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K. Rich. 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 ? Nor. Six or seven thousand is their utmost

power. K. Rich. Why, our battalia treble that ac

count;
Besides, the King's name is a tower of strength,
Which they upon the adverse faction want.
Up with the tent! Come, noble 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
(BLUNT, and others. 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,
Gives token of a goodly day to-morrow.
Sir William Brandon, you shall bear my stan-

dard. 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 assur'd I have not done,
His regiment lies half a mile at least
South from the mighty power of the King.

Richm. 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, God give you quiet rest to-night! Richm. Good-night, good Captain Blunt.

Come, gentlemen, [Erit Blunt.] Let us consult upon to-morrow's business. Into my tent; the dew is raw and cold.

(They withdraw into the tent. Enter [to his tent) KING RICHARD, NORFOLK,

RATCLIFF, CATESBY (and others).
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.
Give me some ink and paper.
What, is my beaver easier than it was,
And all my armour laid into my tent ?

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

readiness. K. Rich. Good Norfolk, hie thee to thy

charge;
Use careful watch, choose trusty sentinels.

Nor. I go, my lord.
K. Rich. Stir with the lark to-morrow, gentle

Norfolk.
Nor. I warrant you, my lord. [Erit.
K. Rich. (Catesby!
Cate.] My lord ?

K. Rich. 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.

(Erit Catesby. Fill me a bowl of wine. Give me a watch. Saddle white Surrey for the field to-morrow. Look that my sta ves be sound, and not too

heavy. Rateliff !

Rat. My lord ?
K. Rich. Saw'st the melancholy Lord North-

umberland ? Rat. Thomas the Earl of Surrey, and him

self, Much about cock-shut time, from troop to troop Went through the army, cheering up the sol

diers. K. Rich. 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?

Rat. It is, my lord.

K. Rich. 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 Al

tendants. Richard sleeps). Enter DERBY to RICHMOND in his tent. (Lords

and others attending.] Der. 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? Der. I, by attorney, bless thee from the

mother, Who prays continually for Richmond's good. So much for that. The silent hours steal on, s 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 interchange of sweet discourse,

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Which so long sund'red 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 regi

ment. 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 gentle

(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

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. King Henry's issue, Richmond, comforts thee.

Enter the Ghost of HENRY THE SIXTH. Ghost. (To Richard.) When I was mortal,

my anointed body By thee was punched full of deadly holes. Think on the Tower and me. Despair, and die ! Harry the Sixth bids thee despair and die. (To Richmond.) Virtuous and holy, be thou

conqueror ! Harry, that prophesied thou shouldst be king, Dotb comfort thee in sleep. Live, and flourish!

Enter the Ghost of CLARENCE.
Ghost. (To Richard.] Let me sit heavy in thy

soul to-morrow 1
I, 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 ! (To Richmond.) Thou offspring of the house of

Lancaster, The wronged heirs of York do pray for thee. Good angels guard thy battle! Live, and

flourish! Enter the Ghosts of RIVERS, GREY, and

VAUGHAN.
Ghost of R. (?o Richard.] Let me sit heavy

in thy soul to-morrow, Rivers, that died at Pomfret! Despair, and

die !

Ghost of G. (To Richard.] Think upon Grey,

and let thy soul despair ! Ghost of V. (To Richard.] Think upon

Vaughan, and with guilty fear Let fall thy lance. Despair, and die ! All. (To Richmond.) Awake, and think our

wrongs in Richard's bosom Will conquer him! Awake, and win the day!

Enter the Ghost of HASTINGS. Ghost. (To Richard.] Bloody and guilty,

guiltily awake, And in a bloody battle end thy days! Think on Lord Hastings. Despair, and die! (To Richmond.) Quiet untroubled soul, awake,

awake! Arm, fight, and conquer, for fair England's

sake! Enter the Ghosts of the two young Princes. Ghosts. (To Richard.) Dream on thy cousins

smothered in the Tower. Let us be lead within thy bosom, Richard, And weigh thee down to ruin, shame, and

death! Thy nephews' souls bid thee despair and die ! (To Richmond.) Sleep, Richmond, sleep in

peace, and wake in joy; Good angels guard thee from the boar's annoy! Live, and beget a happy race of kings ! Edward's unhappy sons do bid thee flourish.

