It giddies to look down! No hold, no hope, "But in the succour of almighty pow'r;" For nothing but a miracle can save us.

"Aud. I stifle apprehensions as they rise, "Nor e'er allow myself to weigh our danger.

"Prince. 'Tis wisely done. And we'll at least endeavour

" (Like the brave handful at Thermopyla)
“To make such gallant sacrifice of life,
"As shall confound our enemies. Oh, think
"On the great glory of devoted heroes,
"And let us emulate the godlike flame,

"That dignified the chiefs of Greece and Rome!
"Souls greatly rais'd, above all partial bonds,
"Who knew no tie, no happiness distinct,
"But made the gen'ral weal their only care.
"That was their aim, their hope, their pride, the end
"For which they labour'd, suffer'd, conquer'd, bled.
"Aud. Exalted, great incitement!

"Prince. What may happen,

"Since none can say, prepare we for the worst. "Then, as a man whom I have lov'd and honour'd, "Come to my arms, and take a kind farewell.

“[They embrace.

"If we survive, we will again embrace,
"And greet each other's everlasting fame:
"If not, with him whose justice never errs,
"Remains our fit reward.

"Aud. You melt me, sir!

"I thought my nature was above such weakness; "But tears will out

"Prince. They're no reproach to manhood; "But we've not leisure now for their indulgence."

Aud. True, glorious leader, to more active duties "The several functions of our souls are summon'd;" Safety and honour, liberty, renown,

Hope's precious prospect, and possession's bliss,
All that are great and lovely, urge together,
The arm of valour in their dear defence.

Prince. And valour well shall answer the demand:

Our foes, to wear the trophies of the day,
Must wade thro' blood to win them.

tell

"Heav'n can

"How many souls may pay the fatal price,
"Or whose may be the lot." If I fall,
Say, Audley, to my father, to my country,
Living they had my service-at my death,
My pray'rs and wishes for eternal welfare.

Aud. Request not that, which, if the day be lost, I ne'er shall execute. I have to ask

A favour, which I hope you'll not refuse.

Prince. Nothing that suits my Audley to solicit.
Aud. It is, that I may be the first to charge :

I think I can rely upon my courage

To set a good example.

Prince. Then be it so. And hark!

[Trumpets.

The troops approach. Audley, to your station.
Aud. Each upright form

Darting defiance, as they move, to France !

"Where is the pow'r can cope with souls like these? "Resolv'd on conquest, or a glorious fate, "Unmoveable as rocks they'll stand the torrent "Of rushing fury, and disdain to shrink; "But let yon panting wasps discharge their stings, "And then in clusters crush them." [Trumpets.

Enter WARWICK, SALISBURY, CHANDOS, and other Commanders. Parties of Soldiers appear between all the Wings, with Officers leading them, so seeming as if the whole Army was drawn up.

Prince. Countrymen,

We're here assembled for the toughest fight
That ever strain'd the force of English arms.
See yon wide field with glittʼring numbers gay!
Vain of their strength, they challenge us for slaves,
And bid us yield, their pris'ners at discretion.
If there's an Englishman among ye all

Whose soul can basely truckle to such bondage,
Let him depart. For me, I swear, by Heav'n,
By my great father's soul, and by my fame,
My country ne'er shall pay a ransom for me!
Nor will I stoop to drag out life in bondage,
And take my pittance from a Frenchman's hands:
This I resolve, and hope brave countrymen,
Ye all resolve the same,

Sold. All, all "resolve it."

Sal. Conquest or death is ev'ry Briton's choice. Prince. Oh, glorious choice! And know, my gal. lant soldiers,

That valour is superior far to numbers.

There are no odds against the truly brave:
Let us resolve on conquest, and 'tis ours.
But should the worst that can befal us, death!
'Twill be a fate to envy more than pity.
And we have fathers, brothers, sons or friends,
That will revenge our slaughter.

Sal. On, lead on, my gallant prince.

Prince. I see the gen'rous indignation rise, That soon will shake the boasted pow'r of France: "Their monarch trembles 'midst his gaudy train, "To think the troops he now prepares to meet, "Are such as never fainted yet with toil.

"They're such as yet no power on earth could awe, "No army baffle, and no town withstand.

"Heav'ns, with what pleasure, with what love I gaze, “In ev'ry face, to view his father's greatness ! "Those fathers, those undaunted fathers, who "In Gallic blood have dy'd their swords. "Those fathers who in Cyprus wrought such feats, "Who taught the Syracusians to submit, "Tam'd the Calabrians, the fierce Saracens, "And have subdu'd in many a stubborn fight "The Palestinean warriors. Scotland's fields, "That have so oft been drench'd with native gore, "Bear noble record; and the fertile isle "Of fair Hibernia, by their swords subjected, "An ample tribute and obedience pays.

"Ca her, high mountains Wales receiv'd their laws, "And the whole world has witness'd to their glory.

"Aud. Lead us to action, and each Briton here "Will prove himself the son of those brave fathers. "Prince. View all yon glitt'ring grandeur as your spoils,

"The sure reward of this day's victory.

"Strain every faculty, and let your minds,

"Your' hopes, your ardors, reach their utmost bounds ;"

Follow your standards with a fearless spirit;
Follow the great examples of your sires;
Follow the noble genius that inspires ye;
"Follow this train of wise and valiant leaders,"
Follow, in me, your brother, prince, and friend.
Draw, fellow-soldiers, catch th' inspiring flame;
We fight for England, liberty, and fame.

[They draw their swords and go out; trumpets sounding.

ACT V. SCENE 1.

An extensive Plain, with the distant view of a Town; on one side a Camp on a level, on the other, another on a rising ground. Enter PRINCE, WARWICK, CHANDOS, and Attendants; their swords drawn.

Prince.

HASTE to my Lord of Oxford, and request
He ply his archers with redoubled vigour.
[An Attendant bows and

goes out.