Richard III – Act 5 Scene 3

KING RICHARD III

Here pitch our tent, even here in Bosworth field.

Here, pitch our tent, right here in Bosworth field.

My Lord of Surrey, why look you so sad?

Why do you look so sad, my Lord of Surrey?

EARL OF SURREY

My heart is ten times lighter than my looks.

I’m ten times happier than I appear.

KING RICHARD III

My Lord of Norfolk –

My Lord of Norfolk…

DUKE OF NORFOLK

Here, most gracious liege.

Here, my gracious king.

KING RICHARD III

Norfolk, we must have knocks. Ha, must we not?

We’re bound to suffer blows, hey, aren’t we, Norfolk?

DUKE OF NORFOLK

We must both give and take, my loving lord.

We’ll give the blows and take the blows, my lord.

KING RICHARD III

Up with my tent! Here will I lie tonight

Put up my tent! I will sleep here tonight,

[SOLDIERS BEGIN TO SET UP THE KING’S TENT.]

But where tomorrow? Well, all’s one for that.

But where tomorrow? Well, that doesn’t matter.

Who hath descried the number of the traitors?

Who’s seen how many traitor soldiers are there?

DUKE OF NORFOLK

Six or seven thousand is their utmost power.

There’s six or seven thousand, maximum.

KING RICHARD III

Why, our battalia trebles that account;

Our army’s size is thrice as big as theirs;

Besides, the King’s name is a tower of strength,

Besides, the King’s name has inherent power,

Which they upon the adverse faction want.

Which those on the opposing side all lack.

Up with the tent! Come, noble gentlemen,

Put up the tent! Come, noble gentlemen,

Let us survey the vantage of the ground.

Let’s find the best spots on the battlefield.

Call for some men of sound direction:

Call officers with sound experience:

Let’s lack no discipline, make no delay,

Let’s not be sloppy, and let’s not delay,

For, lords, tomorrow is a busy day.

For, lords, tomorrow is a busy day.

HENRY, EARL OF RICHMOND

The weary sun hath made a golden set,

The fading sun creates a golden sunset,

And by the bright tract of his fiery car

And by the brightness of its fiery path,

Gives token of a goodly day tomorrow.

It’s a good omen for success tomorrow.

Sir William Brandon, you shall bear my standard.

Sir William Brandon, you will fly my flag.

Give me some ink and paper in my tent;

Bring me a pen and paper to my tent;

I’ll draw the form and model of our battle,

I’ll draw the master battle plan for us,

Limit each leader to his several charge,

Appointing every leader to his task,

And part in just proportion our small power.

And share our army out in due proportion.

My Lord of Oxford – you, Sir William Brandon –

My Lord of Oxford; you, Sir William Brandon;

And you, Sir Walter Herbert – stay with me.

And you, Sir Walter Herbert; stay with me.

The Earl of Pembroke keeps his regiment;

The Earl of Pembroke leads his regiment;

Good Captain Blunt, bear my good-night to him,

Good Captain Blunt, bid him goodnight from me,

And by the second hour in the morning

And early morning, latest two o’clock,

Desire the Earl to see me in my tent.

Instruct the Earl to see me in my tent.

Yet one thing more, good captain, do for me –

And one more thing, dear Captain Blunt, please help me…

Where is Lord Stanley quartered, do you know?

Do you know where Lord Stanley might be based?

SIR JAMES BLUNT

Unless I have mista’en his colours much

Unless I got his colours badly wrong,

(Which well I am assured I have not done),

(Which I am well assured I haven’t done),

His regiment lies half a mile at least

His regiment is half a mile, at least,

South from the mighty power of the King.

South of the mighty army of the King.

HENRY, EARL OF RICHMOND

If without peril it be possible,

If you can do this without any danger,

Sweet Blunt, make some good means to speak with him,

Devise a way to speak to him, dear Blunt,

And give him from me this most needful note.

And give him this important note from me.

SIR JAMES BLUNT

Upon my life, my lord, I’ll undertake it,

I swear upon my life I’ll get it done,

And so God give you quiet rest tonight!

And now I hope God lets you sleep in peace!

