Page:Keats - Poetical Works, DeWolfe, 1884.djvu/428

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412
KING STEPHEN.
Smiling. Anon upon him rush'd once more A throng of foes, and in this renew'd strife, My sword met his and snapp'd off at the hilt.
 Glocester. Come, lead me to this man—and let us move In silence, not insulting his sad doom With clamorous trumpets. To the Empress bear My salutation as befits the time.[Exeunt Glocester and Forces. 
Scene III.—The Field of Battle. Enter Stephen unarmed.
 Stephen. Another sword! And what if I could seize One from Bellona's gleaming armory, Or choose the fairest of her sheaved spears! Where are my enemies? Here, close at hand, Here come the testy brood. O, for a sword! I'm faint—a biting sword! A noble sword! A hedge-stake—or a ponderous stone to hurl With brawny vengeance, like the laborer Cain. Come on! Farewell my kingdom,, and all hail Thou superb, plumed, and helmeted renown, All hail—I would not truck this brilliant day To rule in Pylos with a Nestor's beard—Come on!
Enter De Kaims and Knights, &c.
 De Kaims. Is't madness or a hunger after deathThat makes thee thus unarm'd throw taunts at us?—Yield, Stephen, or my sword's point dips in The gloomy current of a traitor's heart.
 Stephen. Do it, De Kaims, I will not budge an inch.
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