Is kindling coals that fire all my breast, 1

And burn me up with flames that tears would quench.

To weep is to make less the depth of grief:

Tears, then, for babes; blows and revenge for me!—

Richard, I bear thy name, Pll venge thy death,

Or die renowned by attempting it.(Henry VI. 3¹ P. II. 1.)

After these scenes we know quite well what we may expect of Richard. What he wants to attain, he will attain by any means; he will not shrink back from murder, and the most atrocious deeds if they but forward his purpose. This is the impression that Shakespeare wants to produce, and so he does not care that the battle of Wakefield, in consequence of which York, and his son Rutland were killed, took place on Dec. 31st 1460, when Richard, a boy of eight years, wus staying with his mother, and the rest of the family far away from the battle field; nor does he mind that the Earl of Rutland, whom he represents as a little boy in order to make his death more atrocious, was in reality a youth of 17 years, for he was born on May 17th 1443, being but one year younger than Edward, who was born on the 28th of April 1442.

The opportunity of avenging his father's and brother's death presents itself very soon. In one of the next scenes we are led upon the battle-field of Towton where the fate of the two houses of York and Lancaster is to be decided. Richard again takes a prominent part in it. He singles out him who slew his father and brother, and cools, but insufficiently, his burning hatred in Clifford's blood. For

If this right hand would buy two hours' life,

That I in all despite might rail at him,

This hand should chop it off; and with the issuing blood

Stifle the villain, whose unstaunched thirst

1 Vork and young Rutland could not satisfy.(Henry VI. 33 P. II. 6.)

For his bravery his brother Edward, whom he assisted in gaining the day, and the crown at the same time, creates him Duke of Vork, whilst his brother George, who also distinguished himself, is made Duke of Clarence.

As the battle of Towton took place on the 29th of March 1461, Richard, even if he had been with his brother Edward, could not have assisted him much because, then, he was only nine years old; but he was not even in England; he was still at Utrecht whence he returned with his brother George in the month of November at the wish of his brother Edward who, then, thought himself fairly settled upon the throne.

In one of the next scenes(Henry VI. 3 P. III. 2), we see King Edward woo and win Lady Elizabeth Grey, the widow of a Lancastrian Knight, killed in the battle of Towton. She has eome to ask for the restitution of her husband's estates that have been seized; and her loveliness, and quickness of wit make such an impression upon Edward that he finishes by offering her to make her his queen. George and Richard, who are present and watching their brother's suit from aà distant corner of the room, are not much pleased with this match. Gloster especially is extremely vexed at the intended marriage, but does not give vent to his anger until he is left by himself. But then he breaks forth into a torrent of the most awful curses against his brother, and reveal⸗ the innermost thoughts of his wicked heart.