HENRY, EARL OF RICHMOND

Good night, good Captain Blunt.

Good night, good Captain Blunt.

[EXIT BLUNT.]

Come, gentlemen,

Come, gentlemen,

Let us consult upon tomorrow’s business.

Let us discuss tomorrow’s battle plan.

In to my tent, the dew is raw and cold.

It’s damp and cold, let’s go into my tent.

KING RICHARD III

What is’t a’ clock?

What time is it?

SIR WILLIAM CATESBY

It’s supper-time, my lord,

It’s suppertime, my lord,

It’s nine a’ clock.

It’s nine o’clock.

KING RICHARD III

I will not sup tonight.

I will not dine tonight.

Give me some ink and paper.

Give me a pen and paper.

What? Is my beaver easier than it was?

Now, is my helmet’s visor movement mended?

And all my armour laid into my tent?

And all my armour laid out in my tent?

SIR WILLIAM CATESBY

It is, my liege, and all things are in readiness.

It is, my lord, and everything is ready.

KING RICHARD III

Good Norfolk, hie thee to thy charge,

Go quickly to your post, good Duke of Norfolk,

Use careful watch, choose trusty sentinels.

And keep a look out; use the men you trust.

DUKE OF NORFOLK

I go, my lord.

I’ll go, my lord.

KING RICHARD III

Stir with the lark tomorrow, gentle Norfolk.

Rise with the lark at break of dawn tomorrow.

DUKE OF NORFOLK

I warrant you, my lord.

I promise you I will.

KING RICHARD III

Catesby!

Catesby!

SIR WILLIAM CATESBY

My lord?

My lord?

KING RICHARD III

Send out a pursuivant-at-arms

Send out a lower ranking officer

To Stanley’s regiment, bid him bring his power

To Stanley to instruct he brings his army

Before sunrising, lest his son George fall

Before the sunrise, otherwise his son George

Into the blind cave of eternal night.

Will die and pass into eternal night.

[EXIT CATESBY.]

Fill me a bowl of wine. Give me a watch.

Bring me a glass of wine, and candle-clock.

Saddle white Surrey for the field tomorrow.

Prepare my white horse Surrey for the battle.

Look that my staves be sound, and not too heavy.

Ensure my spears are stiff, but not too heavy.

Ratcliffe!

Ratcliffe!

SIR RICHARD RATCLIFFE

My lord?

My lord?

KING RICHARD III

Saw’st thou the melancholy Lord Northumberland?

Have you seen mournful Lord Northumberland?

SIR RICHARD RATCLIFFE

Thomas the Earl of Surrey and himself,

I saw him with the Earl of Surrey, Thomas,

Much about cock-shut time, from troop to troop

At twilight, as they walked from troop to troop

Went through the army, cheering up the soldiers.

Throughout the army, cheering up the soldiers.

KING RICHARD III

So, I am satisfied. Give me a bowl of wine.

Good, I am satisfied. Bring me my wine.

I have not that alacrity of spirit

I do not have the eagerness of youth

Nor cheer of mind that I was wont to have.

Nor the enthusiasm that I once had.

[WINE BROUGHT.]

Set it down. Is ink and paper ready?

Put it down. Are the pen and paper ready?

SIR RICHARD RATCLIFFE

It is, my lord.

They are, my lord.

KING RICHARD III

Bid my guard watch; leave me.

Ensure I’m guarded; leave me.

Ratcliffe, about the mid of night come to my tent

Come to my tent at midnight, Richard Ratcliffe,

And help to arm me. Leave me, I say.

To help me put my armour on. Leave now.

LORD STANLEY

Fortune and victory sit on thy helm!

May victory and fortune come to you!

HENRY, EARL OF RICHMOND

All comfort that the dark night can afford

The safety and security of night-time

Be to thy person, noble father-in-law!

Be yours tonight, my dearest stepfather!

Tell me, how fares our loving mother?

Tell me, how is my loving mother doing?

LORD STANLEY

I, by attorney, bless thee from thy mother,

I swear your mother sends her blessings to you,

Who prays continually for Richmond’s good.

