Shakespeare Portal

Act 5, Scene 3

Bosworth Field.

  1. [Enter KING RICHARD and Forces; the DUKE OF NORFOLK, the EARL of SURREY, and others.]
  2. Richard, Duke of Gloucester (Richard III)
  3. 3241 Here pitch our tents, even here in Bosworth field.—
  4. 3242 My Lord of Surrey, why look you so sad?
  5. Earl of Surrey
  6. 3243 My heart is ten times lighter than my looks.
  7. Richard, Duke of Gloucester (Richard III)
  8. 3244 My Lord of Norfolk,—
  9. Duke of Norfolk
  10. 3245 Here, most gracious liege.
  11. Richard, Duke of Gloucester (Richard III)
  12. 3246 Norfolk, we must have knocks; ha! must we not?
  13. Duke of Norfolk
  14. 3247 We must both give and take, my loving lord.
  15. Richard, Duke of Gloucester (Richard III)
  16. 3248 Up With my tent! Here will I lie to-night;
  17. [Soldiers begin to set up the King's tent.]
  18. Richard, Duke of Gloucester (Richard III)
  19. 3249 But where to-morrow? Well, all's one for that.—
  20. 3250 Who hath descried the number of the traitors?
  21. Duke of Norfolk
  22. 3251 Six or seven thousand is their utmost power.
  23. Richard, Duke of Gloucester (Richard III)
  24. 3252 Why, our battalia trebles that account:
  25. 3253 Besides, the king's name is a tower of strength,
  26. 3254 Which they upon the adverse faction want.—
  27. 3255 Up with the tent!—Come, noble gentlemen,
  28. 3256 Let us survey the vantage of the ground;—
  29. 3257 Call for some men of sound direction:—
  30. 3258 Let's lack no discipline, make no delay;
  31. 3259 For, lords, to-morrow is a busy day.
  32. [Exeunt.]
  33. [Enter, on the other side of the field, RICHMOND, SIR WILLIAM BRANDON, OXFORD, and other Lords. Some of the Soldiers pitch RICHMOND'S tent.]
  34. Earl of Richmond (Henry VII)
  35. 3260 The weary sun hath made a golden set,
  36. 3261 And by the bright tract of his fiery car
  37. 3262 Gives token of a goodly day to-morrow.
  38. 3263 Sir William Brandon, you shall bear my standard.—
  39. 3264 Give me some ink and paper in my tent:
  40. 3265 I'll draw the form and model of our battle,
  41. 3266 Limit each leader to his several charge,
  42. 3267 And part in just proportion our small power.—
  43. 3268 My Lord of Oxford,—you, Sir William Brandon,—
  44. 3269 And you, Sir Walter Herbert,—stay with me.—
  45. 3270 The Earl of Pembroke keeps his regiment:—
  46. 3271 Good Captain Blunt, bear my good night to him,
  47. 3272 And by the second hour in the morning
  48. 3273 Desire the earl to see me in my tent:
  49. 3274 Yet one thing more, good captain, do for me,—
  50. 3275 Where is Lord Stanley quarter'd, do you know?
  51. Sir James Blunt
  52. 3276 Unless I have mista'en his colours much,—
  53. 3277 Which well I am assur'd I have not done,—
  54. 3278 His regiment lies half a mile at least
  55. 3279 South from the mighty power of the king.
  56. Earl of Richmond (Henry VII)
  57. 3280 If without peril it be possible,
  58. 3281 Sweet Blunt, make some good means to speak with him
  59. 3282 And give him from me this most needful note.
  60. Sir James Blunt
  61. 3283 Upon my life, my lord, I'll undertake it;
  62. 3284 And so, God give you quiet rest to-night!
  63. Earl of Richmond (Henry VII)
  64. 3285 Good night, good Captain Blunt.—Come, gentlemen,
  65. 3286 Let us consult upon to-morrow's business:
  66. 3287 In to my tent; the air is raw and cold.
  67. [They withdraw into the tent.]
