Riv. We wait upon your Grace.
Rich. I do the wrong, and first begin to brawl. 324
The secret mischiefs that I set abroach
I lay unto the grievous charge of others.
Clarence, whom I, indeed, have cast in darkness,
I do beweep to many simple gulls; 328
Namely, to Derby, Hastings, Buckingham;
And tel] them 'tis the queen and her allies
That stir the king against the duke my brother.
Now they believe it; and withal whet me 332
To be reveng'd on Rivers, Dorset, Grey;
But then I sigh, and, with a piece of scripture,
Tell them that God bids us do good for evil:
And thus I clothe my naked villainy 336
With odd old ends stol'n forth of holy writ,
And seem a saint when most I play the devil.
Enter two Murtherers.
But soft! here come my executioners.
How now, my hardy, stout, resolved mates! 340
Are you now going to dispatch this thing?
Mur. We are, my lord; and come to have the warrant,
That we may be admitted where he is.
Rich. Well thought upon; I have it here about me: 344
[Gives the warrant.]
When you have done, repair to Crosby-place.
But, sirs, be sudden in the execution,
Withal obdurate; do not hear him plead;
For Clarence is well-spoken, and perhaps 348
324 brawl: quarrel
325 set abroach: set on foot
328 beweep: weep over
gulls: dupes
329 Namely: that is to say
332 whet: incite
333 Dorset; cf. n.
337 odd old ends: odds and ends
339 soft: stay, stop
346 sudden: quick
