And Rice15 ap Thomas with a valiant crew.
And many other of great name and worth:
And towards London do they bend17 their power,
If by18 the way they be not fought withal.
DERBY Well, hie thee to thy lord: I kiss his hand,
My letter will resolve him of my mind.20 Farewell.
Exeunt
Act 5 Scene 1
running scene 18
Enter Buckingham with [Guards bearing] halberds [and the Sheriff], led to execution
BUCKINGHAM Will not King Richard let me speak with him?
SHERIFF No, my good lord: therefore be patient.
BUCKINGHAM Hastings, and Edward’s children, Grey and Rivers,
Holy King Henry, and thy fair son Edward,
Vaughan, and all that have miscarried5
By underhand corrupted foul injustice,
If that your moody7 discontented souls
Do through the clouds behold this present hour,
Even for revenge mock my destruction!—
This is All Souls’ day10, fellow, is it not?
SHERIFF It is.
BUCKINGHAM Why, then All Souls’ day is my body’s doomsday.
This is the day which, in King Edward’s time13,
I wished might fall on me, when I was found
False to his children and his wife’s allies:
This is the day wherein I wished to fall
By the false faith of him whom most I trusted:
This, this All Souls’ day to my fearful soul
Is the determined respite of19 my wrongs.
That high all-seer which I dallied with20
Hath turned my feignèd21 prayer on my head
And given in earnest what I begged in jest22:
Thus doth he force the swords of wicked men
To turn their own points in their masters’ bosoms.
Thus Margaret’s curse falls heavy on my neck:
‘When he’, quoth she, ‘shall split thy heart with sorrow,
Remember Margaret was a prophetess.’
Come lead me, officers, to the block28 of shame.
Wrong hath but wrong, and blame the due of blame.
Exeunt Buckingham with Officers
Act 5 Scene 2
running scene 19
Enter Richmond, Oxford, Blunt, Herbert and others, with Drum and Colours
RICHMOND Fellows in arms, and my most loving friends
Bruised underneath the yoke of tyranny,
Thus far into the bowels3 of the land
Have we marched on without impediment;
And here receive we from our father5 Stanley
Lines of fair comfort and encouragement.
The wretched, bloody, and usurping, boar —
That spoiled8 your summer fields and fruitful vines,
Swills your warm blood like wash9, and makes his trough
In your embowelled10 bosoms — this foul swine
Is now even in the centre of this isle,
Near to the town of Leicester12, as we learn.
From Tamworth thither is but one day’s march.
In God’s name, cheerly14 on, courageous friends,
To reap the harvest of perpetual peace
By this one bloody trial of sharp16 war.
OXFORD Every man’s conscience is a thousand men,
To fight against this guilty homicide.18
HERBERT I doubt not but his friends will turn to us.
BLUNT He hath no friends but what are friends for fear,
Which in his dearest need will fly from him.
RICHMOND All for our vantage.22 Then, in God’s name, march.
True hope is swift, and flies with swallow’s wings:
Kings it makes gods and meaner24 creatures kings.
Exeunt
[Act 5 Scene 3]
running scene 20
Enter King Richard in arms, with Norfolk, Ratcliffe and the Earl of Surrey [with Soldiers, who pitch Richard’s tent]
RICHARD Here pitch our tent, even here in Bosworth Field.
My lord of Surrey, why look you so sad?2
SURREY My heart is ten times lighter than my looks.
RICHARD My lord of Norfolk—
NORFOLK Here, most gracious liege.
RICHARD Norfolk, we must have knocks6, ha? Must we not?
NORFOLK We must both give and take, my loving lord.
RICHARD Up with my tent! Here will I lie tonight,
But where tomorrow? Well, all’s one for that9
Who hath descried10 the number of the traitors?
NORFOLK Six or seven thousand is their utmost power.
RICHARD Why, our battalia trebles that account12:
Besides, the king’s name is a tower of strength,
Which they upon the adverse faction want.14
Up with the tent! Come, noble gentlemen,
Let us survey the vantage of the ground.16
Call for some men of sound direction17:
Let’s lack no discipline, make no delay,
For, lords, tomorrow is a busy day.
Exeunt [into the tent]
Enter Richmond, Sir William Brandon, Oxford, [Blunt] and Dorset [with Soldiers, who pitch Richmond’s tent]
RICHMOND The weary sun hath made a golden set,
And by the bright tract of his fiery car21,
Gives token of a goodly day tomorrow.
Sir William Brandon, you shall bear my standard23
Give me some ink and paper in my tent:
I’ll draw the form and model25 of our battle,
Limit each leader to his several charge26,
And part in just proportion27 our small power.
My lord of Oxford, you, Sir William Brandon,
And you, Sir Walter Herbert, stay with me.
