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In that miraculous act? For 'twas no less:

Our Army being in rout, nay, quite o'rethrown,

As Chester writes, even then this holy man,

Arm'd with his cross and staff, went smiling on,

And boldly fronts the foe; at sight of whom

The Saxon stood amaz'd: for, to their seeming,

Above the Hermit's head appear'd such brightness,

Such clear and glorious beams, as if our men

March't all in fire; wherewith the Pagans fled,

And by our troops were all to death pursu'd.

GLOUCESTER.

'Tis full of wonder, sir.

AUREL.

Oh, Gloucester, he's a jewel worth a Kingdom.

Where's Oswold with his answer?

OSWOLD.

'Tis here, my Royal Lord.

AUREL.

In writing? willl he not sit with us?

OSWO.

His Orizons perform'd, he bad me say,

He would attend with all submission.

AUREL.

Proceed to councel then; and let some give order,

The Embassadors being come to take our answer,

The have admittance. Oswold, Toclio,

Be it your charge! - (Exeunt OS. And TOCLIO)

And now, my lords, observe

The holy councel of this reverend Hermit:

(reads) As you respect your safety, limit not

That onely power that has protected you;

Trust not an open enemy too far,

He's yet a looser, and knows you have won;

Mischiefs not ended are but then begun.

ANSELME The HERMIT.

DONO.

Powerful and pithie, which my advice confirms:

No man leaves physick when his sickness slakes,

But doubles the receipts: the word of Peace

Seems fair to blood-shot eyes, but being appli'd

With such a medicine as blinds all the sight

Argues desire of Cure, but not of Art.

AUREL.

You argue from defects;if both the name

And the condition of the Peace be one,

It is to be prefer'd, and in the offer,

Made by the Saxon, I see nought repugnant.

GLOST.

The time of Truce requir'd for thirty days

Carries suspicion in it, since half that space

Will serve to strengthen their weakned Regiment.

CADOR.

Who in less time will undertake to fre

Our Country from them?

EDWIN.

Leave that unto our fortune.

DONO.

Is not our bold and hopeful General

Still Master of the field, their Legions faln,

The rest intrencht for fear, half starv'd, and wounded,

And shall we now give o're our fair advantage?

'Fore heaven, my Lord, the danger is far more

In trusting to their words than to their weapons.

Enter OSWOLD.

OSWOLD.

The Embassadors are come, sir.

AUREL.

Conduct them in.

We are resolv'd, my Lords, since policy fail'd

In the beginning, it shall have no hand

In the conclusion.

That heavenl;y power that hath so well begun

Their fatal overthrow, I know, can end it:

From which fair hope my self will give them answer.

Flourish Cornets. Enter ARTESIA With The Saxon Lords.

DONO.

What's here? a woman Orator?

AUREL.

Peace, Donobert! - Speak, what are you, Lady?

ARTES.

The sister of the Saxon General,

Warlike Ostorius the East Anglese King;

My name Artesia, who in terms of love

Brings peace and health to great Aurelius,

Wishing she may return as fair a present

As she makes tender of.

AUREL.

The fairest present e're mine eyes were blest with! -

Command a chair there for this Saxon Beauty: -

Sit, Lady, we'l confer: your warlike brother

Sues for a peace you say?

ARTES.

With endless love unto your State and Person.

AUREL.

He's sent a moving Orator, believe me. -

What thinkst thou, Donobert?

DONO.

Believe me, sir, were I but yong agen,

This gilded pill might take my stomack quickly.

AUREL.

True, thou art old: how soon we do forget

Our ownd efects! Fair damsel, - oh, my tongue

Turns Traitor, and will betray my heart - sister to

Our enemy: - 'sdeath, her beauty mazes me,

I cannot speak if I but look on here. -

What's that we did conclude?

DONO.

This, Royal Lord -

AUREL.

Pish, thou canst not utter it: -

Fair'st of creatures, tell the King your Brother,

That we, in love - ha! - and honor to our Country,

Command his Armies to depart our Realm.

But if you please, fair soul - Lord Donobert,

Deliver you our pleasure.

DONO.

I shall, sir:

Lady, return, and certifie your brother -

AUREL.

Thou art