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.
STANLEY
No, mighty liege; therefore mistrust me not.
KING RICHARD III
Where is thy power, then, to beat him back?
Where are thy tenants and thy followers?
Are they
not now
upon
the
western
shore.
Safe-conducting the rebels from their ships!
STANLEY
No, my good lord, my friends are in the north.
KING RICHARD III
Cold friends to Richard: what do they in the north,
When they should serve their sovereign in the west?
STANLEY
They have not been commanded, mighty sovereign:
Please it your majesty to give me leave,
I'll muster up my friends, and meet your grace
Where and what time your majesty shall please.
KING RICHARD III
Ay, ay. thou wouldst be gone to join with Richmond:
I will not trust you, sir.
STANLEY
Most mighty sovereign,
You have no cause to hold my friendship doubtful:
I never was nor never will be false.
KING RICHARD III
Well,
Go muster men; but, hear you, leave behind
Your son, George Stanley: look your faith be firm.
Or else his head's assurance is but frail.
STANLEY
So deal with him as I prove true to you.