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Robert de Bruce, an historical play [in verse].
Robert de Bruce an historical play - in verse Author:David Graham Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: ACT II. SCENE /.—TfeiWo/Badenoch's Castle. Nigbt. A Cbamber in tbe same. Badenoch discovered writing. Badenocb. Aye ! this will do. [Lifting tbe paper. Rea... more »ds " As false as he's ambitious, and politic " And wily as he's false. Your grace hath proved " All this, that I assert, in recent days :— " To which add what I've told—a mind intent " To unfurl the rebel flag, an energy " Not sprung from youthful mad frivolity, " But fired by the wild deeds of Ellerslie "— That name will tickle him— " And all controlled by judgment's equal sway, " Add this, my liege; and as you love your throne, " From out the palace gates of Winchester " No more let Bruce go forth—except in chains."— 'Twill do, and yet—'twill not do;—but it must. Why should I shrink from it!—Treachery !— What chronicles speak not of treachery ?— What pages of them do not smell of blood ?— And hand to me a list of conquerors,— Of murderers I'll hand to you a list: And yet 'tis pity; Bruce wields a sword That friends admire, and foemen tremble at. If in my cause he'd wield it, we could strike Such manful blows as would make Edward reel, And win to me the crown ;—but cursed haste, And cursed rage combined have blinded me ; And like some ill-trained hound, I've spoiled the sport.— He seemed so earnest,—the enthusiast So sparkled in his eyes, and fired his tongue; The past he did deplore so bitterly,— Or seemed to do, that with mere asking And some flattery,—for flattery's the key To all men's chests—I might have gained His full and free support, and won an honest crown.— The devil, after all, 's a woeful fool, Or doth befool us much !— Then shall I change my tack ?— Make fresh proposals ?—Stipulate ?— No! 'tis too late...« less