University of Virginia Library

Scene I.

Ground near the Camp.
Enter Ethel, Cornelius, Olave, Officers and Soldiers of Ethel's Regiment.
Eth.
Stand, there!
Cornelius, are these new levies come?

Cor.
They are drawing down now, and still ignorant
Of all that's passing here, but the officers
Are with you quite.

Eth.
The Swede's alert, I hear.

Ol.
Ay, and if these men under Ingelwald
Join with them, we are lost.

Eth.
What think you, gentlemen?
May not this single regiment hold back
Ingelwald's troops, unofficered as they are,
Till the new levies join us?
[Offic. show signs of dissent.
Tut!
Let's hear what the soldiers say.—How say you, friends?
I have seen you fight at odds; will you do it now
In a good cause? will you not, my own soldiers?
And never yet was there a nobler cause
For men to die in, than when treachery,
With confidence of overwhelming power,
Strikes at your land and homes. Will you stand by me
Against the traitorous general and his troops,
Should they attempt to face us? In your needs
I have been kind to you—on battle-field
Have not been backward—and no man can say
I was not just. To-day it is my need,
My dearest need, and those that stand to me
Shall be my friends and brothers—not my soldiers.
I think I see a fervour in your eyes.
Why, battle-field is a great game for the spirit,
Only against vast odds. What, gallant friends!
These officers shake their heads, and say—too dangerous!
You and I will fight it out.

Sol.
To the death! to the death!

Eth.
Stand firm; look where they come.

Enter Robert and Arthur, leading forces.
Robt.
What! is he mad,
To think with these to stop us? Felborg, give way!
Draw back your troops, and make us room to pass,
Or else be cut to pieces.

Eth.
Ingelwald!
Traitors are not strong in heart, though strong in seeming.
There is no man that stands upon this side
Into whose bosom death can thrust a fear.
For God and Right we stand, and fear you not.

Robt.
Cut him down!

[Robert's Soldiers hesitate, and murmur.
Eth.
Hear me, fellow-soldiers!

Robt.
Hear him not, I say!

Sol.
Hear him! hear him! It is the Earl of Felborg.

Sol.
His father was a great man. Hear him!

Sol.
Hear him speak!

Eth.
Who brings you here thus armed, and whither march you?
Do you not know this is rebellion?
Do you not know it, and you that late were soldiers
Take each a traitor's shape? Oh, yes, you know it.
Think, then, before you put your feet too far,
What 'tis you do. Where are your officers?
They have fallen from the traitors you yet cling to.
I am your general. Here are your officers.
Will you be officered with Swedes, your foes?
Ay, and they shall rebuke you with sharp taunts,
Calling you rebels and base mutineers.
And will you not be? raising wicked hands
(As they will stick you in the front of battle)
In shameful execution against those
With whom but yesterday you drank, shook hands,
And who in true companionship have seen
Many rough days with you, and all for what?

Sol.
For Ingelwald!

Robt.
Well shouted, fellow! I'll remember you.

Eth.
Ingelwald is a traitor, and those that join him
Shall have the meed of traitors. Many among you
Have fought under old Felborg's honoured sword;
You may remember how he dealt with you.
Those that were true, he loved them like a father;
Those that were false, they too remember him.
Beware! for I have something of his spirit.
I say, beware! for as the right is mine,
So shall the victory be mine. Look to it!

Sol.
Down with him! Does he threaten?

Sol.
Stand away! No man shall touch him.

[The Soldiers crowd about him; his own Men come forward to the rescue.
Eth.
(to his own Men).
Stand back, you fellows there! stand back, I say!
Obedience is your best love. Draw back again!

Sol.
Speak again, noble Ethel; your dead father
Speaks on your lips.

Sol.
Speak not, upon your life!

Eth.
I am the son of that old Earl of Felborg
That never yet looked danger in the eyes
But he outstared him; and shall I, his son,
Shrink from the pale brows and unhearted arms
Of mine own soldiers turned to traitors? No!
With my own arm I will make good the day
Against a thousand such. And after defeat,
Look for the punishment of mutiny!
Ay, look for it!
For as you know me mild and pitiful
When you deserve it, so, being turned to traitors,
Believe I can put on a mood most terrible
And less compassionate than famine. Look—

Robt.
What, will you hear him?

Eth.
I say peace, Sir Robert!
I will not have you mix your tongue with mine.
Here are some souls that for mine own sake love me,
And more, that for my father's sake will fight
Upon my side. Most, and I value most
Those that abhor the vile name of a traitor
Unto their country, and have too much wit
To raise dishonourable godless arms
Against their dearest duties. Lift your faces up,
You that are true and honourable soldiers—
Not hirelings, not assassins. Draw your swords,
And shout, God and the Right!

Sol.
God and the Right! Long live the Earl of Felborg!

Eth.
What! so many?

Arth.
Away, good brother Robert!
Draw, and strike for it.

Eth.
Ho, there! seize these traitors!

Arth.
This way! this way! Well struck, good friend!
Stand round us
Until we reach our horses.

[Exeunt fighting.
Re-enter Ethel and Olave.
Eth.
They have escaped. Whose regiment went with them?

Ol.
Arthur of Ingelwald's.

Eth.
Away! let the officers
Rejoin their men. Send in Cornelius to me.
We'll fight the Swede now, while the blood's up.
Get me a horse. We will reserve these levies.
Was not Cornelius hurt?

Ol.
Only a scratch.

[Exeunt.