[Enter KING RICHARD III in arms, with NORFOLK, SURREY, and others]
- Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Here pitch our tents, even here in Bosworth field.
My Lord of Surrey, why look you so sad?
- Earl of Surrey. My heart is ten times lighter than my looks.
- Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). My Lord of Norfolk,—
- Duke of Norfolk. Here, most gracious liege. 3460
- Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Norfolk, we must have knocks; ha! must we not?
- Duke of Norfolk. We must both give and take, my gracious lord.
- Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Up with my tent there! here will I lie tonight;
But where to-morrow? Well, all's one for that.
Who hath descried the number of the foe? 3465
- Duke of Norfolk. Six or seven thousand is their utmost power.
- Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Why, our battalion trebles that account:
Besides, the king's name is a tower of strength,
Which they upon the adverse party want.
Up with my tent there! Valiant gentlemen, 3470
Let us survey the vantage of the field
Call for some men of sound direction
Let's want no discipline, make no delay,
For, lords, to-morrow is a busy day.
[Exeunt] 3475
[Enter, on the other side of the field, RICHMOND,]
Sir William Brandon, OXFORD, and others. Some of
the Soldiers pitch RICHMOND's tent]
- Richmond (Henry VII). The weary sun hath made a golden set,
And by the bright track of his fiery car, 3480
Gives signal, 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, 3485
And part in just proportion our small strength.
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 3490
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,
Where is Lord Stanley quarter'd, dost thou know?
- Blunt. Unless I have mista'en his colours much, 3495
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 (Henry VII). If without peril it be possible,
Good Captain Blunt, bear my good-night to him, 3500
And give him from me this most needful scroll.
- Blunt. Upon my life, my lord, I'll under-take it;
And so, God give you quiet rest to-night!
- Richmond (Henry VII). Good night, good Captain Blunt. Come gentlemen,
Let us consult upon to-morrow's business 3505
In to our tent; the air is raw and cold.
[They withdraw into the tent]
[Enter, to his tent, KING RICHARD III, NORFOLK,]
RATCLIFF, CATESBY, and others]
- Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). What is't o'clock? 3510
- Sir William Catesby. It's supper-time, my lord;
It's nine o'clock.
- Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). I will not sup to-night.
Give me some ink and paper.
What, is my beaver easier than it was? 3515
And all my armour laid into my tent?
- Sir William Catesby. If is, my liege; and all things are in readiness.
- Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Good Norfolk, hie thee to thy charge;
Use careful watch, choose trusty sentinels.
- Duke of Norfolk. I go, my lord. 3520
- Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Stir with the lark to-morrow, gentle Norfolk.
- Duke of Norfolk. I warrant you, my lord.
- Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Catesby!
- Sir William Catesby. My lord? 3525
- Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). 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] 3530
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? 3535
- Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). 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
Went through the army, cheering up the soldiers.
- Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). So, I am satisfied. Give me a bowl of wine: 3540
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?
- Sir Richard Ratcliff. It is, my lord.
- Richard III (Duke of Gloucester). Bid my guard watch; leave me. 3545
Ratcliff, about the mid of night come to my tent
And help to arm me. Leave me, I say.
[Exeunt RATCLIFF and the other Attendants]
[Enter DERBY to RICHMOND in his tent, Lords and]
others attending] 3550
- Sir William Stanley. Fortune and victory sit on thy helm!
- Richmond (Henry VII). All comfort that the dark night can afford
Be to thy person, noble father-in-law!
Tell me, how fares our loving mother?
- Sir William Stanley. I, by attorney, bless thee from thy mother 3555
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, 3560
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: 3565
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 3570
And ample interchange of sweet discourse,
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!
- Richmond (Henry VII). Good lords, conduct him to his regiment: 3575
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] 3580
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! 3585
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! 3590