A A = 1^^ o A = c/-. - =^ cz u = == D= m =^ 33 3 m o ^ 7 ^ > A — ^^M. 1 6 m :^= 3> 8 = 5 = 1 6 = Scott Halidon Hill; a Dramatic Sketch, from Scottish History HALIDON HILL; DRAMATIC SKETCH. JiY Sin WALTEK SCOTT, Baut. ^'ricf 6s. "v HALIDON HILL; DRAMATIC SKETCH, FROM SCOTTISH HISTORY BY Sir WALTER, SCOTT, Bart. Knights, squires, and steeds, shall enter on the stage." Exmy on Cnticwn. EDINBURGH : PRINTED FOR ARCHIBALD COxNSTABLE AND CO., EDINBURGH ; AND HUEST, ROBINSON, AND CO. LONDON. 1822. -4 PR, S315 H'5 TO JOANNA BAILLIE, AT WHOSE INSTANCE THE TASK WAS UNDERTAKEN, CJest ^ttnt& are ^nstriJiieb, AS A SLIGHT TESTIMONY OF THE AUTHOR''s HIGH RESPECT FOR HER TALENTS, AS WELL AS OF HIS SINCERE AND FAITHFUL FRIENDSHIP. 1557019 ADVERTISEMENT. Though the Public seldom takes much interest in such communications, (nor is there any reason why they should,) the Author takes the liberty of stating, that these scenes were commenced with the purpose of contributing to a miscellany pro- jected by a much esteemed friend. But instead of being confined to a scene or two as intended, the work gradually swelled to the size of an inde- pendent publication. It is designed to illustrate military antiquities, and the manners of chivalry. The Drama (if it can be termed one) is in no par- ticular either designed or calculated for the stage ; so that, in case any attempt shall be made to pro- 8 ADVERTISEMENT. cluce it in action, (as has happened in similar cases,) the Author takes the present opportunity to inti- mate, that it shall be solely at the peril of those who make such an experiment. The subject is to be found in Scottish history ; but, not to overload so slight a publication with antiquarian research, or quotations from obscure chronicles, may be sufficiently illustrated by the following passage from Pinkerton's History of Scotland, vol. I. p. 71. " The Governor (anno 1402) dispatched a con- siderable force under Murdac, his eldest son ; the Earls of Angus and INloray also joined Douglas, who entered England with an army often thousand men, carrying terror and devastation to the walls of Newcastle. " Henry IV. was now engaged in the Welch war against Owen Glendour ; but the Earl of Northum- berland, and his son, the Hotspur Percy, with the ADVERTISEMENT. 9 Earl of JMarcli. collected a numerous array, and awaited the return of the Scots, impeded ^vith spoil, near ^Milficld, in the north part of Xorthumber- land. Douirlas had reached \Vooler, in his return : and. perceiving the enemy, seized a strong post be- tween the two armies, called Homildon-hill. In this method he rivalled his predecessor at the battle of Otterburn, but not with like success. The Eng- lish advanced to the assault, and Henry Percv was about to lead them up the hill, when jNlarch caught his bridle, and advised him to advance no farther, but to pour the dreadful shower of English arrows into the enemy. This advice was followed with the usual fortune ; for in all ages the bow was the English weapon of victory, and though ihe Scots, and perhaps the French, were superior in the use of the spear, yet this weapon was useless after the distant bow had decided the combat. Robert the Great, sensible of this at tlie battle of Banockburn, ordered a prepared detachment of cavalry to rush 10 ai)vi'.iitist:mi:nt. aiiioiii;- tlie Englisli archers at the comineiiceinent, totally to disperse them, and stop the deadly effu- sion, lint Donglas now used no such precaution ; and the conse([uence was, that his people, drawn up on tlie face of the hill, presented one general mark to the enemy, none of whose arrows descended in vain. The Scots fell without fight, and unrevcn- ged, till a spirited knight, Swinton, exclaimed aloud, * O my brave countrymen ! what fascination has seized you to-day, that you stand like deer to be shot, instead of indulging your ancient courage, and meeting your enemies hand to hand ? Let those who will, descend with me, that we may gain victoi-y, or life, or fall like men.' This being heard by Adam Gordon, between whom and Swinton there existed an ancient deadly feud, attended with the mutual slaughter of many followers, he instant- ly fell on his knees before Swinton, begged his par- don, and desired to be dubbed a knight by him whom he must now regard as the wisest and the ADVr.KTISKMENT. 11 boldest of that order in Britain. The ceremony performed, Swinton and Gordon descended the hill, accompanied only by one hundred men ; and a des- perate valour led the whole body to death. Had a similar spirit been shewn by the Scottish army, it is probable that the event of the day would have been different. Douglas, who was certainly defi- cient in the most important qualities of a general, seeing his army begin to disperse, at length at- tempted to descend the hill ; but the English arch- ers, retiring a little, sent a flight of arrows so sharp and strong, that no armour could withstand ; and the Scottish leader himself, whose panoply was of remarkable temper, fell under five wounds, though not mortal. The English men-of-arms, knights, or squires, did not strike one blow, but remained spectators of the rout, which was now complete. Great numbers of Scots were slain, and near five hundred perished in the river Tweed upon their flight. ^Vmong the illustrious were Douglas, whose 12 AOVRllTISEMENT. chief wound deprived liim of an eye ; Murdae, son of Albany ; llie Ivirls of iMoiay and ^Vngus ; and about four gentlemen of eminent rank and power. The chief shiin were, Swinton, Gordon, Livingston of Calender, Ramsay of Dalhousie, Walter Sin- clair, Roger Gordon, AValter Scott, and others. Such was the issue of the unfortunate battle of Homildon." It may be proper to observe, that the scene of action has, in the following pages, been transfer- red from Homildon to Halidon Hill. For this there was an obvious reason, for who would again venture to introduce upon the scene the celebra- ted Hotspur, who commanded the English at the former battle ? There are, however, several coin- cidences which may reconcile even the severer antiquary to the substitution of Halidon Hill for Homildon. A Scottish army was defeated by the English on both occasions, and under nearly the same circumstances of address on the part -of the ADVKRTISEMENT. 