Bruis'd underneath the yoke of tyranny, Oxf. Every man's conscience is a thousand swords, To fight against that bloody homicide. Herb. I doubt not, but his friends will turn to us. Blunt. He hath no friends, but who are friends for fear; Which, in his dearest need, will fly from him. Richm. All for our vantage. Then, in God's name, march. [Exeunt. SCENE III. Bosworth Field. Enter King RICHARD, and Forces; the Duke of NORFOLK, Earl of SURREY, and others. K. Rich. Here pitch our tents, even here in Bosworth field. My lord of Surrey, why look you so sad? Sur. My heart is ten times lighter than my looks. K. Rich. My lord of Norfolk, Nor. Here, most gracious liege. K. Rich. Norfolk, we must have knocks; Ha! must we not? Nor. We must both give and take, my loving lord. K. Rich. Up with my tent: Here will I lie tonight; [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? Nor. Six or seven thousand is their utmost power. K. Rich. 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, 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. [Exeunt. Enter, on the other side of the Field, RICHMOND, Sir WILLIAM BRAndon, OxforD, and other Lords. Some of the Soldiers pitch RICHMOND'S Tent. Richm. The weary sun hath made a golden set, Yet one thing more, good captain, do for me; 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. Let us consult upon to-morrow's business; [They withdraw into the Tent. Enter, to his Tent, King RICHARd, Norfolk, RATCLIFF, and CATESBY. K. Rich. What is't o'clock? 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. Ratcliff, Rat. My lord? K. Rich. [Exit. 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 cave of eternal night. Fill me a bowl of wine. Give me a watch 6: • A watch-light. [TO CATESBY. Saddle white Surrey for the field to-morrow. Look that my staves' be sound, and not too heavy. Ratcliff, Rat. My lord? K. Rich. Saw'st thou the melancholy lord Northumberland? 8 Rat. Thomas the earl of Surrey, and himself, Much about cock-shut time, from troop to troop, Went through the army, cheering up the soldiers. K. Rich. 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.- K. Rich. lord. Bid my guard watch; leave me. About the mid of night, come to my tent And help to arm me.— Leave me, I say. [King RICHARD retires into his Tent. Exeunt RATCLIFF and CATESBY. RICHMOND'S Tent opens, and discovers him, and his Officers, &c. Enter 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: 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. " Wood of the lances. • Twilight. I, as I may, (that which I would, I cannot,) Farewell: The leisure and the fearful time And ample interchange of sweet discourse, The Ghost of Prince EDWARD, son to Henry the Sixth, rises between the two Tents. Ghost. Let me sit heavy on thy soul to-morrow! [To King RICHARD. Think, how thou stab'dst me in my prime of youth At Tewksbury; Despair therefore, and die!Be cheerful, Richmond; for the wronged souls 9 Weigh. |