SCENE II.

A large Gothic Hall at Newark. The LORD ProTECTOR, WINCHESTER, CHESTER, and EARL WILLIAM, assembled at midnight, previous to the battle of Lincoln; attendants bearing torches, and the back ground heightened by the Barons' banners, and the spears of the Guards.

Win. Yes, manly sufferers in the cause of truth, With pious fortitude await the dawn,

And unto heaven to-morrow's battle trust.

Prot. Lords, on to-morrow England's fate depends.

The siege of Lincoln castle must we raise,
And from possession of the city drive
Yon foe, or here at once the contest yield.
Then think, great spirits, free-born Britons, think
On this terrific crisis, and, inspired

With dauntless energy in such a cause,
Go forth to battle, and the day is ours.

Will. I burn, I pant to hail the approaching

dawn.

Win. Though France, with myriads upon myriads, come,

And in her strength rejoicing, count us nought,
Yet
may her widely scattered powers be turned,
If thus, superior to all fear of death,

And conscious of the smile of heaven, we strike
With one concentred force.

Prot. But should we fail,

And mad rebellion triumph, round our prince We'll throw our swords, and sell king Henry's life For nothing cheaper than our heart's last drop.

Ches. On terms so glorious we're content to die. Win. Go then, ye warriors, to the fields of death. Fight the just fight, your country's rights assert, Defy the foe, for heaven's on your side.

Prot. O sacred love of our own native land,
Come, with thine energy, inspire our souls!
O sacred love of our own native land,
Send us triumphant o'er each tyrant foe!

L. Sur. (Without.) Admit me to the Lord Protector, sirs.

Ches. Pause; for a female voice breaks on mine

ear.

L. Sur. (Without.) The Lady Surrey seeks her father, Pembroke.

Enter LADY SURREY with her Son.

Prot. My child, Matilda !—whence this wild demean?

Why hast thou left thy castle? wherefore, thus,
With my young grandson, at this hour of night,
Seek'st thou

L. Sur. O sir, I have a tale of woe

I am so lost-Thou seest, before thine eyes,
Thy daughter, tumbled from the height of hope,
Of fancied bliss, to-mercy! what? perhaps
But know, my Surrey in his flight is ta'en,
And now-I know not what hath chanced ere now.
Prot. Sweet dame, have hope.

After to-morrow's struggle I'll dispatch
An herald with proposals for exchange
Of many noble prisoners of France.

L. Sur. Send all your French, 'twill not avail. I know

They dare not lose my husband. I've no hope,
But to entwine my thread of life with his,

To beg for entrance at his prison-door;

They can't deny me that. I come to place—
Great Lord! what am I doomed to bear!

Will. Matilda,

Alone thou can'st not go.

Disguised, I'll brave
The piercing look suspicion wears, and lead
Thee, sister, spite of death, through this wild land.
L. Sur. No, by my sufferings, no! One I have
lost,

One hero, to my country: She can bear
No second loss in thee. To battle go,

And victory hang upon thy sword! I'm fixed.
Prot. O happy land, whose daughters are so
fair,

And though fair virtuous, even as my child!
Yet hear, Matilda-

L. Sur. I'm prepared for all;

Have weighed events, and cannot now be moved.
All that I ask-there, there's the pang I dread—
All that I ask, is guardianship for him,

Thy best protection for my darling child.
Take him, my father, take him to thy breast;
Keep him with tenderness as I was kept;
Let him be such as Surrey's heir should be.
Prot. Boy, thou'rt mine own.

Will. To me, even as my son.

Boy. Yet I would follow my poor mother's steps. L. Sur. My child !—O sir!—best brother !—I'll

away,

Or these wild ecstacies will shake

my mind. God bless thee, boy. Remember all my words: I shall return to comfort thee again. O! be it so! teach, sir-I know thou wiltFarewell. Almighty Being, to thy care Take him! Farewell, my angel-once-farewell!

[Exit.

Prot. Poor dame! but this sad trial shall not last.

Excuse me, friends, that private griefs have touched My public state. But now, my Lords, to arms! Ches. And let us bind ourselves by solemn vows, Ne'er to return, unless with conquering swords. Prot. Yes, thus we swear to yield our lives, in pledge,

To save our king, our altars, and our laws!

[Flourish-Exeunt.

ACT THE FOURTH.

SCENE I.

Within the city of Lincoln, after the battle. Flourish.

Enter the LORD PROTECTOR, WINCHESTER, and EARL WILLIAM, with soldiers.

Prot. This is indeed a triumph, this the day, That gives to freedom promise of success.

Win. 'Tis strange, the French, with all their numerous band,

Should yield the city such an easy prey!

Will. The expiring efforts of a free-born race Prove more tremendous than yon myriad's threats. Prot. Lincoln thus gained, without expense of blood,

We may-but where's Earl Chester?

Will. In the fight,

I saw him, with a troop of cross-bow men,
Forth sally from the castle, where he gained
Admission from our friends, and chase the foe.
Win. Heaven grant him safe!

Prot. That shout of victory

[Shouts.

Will. Yes, see the antient hero comes himself!