Act V, Scene 3 (cont.): Jocund Dawn & Battle Order — Richard III

Richmond wakes at four calling himself a tardy sluggard and says he has had the sweetest sleep and fairest boding dreams since the murdered souls came to his tent crying victory. His heart is very jocund. He arms and tells his soldiers God and our good cause fight on their side, wronged souls stand like bulwarks, Richard is a bloody tyrant and homicide raised and established in blood, and those they fight would rather have Richmond win. He offers his corpse as ransom, shares gain if he thrives, and closes God and Saint George, Richmond, and Victory.

Richard asks what Northumberland and Surrey said, hears Surrey smiled the better for their purpose, and orders the clock struck. No one saw the sun today. Richard says the sun disdains to shine, a black day will be to somebody, the sky doth frown and lower upon his army, then adds what is that to him more than to Richmond since the selfsame heaven frowns on both.

Norfolk says arm, the foe vaunts in the field. Richard caparisons, calls up Lord Stanley, and sets battle order: forward drawn in length, archers in the midst, Norfolk and Surrey leading foot and horse, main battle winged with chiefest horse. This and Saint George to boot. He turns to Norfolk: what think'st thou Norfolk.