Page 1216 - Shakespeare - Vol. 1
P. 1216
To her go I, a jolly thriving wooer. Exeunt.
Enter Ratcliffe.
RAT CLIFFE
My lord!
KING RICHARD
Good or bad news, that thou com’st in so bluntly? [45]
RAT CLIFFE
Bad news, my lord. Morton is fled to Richmond,
And Buckingham, back’d with the hardy Welshmen,
Is in the field, and still his power increaseth.
KING RICHARD
Ely with Richmond troubles me more near
Than Buckingham and his rash-levied strength. [50]
Come: I have learn’d that fearful commenting
Is leaden servitor to dull delay;
Delay leads impotent and snail-pac’d beggary:
Then fiery expedition be my wing,
Jove’s Mercury, and herald for a king. [55]
Go muster men. My counsel is my shield.
We must be brief, when traitors brave the field.
Scene IV IT
Enter old Queen Margaret.
MARGARET
So now prosperity begins to mellow,
And drop into the rotten mouth of death.
Here in these confines slily have I lurk’d
To watch the waning of mine enemies.
A dire induction am I witness to, [5]
And will to France, hoping the consequence
Will prove as bitter, black, and tragical.