13 victors, and mismanagement on that of the van- quished, for the English long-bow decided the day in both cases. In both cases, also, a Gordon was left on the field of battle ; and at Halidon, as at Homildou, the Scots were commanded by an ill- fated representative of the great House of Dou- glas. He of Homildon was surnamed Tine-rumi, i. e. Lose-mcm, from his repeated defeats and mis- carriages, and, with all the personal valour of his race, seems to have enjoyed so small a portion of their sagacity, as to be unable to learn military experience from reiterated calamity. I am far, however, from intimating, that the traits of imbe- cility and envy, attributed to the Regent in the following sketch, are to be historically ascribed either to the elder Douglas of Hiilidon Hill, or to him called Tine-man ; who seems to have enjoy- ed the respect of his countrymen, notwithstand- ing that, like the celebrated Anne de Montmo- rency, he was either defeated, or wounded, or made 14 ADVKliTISF.Mr.N I'. prisoiuT in every battle wliicli he I'oiifjlit. The Kcgent of the skctcli is a character purely imagi- nary. The tradition of the Svvinton family, which still survives in a lineal descent, and to which the au- thor has the honour to be related, avers, that the Swinton who fell at Ilomildoii in the manner nar- rated in the preceding extract, had slain Gordon's father ; which seems sufficient ground for adopting that circumstance into the following Dramatic Sketch, though it is rendered improbable by other authorities. If any reader will take the trouble of looking at Froissart, Fordun, or other historians of the period, he will find, that the character of the Lord of Swinton for strength, courage, and con- duct, is by no means exaggerated. HALIDON HILL. DRAMATIS PERSONiE. Scottish Chiefs and Nobles. SCOTTISH. The Regent of Scotland. Gordon, SwiNTON, Lennox, Sutherland, Ross, Maxwell, Johnstone, LiNDESAY, Adam de Vipont, a Knight Templar. The Prior of Maison-Dieu. Reynald, Stvintori's Squire. Hob Hattely, a Border Moss-Trooper. Heralds. ENGLISH. King Edward III. Chandos, Percy, Ribaumont, The Abbot of Walthamstow. English and Norman Nobles. HALIDON HILL. A C T I. SCENE I. The northern side of the eminence of' Halidon. The back Scene represents the summit of the ascent, occupied by the Rear-guard of the Scottish Army. Bodies of arm- ed Men appear as advancing from different points to join the main Body. Enter Dk Vipont and the Prior of Maison-Dieu. VIPONT. No farther, Father — here I need no guidance — I have already brought your peaceful step Too near the verge of battle. 20 HAI^IDON 1IILI-. ACT I. ruiou. Fain would I sec you join some JJaron's banner, Before I say farewell. The honoured sword That fought so well in Syria, sliould not wave Amid the ii^noble crowd. VIPONT. Each spot is noble in a pitched field, So that a man has room to fight and fall on't. But I shall find out friends. 'Tis scarce twelve years Since I left Scotland for the wars of Palestine, And then the flower of all the Scottish nobles Were known to me ; and I, in my degree, Not all unknown to them. PEIOR. Alas ! there have been changes since that time ; The Royal Bruce, with Randolph, Douglas, Grahame, Then shook in field the banners which now moulder Over their graves i' the chancel. VIPONT. And thence comes it. That while I look"'d on many a well-known crest SCENE 1. HALIDON HILL. 21 And blazon'd shield, as hitherward we came, The faces of the Barons who displayed them Were all unknown to me. Brave youths they seemM ; Yet, surely fitter to adorn the tilt-yard, Than to be leaders of a war. Their followers. Young like themselves, seem like themselves unpractised — Look at their battle-rank. PRIOR. I cannot gaze on't with undazzled eye. So thick the rays dart back from shield and helmet, And sword and battle-axe, and spear and pennon. Sure "'tis a gallant show ! The Bruce himself Hath often conquered at the head of fewer And worse appointed followers. VIPONT. Ay, but 'twas Bruce that led them. Reverend Father, 'Tis not the falchion's weight decides a combat ; It is the strong and skilful hand that wields it. Ill fate, that we should lack the noble King, And all his champions now ! Time calFd them not, «« HAI.IDON HILT-. a(T i. For when I parted hence for Palestine, Tlie brows of most were free from grizzled hair. PRIOR. Too true, alas ! liut well you know, in Scotland, Few hairs are silver'd underneath the helmet ; 'Tis cowls like mine which hide them. 'Mongst the laity, War"'s the rash reaper, who thrusts in his sickle Before the grain is white. In threescore years And ten, which I have seen, I have outlived AVell nigh two generations of our nobles. The race which holds yon summit is the third. VIPONT. Thou may'st outlive them also. PRIOI?. Heaven forefend ! My prayer shall be, that Heaven will close my eyes, Before they look upon the wrath to come. VIPONT. Retire, retire, good Father ! — Pray for Scotland — ' Think not on me. Here comes an ancient friend. SCENE I. HAI.IDON HILL. 23 Brother in arms, with whom to-day I'll join me. Back to your choir, assemble all your brotherhood, And weary Heaven with prayers for victory. PRICE. Heaven''s blessing rest with thee, Champion of Heaven, and of thy suffering country ! [Eojit Prior. Vipont draws a little aside, and lets doxon the beaver of Ms helmet. Enter Swi^Toyi,Jbllozoed hy Reynald and Others, to whom he speaJcs as he enters. SWINTON. Halt here, and plant my pennon, till the Regent Assign our band its station in the host. REYNALD. That must be by the Standard. We have had That right since good Saint David's reign at least. Fain would I see the Marcher would dispute it. SWINTOX. Peace, Reynald ! Where the general plants the soldier. There is his place of honour, and there only 24 II Ml DON II 11,1.. ACT r. His valour can win worsliip. 'J'hou'rt of tliose, AV'lio Mould liave war's deep art bear the wild bumbliUicc Of some disordered hunting, where, pell-mell, Each trusting to the swiftness of his horse, Gallants press on to see the quarry fall. Yon steel-clad Southrons, lleynjild, .arc no deer ; And England's Edward is no stag at bay. viPONT {advanc'mg). There needed not, to blazon forth the Swinton, His ancient burgonet, the sable Boar ChainVl to the gnarled oak, — nor his proud step, Nor giant stature, nor the ponderous mace. Which only he of Scotland's realm can wield : His discipline and wisdom mark the leader, As doth his frame the champion. Hail, brave Swinton ! SWINTON. Brave Templar, thanks ! Such your crossed shoulder speaks you; But the closed visor, which conceals your features, Forbids more knowledge, llmfraville, perhaps SCENE I. HALIDON HILL. 25 viPONT {unclosing his helmet). No ; one less worthy of our sacred Order. Yet, unless Syrian suns have scorch'd my features Swart as ray sable visor, Alan Swinton Will welcome Symon Vipont. SWINTON {embracing^ him). As the blithe reaper Welcomes a practised mate, when the ripe harvest Lies deep before him, and the sun is high. Thou'lt follow yon old pennon, wilt thou not ? 