Open Source Shakespeare

History of Richard III

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Act V, Scene 2

The camp near Tamworth.

       

[Enter RICHMOND, OXFORD, BLUNT, HERBERT, and others, with drum and colours]

  • Richmond (Henry VII). Fellows in arms, and my most loving friends,
    Bruised underneath the yoke of tyranny, 3430
    Thus far into the bowels of the land
    Have we march'd on without impediment;
    And here receive we from our father Stanley
    Lines of fair comfort and encouragement.
    The wretched, bloody, and usurping boar, 3435
    That spoil'd your summer fields and fruitful vines,
    Swills your warm blood like wash, and makes his trough
    In your embowell'd bosoms, this foul swine
    Lies now even in the centre of this isle,
    Near to the town of Leicester, as we learn 3440
    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.
  • Earl Oxford. Every man's conscience is a thousand swords, 3445
    To fight against that bloody homicide.
  • Sir Walter Herbert. I doubt not but his friends will fly to us.
  • Blunt. He hath no friends but who are friends for fear.
    Which in his greatest need will shrink from him.
  • Richmond (Henry VII). All for our vantage. Then, in God's name, march: 3450
    True hope is swift, and flies with swallow's wings:
    Kings it makes gods, and meaner creatures kings.

[Exeunt]