University of Virginia Library

SCENE VI.

—Parliament House in Edinburgh.
Macduff Earl of Fife, Sir David Wemyss, Sir Michael Scot, Archbishop Fraser, Baliol, Bruce, and other Lords, as met for deliberation.
EARL OF FIFE.
To what conclusion come we then, my lords?
Or, find we no release, our wits, forsooth,
After the brangling of some dozen hours,
Empuzzled and entangled more and more,
'Mid such beguiling contrarieties?

SIR DAVID WEMYSS.
Between the Lords De Baliol and De Bruce
Seems now the competition to be narrow'd:
But so perplexing are their urged claims,
So dang'rous were an over-quick decision,
That one day's diet cannot well suffice
To pass a judgment, which for ages must
Affect afflicted Scotland, and perhaps
Be summon'd up against our memories,
As an unsafe, imprudent precedent.
Adjourn we then, till Time, that teaches all,
Instruct us better in this weighty cause.

SIR MICHAEL SCOT.
I fear me, Scotland never can herself
Herein decide unbiass'd, and with safety:
We are so wound by prejudice together,
So intertwisted by the ties of blood,
So hamper'd in from free arbitrement,
By all our native partialities,
That right opinion scarcely can o'erbear
The press of prejudice that pushes on her
What then we, from the truth diverted so
By favour, cannot honestly determine,
Let us commit to one, who, far aloof,
And purify'd by distance from these frailties,
Can arbitrate according to the right,
And with authority enforce his dictate.

ARCHBISHOP FRASER.
To Edward let us tender the decision;
He is the proper umpire; and to him,
Close wedded to us by long years of peace,
By present sympathy and share of loss,
In this bereavement of our blessed Queen,
To him, whose honour and unblamed discretion
Match his unmatched prowess in rough arms,
We may with safety delegate the trust
Of choosing from the noble candidates:
He has no interest to weigh him down
In prepossession towards either side;
Truth and the laws alone will shape his choice;
And whom his wisdom chooses, can his power
Protect from rival's disappointed grudge.
Then, whoso trusteth that his claim is just,
Let him submit to this just umpirage,
Acknowledging submission by assent;
Whoso distrusts let him in silence pass
Hence to the shelter of his partisans,
And trust to faction rather than to right.

JOHN BALIOL.
My Lords, I do acknowledge this proposal
As emanating fair from equity;
And I should manifest a mean distrust
Of what I deem my right's validity,
By hesitation to accede thereto:—
Let Edward arbitrate on Scotland's crown!

LORD BRUCE.
May my claims perish in deserved contempt,
If, being fearless of their falsity,
I should be fearful to commit to one,
Holding with equal hands Decision's balance,
Determination of this high dispute.—
Let Edward arbitrate on Scotland's crown!

EARL OF FIFE.
Here then it rests, my lords; and in this close,
Unanimous at last, we shut our counsels:
To Edward let us instantly dispatch
A delegation of our primest nobles,
Instructed to adjure him by all ties
Of blood that bind him to our royal race,
Of friendship, whereby to our nation's heart
He is incorporate in sweet affection,
That of his grace he would, for the dear sake
Of otherwise distracted, warring Scotland,
Adjudge, according to his princely wisdom,
Our crown to whomsoe'er of these he finds
Possess'd of indefeasible true right.
Thus shall we 'scape by happy compromise
The dangers else ensuing to our state;
And Scotland, happy in her gratitude,
Receive from him a father and a king:—
Be then our court dissolved on this conclusion;—
To-morrow we shall choose commissioners
To carry to fair England our resolves.