Before sun-rising, lest his son George fall
Into the blind cave of eternal night.
Fill me a bowl of wine. Give me a watch.
Saddle white Surrey for the field to-morrow. 64
Look that my staves be sound, and not too heavy.
Ratcliff!
Rat. My lord?
K. Rich. Saw'st the melancholy Lord Northumberland? 68
Rat. Thomas the Earl of Surrey, and himself,
Much about cock-shut time, from troop to troop
Went through the army, cheering up the soldiers.
K. Rich. So, I am satisfied. Give me a bowl of wine: 72
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?
Rat. It is, my lord. 76
K. Rich. Bid my guard watch; leave me.
Ratcliff, about the mid of night come to my tent
And help to arm me. Leave me, I say.
[King Richard retires into his tent.]
Exit Ratcliff [with Catesby].
[Richmond's tent opens, and discovers him and his Officers, &c.]
Enter Derby to Richmond in his tent.
Der. Fortune and victory sit on thy helm! 80
Richm. All comfort that the dark night can afford
Be to thy person, noble father-in-law!
Tell me, how fares our noble mother?
Der. I, by attorney, bless thee from thy mother, 84
62 blind: dark
63 watch: sentinel (?); cf. n.
65 staves: lance-shafts
68 Saw'st: sawest thou
70 cock-shut time: evening twilight
84 attorney: proxy
