Nor. We must both give and take, my loving lord. K. Rich. 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?

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 : 2Let'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.

standard.

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 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 Öxford,-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

Richmond's forces are said to have been only five thousand; and Richard's army consisted of about twelve thousand men. Stanley lay at a short distance with three thousand, and Richard may be supposed to have reckoned on them as friends, though the event proved otherwise.-MALONE.

2 Tried military skill.

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.
gentlemen,

Let us consult upon to-morrow's business;
In to my tent, the air is raw and cold.

Come,

[They withdraw into the tent.

Enter, to his tent, King RICHARD, NORFOLK, RATCLIFF, and CATESBY.

K. Rich. What is't o'clock?

Cate.

It's nine o'clock.

K. Rich.

It's supper time, my lord;

I will not sup to-night.—

Give me some ink and paper.~

What, is my beaver easier than it was ?

And all my armonr 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 Nor

folk.

Nor. I warrant you, my lord.

K. Rich. Ratcliff,

Rat. My lord?

[Exit.

K. Rich.

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:'—
[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 melancholy3 lord Northumberland?

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.—
So, set it down.-Is ink and paper ready?

Rat. It is, my lord.

K. Rich.

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.
RATCLIFF and CATESBY.

Exeunt

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,

'A watch-light.

• Meaning, his lances.

3 Richard calls him melancholy, because he did not join heartily in his cause.

* i. e. twilight.

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 th' 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!
Richm. Good lords, conduct him to his regiment:
I'll strive, with troubled thoughts, to take a nap;
Lest leaden slumber peise1 me down to-morrow,
When I should mount with wings of victory:
Once more, good night, kind lords and gentlemen.
[Exeunt Lords, &c. with STANley.
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
Th' usurping helmets of our adversaries!

1i. e. by deputation.

I suspect the poet wrote-mortal-scaring war.-MALONE. 3 leisure, for, want of leisure.

4 weigh me down, from peser, Fh.

Make us thy ministers of chastisement,
That we may praise thee in thy 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.

The Ghost of Prince EDWARD, Son to HENRY VI., 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 Of butcher'd princes fight in thy behalf: King Henry's issue, Richmond, comforts thee.

The Ghost of King HENRY VI. rises. Ghost. When I was mortal, my anointed body [To King RICHARD. 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.Virtuous and holy, be thou conqueror!

[TO RICHMOND. Harry, that prophesied thou should'st be king, Doth comfort thee in thy sleep; Live, and flourish!

The Ghost of CLARENCE rises,

Ghost. Let me sit heavy on thy soul to-morrow! [To King RICHARD. 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,