Here pitch our tent, even here in Bosworth field.
My Lord of Surrey, why look you so sad?
Here is where we pitch our tent, right here at Bosworth Field. My Lord of Surrey, why do you look so troubled?
We're setting up camp here — at Bosworth Field. Surrey, what's with the sad face?
camp here why do you look sad i need you focused
My heart is ten times lighter than my looks.
My heart is far lighter than my face suggests.
My heart's a lot better than I look, honestly.
i'm feeling better than i seem don't worry
My lord of Norfolk.
My lord Norfolk.
Norfolk.
yo
Here, most gracious liege.
I'm here, your Majesty.
Here, sir.
present ready
Norfolk, we must have knocks, ha, must we not?
Norfolk, we need to fight — we'll have hard blows exchanged, won't we?
Norfolk, we're going to have to throw down. Heavy fighting coming, right?
we're about to fight hard we're ready
We must both give and take, my loving lord.
We must both strike and receive blows, my loving lord.
We've got to both attack and take hits, my lord.
we gotta fight
Up with my tent! Here will I lie tonight.
But where tomorrow? Well, all’s one for that.
Who hath descried the number of the traitors?
Raise my tent! Here is where I'll spend tonight. But where will I be tomorrow? Well, it doesn't matter. Who's determined the enemy's numbers?
Put up the tent here. I'll camp here tonight — where tomorrow brings, who knows. But anyway — how many troops are they bringing?
set up camp here for tonight tomorrow who cares how many enemies
Six or seven thousand is their utmost power.
Between six and seven thousand soldiers is their maximum strength.
Six or seven thousand at most.
maybe seven thousand that's their whole army
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.
Then our army triples theirs. Besides, I bear the crown — the symbol of a king — and that is a fortress of authority that my enemies don’t possess. Raise my tent! Come, honored leaders. Let us examine the ground we have to work with. Call for some skilled military minds. Let’s not neglect proper order, make no delay. For, gentlemen, tomorrow will be a day of action.
Our side’s three times that size. And I’m the actual king — the crown itself is a weapon they don’t have. Come on, get the tent up. Let’s walk the field and see what we’ve got to work with. Get some smart commanders here. No slacking off, we need discipline. Tomorrow’s going to be long.
we triple their numbers i have the crown that’s worth an army let’s scout the field get ready tomorrow is big
who pitch Richmond’s tent.
who set up Richmond's tent
who's setting up Richmond's tent
who pitched richmond's tent
The weary sun hath made a golden set,
And by the bright track 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 goodnight 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 quartered, do you know?
The weary sun has descended in gold, and by the bright track of his fiery chariot gives me a sign of a good day tomorrow. Sir William Brandon, you will carry my standard. Give me some paper and ink in my tent. I'll draw up the plan and arrangement of our battle. Assign each leader to his specific command and distribute our forces evenly. My lords of Oxford, you, Sir William Brandon, and Sir Walter Herbert, stay with me. The Earl of Pembroke leads his own forces. Good Captain Blunt, take my best wishes to him, and by the second hour of morning, ask him to meet with me in my tent. One more thing, Captain Blunt — where is Lord Stanley quartered?
The sun's setting all gold and beautiful, and it's showing us a clear sky for tomorrow — that's a good sign. Sir William, you'll carry my banner. I need paper and ink in my tent right now. I'm going to sketch out how we're fighting tomorrow — who goes where, how we divide our troops. Oxford, you two stay with me here. Pembroke's got his own regiment. Blunt, tell Pembroke to swing by at two in the morning — I want to go over some things. Actually, before you go — where's Stanley camped out?
sun sets gold good omen for tomorrow get my battle plan gather the officers where is stanley
Unless I have mista’en his colours much,
Which well I am assured I have not done,
His regiment lies half a mile at least
South from the mighty power of the King.
Unless I'm badly mistaken about his colors and insignia — which I am confident I am not — his forces are camped about a mile away, to the south of your main army.
From what I've seen of his banners — and I'm pretty sure I'm reading them right — he's set up about a mile south of here.
i've seen his flags about a mile south i'm pretty confident
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.
If you can do it without risk, good Blunt, find a way to speak with him, and deliver this message from me.
If you can get there safely, Blunt, find Stanley and give him this note from me.
if it's safe reach stanley give him this
Upon my life, my lord, I’ll undertake it;
And so God give you quiet rest tonight.
On my life, my lord, I'll attempt it. And may God grant you peaceful rest tonight.
I swear I'll do it, sir. And get some sleep — you need it.
i'll do it go rest big day tomorrow
Good night, good Captain Blunt.
Thank you, Captain Blunt.
Go on, Blunt.
thanks go
Come, gentlemen,
Let us consult upon tomorrow’s business;
Into my tent. The dew is raw and cold.
Come, gentlemen, let us discuss tomorrow's battle plans; into my tent. The dew is chilly and cold.
Come on, let's talk about tomorrow's battle inside my tent. It's damp and cold out here.
let's get inside plan for tomorrow it's cold and wet
Soldiers.
Soldiers!
Soldiers!
soldiers
What is’t o’clock?
What time is it?
What's the time?
what time
It’s supper time, my lord. It’s nine o’clock.
It's dinner time, my lord. It's nine o'clock.
My lord, it's nine o'clock—suppertime.
9pm dinner
I will not sup tonight. Give me some ink and paper.
What, is my beaver easier than it was?
And all my armour laid into my tent?
I will not eat tonight. Give me some ink and paper. By the way, is my helmet more comfortable than it was? Are all my armor pieces brought into my tent?
Skip dinner—get me ink and paper. And is my helmet sitting better now? Everything's packed in the tent?
no dinner tonight get ink and paper is my helmet better fit? armor all here?
