King Richard III Part 20

HERBERT. I doubt not but his friends will turn to us.

BLUNT. He hath no friends but what are friends for fear, Which in his dearest need will fly from him.

RICHMOND. All for our vantage. Then in G.o.d's name march.

True hope is swift and flies with swallow's wings; Kings it makes G.o.ds, and meaner creatures kings. Exeunt

SCENE 3.

Bosworth Field

Enter KING RICHARD in arms, with NORFOLK, RATCLIFF, the EARL of SURREYS and others

KING RICHARD. Here pitch our tent, even here in Bosworth field.

My Lord of Surrey, why look you so sad?

SURREY. My heart is ten times lighter than my looks.

KING RICHARD. My Lord of Norfolk!

NORFOLK. Here, most gracious liege.

KING RICHARD. Norfolk, we must have knocks; ha! must we not?

NORFOLK. We must both give and take, my loving lord.

KING RICHARD. Up With my tent! Here will I lie to-night; [Soldiers begin to set up the KING'S tent]

But where to-morrow? Well, all's one for that.

Who hath descried the number of the traitors?

NORFOLK. Six or seven thousand is their utmost power.

KING RICHARD. Why, our battalia trebles that account; Besides, the King's name is a tower of strength, Which they upon the adverse faction want.

Up with the tent! Come, n.o.ble gentlemen, Let us survey the vantage of the ground.

Call for some men of sound direction.

Let's lack no discipline, make no delay; For, lords, to-morrow is a busy day. Exeunt

Enter, on the other side of the field, RICHMOND, SIR WILLIAM BRANDON, OXFORD, DORSET, and others. Some pitch RICHMOND'S tent

RICHMOND. The weary sun hath made a golden set, And by the bright tract of his fiery car Gives token of a goodly day to-morrow.

Sir William Brandon, you shall bear my standard.

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; Good Captain Blunt, bear my good night to him, And by the second hour in the morning Desire the Earl to see me in my tent.

Yet one thing more, good Captain, do for me- Where is Lord Stanley quarter'd, do you know?

BLUNT. Unless I have mista'en his colours much- Which well I am a.s.sur'd I have not done- His regiment lies half a mile at least South from the mighty power of the King.

RICHMOND. If without peril it be possible, Sweet 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; And so, G.o.d give you quiet rest to-night!

RICHMOND. Good night, good Captain Blunt. Come, gentlemen, Let us consult upon to-morrow's business.

In to my tent; the dew is raw and cold.

[They withdraw into the tent]

Enter, to his-tent, KING RICHARD, NORFOLK, RATCLIFF, and CATESBY

KING RICHARD. What is't o'clock?

CATESBY. It's supper-time, my lord; It's nine o'clock.

KING RICHARD. I will not sup to-night.

Give me some ink and paper.

What, is my beaver easier than it was?

And all my armour laid into my tent?

CATESBY. It is, my liege; and all things are in readiness.

KING RICHARD. Good Norfolk, hie thee to thy charge; Use careful watch, choose trusty sentinels.

NORFOLK. I go, my lord.

KING RICHARD. Stir with the lark to-morrow, gentle Norfolk.

NORFOLK. I warrant you, my lord. Exit KING RICHARD. Catesby!

CATESBY. My lord?

KING RICHARD. Send out a pursuivant-at-arms To Stanley's regiment; bid him bring his power Before sunrising, lest his son George fall Into the blind cave of eternal night. Exit CATESBY Fill me a bowl of wine. Give me a watch.

Saddle white Surrey for the field to-morrow.

Look that my staves be sound, and not too heavy.

Ratcliff!

RATCLIFF. My lord?

KING RICHARD. Saw'st thou the melancholy Lord Northumberland?

RATCLIFF. Thomas the Earl of Surrey and himself, Much about c.o.c.k-shut time, from troop to troop Went through the army, cheering up the soldiers.

KING RICHARD. So, 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.

Set it down. Is ink and paper ready?

RATCLIFF. It is, my lord.

KING RICHARD. Bid my guard watch; leave me.

RATCLIFF, about the mid of night come to my tent And help to arm me. Leave me, I say.

Exit RATCLIFF. RICHARD sleeps

Enter DERBY to RICHMOND in his tent; LORDS attending

DERBY. Fortune and victory sit on thy helm!

RICHMOND. All comfort that the dark night can afford Be to thy person, n.o.ble father-in-law!

Tell me, how fares our loving mother?

DERBY. 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 b.l.o.o.d.y 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-sund'red friends should dwell upon.

G.o.d give us leisure for these rites of love!

Once more, adieu; be valiant, and speed well!

RICHMOND. Good lords, conduct him to his regiment.

I'll strive with troubled thoughts to take a nap, Lest leaden slumber peise me down to-morrow When I should mount with wings of victory.

Once more, good night, kind lords and gentlemen.

Exeunt all but RICHMOND 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 fall The usurping helmets of our adversaries!

Make us Thy ministers of chastis.e.m.e.nt, 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]

Enter the GHOST Of YOUNG PRINCE EDWARD, son to HENRY THE SIXTH

GHOST. [To RICHARD] Let me sit heavy on thy soul to-morrow!

Think how thou stabb'dst me in my prime of youth At Tewksbury; despair, therefore, and die!

[To RICHMOND] Be cheerful, Richmond; for the wronged souls Of butcher'd princes fight in thy behalf.