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K. Rich. Tell her, the king, that may command, entreats- [King forbids*. Q. Eliz. That at her hands, which the king's K. Rich. Say, she shall be a high and mighty

queen.

last?

Q. Eliz. To wail the title, as her mother doth. K. Rich. Say, I will love her everlastingly. Q. Eliz. But how long shall that title, ever, [end. K. Rich. Sweetly in force unto her fair life's Q. Eliz. But how long fairly shall her sweet life last? [lengthens it. K. Rich. As long as heaven and nature Q. Eliz. As long as hell, and Richard, likes [ject low. K. Rich. Say, I, her sovereign, am her subQ. Eliz. But she, your subject, loaths such sov'reignty.

of it.

a

K. Rich. Be eloquent in my behalf to her. Q. Eliz. An honest tale speeds best, being plainly told. [loving tale. K. Rich. Then, in plain terms tell her my Q. Eliz. Plain, and not honest, is too harsh style. [too quick. K. Rich. Your reasons are too shallow and Q. Eliz. O, no, my reasons are too deep and dead;[graves. oo deep and dead, poor infants, in their K. Rich. Harp not on that string, madam; that is past. [strings break. Q. Eliz. Harp on it still shall I, till heartK. Rich. Now, by my George, my gartert, and my crown,(third usurp'd.

Q. Eliz. Profaned, dishonour'd, and the K. Rich. I swear

Q. Elia. By nothing; for this is no oath. Thy George, profaned, hath lost his holy honour; [virtue; Thy garter, blemish'd, pawn'd his knightly Thy crown, usurp'd, disgraced his kingly glory: If something thou wouldst swear to be believed, Swear then by something that thou hast not K. Rich. Now by the world,- [wrong'd. Q. Eliz. "Tis full of thy foul wrongs. K. Rich. My father's death,— Q. Eliz.

Thy life hath that dishonour'd.

K. Rich. Then, by myself, Q. Eliz. K. Rich. Why then, by God, Q. Eliz. God's wrong is most of all. If thou hadst fear'd to break an oath by him, The unity the king thy brother made,

Thyself is self-misused.

Had not been broken, nor my brother slain,
If thou hadst fear'd to break an oath by him,
The imperial metal, circling now thy head,
Had graced the tender temples of my child;
And both the princes had been breathing here,
Which now, two tender bed-fellows for dust,
Thy broken faith hath made a prey for worms.
What canst thou swear by now?
K. Rich,
By the time to come.
Q. Eliz. That thou hast wronged in the time

o'er-past;

For I myself have many tears to wash Hereafter time, for time past, wrong'd by thee,

The children live, whose parents thou hast slaughter'd,

Ungovern'd youth, to wail it in their age.
The parents live, whose children thou hast

butcher'd

Old barren plants, to wail it with their age.
Swear not by time to come; for that thou hast
Misused ere used, by times ill-used o'erpast.
K. Rich. As I intend to prosper, and repent,
So thrive I in my dangerous attempt
Of hostile arms; myself myself confound;
Heaven, and fortune, bar me happy hours;
Day, yield me not thy light; nor, night, thy
Be opposite all planets of good luck [rest
To my proceeding, if, with pure heart's love,
Immaculate devotion, holy thoughts,
I tender not thy beauteous princely daughter
In her consists my happiness, and thine;
Without her, follows to myself, and thee,
Herself, the land, and many a christian soul,
Death, desolation, ruin, and decay:
It cannot be avoided, but by this;
It will not be avoided, but by this.
Therefore, dear mother, (I must call you so,)
Be the attorney of my love to her.
Plead what I will be, not what I have been;
Not my deserts, but what I will deserve:
Urge the necessity and state of times,
And be not peevisht found in great designs.
Q. Eliz. Shall I be tempted of the devil thus?
K. Rich. Ay, if the devil tempt thee to do
good.

Q. Eliz. Shall I forget myself, to be myself? K. Rich. Ay, if your self's remembrance wrong yourself.

Q. Eliz. But thou didst kill my children.
K Rich. But in your daughter's womb I
[breed

bury them;

Where, in that nest of spicery, they shall
Selves of themselves, to your recomforture.
Q. Eliz. Shall I go win my daughter to thy
will?

[deed.

K. Rich. And be a happy mother by the Q. Eliz. I go.-Write to me very shortly, And you shall understand from me her mind. K. Rich. Bear her my true love's kiss, and so farewell. [Kissing her. Exit Q. ELIZABETH. Relenting fool, and shallow, changing woman How now? what news?

