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.
"Such have their suff 'rings been thro' two campaigns,
“And that a third may rise with added horrors,
"And carry indignation to his goal,"
Now homeward let us look; and wisely there
Recruit, in time, our vigour and our numbers:
Thence, with the chearful spring to issue forth,
Again to labour in the field of fame.
Prince. True wisdom, Chandos, dictates to your
And modest, manly eloquence adorns it.
My lords of Salisbury and Audley, you,
Who cherish truth and candour in your minds,
Must yield to arguments so clear and strong.
Believe me, friends and brothers of the war,
A momentary ruin may involve us :
Such mighty hosts are rais'd, and now in motion,
As well will task our utmost skill to 'scape.
Upon the plains of Poitiers are encamp'd,
Th' extensive plains that our retreat must skirt,
An army double ours!
Aud. And shall we pass ?
Go tamely by And give them cause for vaunting, That Englishmen avoided once a battle?
No; never let us merit such a stain;
But boldly seek them, dare their double numbers,
And drive them, if a combat they decline,
To skip and wanton at a safer distance.
Sal. Give us, my prince, the pleasure but to spring This gaudy flight of prating popinjays,
And bade us rouze and buckle on our arms;
A throne usurp'd, your royal father's right;
A violated truce, a vile attempt
To filch away the fruits of painful conquest,
By basely bribing servants from their duty.
Assaults so infamous, such rank dishonour,
At last awoke our monarch's high resentment:
O give it glorious scope! unhinge, destroy
Their very power of doing future wrongs:
So shall the rescued world pour forth its blessings,
And kings and kingdoms thank our arm for safety.
Chand. If Chandos give his voice for our retreat,
'Tis not from coward motives :-All can witness
I have met danger with as firm a spirit
As any in our host. But as success
Hath crown'd our arms with ample spoils and glory,
Why, when the season is so far advanc'd,
(Hopeless of profit) should we longer stay,
By soothing pride, to brave adversity?
Consider, gracious prince, and you, my lords,
What difficulties clog a winter's march
In hostile countries; parties harrassing,
And want of all convenience and supplies.
I do confess, the wrongs that urg'd us hither
Were such as merited severe revenge:
And vengeance we have had. Their burning towns
Have lighted us on many a midnight march,
While shrieks and groans, and yellings echo'd round.
Fear and confusion were our harbingers,
And death and desolation our attendants.
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?
Arn. 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
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