Up with the tent !-Come, noble gentlemen, [Exeunt. Enter, on the other side of the field, RICHMOND, Sir WILLIAM BRANDON, OXFORD, 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 standard.— I'll draw the form and model of our battle, Yet one thing more, good captain, do for me,- 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 scroll. 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. [Exit. Let us consult upon to-morrow's business : [They withdraw into the tent. Re-enter, to his tent, King RICHARD, NORFOLK, RATCLIFF, CATESBY, and others. K.Rich. What is 't o'clock? Cate. It's nine o'clock. It's supper-time, my lord; 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 readi ness. 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. K. Rich. Catesby ! Cate. My lord? K. Rich. [Exit. Send out a pursuivant at arms To Stanley's regiment; bid him bring his power Into the blind cave of eternal night. [Exit CATESBY. Fill me a bowl of wine.-Give me a watch.- Ratcliff, Rat. My lord ? K. Rich. Saw'st thou the melancholy Lord Rat. Thomas the Earl of Surrey, and himself, I have not that alacrity of spirit, Nor cheer of mind, that I was wont to have. Set it down. [Wine brought. 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.- say. [Exeunt RATCLIFF and the other Attendants. Enter STANLEY to RICHMOND in his tent, Lords and others attending. 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 With best advantage will deceive the time, Farewell: the leisure and the fearful time And ample interchange of sweet discourse, Ghost of P. E. [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 butchered princes fight in thy behalf: The Ghost of HENRY VI. rises. Ghost of K. H. [To Richard When I was mortal, my anointed body By thee was punchéd full of deadly holes : Harry, that prophesied thou shouldst be king, Ghost of C. [To Richard] Let me sit heavy on thy soul to-morrow, I, that was washed to death with fulsome wine, And fall thy edgeless sword :-despair, and die![To Richmond] Thou offspring of the house of Lancaster, The wrongéd heirs of York do pray for thee: Rivers, that died at Pomfret!--despair, and die! Ghost of G. [To Richard] Thinl upon Grey, and let thy soul despair! |