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.

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._