  68. [Enter, to his tent, KING RICHARD, NORFOLK, RATCLIFF, and CATESBY.]
  69. Richard, Duke of Gloucester (Richard III)
  70. 3288 What is't o'clock?
  71. Sir William Catesby
  72. 3289 It's supper-time, my lord; It's six o'clock.
  73. Richard, Duke of Gloucester (Richard III)
  74. 3290 I will not sup to-night.—
  75. 3291 Give me some ink and paper.—
  76. 3292 What, is my beaver easier than it was?
  77. 3293 And all my armour laid into my tent?
  78. Sir William Catesby
  79. 3294 It is, my liege; and all things are in readiness.
  80. Richard, Duke of Gloucester (Richard III)
  81. 3295 Good Norfolk, hie thee to thy charge;
  82. 3296 Use careful watch, choose trusty sentinels.
  83. Duke of Norfolk
  84. 3297 I go, my lord.
  85. Richard, Duke of Gloucester (Richard III)
  86. 3298 Stir with the lark to-morrow, gentle Norfolk.
  87. Duke of Norfolk
  88. 3299 I warrant you, my lord.
  89. [Exit.]
  90. Richard, Duke of Gloucester (Richard III)
  91. 3300 Ratcliff,—
  92. Sir Richard Ratcliff
  93. 3301 My lord?
  94. Richard, Duke of Gloucester (Richard III)
  95. 3302 Send out a pursuivant-at-arms
  96. 3303 To Stanley's regiment; bid him bring his power
  97. 3304 Before sunrising, lest his son George fall
  98. 3305 Into the blind cave of eternal night.—
  99. 3306 Fill me a bowl of wine.—Give me a watch.—
  100. 3307 Saddle white Surrey for the field to-morrow.—
  101. 3308 Look that my staves be sound, and not too heavy.—
  102. 3309 Ratcliff,—
  103. Sir Richard Ratcliff
  104. 3310 My lord?
  105. Richard, Duke of Gloucester (Richard III)
  106. 3311 Saw'st thou the melancholy Lord Northumberland?
  107. Sir Richard Ratcliff
  108. 3312 Thomas the Earl of Surrey and himself,
  109. 3313 Much about cock-shut time, from troop to troop
  110. 3314 Went through the army, cheering up the soldiers.
  111. Richard, Duke of Gloucester (Richard III)
  112. 3315 So, I am satisfied.—Give me a bowl of wine:
  113. 3316 I have not that alacrity of spirit
  114. 3317 Nor cheer of mind that I was wont to have.
  115. 3318 Set it down.—Is ink and paper ready?
  116. Sir Richard Ratcliff
  117. 3319 It is, my lord.
  118. Richard, Duke of Gloucester (Richard III)
  119. 3320 Bid my guard watch; leave me.
  120. 3321 Ratcliff, about the mid of night come to my tent
  121. 3322 And help to arm me. Leave me, I say.
  122. [KING RICHARD retires into his tent. Exeunt RATCLIFF and CATESBY.]
  123. [RICHMOND's tent opens, and discovers him and his Officers, &c.]
  124. Lord Stanley (Derby)
  125. 3323 Fortune and victory sit on thy helm!
  126. Earl of Richmond (Henry VII)
  127. 3324 All comfort that the dark night can afford
  128. 3325 Be to thy person, noble father-in-law!
  129. 3326 Tell me, how fares our loving mother?
  130. Lord Stanley (Derby)
  131. 3327 I, by attorney, bless thee from thy mother,
  132. 3328 Who prays continually for Richmond's good.
  133. 3329 So much for that.—The silent hours steal on,
  134. 3330 And flaky darkness breaks within the east.
  135. 3331 In brief,—for so the season bids us be,—
  136. 3332 Prepare thy battle early in the morning,
  137. 3333 And put thy fortune to the arbitrement
  138. 3334 Of bloody strokes and mortal-staring war.
  139. 3335 I, as I may,—that which I would I cannot,—
  140. 3336 With best advantage will deceive the time,
  141. 3337 And aid thee in this doubtful stroke of arms:
  142. 3338 But on thy side I may not be too forward,
  143. 3339 Lest, being seen, thy brother, tender George,
  144. 3340 Be executed in his father's sight.
