Act IV, Scene IV — Before the palace
Enter QUEEN MARGARET.
Q. Mar. So, now prosperity begins to mellow [fdd001] And drop into the rotten mouth of death. Here in these confines slily have I lurk’d, [fdd003] To watch the waning of mine adversaries. [fdd004] A dire induction am I witness to, ·fdd005· And will to France, hoping the consequence Will prove as bitter, black, and tragical. [fdd007] Withdraw thee, wretched Margaret: who comes here? [fdd008]
Enter QUEEN ELIZABETH and the DUCHESS OF YORK.
Q. Eliz. Ah, my young princes! ah, my tender babes! [fdd009] My unblown flowers, new-appearing sweets! [fdd010] If yet your gentle souls fly in the air And be not fix’d in doom perpetual, Hover about me with your airy wings [fdd013] And hear your mother’s lamentation!
Q. Mar. Hover about her; say, that right for right [fdd015] Hath dimm’d your infant morn to aged night.
Duch. So many miseries have crazed my voice, [fdd017] That my woe-wearied tongue is mute and dumb. [fdd018] Edward Plantagenet, why art thou dead?
Q. Mar. Plantagenet doth quit Plantagenet, [fdd020] Edward for Edward pays a dying debt.
Q. Eliz. Wilt thou, O God, fly from such gentle lambs, And throw them in the entrails of the wolf? When didst thou sleep when such a deed was done? [fdd024]
Q. Mar. When holy Harry died, and my sweet son. [fdd025]
Duch. Blind sight, dead life, poor mortal living ghost, [fdd026] Woe’s scene, world’s shame, grave’s due by life usurp’d, Brief abstract and record of tedious days, [fdd028] Rest thy unrest on England’s lawful earth, [fdd029] [Sitting down. Unlawfully made drunk with innocents’ blood! [fdd030]
Q. Eliz. O, that thou wouldst as well afford a grave [fdd031] As thou canst yield a melancholy seat! Then would I hide my bones, not rest them here. O, who hath any cause to mourn but I? [fdd034] [Sitting down by her.
Q. Mar. If ancient sorrow be most reverend, [fdd035] Give mine the benefit of seniory, [fdd036] And let my woes frown on the upper hand. [fdd037] If sorrow can admit society, [Sitting down with them. [fdd038] Tell o’er your woes again by viewing mine: [fdd039] I had an Edward, till a Richard kill’d him; ·fdd040· I had a Harry, till a Richard kill’d him: [fdd041] Thou hadst an Edward, till a Richard kill’d him; Thou hadst a Richard, till a Richard kill’d him.
Duch. I had a Richard too, and thou didst kill him; I had a Rutland too, thou holp’st to kill him. [fdd045]
Q. Mar. Thou hadst a Clarence too, and Richard kill’d him. [fdd046] From forth the kennel of thy womb hath crept A hell-hound that doth hunt us all to death: That dog, that had his teeth before his eyes, To worry lambs and lap their gentle blood, [fdd050] That foul defacer of God’s handiwork, That excellent grand tyrant of the earth, [fdd052] That reigns in galled eyes of weeping souls, Thy womb let loose, to chase us to our graves. [fdd054] O upright, just, and true-disposing God, ·fdd055· How do I thank thee, that this carnal cur [fdd056] Preys on the issue of his mother’s body, And makes her pew-fellow with others’ moan! [fdd058]
Duch. O Harry’s wife, triumph not in my woes! [fdd059] God witness with me, I have wept for thine. [fdd060]
Q. Mar. Bear with me; I am hungry for revenge, And now I cloy me with beholding it. Thy Edward he is dead, that stabb’d my Edward; [fdd063] Thy other Edward dead, to quit my Edward; [fdd064] Young York he is but boot, because both they ·fdd065· Match not the high perfection of my loss: [fdd066] Thy Clarence he is dead that kill’d my Edward; [fdd067] And the beholders of this tragic play, [fdd068] The adulterate Hastings, Rivers, Vaughan, Grey, [fdd069] Untimely smother’d in their dusky graves. [fdd070] Richard yet lives, hell’s black intelligencer, [fdd071] Only reserved their factor, to buy souls [fdd072] And send them thither: but at hand, at hand, [fdd073] Ensues his piteous and unpitied end: Earth gapes, hell burns, fiends roar, saints pray, [fdd075] To have him suddenly convey’d away. [fdd076] Cancel his bond of life, dear God, I pray, [fdd077] That I may live to say, The dog is dead! [fdd078]
Q. Eliz. O, thou didst prophesy the time would come [fdd079] That I should wish for thee to help me curse ·fdd080· That bottled spider, that foul bunch-back’d toad! [fdd081]
Q. Mar. I call’d thee then vain flourish of my fortune; [fdd082] I call’d thee then poor shadow, painted queen; The presentation of but what I was; The flattering index of a direful pageant; [fdd085] One heaved a-high, to be hurl’d down below; [fdd086] A mother only mock’d with two sweet babes; [fdd087] A dream of what thou wert, a breath, a bubble, [fdd088] A sign of dignity, a garish flag To be the aim of every dangerous shot; ·fdd090· A queen in jest, only to fill the scene. Where is thy husband now? where be thy brothers? Where are thy children? wherein dost thou joy? [fdd093] Who sues to thee and cries ‘God save the queen’? [fdd094] Where be the bending peers that flatter’d thee? [fdd095] Where be the thronging troops that follow’d thee? [fdd096] Decline all this, and see what now thou art: For happy wife, a most distressed widow; For joyful mother, one that wails the name; For queen, a very caitiff crown’d with care; [fdd100] For one being sued to, one that humbly sues; [fdd101] For one that scorn’d at me, now scorn’d of me; [fdd102] For one being fear’d of all, now fearing one; [fdd103] For one commanding all, obey’d of none. Thus hath the course of justice wheel’d about, [fdd105] And left thee but a very prey to time; [fdd106] Having no more but thought of what thou wert, [fdd107] To torture thee the more, being what thou art. Thou didst usurp my place, and dost thou not Usurp the just proportion of my sorrow? ·fdd110· Now thy proud neck bears half my burthen’d yoke; [fdd111] From which even here I slip my weary neck, [fdd112] And leave the burthen of it all on thee. Farewell, York’s wife, and queen of sad mischance: These English woes will make me smile in France. [fdd115]
Q. Eliz. O thou well skill’d in curses, stay awhile, And teach me how to curse mine enemies!
Q. Mar. Forbear to sleep the nights, and fast the days; [fdd118] Compare dead happiness with living woe; [fdd119] Think that thy babes were fairer than they were, [fdd120] And he that slew them fouler than he is: Bettering thy loss makes the bad causer worse: [fdd122] Revolving this will teach thee how to curse.
