In your embowell'd bosoms, this foul swine By this one bloody trial of sharp war. Orf. Every man's conscience is a thousand swords, To ight against that bloody homicide. Herb. I doubt not, but his friends will turn to us. Bant. He hath no friends, but who are friends for fear; Which, in his dearest need, will fly from him. Bichin. All for our vantage. Then, in God's name, march: True hope is swift, and flies with swallow's wings, Kings it makes gods, and meaner creatures kings. [Exeunt. SCENE III-Bosworth Field. Enter KING RICHARD, and Forces; the DUKE OF NORFOLK, EARL OF SURREY, and others. K. Rich. Here pitch our tents, even here in Bosworth field. My lord of Surrey, why look you so sad? Here, most gracious liege. A. Rich. Norfolk, we must have knocks; Ha! must we not? Nor. We must both give and take, my loving lord. A. Rich. Up with my tent: Here will I lie tonight; [Soldiers begin to set up the KING's tent. But where, to-morrow!-Well, all's one for that.Woo bath descried the number of the traitors? Nor. Six or seven thousand is their utmost power. K. Rich. Why, our battalia trebles that account: Besides, the king's name is a tower of strength, Which they upon the adverse faction want. Iwith the tent.-Come, noble gentlemen, Let us survey the vantage of the ground;— call for some men of sound directions:Let's want no discipline, make no delay;, ror, lords, to-inorrow is a busy day. [Exeunt. Enter, on the other Side of the Field, RICHMOND, SE WILLIAM BRANDON, OXFORD, and other Lords. Some of the Soldiers pitch RICHMOND'S Tent. Richm. The weary sun hath made a golden set, And, by the bright track of his fiery car, es token of a goodly day to morrow.William Brandon, you shall bear my standard.te me some ink and paper in my tent; e draw the form and model of our battle, Lisit each leader to his several charge, And part in just proportion our small power. surd of Oxford,-you, sir William Brandon,And you, sir Walter Herbert, stay with me: The earl of Pembroke keeps his regiment; captain Blunt, bear iny good night to him, And by the second hour in the morning There the earl to see me in my tent:Jetone thing more, good captain, do for me; Where is lord Stanley quarter'd, do you know? Ent. Unless I have mista'en his colors much, Which, well I am assur'd, I have not done,) reziment lies half a mile at least th from the mighty power of the king. Richm. If without peril it be possible, eet Blunt, make some good means to speak with him, And give him from me this most needful note. Blunt. Upon my life, my lord, I'll undertake it; Aaf so, God give you quiet rest to-night! Kichm. Good night, good captain Blunt. Come, gentlemen, Let us consult upon to-morrow's business; to my tent, the air is raw and cold. [They withdraw into the Tent. Enter, to his Tent, KING RICHARD, NORFOLK, RATCLIFF, and CATESBY. K. Rich. What is't o'clock? Cate. It's supper time, my lord: It's nine o'clock. K. Rich. I will not sup to-night.ave me some ink and paper. K. Rich. Saw'st thou the melancholy lord Northumberland? Rat. Thomas the earl of Surrey, and himself, Much about cock-shut2 time, from troop to troop Went through the army, cheering up the soldiers. K. Rich. I am satisfied. Give me a bowl of wine: I have not that alacrity of spirit, Nor cheer of mind, that I was wont to have.So, set it down.-Is ink and paper ready? Rat. It is, my lord. K. Rich. Bid my guard watch; leave me. About the mid of night, come to my tent, And help to arm me.-Leave me, I say. [KING RICHARD retires into his Tent. Exeunt RATCLIFF and CATESBY. RICHMOND'S Tent opens, and discovers him, and his Officers, &c. Enter STANLEY Stan. Fortune and victory sit on thy helm! Richm. All comfort that the dark night can afford, Be to thy person, noble father-in-law! Tell me, how fares our loving mother? Stan. I, by attorney, bless thee from thy mother Who prays continually for Richmond's good: So much for that.-The silent hours steal on, And flaky darkness breaks within the east. In brief, for so the season bids us be, Prepare thy battle early in the morning; And put thy fortune to the arbitrement Of bloody strokes, and mortal-staring war. I, as I may, (that which I would, I cannot,) With best advantage will deceive the time, And aid thee in this doubtful shock of arms. But on thy side I may not be too forward, Lest, being seen, thy brother tender George Be executed in his father's sight. Farewell: The leisure and the fearful time Cuts off the ceremonious vows of love, And ample interchange of sweet discourse, Which so long-sunder'd friends should dwell upon God give us leisure for these rites of