_Sir Cuth._ I see you trust me, princes, who repose The weight of such a war upon my will. Now mark my suit. A tender lion's whelp, This other day, came straggling in the woods, Attended by a young and tender hind, In courage haught, yet 'tirèd like a lamb. The prince of beasts had left this young in keep, To foster up as love-mate and compeer, Unto the lion's mate, a neighbour-friend: This stately guide, seducèd by the fox, Sent forth an eager wolf, bred up in France, That gripp'd the tender whelp and wounded it. By chance, as I was hunting in the woods, I heard the moan the hind made for the whelp: I took them both, and brought them to my house. With chary care I have recur'd the one; And since I know the lions are at strife About the loss and damage of the young, I bring her home; make claim to her who list. [_Discovers_ QUEEN DOROTHEA. _Q. Dor._ I am the whelp, bred by this lion up, This royal English king, my happy sire: Poor Nano is the hind that tended me. My father, Scottish king, gave me to thee, A hapless wife: thou, quite misled by youth, Hast sought sinister loves and foreign joys. The fox Ateukin, cursèd parasite, Incens'd your grace to send the wolf abroad, The French-born Jaques, for to end my days: He, traitorous man, pursu'd me in the woods, And left me wounded; where this noble knight Both rescu'd me and mine, and sav'd my life. Now keep thy promise: Dorothea lives; Give Anderson his due and just reward: And since, you kings, your wars began by me, Since I am safe, return, surcease your fight. _K. of Scots._ Durst I presume to look upon those eyes Which I have tirèd with a world of woes? Or did I think submission were enough, Or sighs might make an entrance to thy soul, You heavens, you know how willing I would weep; You heavens can tell how glad I would submit; You heavens can say how firmly I would sigh. _Q. Dor._ Shame me not, prince, companion in thy bed: Youth hath misled,--tut, but a little fault: 'Tis kingly to amend what is amiss. Might I with twice as many pains as these Unite our hearts, then should my wedded lord See how incessant labours I would take.-- My gracious father, govern your affects: Give me that hand, that oft hath blest this head, And clasp thine arms, that have embrac'd this [neck], About the shoulders of my wedded spouse. Ah, mighty prince, this king and I am one! Spoil thou his subjects, thou despoilest me; Touch thou his breast, thou dost attaint this heart: O, be my father, then, in loving him! _K. of Eng._ Thou provident kind mother of increase, Thou must prevail; ah, Nature, thou must rule! Hold, daughter, join my hand and his in one; I will embrace him for to favour thee: I call him friend, and take him for my son.