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They burst, they crack--Oh! curs'd ambition! Oh!

[Dies.

Enter CATAGRINUS.

CATAGRINUS.

All, all is ours, the ranks are broken--

They fly before us, come, let's follow them.

Good heav'ns, who's this?

[Looking to the body of Hengist.

WORTIMERUS.

Hengist himself.

CATAGRINUS.

What, was it thou that this vile monster fell'd?

WORTIMERUS.

Ay, marry; but he fought indeed like one

That begg'd a little time to save his soul.

CATAGRINUS.

Our father hath towards London ta'en his flight,

But yet Rowena is our prisoner.

WORTIMERUS.

That's well indeed! come let us on and join them.

[Exeunt.

SCENE X.

VORTIGERN's Palace.

Enter VORTIGERN and First Baron.

FIRST BARON.

Speed, my most gracious lord, think on your safety,

They course your troops, and dreadful is the carnage.

VORTIGERN.

Where are my sons?

FIRST BARON.

Let not your tongue curse me when I shall say.

VORTIGERN.

Speak quick!

FIRST BARON.

With all their troops they join'd the enemy,

And took with them their mother.

Enter Officer.

VORTIGERN.

Well, Sir, and what more tidings do you bring?

OFFICER.

To London's lofty walls they follow'd us.

VORTIGERN.

I care not an' they follow'd you to hell:

Speak, vassal! coward, speak! where is Rowena?

OFFICER.

Alas, I fear me, Sir, she's ta'en a prisoner.

VORTIGERN.

Then all is lost indeed!--Thou sweetest death!

Bury but in this bosom thy fell dart,

And I will bless thee for the gentle deed.

OFFICER.

Shall I go forth, my lord, and man the walls?

VORTIGERN.

Do as thou wilt,--

Good friend, I'd speak with thee.

OFFICER.

What, Sir, are your commands?

VORTIGERN.

Thou art an old and ever faithful servant.

OFFICER.

My means have not kept pace with my desires.

VORTIGERN.

I know thee well! wou'dst thou not serve me, friend?

OFFICER.

Aye, my good lord! put me but to the test,

And you shall see me smile at death himself.

VORTIGERN.

I take thee at thy word; hold here my sword,

And but one friendly office render me;

Flinch not, strike deep and home; here lies my heart.

OFFICER.

O! if each drop that were to issue from thee,

Were a most precious jewel, and the whole

Were my reward, by heav'n I wou'd not do't!

VORTIGERN.

Thou, coward, what, afraid? O! shame, fie on't.

OFFICER.

Consider, Sir, your Queen yet lives.

VORTIGERN.

Thou art in the right; to arms then; out,

Bring me my burnished shield, my weighty ax.

And man the northern gate, let every bell

Sound forth each brazen note until it rouse

Our tombed fathers from their silent graves,

To come and aid us at this pinch of time.

Ring till the very steeples totter down.

Mark well my orders, he that flinches, dies.

If ought of murmur's heard, choak it with death.

Away, away, and now for victory.

ACT V.

SCENE I.

Apartment in VORTIGERN's Palace.

EDMUNDA on a Couch,

FLAVIA and PASCENTIUS.

Soft Music.

EDMUNDA.

Indeed, my gentle maid, indeed, thou'rt kind,

And by those tears that glaze thy lovely eyes,

'Twould seem that truly thou did'st pity me.

FLAVIA.

Pity thee, O Gods!

EDMUNDA.

Nay, wherefore weep ye both,

'Tis long, long since I was thus kindly treated,

Your pardon, but I fear you scoff at me.

PASCENTIUS.

Doth she yet know you?

FLAVIA.

Wou'd to Heaven she did.

EDMUNDA.

And yet there was a maid that once did love me,

Heigh ho! she went alack! I know not whither,

Thou ne'er did'st see her, else what I shall say

Methinks wou'd make thee vain, but yet indeed,

Thou seem'st right well to ape her pretty manners.

FLAVIA.

This is too much, I cannot bear all this.

EDMUNDA.

Nay, nay, why shou'dst thou wail and tremble so?

'Till this I thought that grief was only mine;

It is not fair to rob me of all comfort,

I thought thee honest, but indeed the world

Doth flatter, fawn, and stroke upon the face,

And sadly censure when the back is turn'd.

PASCENTIUS.

O! dearest mother, say, dost thou not know me?

EDMUNDA.

Aye, aye, right well, thou'rt one by name a man;

Thy form is well enough,