  145. 3341 Farewell: the leisure and the fearful time
  146. 3342 Cuts off the ceremonious vows of love
  147. 3343 And ample interchange of sweet discourse,
  148. 3344 Which so-long-sunder'd friends should dwell upon:
  149. 3345 God give us leisure for these rites of love!
  150. 3346 Once more, adieu: be valiant, and speed well!
  151. Earl of Richmond (Henry VII)
  152. 3347 Good lords, conduct him to his regiment:
  153. 3348 I'll strive with troubled thoughts to take a nap,
  154. 3349 Lest leaden slumber peise me down to-morrow,
  155. 3350 When I should mount with wings of victory:
  156. 3351 Once more, good night, kind lords and gentlemen.
  157. [Exeunt Lords, &c., with STANLEY.]
  158. Earl of Richmond (Henry VII)
  159. 3352 O Thou Whose captain I account myself,
  160. 3353 Look on my forces with a gracious eye;
  161. 3354 Put in their hands Thy bruising irons of wrath,
  162. 3355 That they may crush down with a heavy fall
  163. 3356 The usurping helmets of our adversaries!
  164. 3357 Make us Thy ministers of chastisement,
  165. 3358 That we may praise Thee in Thy victory!
  166. 3359 To Thee I do commend my watchful soul
  167. 3360 Ere I let fall the windows of mine eyes:
  168. 3361 Sleeping and waking, O, defend me still!
  169. [Sleeps.]
  170. [The Ghost of PRINCE EDWARD, son to HENRY THE SIXTH, rises between the two tents.]
  171. [To KING RICHARD.]
  172. Ghosts
  173. 3362 Let me sit heavy on thy soul to-morrow!
  174. 3363 Think how thou stabb'dst me in my prime of youth
  175. 3364 At Tewksbury: despair, therefore, and die!—
  176. [To RICHMOND.]
  177. Ghosts
  178. 3365 Be cheerful, Richmond; for the wronged souls
  179. 3366 Of butcher'd princes fight in thy behalf:
  180. 3367 King Henry's issue, Richmond, comforts thee.
  181. [The Ghost of HENRY THE SIXTH rises.]
  182. [To KING RICHARD.]
  183. Ghosts
  184. 3368 When I was mortal, my anointed body
  185. 3369 By thee was punched full of deadly holes:
  186. 3370 Think on the Tower and me: despair, and die,—
  187. 3371 Harry the Sixth bids thee despair and die.—
  188. [To RICHMOND.]
  189. Ghosts
  190. 3372 Virtuous and holy, be thou conqueror!
  191. 3373 Harry, that prophesied thou shouldst be king,
  192. 3374 Doth comfort thee in thy sleep: live, and flourish!
  193. [The Ghost of CLARENCE rises.]
  194. [To KING RICHARD.]
  195. Ghosts
  196. 3375 Let me sit heavy in thy soul to-morrow!
  197. 3376 I that was wash'd to death with fulsome wine,
  198. 3377 Poor Clarence, by thy guile betray'd to death!
  199. 3378 To-morrow in the battle think on me,
  200. 3379 And fall thy edgeless sword: despair, and die!—
  201. [To RICHMOND.]
  202. Ghosts
  203. 3380 Thou offspring of the house of Lancaster,
  204. 3381 The wronged heirs of York do pray for thee:
  205. 3382 Good angels guard thy battle! live, and flourish!
  206. [The Ghosts of RIVERS, GREY, and VAUGHAN rise.]
  207. Ghosts
  208. 3383 GHOST OF RIVERS.
  209. [To KING RICHARD.]
  210. Ghosts
  211. 3384 Let me sit heavy in thy soul to-morrow,
  212. 3385 Rivers that died at Pomfret! despair and die!
  213. Ghosts
  214. 3386 GHOST OF GREY.
  215. [To KING RICHARD.]