love! Once more, adieu-Be valiant, and speed well. Richm. Good lords, conduct him to his regiment: I'll strive, with troubled thoughts, to take a nap; Lest leaden slumber peise3 me down to-morrow, When I should mount with wings of victory: Once more, good night, kind lords and gentlemen. [Exeunt Lords, &c. with STANLEY O Thou! whose captain I account myself, Look on my forces with a gracious eye; Put in their hands thy bruising irons of wrath, That they may crush down with a heavy fail The usurping helmets of our adversaries! Make us thy ministers of chastisement, That we may praise thee in the victory! To thee I do commend my watchful soul, Ere I let fall the windows of mine eyes; Sleeping, and waking, O, defend me still! [Sleeps The Ghost of PRINCE EDWARD, son to HENRY THE SIXTH, rises between the two Tents. Ghost. Let me sit heavy on thy soul to-morrow! [TO KING RICHARD. Think, how thou stab'dst me in my prime of youth At Tewksbury; Despair, therefore, and die!Wood of the ances A watch-light. 2 Twilight. We'gh. Be cheerful, Richmond; for the wronged souls [To RICHMOND. Ghost. Let me sit heavy on thy soul to-morrow! [To KING RICHARD. 1, that was wash'd to death with fulsome wine, Poor Clarence, by thy guile betray'd to death! To-morrow in the battle think on me, And fall thy edgeless sword; Despair, and die !— Thou offspring of the house of Lancaster, [To RICHMOND. 'The wronged heirs of York do pray for thee; Good angels guard thy battle! Live, and flourish! The Ghosts of RIVERS, GREY, and VAUGHAN, rise. Riv. Let me sit heavy on thy soul to-morrow, [To KING RICHARD. Rivers, that died at Pomfret! Despair, and die! Grey. Think upon Grey, and let thy soul despair! [To KING RICHARD. Vaugh. Think upon Vaughan; and, with guiity fear, Let fall thy lance! Despair, and die!— [TO KING RICHARD. All. Awake! and think, our wrongs in Richard's bosom To RICHMOND. Will conquer him;-Awake, and win the day! The Ghost of HASTINGS rises. Ghost. Bloody and guilty, guiltily awake; [To KING RICHARD. And in a bloody battle end thy days! Think on lord Hastings; and despair, and die!— Quiet untroubled soul, awake, awake! [TO RICHMOND. Arm, fight, and conquer, for fair England's sake! The Ghosts of the two young Princes rise. Ghosts. Dream on thy cousins smother'd in the Tower; Let us be lead within thy bosom, Richard, The Ghost of QUEEN ANNE rises. O coward conscience, how dost thou afflict me!- Lest I revenge. What? Myself on myself! Fool, of thyself speak well:-Fool, do not flatter Methought, the souls of all that I had murder'd K. Rich. By the apostle Paul, shadows to-nigta Have struck more terror to the soul of Richard, Than can the substance of ten thousand soldiers, Armed in proof, and led by shallow Richmond. It is not yet near day. Come, go with me; Under our tents I'll play the eaves-dropper, To hear, if any mean to shrink from me. [Exeunt KING RICHARD and RATCLIFT RICHMOND wakes. Enter OXFORD and other Lords. Good morrow, Richmond. Richm. 'Cry mercy, lords, and watchful gentle men, That you have ta'en a tardy sluggard here. Ghost. Richard, thy wife, that wretched Anne, That ever enter'd in a drowsy head, thy wife, That never slept a quiet hour with thee, And fall thy edgeless sword; Despair, and die !-- [To RICHMOND. Dream of success and happy victory; Thy adversary's wife doth pray for thee. The Ghost of BUCKINGHAM rises. Ghost. The first was I, that help'd thee to the crown; [To KING RICHARD. The last was I, that felt thy tyranny: O, in the battle think on Buckingham, And die in terror of thy guiltiness! Dream on, dream on, of bloody deeds and death; Fainting, despair; despairing, yield thy breath!. died for hope, ere I could lend thee aid: [TO RICHMOND. But cheer thy heart, and be thou not dismay'd: God, and good angels, fight on Richmond's side; And Richard falls in height of all his pride. [The Ghosts vanish. KING RICHARD starts out of his Dream. K. Rich. Give me another horse,-bind up my wounds, Have mercy, Jesu!-Soft; I did but dream. Have I since your departure had, my lords. Methought, their souls, whose bodies Richard mur der'd, Came to my tent, and cried-On! victory! A base foul stone, made precious by the toi Then, if you fight against God s enemy, K. Rich. What said Northumberland, as touching Richmond? Rat. That he was never trained up in arms. K. Rich. He said the truth: And what said Surrey then? Rat. He smil'd and said, the better for our purpose. K. Rich. He was i' the right; and so, indeed, it is. [Clock strikes. Tell the clock there.