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KING STEPHEN.
KING STEPHEN.
A DRAMATIC FRAGMENT.
ACT I.
Scene I.—Field of Battle.
Alarum. Enter King Stephen, Knights, and Soldiers.
Stephen. If shame can on a soldier's vein-swoll'n front
Spread deeper crimson than the battle's toil,
Blush in your casing helmets! for see, see!
Yonder my chivalry, my pride of war,
Wrench'd with an iron hand from firm array,
Are routed loose about the plashy meads,
Of honor forfeit. O, that my known voice
Could reach your dastard ears, and fright you more!
Fly, cowards, fly! Glocester is at your backs!
Throw your slack bridles o'er the flurried manes,
Ply well the rowel with faint trembling heels,
Scampering to death at last!
Spread deeper crimson than the battle's toil,
Blush in your casing helmets! for see, see!
Yonder my chivalry, my pride of war,
Wrench'd with an iron hand from firm array,
Are routed loose about the plashy meads,
Of honor forfeit. O, that my known voice
Could reach your dastard ears, and fright you more!
Fly, cowards, fly! Glocester is at your backs!
Throw your slack bridles o'er the flurried manes,
Ply well the rowel with faint trembling heels,
Scampering to death at last!
1st Knight.The enemy
Bears his flaunt standard close upon their rear.
Bears his flaunt standard close upon their rear.
2d Knight. Sure of a bloody prey, seeing the fens
Will swamp them girth-deep.
Will swamp them girth-deep.
Stephen.Over head and ears.
No matter! 'Tis a gallant enemy;
No matter! 'Tis a gallant enemy;