  216. Ghosts
  217. 3387 Think upon Grey, and let thy soul despair!
  218. Ghosts
  219. 3388 GHOST OF VAUGHAN.
  220. [To KING RICHARD.]
  221. Ghosts
  222. 3389 Think upon Vaughan, and, with guilty fear,
  223. 3390 Let fall thy lance: despair and die!—
  224. [To RICHMOND.]
  225. Ghosts
  226. 3391 Awake, and think our wrongs in Richard's bosom
  227. 3392 Will conquer him!—awake, and win the day!
  228. [The GHOST of HASTINGS rises.]
  229. [To KING RICHARD.]
  230. Ghosts
  231. 3393 Bloody and guilty, guiltily awake,
  232. 3394 And in a bloody battle end thy days!
  233. 3395 Think on Lord Hastings: despair and die!—
  234. [To RICHMOND.]
  235. Ghosts
  236. 3396 Quiet untroubled soul, awake, awake!
  237. 3397 Arm, fight, and conquer, for fair England's sake!
  238. [The Ghosts of the two young PRINCES rise.]
  239. [To KING RICHARD.]
  240. Ghosts
  241. 3398 Dream on thy cousins smothered in the Tower:
  242. 3399 Let us be lead within thy bosom, Richard,
  243. 3400 And weigh thee down to ruin, shame, and death!
  244. 3401 Thy nephews' souls bid thee despair and die!—
  245. [To RICHMOND.]
  246. Ghosts
  247. 3402 Sleep, Richmond, sleep in peace, and wake in joy;
  248. 3403 Good angels guard thee from the boar's annoy!
  249. 3404 Live, and beget a happy race of kings!
  250. 3405 Edward's unhappy sons do bid thee flourish.
  251. [The GHOST of QUEEN ANNE rises.]
  252. [To KING RICHARD.]
  253. Ghosts
  254. 3406 Richard, thy wife, that wretched Anne thy wife,
  255. 3407 That never slept a quiet hour with thee,
  256. 3408 Now fills thy sleep with perturbations:
  257. 3409 To-morrow in the battle think on me,
  258. 3410 And fall thy edgeless sword: despair and die!—
  259. [To RICHMOND.]
  260. Ghosts
  261. 3411 Thou quiet soul, sleep thou a quiet sleep;
  262. 3412 Dream of success and happy victory:
  263. 3413 Thy adversary's wife doth pray for thee.
  264. [The Ghost of BUCKINGHAM rises.]
  265. [To KING RICHARD.]
  266. Ghosts
  267. 3414 The first was I that help'd thee to the crown;
  268. 3415 The last was I that felt thy tyranny:
  269. 3416 O, in the battle think on Buckingham,
  270. 3417 And die in terror of thy guiltiness!
  271. 3418 Dream on, dream on of bloody deeds and death:
  272. 3419 Fainting, despair; despairing, yield thy breath!—
  273. [To RICHMOND.]
  274. Ghosts
  275. 3420 I died for hope ere I could lend thee aid:
  276. 3421 But cheer thy heart and be thou not dismay'd:
  277. 3422 God and good angels fight on Richmond's side;
  278. 3423 And Richard falls in height of all his pride.
  279. [The GHOSTS vanish. KING RICHARD starts out of his dream.]
  280. Richard, Duke of Gloucester (Richard III)
  281. 3424 Give me another horse,—bind up my wounds,—
  282. 3425 Have mercy, Jesu!—Soft! I did but dream.—
  283. 3426 O coward conscience, how dost thou afflict me!—
  284. 3427 The lights burn blue.—It is now dead midnight.
  285. 3428 Cold fearful drops stand on my trembling flesh.
  286. 3429 What, do I fear myself? there's none else by:
  287. 3430 Richard loves Richard; that is, I am I.
  288. 3431 Is there a murderer here? No;—yes, I am:
  289. 3432 Then fly. What, from myself? Great reason why,—
  290. 3433 Lest I revenge. What,—myself upon myself!