It is, my liege, and all things are in readiness.
Yes, my liege. Everything is prepared.
Yes, sir. All set.
all ready sir
Good Norfolk, hie thee to thy charge;
Use careful watch; choose trusty sentinels.
Good Norfolk, go to your post. Use vigilant watch and select loyal sentries.
Norfolk, get to your position. Post loyal guards and stay sharp.
go to your post watch carefully trust your sentries
I go, my lord.
I'm going, my lord.
On it, sir.
going now
Stir with the lark tomorrow, gentle Norfolk.
Wake early with the lark tomorrow, good Norfolk.
Get up early, Norfolk — at first light.
early morning with the sun before they move
I warrant you, my lord.
I promise you, my lord.
I will, my lord.
you have my word
Catesby!
Catesby!
Catesby!
catesby
My lord?
My lord?
Sir?
yes
Send out a pursuivant-at-arms
To Stanley’s regiment. Bid him bring his power
Before sunrising, lest his son George fall
Into the blind cave of eternal night.
Send a herald to Stanley's forces. Tell him to bring his troops before sunrise, or his son George will fall into the darkness of death.
Get a messenger to Stanley. Tell him to march his men here before dawn, or his son George dies.
send stanley a message come before sunrise or george dies he understands
Fill me a bowl of wine. Give me a watch.
Saddle white Surrey for the field tomorrow.
Look that my staves be sound, and not too heavy.
Ratcliffe!
Fill me a bowl of wine. Give me the time. Saddle my horse white Surrey for tomorrow's battle. Make sure my lances are sound and not too heavy. Ratcliffe!
Get me some wine. What time is it? Saddle white Surrey for tomorrow. Check my lances - they need to be good and not too heavy. Ratcliffe!
wine please white surrey needs saddling check my weapons ratcliffe
My lord?
My lord?
Sir?
yes
Saw’st thou the melancholy Lord Northumberland?
Did you see the withdrawn Lord Northumberland?
Where's Northumberland? Have you seen him?
northumberland the quiet one where is he
Thomas the Earl of Surrey and himself,
Much about cockshut time, from troop to troop
Went through the army, cheering up the soldiers.
The Earl of Surrey and he were touring the ranks at dusk, encouraging the soldiers.
Surrey and Northumberland were riding through the troops at sundown, boosting morale.
they were moving through the army raising spirits good sign
So, I am satisfied. Give me a bowl of wine.
I have not that alacrity of spirit
Nor cheer of mind that I was wont to have.
Set it down. Is ink and paper ready?
That's reassuring. Bring me wine. I don't have the vigor and joy of spirit that I once did. Place it here. Is the ink and paper ready?
Good. Get me some wine. I'm not myself tonight — I don't have my usual energy. Put it here. Paper and ink ready?
wine i'm not feeling right i don't have my usual energy where's the ink
It is, my lord.
Yes, my lord.
Yes, sir.
yes all ready
Bid my guard watch; leave me.
Ratcliffe, about the mid of night come to my tent
And help to arm me. Leave me, I say.
Tell my guards to watch carefully. Leave me. Ratcliffe, around the middle of the night, come to my tent and help me with my armor. Leave me alone now.
Have the guards keep watch. Go. Ratcliffe, come to my tent around midnight and help me with my armor. Leave me now.
guard the tent everyone leave ratcliffe midnight help with armor leave me
Modern readers sometimes ask whether the ghosts are 'real' or psychological projections — and Shakespeare refuses to answer. Both men dream. Both men are visited by the same figures. Richard wakes screaming; Richmond wakes serene. The ghosts are simultaneously the voice of Richard's conscience and theatrical ritual: each one names their murder, delivers their curse, and blesses Richmond in the same formulaic cadence. This liturgical quality is the point. Shakespeare is not writing a ghost story — he is writing a judgment. The repetition of 'despair and die' is not horror-movie suspense; it is the moral accounting that the entire play has been building toward. Every name Richard hears was a name he dismissed in life. Now they are all here, and he cannot dismiss them. The play's genius is that this works whether you believe in literal ghosts or not: the dead are present because Richard has never let them leave.
Fortune and victory sit on thy helm!
Let fortune and victory rest on your head!
Victory and fortune to you!
luck and victory stay with you
All comfort that the dark night can afford
Be to thy person, noble father-in-law.
Tell me, how fares our loving mother?
All the comfort that darkness can offer be yours, noble father-in-law. Tell me — how is our loving mother faring?
All the best to you tonight, sir. Tell me — how's my mother doing?
comfort to you how is my mother is she well
I, by attorney, bless thee from thy mother,
Who prays continually for Richmond’s good.
So much for that. The silent hours steal on,
And flaky darkness breaks within the east.
In brief, for so the season bids us be,
Prepare thy battle early in the morning,
And put thy fortune to the arbitrement
Of bloody strokes and mortal-staring war.
I, as I may—that which I would I cannot—
With best advantage will deceive the time,
And aid thee in this doubtful shock of arms.
But on thy side I may not be too forward,
Lest, being seen, thy brother, tender George,
Be executed in his father’s sight.
Farewell; the leisure and the fearful time
Cuts off the ceremonious vows of love
And ample interchange of sweet discourse,
Which so-long-sundered friends should dwell upon.
God give us leisure for these rites of love!
Once more, adieu. Be valiant, and speed well.
I carry her blessing to you as her representative. She prays without stopping for Richmond's success. The hours steal away in silence, and darkness breaks into morning. Plainly, because time is pressing, prepare for battle early tomorrow, and trust your fortune to the outcome of bloody warfare. I myself — limited by circumstances — will work with the best advantage I can manage, and assist you in this uncertain clash of arms. But I cannot be too openly on your side, for if I'm seen, your brother George might be executed before his father's eyes. Farewell. The time constrains me, and the fear of your brother stops me from speaking all the love I wish to. If only we had time for these ceremonies of love! But we don't. God grant us that chance someday. Once more, goodbye. Be brave and triumph.