'Tis tatter'd since thou saw'st it, and the Boar-heads Look as if brought from off some Christmas board, Where knives had notched them deeply. VIPONT. Have with them nevertheless. The Stuart's Chequer, The Bloody Heart of Douglas, Ross's Lymphads, Sutherland's Wild-cats, nor the royal Lion, Rampant in golden tressure, wins me from them. We'll back the Boar-heads bravely. I see round them A chosen band of lances — some well known to me. Where's the main body of thy followers ? ii6 IIALIDON IIII,L. ACT SWINTOK. Symon de Vipont, tliou dost see them all That Swintoirs bugle-liorn can call to battle, However loud it rings. There's not a boy Left in my halls, whose arm has strength enough To bear a sword — there''s not a man behind, However old, who moves without a staff'. Striplings and greybeards, every one is here. And here all should be — Scotland needs them all ; And more and better men, were each a Hercules, And yonder handful centuplied. VIPONT. A thousand followers — such, with friends and kinsmen, Allies and vassals, thou wert wont to lead— A thousand followers shrunk to sixty lances In twelve years' space ! — And thy brave sons. Sir Alan, Alas ! I fear to ask. SWINTON. All slain, De Vipont. In my empty home A puny babe lisps to a widow'd mother. SCENE I. HALIDON HILT, 27 " Where is my grandsire ? wherefore do you weep ?"" But for that prattler, Lyulph's house is heirless. I'm an old oak, from which the foresters Have hew'd four goodly boughs, and left beside me Only a sapling, which the fawn may crush As he springs over it. VIPONT. All slain — alas ! SWINTON. Ay, all, De Vipont. And their attributes, John with the Long Spear — Archibald with the Axe — Richard the Ready — and my youngest darling, My Fair-haired William — do but now survive In measures which the grey-hair'd minstrels sing. When they make maidens weep. VIPONT. These wars with England, they have rooted out The flowers of Christendom. Knights, who might win The sepulchre of Christ from the rude heathen. Fall in unholy warfare ! ^ HALIDON HILL. MT I. SWINTOK. Unholy warfare ? ay, well hast thou named it ; Itut not with England — would her cloth-yard shafts Had bored their cuirasses ! Their lives had been Lost like their grandsire's, in the bold defence Of their dear country — but in private feud With the proud Gordoii, fell my Long-spear'd John, He with the Axe, and he men calfd the Jleady, Ay, and my Fair-hair''d Will — the Gordon's wrath Devoured my gallant issue. VJPOXT. Since thou dost weep, their death is unavenged r SWINTOX, Templar, what think'st thou me ? — See yonder rock, From which the fountain gushes — is it less Compact of adamant, though waters flow from it ? Firm hearts have moister eyes. — They cn-e avenged ; I wept not till they were — till the proud Gordon Had with his life-blood dyed my father's sword. In guerdon that he thinned my father's lineage. And then I wc})t my sons ; and, as the Gordon SCENE I. HALIDON IlILI.. 29 Lay at my feet, there was a tear for him, Which mingled with the rest. — We had been friends. Had shared the banquet and the chace together. Fought side by side, — and our first cause of strife, Woe to the pride of both, was but a Hght one. VIPONT. You are at feud, then, with the mighty Gordon ? SWINTON. At deadly feud. Here in this Border-land, Where the sire's quarrels descend upon the son. As due a part of his inheritance, As the strong castle and the ancient blazon, Where private Vengeance holds the scales of justice, Weighing each drop of blood as scrupulously As Jews or Lombards balance silver pence, Not in this land, 'twixt Solway and Saint Abb's, Rages a bitterer feud than mine and their's, The Swinton and the Gordon. VIPONT. You, with some threescore lances — and the Gordon Leading a thousand followers. 10 90 HALIDON II I 1.1 ATT I. SWINTON. You rate him far too low. Since you sought Talcstine, lit- hath liad grants of baronies and h)rd8hi])s In tlie far-distant Nortli. A tliousand liorse I lis soutliern friends and vassals always numbered. ,Vcld iiadenoch kerne, and horse from Dee and Spey, He'll count a thousand more. — And now, l)e Vipont, If the lioar-heads seem in your eyes less worthy, For lack of followers — seek yonder standard — The bounding Stag, with a brave host aroimd it ; • 'J'hcre the young Gordon makes his earliest field, And pants to win his spurs. His father's friend, As well as mine, thou wert — go, join his pennon, And grace him with thy presence. VIPONT. When you were friends, I was the friend of both. And now I can be enemy to neither ; Jiut my poor person, though but slight the aid, Joins on this field the banner of the two AVhich hath the smallest following. o SCKNE I. HALIDON HILL. SI SWINTON. Spoke like the generous Knight, who gave up all, Leading and lordship, in a heathen land To fight a Christian soldier — yet, in earnest, I pray, De Vipont, you would join the Gordon In this high battle. 'Tis a noble youth, So fame doth vouch him, — amorous, quick, and valiant ; Takes knighthood, too, this day, and well may use His spurs too rashly in the wish to win them. A friend like thee beside him in the fight, Were worth a hundred spears, to rein his valour And temper it with prudence : — 'tis the aged eagle Teaches his brood to gaze upon the svm, With eye undazzled. VIPONT. Alas, brave Swinton ! Wouldst thou train the hunter That soon must bring thee to the bay ? Your custom, Your most unchristian, savage, fiend-like custom, Binds Gordon to avenge his father's death. >: !2 HAM DON II I M.. ACT 1. SNVINTON. Why, be it so ! I look for nothing else : j\lv J);' It \vas acted Avhen I slew his father. Avenging my four sons — Young Gordon's sword. If it should find my licart, can ne'er inflict there A pang so poignant as his fatlier's did. 13ut I would perish by a noble hand. And such will his be if he bear him nobly, Nobly and wisely on this field of Ilalidon. Ente?- a Pursuivant. PURSUIVANT. Sir Knights, to council ! — ^"tis the llegent's order, That knights and men of leading meet him instantly Before the royal standard. Edward's army Is seen from the hill-summit. SWINTON. Say to the Regent, we obey his orders. [Ea-if Pursuivant. SCENE I. HAI.1D0N TTTM.. 33 [To Reynald.] Hold thou my casque, and furl my pennon up Close to the staft'. I will not shew my crest, Nor standard, till the common foe shall challenge them. I'U wake no civil strife, nor tempt the Gordon With aught that's like defiance. VIPONT. Will he not know your features ? SWINTON. He never saw me. In the distant North, Ajrainst his will 'tis said, his friends detained him During his nurture — caring not, belike, To trust a pledge so precious near the Boar-tusks. It was a natural but needless caution : I wage no war with children, for I think Too deeply on mine own. VIPONT. I have thought on it, and will see the Gordon As we go hence to council. I do bear 34 llALIDON 11 II. I.. ACT I. A cross, wliich binds luc to he ( 'liristian priest. As well as Christian champion, (iod may grant, That I, at once his father's friend and yours, May make some peace betwixt you. SWINTON. When that your priestly zeal, and knightly valour, Shall force the grave to render up the dead. [Exeunt seirrally. SCENE II. HALIDON HILL. 35 SCENE IL The summit of Halidon Hill, before the Regents Tent. The Royal Standard of Scotland is seeii in the hack ground, with the Pennons and Banners of the prin- cipal Nobles around it. Council of Scottish Nobles and Chiefs. Sutherland, Ross, Lennox, Maxwell, and other Nobles of the highest rank, are close to the Regent's person, and in the act of keen