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Richard III Translation Act 1, Scene 1
Enter RICHARD, Duke of Gloucester, solus
RICHARD
Now is the winter of our discontent Made glorious summer by this son of York, And all the clouds that loured upon our house In the deep bosom of the ocean buried. Now are our brows bound with victorious wreaths, Our bruisèd arms hung up for monuments, Our stern alarums changed to merry meetings, Our dreadful marches to delightful measures. Grim-visaged war hath smoothed his wrinkled front; And now, instead of mounting barbèd steeds To fright the souls of fearful adversaries, He capers nimbly in a lady’s chamber To the lascivious pleasing of a lute. But I, that am not shaped for sportive tricks, Nor made to court an amorous looking glass; I, that am rudely stamped and want love’s majesty To strut before a wanton ambling nymph; I, that am curtailed of this fair proportion, Cheated of feature by dissembling nature, Deformed, unfinished, sent before my time Into this breathing world, scarce half made up, And that so lamely and unfashionable That dogs bark at me as I halt by them— Why, I, in this weak piping time of peace, Have no delight to pass away the time, Unless to see my shadow in the sun And descant on mine own deformity. And therefore, since I cannot prove a lover To entertain these fair well-spoken days, I am determinèd to prove a villain And hate the idle pleasures of these days. Plots have I laid, inductions dangerous, By drunken prophecies, libels and dreams, To set my brother Clarence and the king In deadly hate, the one against the other; And if King Edward be as true and just As I am subtle, false, and treacherous, This day should Clarence closely be mewed up About a prophecy which says that “G” Of Edward’s heirs the murderer shall be. Dive, thoughts, down to my soul. Here Clarence comes.
RICHARD
Now the winter of our troubles has been transformed into glorious summer by the ascension of my brother, King Edward IV, son of the house of York. All the clouds that had descended over our family have now been banished and returned to the sea. Now we wear wreaths of victory on our foreheads, and we've hung up our armor as decoration. We've exchanged the sound of our battle trumpets for the sound of joyful greetings, and our death marches have become stately dances. The grim, warlike expressions on our faces have smoothed. And instead of charging on armored horses to frighten our opponents, we now dance in ladies' chambers to seductive songs on the lute. But as for me, I am not made for such games of love, or to admire myself in a mirror. I was badly made, and I lack the good looks to strut in front of passing girls. Nature has cheated me out of handsome features and proper proportions. I was born deformed, unfinished, and born prematurely. I was barely half-created when I came into the world, and left so lame and misshapen that dogs bark at me as I limp past them. In such delicate times of peace, I have nothing to do. No joys help me pass the time, unless I want to see my own shadow in the sun and make speeches about my deformity. Therefore, since I cannot amuse myself by being a lover during these peaceful days, I am determined to become a villain. I have hatched plots and put dangerous plans into action, using prophecies made while drunk; slander; and stories about dreams in order to set my brother George, Duke of Clarence, against my other brother, the king, so that they hate each other. If King Edward is as true as I am clever, false, and treacherous, then this very day Clarence will be imprisoned because of a prophecy that "G" will murder Edward's children. But, you thoughts, hide yourselves deep down in my soul, for here comes Clarence.
Enter CLARENCE, guarded, and BRAKENBURY
Brother, good day. What means this armèd guardThat waits upon your Grace?
Good day, brother. Why do you have all these armed guards accompanying you, your Grace?
CLARENCE
His majesty,Tend'ring my person’s safety, hath appointed This conduct to convey me to the Tower.
CLARENCE
His Majesty was so concerned for my personal safety that he appointed this escort to conduct me to the Tower.
RICHARD
Upon what cause?
RICHARD
You're being arrested? For what reason?
CLARENCE
Because my name is George.
CLARENCE
Because my name is George.
RICHARD
Alack, my lord, that fault is none of yours. He should, for that, commit your godfathers. O, belike his majesty hath some intent That you shall be new christened in the Tower. But what’s the matter, Clarence? May I know?
RICHARD
Alas, my lord, that's no fault of yours. If that's the problem, then our brother, the king, should arrest those who named you instead. Or maybe his Majesty intends to baptize you and rename you in the Tower. But what's the reason for this, Clarence? Will you tell me?
CLARENCE
Yea, Richard, when I know, for I protest As yet I do not. But, as I can learn, He hearkens after prophecies and dreams, And from the crossrow plucks the letter "G", And says a wizard told him that by “G” His issue disinherited should be. And for my name of George begins with "G", It follows in his thought that I am he. These, as I learn, and such like toys as these Have moved his Highness to commit me now.
