Part 2 / Act 1 — SCENE IV.
Reading edition
A Room in the Governor’s House.
Sir Alexander Seton, Lady Seton, Master Thomas Seton, with other eight of the Hostages,—the Mayor of Berwick, and Ambrose Carmichael.—Guards appear in waiting in the back-ground.
YOUNG SETON.
Don’t weep, my dear father and mother. I shall soon, very soon return. Edward is a great and a good 121prince, and will not hurt us; and then I am not afraid of the English, for they wear no beards, and look ladylike.
AMBROSE (aside.)
Neither does the vulture; but it is best to keep out of the vulture’s claws; and I don’t like those hungry Welshmen, with their large knives.
SETON.
We shall hope the best, my dearest boy!
YOUNG SETON.
Then we’ll have such a fine view of the English camp, and those whiskered Hainaulters, and the Yorkshire bowmen. O what sport the other boys and I will have! Won’t we, Alan?
ALAN.
O yes! and we will learn to play at shuttlecock, and wrestle like big men.
THE MAYOR.
Grant Heaven may protect the poor innocents!
AMBROSE (aside.)
Amen!—For the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel!
SETON.
Take a father’s blessing with thee, my dear Thomas.
[Embraces him.
122 YOUNG SETON.
I can take nothing better with me, my dear father.
LADY SETON.
Kiss me, my dear boy!—Be brave like your brothers. Remember always that you are a Seton, and part with your life rather than with your honour. Kneel to no earthly power; but bow to the Majesty of heaven evening and morning, and God will protect thee. Again, before you go, remember that your uncle was the bosom-friend of Wallace; and, that the whole of the Tweed will not wash the Bruce’s blood out of your veins, in whose cause you now embark. Farewell.
[Kisses him.
YOUNG SETON.
I will remember all, my dear mother! adieu, adieu.
Enter Lieutenant.
LIEUTENANT.
My lord governor, the boats are ready.
AMBROSE (aside.)
We may thank the rascally English that the young lads must walk upon water, and be indebted to the prayers of the Trinity friars for a safe passage.
YOUNG SETON.
Lieutenant, we are ready; being as impatient to go as you are to fulfil your duty. [Exeunt severally.
123 AMBROSE.
Thank Heaven I am neither a burgess, nor the father of a family, else my children might have had the honour of a tramp to the enemy’s camp! [Exit Ambrose.