University of Virginia Library

Scene XII.

—Before the Walls of Malpas.—The left of the field. Alarums and skirmishing. Enter Athulf and Sidroc with forces.
Athulf.
Three minutes till the rearward force is up—
Halt for three minutes—Sidroc, look, oh, look!
The King is plunging madly forward still;
Either an ambush he will find or else
They'll lure him through the gates. Go to him, Sidroc.

Sidroc.
No need of ambush for that headlong boy;
A town is not so manifest a trap
But it shall catch him.

Athulf.
Fly, then, to his side,
And bring him back. I cannot go myself,
For now the rearward gathers up behind,
And lo! Harcather comes against us. Charge!