And every day she prays that you are well.

So much for that. The silent hours steal on,

But, moving on. The hours of night are passing,

And flaky darkness breaks within the east.

And dawn is gently breaking in the east.

In brief – for so the season bids us be –

Through necessity, I will be brief:

Prepare thy battle early in the morning,

Prepare to fight the battle early morning,

And put thy fortune to the arbitrement

And let our destiny be then decided

Of bloody strokes and mortal-staring war.

Through bloody fighting in this deadly war.

I, as I may – that which I would I cannot –

I cannot help as much as I would like to,

With best advantage will deceive the time,

But I will find a way to play for time

And aid thee in this doubtful shock of arms;

And help you fight this undecided battle;

But on thy side I may not be too forward,

But my support cannot be obvious

Lest being seen, thy brother, tender George,

Else Richard sees, and then your brother George

Be executed in his father’s sight.

Will be beheaded right in front of me.

Farewell! The leisure and the fearful time

Goodbye! The little time we have, and fear,

Cuts off the ceremonious vows of love

Prevents our normal vows of love together,

And ample interchange of sweet discourse

Or happy, idle banter back and forth

Which so long sund’red friends should dwell upon.

Which friends who’ve been apart so long would do.

God give us leisure for these rites of love!

May God create a time for this in future!

Once more, adieu! Be valiant, and speed well!

But now, goodbye! Be brave, and do your best!

HENRY, EARL OF RICHMOND

Good lords, conduct him to his regiment.

Good lords, escort him safely to his army.

I’ll strive with troubled thoughts to take a nap,

I’ll try to sleep, although my mind is spinning,

Lest leaden slumber peize me down tomorrow,

So that a lack of sleep won’t weigh me down,

When I should mount with wings of victory.

Preventing me from winning victory.

Once more, good night, kind lords and gentlemen.

Again, goodnight, good lords and gentlemen.

[EXEUNT. MANET RICHMOND.]

O Thou whose captain I account myself,

Oh God, as I’m a captain under you,

Look on my forces with a gracious eye;

I ask that you look kindly on my forces;

Put in their hands thy bruising irons of wrath,

Give them destructive swords to use in anger

That they may crush down with a heavy fall

So that they may completely overwhelm

The usurping helmets of our adversaries;

Our enemy unlawfully in power;

Make us thy ministers of chastisement,

Make us your holy agents of revenge,

That we may praise thee in the victory!

So we can praise you in our victory!

To thee I do commend my watchful soul

While I’m alert, I offer you my soul

Ere I let fall the windows of mine eyes:

Before I let my eyes close into sleep:

Sleeping and waking, O, defend me still!

Asleep or wide awake, oh, please protect me!

GHOST OF PRINCE EDWARD OF LANCASTER

[To Richard.]

Let me sit heavy on thy soul tomorrow!

Let me weigh heavily on you tomorrow!

Think how thou stab’st me in my prime of youth

Remember how you stabbed me in my youth

At Tewksbury. Despair therefore and die!

At Tewksbury. And so, despair and die!

[To Richmond.]

Be cheerful, Richmond, for the wronged souls

Be upbeat, Richmond, for the cheated souls

Of butchered princes fight in thy behalf.

Of murdered princes will be fighting with you.

King Henry’s issue, Richmond, comforts thee.

For I, King Henry’s son, will bring you comfort.

GHOST OF KING HENRY VI

[To Richard.]

When I was mortal, my anointed body

When I lived here, my holy, regal body

By thee was punched full of deadly holes.

Was punctured full of deadly holes by you.

Think on the Tower and me. Despair and die!

Think of me in the Tower. Despair and die!

Harry the Sixth bids thee despair and die.

Henry the Sixth tells you, despair and die.

[To Richmond.]

Virtuous and holy, be thou conqueror!

You righteous, holy man, you’ll be victorious!

Harry, that prophesied thou shouldst be king,

Henry, who prophesied that you’d be king,

Doth comfort thee in thy sleep. Live and flourish!

Brings comfort whilst you’re sleeping. Live and prosper!

GHOST OF CLARENCE

[To Richard.]

