BRAND. No--not with Blunt, I mean. Go in, I say; Or by this hand ye get no meat to-day. LADY B. My child is hungry: when shall he have meat? BRAND. Why, and ye would go in, immediately. LADY B. I will go in; but very much I doubt, Nor I nor my poor boy shall e'er come out. [_Exeunt. He seems to lock a door_. BRAND. Ne'er, while ye live, i' faith! now are they sure. Cry, till their hearts ache, no man can them hear. A miserable death is famishment; But what care I? The king commanded me. [_Exit_. SCENE II. _Alarum within: excursions: enter_ FITZWATER, BRUCE. FITZ. Now doth fair fortune offer hope of speed; But howsoe'er we speed, good cousin Bruce, March with three hundred bows and pikes to Windsor, Spreading a rumour that the day is ours, As ours it shall be with the help of heaven. Blunt loves our part far better than the king's, And will, I gage my life, upon the news Surrender up the castle to our use. By this means shall you help us to a hold, Howe'er it chance: set free your lady mother, That lives in prison there with your young brother. BRUCE. Away, good uncle, to the battle go! But that a certain good ensues, I know, For all the world I would not leave you so. FITZ. Away, away! God send thee Windsor: us this happy day. _Alarum still. Enter_ HUBERT _and_ MATILDA.[334] HUB. You cannot hide yourself, Matilda; no disguise Will serve the turn: now must you to the king, And all these wars will with your presence cease. Yield you to him, he soon will yield to peace. MAT. They say thou took'st some pity of a child, The king appointing thee to sear his eyes; Men do report thee to be just of word, And a dear lover of my lord the king. If thou didst that, if thou be one of these, Pity Matilda, prostrate at thy feet. HUB. I sav'd young Arthur's eyes, and pity thee; My word is just, which I have given the king; The king I love, and thee I know he loves: Compare these, then how can I pleasure thee? MAT. By letting me escape to Dunmow Abbey, Where I will end my life a votary. HUB. And the king die with doting on thy love? MAT. No, no; this fire of lust would be soon laid, If once he knew me sworn a holy maid. HUB. Thy tears and love of virtue have the power To make me at an instant true and false: True to distressed beauty and rare chastity; False to King John, that holds the sight of thee Dearer than England or earth's empery. Go, happy soul, that in so ill an age Hast such fair beauty for thy heritage: Yet go not so alone. Dost hear, tall soldier? [_Call a Soldier_. I know thee honest: guide this gentle maid To Dunmow Abbey: she is one I know. I will excuse thee, and content thee well; My signet take, that ye may pass unsearch'd. MAT. Kind Hubert, many prayers for this good deed Shall on my beads be daily numbered. [_Exeunt_. _Enter_ LEICESTER, RICHMOND, FITZWATER.