University of Virginia Library

SCENE IV.

Albemarle, Arden.
Albemarle.
By my command my daughter hither comes.
Arden, the affection of a friend I've shewn;
Now let the counsel of a parent weigh.
Valiant thou art; invincible in war;
But that avails not now. The accent stern,
The fierce demeanour, and the lofty look,
Will not invite th'affection of the fair.
Now let the warriour to the lover yield;
Put on the gay caparison of courtship;
Caress and conquer. Women, to be won,
Must first be woo'd. Engage the tender sex
By tender cares, and merit love by loving.
When softened to a smile, the brave and bold
Assume the accents, and the looks of love,
They win at once the heart of womankind.

Arden.
I do not know these arts. The pliant face,
The honey'd accent, and the silken smile,
The sport of boys and girls, are not for me.
The manners of my fathers I retain,
The Saxon spirit, and the Saxon garb.
They did not bow the knee to womankind,
Nor at the gate of beauty beg a boon.
In antient days, the days of mighty men,
Love was the meed of valour and renown;
The bravest warriour clasp'd the fairest maid.
But what the honour of a Baron owes,
And what the daughter of a Baron claims,
Shall be perform'd. Behold, the virgin comes.