I'll draw the form and model of our battle, Yet one thing more, good captain, do for me; 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! Richm. Good night, good captain Blunt. Come, gentlemen, Let us consult upon to-morrow's business ; [They withdraw into the tent. Enter, to his tent, King Richard, Norfolk, Ratcliff, and Catesby. K. Rich. What i'st o'clock ? Cate. It's nine o'clock. K. Rich. It's supper time, my lord; I will not sup to-night. Give me some ink and paper. What, is my beaver easier than it was?- Cate. It is, my liege; and all things are in readi ness. K. Rich. Good Norfolk, hie thee to thy charge; Use careful watch, choose trusty sentinels. K. Rich. Stir with the lark to-morrow, gentle Norfolk. Nor. I warrant you, my lord. K. Rich. Ratcliff, Rat. My lord? [Exit. Send out a pursuivant at arms K. Rich. To Stanley's regiment; bid him bring his power Before sun-rising, lest his son George fall Into the blind cave of eternal night. Fill me a bowl of wine. Give me a watch* :— -- [To Catesby. Saddle white Surrey for the field to-morrow.Look that my stavest be sound, and not too heavy. Ratcliff, Rat. My lord? K. Rich. Saw'st thou the melancholy lord Nor thumberland? Rat. Thomas the earl of Surrey, and himself, Much about cock-shutt time, from troop to troop, Went through the army, cheering up the soldiers. K. Rich. 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.- K. Rich. Bid my guard watch; leave me. About the mid of night, come to my tent, And help to arm me.-Leave me, I say. [King Richard retires into his tent. Exeunt Ratcliff and Catesby. Richmond's tent opens, and discovers him and his officers, &c. Enter Stanley. Stan. Fortune and victory sit on thy helm! Richm. All comfort that the dark night can afford, * A watch-light. VOL. VII. + Wood of the lances. L 1 Twilight. Be to thy person, noble father-in-law ! Stan. I, by attorney*, bless thee from thy mother, Farewell: the leisure and the fearful time And ample interchange of sweet discourse, The Ghost of Prince Edward, Son to Henry the Sixth, rises between the two tents. Ghost. Let me sit heavy on thy soul to-morrow! [To King Richard. Think, how thou stab'dst me in my prime of youth At Tewksbury; Despair therefore, and die! Be cheerful, Richmond; for the wronged souls Of butcher'd princes fight in thy behalf: King Henry's issue, Richmond, comforts thee. The Ghost of King Henry the Sixth rises. Ghost. When I was mortal, my anointed body [To King Richard. 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.Virtuous and holy, be thou conqueror ! [To Richmond. Harry, that prophesy'd thou should'st be king, Doth comfort thee in thy sleep; Live, and flourish ! The Ghost of Clarence rises. Ghost. Let me sit heavy on thy soul to-morrow! [To King Richard. 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 !Thou offspring of the house of Lancaster, [To Richmond. The wronged heirs of York do pray for thee; Good angels guard thy battle! Live, and flourish! The Ghosts of Rivers, Grey, and Vaughan, rise.. Riv. Let me sit heavy on thy soul to-morrow, [To King Richard. Rivers, that died at Pomfret! Despair, and die! Grey. Think upon Grey, and let thy soul despair! [To King Richard. Vaugh. Think upon Vaughan; and, with guilty fear, Let fall thy lance! Despair, and die !— [To King Richard. All. Awake! and think, our wrongs in Richard's bosom [To Richmond. Will conquer him ;-awake, and win the day! The Ghost of Hastings rises. Ghost. Bloody and guilty, guiltily awake; [To King Richard. And in a bloody battle end thy days! [To Richmond. Arm, fight, and conquer, for fair England's sake! The Ghosts of the two young Princes rise. Ghosts. Dream on thy cousins smother'd in the Tower; Let us be lead within thy bosom, Richard, Sleep, Richmond, sleep in peace, and wake in joy; The Ghost of Queen Anne rises. Ghost. Richard, thy wife, that wretched Anne thy wife, That never slept a quiet hour with thee, And fall thy edgeless sword; Despair, and die !— Dream of success and happy victory; |