Q. Eliz. My words are dull; O, quicken them with thine! [fdd124]
Q. Mar. Thy woes will make them sharp and pierce like mine. [Exit. [fdd125]
Duch. Why should calamity be full of words?
Q. Eliz. Windy attorneys to their client woes, [fdd127] Airy succeeders of intestate joys, [fdd128] Poor breathing orators of miseries! Let them have scope: though what they do impart [fdd130] Help not at all, yet do they ease the heart. [fdd131]
Duch. If so, then be not tongue-tied: go with me, [fdd132] And in the breath of bitter words let’s smother My damned son, which thy two sweet sons smother’d. [fdd134] I hear his drum: be copious in exclaims. [fdd135]
Enter KING RICHARD, marching, with drums and trumpets.
K. Rich. Who intercepts my expedition? [fdd136]
Duch. O, she that might have intercepted thee, [fdd137] By strangling thee in her accursed womb, From all the slaughters, wretch, that thou hast done!
Q. Eliz. Hidest thou that forehead with a golden crown, [fdd140] Where should be graven, if that right were right, [fdd141] The slaughter of the prince that owed that crown, And the dire death of my two sons and brothers? [fdd143] Tell me, thou villain slave, where are my children?
Duch. Thou toad, thou toad, where is thy brother Clarence? [fdd145] And little Ned Plantagenet, his son? [fdd146]
Q. Eliz. Where is kind Hastings, Rivers, Vaughan, Grey? [fdd147]
K. Rich. A flourish, trumpets! strike alarum, drums! Let not the heavens hear these tell-tale women Rail on the Lord’s anointed: strike, I say! [fdd150] [Flourish. Alarums. Either be patient, and entreat me fair, Or with the clamorous report of war [fdd152] Thus will I drown your exclamations. [fdd153]
Duch. Art thou my son?
K. Rich. Ay, I thank God, my father, and yourself. [fdd155]
Duch. Then patiently hear my impatience. [fdd156]
K. Rich. Madam, I have a touch of your condition, Which cannot brook the accent of reproof. [fdd158]
Duch. O, let me speak!
K. Rich. Do then; but I’ll not hear. [fdd159]
Duch. I will be mild and gentle in my speech. [fdd160]
K. Rich. And brief, good mother; for I am in haste.
Duch. Art thou so hasty? I have stay’d for thee, [fdd162] God knows, in anguish, pain and agony. [fdd163]
K. Rich. And came I not at last to comfort you?
Duch. No, by the holy rood, thou know’st it well, ·fdd165· Thou camest on earth to make the earth my hell. A grievous burthen was thy birth to me; Tetchy and wayward was thy infancy; Thy school-days frightful, desperate, wild, and furious, Thy prime of manhood daring, bold, and venturous, [fdd170] Thy age confirm’d, proud, subtle, bloody, treacherous, [fdd171] More mild, but yet more harmful, kind in hatred: [fdd172] What comfortable hour canst thou name, That ever graced me in thy company? [fdd174]
K. Rich. Faith, none, but Humphrey Hour, that call’d your grace [fdd175] To breakfast once forth of my company. [fdd176] If I be so disgracious in your sight, [fdd177] Let me march on, and not offend your grace. [fdd178] Strike up the drum.
Duch. I prithee, hear me speak. [fdd179]
K. Rich. You speak too bitterly.
Duch. Hear me a word; ·fdd180· For I shall never speak to thee again.
K. Rich. So.
Duch. Either thou wilt die, by God’s just ordinance, [fdd183] Ere from this war thou turn a conqueror, [fdd184] Or I with grief and extreme age shall perish [fdd185] And never look upon thy face again. [fdd186] Therefore take with thee my most heavy curse; [fdd187] Which, in the day of battle, tire thee more Than all the complete armour that thou wear’st! My prayers on the adverse party fight; ·fdd190· And there the little souls of Edward’s children [fdd191] Whisper the spirits of thine enemies [fdd192] And promise them success and victory. [fdd193] Bloody thou art, bloody will be thy end; [fdd194] Shame serves thy life and doth thy death attend. [Exit. ·fdd195·
Q. Eliz. Though far more cause, yet much less spirit to curse Abides in me; I say amen to all. [fdd197]
K. Rich. Stay, madam; I must speak a word with you. [fdd198]
Q. Eliz. I have no moe sons of the royal blood [fdd199] For thee to murder: for my daughters, Richard, [fdd200] They shall be praying nuns, not weeping queens; And therefore level not to hit their lives.
K. Rich. You have a daughter call’d Elizabeth, Virtuous and fair, royal and gracious.
Q. Eliz. And must she die for this? O, let her live, ·fdd205· And I’ll corrupt her manners, stain her beauty; Slander myself as false to Edward’s bed; Throw over her the veil of infamy: [fdd208] So she may live unscarr’d of bleeding slaughter, [fdd209] I will confess she was not Edward’s daughter. ·fdd210·
K. Rich. Wrong not her birth, she is of royal blood. [fdd211]
Q. Eliz. To save her life, I’ll say she is not so.
K. Rich. Her life is only safest in her birth. [fdd213]
Q. Eliz. And only in that safety died her brothers.
K. Rich. Lo, at their births good stars were opposite. [fdd215]
Q. Eliz. No, to their lives bad friends were contrary. [fdd216]
K. Rich. All unavoided is the doom of destiny.
Q. Eliz. True, when avoided grace makes destiny: My babes were destined to a fairer death, If grace had bless’d thee with a fairer life. ·fdd220·
K. Rich. You speak as if that I had slain my cousins. [fdd221]
Q. Eliz. Cousins, indeed; and by their uncle cozen’d [fdd222] Of comfort, kingdom, kindred, freedom, life. Whose hand soever lanced their tender hearts, [fdd224] Thy head, all indirectly, gave direction: ·fdd225· No doubt the murderous knife was dull and blunt Till it was whetted on thy stone-hard heart, To revel in the entrails of my lambs. But that still use of grief makes wild grief tame, My tongue should to thy ears not name my boys ·fdd230· Till that my nails were anchor’d in thine eyes; And I, in such a desperate bay of death, Like a poor bark, of sails and tackling reft, Rush all to pieces on thy rocky bosom.
K. Rich. Madam, so thrive I in my enterprise [fdd235] And dangerous success of bloody wars. As I intend more good to you and yours [fdd237] Than ever you or yours were by me wrong’d! [fdd238]
Q. Eliz. What good is cover’d with the face of heaven, To be discover’d, that can do me good? [fdd240]
K. Rich. The advancement of your children, gentle lady. [fdd241]
Q. Eliz. Up to some scaffold, there to lose their heads?
K. Rich. No, to the dignity and height of honour, [fdd243] The high imperial type of this earth’s glory. [fdd244]
Q. Eliz. Flatter my sorrows with report of it; [fdd245] Tell me what state, what dignity, what honour, Canst thou demise to any child of mine? [fdd247]
K. Rich. Even all I have; yea, and myself and all, [fdd248] Will I withal endow a child of thine; [fdd249] So in the Lethe of thy angry soul ·fdd250· Thou drown the sad remembrance of those wrongs [fdd251] Which thou supposest I have done to thee.