Let me sit heavy in thy soul tomorrow,

Let me weigh heavily on you tomorrow,

I that was washed to death with fulsome wine,

For I was murdered in a vat of wine,

Poor Clarence, by thy guile betrayed to death!

Poor Clarence, cheated by you, put to death!

Tomorrow in the battle think on me,

Remember me tomorrow in the battle,

And fall thy edgeless sword. Despair and die!

And drop your useless sword. Despair and die!

[To Richmond.]

Thou offspring of the house of Lancaster,

You offspring from the house of Lancaster,

The wronged heirs of York do pray for thee.

The wronged heirs of the house of York pray for you.

Good angels guard thy battle! Live and flourish!

Good angels help your battle! Live and prosper!

GHOST OF EARL RIVERS

[To Richard.]

Let me sit heavy in thy soul tomorrow,

Let me weigh heavily on you tomorrow,

Rivers, that died at Pomfret! Despair and die!

Rivers, who died at Pomfret! Despair and die!

GHOST OF LORD GREY

[To Richard.]

Think upon Grey, and let thy soul despair!

Now think of Grey, and let your soul despair!

GHOST OF SIR THOMAS VAUGHAN

[To Richard.]

Think upon Vaughan, and with guilty fear

Now think of Vaughan, and terrified with guilt,

Let fall thy lance. Despair and die!

Let your lance fall. Despair and die!

ALL GHOSTS

[To Richmond.]

Awake and think our wrongs in Richard’s bosom

When you awake, think all of Richard’s guilt

Will conquer him! Awake and win the day!

Will overwhelm him! Wake and win the battle!

GHOST OF LORD HASTINGS

[To Richard.]

Bloody and guilty, guiltily awake,

You bloody, guilty man, wake feeling guilty,

And in a bloody battle end thy days!

And in a bloody battle you must die!

Think on Lord Hastings. Despair and die!

Think of Lord Hastings. Despair and die!

[To Richmond.]

Quiet untroubled soul, awake, awake!

Your quiet, untroubled soul, awake, awake!

Arm, fight, and conquer for fair England’s sake!

Prepare to fight, then win, for England’s sake!

GHOSTS OF PRINCES

[To Richard.]

Dream on thy cousins smothered in the Tower.

Dream of your cousins smothered in the Tower.

Let us be lead within thy bosom, Richard,

Let us be heavy lead within your heart,

And weigh thee down to ruin, shame, and death!

And weigh you down to ruin, shame, and death!

Thy nephews’ souls bid thee despair and die!

Your nephews’ souls hope you despair and die!

[To Richmond.]

Sleep, Richmond, sleep in peace and wake in joy.

Sleep, Richmond, peacefully, and wake up happy.

Good angels guard thee from the boar’s annoy!

Angels protect you if the boar gets snappy!

Live and beget a happy race of kings!

Live on, raise children who’ll be happy kings!

Edward’s unhappy sons do bid thee flourish.

Edward’s unhappy sons want you to prosper.

GHOST OF LADY ANNE

[To Richard.]

Richard, thy wife, that wretched Anne thy wife,

Richard, your wife, your suffering Anne, your wife,

That never slept a quiet hour with thee,

That never slept a peaceful hour with you,

Now fills thy sleep with perturbations.

Now fills your dreams with anguish and disruption.

Tomorrow in the battle think on me,

Tomorrow in the battle think of me,

And fall thy edgeless sword. Despair and die!

And drop your useless sword. Despair and die!

[To Richmond.]

Thou quiet soul, sleep thou a quiet sleep,

You gentle soul, rest in a gentle sleep,

Dream of success and happy victory!

And have a dream that victory comes true!

Thy adversary’s wife doth pray for thee.

Your own opponent’s wife does pray for you.

GHOST OF DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM

[To Richard.]

The first was I that helped thee to the crown;

I was the first to help you win the crown,

The last was I that felt thy tyranny.

And was the last to feel your tyranny.

O, in the battle think on Buckingham,

Oh, in the battle think of Buckingham,

And die in terror of thy guiltiness!

And die in fear from all your guiltiness!

