Page:Richard III (1927) Yale.djvu/131

Richard the Third, IV. iv

Cate. First, mighty liege, tell me your highness’ pleasure,

What from your Grace I shall deliver to him.

K. Rich. O, true, good Catesby! bid him levy straight

The greatest strength and power that he can make,

And meet me suddenly at Salisbury.

Cate. I go.

Rat. What, may it please you, shall I do at Salisbury?

K. Rich. Why, what wouldst thou do there before I go?

Rat. Your highness told me I should post before.

K. Rich. My mind is chang'd.

Stanley, what news with you?

Stan. None good, my liege, to please you with the hearing;

Nor none so bad but well may be reported.

K. Rich. Hoyday, a riddle! neither good nor bad!

What need'st thou run so many miles about,

When thou mayst tell thy tale the nearest way?

Once more, what news?

Stan. Richmond is on the seas.

K. Rich. There let him sink, and be the seas on him!

White-liver'd runagate! what doth he there?

Stan. I know not, mighty sovereign, but by guess.

K. Rich. Well, as you guess?

Stan. Stirr'd up by Dorset, Buckingham, and Morton,

He makes for England, here to claim the crown.

 452 suddenly: immediately

460 Hoyday: exclamation of surprise

465 White-liver'd runagate: cowardly roamer

