Richard III by William Shakespeare
Act 4 - Scene 3
The same.
Sir James Tyrrel : The tyrannous and bloody deed is done.
[p]The most arch of piteous
massacre
[p]That ever yet this land was guilty of.
[p]Dighton and
Forrest, whom I did suborn
[p]To do this ruthless piece of
butchery,
[p]Although they were flesh'd villains, bloody
dogs,
[p]Melting with tenderness and kind compassion
[p]Wept like two
children in their deaths' sad stories.
[p]'Lo, thus' quoth Dighton,
'lay those tender babes:'
[p]'Thus, thus,' quoth Forrest, 'girdling
one another
[p]Within their innocent alabaster arms:
[p]Their lips
were four red roses on a stalk,
[p]Which in their summer beauty kiss'd
each other.
[p]A book of prayers on their pillow lay;
[p]Which once,'
quoth Forrest, 'almost changed my mind;
[p]But O! the devil'--there
the villain stopp'd
[p]Whilst Dighton thus told on: 'We
smothered
[p]The most replenished sweet work of nature,
[p]That from
the prime creation e'er she framed.'
[p]Thus both are gone with
conscience and remorse;
[p]They could not speak; and so I left them
both,
[p]To bring this tidings to the bloody king.
[p]And here he
comes.
[p][Enter KING RICHARD III]
[p]All hail, my sovereign liege!
Sir James Tyrrel : If to have done the thing you gave in charge
[p]Beget your happiness,
be happy then,
[p]For it is done, my lord.
Sir James Tyrrel : I did, my lord.
Sir James Tyrrel : The chaplain of the Tower hath buried them;
[p]But how or in what
place I do not know.
Sir William Catesby : My lord!
Sir William Catesby : Bad news, my lord: Ely is fled to Richmond;
[p]And Buckingham, back'd
with the hardy Welshmen,
[p]Is in the field, and still his power
increaseth.
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Next: Act 4 - Scene 4
