Richard III
Text Circles Dramatis Personae Synopsis All Definitions

Share
All
text
First folio
Modern text
Definitions
Key line
Enter Buckingham Darby, Hastings, Bishop of Ely,Enter Buckingham, Derby, Hastings, Bishop of Ely, R3 III.iv.1.1
Norfolke, Ratcliffe, Louell, with others, at a Table.Norfolk, Ratcliffe, Lovel, with others, at a table R3 III.iv.1.2
Hast. HASTINGS 
Now Noble Peeres, the cause why we are met,Now, noble peers, the cause why we are met R3 III.iv.1
Is to determine of the Coronation:Is to determine of the coronation.determine (v.)
make a decision [about], reach a conclusion [about]		R3 III.iv.2
In Gods Name speake, when is the Royall day?In God's name, speak. When is the royal day? R3 III.iv.3
Buck. BUCKINGHAM 
Is all things ready for the Royall time?Is all things ready for the royal time? R3 III.iv.4
Darb. DERBY 
It is, and wants but nomination.It is, and wants but nomination.nomination (n.)
appointing, specifying, designation		R3 III.iv.5
want (v.)
require, demand, need
Ely. BISHOP OF ELY 
To morrow then I iudge a happie day.Tomorrow then I judge a happy day.happy (adj.)

old form: happie
opportune, appropriate, propitious, favourable		R3 III.iv.6
Buck.BUCKINGHAM 
Who knowes the Lord Protectors mind herein?Who knows the Lord Protector's mind herein? R3 III.iv.7
Who is most inward with the Noble Duke?Who is most inward with the noble Duke?inward (adj.)
intimate, closely associated		R3 III.iv.8
Ely.BISHOP OF ELY 
Your Grace, we thinke, should soonest know his minde.Your grace, we think, should soonest know his mind. R3 III.iv.9
Buck.BUCKINGHAM 
We know each others Faces: for our Hearts,We know each other's faces; for our hearts, R3 III.iv.10
He knowes no more of mine, then I of yours,He knows no more of mine than I of yours; R3 III.iv.11
Or I of his, my Lord, then you of mine:Or I of his, my lord, than you of mine. R3 III.iv.12
Lord Hastings, you and he are neere in loue.Lord Hastings, you and he are near in love. R3 III.iv.13
Hast.HASTINGS 
I thanke his Grace, I know he loues me well:I thank his grace, I know he loves me well; R3 III.iv.14
But for his purpose in the Coronation,But, for his purpose in the coronation,purpose (n.)
intention, aim, plan		R3 III.iv.15
I haue not sounded him, nor he deliuer'dI have not sounded him, nor he delivered R3 III.iv.16
His gracious pleasure any way therein:His gracious pleasure any way therein; R3 III.iv.17
But you, my Honorable Lords, may name the time,But you, my honourable lords, may name the time, R3 III.iv.18
And in the Dukes behalfe Ile giue my Voice,And in the Duke's behalf I'll give my voice,voice (n.)
vote, official support		R3 III.iv.19
behalf (n.), especially: in behalf (of)

old form: behalfe
name, right, title
Which I presume hee'le take in gentle part.Which, I presume, he'll take in gentle part.gentle (adj.)
courteous, friendly, kind		R3 III.iv.20
gentle (adj.)
courteous, friendly, kind
Enter Gloucester.Enter Richard, Duke of Gloucester R3 III.iv.21
Ely.BISHOP OF ELY 
In happie time, here comes the Duke himselfe.In happy time, here comes the Duke himself. R3 III.iv.21
Rich.RICHARD 
My Noble Lords, and Cousins all, good morrow:My noble lords and cousins all, good morrow.morrow (n.)
morning		R3 III.iv.22
I haue beene long a sleeper: but I trust,I have been long a sleeper; but I trust R3 III.iv.23
My absence doth neglect no great designe,My absence doth neglect no great designneglect (v.)
cause to be neglected		R3 III.iv.24
design (n.)

