cond scene of the first act commences with the funeral of King Henry VI. who is said to have been murdered on the 21st of May, 1471, while the imprisonment of Clarence, which is represented previously in the first scene, did not take place till 1477-8. In speaking of this play, Dr. Johnson remarks; This is one of the most celebrated of our author's performances, yet I know not whether it has not happened to him as to others, to be praised most when praise is not most deserved. That this play has scenes noble in themselves, and very well contrived to strike in the exhibition, cannot be denied; but some parts are trifling, others shocking, and some improbable.' ARGUMENT. The extinction of the house of Lancaster and the declining health of the king induce Richard, duke of Gloster, to commence his career of ambition with the removal of the duke of Clarence, who is privately assassinated in prison by his orders. Edward shortly after expires, leaving Richard protector of the realm, who immediately withdraws the two young princes from the superintendence of their maternal relatives these unfortunate noblemen are executed on a pretended discovery of treason; a similar fate awaits Lord Hastings for his fidelity to the legitimate successor of his deceased master; while the innocent children are conveyed to the Tower. By the powerful assistance of the duke of Buckingham, Richard obtains the crown, which is followed by the murder of his nephews in the Tower, and the poisoning of his wife, in order to facilitate an alliance with his niece, which he hopes to accomplish by the aid of her mother. These events are succeeded by the defection and execution of the duke of Buckingham. In the mean time, Henry, earl of Richmond, having assembled a large army, embarks at Bretagne, and lands at Milford Haven: he resolves to proceed towards the capital without delay, and reaches the town of Bosworth in Leicestershire, where he is encountered by the forces of the usurper, who is defeated and slain; while the regal dignity devolves on his fortunate rival, who assumes the title of Henry VII. and puts a period to the long contention between the rival families by an immediate union with Elizabeth, the daughter of Edward IV. 6 PERSONS REPRESENTED. KING EDWARD THE FOURTH. EDWARD, prince of Wales, afterwards King Edward V. RICHARD, duke of York, GEORGE, duke of Clarence, RICHARD, duke of Gloster, afterwards King Richard III. A young Son of Clarence. sons to the king. brothers to the king. HENRY, earl of Richmond, afterwards King Henry VII. THOMAS ROTHERAM, archbishop of York. JOHN MORTON, bishop of Ely. DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM. DUKE OF NORFOLK. EARL OF SURREY, his son. EARL OF OXFORD. LORD HASTINGS. LORD STANLEY. LORD SIR THOMAS VAUGHAN. SIR RICHARD RATCLIFF. ELIZABETH, queen of King Edward IV. DUCHESS OF YORK, mother to King Edward IV. Clarence, and Gloster. LADY ANNE, widow of Edward prince of Wales, son to King Henry VI.; afterwards married to the duke of Gloster. A young DAUGHTER of Clarence. Lords, and other Attendants; two Gentlemen, a Pursuivant, Scrivener, Citizens, Murderers, Messengers, Ghosts, Soldiers, &c. SCENE, England. LIFE AND DEATH OF KING RICHARD III. ACT I. SCENE I. London. A street. Enter GLOSTER. Glos. Now is the winter of our discontent Made glorious summer by this sun of York; In the deep bosom of the ocean buried. Now are our brows bound with victorious wreaths; And now, instead of mounting barbed steeds, 1 Dances. 2 Steeds caparisoned in a warlike manner. He capers nimbly in a lady's chamber, To the lascivious pleasing of a lute. But I,-that am not shaped for sportive tricks, I, that am curtail'd of this fair proportion, That dogs bark at me as I halt by them ;- i. e. Nature that puts together things of a dissimilar kind, as a brave soul and a deformed body.'-Warburton. 2 Preparations for mischief. |