University of Virginia Library

SCENE—A Lawn on the Edge of a Forest.
An Encampment at a distance.
Enter the King, followed by the Lord Admiral, and other Attendants.
KING.
Distraction, fury! blinded by my passion,
I have disgraced the warlike name, have suffer'd
The rebel to surprise me. Oh dishonour!
Yet shall both traitors mourn; the traitor Raymond,
So fame reports, commands proud Bourbon's right,
And drives our mercenary troops before him,
Who tremble at his name—

GUISE.
To seize his castle,
Doubt not he deems, and bear away the Countess—

KING.
The goddess of my heart! Heavens, if I yield her,
May Bourbon triumph!—Lord Admiral, thy battalion
Shall reinforce my Guise to guard the fair one,
For whom my crown now trembles on my head.

GUISE.
Be confident; our zeal shall be successful.

LORD ADMIRAL.
Oh to the field, my Liege—

KING.
Yes; there the astonish'd dastards
Require my rage to fire them—
Oh Raymond, had I now a General
As brave, as honest!—Heavens, am I thus reduced?
No; this is mine—
[drawing his sword.
—to this I'll trust my kingdoms.

GUISE.
And wonted victory attend that sword!

[Ex. King.
LORD ADMIRAL.
Now, now, my Lord, our power expires or triumphs;
Our hope's sole anchor is not yet secur'd:
The wayward Fair One means to fly the King:
Haste, search these wild wood thickets, and secure her;
The Castle be my care.

GUISE.
To search the forest
Were now to lose her: every moment seems
A long slow hour till my Eemoine's page
Tell where she hides or flies—O frowning Heaven!
And shall the stern-brow'd Raymond yet again
Enter these walls in triumph, and exact
His great revenge!

LORD ADMIRAL.
No; he shall gnaw the dust
Beneath the meanest spear of my Battalion
'Ere there he triumph. Instant, O my Lord!
Plant round these wild wood glades thy trustiest bands
And give her wish'd escape its doom'd defiance.

[Exeunt severally.