Dream on, dream on, of bloody deeds and death;

Dream on about your bloody deeds and death;

Fainting, despair; despairing, yield thy breath!

And when you faint, despair with your last breath!

[To Richmond.]

I died for hope ere I could lend thee aid,

I died before I could give you assistance;

But cheer thy heart, and be thou not dismayed.

Be happy and continue your persistence.

God and good angels fight on Richmond’s side,

May God and angels fight on Richmond’s side,

And Richard falls in height of all his pride!

And Richard lose, destroying all his pride!

KING RICHARD III

Give me another horse! Bind up my wounds!

Bring me another horse! Bind up my wounds!

Have mercy, Jesu! Soft, I did but dream.

Have mercy, Jesus! Wait…I was just dreaming.

O coward conscience, how dost thou afflict me!

My conscience is a coward! How it hurts me!

The lights burn blue. It is now dead midnight.

The candle’s burning blue; it’s witching hour.

Cold fearful drops stand on my trembling flesh.

My trembling body’s covered in a cold sweat.

What do I fear? Myself? There’s none else by.

What am I scared of? Me? There’s no one else here.

Richard loves Richard, that is, I am I.

Richard loves Richard, that is, I’m just me.

Is there a murderer here? No. Yes, I am.

Is there a murderer here? No. Yes, I am.

Then fly. What, from myself? Great reason why –

Then run! Run from myself? Why should I do that…

Lest I revenge. What, myself upon myself?

In case I seek revenge? What, from myself?

Alack, I love myself. Wherefore? For any good

Alas, I love myself. But why? For good deeds

That I myself have done unto myself?

Committed in self-interest by myself?

O no! Alas, I rather hate myself

Oh no! Alas, I really hate myself

For hateful deeds committed by myself.

For all the awful deeds that I have done.

I am a villain; yet I lie, I am not.

I am a crook; I’m lying: no, I’m not!

Fool, of thyself speak well; fool, do not flatter:

You fool, speak kindly to yourself; don’t flatter.

My conscience hath a thousand several tongues,

I hear my conscience speak a thousand voices,

And every tongue brings in a several tale,

And every voice recounts a different story,

And every tale condemns me for a villain.

But every story damns me as a villain.

Perjury, perjury, in the highest degree;

I have been lying under oath; it’s perjury!

Murder, stern murder, in the direst degree;

I have committed grim, atrocious murder;

All several sins, all used in each degree,

All other sins, from bad to worse to awful,

Throng to the bar, crying all, “Guilty! Guilty!”

Have gathered in the court to cry, ‘You’re guilty!’

I shall despair; there is no creature loves me,

Now I despair, for there’s no one that loves me,

And if I die no soul will pity me.

And if I die, no one will pity me.

And wherefore should they, since that I myself

Why should they pity me, when even I

Find in myself no pity to myself?

Cannot find any reason for self-pity?

Methought the souls of all that I had murdered

I thought the souls of everyone I murdered

Came to my tent, and every one did threat

Came to my tent, and each one of them threatened

Tomorrow’s vengeance on the head of Richard.

That vengeance will be heaped on me tomorrow.

SIR RICHARD RATCLIFFE

My lord!

My lord!

KING RICHARD III

’Zounds, who is there?

Good grief, who’s there?

SIR RICHARD RATCLIFFE

Ratcliffe, my lord, ’tis I. The early village cock

It’s Ratcliffe here, my lord. The village cockerel

Hath twice done salutation to the morn,

Has twice crowed that the morning is approaching,

Your friends are up and buckle on their armour.

And all your friends are dressing up in armour.

KING RICHARD III

O Ratcliffe, I have dreamed a fearful dream!

Oh Ratcliffe, I have dreamed a dreadful nightmare!

What think’st thou – will our friends prove all true?

What do you think – will all our friends stay loyal?

SIR RICHARD RATCLIFFE

No doubt, my lord.

I’m sure they will, my lord.

KING RICHARD III

O Ratcliffe, I fear, I fear!

Ratcliffe, I’m scared!

SIR RICHARD RATCLIFFE

Nay, good my lord, be not afraid of shadows.

