To breakfast once forth of my company.
If I be so disgracious in your eye,
Let me march on, and not offend you, madam.
Strike up the drum!
Duch. I prithee, hear me speak. 180
K. Rich. You speak too bitterly.
Duch. Hear me a word;
For I shall never speak to thee again.
K. Rich. So!
Duch. Either thou wilt die by God's just ordinance, 184
Ere from this war thou turn a conqueror;
Or I with grief and extreme age shall perish,
And never more behold thy face again.
Therefore take with thee my most grievous curse, 188
Which, in the day of battle, tire thee more
Than all the complete armour that thou wear'st!
My prayers on the adverse party fight;
And there the little souls of Edward's children 192
Whisper the spirits of thine enemies
And promise them success and victory.
Bloody thou art, bloody will be thy end;
Shame serves thy life and doth thy death attend. 196
Exit.
Q. Eliz. Though far more cause, yet much less spirit to curse
Abides in me: I say amen to her. [Going.]
K. Rich. Stay, madam; I must talk a word with you.
Q. Eliz. I have no more sons of the royal blood 200
For thee to slaughter: for my daughters, Richard,
They shall be praying nuns, not weeping queens;
And therefore level not to hit their lives.
K. Rich. You have a daughter call'd Elizabeth, 204
178 disgracious: out of favor
196 serves: i.e. is servant to
203 level: aim
204 Elizabeth; cf. n.