Q. Eliz. Be brief, lest that the process of thy kindness Last longer telling than thy kindness’ date. [fdd254]
K. Rich. Then know, that from my soul I love thy daughter. [fdd255]
Q. Eliz. My daughter’s mother thinks it with her soul.
K. Rich. What do you think?
Q. Eliz. That thou dost love my daughter from thy soul: So from thy soul’s love didst thou love her brothers; [fdd259] And from my heart’s love I do thank thee for it. [fdd260]
K. Rich. Be not so hasty to confound my meaning: I mean, that with my soul I love thy daughter, And mean to make her queen of England. [fdd263]
Q. Eliz. Say then, who dost thou mean shall be her king? [fdd264]
K. Rich. Even he that makes her queen: who should be else? [fdd265]
Q. Eliz. What, thou?
K. Rich. I, even I: what think you of it, madam? [fdd267]
Q. Eliz. How canst thou woo her?
K. Rich. That would I learn of you, [fdd268] As one that are best acquainted with her humour. [fdd269]
Q. Eliz. And wilt thou learn of me?
K. Rich. Madam, with all my heart. [fdd270]
Q. Eliz. Send to her, by the man that slew her brothers, A pair of bleeding hearts; thereon engrave [fdd272] Edward and York; then haply she will weep: [fdd273] Therefore present to her,--as sometime Margaret [fdd274] Did to thy father, steep’d in Rutland’s blood,-- [fdd275] A handkerchief; which, say to her, did drain [fdd276] The purple sap from her sweet brother’s body, [fdd277] And bid her dry her weeping eyes therewith. [fdd278] If this inducement force her not to love, [fdd279] Send her a story of thy noble acts; [fdd280] Tell her thou madest away her uncle Clarence, Her uncle Rivers; yea, and, for her sake, [fdd282] Madest quick conveyance with her good aunt Anne.
K. Rich. Come, come, you mock me; this is not the way [fdd284] To win your daughter.
Q. Eliz. There is no other way; [fdd285] Unless thou couldst put on some other shape, And not be Richard that hath done all this.
K. Rich. Say that I did all this for love of her. [fdd288]
Q. Eliz. Nay, then indeed she cannot choose but hate thee, [fdd289] Having bought love with such a bloody spoil. [fdd290]
K. Rich. Look, what is done cannot be now amended: Men shall deal unadvisedly sometimes, Which after-hours give leisure to repent. [fdd293] If I did take the kingdom from your sons, To make amends, I’ll give it to your daughter. ·fdd295· If I have kill’d the issue of your womb, To quicken your increase, I will beget Mine issue of your blood upon your daughter: A grandam’s name is little less in love Than is the doting title of a mother; ·fdd300· They are as children but one step below, Even of your mettle, of your very blood; [fdd302] Of all one pain, save for a night of groans Endured of her, for whom you bid like sorrow. [fdd304] Your children were vexation to your youth, ·fdd305· But mine shall be a comfort to your age. The loss you have is but a son being king, And by that loss your daughter is made queen. I cannot make you what amends I would, Therefore accept such kindness as I can. ·fdd310· Dorset your son, that with a fearful soul Leads discontented steps in foreign soil, [fdd312] This fair alliance quickly shall call home To high promotions and great dignity: The king, that calls your beauteous daughter wife, ·fdd315· Familiarly shall call thy Dorset brother; Again shall you be mother to a king, And all the ruins of distressful times Repair’d with double riches of content. What! we have many goodly days to see: ·fdd320· The liquid drops of tears that you have shed Shall come again, transform’d to orient pearl, Advantaging their loan with interest [fdd323] Of ten times double gain of happiness. [fdd324] Go, then, my mother, to thy daughter go; ·fdd325· Make bold her bashful years with your experience; Prepare her ears to hear a wooer’s tale; Put in her tender heart the aspiring flame Of golden sovereignty; acquaint the princess With the sweet silent hours of marriage joys: ·fdd330· And when this arm of mine hath chastised The petty rebel, dull-brain’d Buckingham, Bound with triumphant garlands will I come [fdd333] And lead thy daughter to a conqueror’s bed; To whom I will retail my conquest won, ·fdd335· And she shall be sole victress, Cæsar’s Cæsar. [fdd336]
Q. Eliz. What were I best to say? her father’s brother Would be her lord? or shall I say, her uncle? Or, he that slew her brothers and her uncles? Under what title shall I woo for thee, ·fdd340· That God, the law, my honour and her love, Can make seem pleasing to her tender years?
K. Rich. Infer fair England’s peace by this alliance. [fdd343]
Q. Eliz. Which she shall purchase with still lasting war.
K. Rich. Say that the king, which may command, entreats. [fdd345]
Q. Eliz. That at her hands which the king’s King forbids. [fdd346]
K. Rich. Say, she shall be a high and mighty queen.
Q. Eliz. To wail the title, as her mother doth. [fdd348]
K. Rich. Say, I will love her everlastingly.
Q. Eliz. But how long shall that title ‘ever’ last? [fdd350]
K. Rich. Sweetly in force unto her fair life’s end. [fdd351]
Q. Eliz. But how long fairly shall her sweet life last? [fdd352]
K. Rich. So long as heaven and nature lengthens it. [fdd353]
Q. Eliz. So long as hell and Richard likes of it. [fdd354]
K. Rich. Say, I, her sovereign, am her subject love. [fdd355]
Q. Eliz. But she, your subject, loathes such sovereignty.
K. Rich. Be eloquent in my behalf to her.
Q. Eliz. An honest tale speeds best being plainly told.
K. Rich. Then in plain terms tell her my loving tale. [fdd359]
Q. Eliz. Plain and not honest is too harsh a style. ·fdd360·
K. Rich. Your reasons are too shallow and too quick. [fdd361]
Q. Eliz. O no, my reasons are too deep and dead; [fdd362] Too deep and dead, poor infants, in their grave. [fdd363]
K. Rich. Harp not on that string, madam; that is past. [fdd364]
Q. Eliz. Harp on it still shall I till heart-strings break. ·fdd365·
K. Rich. Now, by my George, my garter, and my crown,--
Q. Eliz. Profaned, dishonour’d, and the third usurp’d.
K. Rich. I swear--
Q. Eliz. By nothing; for this is no oath: [fdd368] The George, profaned, hath lost his holy honour; [fdd369] The garter, blemish’d, pawn’d his knightly virtue; [fdd370] The crown, usurp’d, disgraced his kingly glory. [fdd371] If something thou wilt swear to be believed, [fdd372] Swear then by something that thou hast not wrong’d.
