Richard III: Act 3, Scene 6

history

The same.

Scene Summary

A scrivener who wrote Hastings's indictment notes that the charges were prepared hours before the 'discovery' of the conspiracy — everyone can see the truth if they want to, but they look away.

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