_K. of Scots._ My head, proud king! abase thy pranking plumes: So striving fondly, mayst thou catch thy grave. But, if true judgment do direct thy course, This lawful reason should divert the war: Faith, not by my consent thy daughter died. _K. of Eng._ Thou liest, false Scot! thy agents have confess'd it. These are but fond delays: thou canst not think A means to reconcile me for thy friend. I have thy parasite's confession penn'd; What, then, canst thou allege in thy excuse? _K. of Scots._ I will repay the ransom for her blood. _K. of Eng._ What, think'st thou, caitiff, I will sell my child? No; if thou be a prince and man-at-arms, In single combat come and try thy right, Else will I prove thee recreant to thy face. _K. of Scots._ I seek no combat, false injurious king. But, since thou needless art inclin'd to war, Do what thou dar'st; we are in open field: Arming my battle, I will fight with thee. _K. of Eng._ Agreed.--Now trumpets, sound a dreadful charge. Fight for your princess, brave Englishmen! _K. of Scots._ Now for your lands, your children, and your wives, My Scottish peers, and lastly for your king! _Alarum sounded; both the battles offer to meet, and just as the kings are joining battle, enter_ SIR CUTHBERT ANDERSON _and_ LADY ANDERSON; _with them enters_ QUEEN DOROTHEA, _richly attired, who stands concealed, and_ NANO. _Sir Cuth._ Stay, princes, wage not war: a privy grudge 'Twixt such as you, most high in majesty, Afflicts both nocent and the innocent How many swords, dear princes, see I drawn! The friend against his friend, a deadly feud; A desperate division in those lands Which, if they join in one, command the world. O, stay! with reason mitigate your rage; And let an old man, humbled on his knees, Entreat a boon, good princes, of you both. _K. of Eng._ I condescend, for why thy reverend years Import some news of truth and consequence. _K. of Scots._ I am content, for, Anderson, I know Thou art my subject and dost mean me good. _Sir Cuth._ But by your gracious favours grant me this, To swear upon your swords to do me right. _K. of Eng._ See, by my sword, and by a prince's faith, In every lawful sort I am thine own. _K. of Scots._ And, by my sceptre and the Scottish crown, I am resolv'd to grant thee thy request.