SCENE VII.--AN ANTI-CHAMBER.

_Enter_ WORTIMERUS _and_ CATAGRINUS.

_Wort._ Shall we, in quiet, tamely suffer this? See our most excellent, most gentle mother, In bold defiance of all sacred laws, Thus basely treated?

_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 cause for flight.

_Wort._ Let’s to the princes, and our troops will follow. They like not the rude treatment of these Saxons!

_Cata._ I do accept thine offer.

_Enter Lords._

_2nd Lord._ Most gentle princes, whither are ye bound?

_Wort._ To quit oppression, and to seek for justice.

_3rd Lord._ Under your banners, then, we do enlist.

_Cata._ Speak! what hath now been done, that thus ye quit Your king, your country, and your weighty trust?

_2nd Lord._ The King, on th’ pretext of malady, Most basely hath divorc’d your mother from him; And means to take Rowena to his wife.

_Wort._ Gods!

_2nd Lord._ And, her proud father, Hengist, to enrich, He hath despoil’d me of mine heritage; And from my sweet, my lovely babes, cut off Their rights, and ta’en from me my vast estate.

_Wort._ Then, look you, quick repair towards our camp; Thither, in secret, we’ll convey our mother. So, fare ye well, good lords.

[_Exeunt._