  291. 3434 Alack, I love myself. Wherefore? for any good
  292. 3435 That I myself have done unto myself?
  293. 3436 O, no! alas, I rather hate myself
  294. 3437 For hateful deeds committed by myself!
  295. 3438 I am a villain: yet I lie, I am not.
  296. 3439 Fool, of thyself speak well:—fool, do not flatter.
  297. 3440 My conscience hath a thousand several tongues,
  298. 3441 And every tongue brings in a several tale,
  299. 3442 And every tale condemns me for a villain.
  300. 3443 Perjury, perjury, in the high'st degree;
  301. 3444 Murder, stern murder, in the dir'st degree;
  302. 3445 All several sins, all us'd in each degree,
  303. 3446 Throng to the bar, crying all "Guilty! guilty!"
  304. 3447 I shall despair. There is no creature loves me;
  305. 3448 And if I die no soul will pity me:
  306. 3449 And wherefore should they,—since that I myself
  307. 3450 Find in myself no pity to myself?
  308. 3451 Methought the souls of all that I had murder'd
  309. 3452 Came to my tent; and every one did threat
  310. 3453 To-morrow's vengeance on the head of Richard.
  311. [Enter RATCLIFF.]
  312. Sir Richard Ratcliff
  313. 3454 My lord,—
  314. Richard, Duke of Gloucester (Richard III)
  315. 3455 Who's there?
  316. Sir Richard Ratcliff
  317. 3456 Ratcliff, my lord; 'tis I. The early village-cock
  318. 3457 Hath twice done salutation to the morn;
  319. 3458 Your friends are up, and buckle on their armour.
  320. Richard, Duke of Gloucester (Richard III)
  321. 3459 O Ratcliff, I have dream'd a fearful dream!—
  322. 3460 What think'st thou,—will our friends prove all true?
  323. Sir Richard Ratcliff
  324. 3461 No doubt, my lord.
  325. Richard, Duke of Gloucester (Richard III)
  326. 3462 O Ratcliff, I fear, I fear,—
  327. Sir Richard Ratcliff
  328. 3463 Nay, good my lord, be not afraid of shadows.
  329. Sir Richard Ratcliff
  330. 3464 KING RICHARD
  331. 3465 By the apostle Paul, shadows to-night
  332. 3466 Have stuck more terror to the soul of Richard
  333. 3467 Than can the substance of ten thousand soldiers
  334. 3468 Armed in proof and led by shallow Richmond.
  335. 3469 It is not yet near day. Come, go with me;
  336. 3470 Under our tents I'll play the eaves-dropper,
  337. 3471 To see if any mean to shrink from me.
  338. [Exeunt KING RICHARD and RATCLIFF.]
  339. [RICHMOND wakes. Enter OXFORD and others.]
  340. Lords
  341. 3472 Good morrow, Richmond!
  342. Earl of Richmond (Henry VII)
  343. 3473 Cry mercy, lords and watchful gentlemen,
  344. 3474 That you have ta'en a tardy sluggard here.
  345. Lords
  346. 3475 How have you slept, my lord?
  347. Earl of Richmond (Henry VII)
  348. 3476 The sweetest sleep and fairest-boding dreams
  349. 3477 That ever enter'd in a drowsy head
  350. 3478 Have I since your departure had, my lords.
  351. 3479 Methought their souls whose bodies Richard murder'd
  352. 3480 Came to my tent and cried on victory:
  353. 3481 I promise you, my heart is very jocund
  354. 3482 In the remembrance of so fair a dream.
  355. 3483 How far into the morning is it, lords?
  356. Lords
  357. 3484 Upon the stroke of four.
  358. Earl of Richmond (Henry VII)
  359. 3485 Why, then 'tis time to arm and give direction.—
  360. [He advances to the Troops.]
