Page 1253 - Shakespeare - Vol. 1
P. 1253
For hateful deeds committed by myself.
I am a villain - yet I lie, I am not!
Fool, of thyself speak well! Fool, do not flatter.
My conscience hath a thousand several tongues,
And every tongue brings in a several tale, [195]
And every tale condemns me for a villain:
Perjury, perjury, in the highest degree;
Murder, stern murder, in the direst degree;
All several sins, all us’d in each degree,
Throng to the bar, crying all, ‘Guilty, guilty!’ [200]
I shall despair. There is no creature loves me,
And if I die, no soul will pity me -
And wherefore should they, since that I myself
Find in myself no pity to myself?
Methought the souls of all that I had murder’d [205]
Came to my tent, and every one did threat
Tomorrow’s vengeance on the head of Richard.
Enter Ratcliffe.
RAT CLIFFE
My lord!
KING RICHARD
Zounds! Who is there?
RAT CLIFFE
Ratcliffe, my lord; ’tis I. The early village cock [210]
Hath twice done salutation to the morn;
Your friends are up and buckle on their armour.
KING RICHARD
O Ratcliffe, I have dream’d a fearful dream!
What thinkest thou - will our friends prove all true?
RAT CLIFFE
No doubt, my lord.
KING RICHARD
O Ratcliffe, I fear, I fear! [215]