Enter RATCLIFF; CATESBY following.

Rat. Most mighty sovereign, on the western Rideth a puissant navy; to the shore [coast Throng many doubtful hollow hearted friends, Unarm'd, and unresolved to beat them back: 'Tis thought, that Richmond is their admiral ; And there they hull, expecting but the aid

Of Buckingham, to welcome them ashore.

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K. Rich. Some light-foot friend post to the duke of Norfolk:Ratcliff, thyself,-or Catesby; where is he?? Cate. Here, my good lord. K. Rich.

Catesby, fly to the duke. Cate. I will, my lord, with all convenient haste.

The ensigns of the Order of the Garter. }

• In the Levitical Law, Chap. xviii. 14The phoenix's nest.

Foolish.

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When thon comest thither,-Dull unmindful
villain, 1.9
[TO CATESBY.
Why stay'st thou here, and go'st not to the I
duke?',
[ness' pleasure,
Cate. First, mighty liege, tell me your high-
What from your grace I shall deliver to him.
K. Rich. O, true, good Catesby ;-Bid him
levy straight

The greatest strength and power he can make,
And meet me suddenly at Salisbury,

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Cate. I go..
[Exit.
Rat. What, may it please you, shall I do at
[before I go?
Salisbury 3

K. Rich. Why, what wouldst thou do there,
Rat. Your highness told me, I should post

before.

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White-liver'd runagate, what doth he there?
Stan. I know not, mighty sovereign, but by
[guess.
K. Rich. Well, as you guess?
Stan. Stirr'd up by Dorset, Buckingham,
and Morton,
[crown.
He makes for England, here to claim the
K. Rich. Is the chair empty? is the sword
unsway'd?.

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Is the king dead? the empire unpossess'd?
What heir of York is there alive, but we?
And who is England's king, but great York's
heir ow

Then, tell me, what makes he upon the seas?
Stan. Unless for that, my liege, I cannot
[your lege,
guess.
K. Rich. Unless for that he comes to be
You cannot guess wherefore the Welshman
Thou wilt revolt, and fly to him, I fear, [comes.
Stan. No, mighty liege; therefore mistrust

t me not.

K. Rich. Where is thy power then, to beat
him back?

Where be thy tenants, and thy followers?
Are they not now upon the western shore,
Safe-conducting the rebels from their ships?
Stan. No, my good lord, my friends are in
the north...
[in the north,
K. Rich. Cold friends to me: what do they
When they should serve their sovereign in
the west?
[mighty king:
Stan. They have not been commanded,
Pleaseth your majesty to give me leave,

Where, and what time, your majesty shall
please.

K. Rich. Ay, ay, thou wouldst begone to
join with Richmond:
will not trust you, sir.
Stan.

Most mighty sovereign You have no cause to hold my friendship doubtful;

I never was, uor never will be false.

K. Rich. Well, go, muster men. But, hear you, leave behind [be firm, Your son, George Stanley; look your heart Or else his head's assurance is but frail. Stan. So deal with him, as I prove true to [Exit STANLEY.

you.

Enter a Messenger.

Mess. My gracious sovereign, now in De

vonshire,

As I by friends am well advértised,
Sir Edward Courtney, and the haughty prelate,
Bishop of Exeter, his elder brother,
With many more confederates, are in arms.
Enter another Messenger. ·

2 Mess. In Kent, my liege, the Guildfords
are in arms;
And every hour more competitors * [strong.
Flock to the rebels, and their power grows
Enter another Messenger.

3 Mess. My lord, the army of great Buck ingham

songs of death? Rich. Out on ye, owls! nothing but [He strikes him. There, take thou that, till thou bring better [Jesty,

news.

8 Mess. The news I have to tell your ma
Is, that, by sudden floods and fall of waters,
Buckingham's army is dispersed and scatter'd;
And he himself wander'd away alone,
No man knows whither.

K. Rich.
O, I cry you mercy:
There is my purse to cure that blow of thine.
Hath any well-advised friend proclaim'd
Reward to him that brings the traitor in?
3 Mess. Such proclamation hath been made,
my liege.

