The motive with the act. O blind, to think
That cruel war can please the Prince of Peace!
He, who erects his altar in the heart,
Abhors the sacrifice of human blood,
And all the false devotion of that zeal
Which massacres the world he died to save.

_Raby._ O impious rage! If thou would'st shun my curse,
No more, I charge thee.--Tell me, good Sir Hubert,
Say, have our arms achiev'd this glorious deed,
(I fear to ask,) without much Christian bloodshed?

_Elw._ Now, Heaven support me! [_aside._

_Sir H._ My good lord of Raby,
Imperfect is the sum of human glory!
Would I could tell thee that the field was won,
Without the death of such illustrious knights
As make the high-flush'd cheek of victory pale.

_Elw._ Why should I tremble thus? [_aside._

_Raby._ Who have we lost?

_Sir H._ The noble Clifford, Walsingham, and Grey,
Sir Harry Hastings, and the valiant Pembroke,
All men of choicest note.

_Raby._ O that my name
Had been enroll'd in such a list of heroes!
If I was too infirm to serve my country,
I might have prov'd my love by dying for her.

_Elw._ Were there no more?

_Sir H._ But few of noble blood.
But the brave youth who gain'd the palm of glory,
The flower of knighthood, and the plume of war,
Who bore his banner foremost in the field,
Yet conquer'd more by mercy than the sword,
Was Percy.

_Elw._ Then he lives! [_aside._

_Raby._ Did he? Did Percy?
O gallant boy, then I'm thy foe no more;
Who conquers for my country is my friend!
His fame shall add new glories to a house,
Where never maid was false, nor knight disloyal.

_Sir H._ You do embalm him, lady, with your tears:
They grace the grave of glory where he lies--
He died the death of honour.

_Elw._ Said'st thou--died?

_Sir H._ Beneath the towers of Solyma he fell.

_Elw._ Oh!

_Sir H._ Look to the lady.
[_Elwina faints in her father's arms._

_Raby._ Gentle knight, retire----
'Tis an infirmity of nature in her,
She ever mourns at any tale of blood;
She will be well anon--mean time, Sir Hubert,
You'll grace our castle with your friendly sojourn.

_Sir H._ I must return with speed--health to the lady. [_exit._

_Raby._ Look up, Elwina. Should her husband come!
Yet she revives not.

_Enter Douglas._

_Dou._ Ha----Elwina fainting!
My lord, I fear you have too harshly chid her.
Her gentle nature could not brook your sternness.
She wakes, she stirs, she feels returning life.
My love