Glost. Why, our battalions treble that account; Besides, the king's name is a tower of strength, Which they, upon the adverse faction, want. Nor. Their wants are greater yet, my lord—those e'en Of motion, life, and spirit. Did you but know The greedy crows, fly, hovering o'er their heads, Glost. Now, by St. Paul, we'll send them dinners and apparel! Nay, give their fasting horses provender, And after, fight them.-How long must we stay, Nor. Unless their famine saves our swords that la bour, To-morrow's sun will light them to their ruin; lords, Now let's survey the 'vantage of the ground- Nor. My gracious lord Glost. What say'st thou, Norfolk? Nor. Might I advise your majesty, you yet Shall save the blood that may be shed to-morrow. Glost. How so, my lord? Nor. The poor condition of the rebels tells me, That, on a pardon offer'd to the lives Of those, who instantly shall quit their arms, my Young Richmond, ere to-morrow's dawn, were friendless. Glost. Why, that, indeed, was our sixth Harry's way, Which made his reign one scene of rude commotion. I'll be, in men's despite, a monarch; no, Let kings that fear, forgive-Blows and revenge for me. [Exeunt. SCENE III. A Wood. Enter RICHMOND, OXFORD, BLUNT, &c, Rich. The weary sun has made a golden set, Enter OFFICER. Offi. Sir, a gentleman, that calls himself Stanley, Desires admittance to the Earl of Richmond. Rich. Now, by our hopes, my noble father-in-law ! Admit him-my good friends, your leave awhile. Enter LORD STANLEY. My honour'd father! on my soul, The joy of seeing you this night, is more Than my most knowing hopes presag'd-what news? Stanley. I, by commission, bless thee from thy mother, Who prays continually for Richmond's good: Which so long-sunder'd friends should dwell upon. Stanley. Till then, once more, farewell! be resolute, and conquer. [Exit. Rich. Give him safe conduct to his regiment.Well, sirs, to-morrow proves a busy day; But come, the night's far spent-let's in, to coun cil Captain, an hour before the sun gets up, From tent to tent, and early cheer the soldiers. [Exeunt. SCENE IV. Bosworth Field. Enter GLOSTER, RATCLIFF, NORFOLK, and Glost. Catesby ! Catesby. Here, my lord. Glost. Send out a pursuivant at arms Glost. Be stirring with the lark, good Norfolk! [Exit. Glost. Saddle White Surry for the field, to-mor row. Is ink and paper ready? Catesby. It is, my lord. Glost. An hour after midnight, come to my tent, And help to arm me.-A good night, my friends. [Exit. Catesby. Methinks, the king has not that pleas'd alacrity, Nor cheer of mind, that he was wont to have. You'll find him, sir, another man, i' th' field. When you shall see him with his beaver up, His numbers are so few, and those so sick, And famish'd in their march, if he dares fight us- But come, 'tis late-Now let us to our tents; [Exeunt. SCENE V. GLOSTER'S Tent, in another Part of the Field. Enter GLOSTER, from his Tent. Glost. 'Tis now the dead of night, and half the world Is in a lonely solemn darkness hung; Yet I, (so coy a dame is sleep to me) My care tir'd thoughts, can't win her to my bed; Though ev'n the stars do wink, as 'twere with overwatching: I'll forth, and walk a while-the air's refreshing, Gives it a sweet and wholesome odour. How awful is this gloom!-and, hark! from camp to camp, |