Exit RATCLIFF What is't your highness' pleasure I shall do at Salisbury? KING RICHARD III Why, what wouldst thou do there before I go? RATCLIFF Your highness told me I should post before. KING RICHARD III My mind is changed, sir, my mind is changed.
Enter STANLEY
How now, what news with you? STANLEY None good, my lord, to please you with the hearing;
Nor none so bad, but it may well be told. KING RICHARD III Hoyday, a riddle! neither good nor bad!
Why dost thou run so many mile about, When thou mayst tell thy tale a nearer way?
Once more, what news? STANLEY Richmond is on the seas. KING RICHARD III There let him sink, and be the seas on him!
White-liver'd runagate, what doth he there? STANLEY I know not, mighty sovereign, but by guess. KING RICHARD III Well, sir, as you guess, as you guess? STANLEY Stirr'd up by Dorset, Buckingham, and Ely, He makes for England, there to claim the crown. KING RICHARD III Is the chair empty? is the sword unsway'd?
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?
Then, tell me, what doth he upon the sea? STANLEY Unless for that, my liege, I cannot guess. KING RICHARD III Unless for that he comes to be your liege, You cannot guess wherefore the Welshman comes.
Thou wilt revolt, and fly to him, I fear. STANLEY No, mighty liege; therefore mistrust me not. KING RICHARD III Where is thy power, then, to beat him back?
Where are thy tenants and thy followers?
Are they not now upon the western shore.
Safe-conducting the rebels from their ships! STANLEY No, my good lord, my friends are in the north. KING RICHARD III Cold friends to Richard: what do they in the north, When they should serve their sovereign in the west? STANLEY They have not been commanded, mighty sovereign:
Please it your majesty to give me leave, I'll muster up my friends, and meet your grace Where and what time your majesty shall please. KING RICHARD III Ay, ay. thou wouldst be gone to join with Richmond:
I will not trust you, sir. STANLEY Most mighty sovereign, You have no cause to hold my friendship doubtful:
I never was nor never will be false. KING RICHARD III Well, Go muster men; but, hear you, leave behind Your son, George Stanley: look your faith be firm.
Or else his head's assurance is but frail. STANLEY So deal with him as I prove true to you.
Exit Enter a Messenger Messenger My gracious sovereign, now in Devonshire, As I by friends am well advertised, Sir Edward Courtney, and the haughty prelate Bishop of Exeter, his brother there, With many more confederates, are in arms.
Enter another Messenger Second Messenger My liege, in Kent the Guildfords are in arms;
And every hour more competitors Flock to their aid, and still their power increaseth.
Enter another Messenger Third Messenger My lord, the army of the Duke of Buckingham-- KING RICHARD III Out on you, owls! nothing but songs of death?
He striketh him Take that, until thou bring me better news. Third Messenger The news I have to tell your majesty 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. KING RICHARD III I cry thee 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? Third Messenger Such proclamation hath been made, my liege.
Enter another Messenger Fourth Messenger Sir Thomas Lovel and Lord Marquis Dorset, 'Tis said, my liege, in Yorkshire are in arms.
Yet this good comfort bring I to your grace, The Breton navy is dispersed by tempest:
Richmond, in Yorkshire, 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 Buckingham.
Upon his party: he, mistrusting them, Hoisted sail and made away for Brittany. KING RICHARD III March on, march on, since we are up in arms;
If not to fight with foreign enemies, Yet to beat down these rebels here at home.
Re-enter CATESBY CATESBY My liege, the Duke of Buckingham is taken;
That is the best news: that the Earl of Richmond Is with a mighty power landed at Milford, Is colder tidings, yet they must be told. KING RICHARD III Away towards Salisbury! while we reason here, A royal battle might be won and lost Some one take order Buckingham be brought To Salisbury; the rest march on with me.