Sens. I greatly hope it.

As I think, to-morrow,

Or I mistook the king, they'll all be here.

Ath. With early day, the instant we arriv'd, A numerous party, led by Ribemont,

Came up and join'd us.

Those the Dauphin brings,

Our last division, are to march by night;

We may expect them with to-morrow's dawn.

Sens. See! Ribemont is here.

Enter RIBEMONT.

Rib. Why, this looks wellHere's bustle, expedition!-once again We shine in arms, and wear a face of war. Sens. Oh, may they never be again laid down, Till England is repaid with all the plagues Her sons have brought on France! My eager soul, As does the fever'd lip for moisture, longs To see destruction overwhelm that people. Rib. Indulge no guilty hatred, rev'rend lord; For fair report, and, let me add, experience, Picture them lovely to impartial judgment. The world allows they're valiant, gen'rous, wise, Endow'd with all that dignifies our nature; While, for their monarch-we'll appeal to facts, And sure they speak him wonderful indeed I "Did not Germania's ermin'd princes meet, “And, as the most renown'd, the first of men, "Elect great Edward to imperial sway ? "While he, sublime in ever-conscious glory, Disdaining rule but on his native throne,

"Saw sovereigns offer vassalage in vain.
"Then to his court, from ev'ry peopled realm,
"Ev'n from our own did not the fam'd in arms,
"The harness'd knights repair to fill his lists
"To take his judgment in all martial strife?
"Submitting int'rest, honour, all was precious,
"And ev❜n beyond appeal, owning his voice,
"Like that of Heav'n, incapable of error."
Sens. It grates my soul to hear a Frenchman talk
Of greater glories than he finds at home.

Is not this monarch you would make a god,
Our master's enemy, our country's foe?

Rib. A foe he is, but he's a noble foe!

I know his worth, and therefore will I speak it.
At our attack of Calais, 'twas my fortune

To meet in fight this Third King Edward's sword:
I found him all that heathens held their gods,
Artful and mighty! (pardon the proud vaunt)
Too much for me to conquer. Long we stood,
Buckler to buckler, clashing steel to steel,
Till, by superior soldiership o'ercome,
I yielded to a monarch. But so well,
With hardy vigour, I sustain'd the combat,
That freedom, ransomless, was my reward.
The royal victor, when he bade me go,

Took from his brow this string of orient wealth,
Around my temples twin'd the glittering wreath,
And cry'd-Shine there, my token of applause.
Oh, if his valour wing'd amazement high,
Where was its flight, when his heroic soul,

Forgetting that my sword had aim'd his slaughter,
O'erlook'd all low regards, all partial ties,
And gave a vanquish'd enemy renown?

Sens. Detested boast !—Ambition's taint, my lord, So warps, so biasses the soldier's judgment

Rib. Ha, biasses !-I tell thee, priest, ambitionWhen was it wanting in a churchman's soul? More odious there, and more pernicious far, Than when it fires the warrior's breast to glory. But, down, my rage-Your office should be peace

ful

Your habit's sacred

-Let your speech be suited. Sens. Reproving sir, you think you rail secure, And so secure remain; howe'er, your cause Might bring ev'n your allegiance into question.

Rib. Said'st thou allegiance ?-What a vile resort! And would thy jaundic'd malice stain my fame? But loyalty, long prov'd, dares bid defiance To all the base perversion of thy tongue. I praise my foes, because they merit praise : I'll praise them to the king, and after fight them. My soul disdains such narrow-hearted spleen, As owns no excellence beyond a tribe,

Or hates, from envy, all superior merit.

Ath. Forbear, my lord; consider you're enrag'd With one whose function does forbid revenge. Rib. Why does the meddling priest provoke re

sentment?

Let him obey that function; preach repentance
To money-scraping misers, sordid slaves,

The cringing minions of corrupted courts,
The dregs of stews and tyrants of the gown:
There let his zeal be vehement and loud;
But not come here to sap the soldier's honour,
And teach inglorious lessons in a camp.

[Exit.

Ath. Forgive him, good my lord; brave Ribemont

Is all the warrior, bold above restraint;

Of nature noble, but unpolish'd manners.

[Aside.

Sens. I do forgive him-Yet a time may come

Ath. Sir, go we to the presence?

Sens. I attend you.

Ath. There grant, ye pow'rs! our counsels may procure

This kingdom's safety, and its peace insure :

In one brave action may our arms succeed,
And in their turn the daring English bleed. [Exeunt.

ACT II. SCENE 1.

The English Camp. Enter SALISBURY and CHANDOS, meeting.

Chandos.

GOOD-morrow, Salisbury, yon rising sun,

As was your wish, beholds us here encamp'd
Upon the plains of Poitiers.

Sal. Noble Chandos,

It was my wish; a wish for England's honour.

C

To Frenchmen, whom so much we've aw'd and hum

bled,

Methinks I would not give the least pretence

For arrogance and boasting.

Enter WARWICK.

War. Valiant lords,

Wild consternation reigns! Our scouts have brought
Intelligence the enemy surrounds us!

By sudden, secret marches, they have drawn
Their troops from ev'ry fertile province hither,
And cut off our retreat.

Sal. Why then we'll fight them.

War. Most fatal was our yesterday's advice, But 'tis his highness' will we straight to counsel: Haste, good my lords, for on a single hour, Perhaps a minute, now our fate depends.

Sal. I'll not believe the French will dare attack us, How great soe'er their numbers. But with words We will not waste the time that may be precious; Then to the prince's tent, my lords, away. [Exeunt.

SCENE II.

Changes to a private Tent. Enter ARNOLD, leading MARIANA.

Arn. Now, lovely captive, wilt thou doubly tri

umph!