SHAKESPEARE ON DISK. KING RICHARD THE THIRD. ACT V. SCENE I. [Salisbury. An open place.] [Enter the SHERIFF, and BUCKINGHAM, with halberds, led to execution.] DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM Will not King Richard let me speak with him? 5/1/1 SHERIFF. No, my good lord; therefore be patient. DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM. Hastings, and Edward's children, Rivers, Grey, 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, fellows, is it not? 5/1/10 SHERIFF. It is, my lord. DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM. Why, then All-Souls' day is my body's doomsday. This is the day that, in King Edward's time, I wish'd might fall on me, when I was found False to his children or his wife's allies; This is the day wherein I wish'd to fall By the false faith of him I trusted most; This, this All-Souls' day to my fearful soul Is the determined respite of my wrongs: That high All-Seer that I dallied with 5/1/20 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 on 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, sirs, convey me to the block of shame; Wrong hath but wrong, and blame the due of blame. [Exeunt.] SCENE II. [Plain near Tamworth.] [Enter RICHMOND, OXFORD, BLUNT, and others, with drum and colours.] EARL OF RICHMOND. Fellows in arms, and my most loving friends, 5/2/1 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 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 5/2/10 Lies 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. EARL OF OXFORD. Every man's conscience is a thousand swords, To fight against this guilty homicide. SIR WALTER HERBERT. I doubt not but his friends will turn to us. SIR JAMES BLUNT. He hath no friends but what are friends for fear, 5/2/20 Which in his dearest need will shrink from him. EARL OF 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 III. [Bosworth field.] [Enter KING RICHARD in arms, with NORFOLK, the EARL OF SURREY, and others.] KING RICHARD. Here pitch our tents, even here in Bosworth field. 5/3/1 My Lord of Surrey, why look you so sad? EARL OF SURREY. My heart is ten times lighter than my looks. KING RICHARD. My Lord of Norfolk,- DUKE OF NORFOLK. Here, most gracious liege. KING RICHARD. Norfolk, we must have knocks; ha! must we not? DUKE OF 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? DUKE OF NORFOLK. Six or seven thousand is their utmost power. 5/3/10 KING RICHARD. Why, our battalia trebles that account: Besides, the king's name is a tower of strength, Which they upon the adverse party 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, BRANDON, OXFORD, and others. Some of the SOLDIERS pitch RICHMOND'S tent.] EARL OF RICHMOND. The weary sun hath made a golden set, And, by the bright track of his fiery car, 5/3/20 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, 5/3/30 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? SIR JAMES BLUNT. Unless I have mista'en his colours 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. EARL OF RICHMOND. If without peril it be possible, Sweet Blunt, make some good means to speak with him, 5/3/40 And give him from me this most needful note. SIR JAMES BLUNT. Upon my life, my lord, I'll undertake it; And so, God give you quiet rest to-night! EARL OF RICHMOND. Good night, good captain Blunt. [Exit BLUNT.] Come, gentlemen, Let us consult upon to-morrow's business: In to my tent; the air is raw and cold. [They withdraw into the tent.] [Enter, to his tent, KING RICHARD, NORFOLK, RATCLIFF, CATESBY, and others.] KING RICHARD. What is't o'clock? SIR WILLIAM 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? 5/3/50 And all my armour laid into my tent? SIR WILLIAM 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. DUKE OF NORFOLK. I go, my lord. KING RICHARD. Stir with the lark to-morrow, gentle Norfolk. DUKE OF NORFOLK. I warrant you, my lord. [Exit.] KING RICHARD. Catesby,- SIR WILLIAM CATESBY. My lord? KING RICHARD. Send out a pursuivant -at-arms To Stanley's regiment; bid him bring his power 5/3/60 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,- SIR RICHARD RATCLIFF. My lord? KING RICHARD. Saw'st thou the melancholy Lord Northumberland? SIR RICHARD RATCLIFF. Thomas the Earl of Surrey, and himself, Much about cock-shut time, from troop to troop 5/3/70 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. [Wine brought.] Set it down.