_The King’s Tent._

KING EDWARD, _attended by the_ ARCHBISHOP OF DURHAM, _the_ EARL OF ARUNDEL, LORD D’ARCY, _and other Nobles_, _&c._

[_Flourish of Trumpets_

KING EDWARD.

Heaven fought for us! therefore, in gratitude, Let every prelate offer public thanks In every nook of England where a church Points its white spire, while at our royal leisure I progress make to Becket’s holy shrine.

ARCHBISHOP OF DURHAM.

It shall be done, my liege.

KING EDWARD.

And in St Margaret’s church, near Halidon, Let there be rear’d a costly gorgeous altar, In token of our reverence for that virgin, Who, on her eve, made victory lit on us.

ARCHBISHOP OF DURHAM.

’Twill be a sad memorial for the Scots, Where they will pause before they dare to meet Your mighty warrior arm, most puissant prince! [_Exit_ ARCHBISHOP.

KING EDWARD.

It is incredible!—so great a victory, Bought with so small a loss! one knight, one esquire, And twelve foot soldiers! Heaven fought for us!

_Enter_ MONTAGUE.

MONTAGUE (_kneels._)

Berwick, my liege, is rendered

KING EDWARD.

We appreciate Thy services, Montague. They’ll be rewarded At our royal leisure.

MONTAGUE (_Kisses the King’s hand, then rises._)

Thanks, my generous liege! When I was but a boy I served your father; And Heaven will bless me, if my youthful locks Grow hoary in thy service. The Earl of March Awaits to do thee homage. Seton, Keith, And the Mayor of Berwick to give up the keys Held so unworthily.

KING EDWARD.

Usher them to our presence. [_Exit_ MONTAGUE. This Earl Dunbar is but a crafty chief, But I must mould him to my politics; [_Aside._ The others pay the forfeit of their lives. Speed, noble Arundel, with Montague, (While we deliberate here in secret council,) Pursue the fugitives, and push the war, Till England’s ensign floats above Dunbar.

ARUNDEL.

My liege, we’ll follow up the victory, With the effect such victory deserves. [_Exit_ ARUNDEL.

D’ARCY.

Your highness, when we’ve muzzled these fierce barons, And caged their ladies, we shall sue for grace.

KING EDWARD.

Ha! D’Arcy, ye’ve refresh’d our memory With thine own worth. I mark’d in the pursuit The dreadful havoc made by your bold Kernes.

_Enter_ MONTAGUE _with_ LORD DUNBAR _and the_ MAYOR OF BERWICK, _attended by_ AMBROSE CARMICHAEL, _with the Keys of the City_.

MONTAGUE (_whispers the King_.)

My liege, my Lord Dunbar. [_Exit_ MONTAGUE.

KING EDWARD.

Proud lord! ye might have saved some traitors’ lives Had ye surrender’d sooner.

DUNBAR.

Good, my liege! I must regret, that while such royal mercy Exists in monarch’s breast, that I was up In arms against it. Judgment often errs, And stupid heads make often aching hearts.

KING EDWARD.

Even so, my lord; but, ha! thou lean-faced man, When did you dine?

MAYOR.

When Edward could not eat, Because so many wretches in the city Grappled with hunger.

KING EDWARD.

Keep your taunts, old man! Kings love not jests unless they jest for love; A soldier’s free of speech; but, mark me, Mayor! He’s also free of hand. Give up the keys.

MAYOR.

My liege, most willingly, and yet unwillingly; Willingly, since it ’vaileth not to keep them, And yet unwillingly, since with these keys We give our liberties. [PERCY _takes the keys_.

KING EDWARD.

Ha! braggart, think you this a Roman senate, And do ye come like some obstreperous Cato To beard a Cæsar, flush’d with victory? Guards, load the caitiff with his weight of chains; Keep him in durance till each separate item That’s mentioned in the treaty be fulfill’d: Percy, see the twelve hostages secured— The city now is given to your charge. [_Exit_ PERCY, _with the Hostages_.

MAYOR.

_The Guards approach._] Young prince, I crave respect to these grey hairs; Rather more white with grief than length of years! Since me, nor mine, have ne’er borne arms against you. Spare also the poor boys; so shall the mothers Of Berwick bless you.

AMBROSE.

Nor I neither; I did ne’er bear arms against your majesty, most excellent! save when I could not help it.

[_The_ MAYOR _motions_ AMBROSE _to stand back_.

KING EDWARD.

Mothers of Berwick! ha! these Scottish women Are amazons in battle, and might teach Their sons a lesson of good soldiership.

D’ARCY.

During the siege old women and young children Aided the men with stones and ammunition.

MAYOR.

They did but emulate the maids of England, When they repulsed the Scotsmen at Carlisle. [_They lead off the_ MAYOR.

AMBROSE (_aside_.)

Hold your tongue, master; hold your tongue; for ye ought to know that two black corbies will not make a white crow.

KING EDWARD.

My lord, Dunbar, Where’s your friend Seton and his noble wife? Let her be caged;—and, Benhale, let that caitiff Be strung up to the nearest gibbet, since He is not worthy of a soldier’s death! [_Pointing to_ AMBROSE.

DUNBAR.

My liege, Sir Alexander waits your message, His lady has escaped!

KING EDWARD.

Gads blood! escaped! D’Arcy, pursue, pursue! I’d rather lose The victory than the lady! Oh, revenge Will want its zest without her!

AMBROSE (_kneeling_.)

Spare, spare my life! O king, most excellent! and I will guide your captain where he will find the lady; yea, though my poor wife may be taken in the snare.

KING EDWARD.

D’Arcy, speed, see to this! and should the rogue Be making dupes of us to save himself, Give him a sudden death!

AMBROSE.

Even so, may it please your majesty, most excellent! but if I prove successful, I expect you will reward me with your royal bounty and promotion.

[_Exit_ D’ARCY _with_ AMBROSE.

KING EDWARD.

My lord, Dunbar, I speak with thee alone. [_Exeunt._