Page 1200 - Shakespeare - Vol. 1

Made prize and purchase of his wanton eye,
Seduc’d the pitch and height of his degree
To base declension and loath’d bigamy.
By her, in his unlawful bed, he got
This Edward, whom our manners call the Prince. [190]
More bitterly could I expostulate,
Save that for reverence to some alive
I give a sparing limit to my tongue.
Then, good my lord, take to your royal self
This proffer’d benefit of dignity: [195]
If not to bless us and the land withal,
Yet to draw forth your noble ancestry
From the corruption of abusing times
Unto a lineal, true-derived course.

MAY OR

Do, good my lord: your citizens entreat you. [200]

BUCKINGHAM

Refuse not, mighty lord, this proffer’d love.

CAT ESBY

O make them joyful; grant their lawful suit.

RICHARD

Alas, why would you heap this care on me?
I am unfit for state and majesty.
I do beseech you, take it not amiss; [205]
I cannot, nor I will not, yield to you.

BUCKINGHAM

If you refuse it, as in love and zeal
Loath to despose the child, your brother’s son -
As well we know your tenderness of heart,
And gentle, kind, effeminate remorse, [210]
Which we have noted in you to your kindred,
And equally indeed to all estates -
Yet know, whe’er you accept our suit or no,
Your brother’s son shall never reign our king,
But we will plant some other in the throne [215]