- Is ink and paper ready? SIR RICHARD 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. [Exeunt RATCLIFF and others.] [Enter STANLEY to RICHMOND in his tent; LORDS and GENTLEMEN.] LORD STANLEY. Fortune and victory sit on thy helm! 5/3/80 EARL OF RICHMOND. All comfort that the dark night can afford Be to thy person, noble father-in-law! Tell me, how fares our loving mother? LORD STANLEY. 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 th'arbitrement 5/3/90 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, 5/3/100 Which so-long-sunder'd friends should dwell upon: God give us leisure for these rites of love! Once more, adieu: be valiant, and speed well! EARL OF 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; 5/3/110 Put in their hands Thy bruising irons 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 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 PRINCE EDWARD, son to KING HENRY THE SIXTH.] GHOST [to KING RICHARD]. Let me sit heavy on thy soul to-morrow! Think, how thou stabb'dst me in my prime of youth 5/3/120 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 KING 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, 5/3/130 Doth comfort thee in thy sleep: live, and flourish! [Enter the GHOST OF CLARENCE.] GHOST [to KING RICHARD]. Let me sit heavy on 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 KING RICHARD]. Let me sit heavy on thy soul to-morrow, 5/3/140 Rivers, that died at Pomfret! despair, and die! GHOST OF GREY [to KING RICHARD]. Think upon Grey, and let thy soul despair! GHOST OF VAUGHAN [to KING RICHARD]. Think upon Vaughan, and, with guilty fear, Let fall thy lance: despair, and die! ALL THREE [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 KING 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! 5/3/150 Arm, fight, and conquer, for fair England's sake! [Enter the GHOSTS of the two young PRINCES.] GHOSTS [to KING 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 ANNE, his wife.] GHOST [to KING RICHARD]. Richard, thy wife, that wretched Anne thy wife, 5/3/160 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 KING 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, 5/3/170 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. KING 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! 5/3/180 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 5/3/190 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 direst degree; All several sins, all used in each degree, Throng to the bar, crying all "Guilty! guilty!" 5/3/200 I shall despair. There is no creature 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? [Enter RATCLIFF.] SIR RICHARD RATCLIFF. My lord,- KING RICHARD. Who's there? SIR RICHARD RATCLIFF. My lord, 'tis I. The early village-cock Hath twice done salutation to the morn; Your friends are up, and buckle on their armour. KING RICHARD. O Ratcliff, I have dream'd a fearful dream!- 5/3/210 What thinkest thou,- will our friends prove all true? SIR RICHARD RATCLIFF. No doubt, my lord. KING RICHARD. O Ratcliff, I fear, I fear!- 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. SIR RICHARD RATCLIFF. Nay, good my lord, be not afraid of shadows. KING RICHARD. By the apostle Paul, shadows to-night Have struck more terror to the soul of Richard Than can the substance of ten thousand soldiers 5/3/220 Armed in proof and led by shallow Richmond. It is not yet near day. Come, go with me; Under our tents I'll play the eaves-dropper, To hear if any mean to shrink from me. [Exeunt KING RICHARD and RATCLIFF.] [Enter the LORDS to RICHMOND, sitting in his tent.] LORDS. Good morrow, Richmond! EARL OF RICHMOND [waking]. Cry mercy, lords and watchful gentlemen, That you have ta'en a tardy sluggard here. LORDS. How have you slept, my lord? EARL OF RICHMOND. The sweetest sleep, and fairest-boding dreams That ever enter'd in a drowsy head, 5/3/230 Have I