_Eust._ I pray you, sir, Be somewhat brief; you'll tire else. These same citizens These honest citizens, would fain e'en know The worst at once. When members are impatient For a plain tale, the orator, (you'll pardon me,) Should not be too long winded. _De Vienne._ Fellow, peace! Ere now I've mark'd thee.--Thou art he, I take it,-- 'Tis Eustache de St. Pierre, I think, they call thee-- Whom all the town, our very children, point at, As the most growling knave in christendom;-- Yea, thou art he. _Eust._ The same. The mongrels, here, Cannot abide rough honesty:--I'm hated. Smooth talking likes them better:--You, good sir, Are popular among them. _All._ Silence! _Eust._ Buz! _De Vienne._ Thus, then, in brief. Finding we are reduced, By famine, and fatigue, unto extremity, I sounded for a parley from the walls;-- E'en now 't has ended:--Edward order'd forth Sir Walter Manny; and I needs must own, A courteous knight, although an enemy.-- I told him our distress. Sir Knight, said I-- And here it makes me almost blush to think An Englishman should see me drop a tear; But, 'spite of me, it stole upon my cheek;-- To speak the honest truth, Sir Knight, said I, My gallant men are perishing with hunger:-- Therefore I will surrender. _Eust._ Surrender! [_The rest look amazed._ _De Vienne._ But, conceive me, On this condition;--that I do secure The lives, and liberties, of those brave fellows, Who, in this galling and disastrous siege, Have shared with me in each fatigue and peril. _All._ Huzza! Long live our governor! Huzza! _De Vienne._ I thank you, friends.--It grieves me to repay Your honest love, with tidings, sure, as heavy As ever messenger was charged withal. The King of England steels his heart against us. He does let loose his vengeance; and he wills,-- If we would save our city from the sword, From wild destruction,--that I straight do send him Six of my first and best reputed citizens, Bare headed, tendering the city keys; And,--'sdeath, I choke!--with vile and loathsome ropes, Circling their necks, in guise of malefactors, To suffer instant execution. [_The CITIZENS appear confounded. A Pause._ Friends, I do perceive you're troubled:--'tis enough To pose the stoutest of you. Who among you Can smother nature's workings, which do prompt Each, to the last, to struggle for himself? Yet, were I not objected to, as governor, There might be found--no matter.--Who so bold, That, for the welfare of a wretched multitude, Involved with him, in one great common cause, Would volunteer it on the scaffold?