Get this No Fear to go!
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30 35 40 |
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.
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Since I can’t amuse myself by being a lover, I’ve decided to become a villain. I’ve set dangerous plans in motion, using lies, drunken prophecies, and stories about dreams to set my brother Clarence and the king against each other. If King Edward is as honest and fair-minded as I am deceitful and cruel, then Clarence is going to be locked away in prison today because of a prophecy that “G” will murder Edward’s children. Oh, time to hide what I’m thinking—here comes Clarence.
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Enter CLARENCE, guarded, and BRAKENBURY
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CLARENCE enters, surrounded by guards, with BRAKENBURY. |
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Brother, good day. What means this armèd guard
That waits upon your Grace?
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Good afternoon, brother. Why are you surrounded by these armed guards?
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45 |
CLARENCE
His majesty,
Tend'ring my person’s safety, hath appointed
This conduct to convey me to the Tower.
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CLARENCE
His majesty is so concerned about my personal safety that he has ordered them to conduct me to the Tower.
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RICHARD
Upon what cause?
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RICHARD
You’re being arrested? Why?
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CLARENCE
Because my name is George.
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CLARENCE
Because my name is George.
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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?
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RICHARD
That’s not your fault! He should imprison the person who named you, instead. Maybe the king is sending you to the Tower to have you renamed. But, really, what’s going on, Clarence? Can you tell me?
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