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Home : Richard III : Act 3, scene ii Read the Study Guide: Richard III
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Richard III
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Enter a MESSENGER at door of HASTINGS
A MESSENGER enters and goes to Hastings's door.
 MESSENGER
  (knocking) My lord, my lord.
MESSENGER
(knocking) My lord, my lord.
 HASTINGS
  (within) Who knocks?
HASTINGS
(offstage) Who's knocking?
 MESSENGER
  One from the Lord Stanley.
MESSENGER
A messenger from Lord Stanley.
 HASTINGS
  (within) What is ‘t o’clock?
HASTINGS
(offstage)What time is it?
 MESSENGER
5 Upon the stroke of four.
MESSENGER
Four o'clock in the morning.
Enter HASTINGS
HASTINGS Enter
 HASTINGS
  Cannot my Lord Stanley sleep these tedious nights?
HASTINGS
Can't Lord Stanley sleep?
 MESSENGER
  So it appears by that I have to say.
  First, he commends him to your noble self.
MESSENGER
I guess not—for good reason, as you'll soon hear. First, he sends his regards.
 HASTINGS
  What then?
HASTINGS
And then?
 MESSENGER
10 Then certifies your Lordship that this night
  He dreamt the boar had razèd his helm
  Besides, he says there are two councils kept,
  And that may be determined at the one
  Which may make you and him to rue at th' other.
15 Therefore he sends to know your Lordship's pleasure,
  If you will presently take horse with him
  And with all speed post with him toward the north
  To shun the danger that his soul divines.
MESSENGER
And then he said to tell you that tonight he dreamed the duke of Gloucester cut off his helmet—that is, his head. Besides that, he says that two meetings are going to be held tomorrow, and something may be decided at one of them that may make you and him, who are at the other, sorry. He wants to know if instead of going to the meeting, you'll get on your horse and ride north with him to get out of harm's way.

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