The Earl of Pembroke keeps30 his regiment;
Good Captain Blunt, bear my goodnight to him,
And by the second hour in the morning
Desire the earl to see me in my tent.
Yet one thing more, good captain, do for me:
Where is Lord Stanley quartered35, do you know?
BLUNT Unless I have mista’en his colours36 much —
Which well I am assured I have not done —
His regiment lies half a mile at least
South from the mighty power of the king.
RICHMOND If without peril it be possible,
Sweet Blunt, make some good means to speak with him,
And give him from me this most needful42 note.
BLUNT Upon my life, my lord, I’ll undertake it.
And so, God give you quiet rest tonight.
[Exit]
RICHMOND Good night, good Captain Blunt. Come gentlemen,
Let us consult upon tomorrow’s business;
Into my tent: the dew is raw and cold.
They withdraw into the tent
Enter Richard, Ratcliffe, Norfolk and Catesby [and other Soldiers]
RICHARD What is’t o’clock?
CATESBY It’s supper-time, my lord: it’s nine o’clock,
RICHARD I will not sup tonight.
Give me some ink and paper.
What, is my beaver easier52 than it was?
And all my armour laid into53 my tent?
CATESBY It is, my liege, and all things are in readiness.
RICHARD Good Norfolk, hie thee to thy charge55:
Use careful watch, choose trusty sentinels.
NORFOLK I go, my lord.
RICHARD Stir with the lark tomorrow, gentle Norfolk.
NORFOLK I warrant59 you, my lord.
Exit
RICHARD Ratcliffe
!
RATCLIFFE My lord?
RICHARD Send out a pursuivant at arms62
To Stanley’s regiment: bid him bring his power
Before sun-rising, lest his son George fall
Into the blind cave of eternal night.—
To other Soldiers
Fill me a bowl of wine. Give me a watch.66
Saddle white Surrey67 for the field tomorrow.
Look that my staves be sound68, and not too heavy.
Exit some Soldiers
Ratcliffe!
RATCLIFFE My lord?
RICHARD Saw’st the melancholy Lord Northumberland?
RATCLIFFE Thomas the Earl of Surrey and himself,
Much about cockshut time73, from troop to troop
Went through the army, cheering up74 the soldiers.
Enter a Soldier
RICHARD So, I am satisfied.— Give me a bowl of wine:—
I have not that alacrity76 of spirit,
Nor cheer of mind, that I was wont77 to have.—
Set it78 down.— Is ink and paper ready?
RATCLIFFE It is, my lord,
RICHARD Bid my guard watch. Leave me.
Ratcliffe, about the mid of night come to my tent
And help to arm me.82 Leave me, I say.
Exeunt Ratcliffe [and Soldiers]
Richard withdraws to his tent, writes, and then sleeps
Enter Derby to Richmond in his tent
DERBY Fortune and victory sit on thy helm!83
RICHMOND All comfort that the dark night can afford
Be to thy person, noble father-in-law!85
Tell me, how fares our noble mother?
DERBY I, by attorney87, bless thee from thy mother
Who prays continually for Richmond’s good.
So much for that. The silent hours steal on,
And flaky90 darkness breaks within the east.
In brief — for so the season91 bids us be —
Prepare thy battle early in the morning,
And put thy fortune to th’arbitrement93
Of bloody strokes and mortal-staring94 war.
I, as I may — that which I would95 I cannot —
With best advantage will deceive the time96,
And aid thee in this doubtful shock97 of arms.
But on thy side I may not be too forward98
Lest, being seen, thy brother, tender99 George,
Be executed in his father’s sight.
Farewell. The leisure101 and the fearful time
Cuts off the ceremonious vows of love
And ample interchange of sweet discourse103
Which so long sundered104 friends should dwell upon:
God give us leisure for these rites of love!
Once more, adieu. Be valiant, and speed well!
RICHMOND Good lords, conduct him to his regiment:
I’ll strive with108 troubled noise to take a nap,
Lest leaden slumber peise109 me down tomorrow,
When I should mount with wings of victory.
Once more, good night, kind lords and gentlemen.
Exeunt. Richmond remains
Kneels
O thou, whose captain I account112 myself,
Look on my forces with a gracious113 eye:
Put in their hands thy bruising irons114 of wrath,
That they may crush down with a heavy fall
Th’usurping helmets of our adversaries!
Make us thy ministers of chastisement,
That we may praise thee in thy victory!
To thee I do commend my watchful119 soul,
Ere I let fall the windows of mine eyes:
Sleeping and waking, O, defend me still!
Sleeps
Enter the Ghost of Prince Edward, son to Henry VI
GHOST OF PRINCE EDWARD Let me sit heavy on thy soul tomorrow!
To Richard
Think how thou stab’st me in my prime of youth
At Tewkesbury: despair124 therefore, and die!—
Be cheerful, Richmond, for the wrongèd souls
To Richmond
Of butchered princes fight in thy behalf.
