An. Villaine, thou know'st nor law of God nor Man, No Beast so fierce, but knowes some touch of pitty
Rich. But I know none, and therefore am no Beast
An. O wonderfull, when diuels tell the truth! Rich. More wonderfull, when Angels are so angry: Vouchsafe (diuine perfection of a Woman) Of these supposed Crimes, to giue me leaue By circumstance, but to acquit my selfe
An. Vouchsafe (defus'd infection of man) Of these knowne euils, but to giue me leaue By circumstance, to curse thy cursed Selfe
Rich. Fairer then tongue can name thee, let me haue Some patient leysure to excuse my selfe
An. Fouler then heart can thinke thee, Thou can'st make no excuse currant, But to hang thy selfe
Rich. By such dispaire, I should accuse my selfe
An. And by dispairing shalt thou stand excused, For doing worthy Vengeance on thy selfe, That did'st vnworthy slaughter vpon others
Rich. Say that I slew them not
An. Then say they were not slaine: But dead they are, and diuellish slaue by thee
Rich. I did not kill your Husband
An. Why then he is aliue
Rich. Nay, he is dead, and slaine by Edwards hands
An. In thy foule throat thou Ly'st, Queene Margaret saw Thy murd'rous Faulchion smoaking in his blood: The which, thou once didd'st bend against her brest, But that thy Brothers beate aside the point
Rich. I was prouoked by her sland'rous tongue, That laid their guilt, vpon my guiltlesse Shoulders
An. Thou was't prouoked by thy bloody minde, That neuer dream'st on ought but Butcheries: Did'st thou not kill this King? Rich. I graunt ye
An. Do'st grant me Hedge-hogge, Then God graunt me too Thou may'st be damned for that wicked deede, O he was gentle, milde, and vertuous
Rich. The better for the King of heauen that hath him
An. He is in heauen, where thou shalt neuer come
Rich. Let him thanke me, that holpe to send him thither: For he was fitter for that place then earth
An. And thou vnfit for any place, but hell
Rich. Yes one place else, if you will heare me name it
An. Some dungeon
Rich. Your Bed-chamber
An. Ill rest betide the chamber where thou lyest
Rich. So will it Madam, till I lye with you
An. I hope so
Rich. I know so. But gentle Lady Anne, To leaue this keene encounter of our wittes, And fall something into a slower method. Is not the causer of the timelesse deaths Of these Plantagenets, Henrie and Edward, As blamefull as the Executioner
King Richard Iii · The Wunder Library — complete classics, free to read, with narration.