Stanl.
Fortune and Victory sit on thy helm!

Richm.
All comfort, that the dark night can afford,
Be to thy person, noble father-in-law!
Tell me, how fares our loving mother?

Stanl.
I, ^{2 note}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 th' Arbitrement
Of bloody strokes, and mortal staring war.
^{3 note}
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.
Farewel. ^{4 note}



The leisure, and the fearful time
Cuts off the ceremonious vows of love,
And ample enterchange of sweet discourse,
Which so-long-sundred friends should dwell upon.
God give us leisure for these Rites of love!
Once more, adieu. Be valiant and speed well.

Richm.
Good Lords, conduct him to his regiment:
I'll strive, with troubled thoughts, to take a nap;
Lest leaden slumber poize me down to-morrow,
When I should mount with wings of victory.
—Once more, good night, kind Lords, and gentlemen. [Exeunt. Manet Richmond.
—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 thy victory.

To thee I do commend my watchful soul,
Ere I let fall the windows of mine eyes;
Sleeping and waking, oh, defend me still! [Sleeps.

Previous section

Next section