King Richard III

STANLEY. Sir Christopher, tell Richmond this from me: That in the sty of the most deadly boar My son George Stanley is frank'd up in hold; If I revolt, off goes young George's head; The fear of that holds off my present aid. So, get thee gone; commend me to thy lord. Withal say that the Queen hath heartily consented He should espouse Elizabeth her daughter. But tell me, where is princely Richmond now? CHRISTOPHER. At Pembroke, or at Ha'rford west in Wales. STANLEY. What men of name resort to him? CHRISTOPHER. Sir Walter Herbert, a renowned soldier; SIR Gilbert Talbot, Sir William Stanley, OXFORD, redoubted Pembroke, Sir James Blunt, And Rice ap Thomas, with a valiant crew; And many other of great name and worth; And towards London do they bend their power, If by the way they be not fought withal. STANLEY. Well, hie thee to thy lord; I kiss his hand; My letter will resolve him of my mind. Farewell. Exeunt <> ACT V. SCENE 1. Salisbury. An open place Enter the SHERIFF and guard, with BUCKINGHAM, 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 miscarried 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, fellow, is it not? SHERIFF. It is, my lord. BUCKINGHAM. Why, then All-Souls' day is my body's doomsday. This is the day which in King Edward's time I wish'd might fall on me when I was found False to his children and his wife's allies; This is the day wherein I wish'd to fall By the false faith of him whom most I trusted; This, this All-Souls' day to my fearful soul Is the determin'd respite of my wrongs; That high All-Seer which I dallied with 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 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 block of shame; Wrong hath but wrong, and blame the due of blame. Exeunt SCENE 2. Camp near Tamworth Enter RICHMOND, OXFORD, SIR JAMES BLUNT, SIR WALTER HERBERT, and others, with drum and colours RICHMOND. Fellows in arms, and my most loving friends, Bruis'd 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 Lines of fair comfort and encouragement. The wretched, bloody, and usurping boar, That spoil'd your summer fields and fruitful vines, Swills your warm blood like wash, and makes his trough In your embowell'd bosoms-this foul swine Is now even in the centre of this isle, 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, To reap the harvest of perpetual peace By this one bloody trial of sharp war. OXFORD. Every man's conscience is a thousand men, To fight against this guilty homicide. 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. Then in God's name march. True hope is swift and flies with swallow's wings; Kings it makes gods, and meaner creatures kings. Exeunt SCENE 3. Bosworth Field Enter KING RICHARD in arms, with NORFOLK, RATCLIFF, the EARL of SURREYS and others KING RICHARD. Here pitch our tent, even here in Bosworth field. My Lord of Surrey, why look you so sad? SURREY. My heart is ten times lighter than my looks. KING RICHARD. My Lord of Norfolk! NORFOLK. Here, most gracious liege. KING RICHARD. Norfolk, we must have knocks; ha! must we not? NORFOLK. We must both give and take, my loving lord. KING RICHARD. 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? NORFOLK. Six or seven thousand is their utmost power. KING RICHARD. 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. Let's lack 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, DORSET, and others. Some pitch RICHMOND'S tent RICHMOND. The weary sun hath made a golden set, And by the bright tract of his fiery car Gives token of a goodly day to-morrow. Sir William Brandon, you shall bear my standard. 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 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. 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. RICHMOND. 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! RICHMOND. 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 KING RICHARD. What is't o'clock? CATESBY. It's supper-time, my lord; It's nine o'clock. KING RICHARD. 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? CATESBY. It is, my liege; and all things are in readiness. KING RICHARD. Good Norfolk, hie thee to thy charge; Use careful watch, choose trusty sentinels. NORFOLK. I go, my lord. KING RICHARD. Stir with the lark to-morrow, gentle Norfolk. NORFOLK. I warrant you, my lord. Exit KING RICHARD. Catesby! CATESBY. My lord? KING RICHARD. Send out a pursuivant-at-arms To Stanley's regiment; bid him bring his power Before sunrising, lest his son George fall Into the blind cave of eternal night. 