My noble lords and relatives, good morning. I slept in. But I hope I didn't delay any important decisions.
BUCKINGHAM
Had you not come upon your cue, my lord,
William Lord Hastings had pronounced your part—
I mean your voice for crowning of the king.
BUCKINGHAM
If you hadn't shown up on cue, my lord, Lord Hastings was going to take your part—I mean, he was going to speak for you—in the crowning of the king.
RICHARD
Than my Lord Hastings no man might be bolder.
30
His Lordship knows me well, and loves me well.—
My lord of Ely, when I was last in Holborn
I saw good strawberries in your garden there;
I do beseech you, send for some of them.
RICHARD
No one may be bolder than my Lord Hastings. He knows me well and loves me well.—Ely, when I was last at your palace, I saw some great strawberries in your garden. I beg you, send someone to bring some of them.
ELY
Marry and will, my lord, with all my heart.
ELY
Yes, my lord. With pleasure.
Exit
He Exits.
RICHARD
35
Cousin of Buckingham, a word with you.
They move aside
Catesby hath sounded Hastings in our business
And finds the testy gentleman so hot
As he will lose his head ere give consent
40
His master's child, as worshipfully he terms it,
Shall lose the royalty of England's throne.
RICHARD
Buckingham, I need to have a word with you. (drawing him aside) Catesby has sounded Hastings out and found the prickly gentleman so opposed to our plan that he actually said he would die before he'd agree to have his “master's son,” as he put it so devotedly, lose the crown.
