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.
OXFORD
Every man’s conscience is a thousand swords,
To fight against that bloody homicide.
HERBERT
I doubt not but his friends will turn to us.
BLUNT
He hath no friends but what are friends for fear,
Which in his dearest need will fly from him.
RICHMOND
All for our vantage. Then in God’s name, march:
True hope is swift, and flies with swallow’s wings;
Kings it makes gods, and meaner creatures kings.
[Exeunt.]
SCENE III. Bosworth Field
[Enter KING RICHARD and Forces; the DUKE OF NORFOLK, the EARL of SURREY, and others.]
KING RICHARD
Here pitch our tents, even here in Bosworth field.—
My Lord of Surrey, why look you so sad?
SURREY
My heart is ten times lighter than my looks.
KING RICHARD
My Lord of Norfolk,—
NORFOLK
Here, most gracious liege.
KING RICHARD
Norfolk, we must have knocks; ha! must we not?
NORFOLK
We must both give and take, my loving lord.
KING RICHARD
Up With my tent! Here will I lie tonight;
[Soldiers begin to set up the King’s tent.]
But where tomorrow? Well, all’s one for that.—
Who hath descried the number of the traitors?
NORFOLK
Six or seven thousand is their utmost power.
KING RICHARD
Why, our battalia trebles that account:
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 lack no discipline, make no delay;
For, lords, tomorrow 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.]
RICHMOND
The weary sun hath made a golden set,
And by the bright tract of his fiery car
Gives token of a goodly day tomorrow.
Sir William Brandon, 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 Brandon,—
And you, Sir Walter Herbert,—stay with me.—
The Earl of Pembroke keeps his regiment:—
Good Captain Blunt, bear my good night to him,
And by the second hour in the morning
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 assur’d I have not done,—
His regiment lies half a mile at least
South from the mighty power of the king.
RICHMOND
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 it;
And so, God give you quiet rest tonight!
RICHMOND
Good night, good Captain Blunt.—Come, gentlemen,
Let us consult upon tomorrow’s business:
In to my tent; the air is raw and cold.
[They withdraw into the tent.]
[Enter, to his tent, KING RICHARD, NORFOLK, RATCLIFF, and CATESBY.]
KING RICHARD
What is’t o’clock?
CATESBY
It’s suppertime, my lord;
It’s six o’clock.
KING RICHARD
I will not sup tonight.—
Give me some ink and paper.—
What, is my beaver easier than it was?
