"Enter CHARNEY. "Char. Whence is this voice, of woe, this frantic posture ? "Why is my child, my Mariana, thus ? "Mar. Thy flinty heart can best resolve the ques tion. [Rising. "Thou that relentless saw'st my tears descend, "And urg'd by stubborn haughtiness and hatred, "Hast given me up to endless agonies. "The man that merited thy best regard, "The man I lov'd, thy cruelty has made "Alike implacable-He's gone, he's lost! "Arnold is lost, and my repose for ever! "Char. Why, let him go; and may th' impending "The hov'ring mischiefs that await their arms, "Him, them, and all of their detested race, "Involve in one destruction. "Mar. No, let ruin "O'ertake the proud, severe, and unforgiving, "Crimes that are strangers to an English nature: "They are all gentle; he was mild as mercy, "Soft as the smiles that mark a mother's joy, "Clasping her neww-born infant. Shield him, Heav'n! "Protect him, comfort him-Thou cruel father! "Thou cause of all my sufferings, all my woes! "Give him me back, restore him to my arms, "My life, my lord, my Arnold! Give him to me, "Or I will curse my country, thee, myself; "And die the victim of despairing love. [Exit. "Char. Follow her, watch her, guard her from her fury. [Exit Louisa. "Oh, dire misfortune! this unhappy stroke "Surpasses all the sorrows I have felt, "And makes me wretched to the last extreme." [Exit. SCENE II. Drawing, discovers the PRINCE of WALES seated in state in his tent; at the entrance to which his standard stands displayed; the device, three ostrich feathers, with the motto of ich dien. WARWICK, SALISBURY, AUDLEY, CHANDOS, Nobles, Officers and Guards standing. Prince. I've sent my Lords of Oxford, Suffolk, Cobham, To meet the Nuncio, and conduct him hither; From whom we may expect to hear the terms On which the French will deign to give us safety. [Trumpets. Chan. Those trumpets speak the cardinal's arrival: And see! the lords conduct him to your presence. [Trumpets. Enter three English Lords, preceding Cardinal Perigort and his retinue. On the Nuncio's bowing, the Prince advances from his seat, and embraces him. Prince. Lord Cardinal, most welcome to my arms: I greet you thus, as England's kindest friend, Per. Grant, gracious Heav'n, I may ! For, from my soul, great prince, I wish your rescue ; And have conditions from your foes to offer, Which, if accepted, save ye. Prince. We attend. [Takes his seat. Per. No art for mild persuasion in your cause Too fond of vengeance, and too vain of numbers, Prince. Ha! pris'ners! Aud. Oh, insolent, detested terms! Sal. A hundred thousand first of Frenchmen fall, And carrion taint the air!-I cannot hold. [Aside. Prince. [After a pause.] My good Lord Cardinal, what act of mine Could ever usher to their minds a thought, Per. Could I prescribe, You should yourself be umpire of the terms; That int'rest would be made the slave of honour. As that of Cannæ to the Roman state. There fell two mighty kings, three sovereign princes, Full thirty thousand valiant men of arms, With all the flower of French nobility, And of their firm allies; for which, (he cried) That royal John is noble, and will treat Such foes with dignity, while fortune pays Less than the stock of fame his father lost. Prince. Yes, Philip lost the battle with the odds They have our numbers more than twelve times told, In infamy and bondage. Sir, I thank you I thank you from my soul, for these-for me"That we have met your wish to do us kindness;" But for the terms our foes demand, we scorn Such vile conditions, and defy their swords Tell them, my lord, their hope's too proudly plum'd; We will be conquer'd ere they call us captives. 2 Per. Famine or slaughter Prince. Let them both advance In all their horrid, most tremendous forms! Ere wrong their country, or their own renown. Per. How much at once I'm melted and amaz'd! Stop, my lords, and give a soul of meekness scope, In minutes of such peril. By the host That circles Heaven's high throne, my bleeding heart Is touch'd with so much tenderness and pity, I cannot yield ye to the dire decision. Let me, once more, with ev'ry moving art, I would preserve such worth, Heaven knows I would! Prince. Lord Cardinal, your kindness quite unmans me: My mind was arm'd for every rough encounter; |