Enter KING RICHARD III in arms, with NORFOLK, SURREY, and others KING RICHARD III Here pitch our tents, 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 III My Lord of Norfolk,-- NORFOLK Here, most gracious liege. KING RICHARD III Norfolk, we must have knocks; ha! must we not? NORFOLK We must both give and take, my gracious lord. KING RICHARD III Up with my tent there! here will I lie tonight;
But where to-morrow? Well, all's one for that.
Who hath descried the number of the foe? NORFOLK Six or seven thousand is their utmost power. KING RICHARD III Why, our battalion trebles that account:
Besides, the king's name is a tower of strength, Which they upon the adverse party want.
Up with my tent there! Valiant gentlemen, Let us survey the vantage of the field Call for some men of sound direction Let's want 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, and others. Some of the Soldiers pitch RICHMOND's tent RICHMOND The weary sun hath made a golden set, And by the bright track of his fiery car, Gives signal, 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 strength.
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 Blunt, before thou go'st, Where is Lord Stanley quarter'd, dost thou know? BLUNT Unless I have mista'en his colours much, Which well I am assured 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, Good Captain Blunt, bear my good-night to him, And give him from me this most needful scroll. BLUNT Upon my life, my lord, I'll under-take it;
And so, God give you quiet rest to-night! RICHMOND Good night, good Captain Blunt. Come gentlemen, Let us consult upon to-morrow's business In to our tent; the air is raw and cold.
They withdraw into the tent Enter, to his tent, KING RICHARD III, NORFOLK, RATCLIFF, CATESBY, and others KING RICHARD III What is't o'clock? CATESBY It's supper-time, my lord;
It's nine o'clock. KING RICHARD III 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 If is, my liege; and all things are in readiness. KING RICHARD III Good Norfolk, hie thee to thy charge;
Use careful watch, choose trusty sentinels. NORFOLK I go, my lord. KING RICHARD III Stir with the lark to-morrow, gentle Norfolk. NORFOLK I warrant you, my lord.
Exit KING RICHARD III Catesby! CATESBY My lord? KING RICHARD III 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 III Saw'st thou the melancholy Lord Northumberland? RATCLIFF Thomas the Earl of Surrey, and himself, Much about cock-shut time, from troop to troop Went through the army, cheering up the soldiers. KING RICHARD III 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 III 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.
Exeunt RATCLIFF and the other Attendants Enter DERBY to RICHMOND in his tent, Lords and others attending DERBY Fortune and victory sit on thy helm! RICHMOND All comfort that the dark night can afford Be to thy person, noble 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 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! 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 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 Enter the Ghost of Prince Edward, son to King Henry VI
Ghost of Prince Edward [To KING RICHARD III]
Let me sit heavy on thy soul to-morrow!
Think, how thou stab'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 King Henry's issue, Richmond, comforts thee.
