As I intend to prosper and repent

Richard
As I intend to prosper and repent,
So thrive I in my dangerous affairs
Of hostile arms! Myself myself confound,
Heaven and fortune bar me happy hours,
Day, yield me not thy light, nor night thy rest,
Be opposite all planets of good luck
To my proceeding if, with dear heart’s love,
Immaculate devotion, holy thoughts,
I tender not thy beauteous princely daughter.
In her consists my happiness and thine.

Plead what I will be, not what I have been;
Not my deserts, but what I will deserve.

Without her follows to myself and thee,
Herself, the land, and many a Christian soul,
Death, desolation, ruin, and decay.
It cannot be avoided but by this;
It will not be avoided but by this.
Therefore, dear mother—I must call you so—
Be the attorney of my love to her;
Plead what I will be, not what I have been;
Not my deserts, but what I will deserve.
Urge the necessity and state of times,
And be not peevish found in great designs.
Queen Elizabeth
Shall I be tempted of the devil thus?
Richard
Ay, if the devil tempt you to do good.
Queen Elizabeth
Shall I forget myself to be myself?
Richard
Ay, if your self’s remembrance wrong yourself.
Queen Elizabeth
Yet thou didst kill my children.
Richard
But in your daughter’s womb I bury them,
Where, in that nest of spicery, they will breed
Selves of themselves, to your recomforture.
Queen Elizabeth
Shall I go win my daughter to thy will?
Richard
And be a happy mother by the deed.
Queen Elizabeth
I go. Write to me very shortly,
And you shall understand from me her mind.
Richard
Bear her my true love’s kiss; and so, farewell.
Queen exits.
Relenting fool and shallow, changing woman!