She blesses you through me. She's praying for you constantly. It's getting late, and time's running out, so let me be direct: get ready for battle at dawn, and let the chips fall where they may. I'll do what I can to help you, the best way I can, but I can't be too obvious about it — if Richard sees me helping you openly, he'll execute my son right in front of me. I'm sorry. I wish I had time to say everything I want to say, but I don't. I wish this night could be different. Goodbye again. Be brave. Win.
your mother blesses you prays for you get ready for dawn i'll help when i can but i have to hide it richard has george i can't lose him i'm sorry be brave win
Good lords, conduct him to his regiment.
I’ll strive with troubled thoughts to take a nap,
Lest leaden slumber peise me down tomorrow
When I should mount with wings of victory.
Once more, good night, kind lords and gentlemen.
Good lords, escort him to his regiment. I'll struggle with restless thoughts to grab some sleep, so that heavy drowsiness doesn't weigh me down tomorrow when I need to fly with victory's wings. Goodnight again, gentlemen and noble lords.
Lords, get him back to his men. I need to try to sleep — if I let myself get worn out, I won't be sharp tomorrow. Come on — goodnight, everyone.
take stanley back i need sleep can't be tired i need sharp goodnight
[_Kneels_.] O Thou, whose captain I account myself,
Look on my forces with a gracious eye;
Put in their hands Thy bruising irons of wrath,
That they may crush down with a heavy fall
Th’ usurping helmets of our adversaries;
Make us Thy ministers of chastisement,
That we may praise Thee in the victory.
To Thee I do commend my watchful soul
Ere I let fall the windows of mine eyes.
Sleeping and waking, O, defend me still!
I kneel before you, God, the commander whose soldier I consider myself to be. Look with favor on my forces; put your weapons of righteous anger into their hands so they can crush down the stolen crowns of our enemies with a mighty blow. Make us your instruments of justice so we can praise you in victory. I trust my wakeful soul into your care before I close my eyes to sleep. Whether sleeping or waking, continue to defend me.
God, I'm your soldier, and I'm asking you to look kindly on my army. Give them the power to destroy the unlawful crowns of our enemies. Help us become instruments of your justice so we can praise you when we win. I'm putting my soul in your hands before I sleep. Guard me, awake or asleep.
god im ur soldier favor my forces give us power make us ur justice guard me thru night
[_To King Richard._] Let me sit heavy on thy soul tomorrow.
Think how thou stabbed’st me in my prime of youth
At Tewksbury; despair therefore, and die!
I will weigh heavily on your soul tomorrow. Remember how you stabbed me in my youth at Tewksbury; let that make you despair and die.
I'll haunt your mind tomorrow. Remember stabbing me down in my prime at Tewksbury? That should make you give up and die.
ur souls heavy 2morrow u stabbed me at tewksbury despair & die
[_To Richmond._] Be cheerful, Richmond, for the wronged souls
Of butchered princes fight in thy behalf.
King Henry’s issue, Richmond, comforts thee.
Be happy, Richmond, because the wronged spirits of murdered princes fight on your behalf. King Henry's son, Richmond, brings you comfort.
Cheer up, Richmond! The murdered princes' spirits are fighting for you. Henry's son is here to comfort you.
be cheerful richmond murdered princes fight 4 u henry comforts u
[_To King Richard._] When I was mortal, my anointed body
By thee was punched full of deadly holes.
Think on the Tower and me. Despair, and die;
Harry the Sixth bids thee despair and die.
When I was alive, your hands filled my holy, anointed body with deadly wounds. Think of the Tower and of me. Despair and die; King Henry the Sixth commands you to despair and die.
You stabbed me to death when I was alive—me, a God-anointed king. Think of the Tower, think of what you did to me. Give up and die. King Henry commands it.
u stabbed me king henry anointed despair & die
[_To Richmond._] Virtuous and holy, be thou conqueror.
Harry, that prophesied thou shouldst be King,
Doth comfort thee in thy sleep. Live, and flourish!
Be virtuous and holy, and you will be the conqueror. Harry, who prophesied that you would be King, brings you comfort in your sleep. Live and flourish.
Be virtuous and holy, and victory will be yours. I'm the Henry who said you'd be king—I'm here to comfort you. Live and prosper.
be virtuous & holy harry said u'd be king live & flourish
[_To King Richard._] Let me sit heavy in thy soul tomorrow,
I, that was washed to death with fulsome wine,
Poor Clarence, by thy guile betrayed to death.
Tomorrow in the battle think on me,
And fall thy edgeless sword. Despair, and die!
I will weigh heavily on your soul tomorrow. I, who was drowned in wine because of your treachery, poor Clarence, betrayed by you to my death. Tomorrow in battle, think of me, and let your sword be powerless. Despair and die.
I'll haunt you tomorrow. You trapped me into that wine, drowned me through your scheme. When you're fighting tomorrow, think of me—your sword will fail you. Give up and die.
drowned in wine 2 ur scheme think of me in battle think of me & ur sword fails
[_To Richmond._] Thou offspring of the house of Lancaster,
The wronged heirs of York do pray for thee.
Good angels guard thy battle; live, and flourish.
You who come from the house of Lancaster, the wronged heirs of York pray for you. Good angels will guard your battle; live and flourish.
You're Lancaster's heir, and the wronged York family prays for you. Angels will protect your battle. Live and thrive.
lancasters heir wronged yorks pray 4 u angels guard u
[_To King Richard._] Let me sit heavy in thy soul tomorrow,
Rivers that died at Pomfret. Despair and die!
