sword o' my faither's may stap you frae gien it till
anither.

_Enter_ SIR ALEXANDER _and_ RICHARD.

Ye are weel come, Sir Alexander: here is Orator Elliot been
makin' a harangue to the townsfolk; and ane cries for bread, and
anither for meal--that it is my opinion I dinna ken what's to be
done.

_Sir Alex_.--What would you have? what is it that you wish?
Would ye, for food, sweet friends, become all slaves;
And for a meal, that ye might surfeit on it,
Give up your wives, your homes, and all that's dear,
To the brute arms of men, who hold it virtue
To heap their shame upon a fallen foe?
Would ye, that ye might eat, yet not be satisfied,
Pick up the scanty crumbs around their camp,
After their cattle and their dogs have left them;
Or would ye, for this favour, be content
To take up arms against your countrymen!--
For this! will fathers fight against their sons?--
Sons 'gainst their fathers?--brethren with each other?
Those who would wish it may go o'er to Edward!

_[Sound of French horns without_

_Provost Ramsay_.--Ay, here comes mair proposals--the sorry
proposal them! I wish them and proposals an' a' were in the
middle o' the Tweed.

_Enter_ EARL PERCY _and_ Attendants.

_Percy_.--Save ye, my band of heroes; by St. Cuthbert,
Your valorous deeds have wrought a miracle,
And turned my master's hatred into mercy;
For, deeming it a sin that such brave fellows
Should die a beggar's vulgar death from want,
He doth propose to drop hostilities,
And for two weeks you may command our friendship:
If in that time you gain no aid from Scotland,
Renounce the country, and be Edward master;
But, should you gain assistance--why, then, we
Will raise the siege, and wish you all good-bye.

_Elliot [to the people]_.--Urge the acceptance, friends, of
these conditions.

_Omnes_.--We all accept these terms.

_Sir Alex_.--It is the people's wish; and I agree.

_Percy_.--And you, in pledge of due performance, sir,
Do give up this your son into our hands,
In surety for your honour------

_Sir Alex_.--What! my son!
Give him up too--yield him into your power?
Have ye not one already?--No! no! no!
I cannot, my Lord Percy; no, I cannot
Part with him too, and leave their mother childless!

_Provost Ramsay_.--Wad ye no tak me as a substitute, Lord
Percy? I'm a man o' property, and chief magistrate beside; now,
I should think, I'm the maist likely person.

_Percy_.--Good master magistrate and man of property,
I like thy he