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Of your dear father's death, and to forewarn you

Of your own danger--Murder most foul hath ta'en him.

Vortigern on the Scots hath laid the murder;

But under this pretence much lies conceal'd.

Till you arrive, he is to rule deputed:

But as you prize your lives return not yet.

AURELIUS.

Oh! horror! horror! my dear father murder'd!

UTER.

By whom? speak, Messenger, where, when, and how?

MESSENGER.

The plot, good Princes, hath been deeply laid.

AURELIUS.

This is indeed most foul! say on, my friend,

Speak quickly, I intreat thee!

MESSENGER.

Then thus 'tis--Vortigern hath done the deed;

His love of splendour, pomp and sovereignty,

And his great int'rest in the people's minds,

All, all did prompt him to this hellish act.

AURELIUS.

Uter, oh heavens! the father of my Flavia!

It is impossible! It cannot be!

UTER.

Oh! this indeed is damned treachery.

My dear Aurelius, let not stupor choak

The worthy feeling of a just revenge;

Courage, Aurelius! courage, my dear brother!

AURELIUS.

Speak on, speak on, and end thy sad discourse!

MESSENGER.

Thy friends in Britain long suspected this,

And to each port did send their trusty spies,

To learn what vessels there for Rome were bound,

And haply that which did transport me here,

Was to have brought your executioners.

AURELIUS.

Oh! would it had been so. Uter support me!

UTER.

Let us retire a while my gentle brother,

Hereafter we will send and question thee

On these thy tidings, and their direful cause.

[Exeunt.

SCENE II.

Rome.

Enter AURELIUS, UTER, and MESSENGER.

AURELIUS.

Our friends in England then have thought it fitting,

That on receipt o'these, your woeful letters,

We should with all speed hie us into Scotland?

MESSENGER.

E'en so did they instruct for weighty reasons.

"Know, Vortigern did alway hate the Scots,

"And hath oft times during your father's reign,

"Fram'd laws, most burthensome unto that people.

"But the keen tooth of hatred and revenge,

"With double fury now will shew itself;

"For every noble Scot then found in London,

"Hath suffer'd under this fell tiger's fangs,

"And this to direst rage, hath stirr'd their blood."

Your story told, will raise you aid of thousands,

Three years of plenty have, among the Britons,

Sown seeds of luxury and baneful riot,

Therefore, they're unprepar'd, nor think of war.

UTER.

Are vessels ready to convey us thither?

MESSENGER.

Yes, my good lord.

AURELIUS.

Come, brother, let's away then with all speed--

But wer't not better that we change these habits?

MESSENGER.

No! no, your Roman vestments will disguise you,

And may in Scotland greatly aid your cause.

AURELIUS.

Then be it so--farewell to thee, O! Rome;

I ne'er did think that upon quitting thee,

My brimful heart wou'd thus run o'er with sorrow.

[Exeunt.

SCENE III.

A Hall, discovers VORTIGERN, EDMUNDA,

WORTIMER, &c. at Supper.

VORTIGERN.

Seek, Wortimer, thy brother and thy sister:

Tell them it suits but ill their present years,

To tarry thus, when summon'd to our presence.

WORTIMER.

My gracious father, I obey.

EDMUNDA.

O! dearest husband, calm thy ruffled soul,

They mean not to offend your grace; perchance

They know not of your wish for their attendance.

VORTIGERN.

Peace then, and with thy words, whet not I pray

That wrath, which kindles sore within my breast!

Again, dost hear me, bid thy tongue be silent,

'Twere better else thou did'st retire.

EDMUNDA.

I go, and though a vulture gnaw my heart,

I'd bear it all with meekness and with patience,

Rather than this my voice shou'd e'er offend thee.

[Exit.

WORTIMER.

My gracious Sir, I've search'd the chambers through,

And call'd aloud, but answer had I none,

Save but my own words, return'd upon mine ear,

In airy sound.

VORTIGERN.

What! scorn'd and thus defied, I will not bear it,

Send for my prating wife, and shou'd I find

That she in any wise did aid their flight,

Let her beware of my revenge.--What ho!

Enter Servant.

VORTIGERN.

Quick to my wife, and say I'd speak