debate. Vipont, with Gordon and others, 7'emain grouped at some distance on the right hand of the Stage. On the left, standing also apart, is Swinton, alone and bare-headed. The No- bles are dressed in Highland or Lowland habits, as historical costume requires. Trumpets, Heralds, S^c. are in attendance. LENNOX. Nay, Lordings, put no shame upon my counsels. I did but say, if we retired a little, 30 llAMDON llll-L. ACT I. Wc hliuukl have fUircr Ik-Id ami better vantage. IVc seen King llobert — ay, Tlie liruce himself — Retreat six leagues in length, and think no shame on't. REGENT. Ay, but King Edward sent a haughty message, Defying us to battle on this field, This very hill of Halidon ; if wc leave it Unfought withal, it squares not with our honour. swiNTON (cipart.) A perilous honour, that allows the enemy, And such an enemy as this same Edward, To choose our field of battle ! He knows how To make our Scottish pride betray its master Into the pitfall. [During- this speech the debate among the Nobles seems to continue. SUTHERLAND (aloU^.) We will not back one furlong — not one yard. No, nor one inch ; where"'er we find the foe. Or where the foe finds us, there will wc fight him. SCENE II. HALIDON HILL. 37 Retreat will dull the spirit of our followers, Who now stand prompt for battle. ROSS. My Lords, methinks great Morarchat has doubts, That, if his Northern clans once turn the seam Of their checked hose behind, it will be hard To halt and rally them. SUTHERLAND. Say'st thou, MacDonell ? — Add another falsehood, And name when Morarchat was coward or traitor ! Thine island race, as chronicles can tell, Were oft aiSanced to the Southron cause ; Loving the weight and temper of their gold, More than the weight and temper of their steel. REGENT. Peace, my Lords, ho ! ROSS {throwing down his Glove.) MacDonell will not peace ! There lies my pledge, Proud Morarchat, to witness thee a liar. ii8 IIALIDON llll-f.. A' ' '• MAXWELL. Brouglit I all Nitlisdalc from the Wcstcm Border ; Left I my towers exposed to foraying I^ngland, And thieving Annandalc, to sec sucli misrule ? JOHNSTONE. Who Bpeaks of Annandalc ? Dare Maxwell .slander The gentle House of Lochrood ? REGENT. Peace, Lordings, once again. We represent The Majesty of Scotland — in our presence Brawling is treason. SUTHERLAND. Were it in presence of the King himself, "What should prevent my saying Enter Lindesay. LINDESAY. You nuist determine quickly. Scarce a mile Parts our vanguar^l from Edward's. On the plain, Bright gleams of armour flash through clouds of dust, SCENE II. HALIDON HILL. 39 Like stars through frost-mist — steeds neigh, and weapons clash— And arrows soon will whistle — the worst sound That waits on English war. — You must determine. REGENT. We are determined. We will spare proud Edward Half of the ground that parts us. — Onward, Lords ; Saint Andrew strike for Scotland ! We will lead The middle ward ourselves, the Royal Standard Displayed beside us ; and beneath its shadow Shall the young gallants, whom we knight this day, Fight for their golden spurs. — Lennox, thouVt wise, And wilt obey command — lead thou the rear. LENNOX. The rear ! — why I the rear ? The van were fitter For him who fought abreast with Robert Bruce. swiNTON (apart.) Discretion hath forsaken Lennox too ! The wisdom he was forty years in gathering Has left him in an instant. 'Tis contagious Even to witness frenzy. 40 IIAMDON 11 IM,. ACT I. SITlll.UI.ANI). Tlie Ucgcnt liatli dotcrmiiiccl well. The rear Suits him the best who counselled our retreat. LENNOX. Proud Nortliem Thane, tlic van were soon the rear, Were thy disordered followers planted there. SUTHERLAND. Then, for that very word, I make a vow, ]Jy my broad Earldom, and my fiitlier's soul, Tliat if I have not leading of the van, I will not fight to-day ! ROSS. Morarchat ! tliou the leading of the van ! Not whilst MacDoncll lives. swiNTON {apart.) Xay, then a stone would speak. \^Addresses the Regent.] May""! please your Grace, And your"'s, great Lords, to hear an old man\s counsel. That hath seen fights enow. These open bickerings . Dishearten all our ho.st. If that your Grace, With these great Karls and Lords, must needs debate, SCENE II. IIALIDON HILL. 41 Let the closed tent conceal your disagreement ; Else 'twill be said, ill fares it witli the flock, If shepherds wrangle, when the wolf is nigh. REGENT. The old Knight counsels well. Let every Lord Or Chief, who leads five hundred men or more, Follow to council — others are excluded — We'll have no vulgar censurers of our conduct. — [LooMng" at Swinton. Young Gordon, your high rank and numerous following Give you a seat with us, though yet unknighted. GORDON. I pray you pardon me. My youth's unfit To sit in council, when that knight's grey hairs And wisdom wait without. REGENT. Do as you wiU ; we deign not bid you twice. [The Regent, Ross, Sutherland, Lennox, Maxwell, Sj-c. enter the Tent. The rest remain grouped about the Stage. 4J2 ilAMDON Jill.].. All I. i;ouDON (observinfr swiston). Tliat lu'lmctU'SS old Knight, his giant stature, His awful accents ofrt-bukc and wisdom. Have caught my fancy strangely. He doth seem , Like to some vision'd form Avhich I liave drcani'd of, But never saw with waking eyes till now. I will accost him. VJPOXT. l*ray you, do not so ; Anon ril give you reason why you should not. There's other work in hand GORDON'. I will but ask his name. There''s in his presence Something that works upon me like a spell, Or like the feeling made my childish ear Doat upon tales of superstitious dread, Attracting while they chiird my heart with fear. Now, bom the Gordon, I do feel right well I'm bound to fear nought earthly — and I fear nought. V]] know who this man is [Accosts SwiXTOK. 16 SCENE II. HALIDON HII.I.. 4-3 Sir Knight, I pray you, of your gentle courtesy, To tell your honoured name. I am ashamed, Being unknown in arms, to say that mine Is Adam Gordon. swiNTON {shews emotion^ but instantly subdues it). It is a name that soundeth in my ear Like to a death-knell — ay, and like the call Of the shrill trumpet to the mortal lists ; Yet 'tis a name which ne'er hath been dishonoured, And never will, I trust — most surely never By such a youth as thou. GORDON. There's a mysterious courtesy in this. And yet it yields no answer to my question. I trust, you hold the Gordon not unworthy To know the name he asks ? SWINTON. Worthy of all that openness and honour May shew to friend or foe — ^but, for my name, Vipont will shew it you ; and, if it sound 44 IIAMDON niLI.. An i. Harsh ill your car, remember tlmt it knells there Hut at your own request. This day, at least, Thougli seldom wont to keep it in concealment, As there's no cause I should, you had not heard it. GOllDON. This strange VI FONT. The mystery is needful. Follow me. \Thqf retire hchind the side Scene. swiNTON iJtooMng after them). 