University of Virginia Library

SCENE VI.

A magnificent Feast, Vortigern on a Throne, Hengist, Wortimerus, Catagrinus, Lords and Ladies, with Attendants.
Vor.
To mirth we dedicate this noble feast!
And you brave Hengist we do greet withal.

Heng.
O! my most gracious King, I am unworthy.

Vor.
Thou did'st fight manfully, and bravely conquer.
Wine there! a health to Hengist! would that Horsus
Were likewise here!

Lords.
The King doth drink.

Heng.
Thou sentest for me, noble Sir, to fight;
I have done nought save that I promised;
Had I play'd other than the soldier's part,
Then had I tarnished the Saxon name.

[Hengist speaks to one of the Lords aside.
Vor.
Thou, Hengist, at our hands hast well deserv'd;
We will consider, and reward thy labours.
Enter Rowena.
Ye heavenly powers! what lovely maid is this,
Whose form might raise the blush in Dian's cheek?

Heng.
Rowena, Sir, my daughter, and your slave.

(Rowena kneels.)
Row.
All hail, great King!

Vor.
O thou most lovely maiden!
Here let me pledge thee in this golden cup.
On its smooth brim I pray thee print a kiss,
That so I may inhale the roseate sweets,
And taste the nectar of those vermil lips.
[Takes the cup and drinks.
This seat is empty, fair Rowena, take it,
And wou'd it were that which Jove's wife doth hold!

Cata.
It is Edmunda's place, the queen's, our mother's.

Vor.
Peace! she is unworthy of that station.

Wort.
She, Sir, is queen, and tho' she is not present,
Most righteously the law awards it her.
She that usurps it, breaks that sacred law—

Vor.
How, do ye murmur, must I then humble
And stoop the neck to bear my children's yoke?
Begone, I say, lest that my present wrath
Make me forget the place by blood I hold,
And break the tie 'twixt father and his child.

Wort.
We shall retire, my lord!

Vor.
Here sit, bright maid, if I presage not vainly,
Thou shalt, ere long, have right to take this place.

Row.
How can I merit love of such a King?
An humble vassal only.

Vor.
Thy meekness and fair looks have won my soul,
O! let thy tongue here title me thy lord!

Row.
Already, Sir, have I avow'd you King.

Vor.
And therefore here I do proclaim thee Queen.
Good Hengist speak! wilt thou consent hereto?

Heng.
My lord! that honour is too weighty.

Vor.
Then speak, my lords, what say ye to my choice?
True, I am married, and my wife doth live;
Yet none methinks by law can here be bound,
When the dread wrath of Heav'n doth shew itself,
And on his wedded wife doth send down madness.

1st. Lord.
Methinks the law shou'd then proclaim it void.

Vor.
Be it then void; and here I pledge myself,
To take this lovely maiden to my wife.
To thee, good Hengist, we resign all Kent,
As a sure earnest of our future bounty;
Proclaim it in the camp, and let each man
Receive in largess from our royal coffers,
That massy ore, which long hath lain entomb'd,
And now shall well reward our soldier's toils.

2nd Lord.
The law allows not this, it is not justice.

3rd. Lord.
That power lies in the Barons, not the King.

Vor.
What! dare ye then dispute it?

All but 1st. Lord.
We do.

3rd. Lord.
And while the pow'r remains that's vested in us,
We ne'er will countenance such vile injustice,
That tramples on our dearest country's rights.

Vor.
Take heed, lest you repent this your rashness.

[Exeunt Lords.
SCENE closes, Vortigern comes forward.
Vor.
O! these vile petty kings do make more uproar
E'en than above, the thund'ring god himself.
To-morrow be the nuptials then proclaim'd;
And that Guorongus, that proud lord of Kent,
Who boldly in our presence call'd for justice,
His lands, his property, and all his titles,
We do invest in Hengist and his line.

[Hengist bows.
Vor.
to Row.
Give me thy hand; let us retire, my Queen!

[Exeunt.