since your departure had, my lords. Methought their souls, whose bodies Richard murder'd, Came to my tent, and cried on victory: I promise you, my heart is very jocund In the remembrance of so fair a dream. How far into the morning is it, lords? LORDS. Upon the stroke of four. EARL OF RICHMOND. Why, then 'tis time to arm and give directions. [His oration to his SOLDIERS.] More than I have said, loving countrymen. The leisure and enforcement of the time 5/3/240 Forbids to dwell upon: yet remember this,- God and our good cause fight upon our side; The prayers of holy saints and wronged souls, Like high-rear'd bulwarks, stand before our faces; Richard except, those whom we fight against Had rather have us win than him they follow: For what is he they follow? truly, gentlemen, A bloody tyrant and a homicide; One rais'd in blood, and one in blood establish'd; One that made means to come by what he hath, 5/3/250 And slaughter'd those that were the means to help him; A base foul stone, made precious by the foil 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, injustice, ward you as his soldiers; If you do sweat to put a tyrant down, 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; 5/3/260 If you do fight in safeguard of your wives, Your wives shall welcome home the conquerors; If you do free your children from the sword, Your children's children quit it in your age. 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 Shall be this cold corpse on the earth's cold face; But if I thrive, the gain of my attempt The least of you shall share his part thereof. 5/3/270 Sound drums and trumpets, boldly and cheerfully; God and Saint George! Richmond and victory! [Exeunt.] [Enter KING RICHARD, RATCLIFF, ATTENDANTS, and FORCES.] KING RICHARD. What said Northumberland as touching Richmond? SIR RICHARD RATCLIFF. That he was never trained up in arms. KING RICHARD. He said the truth: and what said Surrey, then? SIR RICHARD RATCLIFF. He smiled, and said, "The better for our purpose." KING RICHARD. He was in the right; and so, indeed, it is. [Clock strikes.] Tell the clock there.- Give me a calendar.- Who saw the sun to-day? SIR RICHARD RATCLIFF. Not I, my lord. KING RICHARD. Then he disdains to shine; for, by the book, 5/3/280 He should have braved the east an hour ago: A black day will it be to somebody.- Ratcliff,- SIR RICHARD RATCLIFF. My lord? KING RICHARD. 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 More than to Richmond? for the selfsame heaven That frowns on me looks sadly upon him. [Enter NORFOLK.] DUKE OF NORFOLK. Arm, arm, my lord; the foe vaunts in the field. 5/3/290 KING RICHARD. Come, bustle, bustle;- caparison my horse; Call up Lord Stanley, bid him bring his power: 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, Consisting equally of horse and foot; Our archers shall be placed in the midst: John Duke of Norfolk, Thomas Earl of Surrey, Shall have the leading of this foot and horse. They thus directed, we will follow 5/3/300 In the main battle; whose puissance on either side Shall be well winged with our chiefest horse. This, and Saint George to boot!- What think'st thou, Norfolk? DUKE OF NORFOLK. A good direction, warlike sovereign. This found I on my tent this morning. [He sheweth him a paper.] KING RICHARD [reads.] "Jockey of Norfolk, be not too bold, For Dickon thy master is bought and sold." A thing devised by the enemy.- Go, gentlemen, every man unto his charge: Let not our babbling dreams affright our souls; 5/3/310 Conscience is but a word that cowards use, Devised at first to keep the strong in awe: Our strong arms be our conscience, swords our law. March on, join bravely, let us to't pell-mell; 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? Remember whom you are to cope withal;- A sort of vagabonds, rascals, and runaways, A scum of Bretons, and base lackey peasants, Whom their o'er-cloyed country vomits forth 5/3/320 To desperate ventures and assured destruction. You sleeping safe, they bring to you unrest; You having lands, and bless'd with beauteous wives, They would distrain the one, distain the other. And who doth lead them but a