'Tis a brave youth. How blusli'd his noble cheek, "While youthful modesty, and the embarrassment Of curiosity, combined with wonder, / And half suspicion of some slight intended. All mingled iu the flush ; but soon 'twill deepen Into revenge's glow. How slow is Vlpont ! — I wait the issue, as I've seen spectators Suspend the motion even of the eye-lids, When the slow gunner, with his lighted match, Approach'd the charged cannon, in the act SCENE II. HALIDON HILL. 45 To waken its dread slumbers. — Now 'tis out ; He draws his sword, and rushes towards me, Who will nor seek nor shun him. Enter Gordon, withheld hy ViroNX. VIPONT. Hold, for the sake of heaven ! — O, for the sake Of your dear country, hold ! — Has Swinton slain your father. And must you, therefore, be yourself a parricide, And stand recorded as the selfish traitor, Who, in her hour of need, his country's cause Deserts, that he may wreak a private wrong ? — Look to yon banner — that is Scotland's standard ; Look to the Regent — he is Scotland's general ; Look to the English — they are Scotland's foe-men ! Bethink thee, then, thou art a son of Scotland, And think on nought beside. GORDON. He hath come here to brave me !— Off!— Unhand me !- 46 HALIDON I1IL1-. ACT J. Thou can'st not he inv tatlier's ancit'Ut friend, That stand'st 'twixt ntie and liim wlio slew my father. VIPONT. You know not Swinton. Scarce one passing tlionght Of his high mind was with you ; now, his soul Is fixed on this day's battle. You might slay him At unawares before he saw your blade drawn. — Stand still, and watch him close. Enter Maxsvilli. Jrom the Tent. SWINTOX. How go our councils, Maxwell, may I ask ? MAXWELL. As wild, as if the very wind and sea With every breeze and every billow battled For their precedence. SWINTOK. Most sure they are possessed ! Some evil spirit, To mock their valour, robs them of discretion. Fie, fie, upon't ! — O that Dunfermline's tomb SCENK II. HALIDON HILL. 47 Could render up The Bruce ! that Spain's red shore Could give us back the good Lord James of Douglas ! Or that fierce Randolph, with his voice of terror, AVere here, to awe these brawlers to submission ! VIPONT (to GORDON). Thou hast perused him at more leisure now. GORDON. I see the giant form which all men speak of. The stately port — but not the sullen eye, Not the blood-thirsty look, that should belong To him that made me orphan. I shall need To name my father twice ere I can strike At such grey hairs, and face of such command ; Yet my hand clenches on my falchion-hilt, In token he shall die. VIPONT. Need I again remind you, that the place Permits not private quarrel ? GORDON. Fm calm. I will not seek — nay, I will shun it — 4S IIAMDOX IIILI,. ^\iul yet im'thiuks that sutli ckbatcV tlic lasliion. . You've heard how taunts, reproaches, and the lie, Tlie lie itself, hath flown from moutli to mouth ; As if a band of peasants were disputing About a foot-ball match, rather than Chiefs Were ordering a battle. I am young. And lack experience; tell me, brave De Vipont, Is such the fashion of your wars in Palestine? VIPONT, Such it at times hath been ; and then the Cross Hath sunk before the Crescent. neaven''s cause AVon us not victory where wisdom was not. — IJehold yon English host come slowly on, AVith equal front, rank marshalFd upon rank, As if one spirit ruled one moving body ; Tlie leaders, in their places, each prepared To charge, support, and rally, as the fortune Of changful battle needs : — then look on ours, ]Jroken, di.sjointcd, as the tumbling surges Wliich the winds wake at random. Look on l)oth, And dread the issue ; — yet there might be succour. 9 All I. .sc£N£ II. HALIDON HILL. 49 GORDON. We're fearfully o^'ermatcli'd in discipline ; So even my inexperienced eye can judge. What succour save in Heaven .'' VIPONT. Heaven acts by human means. The artist's skill Supplies in war, as in mechanic crafts, Deficiency of tools. There's courage, wisdom, And skill enough, live in one leader here. As, flung into the balance, might avail To counterpoise the odds 'twixt that ruled host And our wild multitude. — I must not name him. GORDON. I guess, but dare not ask. — What band is yonder, Arranged as closely as the English discipline Hath marshaird their best files ? VIPONT. Know'st thou not the pennon ? One day, perhaps, thou It see it all too closely, — It is Sir Alan Swinton's. D rA) IIALIDON lllM,. ACT i. GOllDOX. Tlicsc, then, arc his, — the relics of liis power ; Yet worth an host of ordinary men. — And I must slay my country's sagcst leader, And crush by numbers that determined handful. When most my country needs their practised aid, (3r men will say, " There goes degenerate Gordon ; " His father's blood is on the Swinton's sword, " And his is in his scabbard !"" [Miiacs. vipoxr (apart). High blood and mettle, mix'd with early wisdom, Sparkle in this brave youth. If he survive This evil-omcn"d day, I pawn my word, That, in the ruin which I now forebode, Scotland has treasure left. — How close he eyes Each look and step of Swinton ! Is it hate, Or is it admiration, or are both f'omminglcd strangely in that steady gaze .' [Swinton rt;uZ Maxwell return from the bottom of the Stage. SCENK II. HALIDON HILL. 51 MAXWELL. The storm is laid at length amongst these counsellors ;- See, they come forth. SWINTON, And it is more than time ; For I can mark the vanguard archery Handling their quivers — bending up their bows. Enter the Regent and Scottish Lords. Regent. Thus shall it be then, smce we may no better : And, since no Lord will yield one jot of way To this high urgency, or give the vanguard Up to another's guidance, we will abide them Even on this bent ; and as our troops are rank'd. So shall they meet the foe. Chief, nor Thane, Nor Noble, can complain of the precedence Which chance has thus assigned him. s WIN TON (apart). O, sage discipline, That leaves to chance the marshalling of a battle ! 52 II \i.i i)(»N III I.I.. -^^T I. COllDON. Move him tu si>ccch, l)c Vipont. VIPONT. Move him ! — Move whom ? GORDOX. Even him, whom, but brief space since, My liand did burn to put to utter silence. VIPOXT. ril move it to him. — Swinton, speak to them, Tliey lack thy counsel sorely. SWINTON. Had I the thousand spears which once I led, I had not thus been silent. But men's wisdom Is rated by their means. From the poor leader Of sixty lances, who seeks words of weight .'' GOEDON {steps forward). Swinton, there's that of wisdom on thy brow, And valour in thine eye, and that of peril In this most urgent hour, that bids me say, — Bids me, thy mortal foe, say, — Swinton, speak, For King and Country's sake ! SCENE n. HALIDON IIILT.. 53 SWINTON. Nay, if that voice commands me, speak I will ; It sounds as if the dead lays charge on me. REGENT, {To LENNOX, with xvhom he has been consulting). 