_A Council Chamber in the Castle._

_Enter_ LORD DUNBAR, SIR ALEXANDER SETON, SIR ALEXANDER RAMSAY, _&c._

SETON.

The messenger return’d, says, All is lost! The Regent mortally wounded; aged Lennox, With the Earls of Ross, Monteith, and Sutherland, Carrick and Athole, with the gallant Stewart, And knights unnumber’d, (what a fearful catalogue!) With fourteen thousand commoners, are slain! O, would to Heaven, that we had render’d sooner, It might have saved my son; now God preserve My wife from Edward’s vengeance.

DUNBAR.

My nobles, now, we must go strike the flag Ere ’tis pulled down! and by capitulation Seek to secure our rights, if not too late, And save the city from the mercenaries!

RAMSAY.

Scotland is like a mighty cataract, That bears the weight of navies on its bosom, And hurls them to destruction. When divided In many petty streams, it frets, and foams, And wastes itself away like idle spray, And does no execution. Were thy nobles United, they might brave the power of Edward; But thy proud barons leagued against each other, Destroy their country and defeat themselves, The victims of extremes. I will not stay To bow to Edward; but, with a few friends, Will cut my way through the victorious hosts, Were they thrice doubled, and shall meet the war That soon must burst upon thy towers, Dunbar!

DUNBAR.

Go, faithful Ramsay, aid my noble wife In this most perilous time; for though the blood Of Randolph warms her veins, she’s but a woman Who needs thy manly counsel—warriors arm To aid defensive measures; since the traitor Too often lurks beneath a friendly mask In these sad times, to aid the cunning foe. If possible, escort the Lady Seton To place of safety.

RAMSAY.

’Tis impracticable! Since I must take the high road to Dunbar; But were her ladyship at Colbrand’s path I’d guarantee her safety.

DUNBAR.

See to this, Good Seton; seek the aid of Prendergest.

RAMSAY.

The soldier, Aubery, knows each secret path By shady Pease.

SETON.

Well thought! sir knights, I speed; For time, alas! has turn’d an arrant racer, And flies with winged speed towards his goal. [_Exit_ SETON.

DUNBAR.

My gallant Ramsay, tell my noble wife To be of cheer, her castle is impregnable, Which if she cannot keep, let her destroy! Tell her to hold out though her lord may yield To suit occasion; so may we deceive Edward, and trick the treacherous.

RAMSAY.

Trust me, my lord.—I go; for, hark! these shouts Announce the foe. [_Exeunt._