I will weigh heavily on your soul tomorrow. I am Rivers, who died at Pomfret. Despair and die.
I'll burden your soul tomorrow. I died at Pomfret. Give up and die.
rivers died at pomfret think of me 2morrow despair & die
[_To King Richard._] Think upon Grey, and let thy soul despair!
Think of Grey, and let your soul despair.
Remember Grey, and lose hope.
think of grey let ur soul despair
[_To King Richard._] Think upon Vaughan, and with guilty fear
Let fall thy lance. Despair and die!
Think of Vaughan, and with guilty fear, let your lance fall. Despair and die.
Remember Vaughan—feel your guilt, drop your weapon. Give up and die.
think of vaughan feel ur guilt drop ur weapon & die
[_To Richmond._] Awake, and think our wrongs in Richard’s bosom
Will conquer him. Awake, and win the day.
Wake up and understand that our wrongs, living in Richard's heart, will defeat him. Wake up and win the day.
Wake up! The wrongs we suffered will destroy Richard from inside. Wake up and win today.
wake up our wrongs will conquer him win the day
[_To King Richard._] Bloody and guilty, guiltily awake,
And in a bloody battle end thy days.
Think on Lord Hastings. Despair and die!
Bloody and guilty, wake up in your guilt, and end your days in a bloody battle. Think of Lord Hastings. Despair and die.
You're bloody and guilty—wake up knowing it. Your days will end in bloody combat. Think of Hastings. Give up and die.
ur bloody & guilty think of hastings die in battle
[_To Richmond._] Quiet untroubled soul, awake, awake.
Arm, fight, and conquer for fair England’s sake.
Peaceful and untroubled soul, wake up. Take up arms, fight, and conquer for England's sake.
Wake up, peaceful one. Arm yourself, fight, and win for England.
quiet soul awake fight 4 england conquer now
[_To King Richard._] Dream on thy cousins smothered in the Tower.
Let us be lead within thy bosom, Richard,
And weigh thee down to ruin, shame, and death;
Thy nephews’ souls bid thee despair and die.
Dream about your cousins smothered in the Tower. Let us live within your heart, Richard, and weigh you down toward ruin, shame, and death. Your nephews' souls command you to despair and die.
Dream of your cousins who died smothered in the Tower. We live in your heart and will drag you toward destruction and shame. Your nephews command you to give up and die.
ur cousins smothered in tower we haunt ur heart they demand u die
[_To Richmond._] Sleep, Richmond, sleep in peace, and wake in joy;
Good angels guard thee from the boar’s annoy.
Live, and beget a happy race of kings;
Edward’s unhappy sons do bid thee flourish.
Sleep peacefully, Richmond, and wake with joy. Good angels protect you from harm. Live and father a happy line of kings. Edward's unhappy sons pray that you flourish.
Sleep well, Richmond, and wake happy. Angels will protect you from harm. Live long and have strong sons. Edward's sons pray you thrive.
sleep peacefully wake in joy angels protect u be king & flourish
[_To King Richard._] Richard, thy wife, that wretched Anne thy wife,
That never slept a quiet hour with thee,
Now fills thy sleep with perturbations.
Tomorrow in the battle think on me,
And fall thy edgeless sword. Despair and die!
Richard, I am Anne, your wife, that wretched Anne, who never had one peaceful hour with you. Now I will fill your sleep with disturbances. Tomorrow in the battle, think of me, and let your sword be powerless. Despair and die.
I'm Anne, your miserable wife, who never knew peace with you. Now I'll haunt your sleep. Tomorrow in battle, think of me, and your weapon will fail you. Give up and die.
im anne ur wife filled with dread haunt ur sleep think of me in battle
[_To Richmond._] Thou quiet soul, sleep thou a quiet sleep;
Dream of success and happy victory.
Thy adversary’s wife doth pray for thee.
You peaceful soul, sleep peacefully. Dream of success and happy victory. Your enemy's wife prays for you.
Sleep well, peaceful one. Dream of victory. Even your enemy's wife is praying for you.
sleep peacefully dream of victory even his wife prays 4 u
[_To King Richard._] The first was I that helped thee to the crown;
The last was I that felt thy tyranny.
O, in the battle think on Buckingham,
And die in terror of thy guiltiness.
Dream on, dream on of bloody deeds and death.
Fainting, despair; despairing, yield thy breath.
I was the first who helped you win the crown; I was the last to suffer from your tyranny. Think of Buckingham in the battle, and die in terror of your guilt. Dream of bloody deeds and death. Faint, despair, and as you despair, give up your last breath.
I put you on the throne, and you crushed me with your power. In tomorrow's battle, think of what you've done and die terrified. Dream of blood and death. Give up hope and die.
i helped u 2 crown u crushed me with tyranny dream of blood & death die in terror
[_To Richmond._] I died for hope ere I could lend thee aid,
But cheer thy heart, and be thou not dismayed.
God and good angels fight on Richmond’s side;
And Richard fall in height of all his pride.
I died before I could help you, but take heart and don't be discouraged. God and good angels fight on your side. Richard will fall at the height of his pride.
I died too soon to help you, but don't lose heart. God and his angels fight for you. Richard will fall when he's proudest.
i died b4 i could help but cheer up god fights 4 u richard falls in pride
Give me another horse! Bind up my wounds!
Have mercy, Jesu!—Soft! I did but dream.
O coward conscience, how dost thou afflict me!
The lights burn blue; it is now dead midnight.
Cold fearful drops stand on my trembling flesh.
What do I fear? Myself? There’s none else by.
Richard loves Richard, that is, I am I.
