SCENE V.--A WOOD.

_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._