K. Rich. Now, by the world--
Q. Eliz. ’Tis full of thy foul wrongs.
K. Rich. My father’s death--
Q. Eliz. Thy life hath that dishonour’d. [fdd375]
K. Rich. Then, by myself--
Q. Eliz. Thyself thyself misusest. [fdd376]
K. Rich. Why then, by God--
Q. Eliz. God’s wrong is most of all. [fdd377] If thou hadst fear’d to break an oath by Him, [fdd378] The unity the king thy brother made [fdd379] Had not been broken, nor my brother slain: [fdd380] If thou hadst fear’d to break an oath by Him, [fdd381] The imperial metal, circling now thy brow, [fdd382] Had graced the tender temples of my child. [fdd383] And both the princes had been breathing here, Which now, two tender playfellows for dust, [fdd385] Thy broken faith hath made a prey for worms. [fdd386] What canst thou swear by now?
K. Rich. The time to come. [fdd387]
Q. Eliz. That thou hast wronged in the time o’erpast; [fdd388] For I myself have many tears to wash Hereafter time, for time past wrong’d by thee. [fdd390] The children live, whose parents thou hast slaughter’d, [fdd391] Ungovern’d youth, to wail it in their age; [fdd392] The parents live, whose children thou hast butcher’d, [fdd393] Old wither’d plants, to wail it with their age. [fdd394] Swear not by time to come; for that thou hast [fdd395] Misused ere used, by time misused o’erpast. [fdd396]
K. Rich. As I intend to prosper and repent, So thrive I in my dangerous attempt [fdd398] Of hostile arms! myself myself confound! Heaven and fortune bar me happy hours! [fdd400] Day, yield me not thy light; nor, night, thy rest! Be opposite all planets of good luck To my proceedings, if, with pure heart’s love, [fdd403] Immaculate devotion, holy thoughts, [fdd404] I tender not thy beauteous princely daughter! [fdd405] In her consists my happiness and thine; Without her, follows to this land and me, [fdd407] To thee, herself, and many a Christian soul, Death, desolation, ruin and decay: [fdd409] It cannot be avoided but by this; ·fdd410· It will not be avoided but by this. [fdd411] Therefore, good mother,--I must call you so-- [fdd412] Be the attorney of my love to her: Plead what I will be, not what I have been; Not my deserts, but what I will deserve: [fdd415] Urge the necessity and state of times, [fdd416] And be not peevish-fond in great designs. [fdd417]
Q. Eliz. Shall I be tempted of the devil thus?
K. Rich. Ay, if the devil tempt thee to do good. [fdd419]
Q. Eliz. Shall I forget myself to be myself? ·fdd420·
K. Rich. Ay, if yourself’s remembrance wrong yourself. [fdd421]
Q. Eliz. But thou didst kill my children. [fdd422]
K. Rich. But in your daughter’s womb I bury them: [fdd423] Where in that nest of spicery they shall breed [fdd424] Selves of themselves, to your recomforture. [fdd425]
Q. Eliz. Shall I go win my daughter to thy will?
K. Rich. And be a happy mother by the deed. [fdd427]
Q. Eliz. I go. Write to me very shortly, [fdd428] And you shall understand from me her mind. [fdd429]
K. Rich. Bear her my true love’s kiss; and so, farewell. [fdd430] [Exit Queen Elizabeth. Relenting fool, and shallow, changing woman! [fdd431]
Enter RATCLIFF; CATESBY following.
How now! what news? [fdd432]
Rat. My gracious sovereign, on the western coast [fdd433] Rideth a puissant navy; to the shore [fdd434] Throng many doubtful hollow-hearted friends, ·fdd435· Unarm’d, and unresolved to beat them back: ’Tis thought that Richmond is their admiral; And there they hull, expecting but the aid [fdd438] Of Buckingham to welcome them ashore.
K. Rich. Some light-foot friend post to the Duke of Norfolk: [fdd440] Ratcliff, thyself, or Catesby; where is he?
Cate. Here, my lord. [fdd442]
K. Rich. Fly to the duke. [To Ratcliff] Post thou to Salisbury: [fdd443] When thou comest thither,--[To Catesby] Dull unmindful villain, [fdd444] Why stand’st thou still, and go’st not to the duke? [fdd445]
Cate. First, mighty sovereign, let me know your mind, [fdd446] What from your grace I shall deliver to him. [fdd447]
K. Rich. O, true, good Catesby: bid him levy straight The greatest strength and power he can make, [fdd449] And meet me presently at Salisbury. [fdd450]
Cate. I go. [Exit. [fdd451]
Rat. What is ’t your highness’ pleasure I shall do [fdd452] At Salisbury?
K. Rich. Why, what wouldst thou do there before I go?
Rat. Your highness told me I should post before. ·fdd455·
K. Rich. My mind is changed, sir, my mind is changed. [fdd456]
Enter LORD STANLEY.
How now, what news with you? [fdd457]
Stan. None good, my lord, to please you with the hearing; [fdd458] Nor none so bad, but it may well be told. [fdd459]
K. Rich. Hoyday, a riddle! neither good nor bad! [fdd460] Why dost thou run so many mile about, [fdd461] When thou mayst tell thy tale a nearer way? [fdd462] Once more, what news?
Stan. Richmond is on the seas.
K. Rich. There let him sink, and be the seas on him! White-liver’d runagate, what doth he there? ·fdd465·
Stan. I know not, mighty sovereign, but by guess.
K. Rich. Well, sir, as you guess, as you guess? [fdd467]
Stan. Stirr’d up by Dorset, Buckingham, and Ely, [fdd468] He makes for England, there to claim the crown. [fdd469]
K. Rich. Is the chair empty? is the sword unsway’d? ·fdd470· Is the king dead? the empire unpossess’d? What heir of York is there alive but we? And who is England’s king but great York’s heir? Then, tell me, what doth he upon the sea? [fdd474]
Stan. Unless for that, my liege, I cannot guess. [fdd475]
K. Rich. Unless for that he comes to be your liege, You cannot guess wherefore the Welshman comes. [fdd477] Thou wilt revolt and fly to him, I fear.
Stan. No, mighty liege; therefore mistrust me not. [fdd479]
K. Rich. Where is thy power then to beat him back? [fdd480] Where are thy tenants and thy followers? [fdd481] Are they not now upon the western shore, Safe-conducting the rebels from their ships? [fdd483]
Stan. No, my good lord, my friends are in the north.