Is there a murderer here? No. Yes, I am.
Then fly. What, from myself? Great reason why,
Lest I revenge. What, myself upon myself?
Alack, I love myself. Wherefore? For any good
That I myself have done unto myself?
O, no, alas, I rather hate myself
For hateful deeds committed by myself.
I am a villain. Yet I lie, I am not.
Fool, of thyself speak well. Fool, do not flatter.
My conscience hath a thousand several tongues,
And every tongue brings in a several tale,
And every tale condemns me for a villain.
Perjury, perjury, in the highest degree;
Murder, stern murder, in the direst degree;
All several sins, all used in each degree,
Throng to the bar, crying all “Guilty, guilty!”
I shall despair. There is no creature loves me,
And if I die no soul will pity me.
And wherefore should they, since that I myself
Find in myself no pity to myself?
Methought the souls of all that I had murdered
Came to my tent, and everyone did threat
Tomorrow’s vengeance on the head of Richard.
Bring me another horse! Bandage my wounds! Jesus, have mercy! Wait, it was only a dream. Cowardly conscience, how you torment me! The candles are burning blue; it's the dead of midnight. Cold drops of fear stand out on my shaking skin. What am I afraid of? Myself? No one else is here. Richard loves Richard; that is, I am myself. Is there a murderer here? No. Yes, I am one. Then run away. What, from myself? There's good reason to, in case I take revenge. What, on myself, by myself? But I love myself. Why? Because of some good that I have done for my own sake? Oh no, sadly, I hate myself instead for the hateful things I myself have done. I'm a villain. Yet I'm lying: I'm not. Fool, speak well of yourself. Fool, don't flatter yourself. My conscience has a thousand separate tongues, and every tongue tells a separate story, and every story convicts me as a villain. Perjury, perjury of the worst kind; murder, brutal murder of the most terrible kind; all my different sins, committed in every degree, crowd into the courtroom, all shouting "Guilty, guilty!" I'll fall into despair. There's no living being who loves me, and if I die, not one soul will pity me. And why should they, when I myself can find no pity in myself for myself? I thought the souls of everyone I had murdered came to my tent, and every one of them threatened tomorrow's vengeance on Richard's head.
Get me another horse! Patch up my wounds! Jesus, help me! Hang on, it was just a dream. Ugh, my gutless conscience, why are you doing this to me? The candle flames have gone blue, and it's the middle of the night. I'm drenched in cold sweat and shaking. What am I scared of? Me? There's nobody else around. Richard loves Richard. I'm just me. Is there a killer in here? No. Actually, yes: me. So run. From myself? Well, sure, so I don't get back at myself. Wait, take revenge on myself? But I love myself. Why, though? Have I ever done myself any good? No. Honestly, I hate myself for all the awful stuff I've done. I'm a villain. No, that's a lie, I'm not. Idiot, say something nice about yourself. Idiot, don't kid yourself. My conscience has a thousand voices, each one telling a different story, and every story says I'm a villain. Lying under oath, the worst kind. Murder, cold-blooded, the worst kind. Every sin I've committed, at every level, is packed into the court yelling "Guilty! Guilty!" I'm going to lose all hope. Nobody loves me, and when I die no one will feel sorry for me. And why would they, when I can't even feel sorry for myself? I dreamed that everyone I killed came into my tent, and every one of them swore Richard would pay for it tomorrow.
just woke up screaming it was a dream but i'm soaked in sweat am i scared of... me?? yes i'm a murderer my conscience won't shut up every voice says GUILTY nobody loves me not even me all the ghosts said tomorrow i pay
Richard's waking speech in 5-3-130 is one of the earliest examples in English drama of genuine psychological interiority — a character conducting a real-time examination of his own moral state and finding the evidence overwhelming. He doesn't arrive at a conclusion and report it; he arrives at one conclusion ('No'), immediately reverses it ('Yes, I am'), and then tries to argue himself out of both. The fragmented syntax — short clauses, repeated words, questions answered by questions — captures a mind in genuine distress, not performing distress. Compare this to his brilliant, controlled soliloquies in Act 1: the change is the point. Richard has always talked about himself as a character he was playing. Here, for the first time, he sounds like a person. Scholars often point to this speech as a precursor to Hamlet's introspective mode. Shakespeare will develop this form of interior dialogue much further — but this is one of the moments it begins.
My lord!
My lord!
Sir!
my lord
Zounds! Who’s there?
God's wounds! Who's there?
Who's that!?
who's there startled
Ratcliffe, my lord; ’tis I. The early village cock
Hath twice done salutation to the morn;
Your friends are up and buckle on their armour.
Ratcliffe, my lord — it's me. The morning rooster has already crowed twice; your allies are up and putting on their armor.
It's Ratcliffe, sir. The roosters have been crowing — the sun's coming up. Your men are getting ready.
it's me ratcliffe morning is here men are arming it's time
O Ratcliffe, I have dreamed a fearful dream!
What think’st thou, will our friends prove all true?
Ratcliffe, I've had a terrible dream! What do you think — will all our friends remain loyal?
Ratcliffe, I had a nightmare. Are all our people going to stick with us?
terrible dream are they loyal will they stay i need to know
No doubt, my lord.
No doubt about it, my lord.
Definitely, sir.
yes no doubt
O Ratcliffe, I fear, I fear!
Ratcliffe, I'm afraid — deeply afraid.
Ratcliffe, I'm scared. Really scared.
i'm afraid i'm so afraid that dream
Nay, good my lord, be not afraid of shadows.
No, my lord — don't be frightened of shadows.
Sir, it's just shadows. Don't be scared of that.
it's just shadows don't worry they're not real
By the apostle Paul, shadows tonight
Have struck more terror to the soul of Richard
Than can the substance of ten thousand soldiers
Armed in proof and led by shallow Richmond.
