And rout and horrid slaughter fill'd the field;
The pursuit scatter'd wide; the day is ours;
Yet many a noble Mercian strews the plain.
Edw. (eagerly.) But the young hero fell not?
Sea. No, my son.
Edw. Then bless'd be heav'n! there beats no noble heart
Which shall not henceforth love him as a brother.
Would I could see him from the pursuit come!
O that I had beheld him in his might,
When the dark battle turn'd!
Sea. Your wish is soon fulfill'd, my eager boy;
For here, in truth, the youthful warriour comes,
And, captive by his side, the British Prince.
(Enter Ethwald with the British Prince prisoner, accompanied by Selred and Ethelbert, and presents his prisoner to the King.)
King. (to Prince) Prince of the Britons, clear thy cloudy brow;
The varied fate of war the bravest prove.
And tho' I might complain that thy aggressions
Have burnt my towns, and fill'd my land with blood,
Thy state forbids it. Here, good Seneschal,
Receive your charge, and let him know no change
Unsuited to a prince. (To Ethwald.)
And thou, brave warriour, whose youthful arm
Has brought unto thy king so high a gift,
Say, what proud man may lift his honour'd head,
And boast he is thy father.