'Tis better than you think. This broad hill-side Affords fair compass for our power's display. Rank above rank rising in seemly tiers ; So that the rear-ward stands as fair and open SWINTON. As e''er stood mark before an English archer. REGENT. Who dares to say so .? — Who is't dare impeach Our rule of disciple ? SWINTON. A poor Knight of these Marches, good my Lord ; Alan of Swinton, who hath kept a house here. He and his ancestry, since the old days Of Malcolm, caUed the Maiden. REGENT. You have brought here, even to this pitched field, n t IIAMDON HILL. ^'T i. In wliicli tlif royal Haniu-r is display "d, I think some sixty spears, Sir Knight of Swiuton Our musters name no more. SWIXTOX. 1 brought each man I had ; and Chief, or Earl, Thane, Duke, or dignitary, brings no more : And with them brought I what may here be useful — An aged eye ; which, what in England, Scotland, Spain, France, and Flanders, hath seen fifty battles. And ta'en some judgment of them ; a stark hand too, Which plays as with a straw with this same mace, — Which if a young arm here can wield more lightly, I never more will oflcr word of counsel. LENNOX. Hear him, my lord; it is the noble Swinton — He hath had high experience. MAXWELL. He is noted The wisest warrior 'twixt the Tweed and Solway, — I do beseech you hear him. SCENE 11. HAT^IDON ITILL. 55 JOHNSTONE, Ay, hear the Swinton — hear stout old Sir Alan ; Maxwell and Johnstone both agree for once. REGENT. Where's your impatience now ? Late you were all for battle, would not hear Ourself pronounce a word — and now you gaze On yon old warrior, in his antique armour, As if he were arisen from the dead. To bring us Bruce's counsel for the battle. SWINTON. 'Tis a proud word to speak ; but he who fought Long under Robert Bruce, may something guess, Without communication with the dead. At what he would have counseFd. — Bruce had bidden ye Review your battle-order, marshalFd broadly Here on the bare hill-side, and bidden you mark Yon clouds of Southron archers, bearing down To the green meadow-lands which stretch beneath — The Bruce had warn'd you, not a shaft to-day ^ IIALIDON IIIIJ,. Ml I. fiut shall find mark within a Scottish bosom. If thus our field be ordered. The callow hoys, ^^'llo draw but four-foot bows, shall gull our front, While on our maiuward, and upon the rear, The cloth-yard shafts shall fall hkc death's own darts, And, though blind men discharge them, find a mark. Thus shall we die the death of slaughtered deer, Which, driven into the toils, are shot at ease By boys and women, while they toss aloft All idly and in vain their branchy horns, As we shall shake our unavailing spears. UEGENT. Tush, tell not me ! If their shot fall like hail. Our men have Milan coats to bear it out. SWINTON. Never did armourer temper steel on stithy That made sure fence against an English arrow ; A cobweb gossamer were guard as good Against a wasji-sting. KEGENT. Who fears a wasp-sting ? SCENE ir. HAI.TDON HILL. 57 SWINTON. I, my Lord, fear none ; Yet should a wise man brush the insect off, Or he may smart for it. REGENT. Well keep the hill ; it is the vantage ground When the main battle joins. SAVINTON. It ne'er will join, while their light archery Can foil our spear-men and our barbed horse. To hope Plantagenet would seek close combat When he can conquer riskless, is to deem Sagacious Edward simpler than a babe In battle-knowledge. Keep the hill, my Lord, With the main body, if it is your pleasure ; But let a body of your chosen horse Make execution on yon waspish archers. IVe done such work before, and love it well ; If 'tis your pleasure to give me the leading. The dames of Sherwood, Inglewood, and Weardale 58 II AI.IDON II I If,. ACT I. Shall sit in widowhood and long for venison. And long in vain. WhocV-r remembers Hannockhurn, — And wlicn shall Scotsman, till the last loud trumpet. Forget that stirring word ! — knows that great battle Even thus was fought and won. LENNOX. This is the shortest road to bnndy blows ; For when the bills step forth and bows go back, Then is the moment that our hardy spearmen, With their strong bodies, and their stubborn hearts, And limbs well knit by mountain exercise, At the close tug shall foil the short-breathed Southron. SWINTON. I do not say the field will thus be won ; The English host is numerous, brave, and loyal ; Their Monarch most accomplislfd in war's art, Skiird, resolute, and wary EEGENT. And if your scheme secure not victory, What does it promise us '' 17 SCENE II. HALIDON HILL. 59 SWINTON. This much at least, — Darkling we shall not die ; the peasant's shaft, Loosen'd perchance without an aim or purpose, Shall not drink up the life-blood we derive From those famed ancestors, who made their breasts This frontier's barrier for a thousand years. We'll meet these Southron bravely hand to hand, And eye to eye, and weapon against weapon ; Each man who falls shall see the foe who strikes him. While our good blades are faithful to the hilts, And our good hands to these good blades are faithful. Blow shall meet blow, and none fiiU unavenged — We shall not bleed alone. EEGENT. And this is all Your wisdom hath devised ? SWINTON. Not all ; for I would pray you, noble Lords, (If one, among the guilty guiltiest, might), 00 IIALinON JIll.L. ACT I. For this one day to chami to ten hours rest 'JMic lU'vor-dying worm of deadly feud, That truaws our vexed hearts — think no one foe Save Edward and his liost — days will remain, Ay, days by far too many \r\\l remain, To avenge old feuds or struggles for precedence ; — Let this one day be Scotland's. — For myself, If there is any here may claim from me (As well may chance) a debt of blood and liatred, My life is his to-morrow unresisting, So he to-day will let me do the best That my old arm may achieve for the dear country That*'s mother to us both. [GoEDON shcK's much emotion during this and the preceding speech of Swinton. REGENT. It is a dream — a vision ! — If one troop Rusli down upon the archers, all will follow, And order is destroyed — we'll keep the battle-rank Our fathers wont to do. No more on't. — Ho ! Where be those youths seek knighthood from our sword ? SCENE II. HALIDON HILL. Gl HERALD. Here are the Gordon, Somerville, and Hay, And Hepburn, with a score of gallants more. REGENT. Gordon, stand forth. GORDON. I pray your Grace, forgive me. REGENT. How ! seek you not for knighthood .'' GORDON. I do thirst for't. But, pardon me — 'tis from another sword. REGENT. It is your Sovereign's, — seek you for a worthier ? GORDON. Who would drink purely, seeks the secret fountain. How small soever — not the general stream. Though it be deep and wide. My Lord, I seek The boon of knighthood from the honoured weapon Of the best knight, and of the sagest leader. ii'2 HA LI DON HILL. act i. 'riiat ever <,rrac(.