University of Virginia Library

SCENE VII.

A Hall in Vortigern's Palace.
Enter Vortigern.
Vor.
How stands it now—then am I but Protector?
Oh! 'tis an attribute my soul abhors,
To sovereignty a pander and a slave,
That looks with wistful eyes upon the crown,
And dares not touch it; O! I will none on't.
Curse on those lords that did award me this,
Whose justice needs must force them keep the crown
For those, who by descent, do most deserve it.
By heav'ns, I'll pour my bitter vengeance down
For this their slow and niggardly promotion.
Yet as they did award and give me sway
Until the Prince Aurelius should return,
Then is it mine most sure! the Princes cannot
From their cold graves return to take it from me!
Their wish'd-for death is sure, yet do I dread—
For here within, there lurks a messenger
That cautions me, and fain wou'd ha' me fear.
What ho! without I say! who attends there!

Enter Servant.
Vor.
Are there no letters yet arrived from Rome?

Serv.
No, my good liege.

Vor.
Nor messengers?

Serv.
Neither, my gracious sir.

Vor.
Retire a while.
[Exit Servant.
Nor messengers nor letters! this alarms me;
But what care I, e'en let the Princes come,
When come, there's room enough i'th'ground for them.
But soft! and let me weigh my present state,
For much I fear these barons proffer'd friendship.
“Their niggard shew of liberality
“Suits ill my lofty aim, and but the semblance wears
“Of that my soul is thirsting for—Dominion!
“Not rivetted by closer ties their Chief, tho' friendly,
“May swerve and prove a foe.”—
Yet I've a lure that shall ensnare that chief,
My daughter's hand! but if she shou'd refuse,
Then were my purpose baffled, or destroy'd.
Is it not strange, a flinty heart like mine,
Should stagger thus at thinking of a daughter?
Flavia! whose fondest love to young Aurelius,
Now sojourning at Rome, hath long been pledg'd!
Yet what of that! shall she, a whining girl,
Oppose a father's and a monarch's will?
My firm resolve once known, will shake that mind
Which in her gentlest moments nature fram'd;
This work atchiev'd each lord his aid shall lend,
And to my will the haughtiest crest shall bend.

[Exit.