ACT V.

SCENE 1.-A plain near Tamworth.

Enter with drum and colours, the earl of Richmond, the earl of Oxford, marquis of Dorset, sir William Brandon, sir Walter Herbert, and others, with forces, marching.

Richm. Fellows in arms, and my most loving friends, Bruis'd underneath the yoke of tyranny,

Thus far into the bowels of the land
Have we march'd on without impediment.
Richard, the bloody and usurping boar,

That spoil'd your summer fields, and fruitful vines,
Lies now even in the centre of this isle,
Near to the town of Leicester, as we learn:
From Tamworth thither, is but one day's march.
And here receive we from our father Stanley,
Lines of fair comfort and encouragement;

In heaven's name then let's on, courageous friends,
To reap the harvest of perpetual peace,

By this one bloody trial of sharp war.

Dorset. Every man's conscience is a thousand swords,

To fight against that bloody homicide,

Our nation's terror, and remorseless scourge.

Richm. The period of his tyranny approaches;

I doubt not but his friends will turn to us.

Bran. He hath no friends, but who are friends from

fear :

Which in his dearest need will fly from him.

Richm. All for our vantage. Then, in heaven's name, on !

True hope is swift, and mounts on eagles' wings.
Kings it makes gods, and meaner creatures kings.

(Exeunt)

SCENE II.-Bosworth Field.

(A march.)

Enter King Richard, the duke of Norfolk, Ratcliff, and Catesby, with forces.

King R. Here pitch our tent, even in Bosworth field. My Lord of Norfolk, why look you so sad?

Norf. My heart is ten times lighter than my looks. King R. Norfolk, we must have blows-Ha! must we not?

Norf. We must both give and take, my loving lord.
King R. Up with my tent: here will I lie to-night;
But where to-morrow ?—Well, all's one for that:
Who hath descried the number of the traitors?

Norf. Six or seven thousand is their utmost power.
King Rich. Why, our battalia trebles that account;
Besides, the king's name is a tower of strength,
Which they upon the adverse faction want.

Norf. Their wants are greater yet, my lord.
Oh! did you see their poor, and starved band,
That look but like the shells and husks of men!-
Their executors, the greedy crows,

Fly o'er them all-impatient for their hour.

King R. Now, by Saint Paul, we'll send them dinners and apparel

Nay, give their fasting horses provender,
And after fight 'em!

Up with my tent. Come, noble gentlemen,
Let us survey the vantage of the ground :-
Call for some men of sound direction.-
Let's want no discipline, make no delay;
For, lords, to-morrow is a busy day
Norf. My gracious lord.

King R. What say'st thou, Norfolk.

Norf. Might I advise your majesty, you yet

Shall save the blood that shall be shed to-morrow.

King R. How so, my

lord.

Norf. The poor condition of the rebels tells me,

That, on a pardon offer'd to the lives

Of those, who instantly shall quit their arms,

Young Richmond, 'ere to-morrow's dawn, were friendless.
King R. Why, that indeed, was our sixth Harry's way,
Which made his reign one scene of rude commotion;
I'll be, in men's despite, a monarch: No,

Let Kings, that fear, forgive: Blows and revenge for me.
A March.

(Exeunt.

SCENE III.-The other side of the Field.

Enter Richmond, Sir William Brandon, Oxford, and other Lords.

my

standard.

Richm. The weary sun hath made a golden set,
And by the bright track of his fiery car,
Gives token of a goodly day to-morrow.―
Sir William Brandon, you shall bear
Give me some ink and paper in my tent,
I'll draw the form and model of our battle,
Limit each leader to his several charge,
And part in just proportion our small power.
My Lord of Oxford,-you, Sir William Brandon,
And you, Sir Walter Herbert, stay with me:
The Earl of Pembroke keeps his regiment.

Enter an Officer.

Officer. A gentleman, who calls himself Stanley, desires Admittance to the Earl of Richmond.

Richm. Now, by our hopes, my noble father-in-law.

Admit him.

(Exit Officer.

Re-enter Officer with Lord 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.-
The Queen hath heartily consented

That thou shalt wed Elizabeth, her daughter.
In brief, for so the season bids us be,
Prepare thy battle early in the morning;
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 interchange of sweet discourse,
Which so long sunder'd friends should dwell upon
Once more adieu: Be valiant and speed well.

-

Richm. Good Lords, conduct him to his regiment;
I will, with troubled thoughts, strive now to rest;
Lest leaden slumber weigh me down to-morrow,
When I should mount with wings of victory;
Once more, good night, kind lords, and gentlemen.

(Exeunt.

SCENE IV.—King Richard's Encampment.

Enter King Richard, Norfolk, Ratcliff, and Catesby.

K. Rich.

What is't o'clock?

Cates. It's nine, my Lord.

K, Rich. Give me some ink and paper.

What, is my beaver easier than it was?

And all my armour laid into my tent?

(Exit Ratcliff.

Cates. It is my liege, and all things are in readiness.
K. Rich. Good Norfolk, hie thee to thy charge;

Use careful watch, choose trusty centinels.

Norf. I go, my Lord.

K. Rich. Stir with the lark to-morrow, gentle Norfolk. Norf. I warrant you, my Lord.

K. Rich. Catesby,

(Exit Norfolk.

Cates. My Lord?

K. Rich. Send out a pursuivant at arms
To Stanley's regiment; bid him bring his power
Before sun-rising, lest his son George fall

Into the blind care of eternal night.

Saddle white Surrey for the field to-morrow.

Give me a bowl of wine: I have not that alacrity of spirit, Nor cheer of mind, that I was wont to have.

Re-enter Ratcliff.

Is ink and paper ready?

Rate. It is, my Lord.

K. Rich. Bid my guard-watch

About the mid of night come to my tent,

And help to arm me.

Good night!

(Exit King Richard.

Ratc. The King, methinks, looks sad: did you observe The strangeness of his altered countenance?

Cates. The mere effect of business.

You'll find him, sir, another man in the field,
When you shall see him, with his beaver up
Ready to mount his neighing steed; with whom
He smiling seems to have some wanton talk,
Clapping his pamper'd sides, to hold him still;
Then, with a motion, swift and light as air,
Like firy Mars, he vaults him to the saddle;
Looks terror to the foe, and courage to his soldiers.
Ratc. Good night to Richmond then!

But come, 'tis late, now let us to our tents;
We've few hours good, before the morning wakes us.

(Exeunt.

SCENE V.-King Richard's Tent.

Richard discovered.

K. Rich. 'Tis now the dead of night, and half the world

Is in a lonely solemn darkness hung: