In Valentine's disguise I'll see this beauty he would venture for;--for, should he conquer in the fight, how many Cupids smiling, through her tears, may aim at Valentine! And, shou'd he fall---- AGATHA. It wou'd be a sad thing, truly, my dear lady; but how will your going help it? EGLANTINE. There is a prophecy, that no _man nursed by woman_ can subdue this pagan--Perhaps it is his fate to fall by woman. AGATHA. He wou'dn't be the first if he did, madam. EGLANTINE. My mother's martial spirit trained me up to Amazonian sports--Foremost in the chace, thrice have I pierced the monarch of our woods; and, more than once, have been where battles roar, and undismayed, beheld the mortal conflict. AGATHA. I shou'd have been frighten'd out of my wits. EGLANTINE. By force or stratagem it may be mine to free this lady, and save my lover from a double danger. AGATHA. But will he go, knowing this prophecy? EGLANTINE. He disregards it as an artful fable, coined by the Saracen; or else as pagan sorcery, which he, a christian knight, fears not to combat with. Come, thou, as my page, shalt follow me, and learn my purpose on the journey. AGATHA. Me! _Enter HUGO._ HUGO. The armour is all in Agatha's apartment, your highness. My master had taken it all off before I came. AGATHA. But, madam, wont you go to the banquet, you purposely provided for the king and Valentine? EGLANTINE. No time for feasting now--obey my orders----We'll to the Green Knight's Camp----Away, my girl. [_Exit._ "AGATHA. "With all my heart. Its my opinion my lady is so in love, that, to save Valentine from danger, she'd follow him to the world's end. "HUGO. "I dare say she would, but when I am in danger nobody talks of following me. "AGATHA. "No; that's impossible--you run so fast. _DUET.--HUGO and AGATHA._ "_Hugo._ The man who fights and runs away, "_Agatha._ Wou'd make a sorry lover, "_Hugo._ May live to fight another day, "_Agatha._ But ne'er his fame recover. "While he who boldly meets the foe, "_Hugo._ May boldly die, 'tis true, "_Agatha._ Will live in history, you know, "_Hugo._ I'd rather live with you. "Nay come I'll boldly meet the foe, "_Agatha._ I'll love you if you do; "_Hugo._ And when to fame I'm wed you know, "_Agatha._ Then I'll be wed to you. "_Both._ Then I'll be wed to you. II. "_Agatha._ The hero slain, claims beauty's tear, "_Hugo._ Her smiles more pleasure giving; "_Agatha._ She holds his mem'ry ever dear, "_Hugo._ And marries some one living. "But come, I'll bravely meet the foe, &c. "[_Exeunt._" SCENE III.-- _A grand Banquet under Pavilions in the Palace Gardens._ (Hollogan.) _The KING; and VALENTINE (unarmed) discovered in great state, Nobles and Ladies seated at the Banquet Tables, &c._