A Select Collection of Old English Plays Volume Viii Part 49

SAL. Lady, you fear more than you need to do; Indeed you do--in very deed you do.

Hubert is wrong'd about the thing you mean-- About young Arthur: O, I thought 'twas so: Indeed the honest, good, kind gentleman Did all he might for safeguard of the child.

QUEEN. Believe me, Madam Bruce, the man is wrong'd.

LADY B. But he wrongs me to keep my castle thus, Disarming my true servants, arming his.

Now more of outrage comes! what shall I do?

_Enter the_ KING, MOWBRAY, WINCHESTER, CHESTER.

KING. O, this is well! Hubert, where's Bruce's son?

LADY B. Where thou shalt never see him, John.

KING. Lady, we will have talk with you anon.

Where is he, Hubert?

HUB. Hid or fled, my lord: We can by no means get her to confess.

SAL. Welcome to Guildford, Salisbury's liefest lord.[324]

KING. You scarce give welcome, ere I bid you go; For you, my lord, the queen and Winchester Shall march to Hertford. Sweet Isabel, And if thou love me, play the amazon.

Matilda, that hath long bewitch'd mine eye, Is, as I hear by spials, now in Hertford Castle: Besiege her there; for now her haughty father Ruffians it up and down, and all the brood Of viperous traitors whet their poison'd teeth, That they may feed on us that foster them.

Go forward, and go with you victory!

Which to a.s.sure my powers shall follow you.

SAL. Did I not tell you this? then trust me next.

Nay, he is chang'd, and cares no more for her Than I do, madam.

KING. Begone, I say, begone!

Your speed rich victory attendeth on: But your delay May give your foes the happy glorious day.

QUEEN. One boon, my liege, and part.

KING. Be brief.

QUEEN. Show that poor lady pity, I beseech.

[_Exeunt_.

KING. I will indeed. Come, lady, let us in.

You have a son; go in and bring him me, And for the queen's sake I will favour ye.

LADY B. I have no son. Come, come; come in and search, And if you find him, wretched may I be.

[_Exit_.

KING. Chester and Hubert, see you keep good watch.

Not far off do I hear a warlike sound: Bruce, on my life! look to't, while I go in To seek this boy, for needs we must have him.

Come with us, Mowbray.

[_Exeunt_.

SCENE II.

_Enter_ BRUCE, RICHMOND, _Soldiers_.

RICH. The castle-gates are shut. What ho! what ho!

You that are servants to the Lady Bruce, Arise, make entrance for your lord and friends.

_Enter, or above_, HUBERT, CHESTER.[325]

HUB. We will make issue, ere ye enter here.

Who have we there? Richmond and Bruce, is't you?

What, up so soon? are ye so early here?

In you, i' faith, the proverb's verified, Y'are early up, and yet are ne'er the near.

RICH. The worse, our fortune. Bruce, let us go hence; We have no power to fight, nor make defence.

CHES. What, Richmond, will you prove a runaway?

RICH. From thee, good Chester I now the Lord defend!

Bruce, we will stay and fight.

BRUCE. 'Tis to no end: We have but twenty men, and they be tired.

But ere we do retire, tell me, Lord Hubert, Where are my wife and son?

HUB. Your wife is here; your son we cannot find.

BRUCE. Let son and wife, high heavens, your comfort find!

[_Exeunt_.

SCENE III.[326]

_Enter_ KING, MOWBRAY, LADY BRUCE.

CHES. Bruce hath been here, my lord.

KING. Ay, let him go.

We have good pledges: though we see but one, The other we are sure will come anon.

MOW. I do advise you, for your own discharge, Deliver up your son unto the king.

KING. Nay, let her choose. Come hither, Mowbray.