KING. Yes, but I do: I think not Isabel The worse for any writing of Le Brun's.[304] SAL. Will you ha' the truth, my lord, I think so too; And though I be an old man, by my sword, My arm shall justify my constant word. QUEEN. After a long storm in a troublous sea, The pilot is no gladder of a calm, Than Isabel to see the vexed looks Of her lov'd lord chang'd into sweet aspects. KING. I will not tell thee what a world of foes For thy love (dear love) rise against my life. Matilda's love, few swords will fight for thee. [_To himself_. I will not number up the many woes That shall be multiplied: strife upon strife Will follow; but to shun ensuing ills, I'll take such pledges as shall please me ask Of each proud baron dwelling in the realm. Bruce, kinsman and the deputy to March, Hath a high-minded lady to his wife, An able son for arms, and a less boy, That is the comfort of his father's life. Madam, I know you love the lady well, And of her wealth you may be bold to build[305], By sending you four hundred white milch kine, And ten like-colour'd bulls to serve that herd; So fair, that every cow did Iö seem, And every bull Europa's ravisher. To friend myself with such a subject's truth, Thus I command: you and Earl Salisbury Shall, with what speed conveniently ye may, Hie ye to Guildford: there the lady lies, And her sons too, as I am told by spies. All that she hath, I know, she calleth yours; All that she hath I gladly would call mine, If she abuse ye; if she use ye well, For ever be what she retains her own. Only go by, as queens in progress do, And send me word how she receiveth you. QUEEN. Well, I avouch, she will, before I go: Far be it John should prove Lord Bruce's foe. Come, noble Salisbury, I long to be at Guildford. SAL. In such a business, madam, so do I. [_Exeunt_. KING. Go on, good stales[306]: now Guildford is mine own! [_Aside_.] Hubert, I charge you take an hundred horse, And follow unto Guildford castle-gates. The queen pretend you come to tend upon, Sent carefully from us: when you are in, Boldly demand the lady for her sons, For pledges of her husband's faith and hers: Whom when ye have, upon the castle seize, And keep it to our use, until we come. Meanwhile let me alone with Hugh your son, To work a wonder, if no prodigy; But whatsoe'er, it shall attempted be. HUB. Even that which to your majesty May seem contentful, thereto I agree. KING. Go then to Guildford, and a victor be, [_Exit_ HUBERT. Mowbray, our masque: are you and Chester ready? MOW. We will before your grace, I warrant you. KING. How think'st of it, Mowbray? MOW. As on a masque: but for our torch-bearers, Hell cannot make so mad a crew as I. KING. Faith, who is chief? MOW. Will Brand, my lord; But then your grace must curb his cruelty: The rein once got, he's apt for villainy.