_Osw._ Brave Britons, hold; and thou, their famous chief, [_Advancing._ Attend what Saxon Oswald will propose. He owns your victory; but whether owing To valour, or to fortune, that he doubts. If Arthur dares ascribe it to the first, And, singled from a crowd, will tempt a conquest, This Oswald offers; let our troops retire, And hand to hand let us decide our strife: This if refused, bear witness, earth and heaven, Thou steal'st a crown and mistress undeserved. _Arth._ I'll not usurp thy title of a robber, Nor will upbraid thee, that before I proffered This single combat, which thou didst avoid; So glad I am, on any terms to meet thee, And not discourage thy repenting shame. As once Æneas, my famed ancestor, Betwixt the Trojan and Rutilian bands, Fought for a crown, and bright Lavinia's bed, So will I meet thee, hand to hand opposed: My auguring mind assures the same success.-- [_To his Men._] Hence, out of view; If I am slain, or yield, Renounce me, Britons, for a recreant knight; And let the Saxon peacefully enjoy His former footing on our famous isle. To ratify these terms, I swear---- _Osw._ You need not; Your honour is of force, without your oath. I only add, that, if I fall, or yield, Yours be the crown, and Emmeline. _Arth_. That's two crowns. No more; we keep the looking heavens and sun Too long in expectation of our arms. [_Both Armies go off the Stage._ [_They fight with Spunges in their Hands, dipt in blood: after some equal passes and closing, they appear both wounded_; ARTHUR _stumbles among the Trees_, OSWALD _falls over him; they both rise_; ARTHUR _wounds him again, then_ OSWALD _retreats. Enter_ OSMOND, _from among the Trees, and with his Wand strikes_ ARTHUR'S _Sword out of his Hand, and exit_. OSWALD _pursues_ ARTHUR. MERLIN _enters, and gives_ ARTHUR _his Sword, and exit; they close, and_ ARTHUR, _in the Fall, disarms_ OSWALD.[22] _Arth_. Confess thyself o'ercome, and ask thy life. _Osw_. 'Tis not worth asking, when 'tis in thy power. _Arth_. Then take it as my gift. _Osw_. A wretched gift, With loss of empire, liberty, and love. [_A concert of Trumpets within, proclaiming_ ARTHUR'S _Victory; while they sound_, ARTHUR _and_ OSWALD _seem to confer_. 'Tis too much bounty to a vanquished foe; Yet not enough to make me fortunate. _Arth_. Thy life, thy liberty, thy honour safe, Lead back thy Saxons to their ancient Elbe: I would restore thee fruitful Kent, the gift Of Vortigern for Hengist's ill-bought aid, But that my Britons brook no foreign power, To lord it in a land, sacred to freedom, And of its rights tenacious to the last.