SCENE III.--_The English Camp before Dunbar.

_Enter the_ KING OF ENGLAND, LORD PERCY, SAMLES, _and others._

_K. of Eng._[291] Thus far, ye English peers, have we display'd Our waving ensigns with a happy war; Thus nearly hath our furious rage reveng'd My daughter's death upon the traitorous Scot. And now before Dunbar our camp is pitch'd; Which, if it yield not to our compromise, The plough shall furrow where the palace stood, And fury shall enjoy so high a power That mercy shall be banish'd from our swords.

_Enter_ DOUGLAS _and others on the walls._

_Doug._ What seeks the English king?

_K. of Eng._ Scot, open those gates, and let me enter in: Submit thyself and thine unto my grace, Or I will put each mother's son to death, And lay this city level with the ground.

_Doug._ For what offence, for what default of ours, Art thou incens'd so sore against our state? Can generous hearts in nature be so stern To prey on those that never did offend? What though the lion, king of brutish race, Through outrage sin, shall lambs be therefore slain? Or is it lawful that the humble die Because the mighty do gainsay the right? O English king, thou bearest in thy crest The king of beasts, that harms not yielding ones: The roseal cross is spread within thy field, A sign of peace, not of revenging war. Be gracious, then, unto this little town; And, though we have withstood thee for awhile To show allegiance to our liefest liege, Yet, since we know no hope of any help, Take us to mercy, for we yield ourselves.

_K. of Eng._ What, shall I enter, then, and be your lord?

_Doug._ We will submit us to the English king. [_They descend, open the gates, and humble themselves_.

_K. of Eng._ Now life and death dependeth on my sword: This hand now rear'd, my Douglas, if I list, Could part thy head and shoulders both in twain; But, since I see thee wise and old in years, True to thy king, and faithful in his wars, Live thou and thine. Dunbar is too-too small To give an entrance to the English king: I, eagle-like, disdain these little fowls, And look on none but those that dare resist. Enter your town, as those that live by me: For others that resist, kill, forage, spoil. Mine English soldiers, as you love your king, Revenge his daughter's death, and do me right. [_Exeunt_.