old form: designe
undertaking, purpose, enterprise
Which by my presence might haue beene concluded.Which by my presence might have been concluded. R3 III.iv.25
Buck.BUCKINGHAM 
Had you not come vpon your Q my Lord,Had you not come upon your cue, my lord, R3 III.iv.26
William, Lord Hastings, had pronounc'd your part;William Lord Hastings had pronounced your part –  R3 III.iv.27
I meane your Voice, for Crowning of the King.I mean, your voice for crowning of the King. R3 III.iv.28
Rich.RICHARD 
Then my Lord Hastings, no man might be bolder,Than my Lord Hastings no man might be bolder. R3 III.iv.29
His Lordship knowes me well, and loues me well.His lordship knows me well, and loves me well. R3 III.iv.30
My Lord of Ely, when I was last in Holborne,My Lord of Ely, when I was last in Holborn R3 III.iv.31
I saw good Strawberries in your Garden there,I saw good strawberries in your garden there. R3 III.iv.32
I doe beseech you, send for some of them.I do beseech you send for some of them. R3 III.iv.33
Ely. BISHOP OF ELY 
Mary and will, my Lord, with all my heart.Marry and will, my lord, with all my heart.marry (int.)
[exclamation] by Mary		R3 III.iv.34
Exit Bishop.Exit Bishop R3 III.iv.34
Rich. RICHARD 
Cousin of Buckingham, a word with you.Cousin of Buckingham, a word with you. R3 III.iv.35
Takes him aside R3 III.iv.36
Catesby hath sounded Hastings in our businesse,Catesby hath sounded Hastings in our business R3 III.iv.36
And findes the testie Gentleman so hot,And finds the testy gentleman so hothot (adj.)
hot-tempered, angry, passionate		R3 III.iv.37
That he will lose his Head, ere giue consentThat he will lose his head ere give consent R3 III.iv.38
His Masters Child, as worshipfully he tearmes it,His master's child, as worshipfully he terms it,worshipfully (adv.)
respectfully, with due honour, with proper regard		R3 III.iv.39
Shall lose the Royaltie of Englands Throne.Shall lose the royalty of England's throne. R3 III.iv.40
Buck.BUCKINGHAM 
Withdraw your selfe a while, Ile goe with you.Withdraw yourself awhile. I'll go with you. R3 III.iv.41
Exeunt.Exeunt Richard and Buckingham R3 III.iv.41
Darb.DERBY 
We haue not yet set downe this day of Triumph:We have not yet set down this day of triumph.triumph (n.)
public festivity, pageant, display of celebration, tournament		R3 III.iv.42
set down (v.)

old form: downe
resolve, decide, determine
To morrow, in my iudgement, is too sudden,Tomorrow, in my judgement, is too sudden;sudden (adj.)
immediate, early, prompt		R3 III.iv.43
judgement (n.)

old form: iudgement
opinion, estimation, assessment
For I my selfe am not so well prouided,For I myself am not so well providedprovided (adj.)

old form: prouided
prepared, ready, provided with necessities		R3 III.iv.44
As else I would be, were the day prolong'd.As else I would be, were the day prolonged.prolong (v.)

old form: prolong'd
postpone, put off, delay		R3 III.iv.45
Enter the Bishop of Ely.Enter the Bishop of Ely R3 III.iv.46
Ely.BISHOP OF ELY 
Where is my Lord, the Duke of Gloster?Where is my lord the Duke of Gloucester? R3 III.iv.46
I haue sent for these Strawberries.I have sent for these strawberries. R3 III.iv.47
Ha.HASTINGS 
His Grace looks chearfully & smooth this morning,His grace looks cheerfully and smooth this morning; R3 III.iv.48
There's some conceit or other likes him well,There's some conceit or other likes him welllike (v.)
please, suit		R3 III.iv.49
conceit (n.)
notion, idea, thought
When that he bids good morrow with such spirit.When that he bids good morrow with such spirit.morrow (n.)
morning		R3 III.iv.50
I thinke there's neuer a man in ChristendomeI think there's never a man in Christendom R3 III.iv.51
Can lesser hide his loue, or hate, then hee,Can lesser hide his love or hate than he, R3 III.iv.52
For by his Face straight shall you know his Heart.For by his face straight shall you know his heart.straight (adv.)
straightaway, immediately, at once		R3 III.iv.53
Darb.DERBY 
What of his Heart perceiue you in his Face,What of his heart perceive you in his face R3 III.iv.54
By any liuelyhood he shew'd to day?By any livelihood he showed today?livelihood (n.)