’Tis not yet near day. Come, go with me.
Under our tents I’ll play the eavesdropper,
To see if any mean to shrink from me.
By the apostle Paul, the shadows last night struck more fear into my soul than ten thousand soldiers could, all armed and led by the weak Richmond. It's not yet dawn. Come with me. I'll go listen in the camps to see if anyone plans to abandon me.
By Paul, those shadows last night terrified me more than ten thousand soldiers in full armor with Richmond leading them could ever do. It's not morning yet. Come with me. I need to move through the camps — I need to know if anyone's going to betray me.
those shadows more terrifying than any army rimond can't compare come with me i need to check who will turn on me
Good morrow, Richmond.
Good morning, Richmond.
Morning, Richmond.
morning
Cry mercy, lords and watchful gentlemen,
That you have ta’en a tardy sluggard here.
I beg your pardon, noble lords and watchful gentlemen — you've found a sluggard here overslept.
Sorry, gentlemen — I slept in. Excuse me.
sorry i overslept my apologies
How have you slept, my lord?
How did you sleep, my lord?
Did you get good rest, sir?
how'd you sleep
The sweetest sleep and fairest-boding dreams
That ever entered in a drowsy head
Have I since your departure had, my lords.
Methought their souls whose bodies Richard murdered
Came to my tent and cried on victory.
I promise you, my heart is very jocund
In the remembrance of so fair a dream.
How far into the morning is it, lords?
The sweetest, most beautiful sleep and the finest dreams that ever came to a drowsy mind I've had since you all left, my friends. I dreamed that the souls whose bodies Richard has murdered came to my tent and called out for victory. I promise you, my heart is full of joy remembering such a fine dream. How much of the morning has passed, gentlemen?
I slept so well and had the most beautiful dreams. Since you left, I've had the most wonderful sleep. I dreamed that all the people Richard murdered came to my tent and called out for victory. I'm telling you, thinking about that dream makes me happy. What time is it?
best sleep ever best dreams ever the murdered came they called for victory im so happy it's a sign what time
Upon the stroke of four.
On the stroke of four.
Four o'clock.
four
Why, then ’tis time to arm and give direction.
His oration to his soldiers.
More than I have said, loving countrymen,
The leisure and enforcement of the time
Forbids to dwell upon. Yet remember this:
God, and our good cause, fight upon our side;
The prayers of holy saints and wronged souls,
Like high-reared bulwarks, stand before our faces.
Richard except, those whom we fight against
Had rather have us win than him they follow.
For what is he they follow? Truly, gentlemen,
A bloody tyrant and a homicide;
One raised in blood, and one in blood established;
One that made means to come by what he hath,
And slaughtered those that were the means to help him;
A base foul stone, made precious by the foil
Of England’s chair, where he is falsely set;
One that hath ever been God’s enemy.
Then, if you fight against God’s enemy,
God will, in justice, ward you as his soldiers;
If you do sweat to put a tyrant down,
You sleep in peace, the tyrant being slain;
If you do fight against your country’s foes,
Your country’s fat shall pay your pains the hire;
If you do fight in safeguard of your wives,
Your wives shall welcome home the conquerors;
If you do free your children from the sword,
Your children’s children quits it in your age.
Then, in the name of God and all these rights,
Advance your standards, draw your willing swords.
For me, the ransom of my bold attempt
Shall be this cold corpse on the earth’s cold face;
But if I thrive, the gain of my attempt
The least of you shall share his part thereof.
Then it is time to arm and prepare. My soldiers — I must say this much and no more, because time won’t allow anything else. But remember this: God and our just cause are fighting on our side. The prayers of holy people and the wronged dead stand like high walls before our faces. Except for Richard, those you fight against would rather see us win than follow him. What is he, after all? A bloody tyrant, a murderer. A man who rose through blood and was built by blood. One who got what he has through killing the very people who helped him. A worthless stone made to look valuable only by its setting in England’s throne. A man opposed to God himself. So if you fight against God’s enemy, God will defend you as his soldiers. If you work to overthrow a tyrant, you’ll sleep in peace with that tyrant dead. If you fight for your country, your country will pay you for your effort. If you fight to save your wives, your wives will welcome you home when you win. If you free your children from the sword, your children’s children will be grateful in their old age. So, in God’s name and for all these reasons, raise your banners and draw your swords with determination. For me — if I fail, I stake my life on this attempt. My corpse will lie on this cold earth. But if I win, each of you will share in the victory.
So it’s time to suit up and get ready. I’m not going to give you a long speech — we don’t have time. But hear this: God is with us. Our cause is just. All the prayers of the righteous and all the souls of the murdered dead are standing with us. Everyone you’re fighting except Richard — they’d actually rather we win. Because what is Richard? A bloody killer. A tyrant who got his throne by murdering everyone around him. He’s a cheap stone that looks expensive only because he’s sitting on the throne. He’s an enemy of God. Fight against God’s enemy, and God will fight with you. Kill a tyrant, and you can sleep in peace. Fight for your country, and your country will pay you back. Fight to protect your wives, and they’ll celebrate you when you win. Fight to save your kids from the sword, and their kids will thank you for it. In the name of God and everything we stand for — pick up your weapons. Fight. For me, I’m betting my life on this. If I lose, I’m dead. But if I win, we all win together.
time to fight god is with us our cause is right every soul richard killed is with us richard is a tyrant a murderer nothing without the crown fight god’s enemy sleep in peace fight for your families fight for your country we will win together
God, and Saint George! Richmond and victory!
May God and Saint George aid us! Richmond shall have the day!
