Vortigern Studies Index

home l prologues l personae l act 1 l act 2 l act 3 l act 4 l act 5 l epilogue
scene 1 l scene 2 l scene 3 l scene 4

SCENE II. - ROME.

Enter AURELIUS, UTER and Messenger.

Aur. Our friends in England, then, have thought it fitting,
That, on receipt of these, thy woful letters,
We should, with speed, to Scotland hie us ?

Mes. E'en so did they instruct for weighty reasons.
" Know, Vortigern did alway hate the Scots;
" And ofttimes hath, during your father's reign,
" Fram'd laws, most burthensome unto that people.
" But the keen tooth of hatred and revenge,
" With double fury since hath shewn itself;
" For every noble Scot then found in London,
" Did suffer 'neath the tiger's 'vengeful fangs,
" And this, to direst rage, hath stirr'd their blood."
Your story told, will raise you aid of thousands.
Three years of plenty have, among the Britons,
Sown seeds of luxury and baneful riot;
Therefore, they're unprepar'd, nor think of war.

Uter. Are vessels ready to convey us thither?

Mes. Yes, my good lord.

Aur. Come, brother, let's away then, with all speed. -
But wer't not better that we change these habits ?

Mes. No, no! your Roman vestments will disguise you;
And may, in Scotland, greatly aid your cause.

Aur. Then be it so. Farewell to thee, 0, Rome!
I ne'er did think that, when thus quitting thee,
My brimful heart would have ran o'er with sorrow. [Exeunt.

home l prologues l personae l act 1 l act 2 l act 3 l act 4 l act 5 l epilogue
scene 1 l scene 2 l scene 3 l scene 4

l