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QUEEN ELIZABETH:
I go. Write to me very shortly.
And you shall understand from me her mind.
KING RICHARD III:
Bear her my true love's kiss; and so, farewell.
Relenting fool, and shallow, changing woman!
How now! what news?
RATCLIFF:
My gracious sovereign, on the western coast
Rideth a puissant navy; to the shore
Throng many doubtful hollow-hearted friends,
Unarm'd, and unresolved to beat them back:
'Tis thought that Richmond is their admiral;
And there they hull, expecting but the aid
Of Buckingham to welcome them ashore.
KING RICHARD III:
Some light-foot friend post to the Duke of Norfolk:
Ratcliff, thyself, or Catesby; where is he?
CATESBY:
Here, my lord.
KING RICHARD III:
Fly to the duke:
Post thou to Salisbury
When thou comest thither--
Dull, unmindful villain,
Why stand'st thou still, and go'st not to the duke?
CATESBY:
First, mighty sovereign, let me know your mind,
What from your grace I shall deliver to him.
KING RICHARD III:
O, true, good Catesby: bid him levy straight
The greatest strength and power he can make,
And meet me presently at Salisbury.
CATESBY:
I go.
RATCLIFF:
What is't your highness' pleasure I shall do at
Salisbury?
KING RICHARD III:
Why, what wouldst thou do there before I go?
RATCLIFF:
Your highness told me I should post before.
KING RICHARD III:
My mind is changed, sir, my mind is changed.
How now, what news with you?
STANLEY:
None good, my lord, to please you with the hearing;
Nor none so bad, but it may well be told.
KING RICHARD III:
Hoyday, a riddle! neither good nor bad!
Why dost thou run so many mile about,
When thou mayst tell thy tale a nearer way?
Once more, what news?
STANLEY:
Richmond is on the seas.
KING RICHARD III:
There let him sink, and be the seas on him!
White-liver'd runagate, what doth he there?
STANLEY:
I know not, mighty sovereign, but by guess.
KING RICHARD III:
Well, sir, as you guess, as you guess?
STANLEY:
Stirr'd up by Dorset, Buckingham, and Ely,
He makes for England, there to claim the crown.
KING RICHARD III:
Is the chair empty? is the sword unsway'd?
Is the king dead? the empire unpossess'd?
What heir of York is there alive but we?
And who is England's king but great York's heir?
Then, tell me, what doth he upon the sea?
STANLEY:
Unless for that, my liege, I cannot guess.
KING RICHARD III:
Unless for that he comes to be your liege,
You cannot guess wherefore the Welshman comes.
Thou wilt revolt, and fly to him, I fear.