SCENE I.-The English Camp near Ayton, on the Borders. Enter Earl of SURREY, Bishop of DURHAM, Soldiers, with drums and colours. UR. Are all our braving enemies shrunk back, Hid in the fogs of their distempered Not daring to behold our colours wave Look on the strength of Cundrestine defaced? Dur. [A trumpet within. 1 At that time considered one of the strongest places between Berwick and Edinburgh. Sur. Rank all in order: 'tis a herald's sound; Some message from King James: keep a fixed station. Enter MARCHMONT and another in Heralds' coats. March. From Scotland's awful majesty we come Unto the English general. March. Thus, then; the waste and prodigal Effusion of so much guiltless blood As in two potent armies of necessity Must glut the earth's dry womb, his sweet compas sion Hath studied to prevent; for which to thee, Great Earl of Surrey, in a single fight The town of Berwick to him, with the fishgarths; A thousand pounds down present for his freedom, Sur. So speaks King James! so like a king he speaks. Heralds, the English general returns A sensible devotion from his heart, His very soul, to this unfellowed grace: For let the king know, gentle heralds, truly, How his descent from his great throne, to honour A stranger subject with so high a title. As his compeer in arms, hath conquered more In all humility: but Berwick, say, Is none of mine to part with; in affairs That I dare freely hazard; and---with pardon March. We shall relate unpartially. Dur. This answer With favour, Pray have a little patience.-[Aside to SURREY] Sir, you find By these gay flourishes how wearied travail For some ensuing acts of peace: consider Presents itself for honourable treaty, I will back, Which we may make good use of. Sur. [Aside to DURHAM] Lord Bishop, I refer it. To your wisdom, Dur. [Aside to SURREY] Be it so, then. Sur. Heralds, accept this chain and these few crowns. March. Our duty, noble general. Dur. In part Of retribution for such princely love, Sur. Y' oblige My faithfullest affections t'ye, Lord Bishop. [Exit with Herald. Come, friends Sur. [Exeunt. SCENE II.-The Scottish Camp. Enter PERKIN WARBECK and FRION. War. Frion, O, Frion, all my hopes of glory Frosty, and wayward, since this Spanish agent On all his crafty shrugs! I feel the fabric Of my designs are tottering. Fri. Stir with too many engines. War. Henry's policies Let his mines, Shaped in the bowels of the earth, blow up Works raised for my defence, yet can they never Or disavow my blood Plantagenet's: I am my father's son still. But, O, Frion, My wife's compartnership, my Kate's, my life's, My fall in the attempt deserved our ancestors! Fri. You grow too wild in passion: if you will Appear a prince indeed, confine your will To moderation. War. What a saucy rudeness Prompts this distrust! If? If I will appear! Be mine own counterfeit, belie the truth War. Sir, sir, take heed! Gold and the promise of promotion rarely Fail in temptation. Fri. War. Why to me this? Nothing. Speak what you will; we are not sunk so low Have ye none left now? I'll not interrupt ye. Fri. Sir, I told ye Of letters come from Ireland; how the Cornish You would in person land in Cornwall, where Thousands will entertain your title gladly. War. Let me embrace thee, hug thee; thou'st revived My comforts; if my cousin-king will fail, Qur cause will never. |