Internet Shakespeare Editions

Author: William Shakespeare
Editor: Adrian Kiernander
Peer Reviewed

Richard the Third (Quarto 1, 1597)

Enter Richmond with drums and trumpets.
Rich. Fellowes in armes, and my most louing friendes,
Bruisd vnderneath the yoake of tyrannie,
Thus farre into the bowels of the land,
Haue we marcht on without impediment,
3410And here receiue we, from our Father Stanlie,
Lines
of Richard the third.
Lines of faire comfort, and incouragement,
The wretched, bloudie, and vsurping bore,
That spoild your somer-fieldes, and fruitfull vines,
Swils your warme bloud like wash, and makes his trough,
3415In your inboweld bosomes, this foule swine,
Lies now euen in the center of this Ile,
Neare to the towne of Leycester as we learne:
From Tamworth thether, is but one dayes march.
In Gods name cheerelie on, couragious friendes,
3420To reape the haruest of perpetuall peace,
By this one bloudie triall of sharpe warre.
1 Lo. Euerie mans conscience is a thousand swordes,
To fight against that bloudie homicide.
2 Lo. I doubt not but his friendes will flie to vs.
34253 Lo. He hath no friendes, but who are friendes for feare,
Which in his greatest neede will shrinke from him.
Rich. All for our vantage, then in Gods name march,
True hope is swift, and flies with Swallowes wings,
Kings it make Gods, and meaner creatures kings. Exit.