  361. Earl of Richmond (Henry VII)
  362. 3486 More than I have said, loving countrymen,
  363. 3487 The leisure and enforcement of the time
  364. 3488 Forbids to dwell on: yet remember this,—
  365. 3489 God and our good cause fight upon our side;
  366. 3490 The prayers of holy saints and wronged souls,
  367. 3491 Like high-rear'd bulwarks, stand before our faces;
  368. 3492 Richard except, those whom we fight against
  369. 3493 Had rather have us win than him they follow:
  370. 3494 For what is he they follow? truly, gentlemen,
  371. 3495 A bloody tyrant and a homicide;
  372. 3496 One rais'd in blood, and one in blood establish'd;
  373. 3497 One that made means to come by what he hath,
  374. 3498 And slaughter'd those that were the means to help him;
  375. 3499 A base foul stone, made precious by the foil
  376. 3500 Of England's chair, where he is falsely set;
  377. 3501 One that hath ever been God's enemy.
  378. 3502 Then, if you fight against God's enemy,
  379. 3503 God will, in justice, ward you as His soldiers;
  380. 3504 If you do sweat to put a tyrant down,
  381. 3505 You sleep in peace, the tyrant being slain;
  382. 3506 If you do fight against your country's foes,
  383. 3507 Your country's fat shall pay your pains the hire;
  384. 3508 If you do fight in safeguard of your wives,
  385. 3509 Your wives shall welcome home the conquerors;
  386. 3510 If you do free your children from the sword,
  387. 3511 Your children's children quit it in your age.
  388. 3512 Then, in the name of God and all these rights,
  389. 3513 Advance your standards, draw your willing swords.
  390. 3514 For me, the ransom of my bold attempt
  391. 3515 Shall be this cold corpse on the earth's cold face;
  392. 3516 But if I thrive, the gain of my attempt
  393. 3517 The least of you shall share his part thereof.
  394. 3518 Sound drums and trumpets boldly and cheerfully;
  395. 3519 God and Saint George! Richmond and victory!
  396. [Exeunt.]
  397. [Re-enter KING RICHARD, RATCLIFF, Attendants, and Forces.]
  398. Richard, Duke of Gloucester (Richard III)
  399. 3520 What said Northumberland as touching Richmond?
  400. Sir Richard Ratcliff
  401. 3521 That he was never trained up in arms.
  402. Richard, Duke of Gloucester (Richard III)
  403. 3522 He said the truth; and what said Surrey then?
  404. Sir Richard Ratcliff
  405. 3523 He smil'd, and said, "the better for our purpose."
  406. Richard, Duke of Gloucester (Richard III)
  407. 3524 He was in the right; and so indeed it is.
  408. [Clock strikes.]
  409. Richard, Duke of Gloucester (Richard III)
  410. 3525 Tell the clock there.—Give me a calendar.—
  411. 3526 Who saw the sun to-day?
  412. Sir Richard Ratcliff
  413. 3527 Not I, my lord.
  414. Richard, Duke of Gloucester (Richard III)
  415. 3528 Then he disdains to shine; for by the book
  416. 3529 He should have brav'd the east an hour ago:
  417. 3530 A black day will it be to somebody.—
  418. 3531 Ratcliff,—
  419. Sir Richard Ratcliff
  420. 3532 My lord?
  421. Richard, Duke of Gloucester (Richard III)
  422. 3533 The sun will not be seen to-day;
  423. 3534 The sky doth frown and lower upon our army.
  424. 3535 I would these dewy tears were from the ground.
  425. 3536 Not shine to-day! Why, what is that to me
  426. 3537 More than to Richmond? for the selfsame heaven
  427. 3538 That frowns on me looks sadly upon him.
  428. [Enter NORFOLK.]
  429. Duke of Norfolk
  430. 3539 Arm, arm, my lord; the foe vaunts in the field.
  431. Richard, Duke of Gloucester (Richard III)
  432. 3540 Come, bustle, bustle; caparison my horse;—
  433. 3541 Call up Lord Stanley, bid him bring his power:
  434. 3542 I will lead forth my soldiers to the plain,
  435. 3543 And thus my battle shall be ordered:—
  436. 3544 My foreward shall be drawn out all in length,
  437. 3545 Consisting equally of horse and foot;
  438. 3546 Our archers shall be placed in the midst:
  439. 3547 John Duke of Norfolk, Thomas Earl of Surrey,
  440. 3548 Shall have the leading of this foot and horse.