God and the saints hear us! Richmond will win!
for god and the saints richmond takes it
What said Northumberland as touching Richmond?
What did Northumberland say about Richmond?
What's Northumberland saying about Richmond?
northumberland what about richmond
That he was never trained up in arms.
That he was never trained in warfare.
That he's never been trained as a soldier.
never trained to fight
He said the truth. And what said Surrey then?
He's right. And what did Surrey say?
That's true. What about Surrey?
right surrey
He smiled, and said, “The better for our purpose.”
He smiled and said, 'That's better for our advantage.'
He smiled and said it was even better for us.
smiled said it's better for us
He was in the right, and so indeed it is.
He was absolutely right, and so it is.
He was right. That's exactly right.
he was right that's good for us
Tell the clock there. Give me a calendar.
Who saw the sun today?
Tell me what time it is. Give me a calendar. Has anyone seen the sun today?
What time is it? Can someone get me a calendar? Has anyone seen the sun?
what time where's the sun
Not I, my lord.
No, my lord.
No, sir.
no
Then he disdains to shine, for by the book
He should have braved the east an hour ago.
A black day will it be to somebody.
Ratcliffe!
The sun refuses to show itself. According to the calendar, it should have risen an hour ago. This will be a dark day for someone. Ratcliffe!
The sun's not coming up. It should be up by now. Someone's going to have a really bad day. Ratcliffe!
no sun should be up dark day coming
My lord?
My lord?
Sir?
yes
The sun will not be seen today!
The sky doth frown and lour upon our army.
I would these dewy tears were from the ground.
Not shine today? Why, what is that to me
More than to Richmond? For the selfsame heaven
That frowns on me looks sadly upon him.
The sun will not show today. The sky is dark and lowers over our army. I wish these damp tears were falling from the ground instead of the sky. But the sun not rising — what does it matter to me any more than to Richmond? The same heaven that frowns on me looks sadly on him as well.
The sun's not coming up. The sky's dark and angry above us. I wish it was just morning dew, not this rain. But honestly, the sun affects him just as much as it affects me. Same sky over both our camps.
no sun dark sky rain it affects him too same sky same darkness
Arm, arm, my lord. The foe vaunts in the field.
Arm yourself, my lord. The enemy brags on the field.
Sir, you need to get ready. The enemy's boasting — they're moving in.
arm yourself enemy coming they're confident
Come, bustle, bustle! Caparison my horse.
Call up Lord Stanley; bid him bring his power.
I will lead forth my soldiers to the plain,
And thus my battle shall be ordered:
My foreward shall be drawn out all in length,
Consisting equally of horse and foot;
Our archers shall be placed in the midst.
John Duke of Norfolk, Thomas Earl of Surrey,
Shall have the leading of this foot and horse.
They thus directed, we will follow
In the main battle, whose puissance on either side
Shall be well winged with our chiefest horse.
This, and Saint George to boot! What think’st thou, Norfolk?
Let's move, let's move! Prepare my horse. Tell Lord Stanley to bring his forces. I'll lead my soldiers out to the plain. My battle will be arranged this way: my front lines will be stretched out evenly, with equal numbers of cavalry and infantry. Our archers will be positioned in the center. John Duke of Norfolk and Thomas Earl of Surrey will lead the foot soldiers and cavalry. Once they're positioned, we follow in the main force, with our strongest cavalry on both sides to protect the flanks. This, and Saint George to defend us! What do you think, Norfolk?
Come on, get moving! Get my horse saddled. Tell Stanley to come now. I'm taking our men out to the field. Here's the plan: we spread out the front line evenly — equal cavalry and infantry. The archers go in the middle. Norfolk and Surrey lead the foot soldiers and mounted men. Then we follow behind them with our best cavalry on the sides to protect us. This and God's help! What do you think, Norfolk?
move move move get my horse stanley now full battle plan front line archers center norfolk and surrey lead we follow strong cavalry wings let's go
A good direction, warlike sovereign.
An excellent strategy, mighty king.
Good plan, my lord.
solid strategy
This found I on my tent this morning.
I found this in my tent this morning.
I found this inside my tent this morning.
found this in my tent
[_Reads_.] “Jockey of Norfolk, be not too bold.
For Dickon thy master is bought and sold.”
A thing devised by the enemy.
Go, gentlemen, every man unto his charge.
Let not our babbling dreams affright our souls;
Conscience is but a word that cowards use,
Devised at first to keep the strong in awe.
Our strong arms be our conscience, swords our law.
March on. Join bravely. Let us to it pell-mell,
If not to heaven, then hand in hand to hell.
His oration to his army.
What shall I say more than I have inferred?
Remember whom you are to cope withal,
A sort of vagabonds, rascals, and runaways,
A scum of Bretons and base lackey peasants,
Whom their o’er-cloyed country vomits forth
To desperate adventures and assured destruction.
You sleeping safe, they bring to you unrest;
You having lands, and blessed with beauteous wives,
They would restrain the one, distain the other.
And who doth lead them but a paltry fellow,
Long kept in Brittany at our mother’s cost?
A milksop, one that never in his life
Felt so much cold as over-shoes in snow?
Let’s whip these stragglers o’er the seas again,
Lash hence these overweening rags of France,
These famished beggars, weary of their lives,
Who, but for dreaming on this fond exploit,
For want of means, poor rats, had hanged themselves.
If we be conquered, let men conquer us,
And not these bastard Bretons, whom our fathers
Have in their own land beaten, bobbed, and thumped,
And in record left them the heirs of shame.
Shall these enjoy our lands? Lie with our wives,
Ravish our daughters?
