For hardy and undoubted champions: With them the two brave bears, Warwick and Montague, That in their chains fetter'd the kingly lion, For yet I am not look'd on in the world. Work thou the way,-and thou shalt execute. [Aside. K. Edw. Clarence and Gloster, love my lovely queen, And kiss your princely nephew, brothers both. Clar. The duty that I owe unto your majesty, seal upon the lips of this sweet babe. lights, Having my country's peace, and brothers' loves. Clar. What will your grace have done with Reignier, her father, to the king of France And now what rests, but that we spend the time With stately triumphs, mirthful comic shows, Such as befit the pleasures of the court?Sound, drums and trumpets !-farewell, sour annoy ! For here, I hope, begins our lasting joy. Public shows. [Exevnt. LIFE AND DEATH OF KING RICHARD III. LITERARY AND HISTORICAL NOTICE. IN this very popular tragedy, there is another specimen of historical jumble, and poetical license. The second scene commences with the funeral of Henry VI. who is said to have been murdered in May, 1471, whilst the imprisonment of Clarence, which did not take place till 1478, is represented in the first. Thus the real length of time comprised in this drama, (dating from the former event) is fourteen years; as it concludes with the death of Richard, at Bosworth Field, in August, 1485. With respect to Richard's character, though greatly blackened by Lancasterian historians, he was certainly one of the most odious tyrants that ever obtained possession of a throne. Yet it appears from some accounts still preserved in the Exchequer, that King Henry lived twenty-two days after the time assigned for his pretended assassination; that his body lay in state at St. Paul's, and that it was afterwards interred at Chertsey, with much solemnity. Shakspeare has made the usurper deformed in figure, as well as in mind; though popular detestation had probably aggravated the traditionary story of his bodily defects. In this drama, the events appear admirably connected with, and consequential to, each other: the characters and incidents are natural; the sentiment and language free from bombast. But Malone and Dr. Johnson consider it as popular beyond its merits; with "some parts trifling, others shocking, and some improbable:" whilst Stevens maintains, that above all others the tragedy of Richard must command approbation, as it is indefinitely variegated, and comprehends every species of character---" the hero, the lover, the statesman, the buffoon, the hypocrite, and the hardened or repentant sinner." Its present success in representation, is, however, chiefly attributable to the admirable alterations of Colly Cibber, which evince a very extensive and settled knowledge of stage effect, and by which reformations the more valuable parts of the piece, could alone have attained their present effect and consequence. Shaks peare probably formed the play in 1591; though he is not supposed to have been indebted to any of the numerous existing compositions on the same subject. Our dreadful marches to delightful measures. Grim visag'd war bath smooth'd his wrinkled front: That trudge betwixt the king and mistress Heard you not, what an humble suppliant And now,-instead of mounting barbed + steeds, To strut before a wanton ambling nymph; comes. Enter CLARENCE, guarded, and BRAKEN BURY. Are mighty gossips in this monarchy. me; His majesty hath straitly given in charge, Glo. Even so? an please your worship, Bra kenbury, You may partake of any thing we say: A bonny eye, a passing pleasing tongue; Glo. Naught to do with mistress Shore? I tell thee, fellow, He that doth naught with her, excepting one, Glo. Her husband, kuave :-Would'st thou betray me? Brak. I beseech your grace to pardon me, and, withal, Brother, good day: What means this armed Forbear your conference with the noble duke. Tendering my person's safety, hath appointed Clar. Because my name is-George. Glo. Alack, my lord, that fault is none of your's; Clar. We know thy charge, Brakenbury, and will obey. Brother, farewell: I will unto the king; He should, for that, commit your godfathers As yet I do not: but, as I can learn, Clar. I know it pleaseth neither of us well. Glo. Well, your imprisonment shall not be long; will deliver you, or else lie for you: Mean time, have patience. Clar. I must perforce; farewell. [Exeunt CLARENCE, BRAKENBURY, and Guard. Glo. Go, tread the path that thou shalt ne'er return, Simple, plain Clarence!-I do love thee so, |