Literature/William Shakespeare/Richard III

Richard III

William Shakespeare, c. 1593

Act IIIScene VI

London. A street

Enter a Scrivener.

Scrivener

Here is the indictment of the good Lord Hastings,Which in a set hand fairly is engrossed,That it may be today read o’er in Paul’s.And mark how well the sequel hangs together:Eleven hours I have spent to write it over,For yesternight by Catesby was it sent me;The precedent was full as long a-doingAnd yet within these five hours Hastings lived,Untainted, unexamined, free, at liberty.Here’s a good world the while! Who is so grossThat cannot see this palpable device?Yet who so bold but says he sees it not?Bad is the world, and all will come to naughtWhen such ill dealing must be seen in thought.

Exit.