Page 852 - Shakespeare - Vol. 1

GLOUCEST ER

Ay, Edward will use women honourably -
Would he were wasted, marrow, bones, and all, [125]
That from his loins no hopeful branch may spring
To cross me from the golden time I look for!
And yet, between my soul’s desire and me -
The lustful Edward’s title burièd -
Is Clarence, Henry, and his son, young Edward, [130]
And all the unlooked-for issue of their bodies
To take their rooms ere I can place myself -
A cold premeditation for my purpose!
Why then, I do but dream on sovereignty,
Like one that stands upon a promontory [135]
And spies a far-off shore where he would tread,
Wishing his foot were equal with his eye,
And chides the sea that sunders him from thence,
Saying he’ll lade it dry to have his way:
So do I wish the crown, being so far off, [140]
And so I chide the means that keeps me from it,
And so, I say, I’ll cut the causes off,
Flattering me with impossibilities.
My eye’s too quick, my heart o’erweens too much,
Unless my hand and strength could equal them. [145]
Well say there is no kingdom then for Richard:
What other pleasure can the world afford?
I’ll make my heaven in a lady’s lap
And deck my body in gay ornaments
And witch sweet ladies with my words and looks. [150]
O miserable thought! And more unlikely
Than to accomplish twenty golden crowns!
Why, Love forswore me in my mother’s womb
And, for I should not deal in her soft laws,
She did corrupt frail Nature with some bribe [155]
To shrink mine arm up like a withered shrub;
To make an envious mountain on my back
Where sits Deformity to mock my body;
To shape my legs of an unequal size;
To disproportion me in every part, [160]
Like to a chaos or an unlicked bear-whelp
That carries no impression like the dam.
And am I then a man to be beloved?