Who's there?-Acquaint the lords I wish to see them. "Now does the medley war begin to work: "A thousand hopes and fears all crowd upon me!"

Enter WARWICK, SALISBURY, AUDLEY, CHANDOS, Lords and Attendants.

Oh, welcome, friends! But, hark! the Cardinal!

[Trumpets.

Enter Cardinal PERIGORT, attended.

Well, gen'rous advocate, we wait our doom.

Per. Prepare, prepare for an immediate battle: Inflexible is France in her demands,

And all my prayʼrs and tears have prov'd in vain.

Prince. Lord Cardinal," may righteous Heav'n reward

"The pious charity of soul you've shewn."
If France insists so high, it shall be try'd;
The desp❜rate chance of battle shall be try'd-
The Fates attend, the balance is prepar'd,
And whosoe'er shall have the lot to mount,
May Heav'n stretch wide its everlasting doors,
And give them happy entrance all !

Per. Amen

Illustrious prince, and you his noble followers,
Remains there aught that I can do to serve ye?
My function suits not with a field of slaughter;
In Poitiers, therefore, must I seek my safety.
There, while the battle rages, round and round
My beads shall drop to pray'rs, that ev'ry saint

Will succour and support the English arms.
But should the fortune of your foes prevail,
And leave you victims to immortal honour,
The pious offices I'll make my own,

O'er ev'ry grave to breathe a thousand blessings,
And water all your ashes with my tears.

Prince. My gentle friend, such goodness will renown you.

Per. Take from my hand, my heart, my very soul, My amplest benediction to you all.

I now can stifle in my tears no longer

Oh, gallant prince, farewell! farewell to all.

[They bow.

Heav'n guard your lives, and give your arms success.

[Exit with his Attendants.

[On the Cardinal's going out, the Prince and Lords continue for some time fixed and mute.]

Aud. You loiter, sir. Our enemies advance,

And we're in no array.

Prince. My thoughts were absent. Away, dispatchMarshal the army by the plan I gave,

Then march it straight to yonder eminence,
Whence I'll endeavour to inflame their zeal,
And fit them for the toils this day demands.
Now does the medley war begin to work;

A thousand hopes and fears begin to crowd upon me.
[Exeunt severally.

SCENE III.

Changes to another part of the English Camp. Enter MARIANA and LOUISA,

"Lou. Thus, madam, has obedience prov'd my duty;

"The hurry and confusion of the field

"Giving us opportunity to 'scape,

"We've reach'd the English camp. But whither

now?

"Where would you bend your course? Behold,

around,

"How the arm'd soldiers, as they form in ranks, "Dart from impassion'd looks ten thousand terrors! "The scene is dreadful!

"Mar. Then it suits my mind,

"The seat of horrors, terrible to bear.

"Oh, let me find him!

"Lou. Dearest lady, think

"Nor follow one that rudely spurn'd you from him. "Mar. It was not Arnold spurn'd me, 'twas his

guilt,

"The guilt I plung'd him in. Louisa, thou

"Hast ne'er experienc'd passions in extremes,

"Or thou would'st know that love, and hate, and

scorn,

"All opposites, together meet, and blend

"In the wild whirl of a distracted soul.

"Lou. Behold, he comes!

"Mar. Support me, gracious Pow'rs !"

Enter ARNOLD.

Arn. Ha! Mariana I-When will torture end!

[Aside. Mar. How shall I stand the shock of his reproaches!

[Aside.

Arn. Why art thou here! Oh, why, unhappy maid? Mar. Since my too fatal rashness wrought thy ruin, 'Tis fit, at least, that I should share it with thee. Therefore, my friends, my father, and my country, I have forsook for ever, and am come

To claim a portion here in all you suffer.

Arn. Return again, I beg thee, I conjure thee, By all the wond'rous love that fir'd our hearts, "And wrought—

ber'd,

But let not that be more remem

"If thou hast wish for happiness or peace," Go to thy father back, and think no more

Of a lost wretch, who hastens to oblivion.

Mar. Request it not; I never will forsake thee: One fortune shall conduct, one fate involve us. I'll shew the world that my unhappy crime Was neither child of treachery or fear; But love, love only; and the guilt it caus'd,

As I inspir'd, I'll share its punishment.

Arn. You cannot, nay, you must not-think no

of it.

You broke no faith; I only was to blame.

I only

G

"And to engage thee to secure thy safety, "Know the dire state of my determin'd soul. "Heav'n and my prince permitting, I have sworn "To brave all dangers in the common fight;

"And when my sword has done its best for England, "To lay my load of misery and shame "Together down for ever.

Death I'll hunt

"So very closely, that he shan't escape me."
Be timely, then, in thy retreat; and Heav'n,
And all good angels guard thee! On thy lips
I'll seal my fervent pray'rs for blessings on thee.

Oh, what a treasure does my soul give up,
A sacrifice to honour-

"Mar. Stop a moment

[Kisses her.

[Going.

"One single moment, Arnold. Let me gather "A little strength to bear this dreadful parting. "And must it be-hold, hold, my heart-for ever? "Oh, bitter potion! Kind physician, pour

"One drop of hope to sweeten it a little.

"Arn. Hope every thing; hope all that earth can

give,

"Or Heav'n bestow on virtues such as thine."

That trumpet summons me! I must away.

Oh, measure by thy own the pangs I feel!

[Trumpet.

[Exit.

Mar. Then they are mighty; not to be express'd;

Not to be borne, nor ever to be cur'd.

My head runs round, my bursting brain divides! "Oh, for an ocean to ingulph me quick,