Enter another Messenger...
4 Mess. Sir Thomas Lovel, and lord mar
quis Dorset,

'Tis said, my liege, in Yorkshire are in arms.
But this good comfort bring I to your highness,
The Bretagne navy is dispersed by tempest:
Richmond, in Dorsetshire, sent out a boat
Unto the shore, to ask those on the banks,
If they were his assistants, yea, or no;
Who answer'd him, they came from Buck
ingham

Upon his party: he, mistrusting them,
Hoised sail, and made his course again for
Bretagne.
[up in arms;
K. Rich. March on, march on, since we are
If not to fight with foreign enemies,
Yet to beat down these rebels here at home.
Enter CATESBY.
Cate. Myl
of Buckingham s
mond
the best
best news; That the earl of Rich

I'll muster up my friends; and meet your takene, the d

grace,

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s with a mighty power landed at Milford, 3 colder news, but yet they must be told. K. Rich. Away towards Salisbury; while we reason here,

royal battle might be won and lost :ome one take order, Buckingham be brought o Salisbury ;—the rest march on with me. [Exeunt.

SCENE V. A Room in Lord Stanley's House.

Enter STANLEY and Sir CHRISTOPHER URSWICK+.

Stan. Sir Christopher, tell Richmond this from me:

hat, in the sty of this most bloody boar, My son George Stanley is frank'd up in hold; I revolt, off goes young George's head; the fear of that withholds my present aid. Fut, tell me, where is princely Richmond now?

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Chris. At Pembroke, or at Ha'rford west,

in Wales.

Stan. What men of name resort to him? I Chris. Sir Waiter Herbert, a renowned soldier; ^

Sir Gilbert Talbert, sir William Stanley; Oxford, redoubted Pembroke, sir Jamer Blunt,

And Rice ap Thomas, with a valiant crew; And many other of great fame and worth: And towards London do they bend their course,

If by the way they be not fought withal,

Stan. Well, hie thee to thy lord; commend me to him;

Tell him, the queen hath heartily consented
He shall espouse Elizabeth her daughter.
These letters will resolve him of my mind.
Farewell.

[Gives papers to Sir CHRISTOPHER.
[Exeunt.

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SCENE I. Salisbury. An open Place. Enter the Sheriff, and Guard, with BUCKINGHAM, led to execution. Buck. Will not king Richard let me speak with him?

*Sher. No, my good lord; therefore be patient. [Rivers, Grey, Buck. Hastings, and Edward's children, oly king Henry, and thy fair son Edward, aughan, and all that have miscarried y underhand corrupted foul injustice; that your moody discontented souls

6 through the clouds behold this present hour,

ven for revenge mock my destruction! his is All-Souls' day, fellows, is it not? Sher. It is, my lord.

[doomsday. Buck. Why, then All-Souls' day is my body's This is the day, which, in king Edward's time, wish'd might fall on me, when I was found alse to his children, or his wife's allies: This is the day, wherein I wish'd to fall By the false faith of him whom most I trusted; his, this All-Souls' day to my fearful soul, s the determined respite of my wrongs. hat high All-seer which I dallied with, dath turned 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.

RA

[Exeunt BUCKINGHAM,&C.

Force.

SCENE II. Plain near Tamworth. Enter, with Drum and Colours, RICHMOND, OXFORD, Sir JAMES BLUNT, Sir WALTER HERBERT, and Others, with Forces, marching.

Richm. Fellows in arms, and my most loving friends,

Bruised underneath the yoke of tyranny,
Thus far into the bowels of the land
Have we march'd on without impediment; A
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
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.
Oxf. Every man's conscience is a thousand
swords,

To fight against that bloody homicide.

Herb. I doubt not but his friends will turn

to us.

Blunt. He hath no friends, but who are friends for fear;

Which, in his dearest need, will fly from him.

Richm. All for our vantage. Then, in God's name, march: {wings, True hope is swift, and flies with swallow's Kings it makes gods, and meaner creatures kings. ... [Exeunt.

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Chaplain to the countess of Richmond. A sty in which hogs are set apart for fattening.wTký Injurions practices.

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Nor. We must both give and take, my lov, [to-night; K. Rich. Up with my tent: Here will I lie [Soldiers begin to set up the King's tent. But where to-morrow?-Well, all's one for that.

power.

Who hath descried the number of the traitors?
Nor. Six or seven thousand is their utmost
[count:
K. Rich. Why, our battalia trebles that ac-
Besides, the king's name is a tower of strength,
Which they upon the adverse faction 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 want no discipline, make no delay;
For, lords, to-morrow is a busy day.