Well don’t be, sir; do not be scared of ghosts.

KING RICHARD III

By the apostle Paul, shadows tonight

The ghosts I’ve seen tonight – I swear by Saint Paul –

Have struck more terror to the soul of Richard

Have struck more terror in the heart of me

Than can the substance of ten thousand soldiers

Than can an army of ten thousand soldiers

Armed in proof and led by shallow Richmond.

All dressed in armour, led by shallow Richmond.

’Tis not yet near day. Come, go with me,

It’s not yet daybreak; come along with me,

Under our tents I’ll play the ease-dropper,

I’ll eavesdrop on the soldiers from our tent

To see if any mean to shrink from me.

To see if anyone has plans to leave me.

FIRST LORD TO RICHMOND

Good morrow, Richmond!

Good morning, Richmond!

HENRY, EARL OF RICHMOND

Cry mercy, lords and watchful gentlemen,

Good grief, forgive me, lords, forgive me, watchmen,

That you have ta’en a tardy sluggard here.

For you have found a man who’s overslept.

SECOND LORD TO RICHMOND

How have you slept, my lord?

How have you slept, my lord?

HENRY, EARL OF RICHMOND

The sweetest sleep and fairest-boding dreams

I’ve had the sweetest sleep and finest dreams

That ever ent’red in a drowsy head

That ever have consumed a sleepy head

Have I since your departure had, my lords.

Since you all left me here to sleep, my lords.

Methought their souls whose bodies Richard murdered

I thought the souls of those who Richard murdered

Came to my tent and cried on victory.

Came to my tent and shouted that I’d win.

I promise you, my soul is very jocund

I promise you, my soul is very joyful

In the remembrance of so fair a dream.

Remembering how sweet a dream it was.

How far into the morning is it, lords?

How late into the morning is it, lords?

FIRST LORD TO RICHMOND

Upon the stroke of four.

It’s four o’clock.

HENRY, EARL OF RICHMOND

Why, then ’tis time to arm and give direction.

Then I will armour up and give my orders.

[His oration to his Soldiers.]

More than I have said, loving countrymen,

Dear countrymen, there’s more I want to say

The leisure and enforcement of the time

Than time and circumstance allow right now

Forbids to dwell upon, yet remember this:

So that must wait, but please remember this:

God and our good cause fight upon our side;

We all have God and virtue on our side;

The prayers of holy saints and wronged souls,

The prayers of holy saints and murdered people,

Like high-reared bulwarks, stand before our faces.

Like rampart walls, are all here to protect us.

Richard except, those whom we fight against

Apart from Richard, all of those we fight

Had rather have us win than him they follow:

Would much rather we win than follow him.

For what is he they follow? Truly, gentlemen,

For who is he they follow? Let me tell you,

A bloody tyrant and a homicide;

A bloody tyrant and a murderer;

One raised in blood, and one in blood established;

Who took the throne, and kept the throne, by bloodshed;

One that made means to come by what he hath,

Who had manipulated men to get there,

And slaughtered those that were the means to help him;

And then he killed the men that helped him do it;

A base foul stone, made precious by the foil

He’s like a worthless stone made rich by gold

Of England’s chair, where he is falsely set;

From England’s throne where he is sat by cheating;

One that hath ever been God’s enemy.

He is eternal enemy to God.

Then if you fight against God’s enemy,

So, if you fight against God’s enemy,

God will in justice ward you as his soldiers;

God will protect you like one of his soldiers;

If you do sweat to put a tyrant down,

If you exert yourself to kill a tyrant,

You sleep in peace, the tyrant being slain;

Then you will sleep in peace when he is dead;

If you do fight against your country’s foes,

And if you fight against your country’s foes,

Your country’s fat shall pay your pains the hire;

Your country’s wealth will pay you for your efforts;

If you do fight in safeguard of your wives,

If you are fighting to protect your wives,

Your wives shall welcome home the conquerors;

Your wives will welcome you when you’re victorious;

If you do free your children from the sword,

If you prevent your children doing battle,

Your children’s children quits it in your age.

Your grandchildren will help you when you’re old.

