Classic Poem

[SCENE XXI.]

Alarum: a charge: after long skirmish, assault; flourish. Enter King E DWARD with his train, and B ALIOL prisoner . E DWARD speaketh .

Longsh . Now, trothless king, what fruits have braving boasts?
What end hath treason but a sudden fall?
Such as have known thy life and bringing up,
Have praised thee for thy learning and thy art:
How comes it, then, that thou forgett'st thy books
That school'd thee to forget ingratitude?
Unkind! this hand hath 'nointed thee a king;
This tongue pronounced the sentence of thy ruth:
If thou, in lieu of mine unfeigned love,
Hast levied arms for to attempt my crown,
Now see thy fruits: thy glories are dispersed;
And heifer-like sith thou hast pass'd thy bounds,
Thy sturdy neck must stoop to bear this yoke.
Baliol . I took this lesson, Edward, from my book, —
To keep a just equality of mind,
Content with every fortune as it comes:
So canst thou threat no more than I expect.
Longsh . So, sir: your moderation is enforced;
Your goodly glosses cannot make it good.
Baliol . Then will I keep in silence what I mean,
Since Edward thinks my meaning is not good.
Longsh . Nay, Baliol, speak forth, if there yet remain
A little remnant of persuading art.
Baliol . If cunning may have power to win the king,
Let those employ it that can flatter him;
If honour'd deed may reconcile the king,
It lies in me to give and him to take.
Longsh . Why, what remains for Baliol now to give?
Baliol . Allegiance, as becomes a royal king.
Longsh . What league of faith where league is broken once?
Baliol . The greater hope in them that once have fall'n.
Longsh . But foolish are those monarchs that do yield
A conquered realm upon submissive vows.
Baliol . There, take my crown, and so redeem my life.
Longsh . Ay, sir; that was the choicest plea of both;
For whoso quells the pomp of haughty minds,
And breaks their staff whereon they build their trust,
Is sure in wanting power they cannot harm.
Baliol shall live; but yet within such bounds
That, if his wings grow flig, they may be clipt.