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. Ratcliff! RATCLIFF. My lord? KING RICHARD. Saw'st thou the melancholy Lord Northumberland? RATCLIFF. Thomas the Earl of Surrey and himself, Much about cock-shut time, from troop to troop Went through the army, cheering up the soldiers. KING RICHARD. So, 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. Set it down. Is ink and paper ready? RATCLIFF. It is, my lord. KING RICHARD. 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. Exit RATCLIFF. RICHARD sleeps Enter DERBY to RICHMOND in his tent; LORDS attending DERBY. Fortune and victory sit on thy helm! RICHMOND. All comfort that the dark night can afford Be to thy person, noble father-in-law! Tell me, how fares our loving mother? DERBY. 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 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, 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-sund'red 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 with troubled thoughts to take a 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, That they may crush down with a heavy fall The usurping helmets of our adversaries! Make us Thy ministers of chastisement, That we may praise Thee in the 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] Enter the GHOST Of YOUNG PRINCE EDWARD, son to HENRY THE SIXTH GHOST. [To RICHARD] Let me sit heavy on thy soul to-morrow! Think how thou stabb'dst me in my prime of youth At Tewksbury; despair, therefore, and die! [To RICHMOND] Be cheerful, Richmond; for the wronged souls Of butcher'd princes fight in thy behalf. 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. Think on the Tower and me. Despair, and die. Harry the Sixth bids thee despair and die. [To RICHMOND] Virtuous and holy, be thou conqueror! Harry, that prophesied thou shouldst be King, Doth comfort thee in thy sleep. Live and flourish! Enter the GHOST of CLARENCE GHOST. [To RICHARD] Let me sit heavy in thy soul to-morrow! 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, And fall thy edgeless sword. Despair and die! [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 RIVERS. [To RICHARD] Let me sit heavy in thy soul to-morrow, Rivers that died at Pomfret! Despair and die! GHOST OF GREY. [To RICHARD] Think upon Grey, and let thy soul despair! GHOST OF VAUGHAN. [To RICHARD] Think upon Vaughan, and with guilty fear Let fall thy lance. Despair and die! ALL. [To RICHMOND] Awake, and think our wrongs in Richard's bosom Will conquer him. Awake and win the day. Enter the GHOST of HASTINGS GHOST. [To RICHARD] Bloody and guilty, guiltily awake, And in a bloody battle end thy days! Think on Lord Hastings. Despair and die. [To RICHMOND] Quiet untroubled soul, awake, awake! Arm, fight, and conquer, for fair England's sake! Enter the GHOSTS of the two young PRINCES GHOSTS. [To RICHARD] Dream on thy cousins smothered 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. [To RICHMOND] Sleep, Richmond, sleep in peace, and wake in joy; 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. Enter the GHOST of LADY ANNE, his wife GHOST. [To RICHARD] Richard, thy wife, that wretched Anne thy wife That never slept a quiet hour with thee Now fills thy sleep with perturbations. To-morrow 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. Enter the GHOST of BUCKINGHAM GHOST. [To RICHARD] The first was I that help'd 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, yield thy breath! [To RICHMOND] I died for hope ere I could lend thee aid; But cheer thy heart and be thou not dismay'd: God and good angels fight on Richmond's side; And Richard falls in height of all his pride. [The GHOSTS vanish. RICHARD starts out of his dream] KING RICHARD. Give me another horse. Bind up my wounds. Have mercy, Jesu! Soft! I did but dream. O coward conscience, how dost thou afflict me! The lights burn blue. It is now dead midnight. Cold fearful drops 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? 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 several tongues, And every tongue brings in a several tale, And every tale condemns me for a villain. Perjury, perjury, in the high'st degree; Murder, stern murder, in the dir'st degree; All several sins, all us'd in each degree, Throng to the bar, crying all 'Guilty! guilty!' I shall despair. There is no creature loves me; And if I die no soul will pity me: And wherefore should they, since that I myself Find in myself no pity to myself? Methought the souls of all that I had murder'd Came to my tent, and every one did threat To-morrow's vengeance on the head of Richard.