(l a ring ot" chivalry. — Tlii'retorc, I beg tbc boon on bcniU'd knee, Even from Sir Alan Swinton. [Knevla. IlEGENT. Degenerate boy ! Abjeet at once and insolent ! — See, Lords, lie kneels to him that slew his father ! GOKDON {starting- up.) Shame be on him who speaks such shameful word ! Shame be on him whose tongue would sow dissension, When most the time demands that native Scotsmen Forget eacb private wrong ! SWINTON (intemtpiinff him.) You til, since you crave me To be your sire in chivalr}', I remind you AVar has its duties, Office has its reverence ; AVho governs in the Sovereign"'s name is Sovereign, — Crave the Lord Itegent's pardon. GORDON. You task me justly, and I crave his pardon, [Bows to the Regent. SCENE II. HALIDON HILL. 63 His and these noble Lords'" ; and pray them all Bear witness to my words. — Ye noble presence, Here I remit unto the Knight of Swinton All bitter memory of my father's slaughter, All thoughts of malice, hatred, and revenge; By no base fear or composition moved. But by the thought, that in our country's battle All hearts should be as one. I do forgive him As freely as I pray to be forgiven. And once more kneel to him to sue for knighthood. SWINTON (cijffected, and draivlng- his sxoord.) Alas ! brave youth, 'tis I should kneel to you, And, tendering thee the hilt of the fell swqrd That made thee fatherless, bid thee use the point After thine own discretion. For thy boon — Trumpets be ready — In the Holiest name, And in Our Lady's and Saint Andrew's name, [Touching' his slwidder zcith the szcord. I dub thee Knight ! Arise, Sir Adam Gordon ! (i4 IIAMDON IirM.. ACT i. lie faithful, brave, and O be fortunate, Should this ill hour permit ! I 77 HALIDON HILL. 71 (I've trod each step by star-light), that sweeps round The rearward of this hill, and opens secretly Upon the archers' flank. — Will not that serve Your present turn. Sir Alan ? SWINTON. Bravely, bravely ! GORDON. Mount, sirs, and cry my slogan. Let all who love the Grordon foUow me ! SWINTON. Ay, let all foUow — but in silence follow. Scare not the hare that's couchant on her form — The cushat from her nest — brush not, if possible, The dew-drop from the spray — Let no one whisper, until I cry, " Havoc !" Then shout as loud's ye will. — On, on, brave Hob ; On, thou false thief, but yet most faithftil Scotsman ! END OF ACT FIRST. 72 IIALIDON III I.I,. ACT II. ACT 11. SCENE I. A rising Ground immcd'mtelij in front of' the Position of the Englisli Main Budij. Percy, Chandos, Ribau- MONT, and other English and Norman Nobles are grouped on the Stage. I'KECY. The Scots still keep the hill — The sun grows high. Would that the charge would sound ! CHANDOS. Thou sccnt'st the slaughter, Percy. — Who comes here .'' Enter the Abbot of Waltiiamstow. Now, by my lite, the holy priest of Waltiiamstow, SCENE I. HALIDON HILL. 73 Like to a lamb among a herd of wolves ! See, he's about to bleat. ABBOT. The King, methinks, delays the onset long. CHANDOS. Your general, Father, like your rat-catcher, Pauses to bait his traps, and set his snares. ABBOT. The metaphor is decent. CHANDOS. Reverend sir, I will uphold it just. Our good King Edward Will presently come to this battle-field. And speak to you of the last tilting match, Or of some feat he did a twenty years since ; But not a word of the day's work before him. Even as the artist, sir, whose name offends you. Sits prosmg o'er his can, mitil the trap fall, Announcing that the vermin are secured, And then 'tis up, and on them. ^-MY <4< HALIDON HILL act ii. I'EUCY. (liandos, you give your tongue too bold a licence. CHA>JDOS. Percy, I am a necessary evil. King Edward would not want me, if he could, And could not, if he would. I know my value. Aly licavy hand excuses my light tongue. So men wear weighty swords in their defence, .Vlthough tlicy may offend the tender shin, AVhcn the steel-boot is doffd. ABDOT. My Lord of Chandos, This is but idle speech on brink of battle, When Christian men should think upon their sins ; For as the tree falls, so the trunk must lie, IJc it for good or evil. Lord, bethink thee, Thou hast withheld from our most reverend house. The tithes of Everingham and Scttleton ; Wilt thou make satisfaction to the Church Hcfore her thunders strike thee .^ I do warn tlicc In most paternal sort. SCKNE I. HALIDON HII.L. 75 CHANDOS. I thank you, Father, filially. Though but a truant son of Holy Church, I would not chuse to undergo her censures, When Scottish blades are waving at my throat. I'll make fair composition. . ABBOT. No composition ; I'll have all or none. CHANDOS. None, then — 'Tis soonest spoke. — Fll take my chance, And trust my sinful sovd to Heaven's mercy, Rather than risk my worldly goods with thee — My hour may not be come. ABBOT. Impious — impenitent — PERCY. Hush ! the King — the King ! 76 1IAI.IDON HILL. ACT ii. Enter King Edwaed, attended bij Haliol, and others. KiXG {apart to chandos.) Hark liither, Chandos ! — Have the Yorkshire archers Vet joined the vanguard ? CHANDOS. They are marching thither. KING EDWARD. IJid them make haste, for shame — send a quick rider. — The loitering knaves, were it to steal my venison, Their steps were light enough. — How now, Sir Abbot ? Say, is your Reverence come to study with us The princely art of war ? ABBOT. I've had a lecture from my Lord of Chandos, In which he term'd your Grace a rat-catcher. KING EDWAllD. Chandos, how's this .'' scENK I. HALIDON HILT. 77 CHANDOS. O, I will prove it, sir ! — These skipping Scots Have changed a dozen times 'twixt Bruce and Baliol, Quitting each House when it began to totter ; They're fierce and cunning, treacherous, too, as rats. And we, as such, will smoke them in their fastnesses. KING EDWARD. These rats have seen your back, my Lord of Chandos, And noble Percy's too. PERCY. Ay ; but the mass which now lies weltering On yon hill side, like a Leviathan That's stranded on the shallows, then had soul in't, Order and discipline, and power of action. Now 'tis a headless corpse, which only shews. By wild convulsions, that some life remains in't, KING EDWARD. True, they had once a head ; and 'twas a wise Although a rebel head. lO IIALIDON IIIM.. ACT II. AH HOT {/)()ic}ni>- to the kixg). Would lie were here ! we should find one to match him. KING KDWARO. There's something in that wish which wakes an echo Within my bosom. Yet it is as well, Or better, that The Urucc is in his grave. We have enough of powerful foes on earth, No need to summon them from other worlds. PERCY. Your Grace ne'er met The Bruce ? KING EDWARD. Never himself; but, in my earliest field, I did encounter with his famous captains, Douglas and Randolph. Faith ! they press'd me hard. ABBOT. My liege, if I might urge you with a question, Will the Scots fight to-day '•: KING EDWARD {-sharph/). Go look your breviary. SCENE I. HALIDON HILL. 79 CHANDOS {apart). The Abbot has it — Edward will not answer On that nice point. We must observe his humour. — [Addresses the King. Your first campaign, my liege ? — That was in Weardale, When Douglas gave oiu" camp yon midnight ruffle, And turn'd men's beds to biers. KING EDWARD. Ay, by Saint Edward ! — I escaped right nearly. I was a soldier then for hohdays, And slept not in mine armour : my safe rest Was startled by the cry of Douglas ! Douglas ! And by my couch, a grisly chamberlain, Stood Alan Swinton, with his bloody mace. It was a churchman saved me — my stout chaplain. Heaven quit his spirit ! caught a weapon up, And grappled with the giant. — How now, Louis ? 