Vortigern; an historical play

_Con._ Good Vortigern! as peace doth bless our isle, And the loud din of war no more affrights us, And as my soul hath plac’d thee next herself, ’Tis our desire that thou deny’s...

_Fla._ “My dearest mother! why let watery grief, “Like a corroding and slow malady, “Nip thus the fairest and most beauteous form “That bounteous nature, in her happiest mood, “...

_Vor._ Thus far, then, have my deeds a sanction found; For still each morn doth the resplendent sun Dart forth its golden rays, to grace my sight. O what an inconsistent thing i...

_Con._ Place here the light. Now hasten to the hall, And unto Vortigern present this ring, Pledge of my sacred friendship, and alliance. Tell him, I fain would see him in the mo...

_Vor._ O! this preposterous and inhuman act, Doth stir up pity in the blackest hell. Heav’n’s aspect did foretell some ill this night; For each dread shrieking minister of darkn...

_Vor._ Oh! my thrice noble and right worthy peers, We now are met upon the heaviest summons That ever yet did occupy our thoughts: The sparkling drop which graces every eye, And...

_Vor._ How stands it now?--then am I but protector? Oh! ’tis an attribute my soul abhors, To sovereignty a pander and a slave, That looks with wistful eyes upon the crown, And d...

_Pas._ My Flavia say! What is’t hath ruffled thus thy gentle bosom? I fear our father hath occasion’d this; For late, as passing through the hall I saw him, He paced to and fro...

_Aur._ Even so, good Uter, stands it with myself; Nay, an thou yearn’st to see thy native land, How is it, then, with me, that there have left The jewel of my soul, my dearest F...

_Mes._ E’en so did they instruct for weighty reasons. “Know, Vortigern did alway hate the Scots; “And ofttimes hath, during thy father’s reign, “Fram’d laws, most burthensome un...

_Vor._ Peace, then; and with thy words, whet not, I pray, That wrath, which kindles sore within my breast! Again, dost hear me, bid thy tongue be silent, ’Twere better else, tho...

_Pas._ Speak, dearest sister, say, how fares it with thee? For those soft limbs were form’d for gentler usage; But cheer thee up, my Flavia; whilst I’m with thee, Thou must not...

_Vor._ To you have been explain’d our late despatches: Say; did we not invite these princes home, And tender them the crown? Yet do we find They come with foreign aid and civil...

_Aur._ O, dearest soil! bless’d mother earth! hail to thee! Fain would my feet play wanton on thy breast, And skip with joy to tread thee once again. ’Tis not to wound thee that...

_Vor._ Give me thy hand, brave general; and with it, Exchange we mutually a soldier’s faith. Here let our British troops in friendship join, And with the Saxons share our presen...

_Pas._ Why, sister, thus should grief usurp thy cheek? O mingle not so much of lily die With thy sweet, rosy blood: thou’rt cold as death: Pine not in silence thus!

_Edm._ Nay, get thee gone: a maid, and still so false! Go to, live I not yet? Am I, then, call’d? And hath my sweetheart, death, yet fondly clasp’d me: Say, hath the heavy passi...

_Aur._ Go you before, and swift I’ll follow. Now to thy care, my dearest friend, I trust Thy beauteous sister, and my sweetest love. Should victory proclaim the day our own, All...

Now, O, ye gods! prove to my pray’r propitious, And yield me but the victory this day. A mightier force I’ve summon’d to this isle, And with them my fair daughter will arrive. I...

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 t...

_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 reti...

_Heng._ Thou sentest for me, noble sir, to fight; I have done naught, save that I promis’d: Had I play’d other than the soldier’s part, Then had I tarnish’d the true Saxon name.

_Cata._ Do they, then, think our substance form’d of flint? Or that our hearts are adamant itself? Where is our brother?--where our dearest sister? I fear, indeed, they had just...

_Uter._ Hengist hath pitch’d on t’other side of Badon: The noise of arms, and distant hum of soldiers, Bespeak their hasty preparation. ’Twere best to attack them early in the m...

_Heng._ All, all is lost! Fly, fly, to the king’s tent! Bid him to London speedily repair. Away, away! tarry not, on your life. A curse upon his sons for quitting us! Should the...

_Vor._ My friend, thou’rt in the right. To arms, then,--out. Bring me my burnish’d shield, my weighty axe, And man the northern gate; let every bell Sound forth its brazen peal,...

_Edm._ And yet there was a maid that once did love me: Heigho! she went alack! I know not whither: Thou ne’er didst see her; else what I shall say, Methinks, would make thee vai...

_Off._ Two thousand, full well arm’d; and braver men Ne’er buckled on their limbs the glitt’ring steel. O! what a sight it was to see the King! No sooner had he reach’d the brid...

_Aur._ I bade them with their gentle mother stay; For much ’twould have offended righteous heaven, If, ’gainst their father, they had join’d with us. For here there always is a...

_Vor._ As with their bloods I stain’d my reeking blade, From summit of the tow’r, the raven croak’d; Th’ heavy-wing’d crow did chatter o’er my head, And seem’d to bear black lau...