paltry fellow, Long kept in Bretagne at our mother's cost? A milk-sop, one that never in his life 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, 5/3/330 These famish'd beggars, weary of their lives; Who, but for dreaming on this fond exploit, For want of means, poor rats, had hang'd themselves: If we be conquer'd, let men conquer us, And not these bastard Bretons; whom our fathers Have in their own land beaten, bobb'd and thump'd, And, on record, left them the heirs of shame. Shall these enjoy our lands? lie with our wives? Ravish our daughters? [Drum afar off.] Hark! I hear their drum. Fight, gentlemen of England! fight, bold yeomen! 5/3/340 Draw, archers, draw your arrows to the head! Spur your proud horses hard, and ride in blood; Amaze the welkin with your broken staves! [Enter a MESSENGER.] What says Lord Stanley? will he bring his power? MESSENGER. My lord, he doth deny to come. KING RICHARD. Off with his son George's head! DUKE OF NORFOLK. My lord, the enemy is past the marsh: After the battle let George Stanley die. KING RICHARD. A thousand hearts are great within my bosom: Advance our standards, set upon our foes; 5/3/350 Our ancient word of courage, fair Saint George, Inspire us with the spleen of fiery dragons! Upon them! Victory sits on our helms. [Exeunt.] SCENE IV. [Another part of the field.] [Alarum: excursions. Enter NORFOLK and FORCES; to him CATESBY.] SIR WILLIAM CATESBY. Rescue, my Lord of Norfolk, rescue, rescue! 5/4/1 The king enacts more wonders than a man, Daring an opposite to every danger: His horse is slain, and all on foot he fights, Seeking for Richmond in the throat of death. Rescue, fair lord, or else the day is lost! [Alarums. Enter KING RICHARD.] KING RICHARD. A horse! a horse! my kingdom for a horse! SIR WILLIAM CATESBY. Withdraw, my lord; I'll help you to a horse. KING RICHARD. Slave, I have set my life upon a cast, And I will stand the hazard of the die: 5/4/10 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.] SCENE V. [Another part of the field.] [Alarum. Enter RICHARD and RICHMOND; they fight. RICHARD is slain. Retreat and flourish. Re-enter RICHMOND, STANLEY bearing the crown, with divers other LORDS.] EARL OF RICHMOND. God and your arms be praised, victorious friends! 5/5/1 The day is ours, the bloody dog is dead. LORD STANLEY. Courageous Richmond, well hast thou acquit thee. Lo, here, this long-usurped royalty From the dead temples of this bloody wretch Have I pluck'd off, to grace thy brows withal: Wear it, enjoy it, and make much of it. EARL OF RICHMOND Great God of heaven, say Amen to all!- But, tell me, is young George Stanley living? LORD STANLEY. He is, my lord, and safe in Leicester town; 5/5/10 Whither, if't please you, we may now withdraw us. EARL OF RICHMOND. What men of name are slain on either side? LORD STANLEY. John Duke of Norfolk, Walter Lord Ferrers, Sir Robert Brakenbury, and Sir William Brandon. EARL OF RICHMOND. Inter their bodies as becomes their births: Proclaim a pardon to the soldiers fled That in submission will return to us: And then, as we have ta'en the sacrament, We will unite the white rose and the red. Smile heaven upon this fair conjunction, 5/5/20 That long have frown'd upon their enmity!- What traitor hears me, and says not Amen? England hath long been mad and scarr'd herself; The brother blindly shed the brother's blood, The father rashly slaughter'd his own son, The son, compell'd, been butcher to the sire: All this divided York and Lancaster, Divided in their dire division, O, now let Richmond and Elizabeth, The true succeeders of each royal house, 5/5/30 By God's fair ordinance conjoin together! And let their heirs- God, if Thy will be so- Enrich the time to come with smooth-faced peace, With smiling plenty, and fair prosperous days! Abate the edge of traitors, gracious Lord, That would reduce these bloody days again, And make poor England weep in streams of blood! Let them not live to taste this land's increase That would with treason wound this fair land's peace! Now civil wounds are stopp'd, peace lives agen: 5/5/40 That she may long live here, God say Amen! [Exeunt.] ACT V. END.