K. Rich. Cold friends to Richard: what do they in the north, [fdd485] When they should serve their sovereign in the west?
Stan. They have not been commanded, mighty sovereign: [fdd487] Please it your majesty to give me leave, [fdd488] I’ll muster up my friends, and meet your grace Where and what time your majesty shall please. ·fdd490·
K. Rich. Ay, ay, thou wouldst be gone to join with Richmond: [fdd491] I will not trust you, sir.
Stan. Most mighty sovereign, [fdd492] You have no cause to hold my friendship doubtful: I never was nor never will be false. [fdd494]
K. Rich. Well, [fdd495] Go muster men; but, hear you, leave behind Your son, George Stanley: look your faith be firm, [fdd497] Or else his head’s assurance is but frail.
Stan. So deal with him as I prove true to you. [Exit. [fdd499]
Enter a Messenger.
Mess. My gracious sovereign, now in Devonshire, ·fdd500· As I by friends am well advertised, Sir Edward Courtney, and the haughty prelate [fdd502] Bishop of Exeter, his brother there, [fdd503] With many moe confederates, are in arms. [fdd504]
Enter another Messenger.
Sec. Mess. My liege, in Kent, the Guildfords are in arms; [fdd505] And every hour more competitors [fdd506] Flock to their aid, and still their power increaseth. [fdd507]
Enter another Messenger.
Third Mess. My lord, the army of the Duke of Buckingham-- [fdd508]
K. Rich. Out on you, owls! nothing but songs of death? [fdd509] [He striketh him. Take that, until thou bring me better news. [fdd510]
Third Mess. The news I have to tell your majesty [fdd511] Is, that by sudden floods and fall of waters, Buckingham’s army is dispersed and scatter’d; And he himself wander’d away alone, No man knows whither.
K. Rich. I cry thee mercy: [fdd515] There is my purse to cure that blow of thine. [fdd516] Hath any well-advised friend proclaim’d [fdd517] Reward to him that brings the traitor in? [fdd518]
Third Mess. Such proclamation hath been made, my liege. [fdd519]
Enter another Messenger.
Fourth Mess. Sir Thomas Lovel and Lord Marquis Dorset, ·fdd520· ’Tis said, my liege, in Yorkshire are in arms. [fdd521] Yet this good comfort bring I to your grace, [fdd522] The Breton navy is dispersed by tempest: [fdd523] Richmond, in Dorsetshire, sent out a boat [fdd524] Unto the shore, to ask those on the banks ·fdd525· If they were his assistants, yea or no; Who answer’d him, they came from Buckingham [fdd527] Upon his party: he, mistrusting them, Hoised sail and made away for Brittany. [fdd529]
K. Rich. March on, march on, since we are up in arms; ·fdd530· If not to fight with foreign enemies, Yet to beat down these rebels here at home. [fdd532]
Re-enter Catesby.
Cate. My liege, the Duke of Buckingham is taken; That is the best news: that the Earl of Richmond [fdd534] Is with a mighty power landed at Milford, ·fdd535· Is colder tidings, yet they must be told. [fdd536]
K. Rich. Away towards Salisbury! while we reason here, A royal battle might be won and lost: Some one take order Buckingham be brought To Salisbury; the rest march on with me. [fdd540] [Flourish. Exeunt.
Act IV, Scene V — Lord DERBY’S house
Enter DERBY and Sir CHRISTOPHER URSWICK.
Der. Sir Christopher, tell Richmond this from me: [fde001] That in the sty of this most bloody boar [fde002] My son George Stanley is frank’d up in hold: If I revolt, off goes young George’s head; The fear of that withholds my present aid. [fde005] But, tell me, where is princely Richmond now? [fde006]
Chris. At Pembroke, or at Ha’rford-west, in Wales. [fde007]
Der. What men of name resort to him? [fde008]
Chris. Sir Walter Herbert, a renowned soldier; [fde009] Sir Gilbert Talbot, Sir William Stanley; [fde010] Oxford, redoubted Pembroke, Sir James Blunt, [fde011] And Rice ap Thomas, with a valiant crew, [fde012] And many moe of noble fame and worth: [fde013] And towards London they do bend their course, [fde014] If by the way they be not fought withal. ·fde015·
Der. Return unto thy lord; commend me to him: [fde016] Tell him the queen hath heartily consented He shall espouse Elizabeth her daughter. These letters will resolve him of my mind. [fde019] Farewell. [Exeunt. ·fde020·
Act V, Scene I — Salisbury. An open place
Enter the Sheriff, and BUCKINGHAM, with halberds, led to execution.
Buck. Will not King Richard let me speak with him? [fea001]
Sher. No, my good lord; therefore be patient. [fea002]
Buck. Hastings, and Edward’s children, Rivers, Grey, [fea003] Holy King Henry, and thy fair son Edward, Vaughan, and all that have miscarried ·fea005· By underhand corrupted foul injustice, If that your moody discontented souls Do through the clouds behold this present hour, Even for revenge mock my destruction! This is All-Souls’ day, fellows, is it not? [fea010]
Sher. It is, my lord. [fea011]
Buck. Why, then All-Souls’ day is my body’s doomsday. [fea012] This is the day that in King Edward’s time [fea013] I wish’d might fall on me when I was found [fea014] False to his children or his wife’s allies; [fea015] This is the day wherein I wish’d to fall By the false faith of him I trusted most; [fea017] This, this All-Souls’ day to my fearful soul [fea018] Is the determined respite of my wrongs: [fea019] That high All-seer that I dallied with [fea020] Hath turn’d my feigned prayer on my head, And given in earnest what I begg’d in jest. Thus doth he force the swords of wicked men [fea023] To turn their own points on their masters’ bosoms: [fea024] Now Margaret’s curse is fallen upon my head; [fea025] ‘When he,’ quoth she, ‘shall split thy heart with sorrow, Remember Margaret was a prophetess.’ Come, sirs, convey me to the block of shame; [fea028] Wrong hath but wrong, and blame the due of blame. [fea029] [Exeunt.
Act V, Scene II — The camp near Tamworth
Enter RICHMOND, OXFORD, BLUNT, HERBERT, and others, with drum and colours.
Richm. Fellows in arms, and my most loving friends, [feb001] Bruised underneath the yoke of tyranny, Thus far into the bowels of the land Have we march’d on without impediment; And here receive we from our father Stanley ·feb005· Lines of fair comfort and encouragement. The wretched, bloody, and usurping boar, [feb007] That spoil’d your summer fields and fruitful vines, [feb008] Swills your warm blood like wash, and makes his trough [feb009] In your embowell’d bosoms, this foul swine [feb010] Lies now even in the centre of this isle, [feb011] Near to the town of Leicester, as we learn: From Tamworth thither is but one day’s march. In God’s name, cheerly on, courageous friends, [feb014] To reap the harvest of perpetual peace ·feb015· By this one bloody trial of sharp war.
