_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.
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._ O, Pascentius! O, 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 O! 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._ O! 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._