LIFE AND DEATH OF KING RICHARD III. LITERARY AND HISTORICAL NOTICE. IN this very popular tragedy, there is another specimen of historical jumble, and poetical license. The secund scene commences with the funeral of Henry VI. who is said to have been murdered in May, 1471, whilst the imprisonment of Clarence, which did not take place till 1478, is represented in the first. Thus the real length of time comprised in this drama, (dating from the former event) is fourteen years; as it concludes with the death of Richard, at Bosworth Field, in August, 1485. With respect to Richard's character, though greetly blackened by Lancasterian historians, he was certainly one of the most odious tyrants that ever obtained possession of a throne. Yet it appears from some accounts still preserved in the Exchequer, that King Henry lived twenty-two days after the time assigned for his pretended assassination; that his body lay in state at St. Paul's, and that it was afterwards interred at Chertsey, with much solemnity. Shakspeare has made the usurper deformed in figure, as well as in mind; though popular detestation had probably aggravated the traditionary story of his bodily defects. In this drama, the events appear admirably connected with, and consequential to, each other: the characters and incidents are natural; the sentiment and language free from bombast. But Malone and Dr. Johnson consider it as popular beyond its merits; with "some parts trifling, others shocking, and some improbable:" whilst Stevens maintains, that above all others the tragedy of Richard must command approbation, as it is indefinitely variegated, and comprehends every species of character" the hero, the lover, the statesman, the buffoon, the hypocrite, and the hardened or repentant sinner." Its present success in representation, is, however, chiefly attributable to the admirable alterations of Colly Cibber, which evince a very extensive and settled knowledge of stage effect, and by which reformations the more valuable parts of the piece, could alone have attained their present effect and consequence. Shakepeare probably formed the play in 1591; though he is not supposed to have been indebted to any of the nume‐ rous existing compositions on the same subject. KING EDWARD THE FOURTH. DRAMATIS PERSONE. SIR THOMAS VAUGHAN.-SIR RICHARD RAT- EDWARD, Prince of Wales, after-Sons to the SIR WILLIAM CATESBY.-SIR JAMES TYREL wards King Edward V. RICHARD, Duke of York. GEORGE, Duke of Clarence, RICHARD, Duke of Gloster, af terwards King Richard III. King. Brothers to A young Son of Clarence. CARDINAL BOUCHIER, Archbishop of Canter- THOMAS ROTHERAM, Archbishop of York. DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM. DUKE OF NORFOLK: EARL OF SURREY, his EARL RIVERS, Brother to King Edward's MARQUIS OF DORSET, and LORD GREY, her EARL OF OXFORD.-LORD HASTINGS.-LORD SIR JAMES BLOUNT.-SIR WALTER HERBERT. CHRISTOPHER URSWICK, a Priest.-Another Priest. LORD MAYOR OF LONDON. SHERIFF OP ELIZABETH, Queen of King Edward IV. Lords and other Attendants; two Gentlemen, Our dreadful marches to delightful measures.⚫ And now,-instead of mounting barbed + steeds, To strut before a wanton ambling nymph; comes. Enter CLARENCE, guarded, and BRAKEN BURY. Brother, good day: What means this armed guard, That waits upon your grace? Clar. His majesty, Tendering my person's safety, hath appointed Clar. Because my name is-George. Glo. Alack, my lord, that fault is none of your's; That trudge betwixt the king and mistress Heard you not, what an humble suppliant Are mighty gossips in this monarchy. Brak. I beseech your graces both to pardon me; His majesty hath straitly given in charge, Glo. Even so? an please your worship, Bra You may partake of any thing we say : A bonny eye, a passing pleasing tongue; to do. Brother, farewell: I will unto the king; He should, for that, commit your godfathers As yet I do not: but, as I can learn, 'Tis not the king, that sends you to the Tower; Was it not she, and that good man of wor- Anthony Woodeville, her brother there, That made him send lord Hastings to the From whence this present day he is deliver'd? will deliver you, or else lie for you: Mean time, have patience. Clar. I must perforce; farewell. [Exeunt CLARENCE, BRAKENBURY, and Guard. Glo. Go, tread the path that thou shalt ne'er Simple, plain Clarence!-I do love thee so, Enter HASTINGS. Hast. Good time of day unto my gracious lord! Glo. As much anto my good lord chamber- Well are you welcome to this open air. must: But I shall live, my lord, to give them thanks, Glo. No doubt, no doubt; and so shall Cla rence too; For they, that were your enemies, are his, The Queen and Shore. Hast. More pity that the eagle should be | Taken from Paul's to be interred there; mew'd While kites and buzzards prey at liberty. Glo. What news abroad? Hast. No news so bad abroad, as this at home ; The king is sickly, weak, and melancholy, Glo. Now, by Saint Paul, this news is bad indeed. Oh! he hath kept an evil diet long, Hast. He is. 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 posthorse up to heaven. I'll in, to urge his hatred more to Clarence, And leave the world for me to bustle in! What! though I kill'd her husband and her fa ther, The readiest way to make the wench amends, and 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 in an open coffin, Gentlemen bearing halberts to guard it; and Lady ANNE as More direful bap betide that hated wretch, Come, now, toward Chertsey with your and holy And, still as you are weary of the weight, [The_bearers set down the cofin, Anne. What, do you tremble? are you all afraid? Alas, I blame you not for you are mortal, Glo. Sweet saint, for charity be not so earst. Anne. Foul devil, for God's sake, hence, and trouble us not; For thou hast made the happy earth thy hell, Fill'd it with cursing cries, and deep exclaims. bleed If thou delight to view thy heinous deeds, Thy deed, inhuman and unnatural, O God, which this blood madest, revenge his death! O earth, which this blood drink'st, revenge his death! Either, heaven, with lightning strike the mar derer dead, Or, earth, gape open wide, and eat him quick; As thou dost swallow up this good king's blood, Which his hell-govern'd arm bath butchered! renders good for bad, blessings for curses. Anne. Villain, thou know'st no law of God nor man: No beast so fierce, but knows some touch of pity. Glo. But I know none, and therefore am no |