Which led thro' early youth our happy friendship.
Thou wert my brother then; familiar ease
Season'd our sports, and doubled each delight.
Thither my soul, from ceremonious pomp,
"And all the heavy toils of high command,"
Oft backward looks, with wishes to renew
Those lively transports, unallay'd by care,
Our boundless happiness, our bursts of joy!
Arn. So honour'd, gracious prince, as I have been,
From humble fortune rais'd to envy'd greatness,
And still with ev'ry grace each gift made precious.
Oh, what are words in payment of such blessings!
What ev'n my life, were life itself laid down
In gratitude for such transcendent goodness!
Prince. If there's a transport tow'ring to divine; If, in atonement for its load of cares,
One vast enjoyment is the gift of greatness,
'Tis that we can bestow where merit claims,
"And with our favours cheer or charm the soul."
Thine is the vacant military post,
By Mountford's death reverted to my gift;
And keep thy office in my houshold still;
I must not lose the servant in the soldier.
Be henceforth both, and what is more, my friend.
Arn. How shall I praise—————
Prince. Arnold, I merit none.
If thou hast kindness done thee, I have pleasure.
There is no joy a gen'rous mind can know,
Like that of giving virtue its reward:
Nor ought such payment be esteem'd a bounty;
For to deserve and give is equal favour.
But let me ask thee of thy beauteous charge:
How has the noble Mariana borne
Captive calamity?
drn. With resignation
Worthy her birth and dignity of spirit:
Forgetting her misfortunes, all her talk
Turns on the topic of your kind protection.
Prince. Let it extend to all that can relieve
The mind from harsh reflections on her state.
We're now preparing for the fields of Poitiers:
Accommodate her on the wearying way
With thy best care. Remember I request it. [Exit.
Arn. Rely, my royal master, on my duty.
Needless injunction! Mariana's charms
Have giv'n her here such absolute command,
My very soul, my ev'ry pow'r, is her's.
But the cold maid, whene'er I plead my passion,
Chills me with sighs, and stifles all my flame
Of love with streaming tears. Benignant Heav'n!
Bless'd as I am with royal Edward's favour,
And Mariana's charms-and all beyond,
Let mad ambition grapple for, and gain.
Changes to the French Camp. Enter CHARNEY and the Archbishop of SENS.
Char. My lord of Sens, I gladly give your Grace
EDWARD, PRINCE OF WALES, commonly Mr. Kemble.
Mr. Fawcet.
Mr. Farren.
Mr. Williames.
Mr. Brereton.
Mr. Aickin.
MARIANA, Charney's Daughter, prisoner Miss E. Kemble.
in the English Camp
LOUISA, ber Attendant
Nobles, Officers, Soldiers, and Attendants.
SCENE, the English and French Camps, on and near the Plains of Poitiers in France.
The PRINCE of WALES's Tent. Prince EDWARD discovered seated, WARWICK, SALISBURY, AUDLEY, CHANDOs, and others standing.
My lords, I summon'd ye in haste to council;
Intelligence is brought me that our foes
Have levied to oppose us, such a strength
As almost staggers credibility!
What's to be done? To tarry longer here,
And brave their fury in the heart of France,
Would be a rashness that may hazard all.
Consider therefore well, my fellow-warriors,
And aid my judgment with your good advice.
Speak, Warwick, your opinion.
It is for marching back, with speed, to Bourdeaux.
Our le army, harras' with fatigue,
Aud heart-iated with the souls of war,
Should, Ike the careful bers, ere storms o'ertake us,
Secure our treasures and prepare for rest.
Havoc has wantonid in our hard campagn,
And many caring won increase of glory :
Then let not now presumption madly risque
Reprisals from such force. Be timely prudent:
The voice of wisdom urges our retreat,
Obey it, and be happy.
Aud. Shameful thought!
What, spirit dastards by inglorious flight?
No; never let it, mighty prince, be sa`d
That we, who, two succeeding summers, chac'd
From shore to shore of their extensive realm
Collected armies, doubling each our own!
Should here at length discover abject fear,
And skulk for coward safety. What are numbers?
Let all their kingdom's millions arm at once,
And crowding, clust'ring, cram the field of fight I
Such timid throngs, with multiplied dismay,
Would make confusion do the task of valour,
And work out their destruction.
Accord with mine. While Salisbury has breath,
His tongue shall hurl defiance at their force.
Remember, princely Edward, Cressy's field;
Remember every battle we have fought,
How much out-counted, yet how greatly victors! i were the calls that broke our sleep of peace,
|