et III

EDWARD the BLACK PRINCE.

amilion deli

Audinet sculp

M.KEMBLE as the PRINCE.

Let them both advance,

In all their horrid most tremendous forms,
They'll meet in us with men who'll starve, bleed

D

Here link'd together by the graceful bonds

Of amity and honour: all to me

For ever faithful and for ever dear,

"The worth that rooted when my fortune smil'd,
*You see not ev'n adversity can shake:"

Think it not weakness then that I lament them.
Per. It is the loveliest mark of royal virtue;
'Tis what demands our most exalted praise,
Is worthy of yourself, and must endear
The best of princes to the best of people.
Till my return be hope your comforter:
If 'tis within the scope of human means,
I'll ward the blow.

Prince. Good Heaven repay you, sir:

Tho' acts like yours carry such blessings with them As are their full reward-My lord, farewell.

[Exit Perigort, attended as he came in.

Aud. Well, sir, how fare you now?

Prince. Oh, never better !

"If I have frailty in me, Heaven can tell,
"It is not for myself, but for my friends."
I've run no mean, inglorious race; and now,
If it must end, 'tis no unlucky time.

As yon great planet, thro' its radiant course,
Shoots at his parting the most pleasing rays,
So to high characters a gallant death

Lends the best lustre, and ennobles all.

Aud. Why, there, my prince, you reach even virtue's summit;

For this I love you with a fonder flame,

Than proud prosperity could e'er inspire. 'Tis triumph, this, o'er death.

Prince. And what is death,

That dreadful evil to a guilty mind,

And awe of coward natures? 'Tis but rest,
Rest that should follow every arduous toil,
Relieve the valiant, and reward the good:
Nor is there aught in death to make it dreadful,
When fame is once establish'd.

War. That secure,

Our foes, who wail its loss, can ne'er recover
The glory ravish'd from them.

"Prince. Who can tell?

"Has Fortune been so badly entertain'd
"That she should leave us? No, my noble friends,
"Her smiles and favours never were abus'd;

"Then what we merit we may yet maintain.”
Chan. An hundred of us, with your royal person,
Deliver'd up their pris❜ners at discretion!
The French have surely lost all modesty,
Or the remembrance of themselves and us.

"Aud. But here, in my mind's tablet, there remains "A memorandum that might make them start, "In this career of their presumptuous hope.

"Nine times the seasons scarce have danc'd their

rounds,

"Since the vain father of their present king,
"Philip, who stil'd himself his country's fortune,
"Gaudy and garnish'd, with a numerous host,
"Met our great Edward in the field of fight.

"And urge

"I was one knight in that illustrious service, may, (for 'tis a modest truth) "We made the Frenchmen tremble to behold us: Their king himself turn'd pale at our appearance, Ard thought his own trim troops, compar'd with

ours,

Effeminated cowards-Such they prov'd:

** And since that day, what change in them or us, "Can ground security on wond'rous odds? "The same undaunted spirits dare the combat ; "The same tough sinews and well-temper'd blades Again shall mow them down, like autumn corn, "Another harvest of renown and glory.

"Chan. There the brave monarch of Bohemia

strove,

* In vain, to kindle valour in their hearts:

66

“He fought, he fell—when our victorious prince
"Seiz'd his gay banner, with yon boast-I SERVE-
[Pointing to the Prince's standard.
"Which, now more suited to his princely charge,
" Triumphantly, as conqueror, he wears;
"And, in his honour, England's eldest hope
"Shall ever wear it to the end of time."

Sal. Now, as I live, I wish we were at work,
And almost fear the Nuncio may succeed.
Methinks we should not lose the bless'd occasion,
Or for surpassing ev'ry former conquest,
Or gaining glorious death, immortal fame.

Prince. Then set we here ill-fortune at defiance,
Secure, at least, of never-fading honour."