SCENE VIII.

_Enter_ AURELIUS, UTER, PASCENTIUS, _and_ FLAVIA.

_Aur._ Though bloody battle calls us forth again, I’ll rather part with life, with all on earth, Than leave thee, Flavia, unprotected.

_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 morn.

_Aur._ Then be it so.

_Pas._ And yet I must not ’gainst my father arm!

_Fla._ Indeed, thou’dst arm against thy sister, too! Who would protect me, then, or calm my fear? Who sit, and tell me tales of hope? O! no one. It were too much; you cannot, must not, leave me.

_Enter Officer._

_Off._ Two sons of Vortigern do crave admittance.

_Enter_ WORTIMERUS _and_ CATAGRINUS.

_Wort._ My brother and my sister here!

_Cata._ O! joy unthought of! oh! unlook’d-for bliss!

_Fla._ Say; speak! how fares it with my gentle mother?

_Wort._ Beseech thee, ask me not of her sad story.

_Fla._ Sad, say’st thou? Heav’n forefend! she is not dead?

_Wort._ Calm thyself, dear sister, she lives still.

_Fla._ O! where, where? tell me; that, with these moist tears, I may rain comfort on her wounded soul.

_Wort._ Let us retire.