore? I tell you, Sir, he that doth naught with her, 6 Humbly complaining, &c.] I think there two lines might be better given to Clarence. *The jealous o'erworn widow.] That is, the Queen and Shore. Excepting Excepting one, were beft to do it fecretly. Glo. Her husband, knave-wouldst thou betray me? Brak. I do befeech your Grace to pardon me, And to forbear your conf'rence with the Duke. Clar. We know thy charge, Brakenbury, and will obey. Glo. We are the 7 Queen's abjects, and must obey. Mean time, this deep difgrace of brotherhood Clar. I know it pleaseth neither of us well. Clar. I muft perforce; farewel. [Exe. Brak. Clar. Enter Lord Haftings. Haft. Good time of day unto my gracious lord. 7 the Queen's abjects.-] That is, not the Qven's fubjects, whom the mig protect, but her abjects, whom the drives away. Were it to cal king Edward's widow fifier,] This is a very covert and fubtle manner of infinuating treafon. The natural expresion would have been, wwere it to call King Edward's wife fifter. I will folicit for you though it fhould be at the expence of fo mach degradation and conftraint, as to own the lowborn wife of King Edward for a fifter. But by flipping ap it were cafually widow into the place of wife, he tempts Clarence with an oblique propofal to kill the king. Well Well are you welcome to the open air. How hath your lordship brook'd imprisonment? Haft. With patience, noble lord, as pris'ners muft: But I fhall live, my lord, to give them thanks, That were the caufe of my imprisonment. Glo. No doubt, no doubt; and fo fhall Clarence too; For they, that were your enemies, are his, And have prevail'd as much on him as you. Haft. More pity, that the Eagle should be mew'd, While kites and buzzards prey at liberty. Glo. What news abroad? Haft. No news fo bad abroad, as this at home; The King is fickly, weak and melancholy, And his Phyficians fear him mightily. Glo. Now, by St. Paul, that news is bad, indeed. O, he hath kept an evil diet long, And over-much confum'd his royal perfon: 'Tis very grievous to be thought upon. Where is he, in his bed? Haft. He is. Glo. Go you before, and I will follow you. [Exit Haftings.. He cannot live, I hope; and must not die, 'Till George be pack'd with post-horse up to heav'n. I'll in, to urge his hatred more to Clarence, With Lies well fteel'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; For then, I'll marry Warwick's youngest daughter; Clarence |