Page 1104 - Shakespeare - Vol. 1

I am determined to prove a villain, [30]
And hate the idle pleasures of these days.
Plots have I laid, inductions dangerous,
By drunken prophecies, libels, and dreams,
To set my brother Clarence and the King
In deadly hate, the one against the other: [35]
And if King Edward be as true and just
As I am subtle, false, and treacherous,
This day should Clarence closely be mew’d up
About a prophecy, which says that ‘G’
Of Edward’s heirs the murderer shall be - [40]
Dive, thoughts, down to my soul: here Clarence comes.

Enter Clarence and Brakenbury, with a guard of Men.

Brother, good day; what means this armed guard
That waits upon your Grace?

CLARENCE

His Majesty,
Tend’ring my person’s safety, hath appointed
This conduct to convey me to the Tower. [45]

RICHARD

Upon what cause?

CLARENCE

Because my name is George.

RICHARD

Alack, my lord, that fault in none of yours:
He should for that commit your godfathers.
O, belike his Majesty hath some intent
That you should be new-christen’d in the Tower. [50]
But what’s the matter, Clarence, may I know?

CLARENCE

Yea, Richard, when I know: for I protest
As yet I do not. But, as I can learn,
He hearkens after prophecies and dreams,