80 IIALinON Fin.l.. ATT n. Enter an Officer, wJut zchhpcrs the King. KING EDWARD. Say to him, — thus — and thus \^]Vluspcrs. ABBOT. That Swinton's dead. A monk of oiu-s reported, Boimd homeward from Saint Ninian's piljjrimagc, The Lord of Gordon slew him. PERCY. Father, and if your house stood on our borders, You might liavc cause to know that Swinton hves, And is on horseback yet. CHANDOS. He slew the Gordon, That's all the difference — a very trifle. ABBOT. Trifling to those who wage a war more noble Than with the arm of flesh. SCENE!. HALTDON HILL. 81 CHANDOS {apart). The Abbot's vex'd, I'll rub the sore for him. — {Aloud.') I have used that arm of flesh, And used it sturdily — most reverend Father, What say you to the chaplain's deed of arms In the King's tent at Weardale ? ABBOT. It was most sinful, being against the canon Prohibiting all churchmen to bear weapons ; And as he fell in that unseemly guise, Perchance his soul may rue it, KING EDWARD, {overhearing the last roords). Who may rue ? And what is to be rued ? CHANDOs {apart.) I'll match his Reverence for the tithes of Everingham. — The Abbot says, my Liege, the deed was sinful By which your chaplain, wielding secular weapons. Secured your Grace's life and liberty. And that he suffers for't in purgatory. 82 IIALIDON HILL. ACT II. KTXn EDWARD, {to thc AUnOT). Sayst thou my chaplain is in purgatory ? ABBOT. It is thc canon speaks it, good my Licgc. KING EDWARD. In purgatory ! thou shalt pray him out on't, Or I will make thee wish thyself beside him. ABBOT. ]\Iy Lord, perchance his soul is past the aid Of all the church may do — there is a place From which there's no redemption. KING EDWARD. And if I thought my faithful chaplain there. Thou shouldst there join him, priest ! — Go, watch, fast, pray, And let me have such prayers as will storm Heaven — None of your maim'd and mutter \1 hunting masses. ABBOT {apart to chaxdos). For God's sake, take him off. SCENE I. HALIDON HILL. 83 CHANDOS. Wilt thou compound, then, The tithes of Everingham ? KING EDWARD. I tell thee, if thou bear'st the keys of Heaven, Abbot, thou shalt not turn a bolt with them 'Gainst any well deserving English subject. ABBOT (to CHANDOS). We will compound, and grant thee, too, a share I'the next indulgence. Thou dost need it much, And greatly 'twill avail thee. CHANDOS. Enough — we're friends, and when occasion serves, I will strike in. \^Loolis as \f towards the Scottish Army. KING EDWARD. Answer, proud Abbot ; is my chaplain's soul. If thou knowest aught on't^ in the evil place .^ CHANDOS. My Liege, the Yorkshire men have gain'd the meadow. I see the pennon green of merry Sherwood. si ITALIDON HILL. a(tii. KIXC KDW.MM). Tlien give the signal inst.aiit ! We have lost But too much time already. ABBOT. My Liege, your holy cliaplain''s blessed soul KING EDWARD. To hell with it, and thee ! Is this a time To speak of monks and chaplains ? [^Flourish of Trumpets, ansxoered by a distant sound of Bugles. See, Chandos, Percy — Ha, Saint George ! Saint Edward ! See it descending now, the fatal hail-shower. The storm of England''s wrath — sure, swift, resistless, Which no mail-coat can brook. — Brave English hearts ! How close they shoot together ! — as one eye Had aim"'d five thousand shafts — as if one hand Had loosed five thousand bow-strings ! .'EllCY. The thick volley Darkens the air, and hides the sun from us. SCiiNJi I. HALIDON HILL. 85 KING EDWARD. It falls on those shall see the sun no more. The winged, the resistless plague is with them. How their vex^d host is reeling to and fro, Like the chafed whale with fifty lances in him ! They do not see, and cannot shun the wound. The storm is viewless, as death's sable wing, Unerring as his scythe. PERCY. Horses and riders are going down together. 'Tis almost pity to see nobles fall, And by a peasant's arrow. EALIOL. I could weep them, Although they are my rebels. cHANDos (aside to percy). His conquerors, he means, who cast him out From his usurp'd kingdom. — {Aloud). 'Tis the worst of it, That knights can claim small honour in the field Which archers win, unaided by our lances. S(j IIAI.IDON HILL. All II KIN(; i:i)\\ Aitij. The battle is not ended. [Louhs toicarijK t/w field. Not ended ? — searee be tlii'in, (lordoii — I \vill tliink My Fair-liair'd AN'illiam rtiulers iiic tliat otfice ! [Dies. liOUUOX. And, Swinton, I will think I do that duty To my dead father. Kilter Dk Vipont. VIl'ONT. Fly, fly, brave youth ! — A handful of thy followers, The scatterVl gleaning of this desperate day, Still hover yonder to essay thy rescue. — O linger not ! — Fll be your guide to them. « GORDON. Look there, and bid me fly ! — The oak has fallen; And the young ivy bush, which learned to climb \^y its support, must needs partake its fall. VU'OXT. Swinton i Alas ! the best, the bravest, strongest, And sagcst of our Scottish chivalry ! SCENE III. HALIDON HILL. 105 Forgive one moment, if to save the living, My tongue should wrong the dead. — Gordon, bethink thee, Thou dost but stay to perish with the corpse Of him who slew thy father. GORDON. Ay, but he was my sire in chivalry. He taught my youth to soar above the promptings Of mean and selfish vengeance ; gave my youth A name that shall not die even on this death-spot. Records shall tell this field had not been lost, Had all men fought hke Swinton and like Gordon. [Trumpets. Save thee, De Vipont — Hark ! the Southron trumpets. VIPONT. Nay, without thee I stir not. Enter Edward, Chandos, Percy, Baliol, y the Rev. Edwakd Nares, D.D. Re- gius Professor of Modern History in the University of Oxford. 8vo, 10s. fid. boards. 37. ILLUSTRATIONS of PHRENOLOGY. By Sm Geoiige Stkwaut Ma(Kknzii;, Bart. F.R.S. L. & E., &c. Illustrated by Seventeen Engravings. 8vo. 15s. boards. 38. ELEMENTS of AGRICULTURAL CHEMISTRY, In a Course of Lectures for the Board of Agricultiue. By Sir Humphrey Daw, LI-.D. Third Edition. 1 vol. 8vo. With Engravings. 15s. boards. 39. The PHILOSOPHY of ZOOLOGY; or, a General View of the Structure, Functions, and Classification of Ani- mals. Bv John pLEMixr;, D.D., Minister of Flisk, Fifeshire, F.R.S.E. and of the Werncrian Natural History Society, &c. 2 vols. 8vo. With Engravings. L.l, 10s. boards. 40. ILLUSTRATIONS o' T5UITISH ORNITHOLO- GY. By P. J. Si:luy, E.s.|. of Twizel-House, county of Nor- thumberland, Member of the "Wernerian Natural History So- ciety of Edinburgh. In elephant folio, each containing 12 En- gravings. Nos. I. II. and III. L.l, lis. Od. plain; L.5, 5s. coloured, each. rr y IMNIRMM OF ( ALIFORM \ llliK\K\ l.os Anijc-lfN This lKH>k is 1)1 11 on (lie l.isl d.iu- slainpiit IhIow. Form L9-Series 4939 i GAYIAMOUNT^" PAM PHLET BINDER »^» Syracuse, N.Y. ^S Stockton, Colif. I PLEASf DO NOT REMOVE THIS BOOK CARDS Jo — C5 University Research Library »— * UJ J? Tl _ 1. o •0 I 15 TTT O O \ tl r ,y£SOUTHERNREGIONAt 000 374