CLARENCE
Yes, Richard, I'll inform you when I know—but right now I have no idea. As far as I can tell, the king has been putting a lot of trust in prophecies and dreams lately. And he picked the letter "G" from the alphabet, and says that a wizard told him that "G" will steal the throne from his children. And my name, George, begins with "G," so he thinks that the prophecy refers to me. Because of this, along with other trivial reasons, his Highness feels compelled to arrest me.
RICHARD
Why, this it is when men are ruled by women. 'Tis not the king that sends you to the Tower. My Lady Grey his wife, Clarence, ’tis she That tempers him to this extremity. Was it not she and that good man of worship, Anthony Woodeville, her brother there, That made him send Lord Hastings to the Tower, From whence this present day he is delivered? We are not safe, Clarence. We are not safe.
RICHARD
Well, this is what happens when men are ruled by women. It isn't the king who's sending you to the Tower—it's his wife, Lady Elizabeth Grey. She's the one who persuaded him to take such an extreme action. Didn't she and her brother, Anthony Woodeville, make the king send Lord Hastings to the Tower? He was released only today. We are not safe, Clarence. We are not safe.
CLARENCE
By heaven, I think there is no man is secure But the queen’s kindred and night-walking heralds That trudge betwixt the king and Mistress Shore. Heard ye not what an humble suppliant Lord Hastings was to her for his delivery?
CLARENCE
By heaven, I think the only people who are safe are the queen's relatives, and the secret messengers who travel between the king and his mistress, Jane Shore. Didn't you hear how Lord Hastings had to beg Miss Shore in order to get released?
RICHARD
Humbly complaining to her deity Got my Lord Chamberlain his liberty. I’ll tell you what: I think it is our way, If we will keep in favor with the king, To be her men and wear her livery. The jealous o'erworn widow and herself, Since that our brother dubbed them gentlewomen, Are mighty gossips in this monarchy.
RICHARD
Yes, Lord Hastings gained his liberty by humbly bowing down to that goddess. I'll tell you what: if we want to stay in the king's favor, it would be best if we act like Miss Shore's servants too. Ever since our brother declared that Miss Shore and the queen are nobility, they've become great gossips in the court.
BRAKENBURY
I beseech your Graces both to pardon me. His majesty hath straitly given in charge That no man shall have private conference, Of what degree soever, with his brother.
BRAKENBURY
I beg your pardon, your Graces. His Majesty the king has strictly ordered that no one can speak privately with your brother Clarence, no matter their social rank.
RICHARD
Even so. An please your Worship, Brakenbury, You may partake of anything we say. We speak no treason, man. We say the king Is wise and virtuous, and his noble queen Well struck in years, fair, and not jealous. We say that Shore’s wife hath a pretty foot, A cherry lip, a bonny eye, a passing pleasing tongue, And that the queen’s kindred are made gentlefolks. How say you, sir? Can you deny all this?
RICHARD
Is that so? If it please your Worship, Brakenbury, you can listen to anything we say. We're not plotting any treason, man. We say that the king is wise and virtuous, and his noble queen is well advanced in years, beautiful, and not jealous. We say that Mister Shore's wife has pretty feet, cherry lips, lovely eyes, and a pleasant voice. We say that the queen's relatives have all become nobles. What do you say to that, sir? Can you deny any of this?
BRAKENBURY
With this, my lord, myself have naught to do.
BRAKENBURY
I have naught to do with this, my lord.
RICHARD
Naught to do with Mistress Shore? I tell thee, fellow,He that doth naught with her, excepting one, Were best he do it secretly, alone.
RICHARD
"Naught" to do with Miss Shore? I tell you, fellow, there's only one man who can do "naught" with her. And if anyone else is doing it, he'd best do it secretly.
BRAKENBURY
What one, my lord?
BRAKENBURY
Who is that, my lord?
RICHARD
Her husband, knave. Wouldst thou betray me?
RICHARD
Her husband, fool. Are you going to tell on me?
BRAKENBURY
I do beseech your Grace to pardon me, and withal Forbear your conference with the noble duke.
BRAKENBURY
I beg your Grace to forgive me, and now please stop talking to the Duke of Clarence.
CLARENCE
We know thy charge, Brakenbury, and will obey.
CLARENCE
We know your orders, Brakenbury. And we'll obey.
RICHARD
We are the queen’s abjects and must obey.— Brother, farewell. I will unto the king, And whatsoe'er you will employ me in, Were it to call King Edward’s widow “sister,” I will perform it to enfranchise you. Meantime, this deep disgrace in brotherhood Touches me deeper than you can imagine.