[Exeunt. Enter, on the other side of the field, RICHMOND, Sir WILLIAM BRANDON, OXFORD, and other Lords. Some of the soldiers pitch RICHMOND'S Tent.

Richm. The weary sun hath made a golden
And, by the bright track of his fiery car, [set,
Gives token of a goodly day to inorrow.
Sir William Braudon, 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 Bran-
don,-

And you, sir Walter Herbert, stay with me:
The earl of Pembroke keeps t his regiment;
Good captain Blunt, bear my good night to
And by the second hour in the morning [him, [:
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?
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.
Richm. If without peril it be possible,
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
And so God give you quiet rest to-night! [it;
Richm. Good night, good captain Bluut.
Come, gentlemen,

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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?
And all my armour laid into my tent?
Cate. It is, my liege; and all things are in
readiness.
[charge;
K. Rich. Good Norfolk, hie thee to thy
Use careful watch, choose trusty sentiuels.
Nor. I go, my lord.

[Norfolk.

[Exit.

K. Rich. Stir with the lark to-morrow, gentle
Nor. I warrant you, my lord.
K. Rich. Ratcliff,-
Rat. My lord?

K. Rich. Send out a pursuivant at arm
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 watchi:-
[TO CATESBY.
Saddle white Surrey for the field to-morrow.-
Look that my staves be sound, and not too
Ratcliff,-
[heavy
[Northumberland?
Rat. My lord?
K. Rich. Saw'st thou the melancholy lord
Rut. Thomas the earl of Surrey, and himself,
Much about cock-shut time, from troop to
troop,

[diers.

Went through the army, cheering up the sol
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.
So, set it down.-Is ink and paper ready?
Rat. It is, my lord.
K. Rich. Bid my guard watch; leave me.
About the mid of night, come to my tent,
I say.
And help to arm me.-Leave me,
[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 Be to thy person, noble father-in-law? [afford, Tell me, how fares our loving mother?

Stan. 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 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,

• Appoiut.
Remains with roost A watch-light.
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Wood of the lances. idol iw olya A

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 ceremonions vows of love,
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! [ment: Richm. Good lords, conduct him to his regiI'll strive with troubled thoughts to take a nap; Lest leaden slumber peise* me down to mor

row,

When I should mount with wings of victory!
Once more, good night,' kind lords and gentle-
men. [Exeunt Lords, &c., with STANLEY.
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!
Make us thy ministers of chastisement,
That we may praise thee in thy 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.
The Ghost of Prince EDWARD, Son to HENRY
the Sixth, rises between the two tents.
Ghost. Let me sit heavy on thy soul to
[To King RICHARD.
Think, how thou stabb'dst me in my prime of
youth

morrow!

T

At Tewksbury Despair therefore, and die! Be cheerful, Richmond; for the wronged souls Of butcher'd princes fight in thy behalf: 7 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, aud 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..A Ghosmorrow! Let me sit heavy on thy sonl to[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 15 94197516 OVER 3.9489

The Ghosts of RIVERS, GREY, and VAUGHAN, rise.

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Riv. Let me sit heavy on thy soul to-mor[To King RICHARD. Rivers, that died at Pomfret! Despair and die' Grey. Think upon Grey, and let thy son. 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;
And in a bloody battle end thy days!
[To King RICHARD.
Think on lord Hastings; and despair, and die!
Quiet untroubled soul, awake, awake!
[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, And weigh thee down to ruin, shame, and death!

Thy nephews' souls bid thee despair, and die. -' 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.

The Ghost of Queen ANNE rises.
Ghost. Richard, thy wife, that wretched
Anne thy wife,

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!
Thou, quiet soul, sleep thou a quiet sleep;
[TO RICHMOND.
Dream of success and happy victory;
Thy adversary's wife doth pray for thee.

The Ghost of BUCKINGHAM rises, mul Ghost. The first was I, that help'd thee to the crown; [To King RICHARD. The last was I that felt thy tyranny: O, in the battle think on Buckingham, And die in terror of thy guiltiness! [death Dream on, dream on, of bloody deeds and Fainting, despair; despairing, yield thy breath. I died for hope, ere I could lend thee aid: [To RICHMOND. But cheer thy heart, and be thou not dismay'd: side; God, and good angels fight on Richmond's And Richard falls in height of all his pride. [The Ghosts vanish King RICHARD starts out of his dream. [my wounds K, Rich. Give me another horse,-bind up, Have mercy, Jesu!-Soft; I did but dream.

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