Oxf. Every man’s conscience is a thousand swords, [feb017] To fight against that bloody homicide. [feb018]
Herb. I doubt not but his friends will fly to us. [feb019]
Blunt. He hath no friends but who are friends for fear, [feb020] Which in his greatest need will shrink from him. [feb021]
Richm. All for our vantage. Then, in God’s name, march: [feb022] True hope is swift, and flies with swallow’s wings; Kings it makes gods, and meaner creatures kings. [Exeunt. [feb024]
Act V, Scene III — Bosworth Field
Enter KING RICHARD in arms with NORFOLK, the EARL OF SURREY, and others.
K. Rich. Here pitch our tents, even here in Bosworth field. [fec001] My Lord of Surrey, why look you so sad? [fec002]
Sur. My heart is ten times lighter than my looks. [fec003]
K. Rich. My Lord of Norfolk,--
Nor. Here, most gracious liege. [fec004]
K. Rich. Norfolk, we must have knocks; ha! must we not? [fec005]
Nor. We must both give and take, my gracious lord. [fec006]
K. Rich. Up with my tent there! here will I lie to night: [fec007] But where to-morrow? Well, all’s one for that. [fec008] Who hath descried the number of the foe? [fec009]
Nor. Six or seven thousand is their utmost power. [fec010]
K. Rich. Why, our battalion trebles that account: [fec011] Besides, the king’s name is a tower of strength, [fec012] Which they upon the adverse party want. [fec013] Up with my tent there! Valiant gentlemen, [fec014] Let us survey the vantage of the field; [fec015] Call for some men of sound direction: Let’s want no discipline, make no delay; [fec017] For, lords, to-morrow is a busy day. [Exeunt. [fec018]
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 [fec020] Gives signal of a goodly day to-morrow. [fec021] Sir William Brandon, you shall bear my standard. [fec022] Give me some ink and paper in my tent: [fec023] I’ll draw the form and model of our battle, Limit each leader to his several charge, ·fec025· And part in just proportion our small strength. [fec026] My Lord of Oxford, you, Sir William Brandon, [fec027] And you, Sir Walter Herbert, stay with me. The Earl of Pembroke keeps his regiment: [fec029] Good Captain Blunt, bear my good-night to him, ·fec030· And by the second hour in the morning Desire the earl to see me in my tent: Yet one thing more, good Blunt, before thou go’st, [fec033] Where is Lord Stanley quarter’d, dost thou know? [fec034]
Blunt. Unless I have mista’en his colours much, [fec035] Which well I am assured I have not done, His regiment lies half a mile at least [fec037] South from the mighty power of the king.
Richm. If without peril it be possible, Good Captain Blunt, bear my good-night to him, [fec040] And give him from me this most needful scroll. [fec041]
Blunt. Upon my life, my lord, I’ll undertake it; [fec042] And so, God give you quiet rest to-night! [fec043]
Richm. Good night, good Captain Blunt. Come, gentlemen, [fec044] Let us consult upon to-morrow’s business: ·fec045· In to our tent! the air is raw and cold. [fec046] [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 supper-time, my lord; [fec047] It’s nine o’clock.
K. Rich. I will not sup to-night. [fec048] Give me some ink and paper. [fec049] What, is my beaver easier than it was? ·fec050· And all my armour laid into my tent?
Cate. It is, my liege; and all things are in readiness.
K. Rich. Good Norfolk, hie thee to thy charge; [fec053] Use careful watch, choose trusty sentinels. [fec054]
Nor. I go, my lord. ·fec055·
K. Rich. Stir with the lark to-morrow, gentle Norfolk.
Nor. I warrant you, my lord. [Exit. [fec057]
K. Rich. Catesby! [fec058]
Cate. My lord?
K. Rich. Send out a pursuivant at arms To Stanley’s regiment; bid him bring his power ·fec060· Before sunrising, lest his son George fall Into the blind cave of eternal night. [Exit Catesby. [fec062] Fill me a bowl of wine. Give me a watch. [fec063] Saddle white Surrey for the field to-morrow. Look that my staves be sound, and not too heavy. [fec065] Ratcliff!
Rat. My lord?
K. Rich. Saw’st thou the melancholy Lord Northumberland? [fec068]
Rat. Thomas the Earl of Surrey, and himself, Much about cock-shut time, from troop to troop [fec070] Went through the army, cheering up the soldiers.
K. Rich. So, I am satisfied. Give me a bowl of wine: [fec072] I have not that alacrity of spirit, Nor cheer of mind, that I was wont to have. [fec074] Set it down. Is ink and paper ready?
Rat. It is, my lord. ·fec075·
K. Rich. Bid my guard watch. Leave me. Ratcliff, [fec076] About the mid of night come to my tent [fec077] And help to arm me. Leave me, I say. [fec078] [Exeunt Ratcliff and the other attendants.
Enter DERBY to RICHMOND in his tent, Lords and others attending.
Der. Fortune and victory sit on thy helm! [fec079]
Richm. All comfort that the dark night can afford ·fec080· Be to thy person, noble father-in-law! Tell me, how fares our loving mother? [fec082]
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, [fec085] And flaky darkness breaks within the east. [fec086] 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. [fec090] 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, [fec095] Be executed in his father’s sight. Farewell: the leisure and the fearful time [fec097] Cuts off the ceremonious vows of love And ample interchange of sweet discourse Which so long sunder’d friends should dwell upon: [fec100] God give us leisure for these rites of love! [fec101] 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, [fec104] Lest leaden slumber peise me down to-morrow, [fec105] When I should mount with wings of victory: Once more, good night, kind lords and gentlemen. [fec107] [Exeunt all but Richmond. O Thou, whose captain I account myself, Look on my forces with a gracious eye; [fec109] Put in their hands thy bruising irons of wrath, ·fec110· That they may crush down with a heavy fall [fec111] The usurping helmets of our adversaries! [fec112] Make us thy ministers of chastisement, That we may praise thee in the victory! [fec114] To thee I do commend my watchful soul, ·fec115· Ere I let fall the windows of mine eyes: Sleeping and waking, O, defend me still! [Sleeps. [fec117]
Enter the Ghost of PRINCE EDWARD, son to HENRY the Sixth.
Ghost. [To Richard] Let me sit heavy on thy soul to-morrow! [fec118] Think, how thou stab’dst me in my prime of youth [fec119] At Tewksbury: despair, therefore, and die! [fec120] [To Richmond] Be cheerful, Richmond; for the wronged souls [fec121] Of butcher’d princes fight in thy behalf: [fec122] King Henry’s issue, Richmond, comforts thee.
Enter the Ghost of HENRY the Sixth.
