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11
SCENE II.
Trumpets, French Ambassador, Barons.Ambassador.
The Dauphin, anxious for his noble friends,
And eager for the hour that shall restore
To rescued England liberty and law,
Entreats you, Lords, to name the fittest time
To join our forces for the future fight.
Arden.
Our forces never shall with his be joined;
Nor English freedom e'er depend on France.
Ambassador.
What means my gracious Lord?
Arden.
My meaning's plain.
We have detected his designs. We know him.
Go tell your master—instant to depart,
And waft his army to the coast of France.
Tell him, that Britain never will become
The province of a foreign kingdom. Tell him,
That when he wields the thunder, and gives law
To the wild ocean, and the wind of heaven;
Then let him think on Britain.
12
to Albemarle.
Noble Lord,
The illustrious Dauphin, and the heir of France,
Entrusts a message to your private ear.
Albemarle.
I have no secret with him. Speak it out.
Ambassador.
I best can speak it to yourself alone.
Albemarle.
Speak it to all the world.
Ambassador.
Illustrious Lord,
On you the Dauphin's happiness depends.
Albemarle.
On me!—
Ambassador.
You have a daughter . . . fair Elvina—
The crown of France may sit upon her head.
Albemarle.
My daughter's to that noble Lord betrothed.
Arden.
to the Ambassador.
You may withdraw.
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