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Richard III - Act 3, scene 6

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Richard III - Act 3, scene 6
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Act 3, scene 6

Scene 6

Synopsis:

The professional scribe who has just finished transcribing Hastings’ indictment shows how the charge against Hastings had been prepared and the transcribing begun long before Hastings had even been accused or arrested.

Enter a Scrivener.

SCRIVENER 
2134  Here is the indictment of the good Lord Hastings,
2135  Which in a set hand fairly is engrossed,
2136  That it may be today read o’er in Paul’s.
2137  And mark how well the sequel hangs together:
2138 5 Eleven hours I have spent to write it over,
2139  For yesternight by Catesby was it sent me;
2140  The precedent was full as long a-doing,
2141  And yet within these five hours Hastings lived,
2142  Untainted, unexamined, free, at liberty.
2143 10 Here’s a good world the while! Who is so gross
2144  That cannot see this palpable device?
2145  Yet who so bold but says he sees it not?
p. 177
2146  Bad is the world, and all will come to naught
2147  When such ill dealing must be seen in thought.
He exits.