Richard III Act 3 Scene 6 Lyrics

SCENE VI. The same.

Enter a Scrivener, with a paper in his hand

SCRIVENER
This is the indictment of the good Lord Hastings;
Which in a set hand fairly is engross'd,
That it may be this day read over in Paul's.
And mark how well the sequel hangs together:
Eleven hours I spent to write it over,
For yesternight by Catesby was it brought me;
The precedent was full as long a-doing:
And yet within these five hours lived Lord Hastings,
Untainted, unexamined, free, at liberty.
Here's a good world the while! Why who's so gross,
That seeth not this palpable device?

Yet who's so blind, but says he sees it not?
Bad is the world; and all will come to nought,
When such bad dealings must be seen in thought.

Exit

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About

Genius Annotation

A Scrivener (scribe) looks over the indictment of Hastings, which he calls a “palpable device”–an obvious trick, drawn up well in advance of the supposedly urgent execution. Knowing he’s not alone in looking the other way, he fears for the future of his corrupted country.

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