Page 1197 - Shakespeare - Vol. 1

Sorry I am my noble cousin should Exit Catesby.
Suspect me that I mean no good to him.
By heaven, we come to him in perfect love:
And so once more return and tell his Grace. [90]

When holy and devout religious men
Are at their beads, ’tis much to draw them thence,
So sweet is zealous contemplation.

Enter Richard aloft, between two Bishops [with Catesby].

MAY OR

See where his Grace stands, ’tween two clergymen!

BUCKINGHAM

Two props of virtue for a Christian Prince [95]
To stay him from the fall of vanity;
And see, a book of prayer in his hand -
True ornaments to know a holy man.
Famous Plantagenet, most gracious Prince,
Lend favourable ear to our requests, [100]
And pardon us the interruption
Of thy devotion and right Christian zeal.

RICHARD

My lord, there needs no such apology;
I do beseech your Grace to pardon me,
Who - earnest in the service of my God - [105]
Deferr’d the visitation of my friends.
But leaving this, what is your Grace’s pleasure?

BUCKINGHAM

Even that, I hope, which pleaseth God above,
And all good men of this ungovern’d isle.

RICHARD

I do suspect I have done some offence [110]
That seems disgracious in the City’s eye.
And that you come to reprehend my ignorance.