I have consider'd, sir, of your important wishes, Glost. Now, by the sacred host of saints aboveQueen. Oh, do rot swear, my lord, I ask no oath, Unless my daughter like you more than I. Glost. Oh, my kind mother! (I must call you so) Be thou to her, my love's soft orator; Plead what I will be, not what I have been; And, when this warlike arm, shall have chastis'd To hear, how fair a progress I have made: Glost. My heart goes with you to my love.-Fare[Exit QUEEN. well! Relenting, shallow-thoughted women! Enter RATCLIFF. How now the news? Ratcliff. Most gracious sovereign, on the western coasts, Rides a most powerful navy, and our fears [Exit. Glost. We must prevent him, then-Come hither, Catesby. Catesby. My lord, your pleasure? Glost. Post to the Duke of Norfolk, instantly,Bid him, straight levy all the strength and power That he can make, and meet me, suddenly, At Salisbury.-Commend me to his grace-away! [Exit CATESBY. Enter LORD STANLEY. Well, my lord, what news have you gather'd? Glost. There let him sink, and be the seas on him, guess. Glost. Well, as you guess? Stanley. Stirr'd up by Dorset, Buckingham, and He makes for England here, to claim the crown. Where is thy power then, to beat him back? The foe upon the coast, and thou no friends to meet them? Or, hast thou march'd them to the western shore, To give the rebels conduct from their ships? Stanley. My lord, my friends are ready all i' th' Glost. The North! why, what do they i' th' North, When they should serve their sovereign in the West? Stanley. They, yet, have had no orders, sir, to move: If 'tis your royal pleasure they should march, Stanley. Sir, you have no cause to doubt my loy- I ne'er yet was, nor ever will be, false. Glost. Away then to thy friends, and lead them on To meet me- -hold-come back-I will not trust thee. I've thought a way to make thee sure-your son, And look, your heart be firm, Or else, his head's assurance is but frail. Stanley. As I prove true, my lord, so deal with him. Enter RATCLIFF. [Exit. Ratcliff. My lord, the army of great Buckingham, By sudden floods, and fall of waters, Is half lost, and scatter'd : away, alone, Glost. Has any careful officer proclaim'd Reward to him that brings the traitor in? Ratcliff. Such proclamation has been made, my lord. Enter CATESBY. Catesby. My liege, the Duke of Buckingham is taken. Glost. Off with his head!-so much for Buckingham. Catesby. My lord, I am sorry I must tell more news. Glost. Out with it! Catesby. The Earl of Richmond, with a mighty power, Is landed, sir, at Milford; And, to confirm the news, Lord Marquis Dorset, By Heav'n, the news alarms my stirring soul! [Exit. ACT THE FIFTH. SCENE I. The Country. Enter RICHMOND, SIR W. BRANDON, SIR R. Rich. Thus far, into the bowels of the land, Is now even in the centre of the isle, As we're inform'd, near to the town of Leicester: reap Or fame, more lasting, from a well-fought war. Sir W. Brand. Your words have fire, my lord, and warm our men, Who look'd, methought, but cold, before-dishearten'd, With the unequal numbers of the foe. Rich. Why, double them, still our cause would conquer them. Thrice is he arm'd, that has his quarrel just; And he, but naked, though lock'd up in steel, Sir W. Brand. He has no friends, but what are such, through fear. Rich. And we, no foes, but what are such to Heav'n. Then, doubt not, Heav'n's for us-let's on, my friends; True hope ne'er tires, but mounts, with eagles' wings; Kings it makes gods, and meaner creatures kings. [Exeunt. SCENE II. Bosworth Field. Enter GLOSTER, NORFOLK, RATCLIFF, &c. Glost. Here pitch our tent, even in Bosworth Field: My good Lord of Norfolk, the cheerful speed Of your supply, hast merited my thanks. Nor. I am rewarded, sir, in having power To serve your majesty. Glost. You have our thanks, my lord: up with my tent! Here I will lie, to-night-but where to-morrow? Nor. My lord, as I from spies am well inform'd, Six or seven thousand is their utmost power. |