A monologue from the play by William Shakespeare
RICHARD: Look what is done cannot be now amended:Men shall deal unadvisedly sometimes,Which after-hours gives leisure to repent.If I did take the kingdom from your sons,To make amends I’ll give it to your daughter;If I have killed the issue of your womb,To quicken your increase I will begetMine issue of your blood upon your daughter.A grandam’s name is little less in loveThan is the doting title of a mother;They are as children but one step below,Even of your metal, of your very blood,Of all one pain, save for a night of groansEndured of her for whom you bid like sorrow:Your children were vexation to your youth,But mine shall be a comfort to your age.The loss you have is but a son being king,And by that loss your daughter is made queen.I cannot make you what amends I would;Therefore accept such kindness as I can.Dorset your son, that with a fearful soulLeads discontented steps in foreign soil,This fair alliance quickly shall call homeTo high promotions and great dignity.The king, that calls your beauteous daughter wife,Familiarly shall call thy Dorset brother:Again shall you be mother to a king,And all the ruins of distressful timesRepaired with double riches of content.What! we have many goodly days to see:The liquid drops of tears that you have shedShall come again, transformed to orient pearl,Advantaging their love with interestOf ten times double gain of happiness.Go then, my mother; to thy daughter go;Make bold her bashful years with your experience;Prepare her ears to hear a wooer’s tale;Put in her tender heart th’ aspiring flameOf golden sovereignty; acquaint the princessWith the sweet silent hours of marriage joys;And when this arm of mine hath chastisedThe petty rebel, dull-brained Buckingham,Bound with triumphant garlands will I comeAnd lead thy daughter to a conqueror’s bed;To whom I will retail my conquest won,And she shall be sole victoress, Caesar’s Caesar.
