Vortigern Studies Index

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SCENE IV. - ANOTHER PART OF THE FIELD.

Enter FLAVIA and PASCENTIUS.

Pas. Be of good cheer; tho' they have lost the day,
Yet was the victory most dearly bought:
The Scots, too, in good order, have retir'd.

Enter HORSUS.

Hor. Say, what's thy business in this bloody field,
And who's the maid that bears thee company ?
It should seem, that thou hast fought and conquer'd;
And hast, in triumph, seiz'd on this fair prize.

Pas. I, sir, am her protector.

Hor. If thou'lt resign her, here is gold for thee.

Pas. Although my peasant habit, shows me poor,
Yet covers it a soul that boldly scorns thee:
I am a Briton, sir, will that suffice thee ?

Hor. Vile stripling! dost thou know me ?

Pas. I do not.

Hor. Thou shalt repent this!

Pas. Approach her not, if yet thou lov'st thyself.

Hor. Thy lack of years doth save thee from my wrath:
Thou beardless boy, who thus doth ape the man,
Once more, I tell thee! -

Fla. 0, Pascentius! 0, my brother!

Pas. Fear naught, he shall not harm thee, gentle Flavia.
(To Horsus.) Insolent, presumptuous slave! what wouldst
thou?

Hor. I'll make thee dearly answer for thy rashness.

[They fight, and Horsus falls.

Oh! I am wounded! speak, what is thy name ?
But thou art brave, and I forgive thee this :
Good youth, approach, I fain would tell thee something:
But 0 ! I'm faint, death's cold and heavy hand
Doth rest like ice upon my parting soul.
Go to the king, I pray thee,
Bid him beware of Hengist. [Dies.

Pas. I now lament the deed that I have done.

Fla. 0! sadly doth repentance sit on us.

Pas. How soon this lord of the creation dies;
The errant'st coward now may spurn him!

Fla. Sure, he did make some mention of our father,
And bade us tell him to beware of Hengist.

Pas. Something, methinks, he spoke to that effect:
This, must our parent know. [Exeunt.

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