 | The Regicide : Or, James the First, of Scotland |  |
SCENE II.
King, Angus.King.
—The Commonweal
Has been consulted.—Tenderness and Zeal
Became the Parent.—Those have nought avail'd.—
Now, let Correction speak the King incens'd!
Angus.
Not without Cause, my Liege, shall dread Rebuke
Attend your royal Wrath.—What Reign shall 'scape
Rebellion's Curse, when your paternal Sway
Has hatch'd the baneful Pest?
King.
Let Heaven decide
Between me and my Foes.—That I would spare
The guiltless Blood which must our Quarrel dye,
No other Proof requires, than my Advance
To Reconcilement—opposite perhaps
To my own Dignity.—But I will rise
In Vengeance mighty! and dispel the Clouds
That have bedimm'd my State.
Angus.
The Odds are great
Between the Numbers: But our Cause is just:
Our Soldiers regularly train'd to War,
18
A Doubt of Victory.
King.
O valiant Thane!
Experienc'd oft, and ever trusty found!
Thy penetrating Eye, and active Zeal
First brought this foul Conspiracy to Light;
And now thy faithful Vassals, first appear
In Arms for my Defence!—Thy Recompence
My Love shall Study.
Angus.
Blotted be my Name
From Honour's Records, when I stand aloof,
Regardless of the Danger that surrounds
The Fortunes of my Prince!
King.
I know thee well.—
Mean time, our Care must be, to obviate
With Circumspection and preventive Skill,
Their Numbers.—In unequal Conflict joins
Th'unwieldy Spear that loads the Borderer,
With the broad Targe and expeditious Sword:
The loyal Band that from the Hills of Lorn
Arriv'd, shall in our Front advance, and stand
With Targe to Targe, and Blade to Blade oppos'd;
The Spears extended form the second Line,
And our light Archers hover to and fro,
To gall their Flanks.—Whatever Accident
In Battle shall befal, thy Vigilance
Will remedy.—Myself will here remain
To guard the Town, and with a small Reserve,
(If Need requires) thine Exigence supply.
Angus.
With Joy, the glorious Task I undertake!
[Exeunt.
| The Regicide : Or, James the First, of Scotland | |