Then in the name of God and all these rights,

Then for each point, and in the name of God,

Advance your standards, draw your willing swords.

Lift up your flags and raise your battle swords.

For me, the ransom of my bold attempt

The only way that I’ll admit defeat

Shall be this cold corpse on the earth’s cold face;

Is if I’m lying dead upon the earth;

But if I thrive, the gain of my attempt

But if I win, the benefits I get

The least of you shall share his part thereof.

I’ll share with each and every one of you.

Sound drums and trumpets boldly and cheerfully.

Now bang the drums and play the trumpets loudly.

God and Saint George! Richmond and victory!

For God and for Saint George! Bring Richmond victory!

KING RICHARD III

What said Northumberland as touching Richmond?

What did Northumberland report of Richmond?

SIR RICHARD RATCLIFFE

That he was never trained up in arms.

That he was never trained to be a soldier.

KING RICHARD III

He said the truth, and what said Surrey then?

He spoke the truth, and what did Surrey say?

SIR RICHARD RATCLIFFE

He smiled and said, “The better for our purpose.”

He smiled and said, ‘Then that makes our job easier.’

KING RICHARD III

He was in the right, and so indeed it is.

That was the truth, and yes indeed it is.

[THE CLOCK STRIKETH.]

Tell the clock there. Give me a calendar.

Tell me the time, and pass an almanac.

Who saw the sun today?

Who’s seen the sun today?

SIR RICHARD RATCLIFFE

Not I, my lord.

Not me, my lord.

KING RICHARD III

Then he disdains to shine, for by the book

It doesn’t want to shine today, for this book

He should have braved the east an hour ago.

States it should have been up an hour ago.

A black day will it be to somebody.

For somebody, it’s going to be a dark day.

Ratcliffe!

Ratcliffe!

SIR RICHARD RATCLIFFE

My lord?

My lord?

KING RICHARD III

The sun will not be seen today,

The sun will not appear today,

The sky doth frown and low’r upon our army.

The darkened sky is frowning on my army.

I would these dewy tears were from the ground.

I wish the earth was not sodden with dew.

Not shine today? Why, what is that to me

The sun won’t shine today? Will that affect me

More than to Richmond? For the self-same heaven

More than it does to Richmond? That same heaven

That frowns on me looks sadly upon him.

That frowns at me does also scowl at him.

DUKE OF NORFOLK

Arm, arm, my lord, the foe vaunts in the field.

Get armed, our foe is in the battlefield.

KING RICHARD III

Come, bustle, bustle! Caparison my horse!

Come quickly! Hurry! Saddle up my horse!

Call up Lord Stanley, bid him bring his power.

Instruct Lord Stanley, he must bring his army.

I will lead forth my soldiers to the plain,

I’ll lead my soldiers out into the field,

And thus my battle shall be ordered:

And this is how my battle shall be fought:

My foreward shall be drawn out all in length,

My forward line will stretch across the field,

Consisting equally of horse and foot;

Consisting both of soldiers and of horsemen;

Our archers shall be placed in the midst;

Our archers will be placed within the middle;

John Duke of Norfolk, Thomas Earl of Surrey,

John, Duke of Norfolk, Thomas, Earl of Surrey,

Shall have the leading of this foot and horse.

Shall lead the soldiers and the cavalry.

They thus directed, we will follow

With them in place, we then will follow on

In the main battle, whose puissance on either side

Into the heart of battle, where our power

Shall be well winged with our chiefest horse.

Is flanked on both sides with our finest horses.

This, and Saint George to boot! What think’st thou, Norfolk?

And with Saint George! What do you think then, Norfolk?

DUKE OF NORFOLK

A good direction, warlike sovereign.

A skilful battle-plan, my warlike king.

[HE SHEWETH HIM A PAPER.]

This found I on my tent this morning.

I found this note upon my tent this morning.

[Reads.]

“Jockey of Norfolk, be not so bold,

‘You Jock of Norfolk, do not be so bold,

For Dickon thy master is bought and sold.”

Because your master Dick’s been bought and sold.’

KING RICHARD III

A thing devised by the enemy.