-Give me a calendar.Who saw the sun to-day? Kat. Not I, my lord. And who doth lead them, but a paltry fellow, If we be conquer'd, let men conquer us, And not these bastard Bretagnes; whom our fathers Enter a Messenger. What says lord Stanley! will he bring his power? Mess. My lord, he doth deny to come. K. Rich. Offinstantly with his son George's head. After the battle let George Stanley die. Nor. My lord, the enemy is pass'd the marsh; K. Rich. A thousand hearts are great within my bosom: Advance our standards, set upon our foes; R. Rich. Then he disdains to shine; for, by the Upon them! Victory sits on our helms. [Exeunt. book, He should have brav'd the east an hour ago: A black day will it be to somebody.katcliff Rat. My lord? K. Rich. The sun will not be seen to-day; The sky doth frown and lour upon our army. I would, these dewy tears were from the ground. Not shine to-day! Why, what is that to me, More than to Richmond? for the self-same heaven, That frowns on me, looks sadly upon him. Enter NORFOLK. Nor. Arm, arm, my lord; the foe vaunts in the field. K. Rich. Come, bustle, bustle;-Caparison my horse: Call up lord Stanley, bid him bring his power: My foreward shall be drawn out all in length, ur archers shall be placed in the midst: A the main battle; whose puissance on either side Nor. A good direction, warlike sovereign.- [Giving a Scroll. K Rich. Jocky of Norfolk, be not too bold, [Reads. For Dickon thy master is bought and sold. A thing devised by the enemy.— Go, gentleman, every man unto his charge: Let not our babbling dreams affright our souls: Conscience is but a word that cowards use, Devised at first to keep the strong in awe; Var strong arms be our conscience, swords our law. March on, join bravely, let us to't pell-mell; not to Leaven, then hand in hand to hell.What shall I say more than I have inferr'd? Remember whom you are to cope withal;A sort of vagabonds, rascals, and run-aways, A scum of Bretagnes, and base lackey peasants, Whom their o'er-cloyed country vomits forth To desperate ventures and assured destruction. You sleeping safe, they bring you to unrest; You having lands, and bless'd with beauteous wives, They would restrain the one, distain the other. Guard 'The ancient familiarization of Richard. Requite. Company. SCENE IV. Another Part of the Field. Alarum: Excursions. Enter NORFOLK, and Forces; to him CATESBY. Cate. Rescue, my lord of Norfolk, rescue, rescue! The king enacts more wonders than a man, Daring an opposite to every danger: His horse is slain, and all on foot he fights, Seeking for Richmond in the throat of death: Rescue, fair lord, or else the day is lost! Alarum. Enter KING RICHARD. K. Rich. A horse! a horse! my kingdom for a horse! Cafe. Withdraw, my lord, I'll heip you to a horse. K. Rich. Slave, I have set my life upon a cast, And I will stand the hazard of the die: I think there be six Richmonds in the field; [Exeunt. Alarums. Enter KING RICHARD and RICHMOND; and exeunt fighting. Retreat, and Flourish. Then enter RICHMOND, STANLEY bearing the Crown, with divers other Lords, and Forces. Richm. God, and your arms, be prais'd, victorious friends; The day is ours, the bloody dog is dead. Lo, here, this long-usurped royalty, Richm. Great God of heaven, say, amen, to all:But, tell me first, is young George Stanley living? Stan. He is, my lord, and safe in Leicester town Whither, if it please you, we may now withdraw us Richm. What men of name are slain on either side? Stan. John duke of Norfolk, Walter lord Ferrers, Sir Robert Brackenbury, and sir William Brandon Richm. Inter their bodies as becomes their births Proclaim a pardon to the soldiers fled, That in submission will return to us; And, then, as we have ta'en the sacrament, We will unite the white rose with the red: Smile heaven upon this fair conjunction, That long hath frown'd upon their enmity!— What traitor hears me, and says not-Amen? England hath long been mad, and scarr'd herself; The brother blindly shed the brother's blood, The father rashly slaughter'd his own son. The son, compell'd, been butcher to the sire; O, now, let Richmond and Elizabeth, With smiling plenty, and fair prosperous days! Abate the edge of traitors, gracious Lord, Let them not live to taste this land's increase. That would with treason wound this fair land's peace! Now civil wounds are stopp'd, peace lives agains That she may long live here, God say-Amen. [Exeunt lcome no more to make you laugh; things now, The play may pass; if they be still and willing, In a long motley coat, guarded with yellow, Will be deceiv'd; for, gentle hearers, know, As they were living; think you see them great, Pretend. Henry VIII. and Francis I., king of France |