No Fear Shakespeare
Richard III
Get this No Fear to go!
Act 4, Scene 2, Page 2
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RICHARD
O bitter consequence
That Edward still should live “true noble prince”!
Cousin, thou wast not wont to be so dull.
Shall I be plain? I wish the bastards dead,
And I would have it suddenly performed.
What sayest thou now? Speak suddenly. Be brief.
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RICHARD
Oh, how bitter it is that Edward—the real “true, noble prince”—should still be alive! Cousin, you didn’t used to be so thickheaded. Shall I put it plainly? I want the bastards dead. And I want it done right away. What do you say? Speak now and to the point.
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BUCKINGHAM
Your Grace may do your pleasure.
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BUCKINGHAM
Your Grace can do whatever he wants.
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RICHARD
Tut, tut, thou art all ice; thy kindness freezes.
Say, have I thy consent that they shall die?
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RICHARD
Tut, tut, you’ve become rather icy. Your friendliness toward me seems to be freezing over. Tell me, do I have your consent to kill them?
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BUCKINGHAM
Give me some little breath, some pause, dear lord,
Before I positively speak in this.
I will resolve you herein presently.
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BUCKINGHAM
Give me a little breathing space, my lord, a little pause to think. I’ll let you know my answer shortly.
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Exit |
He exits. |
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CATESBY
(aside to the other attendants)
The king is angry. See, he gnaws his lip.
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CATESBY
(so only the attendant nearest him can hear) The king is angry. See, he bites his lip.
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RICHARD
(aside) I will converse with iron-witted fools
And unrespective boys. None are for me
That look into me with considerate eyes.
High-reaching Buckingham grows circumspect.—
Boy!
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RICHARD
(to himself) I only want to deal with stupid fools and careless boys. I have no use for people who look at me insightfully. Ambitious Buckingham grows much too circumspect. Boy!
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PAGE
(coming forward) My lord?
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PAGE
My lord?
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RICHARD
Know’st thou not any whom corrupting gold
Will tempt unto a close exploit of death?
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RICHARD
Do you know anyone who would kill someone for money?
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