Richard III Page #4

of their hearts.

God keep you from them

and from such false friends.

God keep me from false friends?

But they were none.

The Prime Minister, Lord Hastings,

comes to greet you.

Uncle Richard!

Catesby... is it not an easy matter

to make Lord Hastings of our mind...

...For the instalment of this noble duke...

...ln the seat royal of our famous land?

He for the late king's sake

so loves the prince...

...That he will not do anything against him.

What think you, then, of Lord Stanley

and the Archbishop?

They will do all in all as Hastings does.

Call them tomorrow early

to determine of the coronation.

And as it were far off,

sound out Lord Hastings...

...and give us notice of his inclination.

Commend me to Hastings.

Tell him, Catesby,

that Rivers is let blood.

- Uncle!

- What would you have...

...my little lord?

Because that I am little, like an ape...

...I think that you should

bear me on your shoulders!

(snarls)

(chuckles)

- Uncle Richard...

- Stanley.

Where shall we stay until our coronation?

If I may counsel you, some day or two...

...For your best health and recreation...

...Your highness shall

repose you at the Tower.

I shall not sleep in quiet at the Tower!

- Why? What should you fear?

- My uncle Clarence's angry ghost.

(chuckles indulgently)

My grandma told me

he was murdered there.

I fear no uncles dead.

Nor none who live, I hope!

So wise so young, they say,

do never live long.

Well, let them rest.

My Lord Protector,

what shall we do if we perceive...

...Hastings will not yield to our plans?

Chop off his head.

Something we shall determine.

And look when I am king...

...claim you of me

the earldom of Hereford...

...and all the movables whereof

the king my brother was possessed.

I'll claim that promise of your royal hand.

And look to have it yielded

with all kindness.

Come, les to supper.

(snarls)

And then?

My uncle dreamt tonight

that the boar had shown his tusks.

Therefore he sends to know if you will

shun the danger that his soul does fear.

Return to Lord Stanley.

Tell him his fears are shallow,

wanting substance.

As for his dreams,

I wonder he is so foolish.

Morning, Catesby.

Tell your uncle

I shall see him at the meeting...

...Where he shall see the boar

will use us kindly.

Catesby, what news in this

our tottering state?

It is a reeling world indeed, sir...

...And I believe will never stand upright...

...Till Richard

wear the garland of the state.

How "wear the garland"?

Do you mean the Crown?

Yes, my lord.

I'll have this crown of mine

cut from my shoulders...

...Before I see the Crown

so foul misplaced!

Hastings.

Where's your boar spear, Lord Stanley?

Before a fortnight makes me older,

I'll send some packing...

...that yet think not on it.

It is a vile thing to die when men

are unprepared and look not for it.

Archbishop! You're early stirring.

I am glad to see you, Prime Minister.

Talking with a priest, Hastings?

Your friend Rivers - he needed the priest!

What is't o'clock?

On the stroke of two.

Now, gentlemen,

the cause why we are met...

...ls to determine of the coronation.

Well, speak. When is the royal day?

Are all things ready... for the royal time?

They are.

Who knows the Lord Protector's

mind in this?

Your lordship, we think...

...should soonest know his mind.

- We know each other's faces.

For our hearts, he knows no more

of mine than I of yours...

...Or I of his, my lord, than you of mine.

Hastings, you and he are near in love.

I have not sounded him...

...But you, my noble lords,

may name the time...

...And on the duke's behalf

I'll give my voice.

Good day to you all.

I've been long a sleeper.

Had you not come

upon your cue, my lord...

...William, Lord Hastings,

had pronounced your part.

Than my Lord Hastings

no man might be bolder.

He knows me well and loves me well.

I pray you all...

...tell me what they deserve

who do conspire my death...

...and have prevailed upon my body...

...with their damned witchcraft.

I say, my lord, they have deserved death.

Then be your eyes...

the witness of their evil.

See how I am bewitched.

Behold...

...my arm is like a blasted sapling...

...withered up by Queen Elizabeth,

that monstrous witch!

If she has done this deed,

my noble lord...

lf?

You protector of this damned Elizabeth!

Talk you to me of "if"?

You are a traitor!

Off with his head!

Now, by Saint Paul, I swear I will

not dine until I see the same!

The rest that love me, rise and follow me!

The duke would be at dinner.

He longs to see your head.

So dear I loved the man...

...that I must weep.

Would you imagine that

the subtle traitor...

...had plotted in the parliament

to murder me...

...and the Lord Protector?

Had he done so?

Lord Mayor, the civil peace...

...enforced us to this execution.

Now, he deserved his death.

And do not doubt...

...But that I shall acquaint

my duteous city colleagues...

...With all your just proceedings

in this cause.

Buckingham, go after

to the Council House.

Infer the bastardy...

...of Edwars children.

Moreover...

...urge Edwars hateful lechery...

...Which stretched unto

their servants, daughters, wives!

Doubt not, my lord, I'll play the orator...

...As if the golden fee for which I plead...

...Were for myself.

Catesby.

Give order that no manner of person...

...Have any time recourse

unto the princes.

(upbeat jazz)

(hums along to music)

When scarce the blood

was well washed from his hands...

...Which issued from

my other angel husband...

When, I say, I looked on

Richars face, this was my wish.

"Be you," I said, "accursed."

"And when you wed,

let sorrow haunt your bed."

Within so small a time...

...my woman's heart grossly

grew captive to his honey words...

...And proved subject

to my own soul's curse.

(whistle blows)

Buckingham...

...what say the citizens?

Did you infer the bastardy

of Edwars children?

I did. And the insatiate

greediness of his desires;...

...His tyranny for trifles; his own bastardy!

Your discipline in war,

wisdom in peace...

...Your bounty, virtue, fair humility.

And when my oratory drew to an end...

...I bade those who did love

their country's good...

...Cry "God save King Richard,

Englans royal king!"

- And did they so?

- (hesitates) No.

- So God help me, they spoke not a word.

- Bah!

What tongueless blocks are they!

Would they not speak?

My Lord Mayor and his colleagues

have arrived.

Pretend some fear!

Be not easily won by our requests.

And, look you...

get a prayer book in your hand.

Play the mais part:

Still answer no and take it.

Ratcliffe.

No doubt we'll bring it to a happy issue.

You shall see what I can do.

Catesby.

He does entreat you,

my Lord Buckingham...

...to visit him tomorrow or next day.

He is within...

with two right reverend priests.

Tell him myself, the Mayor

and these gentlemen...

...Are come to have

some conference with him.

I'll tell him what you say, my lord.

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