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Rally then our troops, and march them towards the West.

[Exeunt.

SCENE IV.

Another part of the Field.

Enter FLAVIA and PASCENTIUS.

PASCENTIUS.

Be of good cheer, tho' they have lost the day,

Yet was the victory most dearly bought,

The Scots too in good order have retir'd.

Enter HORSUS.

Say, what's thy business in this bloody field,

And who's that maid who bears thee company?

It should seem that thou hast fought and conquer'd,

And hast in triumph seiz'd on this fair prize.

PASCENTIUS.

I, Sir, am her protector.

HORSUS.

If thou'lt resign her, here is gold for thee.

PASCENTIUS.

Although my peasant habit shews me poor,

Yet covers it a soul that boldly scorns thee;

I am a Briton, Sir, will that suffice thee?

HORSUS.

Vile stripling! dost thou know me?

PASCENTIUS.

I do not.

HORSUS.

Thou shalt repent this!

PASCENTIUS.

Approach her not, if yet thou lov'st thyself.

HORSUS.

Thy lack of years doth save thee from my wrath,

Thou beardless boy who thus doth ape the man,

Once more I tell thee!--

FLAVIA.

O Pascentius, O my brother!

PASCENTIUS.

Fear not, he shall not harm thee gentle Flavia.

(To Horsus.)Insolent presumptuous slave! what would'st thou?

HORSUS.

I'll make thee dearly answer for thy rashness.

[The fight, and Horsus falls.

O I am wounded! speak, what is thy name?

But thou art brave, and I forgive thee this.

Good youth approach, I fain would tell thee something,

But O! I'm faint, death's cold and heavy hand

Doth rest like ice upon my parting soul.

Go to the King I pray thee,

Bid him beware of Hengist.

[Dies.

PASCENTIUS.

I now lament the deed that I have done.

FLAVIA.

O sadly doth repentance sit on us.

PASCENTIUS.

How soon this lord of the creation dies;

The erran'st coward now may spurn at him!

FLAVIA.

Sure he make some mention of our father,

And bade us tell him to beware of Hengist.

PASCENTIUS.

Something methinks he spoke to that effect,

This must our father know.

[Exeunt.

SCENE V.

A Wood.

Enter HENGIST and Officer.

HENGIST.

Hath Horsus yet been found?

OFFICER.

Thrice hath the field with greatest care been search'd,

But all in vain.

HENGIST.

Then have I lost my first, my dearest friend,

If he be slain, by the great Gods I swear,

I will revenge him on these Scottishmen;

But whither are the Princes now retir'd?

OFFICER.

Towards Badon Hill.

HENGIST.

How fare our troops?

OFFICER.

But ill, nay, very ill.

HENGIST.

Indeed! and sayest thou so?

OFFICER.

The day was bloody and it cost us dear,

The Scots were firm, and fought us man to man;

Four thousand lives were lost.

HENGIST.

Good Heav'ns!

Enter another Officer.

What's thy business?

SECOND OFFICER.

Fourteen thousand troops have join'd our army,

And with them your daughter; but look, she comes!

Enter ROWENA.

HENGIST.

Welcome Rowena!

(Rowena kneels.)

ROWENA.

O! joy once more to see my father's face.

HENGIST.

Rise, rise my child!

ROWENA.

First with my kisses let me 'dew this hand;

And with these arms embrace my father's neck.

Enter Soldier.

SOLDIER.

From London, Vortigern is on his march!

And comes in haste to greet your late success.

HENGIST.

'Tis well! go straight, put all in readiness.

Retire! I wou'd be private with my daughter.

OFFICER.

We obey, my lord.

[Exeunt Officers.

HENGIST.

Daughter, thou heard'st but now o'th' King's approach.

ROWENA.

Your Officer so express'd it!

HENGIST.

True! and do'st hear, much rests with thee to do.

ROWENA.

If ought, dear father, my poor services

Can aid thee, but command;--and I'll obey.

HENGIST.

Thus then it is--I shall prepare a feast,

And greet the King with joy and merriment;

Women I know have very many ways,

And subtle traps to catch the hearts of men:

So practice all your arts to win his love.

ROWENA.

But shou'd I fail?

HENGIST.

Nay, do not fear it; I do know him well.

Come to my tent, and there we'll weigh this business.

[Exeunt.

SCENE VI.

A magnificent Feast, VORTIGERN on

a Throne, HENGIST,