old form: liuelyhood
liveliness, animation, vivacity		R3 III.iv.55
Hast.HASTINGS 
Mary, that with no man here he is offended:Marry, that with no man here he is offended; R3 III.iv.56
For were he, he had shewne it in his Lookes.For were he, he had shown it in his looks. R3 III.iv.57
DERBY 
I pray God he be not, I say. R3 III.iv.58
Enter Richard, and Buckingham.Enter Richard and Buckingham R3 III.iv.59
Rich.RICHARD 
I pray you all, tell me what they deserue,I pray you all, tell me what they deserve R3 III.iv.59
That doe conspire my death with diuellish PlotsThat do conspire my death with devilish plots R3 III.iv.60
Of damned Witchcraft, and that haue preuail'dOf damned witchcraft, and that have prevailed R3 III.iv.61
Vpon my Body with their Hellish Charmes.Upon my body with their hellish charms? R3 III.iv.62
Hast.HASTINGS 
The tender loue I beare your Grace, my Lord,The tender love I bear your grace, my lord, R3 III.iv.63
Makes me most forward, in this Princely presence,Makes me most forward in this princely presencepresence (n.)
royal assembly, eminent company		R3 III.iv.64
To doome th' Offendors, whosoe're they be:To doom th' offenders: whatsoever they be,doom (v.)

old form: doome
condemn, pronounce judgement against		R3 III.iv.65
I say, my Lord, they haue deserued death.I say, my lord, they have deserved death. R3 III.iv.66
Rich.RICHARD 
Then be your eyes the witnesse of their euill.Then be your eyes the witness of their evil. R3 III.iv.67
Looke how I am bewitch'd: behold, mine ArmeSee how I am bewitched: behold, mine arm R3 III.iv.68
Is like a blasted Sapling, wither'd vp:Is like a blasted sapling, withered up;blasted (adj.)
blighted, withered; accursed, malevolent		R3 III.iv.69
And this is Edwards Wife, that monstrous Witch,And this is Edward's wife, that monstrous witch, R3 III.iv.70
Consorted with that Harlot, Strumpet Shore,Consorted with that harlot, strumpet Shore,strumpet (n.)
harlot, prostitute, whore		R3 III.iv.71
That by their Witchcraft thus haue marked me.That by their witchcraft thus have marked me. R3 III.iv.72
Hast.HASTINGS 
If they haue done this deed, my Noble Lord.If they have done this deed, my noble lord –  R3 III.iv.73
Rich.RICHARD 
If? thou Protector of this damned Strumpet,If? Thou protector of this damned strumpet, R3 III.iv.74
Talk'st thou to me of Ifs: thou art a Traytor,Talk'st thou to me of ifs? Thou art a traitor. R3 III.iv.75
Off with his Head; now by Saint Paul I sweare,Off with his head! Now by Saint Paul I swear R3 III.iv.76
I will not dine, vntill I see the same.I will not dine until I see the same! R3 III.iv.77
Louell and Ratcliffe, looke that it be done: Lovel and Ratcliffe, look that it be done. R3 III.iv.78
The rest that loue me, rise, and follow me.The rest that love me, rise and follow me. R3 III.iv.79
Exeunt.Exeunt R3 III.iv.79
Manet Louell and Ratcliffe, with the Lord Hastings.Lovel and Ratcliffe remain, with Lord Hastings R3 III.iv.80
Hast.HASTINGS 
Woe, woe for England, not a whit for me,Woe, woe for England, not a whit for me! R3 III.iv.80
For I, too fond, might haue preuented this:For I, too fond, might have prevented this.prevent (v.)