  441. 3549 They thus directed, we will follow
  442. 3550 In the main battle; whose puissance on either side
  443. 3551 Shall be well winged with our chiefest horse.
  444. 3552 This, and Saint George to boot!—What think'st thou,
  445. 3553 Norfolk?
  446. Duke of Norfolk
  447. 3554 A good direction, warlike sovereign.—
  448. 3555 This found I on my tent this morning.
  449. [Giving a scroll.]
  450. [Reads.]
  451. Richard, Duke of Gloucester (Richard III)
  452. 3556 "Jockey of Norfolk, be not too bold,
  453. 3557 For Dickon thy master is bought and sold."
  454. 3558 A thing devised by the enemy.—
  455. 3559 Go, gentlemen, every man unto his charge:
  456. 3560 Let not our babbling dreams affright our souls;
  457. 3561 Conscience is but a word that cowards use,
  458. 3562 Devis'd at first to keep the strong in awe:
  459. 3563 Our strong arms be our conscience, swords our law.
  460. 3564 March on, join bravely, let us to't pell-mell;
  461. 3565 If not to heaven, then hand in hand to hell.—
  462. 3566 What shall I say more than I have inferr'd?
  463. 3567 Remember whom you are to cope withal;—
  464. 3568 A sort of vagabonds, rascals, and runaways,
  465. 3569 A scum of Britagnes, and base lackey peasants,
  466. 3570 Whom their o'er-cloyed country vomits forth
  467. 3571 To desperate adventures and assur'd destruction.
  468. 3572 You sleeping safe, they bring to you unrest;
  469. 3573 You having lands, and bless'd with beauteous wives,
  470. 3574 They would restrain the one, distain the other.
  471. 3575 And who doth lead them but a paltry fellow,
  472. 3576 Long kept in Britagne at our mother's cost?
  473. 3577 A milk-sop, one that never in his life
  474. 3578 Felt so much cold as over shoes in snow?
  475. 3579 Let's whip these stragglers o'er the seas again;
  476. 3580 Lash hence these over-weening rags of France,
  477. 3581 These famish'd beggars, weary of their lives;
  478. 3582 Who, but for dreaming on this fond exploit,
  479. 3583 For want of means, poor rats, had hang'd themselves:
  480. 3584 If we be conquered, let men conquer us,
  481. 3585 And not these bastard Britagnes, whom our fathers
  482. 3586 Have in their own land beaten, bobb'd, and thump'd,
  483. 3587 And, on record, left them the heirs of shame.
  484. 3588 Shall these enjoy our lands? lie with our wives,
  485. 3589 Ravish our daughters?—Hark! I hear their drum.
  486. [Drum afar off.]
  487. Richard, Duke of Gloucester (Richard III)
  488. 3590 Fight, gentlemen of England! fight, bold yeomen!
  489. 3591 Draw, archers, draw your arrows to the head!
  490. 3592 Spur your proud horses hard, and ride in blood;
  491. 3593 Amaze the welkin with your broken staves!
  492. [Enter a MESSENGER.]
  493. Richard, Duke of Gloucester (Richard III)
  494. 3594 What says Lord Stanley? will he bring his power?
  495. Messenger
  496. 3595 My lord, he doth deny to come.
  497. Richard, Duke of Gloucester (Richard III)
  498. 3596 Off with his son George's head!
  499. Duke of Norfolk
  500. 3597 My lord, the enemy is pass'd the marsh:
  501. 3598 After the battle let George Stanley die.
  502. Richard, Duke of Gloucester (Richard III)
  503. 3599 A thousand hearts are great within my bosom:
  504. 3600 Advance our standards, set upon our foes;
  505. 3601 Our ancient word of courage, fair Saint George,
  506. 3602 Inspire us with the spleen of fiery dragons!
  507. 3603 Upon them! Victory sits on our helms.
  508. [Exeunt.]