Enter the Ghost of LADY ANNE. Ghost. (To Richard.) Richard, thy wife,

that wretched Anne thy wife, That never slept a quiet hour with thee, Now fills thy sleep, with perturbations. To-morrow in the battle think on me, And fall thy edgeless sword. Despair, and die ! (To Richmond.) Thou quiet soul, sleep thou a

quiet sleep; Dream of success and happy victory! Thy adversary's wife doth pray for thee.

Enter the Ghost of BUCKINGHAM. Ghost. (To Richard.) The first was I that

help'd thee to the crown; The last was I that felt thy tyranny. 0, 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! (To Richmond.) I died for hope ere I could

lend thee aid; But cheer thy heart, and be thou not dismay'd. God and good angels fight on Richmond's side, And Richard fall in height of all his pride! 176

(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. O coward conscience, how dost thou afflict me! The lights burn blue. It is now dead mid

night. Cold fearful drops stand on my trembling flesh.

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What! do I fear myself? There's none else

by. Richard loves Richard ; that is, I am I. Is there a murderer here ? No. Yes, I am. Then fly. What, from myself? Great reason

why, Lest I revenge. What, myself upon myself ? Alack, I love myself. Wherefore? For any

good That I myself have done unto myself? O, no! alas, I rather hate myself For hateful' deeds committed by myself ! I am a villain: yet I lie, I am not. Fool, of thyself speak well; fool, do not flat

ter. My conscience hath a thousand several tongues, And every tongue brings in a several tale, And every tale condemns me for a villain. Perjury, perjury, in the high'st degree; Murder, stern murder, in the dir'st degree; All several sins, all us'd in each degree, Throng to the bar, crying all, Guilty! guilty ! I shall despair. There is no creature loves me; And if I die, no soul shall pity me. Nay, wherefore should they, since that I my

self Find in myself no pity to myself ? Methought the souls of all that I had mur

der'd Came to my tent; and every one did threat 205 To-morrow's vengeance on the head of Richard.

Enter RATCLIFF. Rat. My lord ! K. Rich. ['Zounds !) who's there? Rat. Ratcliff, my lord ; 't is I. The early

village-cock Hath twice done salutation to the morn; Your friends are up, and buckle on their K. Rich. (O Rateliff, I have dream'd a fear

ful dream! What thinkest thou, will our friends prove all

true ? Rat. No doubt, my lord.) K. Rich. O Ratcliff, I fear, I fear, Rat. Nay, good my lord, 'be not afraid of

shadows. K. Rich. By the apostle Paul, shadows to

night 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. Enter the LORDS to RICHMOND, sitting in his

tent. Lords. Good morrow, Richmond ! Richm. Cry mercy, lords and watchful gen

tlemen, That you have ta'en a tardy slaggard here. 225

Lords. How have you slept, my lord ?
Richm. The sweetest sleep and fairest-bod-

ing dreams

That ever ent'red in a drowsy head
Have I since your departure had, my lords.
Methought their souls, whose bodies Riehard

murder'd,
Came to my tent, and cried on victory,
I promise you, my heart is very jocund
In the remembrance of so fair a dream.
How far into the morning is it, lords?

Lords. Upon the stroke of four.
Richm. Why, then 't is time to arm and give
direction.

His oration to his soldiers. More than I have said, loving countrymen, The leisure and enforcement of the time Forbids to dwell upon; yet remember this, God and our good cause fight upon our side; * The prayers of holy saints and wronged souls, Like high-rear'd bulwarks, stand before our

faces. Richard except, those whom we fight against Had rather have us win than him they fol

low. For what is he they follow? Truly, gentlemen, A bloody tyrant and a homicide; One rais'd in blood, and one in blood estab

lish'd; One that made means to come by what he

hath, And slaughter'd those that were the means to

help him ; A base foul stone, made precious by the foil Of England's chair, where he is falsely set; One that hath ever been God's enemy. Then, if you fight against God's enemy, God will in justice ward you as his soldiers; If you do sweat to put a tyrant down, You sleep in peace, the tyrant being slain; If you do fight against your country's foes, Your country's fat shall pay your pains the

hire; If you do fight in safeguard of your wives, Your wives shall welcome home the conquer

ors; If you do free your children from the sword, Your children's children quits it in your age. Then, in the name of God and all these rights, Advance your standards, draw your willing

swords. For me, the ransom of my bold attempt. Shall be this cold corpse on the earth's cold

face; But if I thrive, the gain of my attempt The least of you shall share his part thereof. Sound drums and trumpets boldly and cheer

fully; God and Saint George ! Richmond and victory!

