The gen'rous semblance of our souls had link'd us

In friendship's dearest bonds.

Rib. But here we stand

Determin'd champions in opposing lists,

Each in his country's cause, the other's foe.
Come, for I long to try this season'd blade
Upon true metal. If I conquer thee,

I take no portion of the foul disgrace,

Which Heav'n this day has thrown upon our arms,
But should my fortune, (as perhaps it may)
Like my poor country's, bow the head to England,
Then, Audley, wilt thou add to thy renown,

By doing what the king has only done,

Baffle the warrior he pronounc'd a brave one?
Now for determination.

Aud. Hold a moment.

Look on the field, brave Ribemont; behold,
Thou hast no passage for escape left open!
Me should'st thou vanquish; from the thousands
round thee,

Captivity or death must be thy lot.

Then make not havock of great qualities,
Nor to thy kingdom lose through desperation,
The bravest arms and noblest heart it boasts.
Give my fond wish the power but to protect thee:
Resign thy sword-I'll prove no conqueror,

But clasp thee with the warmth of gen'rous friendship.

Rib. Audley, I thank thee; but my hour is comeYou bid me look upon the field; look thou,

And see the glory of my country blasted!
To lose a day like this!-and to survive it-
Would be a wretchedness I'll ne'er endure.
No in a nation's fate be mine involv'd:
To fall with France is now the only means
To satisfy my soul, and save my fame.
Aud. Oh, yet-

Rib. I'm fix'd.

Aud. Why then-for England this-
Rib. And this for France-

[They fight some time, then stop.

Aud. What! neither get the better?

'Tis a tough task !—Again

[They fight again, then stop.

"Rib. Why, valiant lord, "The balance still nods doubtful! as the pow'rs "Were undetermin'd which must yield the day. “Are our fates grown of such high consequence, "That Heav'n should pause upon the great decision! "Let us no longer worry one another,

"Where can the vulnerable spot be found? "Aud. Why there

"[They fight, Ribemont falls, and Audley is wounded, and rests upon his sword.

"Rib. No, there.

"Aud. We are companions still !”

Rib. Inward I bleed: the streams of life run fast,

And all that did invigorate deserts me.

Audley, the palm of victory is thine;

I yield, I die—but glory in my fall

It is beneath the noblest English arm!

And that secures my fame. "Thy bosom now "May harbour him that is thy foe no more.

"[Audley kneels and takes him in his arms. "Why, this is kind! thus lock'd in thy embrace, "To let a rival warrior breathe his last."

Report me truly as thy sword has found

I know thou wilt; and, in the long hereafter,

If we can meet, I'll thank thee for't.-Farewell.

[Dies. Aud. Farewell, brave Ribemont; thou fearless

soldier.

Peace to thy ashes-to thy soul reward

And honour crown thy name! A foe could weep! But pity would disgrace a death like thine. [Trumpets.

Enter PRINCE, CHANDOS, and Attendants. Prince. [Turning back.] Give instant orders to recall our parties;

I will not hazard, by a rash pursuit,

So vast a victory! "And let my standard
"Be hoisted on the highest neighb'ring tree,
"To guide our troops returning from the 'chace."
England, my Chandos, triumphs! For our arms
Have won the noblest field that e'er was fought!
Ha! Audley bleeding!-Then must conquest mourn,
And I lament, amidst my spoils and trophies,
The best of nobles, warriors, and of friends.

Aud. Faint with the loss of blood-I hope no more.
Prince. Summon assistance; all that wealth can reach

"To him who gives me but his life's assurance.

"[Exit an Attendant.

"Advance the banner o'er us.-
.-Long, oh, long
"May'st thou survive to wear this well-won honour,
[He knights and embraces Audley.

"My bravest knight—my most belov❜d of men,”
Lead him away, repose him in his tent.
Soon as the hurry of the field is o'er,

I'll come in person and attend his cure.

Aud. There lifeless lies the arm that gave the wound;

A braver soldier never press'd the earth!

On his remains let due distinction wait,

To dignify the dust that once was noble. [He is led off. Prince. The valiant Ribemont!-Take hence his

corps,

And see that every solemn rite be paid:
With honours suited to his gallant life,
Conduct the body to its peaceful grave.

[Ribemont carried off.

Chan. The field is thinn'd! And now far off re

mov'd,

The dying voice of tumult faintly sounds,

"Like the hoarse thunder in a distant sky;"

As hollow roarings of subsiding waves,

After their conflict with a furious storm.

Prince. An awful horror!-The sad scene before us, Pompous with desolation! as declines

The glow and ardor of our martial flame,
Softens the mind to mournful meditation,

How many souls have ta’en eternal flight,

Who, but this very morning, on the wing
Of expectation, look'd through years to come!
So have the bubbles of their hopes been broke;
So may it fare with us:- -And such is life!

Enter WARWICK. *

War. Oh, mighty prince, whose matchless virtues

charm

The many

realms your victories have aw'd!

Lend your compassion,— -" your protection lend "To wretched, bleeding, dying penitence." Prince. What would'st thou say

War. Unhappy Mariana,

At once the victim of distressful love,
And deep remorse for treachery——

Prince. Go on.

War. Frantic and weeping, ran o'er all the field, 'Till chance directed her to Arnold's corpse, That welt'ring lay in blood. She kiss'd it oft, Bath'd it with tears, tore her dishevell'd locks, Smote her poor bosom, sobb'd and sadly groan'd, 'Till snatching from his clay-cold hand his sword, She plung'd it sudden in her side!-sunk downAnd call'd on death to lock their last embrace. "I (but too late to save her) interpos'd, "And cry'd for help-alas! in vain. "Pluck'd by some passing soldiers from the body,

But now,

In the original, Louisa enters here, and speaks the three following speeches of

Warwick.