Richard III

Share
First folio
Modern text

Definitions

Key line

Enter Richard, and Buckingham,Enter Richard, Duke of Gloucester, and Buckingham, R3 III.v.1.1
in rotten Armour, maruellous ill-fauoured.in rotten armour, marvellous ill-favouredmarvellous (adv.)
very, extremely, exceedingly
R3 III.v.1.2
ill-favoured (adj.)
ugly, unattractive, unsightly
rotten (adj.)
rusted, tarnished
Richard.RICHARD 
Come Cousin, / Canst thou quake, and change thy colour,Come, cousin, canst thou quake and change thy colour, R3 III.v.1
Murther thy breath in middle of a word,Murder thy breath in middle of a word, R3 III.v.2
And then againe begin, and stop againe,And then again begin, and stop again, R3 III.v.3
As if thou were distraught, and mad with terror?As if thou wert distraught and mad with terror? R3 III.v.4
Buck.BUCKINGHAM 
Tut, I can counterfeit the deepe Tragedian,Tut, I can counterfeit the deep tragedian,counterfeit (v.)
copy, imitate, simulate
R3 III.v.5
Speake, and looke backe, and prie on euery side,Speak and look back, and pry on every side, R3 III.v.6
Tremble and start at wagging of a Straw:Tremble and start at wagging of a straw;start (v.)
jump, recoil, flinch
R3 III.v.7
Intending deepe suspition, gastly LookesIntending deep suspicion, ghastly looksintend (v.)
pretend, convey, purport, profess
R3 III.v.8
Are at my seruice, like enforced Smiles;Are at my service, like enforced smiles;enforced (adj.)
forced, constrained, affected
R3 III.v.9
And both are readie in their Offices,And both are ready in their offices,office (n.)
task, service, duty, responsibility
R3 III.v.10
At any time to grace my Stratagemes.At any time to grace my stratagems. R3 III.v.11
But what, is Catesby gone?But what, is Catesby gone? R3 III.v.12
Rich.RICHARD 
He is, and see he brings the Maior along.He is; and see, he brings the Mayor along. R3 III.v.13
Enter the Maior, and Catesby.Enter the Lord Mayor and Catesby R3 III.v.14
Buck.BUCKINGHAM 
Lord Maior.Lord Mayor –  R3 III.v.14
Rich.RICHARD 
Looke to the Draw-Bridge there.Look to the drawbridge there! R3 III.v.15
Buck.BUCKINGHAM 
Hearke, a Drumme.Hark! A drum. R3 III.v.16
Rich.RICHARD 
Catesby, o're-looke the Walls.Catesby, o'erlook the walls.overlook (v.)

old form: o're-looke
inspect, superintend, oversee
R3 III.v.17
Buck.BUCKINGHAM 
Lord Maior, the reason we haue sent.Lord Mayor, the reason we have sent –  R3 III.v.18
Rich.RICHARD 
Looke back, defend thee, here are Enemies.Look back! Defend thee! Here are enemies! R3 III.v.19
Buck.BUCKINGHAM 
God and our Innocencie defend, and guard vs.God and our innocence defend and guard us! R3 III.v.20
Enter Louell and Ratcliffe, with Hastings Head.Enter Lovel and Ratcliffe, with Hastings' head R3 III.v.21
Rich.RICHARD 
Be patient, they are friends: Ratcliffe, and Louell.Be patient, they are friends, Ratcliffe and Lovel. R3 III.v.21
Louell.LOVEL 
Here is the Head of that ignoble Traytor,Here is the head of that ignoble traitor, R3 III.v.22
The dangerous and vnsuspected Hastings.The dangerous and unsuspected Hastings. R3 III.v.23
Rich.RICHARD 
So deare I lou'd the man, that I must weepe:So dear I loved the man that I must weep. R3 III.v.24
I tooke him for the plainest harmelesse Creature,I took him for the plainest harmless creature R3 III.v.25
That breath'd vpon the Earth, a Christian.That breathed upon this earth a Christian; R3 III.v.26
Made him my Booke, wherein my Soule recordedMade him my book, wherein my soul recorded R3 III.v.27
The Historie of all her secret thoughts.The history of all her secret thoughts. R3 III.v.28
So smooth he dawb'd his Vice with shew of Vertue,So smooth he daubed his vice with show of virtuedaub (v.)

old form: dawb'd
bedaub, smear, defile
R3 III.v.29
That his apparant open Guilt omitted,That, his apparent open guilt omitted – apparent (adj.)

old form: apparant
plainly visible, conspicuous, evident, obvious
R3 III.v.30
I meane, his Conuersation with Shores Wife,I mean, his conversation with Shore's wife – conversation (n.)

old form: Conuersation
social interaction, society, dealings
R3 III.v.31
He liu'd from all attainder of suspects.He lived from all attainder of suspects.suspect (n.)
suspicion, mistrust, doubt
R3 III.v.32
attainder (n.)
dishonourable stain, foul slur
Buck.BUCKINGHAM 
Well, well, he was the couertst sheltred TraytorWell, well, he was the covert'st sheltered traitor.sheltered (adj.)