A stupid thing made by our enemy.

Go, gentlemen, every man unto his charge.

Go, gentlemen, and all do as instructed.

Let not our babbling dreams affright our souls;

Let’s not be terrified by rambling nightmares;

Conscience is but a word that cowards use,

‘Conscience’ is just a word that cowards use

Devised at first to keep the strong in awe:

At first to keep those stronger men in awe:

Our strong arms be our conscience, swords our law!

Our strength will show we’re right, swords prove our law!

March on, join bravely, let us to it pell-mell;

March on together, bravely, let’s be swift;

If not to heaven, then hand in hand to hell.

We’ll go to heaven, else to hell we’ll shift.

[His oration to his Army.]

What shall I say more than I have inferred?

What more is there to say that I’ve not said yet?

Remember whom you are to cope withal:

Remember who you’re due to face in battle:

A sort of vagabonds, rascals, and runaways,

A bunch of vagrants, rascals, fugitives,

A scum of Britains and base lackey peasants,

Scumbags from Brittany, and lowlife peasants

Whom their o’ercloyed country vomits forth

Who have been spat out by their sickly country

To desperate adventures and assured destruction.

In futile expeditions that they’ll fail in.

You sleeping safe, they bring to you unrest;

If you’re asleep, they’re going to wake you up;

You having lands, and blest with beauteous wives,

If you own land and have a lovely wife,

They would restrain the one, distain the other.

They’ll rape your wife and then defile your land.

And who doth lead them but a paltry fellow,

And who’s their leader? Just a worthless chap

Long kept in Britain at our mother’s cost?

Who’s been in Brittany, paid by our country?

A milksop, one that never in his life

A pansy, one who never in his life

Felt so much cold as over shoes in snow?

Has felt the cold, except snow in his shoes?

Let’s whip these stragglers o’er the seas again;

Let’s kick these stragglers back to Brittany;

Lash hence these overweening rags of France,

Let’s send these cocky toerags back to France,

These famished beggars weary of their lives,

These starving rogues who’ve lost the will to live,

Who (but for dreaming on this fond exploit)

Who, if they were not dreaming of this fight,

For want of means, poor rats, had hanged themselves.

Would kill themselves through lack of means to live.

If we be conquered, let men conquer us,

If we must lose, let’s lose to real men,

And not these bastard Britains, whom our fathers

And not these bastard Bretons, whom our fathers

Have in their own land beaten, bobbed, and thumped,

Have fought upon their land, and beaten up

And in record left them the heirs of shame.

And left behind humiliated men.

Shall these enjoy our lands? Lie with our wives?

Shall these men steal our lands? And rape our wives?

Ravish our daughters?

Assault our daughters?

[DRUM AFAR OFF.]

Hark, I hear their drum.

Listen, it’s a drum.

Fight, gentlemen of England! Fight, bold yeomen!

Fight, gentlemen of England! Fight, landowners!

Draw, archers, draw your arrows to the head!

Draw back your arrows, to the arrowhead!

Spur your proud horses hard, and ride in blood;

Spur on your horses! Ride them through the blood!

Amaze the welkin with your broken staves!

Amaze the heavens with your broken weapons!

[ENTER A MESSENGER.]

What says Lord Stanley? Will he bring his power?

Now has Lord Stanley said he’ll bring his army?

FIFTH MESSENGER

My lord, he doth deny to come.

My lord, he has refused to come.

KING RICHARD III

Off with his son George’s head!

Off with his son George’s head!

DUKE OF NORFOLK

My lord, the enemy is past the marsh,

The enemy’s already past the marsh, sir,

After the battle let George Stanley die.

So let George Stanley die after the battle.

KING RICHARD III

A thousand hearts are great within my bosom.

A thousand hearts are beating in my chest.

Advance our standards, set upon our foes.

Lift up our flags, attack the enemy.

Our ancient word of courage, fair Saint George,

Now may our ancient battle cries, Saint George,

Inspire us with the spleen of fiery dragons!

Inspire us to fight like fiery dragons!

Upon them! Victory sits on our helms.

Go get them! Victory is in our hands!