RICHARD
We are the queen's lowly subjects, and we must obey. Farewell, brother. I will go to the king and do whatever you need me to do to get you released, even if it means calling King Edward's wife "sister." And just so you know, our brother's disgraceful conduct towards you upsets me more than you can imagine.
CLARENCE
I know it pleaseth neither of us well.
CLARENCE
I know it doesn't make either of us very happy.
RICHARD
Well, your imprisonment shall not be long.I will deliver you or else lie for you.Meantime, have patience.
RICHARD
Well, your imprisonment won't be for long. I'll free you, or else go to prison in your place. In the meantime, have patience.
CLARENCE
I must perforce. Farewell.
CLARENCE
I have no choice in the matter. Farewell.
Exeunt CLARENCE, BRAKENBURY, and guard
RICHARD
Go tread the path that thou shalt ne'er return. Simple, plain Clarence, I do love thee so That I will shortly send thy soul to heaven, If heaven will take the present at our hands. But who comes here? The new-delivered Hastings?
RICHARD
Go, walk down the path from which you'll never return. Stupid, plain Clarence, I love you so much that I'll soon send your soul to heaven—if heaven will accept any presents from me. But who's this coming? The newly released Hastings?
Enter HASTINGS
HASTINGS
Good time of day unto my gracious lord.
HASTINGS
Good day to you, my gracious lord.
RICHARD
As much unto my good Lord Chamberlain. Well are you welcome to the open air.How hath your lordship brooked imprisonment?
RICHARD
And the same to you, my good Lord Chamberlain. Welcome back to the open air. How have you tolerated imprisonment?
HASTINGS
With patience, noble lord, as prisoners must.But I shall live, my lord, to give them thanksThat were the cause of my imprisonment.
HASTINGS
With patience, as all prisoners must, noble lord. But I will live to thank those who imprisoned me, my lord, by taking revenge.
RICHARD
No doubt, no doubt; and so shall Clarence too,For they that were your enemies are hisAnd have prevailed as much on him as you.
RICHARD
No doubt, no doubt. And so will Clarence, for the people who were your enemies are now his enemies, and they've overcome him just like they overcame you.
HASTINGS
More pity that the eagle should be mewedWhile kites and buzzards prey at liberty.
HASTINGS
It's a pity that the eagles should be caged while the buzzards are free to hunt.
RICHARD
What news abroad?
RICHARD
What's the news from outside the country?
HASTINGS
No news so bad abroad as this at home:The king is sickly, weak and melancholy,And his physicians fear him mightily.
HASTINGS
There's no foreign news as bad as the news at home: the king is sickly, weak, and depressed, and his physicians fear for his life.
RICHARD
Now, by Saint Paul, that news is bad indeed. O, he hath kept an evil diet long, And overmuch consumed his royal person. 'Tis very grievous to be thought upon. Where is he, in his bed?
RICHARD
By Saint Paul, that is bad news indeed. Oh, the king has kept many bad habits all his life, and now they've consumed his health. It's very sad to think about. Where is he, in his bed?
HASTINGS
He is.
HASTINGS
He is.
RICHARD
Go you before, and I will follow you.
RICHARD
Then you go ahead, and I will follow you.
Exit HASTINGS
He cannot live, I hope, and must not die Till George be packed with post-horse up to heaven. I’ll in to urge his hatred more to Clarence With lies well steeled with weighty arguments, And, if I fail not in my deep intent, Clarence hath not another day to live; Which done, God take King Edward to His mercy, And leave the world for me to bustle in. For then I’ll marry Warwick’s youngest daughter. What though I killed her husband and her father? The readiest way to make the wench amends Is to become her husband and her father; The which will I, not all so much for love As for another secret close intent By marrying her which I must reach unto. But yet I run before my horse to market. Clarence still breathes; Edward still lives and reigns. When they are gone, then must I count my gains.
I hope the king won't survive. But he mustn't die until Clarence is sent off to heaven by the quickest route. I'll go in and incite the king to more hatred against Clarence, using lies backed up by sound reasoning. And if I don't fail in my plan, then Clarence won't live even one more day. Once that's done, God can take King Edward to heaven as soon as he wants, and leave the world for me to run around in. For then I'll marry Warwick's youngest daughter, Lady Anne Neville. What does it matter that I killed her husband and her father? The best way to make it up to the girl is to become her new husband and father. I'll do that then, not out of love for her, but because it's part of my secret plan. But I'm getting ahead of myself. Clarence is still breathing. Edward still lives and reigns as king. I can only count my gains when they're dead.
Exit
