_Enter_ HENGIST _and Officer_.
_Heng._ Hath Horsus yet been found?
_Off._ Thrice has the field, with greatest care, been search’d;
But all in vain.
_Heng._ Then, have I lost my first, my dearest friend:
If he be slain, by the great gods I swear,
I will revenge him on these Scottish-men.
But, whither are the princes now retir’d?
_Off._ Towards Badon Hill.
The day was bloody, and it cost us dear:
The Scots were firm, and fought us, man to man:
Four thousand souls have perish’d.
_Heng._ Good heav’ns!
_Enter another Officer._
What’s thy business?
_2nd Off._ Fourteen thousand troops have join’d our army,
And with them your fair daughter;--look, she comes!
_Enter_ ROWENA.
_Row._ (_Kneeling._) O! joy once more to see my father’s face.
_Heng._ Rise, rise, my child!
_Row._ First with my kisses let me dew this hand,
And round a father’s neck these arms entwine.
_Enter Soldier._
_Sold._ From London, Vortigern is on his march;
And comes, in haste, to greet your late success.
_Heng._ ’Tis well! go straight, put all in readiness.
Retire! I would be private with my daughter.
_Off._ We obey, my lord.
[_Exeunt Officers._
_Heng._ Daughter, thou heard’st but now o’th’ King’s approach.
_Row._ Your officer so express’d it!
_Heng._ True! and dost hear, much rests with thee to act.
_Row._ If aught, dear father, my poor services
Can aid thee, but command, and I’ll obey.
_Heng._ Thus then it is:--I shall prepare a feast,
And greet the King with joy and merriment.
Women, I know, have very many ways,
And subtle traps, to catch the hearts of men:
So practice all your wiles to win his love.
_Row._ But should I fail?
_Heng._ Nay, fear it not; his nature well I know.
Come to my tent, and there we’ll weigh this business.
[_Exeunt._