King Henry’s issue127, Richmond, comforts thee.
[Exit?]
The Ghosts either exit individually or remain onstage
Enter the Ghost of Henry the Sixth
To Richard
GHOST OF KING HENRY VI When I was mortal, my anointed128 body
By thee was punchèd129 full of holes;
Think on the Tower130 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 shouldst be king,
Doth comfort thee in sleep: live and flourish!
[Exit?]
Enter the Ghost of Clarence
To Richard
GHOST OF CLARENCE Let me sit heavy in thy soul tomorrow!
I, that was washed to death with fulsome136 wine,
Poor Clarence, by thy guile betrayed to death!
Tomorrow in the battle think on me,
And fall thy edgeless139 sword: despair and die!—
Thou offspring of the House of Lancaster,
To Richmond
The wrongèd heirs of York do pray for thee.
Good angels guard thy battle!142 Live and flourish!
[Exit?]
Enter the Ghosts of Rivers, Grey and Vaughan
To Richard
GHOST OF RIVERS Let me sit heavy in thy soul tomorrow,
Rivers that died at Pomfret: despair and die!
To Richard
GHOST OF GREY Think upon Grey, and let thy soul despair!
To Richard
GHOST OF VAUGHAN Think upon Vaughan, and, with guilty fear,
Let fall thy lance: despair and die!
To Richmond
ALL Awake, and think our wrongs in Richard’s bosom
Will conquer him! Awake, and win the day!
[Exeunt Ghosts?]
Enter the Ghost of Lord Hastings
To Richard
GHOST OF HASTINGS Bloody and guilty, guiltily awake
And in a bloody battle end thy days!
Think on Lord Hastings: despair and die!
Quiet untroubled soul, awake, awake!
To Richmond
Arm, fight, and conquer, for fair England’s sake!
[Exit?]
Enter the Ghosts of the two young Princes
To Richard
GHOSTS OF PRINCES Dream on thy cousins smothered in the Tower:
Let us be laid156 within thy bosom, Richard,
And weigh thee down to ruin, shame, and death!
Thy nephews’ souls bid thee despair and die!—
To Richmond
Sleep, Richmond, sleep in peace and wake in joy:
Good angels guard thee from the boar’s annoy!160
Live and beget a happy race of kings!
Edward’s unhappy sons do bid thee flourish.
[Exit Ghosts?]
Enter the Ghost of Anne, his wife
To Richard
GHOST OF ANNE Richard, thy wife, that wretched Anne thy wife,
That never slept a quiet164 hour with thee,
Now fills thy sleep with perturbations.
Tomorrow in the battle think on me,
And fall thy edgeless sword: despair and die!—
To Richmond
Thou quiet soul, sleep thou a quiet sleep:
Dream of success and happy victory!
Thy adversary’s wife doth pray for thee.
[Exit?]
Enter the Ghost of Buckingham
To Richard
GHOST OF BUCKINGHAM The first was I that hel
ped thee to the crown:
The last was I that felt thy tyranny.
O, in the battle think on Buckingham,
And die in terror of thy guiltiness!
Dream on, dream on, of bloody deeds and death:
Fainting, despair; despairing, yield176 thy breath!—
To Richmond
I died for hope ere I could lend thee aid;
But cheer thy heart, and be thou not dismayed:
God and good angels fight on Richmond’s side,
And Richard180 fall in height of all his pride.
[Exit?]
If the Ghosts have not exited individually, they all vanish at this point
Richard starts out of his dream
RICHARD Give me another horse! Bind up my wounds!
Have mercy, Jesu! — Soft182, I did but dream.
O coward conscience, how dost thou afflict me!
The lights burn blue.184 It is not dead midnight.
Cold fearful drops185 stand on my trembling flesh.
What? Do I fear myself? There’s none else by.
Richard loves Richard: that is, I am I.
Is there a murderer here? No. Yes, I am.
Then fly. What, from myself? Great reason why:
Lest I revenge. What? Myself upon myself?
Alack, I love myself. Wherefore?191 For any good
That I myself have done unto myself?
O no! Alas, I rather hate myself
For hateful deeds committed by myself!
I am a villain: yet I lie, I am not.
Fool, of thyself speak well: fool, do not flatter.
My conscience hath a thousand several197 tongues,
And every tongue brings in198 a several tale,
And every tale condemns me for a villain.
Perjury in the high’st degree,
Murder, stern murder, in the direst degree,
All several sins, all used in each degree202,
Throng all to th’bar203, crying all, ‘Guilty! Guilty!’
I shall despair. There is no creature204 loves me;
And if I die, no soul shall pity me.
Nay, wherefore should they, since that I myself
Find in myself no pity to myself?
Methought the souls of all that I had murdered
Came to my tent, and every one did threat209
Richard III Page 14
