Volume Viii Part 55 (1/2)

HUB. When all these fields were walks for rage and fear: This howling like a head of hungry wolves,[338]

That, scudding as a herd of frighted deer: When dust, arising like a coal-black fog, From friend divided friend, join'd foe to foe, Yet neither those nor these could either know; Till here and there, through large wide-mouthed wounds, Proud life, even in the glory of his heat Losing possession, belch'd forth streams of blood, Whose spouts in falling made ten thousand drops, And with that purple shower the dust allay'd-- At such a time met I the trembling maid; Seeming a dove from all her fellows parted-- Seen, known, and taken; unseen and unknown To any other that did know us both, At her entreats I sent her safely guided To Dunmow Abbey; and the guide return'd a.s.sures me she was gladfully receiv'd, Pitied, and in his sight did take her oath.

FITZ. Hubert, for this thy honourable deed I and my house will reverence thy name.

HUB. Yet, I beseech you, hide it from the king; At least that I convey'd her to the place.

_Enter_ KING, MOWBRAY, CHESTER.

FITZ. Hubert, I will.

KING. What, stand they still on terms?

LEI. On honourable terms, on terms of right.

Our lives without our liberty we scorn.

KING. You shall have life and liberty, I swear.

LEI. Then Leicester bows his knee to his liege lord, And humbly begs his highness to beware Of wronging innocence, as he hath done.

RICH. The like Richmond desires, and yields his sword.

KING. I do embrace ye both, and hold myself Richer by a whole realm in having you.

FITZ. Much is my wrong; yet I submit with these, Begging free leave to live a private life.

KING. Old brands of malice in thy bosom rest: Thou shalt have leave to leave me, never doubt.

Fitzwater, see thou s.h.i.+p thee straight for France, And never set thy foot on English sh.o.r.e, Till I repeal thee. Go, go hence in peace.

LEI. Why doth your highness wrong Fitzwater thus?

KING. I right his wrong; he's weary of the land.

RICH. Not of the land, but of a public life.

KING. Content ye, lords: in such quick times as these We must not keep a drone among our bees.

FITZ. I am as glad to go as you to send: Yet I beseech this favour of your grace, That I may see Matilda, ere I part.

KING. Matilda! see Matilda, if thou canst, Before sunset: stay not another day.

FITZ[339]. The abbey-walls, that shroud my happy child, Appear within her hapless father's sight.

Farewell, my sovereign, Leicester, Richmond, lords: Farewell to all; grief gives no way to words.

KING. Fitzwater, stay: lords, give us leave awhile.

Hubert, go you before unto the abbess, And signify our coming. Let her bring Matilda to her father. (_Exit_ HUBERT.) Come, old man; Be not too froward, and we shall be friends.

About this girl our mortal jars began, And, if thou wilt, here all our quarrel ends.

FITZ. Reserve my honour and my daughter's fame, And no poor subject that your grace commands Shall willinger submit, obey, and serve.

KING. Do then but this. Persuade thy beauteous child To leave the nunnery and return to court, And I protest from henceforth to forswear All such conceits of l.u.s.t as I have borne.

FITZ. I will, my lord, do all that I may do; But give me leave in this to doubt of you.

KING. This small thing grant, and ask me anything; Or else die in exile, loath'd of the king.

FITZ. You shall perceive I will do what I may.

_Enter on the wall_, ABBESS, MATILDA. _Re-enter_ HUBERT.