University of Virginia Library

SCENE VII.

A Glen. Henry is discovered beside an ancient Oak. To him enter Lord Fenwick.
LORD FENWICK.
In ignorance of what thou art—in doubt
Whether I meet a man entitled to
Receive from me this courtesy, or one
That hath no claim to it—behold me here,
In answer to your missive.

HENRY.
You have done
What I expected, lord; and thus far, therefore,
Will I, at present, satisfy your doubt.
Believe that, if I fall, you will have shed
Blood precious as your own. If fate reverse
The issue, it may help to sooth your death-pang,
To think you perish by no vulgar brand.

LORD FENWICK.
This is evasion, and would clear me, did
I shun the combat.

HENRY.
If your northern courage
Shrinks as it nears the hazard—be it so.

LORD FENWICK.
My courage hath enabled me, ere this,
To smile at hazard equal—take my word—
To that which threatens now. But we are men,
And should be rational; nor draw the sword
Without good cause.

HENRY.
Agreed. My cause is good—
Your last night's words of insult.

LORD FENWICK.
But those words,
Addressed to one who—as I thought—had offered
Outrage to her that claims my guardianship,
Were meaningless—since outrage there was none;
Inapplicable—therefore inoffensive.

HENRY.
Another valid reason why your sword
Should keep its scabbard!

LORD FENWICK.
From another lip,
Or at another time, I had not brooked
That haughty sneer. Nor would I now, but that
I would not prosecute a baseless quarrel;
And such is ours—if something yet unnamed
Stir not your blood.

HENRY.
Somewhat there is, perchance,
Which I would have concealed, did not I find
Your valour needs a spur.—Nay, hear it now.
I will be brief. The Lady Margaret claims,
You say, your guardianship?

LORD FENWICK.
And proudly say it.

HENRY.
No doubt. But what if I should say that you
No longer shall keep watch, as dragon-guard,
On that Hesperian fruit?

LORD FENWICK.
Why, then I should
But laugh at thy most impotent presumption!

HENRY
(aside).
At last the metal rings!— (to him)
Thou wilt not, then,
Resign thy bold pretensions to that lady?

LORD FENWICK
(aside).
Sits the wind there?— (aloud)
Hadst thou that question put
Less haughtily, I might have deigned reply
By a plain statement. But thus bullied, I
For answer tell thee—Never! Right in you,
Or any one, but most of all in you,
Upon me such condition to impose,
I do deny, repel, and treat with scorn!

HENRY.
Then you reject the only chance of peace.
I pray you, ponder.

LORD FENWICK.
Palsied be my tongue,
When it seeks peace on terms which Honour spurns!
And blasted be my fame, if—having come
Alone to give thee, what thou couldst not hope,
The chance of losing by a true man's brand
The felon life predestined to the halter—
I let thee now escape me unchastised!

HENRY.
That speech wants little to be eloquent,
Except one item of some moment—truth.
Thou come alone? Look yonder, and confess
The falsehood of the vaunt. By heaven! thy prudence
Equals, my lord, thy valour—or transcends it.
[Enter Grey, Swinburne, Orde, &c.
But let them come. (Drawing)
Here, like this mountain oak,
I bide the fury of the storm. Come on!
Come one by one—I ask no favour else—
And thou the first!

[To Lord Fenwick.
LORD FENWICK.
(to his Friends).
For this inopportune,
Though well-intentioned zeal, I thank you not.
Back—if you love me! Back—unless you deem me
The craven which this braggart says I am!

HENRY.
Proclaim me braggart when my deeds belie
The promise of my words.

LORD GREY.
And him a craven
On the same terms. But hear! A high-born man,
Whose life hath public value, is not called
To risk it in a brawl with one whose life
Must be of less—MAY be of no concern.
And therefore have we come—not to o'erpower
A single warrior—not to interpose,
Unwarrior-like, between you; but to learn,
Ere blow be struck, whether our friend is matched
With fair antagonist. Of that assured,
Let triumph gild the braver!

LORD FENWICK.
Stop, my friends.
Too much hath passed between us, now to plead
That point of custom. Be he what he may—
Noble or ignoble—or high or low—
True man or robber—he shall have his wish.
No more, as ye are friends!

[A single combat, in which Lord Fenwick's Sword is forced out of his hand by Henry.
HENRY.
Demand thy life.

LORD FENWICK.
Never! My name in arms is now eclipsed;
My life is worthless. Take it.

HENRY.
Foul befall
The man that strikes the vanquished!—No, no, live.
But bar my way no more.—Now for the next—

LORD GREY.
Your true nobility of soul, brave Stranger,
Disarms us all. To that, and not to any
Less lofty motive, do we beg you give
Our wish for peace—a wish, you may believe,
Not usual in a Borderer.

HENRY.
I believe it;
And when we meet again, there may be less
Of mystery, more of pleasure. Fare ye well.

[Exeunt.