Richard III: Act 5, Scene 3 Translation

A side-by-side translation of Act 5, Scene 3 of Richard III from the original Shakespeare into modern English.

Original Text	Translated Text
Source: Folger Shakespeare Library
Enter King Richard, in arms, with Norfolk, Ratcliffe, and the Earl of Surrey, with Soldiers. RICHARD Here pitch our tent, even here in Bosworth field. Soldiers begin to pitch the tent. My lord of Surrey, why look you so sad? SURREY My heart is ten times lighter than my looks. RICHARD My lord of Norfolk— NORFOLK Here, most gracious liege. 5 RICHARD Norfolk, we must have knocks, ha, must we not? NORFOLK We must both give and take, my loving lord. RICHARD Up with my tent!—Here will I lie tonight. But where tomorrow? Well, all’s one for that. Who hath descried the number of the traitors? 10 NORFOLK Six or seven thousand is their utmost power. RICHARD Why, our battalia trebles that account. Besides, the King’s name is a tower of strength Which they upon the adverse faction want.— Up with the tent!—Come, noble gentlemen, 15 Let us survey the vantage of the ground. Call for some men of sound direction; Let’s lack no discipline, make no delay, For, lords, tomorrow is a busy day. The tent now in place, they exit. [P.S. In the Folger's edition we're using, Scene 3 continues after this. Click to the next page to keep reading.]	Richard and his followers are at Bosworth Field in Leicester. He gets his men to pitch their tents, but he notes that they seem to be looking a bit unhappy. Nonetheless, Richard seems unshakable in his optimism, especially since he's learned that Richmond has only six or seven thousand troops, a third of Richard's own forces. Besides the numbers, Richard is confident he'll win because he's the king.

Original Text

Translated Text

Enter King Richard, in arms, with Norfolk, Ratcliffe, and
the Earl of Surrey, with Soldiers.

RICHARD
Here pitch our tent, even here in Bosworth field.
Soldiers begin to pitch the tent.
My lord of Surrey, why look you so sad?

SURREY
My heart is ten times lighter than my looks.

RICHARD
My lord of Norfolk—

NORFOLK Here, most gracious liege. 5

RICHARD
Norfolk, we must have knocks, ha, must we not?

NORFOLK
We must both give and take, my loving lord.

RICHARD
Up with my tent!—Here will I lie tonight.
But where tomorrow? Well, all’s one for that.
Who hath descried the number of the traitors? 10

NORFOLK
Six or seven thousand is their utmost power.

RICHARD
Why, our battalia trebles that account.
Besides, the King’s name is a tower of strength
Which they upon the adverse faction want.—
Up with the tent!—Come, noble gentlemen, 15
Let us survey the vantage of the ground.
Call for some men of sound direction;
Let’s lack no discipline, make no delay,
For, lords, tomorrow is a busy day.

The tent now in place, they exit.

[P.S. In the Folger's edition we're using, Scene 3 continues after this. Click to the next page to keep reading.]

Richard and his followers are at Bosworth Field in Leicester. He gets his men to pitch their tents, but he notes that they seem to be looking a bit unhappy.

Nonetheless, Richard seems unshakable in his optimism, especially since he's learned that Richmond has only six or seven thousand troops, a third of Richard's own forces. Besides the numbers, Richard is confident he'll win because he's the king.

Richard III: Act 5, Scene 3 Translation

A side-by-side translation of Act 5, Scene 3 of Richard III from the original Shakespeare into modern English.

Original Text

Translated Text

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