Part 2 / Act 5 — SCENE I.
Reading edition
The King’s Tent.
King Edward, attended by the Archbishop of Durham, the Earl of Arundel, Lord D’Arcy, and other Nobles, &c.
[Flourish of Trumpets
KING EDWARD.
Heaven fought for us! therefore, in gratitude,
Let every prelate offer public thanks
In every nook of England where a church
Points its white spire, while at our royal leisure
I progress make to Becket’s holy shrine.
ARCHBISHOP OF DURHAM.
It shall be done, my liege.
KING EDWARD.
And in St Margaret’s church, near Halidon,
Let there be rear’d a costly gorgeous altar,
183In token of our reverence for that virgin,
Who, on her eve, made victory lit on us.
ARCHBISHOP OF DURHAM.
’Twill be a sad memorial for the Scots,
Where they will pause before they dare to meet
Your mighty warrior arm, most puissant prince!
[Exit Archbishop.
KING EDWARD.
It is incredible!—so great a victory,
Bought with so small a loss! one knight, one esquire,
And twelve foot soldiers! Heaven fought for us!
Enter Montague.
MONTAGUE (kneels.)
Berwick, my liege, is rendered
KING EDWARD.
We appreciate
Thy services, Montague. They’ll be rewarded
At our royal leisure.
MONTAGUE (Kisses the King’s hand, then rises.)
Thanks, my generous liege!
When I was but a boy I served your father;
And Heaven will bless me, if my youthful locks
Grow hoary in thy service. The Earl of March
Awaits to do thee homage. Seton, Keith,
And the Mayor of Berwick to give up the keys
Held so unworthily.
184KING EDWARD.
Usher them to our presence.
[Exit Montague.
This Earl Dunbar is but a crafty chief,
But I must mould him to my politics; [Aside.
The others pay the forfeit of their lives.
Speed, noble Arundel, with Montague,
(While we deliberate here in secret council,)
Pursue the fugitives, and push the war,
Till England’s ensign floats above Dunbar.
ARUNDEL.
My liege, we’ll follow up the victory,
With the effect such victory deserves. [Exit Arundel.
D’ARCY.
Your highness, when we’ve muzzled these fierce barons,
And caged their ladies, we shall sue for grace.
KING EDWARD.
Ha! D’Arcy, ye’ve refresh’d our memory
With thine own worth. I mark’d in the pursuit
The dreadful havoc made by your bold Kernes.
Enter Montague with Lord Dunbar and the Mayor of Berwick, attended by Ambrose Carmichael, with the Keys of the City.
MONTAGUE (whispers the King.)
My liege, my Lord Dunbar. [Exit Montague.
185KING EDWARD.
Proud lord! ye might have saved some traitors’ lives
Had ye surrender’d sooner.
DUNBAR.
Good, my liege!
I must regret, that while such royal mercy
Exists in monarch’s breast, that I was up
In arms against it. Judgment often errs,
And stupid heads make often aching hearts.
KING EDWARD.
Even so, my lord; but, ha! thou lean-faced man,
When did you dine?
MAYOR.
When Edward could not eat,
Because so many wretches in the city
Grappled with hunger.
KING EDWARD.
Keep your taunts, old man!
Kings love not jests unless they jest for love;
A soldier’s free of speech; but, mark me, Mayor!
He’s also free of hand. Give up the keys.
MAYOR.
My liege, most willingly, and yet unwillingly;
Willingly, since it ’vaileth not to keep them,
And yet unwillingly, since with these keys
We give our liberties. [Percy takes the keys.
186KING EDWARD.
Ha! braggart, think you this a Roman senate,
And do ye come like some obstreperous Cato
To beard a Cæsar, flush’d with victory?
Guards, load the caitiff with his weight of chains;
Keep him in durance till each separate item
That’s mentioned in the treaty be fulfill’d:
Percy, see the twelve hostages secured—
The city now is given to your charge.
[Exit Percy, with the Hostages.
MAYOR.
The Guards approach.] Young prince, I crave respect to these grey hairs;
Rather more white with grief than length of years!
Since me, nor mine, have ne’er borne arms against you.
Spare also the poor boys; so shall the mothers
Of Berwick bless you.
AMBROSE.
Nor I neither; I did ne’er bear arms against your majesty, most excellent! save when I could not help it.
[The Mayor motions Ambrose to stand back.
KING EDWARD.
Mothers of Berwick! ha! these Scottish women
Are amazons in battle, and might teach
Their sons a lesson of good soldiership.
187D’ARCY.
During the siege old women and young children
Aided the men with stones and ammunition.
MAYOR.
They did but emulate the maids of England,
When they repulsed the Scotsmen at Carlisle.
[They lead off the Mayor.
AMBROSE (aside.)
Hold your tongue, master; hold your tongue; for ye ought to know that two black corbies will not make a white crow.
KING EDWARD.
My lord, Dunbar,
Where’s your friend Seton and his noble wife?
Let her be caged;—and, Benhale, let that caitiff
Be strung up to the nearest gibbet, since
He is not worthy of a soldier’s death!
[Pointing to Ambrose.
DUNBAR.
My liege, Sir Alexander waits your message,
His lady has escaped!
KING EDWARD.
Gads blood! escaped!
D’Arcy, pursue, pursue! I’d rather lose
The victory than the lady! Oh, revenge
Will want its zest without her!
188AMBROSE (kneeling.)
Spare, spare my life! O king, most excellent! and I will guide your captain where he will find the lady; yea, though my poor wife may be taken in the snare.
KING EDWARD.
D’Arcy, speed, see to this! and should the rogue
Be making dupes of us to save himself,
Give him a sudden death!
AMBROSE.
Even so, may it please your majesty, most excellent! but if I prove successful, I expect you will reward me with your royal bounty and promotion.
[Exit D’Arcy with Ambrose.
KING EDWARD.
My lord, Dunbar, I speak with thee alone. [Exeunt.