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!
But where to-morrow?

5

Here will I lie to-night; Well, all's one for that.

Who hath descried the number of the traitors? Nor. Six or seven thousand is their utmost power. 10 K. Rich. Why, our battalia treble 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 lack no discipline, make no delay; For, lords, to-morrow is a busy day.

15

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.

20

Sir William Brandon, you shall bear my standard.
Give me some ink and paper in my tent;

25

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.

30

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,

35

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!

40

Richm. Good-night, good Captain Blunt. Come,

gentlemen,

[Exit Blunt.]

45

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 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 armour laid into my tent?

50

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.

55

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

K. Rich. [Catesby !

Cate.] My lord?

K. Rich.

Send out a pursuivant at arms

Exit.

To Stanley's regiment; bid him bring his power
Before sunrising, lest his son George fall

Into the blind cave of eternal night.

61

[Exit Catesby.]

Fill me a bowl of wine. Give me a watch.

Saddle white Surrey for the field to-morrow.

Look that my staves be sound, and not too heavy. 65
Ratcliff!

Rat. My lord?

L

K. Rich. Saw'st 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 sol-

diers.

K. Rich. So, I am satisfied.

71

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;

75

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 Attendants.
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 80
Be to thy person, noble father-in-law !

Tell me, how fares our loving mother?

Der. 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.

85

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,

90

Lest, being seen, thy brother, tender George, 95
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 sund'red friends should dwell

upon.

God give us leisure for these rites of love!

100

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 104

nap,

Lest leaden slumber peise me down to-morrow,
When I should mount with wings of victory.
Once more, good-night, kind lords and gentlemen.
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, 110
That they may crush down with a heavy fall
The usurping helmets of our adversaries!