old form: preuented
forestall, anticipate		R3 III.iv.81
fond (adj.)
foolish, stupid, mad
Stanley did dreame, the Bore did rowse our Helmes,Stanley did dream the boar did raze our helms,raze, raze off (v.)
take off, pluck off		R3 III.iv.82
helm (n.)

old form: Helmes
helmet
And I did scorne it, and disdaine to flye:And did scorn it and disdain to fly. R3 III.iv.83
Three times to day my Foot-Cloth-Horse did stumble,Three times today my foot-cloth horse did stumble,footcloth, foot-cloth (adj.)
equipped with long trappings		R3 III.iv.84
And started, when he look'd vpon the Tower,And started when he looked upon the Tower,start (v.)
jump away, swerve, turn aside		R3 III.iv.85
As loth to beare me to the slaughter-house.As loath to bear me to the slaughter-house. R3 III.iv.86
O now I need the Priest, that spake to me:O, now I need the priest that spake to me! R3 III.iv.87
I now repent I told the Pursuiuant,I now repent I told the pursuivant,pursuivant (n.)

old form: Pursuiuant
royal messenger, state messenger [with power to execute warrants]		R3 III.iv.88
As too triumphing, how mine EnemiesAs too triumphing, how mine enemies R3 III.iv.89
To day at Pomfret bloodily were butcher'd,Today at Pomfret bloodily were butchered,Pomfret (n.)
Pontefract, West Yorkshire; site of a castle in which Richard II was imprisoned; later, a Lancastrian stronghold		R3 III.iv.90
And I my selfe secure, in grace and fauour.And I myself secure, in grace and favour. R3 III.iv.91
Oh Margaret, Margaret, now thy heauie CurseO Margaret, Margaret, now thy heavy curseheavy (adj.)

old form: heauie
grave, serious, weighty		R3 III.iv.92
Is lighted on poore Hastings wretched Head.Is lighted on poor Hastings' wretched head! R3 III.iv.93
Ra.RATCLIFFE 
Come, come, dispatch, the Duke would be at dinner:Come, come, dispatch! The Duke would be at dinner.dispatch, despatch (v.)
hurry up, be quick		R3 III.iv.94
Make a short Shrift, he longs to see your Head.Make a short shrift; he longs to see your head. R3 III.iv.95
Hast.HASTINGS 
O momentarie grace of mortall men,O momentary grace of mortal men,grace (n.)
success, favourable outcome, fortune		R3 III.iv.96
Which we more hunt for, then the grace of God!Which we more hunt for than the grace of God! R3 III.iv.97
Who builds his hope in ayre of your good Lookes,Who builds his hope in air of your good looks R3 III.iv.98
Liues like a drunken Sayler on a Mast,Lives like a drunken sailor on a mast, R3 III.iv.99
Readie with euery Nod to tumble downe,Ready with every nod to tumble down R3 III.iv.100
Into the fatall Bowels of the Deepe.Into the fatal bowels of the deep. R3 III.iv.101
Lou.LOVEL 
Come, come, dispatch, 'tis bootlesse to exclaime.Come, come, dispatch! 'Tis bootless to exclaim.exclaim (v.)

old form: exclaime
complain, protest, make an outcry		R3 III.iv.102
bootless (adj.)

old form: bootlesse
useless, worthless, fruitless, unavailing
Hast.HASTINGS 
O bloody Richard: miserable England,O bloody Richard! Miserable England! R3 III.iv.103
I prophecie the fearefull'st time to thee,I prophesy the fearfull'st time to thee R3 III.iv.104
That euer wretched Age hath look'd vpon.That ever wretched age hath looked upon. R3 III.iv.105
Come, lead me to the Block, beare him my Head,Come, lead me to the block; bear him my head. R3 III.iv.106
They smile at me, who shortly shall be dead.They smile at me who shortly shall be dead. R3 III.iv.107
Exeunt.Exeunt R3 III.iv.107
 Previous Act III, Scene IV Next  
x

Jump directly to