Blunt. Upon my life, my Lord, I'll undertake it; And so, God give you quiet rest to-night! Let us consult upon to-morrow's business; [They withdraw into the Tent. Enter, to his Tent, King RICHARD, NORFOLK, K. Rich. What is't o'clock? K. Rich. I will not sup to-night. What, is my beaver easier than it was? Cate. It is, my, Liege; and all things are in readiness. K. Rich. Good Norfolk, hie thee to thy charge; Use careful watch', choose trusty sentinels. Nor. I go, my Lord. K. Rich. Stir with the lark to-morrow, gentle Norfolk. Nor. I warrant you, my Lord. K. Rich. Ratcliff, Rat. My Lord? [Exit. K. Rich. Send out a pursuivant at arms 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 staves be sound, and not too heavy. Ratcliff, Rat. My Lord? K. Rich. Saw'st thou the melancholy Lord Northumberland? Rat. Thomas the Earl of Surrey, and himself, Much about cock-shut time, from troop to troop, Went through the army, cheering up the soldiers. K. Rich. I am satisfy'd. Give me a bowl of wine : I have not that alacrity of spirit, Nor cheer of mind, that I was wont to have. Rat. It is, my Lord. 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, Be to thy person, noble father-in-law! Tell me, how fares our loving mother? Stan. I, by attorney, bless thee from thy mo ther, Who prays continually for Richmond's good: So much for that. The silent hours steal on, And flaky darkness breaks within the east. Farewell: The leisure and the fearful time upon; God give us leisure for these rites of love! Be valiant, and speed well! Richm. Good Lords, conduct him to his regi ment: 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 Lords, &c. with STANLEY, O Thou! whose captain I account myself, Ere I let fall the windows of mine eyes; [Sleeps. The Ghost of Prince Edward, son to Henry the Sixth, rises between the two tents. Ghost. Let me sit heavy on thy soul to-mor row! [To King RICHARD. Think, how thou stab'dst me in my prime of youth At Tewksbury; Despair therefore, and die! 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 prophecy'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! Thou offspring of the house of Lancaster, 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 de spair! [To King RICHARD. Vaug. Think upon Vaughan; and, with guilty fear, Let fall thy lance! Despair, and die! [To King RICHARD. All. Awake! and think, our wrongs in Rich ard'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! Think on lord Hastings; and despair, and die! [To RICHMOND. Arm, fight, and conquer, for fair England's sake! |