(Eseunt. Re-enter King RICHARD, RATCLIFF, CATESBY

(Attendants and Forces). K. Rich. What said Northumberland as

touching Richmond ? Rat. That he was never trained up in K. Rich. He said the truth; and what said

Surrey then ?

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Rat. He smild and said, “The better for

our purpose." K. Rich. He was in the right; and so indeed it is.

(Clock strikes. 176 Tell the clock there. Give me a calendar, Who saw the sun to-day? Rat.

lord. K. Rich. Then he disdains to shine, for by

the book
He should have bray'd the east an hour ago.
A black day will it be to somebody.
Ratcliff!

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 295 More than to Richmond ? for the self-same

heaven That frowns ou 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. I will lead forth my soldiers to the plain, And thus my battle shall be ordered : My foreward shall be drawn out all in length, Consisting equally of horse and foot; Our archers shall be placed in the midst; John Duke of Norfolk, Thomas Earl of Sur

rey, Shall have the leading of this foot and horse. They thus directed, we will follow In the main battle, whose puissance on either

side Shall be well winged with our chiefest horse. This, and Saint George to boot! What think'st

thou, Norfolk ? Nor. A good direction, warlike sovereign. This found I on my tent this morning.

[He sheweth him a paper. (K. Rich. Reads.) Jockey of Norfolk, be

not so bold, For Dickon thy master is bought and sold." 305 A thing devised by the enemy.. Go, gentlemen, every man to his charge. Let not onr babbling dreams affright our souls, For conscience is a word that cowards use, Devis'd at first to keep the strong in awe; Our strong arms be our conscience, swords our

law. March on, join bravely, let us to't pell-mell ; If not to heaven, then hand in hand to hell.

His oration to his Army. What shall I say more than I have inferr'd ? Remember whom you are to cope withal; A sort of vagabonds, rascals, and runaways, A scum of Bretons, and base lackey peasants, Whom their o'er-cloyed country vomits forth To desperate ventures and assur'd destruction, You sleeping safe, they bring you to unrest ; 320 You having lands, and blest with beauteous

wives,

They would restrain the one, distain the other.
And who doth lead them but a paltry fellow,
Long kept in Bretagne at our mother's cost
A milk-sop, one that never in his life
Felt so much cold as over shoes in snow ?
Let's whip these stragglers o'er the seas again;
Lash hence these overweening rags of France,
These famish'd beggars, weary of their lives ;
Who, but for dreaming on this fond exploit, sso
For want of means, poor rats, had hang'd them-

selves. If we be conquered, let men conquer us, And not these bastard Bretons; whom our

fathers Have in their own land beaten, bobb'd, and

thump’d, And on record, left them the heirs of shame. Shall these enjoy our lands ? lie with our

wives? Ravish our daughters ? (Drum afar off.) Hark!

I hear their drum. Fight, gentlemen of England ! fight, bold yeo

men!

archers, draw your arrows to the head ! Spur your proud horses hard, and ride in

blood; Amaze the welkin with your broken staves !

Enter a MESSENGER. What says Lord Stanley? Will he bring his

power? Mess. My lord, he doth deny to come. K. Rich. Off with his son George's head !

Nor. My lord, the enemy is past the marsh; After the battle let George Stanley die. K. Rich. A thousand hearts are great within

my bosom. Advance our standards, set upon our foes ; Qur ancient word of courage, fair Saint George, Inspire us with the spleen of fiery dragons ! 360 Upon them! Victory sits on our helms.

[Ereunt.) (SCENE IV. Another part of the field.] Alarum. Excursions. Enter (NORFOLK and

forces fighting; 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. 6 Rescue, fair lord, or else the day is lost!

Alarums, Enter KING RICHARD. K. Rich. A horse! a horse! my kingdom for

a horse ! Cate. Withdraw, my lord ; I'll help 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; Five have I slain to-day instead of him. A horse I a horse ! my kingdom for a horse !

(Exeunt.!

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