Edw. (still covering his face.) Let the earth gape and hide me! (another deep pause.)
3d Fol. to 1st. The sin of all this rout falls on thy head,
Thou cursed Thane! thou and thy hireling knaves
First turn'd your backs and fled.
1st Fol. to 3d. Thou liest, foul tongue! it was thy kinsman there
Who first did turn; for I was borne away, (pointing to 4th Fol.)
Unwillingly away, by the rude stream
Of his fear-stricken bands. When, till this hour,
Did ever armed Briton see my back?
4th Fol. Arm'd Britons dost thou call them? devils they are!
Thou know'st right well they deal with wicked sprites.
Those horrid yells were not the cries of men;
And fiends of hell look'd thro' their flashing eyes.
I fear to face the power of simple man
As little as thyself.
Enter more Fugitives.
1st Fol. (To Ed.) Up, my good Lord! We must move quickly hence:
We must not stay.
Ed. Then thrust me thro' and leave me.
I'll flee no more. (looking up wildly, then fixing his eyes wistfully upon 3d Follower, and bending one knee to the ground.)
Ebbert, thy sword is keen, thy arm is strong:
