Internet Shakespeare Editions

About this text

  • Title: Richard the Third (Folio 1, 1623)
  • Editor: Adrian Kiernander

  • Copyright Adrian Kiernander. This text may be freely used for educational, non-profit purposes; for all other uses contact the Editor.
    Author: William Shakespeare
    Editor: Adrian Kiernander
    Peer Reviewed

    Richard the Third (Folio 1, 1623)

    Scena Secunda.
    Enter Richmond, Oxford, Blunt, Herbert, and
    3405others, with drum and colours.
    Richm Fellowes in Armes, and my most louing Frends
    Bruis'd vnderneath the yoake of Tyranny,
    Thus farre into the bowels of the Land,
    Haue we marcht on without impediment;
    3410And heere receiue we from our Father Stanley
    Lines of faire comfort and encouragement:
    The wretched, bloody, and vsurping Boare,
    (That spoyl'd your Summer Fields, and fruitfull Vines)
    Swilles your warm blood like wash, & makes his trough
    3415In your embowel'd bosomes: This foule Swine
    Is now euen in the Centry of this Isle,
    Ne're to the Towne of Leicester, as we learne:
    From Tamworth thither, is but one dayes march.
    In Gods name cheerely on, couragious Friends,
    3420To reape the Haruest of perpetuall peace,
    By this one bloody tryall of sharpe Warre.
    Oxf. Euery mans Conscience is a thousand men,
    To fight against this guilty Homicide.
    Her. I doubt not but his Friends will turne to vs.
    3425Blunt. He hath no friends, but what are friends for fear,
    Which in his deerest neede will flye from him.
    Richm. All for our vantage, then in Gods name march,
    True Hope is swift, and flyes with Swallowes wings,
    Kings it makes Gods, and meaner creatures Kings.
    3430Exeunt Omnes.