old form: sheltred
concealed, hidden, disguised
R3 III.v.33
covert (adj.)

old form: couertst
secretive, sly, deceitful
That euer liu'd. / Would you imagine, or almost beleeue,Would you imagine, or almost believe, R3 III.v.34
Wert not, that by great preseruationWere't not that by great preservation R3 III.v.35
We liue to tell it, that the subtill TraytorWe live to tell it, that the subtle traitor R3 III.v.36
This day had plotted, in the Councell-House,This day had plotted, in the Council House, R3 III.v.37
To murther me, and my good Lord of Gloster.To murder me and my good Lord of Gloucester? R3 III.v.38
Maior.LORD MAYOR 
Had he done so?Had he done so? R3 III.v.39
Rich.RICHARD 
What? thinke you we are Turkes, or Infidels?What? Think you we are Turks or infidels? R3 III.v.40
Or that we would, against the forme of Law,Or that we would, against the form of law, R3 III.v.41
Proceed thus rashly in the Villaines death,Proceed thus rashly in the villain's death R3 III.v.42
But that the extreme perill of the case,But that the extreme peril of the case, R3 III.v.43
The Peace of England, and our Persons safetie,The peace of England, and our person's safety R3 III.v.44
Enforc'd vs to this Execution.Enforced us to this execution? R3 III.v.45
Maior.LORD MAYOR 
Now faire befall you, he deseru'd his death,Now fair befall you! He deserved his death,fair (n.)

old form: faire
fortune, happiness, favour
R3 III.v.46
befall (v.), past forms befallen, befell
happen to, come to
And your good Graces both haue well proceeded,And your good graces both have well proceeded R3 III.v.47
To warne false Traytors from the like Attempts.To warn false traitors from the like attempts.like (adj.)
same, similar, alike, equal
R3 III.v.48
false (adj.)
treacherous, traitorous, perfidious
Buck.BUCKINGHAM 
I neuer look'd for better at his hands,I never looked for better at his hands R3 III.v.49
After he once fell in with Mistresse Shore:After he once fell in with Mistress Shore. R3 III.v.50
Yet had we not determin'd he should dye,Yet had not we determined he should diedetermine (v.)

old form: determin'd
make a decision [about], reach a conclusion [about]
R3 III.v.51
Vntill your Lordship came to see his end,Until your lordship came to see his end, R3 III.v.52
Which now the louing haste of these our friends,Which now the loving haste of these our friends, R3 III.v.53
Something against our meanings, haue preuented;Somewhat against our meaning, have prevented;meaning (n.)
design, intention, purpose
R3 III.v.54
Because, my Lord, I would haue had you heardBecause, my lord, I would have had you heard R3 III.v.55
The Traytor speake, and timorously confesseThe traitor speak, and timorously confess R3 III.v.56
The manner and the purpose of his Treasons:The manner and the purpose of his treason,purpose (n.)
intention, aim, plan
R3 III.v.57
That you might well haue signify'd the sameThat you might well have signified the same R3 III.v.58
Vnto the Citizens, who haply mayUnto the citizens, who haply mayhaply (adv.)
perhaps, maybe, by chance, with luck
R3 III.v.59
Misconster vs in him, and wayle his death.Misconstrue us in him and wail his death.misconster (v.)
misconstrue, misinterpret, take wrongly
R3 III.v.60
Ma.LORD MAYOR 
But, my good Lord, your Graces words shal serue,But, my good lord, your grace's word shall serve, R3 III.v.61
As well as I had seene, and heard him speake:As well as I had seen, and heard him speak; R3 III.v.62
And doe not doubt, right Noble Princes both,And do not doubt, right noble princes both, R3 III.v.63
But Ile acquaint our dutious CitizensBut I'll acquaint our duteous citizens R3 III.v.64
With all your iust proceedings in this case.With all your just proceedings in this cause. R3 III.v.65
Rich.RICHARD 
And to that end we wish'd your Lordship here,And to that end we wished your lordship here, R3 III.v.66
T'auoid the Censures of the carping World.T' avoid the censures of the carping world. R3 III.v.67
Buck.BUCKINGHAM 
Which since you come too late of our intent,Which since you come too late of our intent,intent (n.)
intention, purpose, aim
R3 III.v.68
Yet witnesse what you heare we did intend:Yet witness what you hear we did intend. R3 III.v.69
And so, my good Lord Maior, we bid farwell.And so, my good Lord Mayor, we bid farewell. R3 III.v.70
Exit Maior.Exit Lord Mayor R3 III.v.70
Rich.RICHARD 
Goe after, after, Cousin Buckingham.Go after, after, cousin Buckingham. R3 III.v.71
The Maior towards Guild-Hall hyes him in all poste:The Mayor towards Guildhall hies him in all post;post, in

old form: poste
in haste, at top speed
R3 III.v.72
hie (v.)

