William Shakespeare: The Life and Death of King Richard III

ACT III. 1. SCENE I. London. A street. (continued)

GLOSTER.
He hath, my lord.

YORK.
And therefore is he idle?

GLOSTER.
O, my fair cousin, I must not say so.

YORK.
Then he is more beholding to you than I.

GLOSTER.
He may command me as my sovereign;
But you have power in me as in a kinsman.

YORK.
I pray you, uncle, give me this dagger.

GLOSTER.
My dagger, little cousin? with all my heart!

PRINCE.
A beggar, brother?

YORK.
Of my kind uncle, that I know will give,
And being but a toy, which is no grief to give.

GLOSTER.
A greater gift than that I'll give my cousin.

YORK.
A greater gift! O, that's the sword to it!

GLOSTER.
Ay, gentle cousin, were it light enough.

YORK.
O, then, I see you will part but with light gifts;
In weightier things you'll say a beggar nay.

GLOSTER.
It is too heavy for your grace to wear.

YORK.
I weigh it lightly, were it heavier.

GLOSTER.
What, would you have my weapon, little lord?

YORK.
I would, that I might thank you as you call me.

GLOSTER.
How?

YORK.
Little.

PRINCE.
My Lord of York will still be cross in talk:--
Uncle, your grace knows how to bear with him.

YORK.
You mean, to bear me, not to bear with me:--
Uncle, my brother mocks both you and me;
Because that I am little, like an ape,
He thinks that you should bear me on your shoulders.