[Reads.] "Jockey of Norfolk, don't be too daring, because Dickon, your master, has been bought and sold." This is something the enemy made up. Go, gentlemen, every man to his post. Don't let our chattering dreams frighten our souls. Conscience is only a word cowards use, invented in the first place to keep the strong in check. Let our strong arms be our conscience, and our swords our law. March on. Charge bravely. Let's throw ourselves into the chaos, if not to heaven, then hand in hand to hell. [His speech to his army.] What more can I say than what I've already told you? Remember who you're up against: a pack of drifters, scoundrels, and deserters, the scum of Brittany and lowly servant peasants, whom their overstuffed country throws up into reckless ventures and certain destruction. You sleep safely; they bring you turmoil. You own land and are blessed with beautiful wives; they want to take away the first and defile the second. And who leads them but a worthless nobody, kept for years in Brittany at our country's expense? A weakling, someone who never in his life felt anything colder than snow over the tops of his shoes? Let's whip these stragglers back across the sea, drive off these arrogant French rags, these starving beggars, sick of their own lives, who, if they hadn't been dreaming of this foolish adventure, would have hanged themselves, poor rats, for lack of money. If we must be defeated, let real men defeat us, not these bastard Bretons, whom our fathers beat, punched, and pounded in their own land and left recorded in history as the heirs of shame. Should these people take our lands? Sleep with our wives? Rape our daughters?
[Reads.] "Norfolk, buddy, don't get too cocky, your boss Dickon has been sold out." That's just the enemy messing with us. Go on, gentlemen, everyone to your stations. Don't let silly dreams spook us. Conscience is just a word cowards throw around, made up to keep strong people scared. Our muscle is our conscience; our swords make the rules. Let's go. Hit them hard. Dive into the mess together, and if we don't end up in heaven, we'll go to hell side by side. [His speech to his army.] What else do I need to tell you? Remember who you're fighting: a bunch of bums, crooks, and runaways, the dregs of Brittany and servant-class peasants, whom their sick-of-them country has puked out on a desperate mission that's going to wipe them out. You sleep safe at night; they're here to wreck that. You've got land and gorgeous wives; they want to steal the land and dishonor the wives. And who's leading them? Some nobody who lived in Brittany for years on our nation's dime. A total wimp who's never been colder than when snow got into his boots. Let's chase these stragglers back over the sea, send these cocky French rags packing, these starving beggars who are tired of living, who, poor rats, would have hanged themselves out of poverty if they hadn't been daydreaming about this crazy plan. If we're going to lose, let it be to real men, not these bastard Bretons our fathers beat up and knocked around in their own country and left in the history books as a disgrace. Are these guys going to take our land? Sleep with our wives? Assault our daughters?
someone left a note saying i've been betrayed fake news from the enemy conscience is for cowards swords = law these guys are losers and runaways led by a wimp we paid for they want our land + our wives no way. send them back over the sea
Hark, I hear their drum.
Fight, gentlemen of England! Fight, bold yeomen!
Draw, archers, draw your arrows to the head!
Spur your proud horses hard, and ride in blood!
Amaze the welkin with your broken staves!
Listen, I hear their drum. Fight, men of England! Fight, brave soldiers! Archers, draw your arrows! Spur your horses hard and charge through blood! Shake the sky with your broken lances!
Listen - I hear their drum! English soldiers, fight! Brave men, charge! Archers, fire! Drive your horses hard and attack! Break the sky with your lances!
i hear their drum fight england archers fire charge hard in blood break the sky
What says Lord Stanley? Will he bring his power?
What does Lord Stanley say? Will he bring his forces?
What's Stanley saying? Is he bringing his troops?
what's stanley saying is he bringing his army
My lord, he doth deny to come.
My lord, he refuses to come.
Sir, he won't come.
he refuses won't come
Off with his son George’s head!
Cut off his son George's head!
Execute his son!
kill george now
My lord, the enemy is past the marsh.
After the battle let George Stanley die.
My lord, the enemy has crossed the marsh. We can execute George Stanley after the battle.
Sir, the enemy's already here. We can deal with George after we fight.
enemy is here no time after battle
A thousand hearts are great within my bosom.
Advance our standards! Set upon our foes!
Our ancient word of courage, fair Saint George,
Inspire us with the spleen of fiery dragons!
Upon them! Victory sits on our helms.
A thousand brave hearts beat inside my chest. Raise our banners! Attack our foes! Our ancient battle cry is Saint George himself. Fill us with the fierce courage of dragons! Against them! Victory rests on our helmets.
I've got courage for a thousand men. Raise the flags! Attack! Saint George is with us! Give us the strength of dragons! Go! Victory is ours!
thousand hearts brave banners up attack saint george dragon strength victory
The Reckoning
The entire moral weight of the play is collected in one night. Richard has murdered his way to the crown, and now the dead come back — not as revenge fantasy but as the voice of Richard's own conscience speaking in dramatic form. When he wakes screaming 'Give me another horse!' we see, perhaps for the first time, that he is terrified of himself. Richmond's sleep is peaceful and filled with blessing: the contrast is Shakespeare's verdict. The scene ends not with ghosts but with two speeches to soldiers — Richard's twitchy, xenophobic, blustering; Richmond's calm, righteous, generous — and the audience already knows which man deserves to win.
If this happened today…
The night before a hostile takeover vote: the corporate raider who got there through fraud, intimidation, and a trail of destroyed careers lies awake in his hotel room cycling through names — the CFO he pushed out, the whistleblower who was silenced, the old boss he framed — while his conscience stages a parade. The challenger sleeps soundly, reviewed his pitch deck, said his prayers, and woke refreshed at 4am to call his team. The raider's pre-meeting speech is pure aggression — 'these people are losers, they're foreign, they're weak.' The challenger's is clear-eyed and inclusive. Everyone in the room already knows which speech came from fear.