Ghost. [To Richard] When I was mortal, my anointed body By thee was punched full of deadly holes: [fec125] Think on the Tower and me: despair, and die! Harry the Sixth bids thee despair and die! [fec127] [To Richmond] Virtuous and holy, be thou conqueror! Harry, that prophesied thou shouldst be king, Doth comfort thee in thy sleep: live, and flourish! [fec130]
Enter the Ghost of CLARENCE.
Ghost. [To Richard] Let me sit heavy on thy soul to-morrow! [fec131] I, that was wash’d to death with fulsome wine, [fec132] Poor Clarence, by thy guile betrayed to death. To-morrow in the battle think on me, And fall thy edgeless sword: despair, and die! ·fec135· [To Richmond] Thou offspring of the house of Lancaster, The wronged heirs of York do pray for thee: Good angels guard thy battle! live, and flourish!
Enter the Ghosts of RIVERS, GREY, and VAUGHAN.
Ghost of R. [To Richard] Let me sit heavy on thy soul to-morrow, [fec139] Rivers, that died at Pomfret! despair, and die! ·fec140·
Ghost of G. [To Richard] Think upon Grey, and let thy soul despair!
Ghost of V. [To Richard] Think upon Vaughan, and, with guilty fear, Let fall thy lance: despair, and die! [fec143]
All. [To Richmond] Awake, and think our wrongs in Richard’s bosom [fec144] Will conquer him! awake, and win the day! [fec145]
Enter the Ghost of HASTINGS.
Ghost. [To Richard] Bloody and guilty, guiltily awake, [fec146] And in a bloody battle end thy days! Think on Lord Hastings: despair, and die! [fec148] [To Richmond] Quiet untroubled soul, awake, awake! [fec149] Arm, fight, and conquer, for fair England’s sake! ·fec150·
Enter the Ghosts of the two young Princes.
Ghosts. [To Richard] Dream on thy cousins smother’d in the Tower: [fec151] Let us be lead within thy bosom, Richard, [fec152] And weigh thee down to ruin, shame, and death! [fec153] Thy nephews’ souls bid thee despair and die! [fec154] [To Richmond] Sleep, Richmond, sleep in peace, and wake in joy; [fec155] Good angels guard thee from the boar’s annoy! Live, and beget a happy race of kings! Edward’s unhappy sons do bid thee flourish. [fec158]
Enter the Ghost of LADY ANNE.
Ghost. [To Richard] Richard, thy wife, that wretched Anne thy wife, [fec159] That never slept a quiet hour with thee, ·fec160· Now fills thy sleep with perturbations: [fec161] To-morrow in the battle think on me, [fec162] And fall thy edgeless sword: despair, and die! [fec163] [To Richmond] Thou quiet soul, sleep thou a quiet sleep: [fec164] Dream of success and happy victory! ·fec165· Thy adversary’s wife doth pray for thee. [fec166]
Enter the Ghost of BUCKINGHAM.
Ghost. [To Richard] The first was I that help’d thee to the crown; [fec167] The last was I that felt thy tyranny: [fec168] O, in the battle think on Buckingham, And die in terror of thy guiltiness! ·fec170· Dream on, dream on, of bloody deeds and death: Fainting, despair; despairing, yield thy breath! [To Richmond] I died for hope ere I could lend thee aid: [fec173] But cheer thy heart, and be thou not dismay’d: God and good angels fight on Richmond’s side; ·fec175· And Richard falls in height of all his pride. [fec176] [_The Ghosts vanish. King Richard starts out of his dream._
K. Rich. Give me another horse: bind up my wounds. Have mercy, Jesu!--Soft! I did but dream. O coward conscience, how dost thou afflict me! [fec179] The lights burn blue. It is now dead midnight. [fec180] Cold fearful drops stand on my trembling flesh. [fec181] What do I fear? myself? there’s none else by: [fec182] Richard loves Richard; that is, I am I. [fec183] Is there a murderer here? No. Yes, I am: Then fly. What, from myself? Great reason why: [fec185] Lest I revenge. What, myself upon myself? [fec186] Alack, I love myself. Wherefore? for any good [fec187] That I myself have done unto myself? [fec188] O, no! alas, I rather hate myself For hateful deeds committed by myself! ·fec190· I am a villain: yet I lie, I am not. [fec191] Fool, of thyself speak well: fool, do not flatter. [fec192] My conscience hath a thousand several tongues, And every tongue brings in a several tale, And every tale condemns me for a villain. ·fec195· Perjury, perjury, in the high’st degree; [fec196] Murder, stern murder, in the direst degree; All several sins, all used in each degree, Throng to the bar, crying all ‘Guilty! guilty!’ [fec199] I shall despair. There is no creature loves me; [fec200] And if I die, no soul shall pity me: Nay, wherefore should they, since that I myself [fec202] Find in myself no pity to myself? Methought the souls of all that I had murder’d [fec204] Came to my tent, and every one did threat [fec205] To-morrow’s vengeance on the head of Richard.
Enter RATCLIFF.
Rat. My lord!
K. Rich. ’Zounds! who is there? [fec208]
Rat. Ratcliff, my lord; ’tis I. The early village-cock [fec209] Hath twice done salutation to the morn; [fec210] Your friends are up, and buckle on their armour.
K. Rich. O Ratcliff, I have dream’d a fearful dream! [fec212] What thinkest thou, will our friends prove all true? [fec213]
Rat. No doubt, my lord.
K. Rich. O Ratcliff, I fear, I fear,-- [fec214]
Rat. Nay, good my lord, be not afraid of shadows. ·fec215·
K. Rich. By the apostle Paul, shadows to-night Have struck more terror to the soul of Richard Than can the substance of ten thousand soldiers Armed in proof, and led by shallow Richmond. [fec219] It is not yet near day. Come, go with me; [fec220] Under our tents I’ll play the eaves-dropper, [fec221] To see if any mean to shrink from me. [Exeunt. [fec222]
Enter the Lords to RICHMOND, sitting in his tent.
Lords. Good morrow, Richmond! [fec223]
Richm. Cry mercy, lords and watchful gentlemen, [fec224] That you have ta’en a tardy sluggard here. [fec225]
Lords. How have you slept, my lord?
Richm. The sweetest sleep, and fairest-boding dreams [fec227] That ever enter’d in a drowsy head, Have I since your departure had, my lords. Methought their souls, whose bodies Richard murder’d, [fec230] Came to my tent, and cried on victory: [fec231] I promise you, my soul is very jocund [fec232] In the remembrance of so fair a dream. How far into the morning is it, lords? [fec234]
Lords. Upon the stroke of four. ·fec235·
Richm. Why, then ’tis time to arm and give direction. [fec236]
His oration to his soldiers.