old form: hyes
hasten, hurry, speed
There, at your meetest vantage of the time,There, at your meet'st advantage of the time,meet (adj.)
fit, suitable, right, proper
R3 III.v.73
Inferre the Bastardie of Edwards Children:Infer the bastardy of Edward's children.infer (v.)

old form: Inferre
adduce, bring up, put forward
R3 III.v.74
Tell them, how Edward put to death a Citizen,Tell them how Edward put to death a citizen R3 III.v.75
Onely for saying, he would make his SonneOnly for saying he would make his son R3 III.v.76
Heire to the Crowne, meaning indeed his House,Heir to the Crown, meaning indeed his house,house (n.)
inn, tavern
R3 III.v.77
Which, by the Signe thereof, was tearmed so.Which by the sign thereof was termed so. R3 III.v.78
Moreouer, vrge his hatefull Luxurie,Moreover, urge his hateful luxuryluxury (n.)

old form: Luxurie
lust, lechery, lasciviousness
R3 III.v.79
And beastiall appetite in change of Lust,And bestial appetite in change of lust, R3 III.v.80
Which stretcht vnto their Seruants, Daughters, Wiues,Which stretched unto their servants, daughters, wives, R3 III.v.81
Euen where his raging eye, or sauage heart,Even where his raging eye or savage heart,raging (adj.)
roving, wanton, riotous
R3 III.v.82
Without controll, lusted to make a prey.Without control, listed to make his prey.list (v.)
wish, like, please
R3 III.v.83
Nay, for a need, thus farre come neere my Person:Nay, for a need, thus far come near my person:need, for a
if necessary, if need be, at a pinch
R3 III.v.84
Tell them, when that my Mother went with ChildTell them, when that my mother went with childgo (v.)
be pregnant, be with child
R3 III.v.85
Of that insatiate Edward; Noble Yorke,Of that insatiate Edward, noble York,insatiate, unsatiate (adj.)
insatiable, never satisfied, voracious
R3 III.v.86
My Princely Father, then had Warres in France,My princely father, then had wars in France, R3 III.v.87
And by true computation of the time,And by true computation of the time R3 III.v.88
Found, that the Issue was not his begot:Found that the issue was not his begot;issue (n.)
child(ren), offspring, family, descendant
R3 III.v.89
Which well appeared in his Lineaments,Which well appeared in his lineaments,lineament (n.)
line, feature, characteristic, attribute
R3 III.v.90
Being nothing like the Noble Duke, my Father:Being nothing like the noble duke my father. R3 III.v.91
Yet touch this sparingly, as 'twere farre off,But touch this sparingly, as 'twere far off,sparingly (adv.)
with restraint, discreetly, in a reserved way
R3 III.v.92
touch (v.)
refer to, treat of, deal with
Because, my Lord, you know my Mother liues.Because, my lord, you know my mother lives. R3 III.v.93
Buck.BUCKINGHAM 
Doubt not, my Lord, Ile play the Orator,Doubt not, my lord, I'll play the oratordoubt (v.)
fear, be afraid [for], feel anxious [for]
R3 III.v.94
As if the Golden Fee, for which I plead,As if the golden fee for which I plead R3 III.v.95
Were for my selfe: and so, my Lord, adue.Were for myself; and so, my lord, adieu. R3 III.v.96
Rich.RICHARD 
If you thriue wel, bring them to Baynards Castle,If you thrive well, bring them to Baynard's Castle, R3 III.v.97
Where you shall finde me well accompaniedWhere you shall find me well accompanied R3 III.v.98
With reuerend Fathers, and well-learned Bishops.With reverend fathers and well-learned bishops. R3 III.v.99
Buck.BUCKINGHAM 
I goe, and towards three or foure a ClockeI go; and towards three or four a clock R3 III.v.100
Looke for the Newes that the Guild-Hall affoords.Look for the news that the Guildhall affords. R3 III.v.101
Exit Buckingham.Exit Buckingham R3 III.v.101
Rich.RICHARD 
Goe Louell with all speed to Doctor Shaw,Go, Lovel, with all speed to Doctor Shaw; R3 III.v.102
Goe thou to Fryer Peuker, bid them both(To Catesby) Go thou to Friar Penker. Bid them both R3 III.v.103
Meet me within this houre at Baynards Castle. Meet me within this hour at Baynard's Castle. R3 III.v.104
Exit.Exeunt Lovel, Catesby, and Ratcliffe R3 III.v.104
Now will I goe to take some priuie order,Now will I go to take some privy orderorder, take
make arrangements
R3 III.v.105
privy (adj.)

old form: priuie
secret, stealthy, clandestine
To draw the Brats of Clarence out of sight,To draw the brats of Clarence out of sight,brat (n.)
child [not always with contemptuous connotation]
R3 III.v.106
And to giue order, that no manner personAnd to give notice that no manner of person R3 III.v.107
Haue any time recourse vnto the Princes. At any time recourse unto the princes.recourse (n.)
opportunity of going, means of access
R3 III.v.108
Exeunt.Exit R3 III.v.108
 Previous Act III, Scene V Next  
x

Jump directly to