Well-returned, Androgeus: Have you obtain'd, or is your suit denied? AND. Our message told unto the Scots; their king With willing sympathy levies a band, Ten thousand footmen, whose strange appetites Murder and then devour; and dare gnaw and suck Their enemies' bones. Conducted thence, we saw The Pictish court, and friendly entertain'd, Receive eight thousand, whose most ugly shapes, Painted like bears and wolves, and brinded tigers, May kill and stonify without all weapons. More aid they promise, if more need. These forces, Led by Cadallan, hither march with speed. CAS. 'Tis well, our kings consent for common good. When all are join'd, we shall o'erspread the hills, And soldiers, thicker than the sand on shore, Hide all the landing coasts. Ere next daybreak, The rocks shall answer what the drum doth speak. [_Exeunt._ SCENE VI. HULACUS, LANTONUS, _Ministers_. LAN. That ceremonious fear, which bends the heart Of mortal creatures, and displays itself In outward signs of true obedience, As prayer, kneeling, sacrifice, and hymns, Requires again help from immortal deities, As promise, not as debt. We laud their names: They give us blessings, and forgive our blames. Thus gods and men do barter: what in piety Ascends, as much descends again in pity; A golden chain reaching from heaven to earth. HUL. And now's the time, good brother, of their aid, When danger's black face frowns upon our state. Away, away, ye hearts and tongues profane! Without devotion mysteries are vain. [_They kneel, elevate hands thrice._ LAN. Draw near, ye heavenly powers, Who dwell in starry bowers; And ye, who in the deep On mossy pillows sleep; And ye who keep the centre, Where never light did enter; And ye whose habitations Are still among the nations; To see and hear our doings, Our births, our wars, our wooings: Behold our present grief, Belief doth beg relief. _Both going around say_-- By the vervain and lunary, By fern-seed planetary, By the dreadful misletoe, Which doth on holy oak grow, Draw near, draw near, draw near! HUL. Help us, beset with danger, And turn away your anger; Help us, begirt with trouble, And now your mercy double: Help us, oppress'd with sorrow, And fight for us to-morrow. Let fire consume the foeman, Let air infect the Roman: Let seas entomb their fury, Let gaping earth them bury: Let fire, and air, and water, And earth, conspire their slaughter. BOTH. By the vervain, &c. Help us, help us, help us!