University of Virginia Library

SCENE V.

Another part of the Field.
Enter two Lords Meeting.
FIRST LORD.
How goes the day?

SECOND LORD.
With us such prodigies
Of valour have no living memory,
Nor trace in all our records. Where I stood
A house was set in flames, which the wind blew
Across our ranks, but never stirred a man.
The fight,—the fire,—the hot perplexity
Of murder, staggering in the multitude,
Was scarce a human sight: it look'd a hell,
And the red faces of our citizens
And troops engaged, the furies raving in it.

FIRST LORD.
What of Alonzo?

SECOND LORD.
By his skill and courage,
The right wing of the enemy was turn'd,
And thus ensured the victory. He comes.

Enter Alonzo.—(Trumpets sound for victory.)
ALONZO.
I bring you tidings of the King's escape.
Capture or death awaited him but now,
When a bold band, Durazzo at their head,
(Whose vices left him for a single day)
Brought back a monarch and a conqueror.

FIRST LORD.
The Heavens be praised! and is Durazzo safe?

ALONZO.
It is unknown. The rescue made, he plunged
Amid the thickest fray: all eyes pursued
His plume;—it disappear'd,—'tis thought he fell:
But, where he last was seen, the ground is strew'd
With carcases. He left his fiery mark
Upon the battle, as the bolt of Heaven
Splinters the rock.

SECOND LORD.
He was a gallant man.

ALONZO.
His fortune to the last astonishes.
But haste we to congratulate the King,
And learn what remnant of our gallant friends
This slaughterous hour hath left.

FIRST LORD.
We will attend you.

[Exeunt.