More than I have said, loving countrymen, The leisure and enforcement of the time Forbids to dwell upon: yet remember this, [fec239] God and our good cause fight upon our side; ·fec240· The prayers of holy saints and wronged souls, Like high-rear’d bulwarks, stand before our faces. [fec242] Richard except, those whom we fight against [fec243] Had rather have us win than him they follow: For what is he they follow? truly, gentlemen, ·fec245· A bloody tyrant and a homicide; One raised in blood, and one in blood establish’d; One that made means to come by what he hath, [fec248] And slaughter’d those that were the means to help him; [fec249] A base foul stone, made precious by the foil [fec250] Of England’s chair, where he is falsely set; One that hath ever been God’s enemy: Then, if you fight against God’s enemy, God will in justice ward you as his soldiers; [fec254] If you do sweat to put a tyrant down, [fec255] You sleep in peace, the tyrant being slain; If you do fight against your country’s foes, Your country’s fat shall pay your pains the hire; [fec258] If you do fight in safeguard of your wives, [fec259] Your wives shall welcome home the conquerors; ·fec260· If you do free your children from the sword, Your children’s children quit it in your age. [fec262] Then, in the name of God and all these rights, Advance your standards, draw your willing swords. For me, the ransom of my bold attempt ·fec265· Shall be this cold corpse on the earth’s cold face; But if I thrive, the gain of my attempt [fec267] The least of you shall share his part thereof. Sound drums and trumpets boldly and cheerfully; [fec269] God and Saint George! Richmond and victory! [Exeunt. [fec270]
Re-enter KING RICHARD, RATCLIFF, Attendants and Forces.
K. Rich. What said Northumberland as touching Richmond? [fec271]
Rat. That he was never trained up in arms.
K. Rich. He said the truth: and what said Surrey, then?
Rat. He smiled and said ‘The better for our purpose.’
K. Rich. He was in the right; and so indeed it is. [fec275] [The clock striketh. Tell the clock there. Give me a calendar. [fec276] Who saw the sun to-day?
Rat. Not I, my lord.
K. Rich. Then he disdains to shine; for by the book He should have braved the east an hour ago: [fec279] A black day will it be to somebody. [fec280] Ratcliff! [fec281]
Rat. My lord?
K. Rich. The sun will not be seen to-day; The sky doth frown and lour upon our army. I would these dewy tears were from the ground. Not shine to-day! Why, what is that to me ·fec285· More than to Richmond? for the selfsame heaven That frowns on me looks sadly upon him.
Re-enter NORFOLK.
Nor. Arm, arm, my lord; the foe vaunts in the field. [fec288]
K. Rich. Come, bustle, bustle. Caparison my horse. Call up Lord Stanley, bid him bring his power: ·fec290· I will lead forth my soldiers to the plain, And thus my battle shall be ordered: My foreward shall be drawn out all in length, [fec293] Consisting equally of horse and foot; Our archers shall be placed in the midst: ·fec295· John Duke of Norfolk, Thomas Earl of Surrey, Shall have the leading of this foot and horse. [fec297] They thus directed, we will follow [fec298] In the main battle, whose puissance on either side [fec299] Shall be well winged with our chiefest horse. ·fec300· This, and Saint George to boot! What think’st thou, Norfolk? [fec301]
Nor. A good direction, warlike sovereign. This found I on my tent this morning. [fec303] [He sheweth him a paper.
K. Rich. [Reads] ‘Jockey of Norfolk, be not too bold, [fec304] For Dickon thy master is bought and sold.’ ·fec305· A thing devised by the enemy. [fec306] Go, gentlemen, every man unto his charge: [fec307] Let not our babbling dreams affright our souls: [fec308] Conscience is but a word that cowards use, [fec309] Devised at first to keep the strong in awe: ·fec310· Our strong arms be our conscience, swords our law. [fec311] March on, join bravely, let us to’t pell-mell; [fec312] If not to heaven, then hand in hand to hell.
His oration to his Army.
What shall I say more than I have inferr’d? [fec314] Remember whom you are to cope withal; [fec315] A sort of vagabonds, rascals, and runaways, [fec316] A scum of Bretons, and base lackey peasants, [fec317] Whom their o’er-cloyed country vomits forth To desperate ventures and assured destruction. [fec319] You sleeping safe, they bring to you unrest; [fec320] You having lands and blest with beauteous wives, They would restrain the one, distain the other. [fec322] And who doth lead them but a paltry fellow, Long kept in Bretagne at our mother’s cost? [fec324] A milk-sop, one that never in his life [fec325] Felt so much cold as over shoes in snow? Let’s whip these stragglers o’er the seas again, Lash hence these overweening rags of France, These famish’d beggars, weary of their lives, Who, but for dreaming on this fond exploit, ·fec330· For want of means, poor rats, had hang’d themselves: If we be conquer’d, let men conquer us, [fec332] And not these bastard Bretons, whom our fathers [fec333] Have in their own land beaten, bobb’d, and thump’d, And in record left them the heirs of shame. [fec335] Shall these enjoy our lands? lie with our wives? [fec336] Ravish our daughters? [Drum afar off.] Hark! I hear their drum. [fec337] Fight, gentlemen of England! fight, bold yeomen! [fec338] Draw, archers, draw your arrows to the head! [fec339] Spur your proud horses hard, and ride in blood; ·fec340· Amaze the welkin with your broken staves! [fec341]
Enter a Messenger.
What says Lord Stanley? will he bring his power?
Mess. My lord, he doth deny to come. [fec343]
K. Rich. Off with his son George’s head! [fec344]
Nor. My lord, the enemy is past the marsh: ·fec345· After the battle let George Stanley die.
K. Rich. A thousand hearts are great within my bosom: Advance our standards, set upon our foes; Our ancient word of courage, fair Saint George, Inspire us with the spleen of fiery dragons! ·fec350· Upon them! Victory sits on our helms. [Exeunt. [fec351]
Act V, Scene IV — Another part of the field
Alarum: excursions. Enter NORFOLK and forces fighting; to him CATESBY.
Cate. Rescue, my Lord of Norfolk, rescue, rescue! [fed001] The king enacts more wonders than a man, Daring an opposite to every danger: [fed003] His horse is slain, and all on foot he fights, Seeking for Richmond in the throat of death. ·fed005· Rescue, fair lord, or else the day is lost! [fed006]
Alarums. Enter KING RICHARD.
K. Rich. A horse! a horse! my kingdom for a horse!
Cate. Withdraw, my lord; I’ll help you to a horse.
K. Rich. Slave, I have set my life upon a cast, And I will stand the hazard of the die. [fed010] I think there be six Richmonds in the field; Five have I slain to-day instead of him. A horse! a horse! my kingdom for a horse! [Exeunt. [fed013]