K. Rich. Why, our battalia trebles that account: [Exeunt. Enter, on the other side of the Field, RICHMOND, Sir WILLIAM BRANDON, OXFORD, and other Officers. 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. - you, Sir William Brandon, - Desire the earl to see me in my tent: Yet one thing more, good captain, do for me; 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, 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, Let us consult upon to-morrow's business! In to my tent, the dew is raw and cold. [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 supper time, my lord; it's nine o'clock. 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. Use careful watch; choose trusty sentinels. Nor. Igo, my lord. K. Rich. Stir with the lark to-morrow, gentle Norfolk. K. Rich. Ratcliff! Rat. My lord? K. Rich. Send out a pursuivant at arms To Stanley's regiment: bid him bring his power Fill me a bowl of wine. Give me a watch: Rat. My lord? [Exit. K. Rich. Saw'st thou the melancholy lord Northumber land? 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. So: I am satisfied. I have not that alacrity of spirit, Give me a bowl of wine: Nor cheer of mind, that I was wont to have. -- 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. [King RICHARD retires into his Tent. Exeunt RATCLIFF and CATESBY. RICHMOND'S Tent opens, and discovers him and his Officers, &c. Stan. Fortune and victory sit on thy helm! 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, Farewell. The leisure and the fearful time And ample interchange of sweet discourse, Which so long sunder'd friends should dwell upon. 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; Once more, good night, kind lords, and gentlemen. [Exeunt Lords, &c. with STANLEY. O! Thou, whose captain I account myself, [Sleeps. 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 Be cheerful, Richmond; for the wronged souls The Ghost of King HENRY the Sixth rises. [To King RICHARD. By thee was punched full of deadly holes. [To RICHMOND. 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, [TO RICHMOND. Thou offspring of the house of Lancaster, [To King RICHARD. Rivers, that died at Pomfret. Despair, and die. [To King RICHARD. Vaugh. Think upon Vaughan, and with guilty fear Let fall thy lance. Despair, and die. [To King RICHARD. [TO RICHMOND. Will conquer him. Awake, and win the day! The Ghost of HASTINGS rises. Ghost. Bloody and guilty, guiltily awake; And in a bloody battle end thy days. Think on lord Hastings. Despair, and die. [To King RICHARD. [TO RICHMOND. Arm, fight, and conquer, for fair England's sake. The Ghosts of the two young Princes rise. Ghosts. Dream on thy cousins smother'd 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. |