Page:Poetical sketches reprint (1868).djvu/68

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50
KING EDWARD
Bishop.
They can, and may; but how to gain their will
Requires our countenance and help.

Percy.
When that they find they must, my Lord, they will
Let them but suffer awhile, and you shall see
They will bestir themselves.

Bishop.
Lord Percy cannot mean that we should suffer
This disgrace: if so, we are not sovereigns
Of the sea: our right, that Heaven gave
To England, when at the birth of Nature
She was seated in the deep, the Ocean ceased
His mighty roar, and, fawning, play'd around
Her snowy feet, and own'd his awful Queen.
Lord Percy, if the heart is sick, the head
Must be aggrieved; if but one member suffer,
The heart doth fail. You say, my Lord, the merchants
Can, if they will, defend themselves against
These rovers: this is a noble scheme,
Worthy the brave Lord Percy, and as worthy
His generous aid to put it into practice.