ANNE.
And by despairing shalt thou stand excused
For doing worthy vengeance on thyself
That didst unworthy slaughter upon others.
RICHARD.
Say that I slew them not?
ANNE.
Then say they were not slain.
But dead they are, and, devilish slave, by thee.
RICHARD.
I did not kill your husband.
ANNE.
Why then he is alive.
RICHARD.
Nay, he is dead, and slain by Edward’s hand.
ANNE.
In thy foul throat thou liest. Queen Margaret saw
Thy murd’rous falchion smoking in his blood,
The which thou once didst bend against her breast,
But that thy brothers beat aside the point.
RICHARD.
I was provoked by her sland’rous tongue,
That laid their guilt upon my guiltless shoulders.
ANNE.
Thou wast provoked by thy bloody mind,
That never dream’st on aught but butcheries.
Didst thou not kill this King?
RICHARD.
I grant ye.