Chapter XV: Act V

SCENE I.--A passage in Berwick Castle. Enter Crombe as jailor, carrying food. He opens a door, and the Countess of Buchan is discovered in a cage.

Countess of Buchan [aside]. O me! Another! I can court no more. This one I'll take by storm.--Fellow, good friend, I think you are my thousandth jailor. Soon I'll have a fresh one doubtless every day. I've here had trial of my power on men, On common vulgar men like you--for you Are like your predecessors, I suppose-- And find myself most potent. Listen, now! Yes, but you shall, you must; and look as well: For I have looks like golden lightning, swift, Gentle and perilous, that fascinate The worshipful beholder. I have words, Sweet words, soft words, and words like two-edged swords, Like singing winds that rock the sense asleep, Like waves full-breasted, filling deepest souls; And I will kill you in a thousand ways With words and looks unless you yield you now. The others all were conquered just too late; The women tell me nothing--English all; But you will tell me what I want to know, In brave submission to my witchery; Now, like a man: I hope you are a man. Crombe. What must I tell you? Countess of Buchan. You must tell me first How the king is--King Robert Bruce, I mean. Crombe. They say he's well. Countess of Buchan. Where is he then? But, sir, I see you better now; you have an eye, A brow, a mouth. Without more question, say How Scotland fares since I was prisoned here. Crombe. Because of this same eye, and brow, and mouth They made me jailor. Countess of Buchan. O, I understand! And being nobler than those stolid pikes-- Pike-handles, I should say--forerunning you, You'll not do wrong in duty's name. Escape You cannot help me to; but tell me, sir, Some news. Crombe. Ah! Pardon me. If, as you say, I have a brain to know that wrong is wrong Though soldierly obedience be its badge, Shall I not have the strength to overcome Rebellious righteousness? Think you---- Countess of Buchan. James Crombe! Crombe. Your servant ever, lady. Countess of Buchan. Pardon, friend; I did not know you. I've no memory Except for horrors. I am half a beast-- Starved, frozen, scorched, in rags. Sometimes at night I'm mad. The rotten air, the subtle dark, The clammy cold, crawl through my blood like worms: They knot themselves in aches, they gnaw my flesh, And I believe me dead. Ghosts visit me: They come in undistinguishable throngs, Sighing and moaning like a windy wood. Demons invade my grave with flaming eyes, With lolling tongues; and ugly horrors steam And whirl about me. Mountains topple down, Grazing my head; and threatening worlds approach, But never whelm me. O my friend! O me! Tell me for mercy's sake of living men! How came you here? Crombe. To be beside you, lady. Countess of Buchan. What! You are weeping! Dear friend, speak to me. What food is this? White bread, and wine, and meat! [Clapping her hands.] Thanks, thanks! O thanks! I'll eat, while you recount All, all, about my friends! Crombe. My time is brief. And first I'll tell you of an enemy. Edward the First is dead. Countess of Buchan. Say you! Aha! That was a mighty villain. Crombe. Nigel is dead: They killed him when they took Kildrummie tower. Countess of Buchan. Ah, what a wanton waste of noble blood! Remorseless tigers! Ah, the wolves, the rats!-- The queen, and Lady Douglas? Crombe. Prisoners both. Countess of Buchan. The man, my husband? Crombe. Beaten, decayed, forgot. When we were scattered in the wood of Drome, The king sought refuge in an Irish isle, Which in the spring he left, and dared his fate. So after perils, and trials, and mighty acts, And deeds of marvellous device--well poised By those achievements, rare and manifold, Heroically wrought by Edward Bruce, Douglas, Boyd, Fraser, Gilbert de la Haye, Randolf, and many another famous knight, Whose deeds already ring in lands afar-- At Inverury he and your husband met: And there the earl suffered such dread defeat, That ignominy has become the grave Where all his hopes lie buried. Countess of Buchan. Wretched soul! Crombe. Now in the length and breadth of this free land, One castle only is in England's power. Would I had time to tell you how 'twas done! Countess of Buchan. What castle? Crombe. Stirling. Edward found the siege For his hot blood too long, and made a pact, That if the governor, Sir Philip Mowbray, Were not relieved within a year and day, He should surrender. In the interval Sir Philip went to London to the king-- Edward the Second, an unstable man-- And couched his eyes of that security That curtained Scotland's state. He levied soon The mightiest army ever England raised; And in the sight of Stirling, Bruce and he Are met to fight. Countess of Buchan. Now? Crombe. Now. And news is come That Bruce to-day o'erthrew a champion Between the armies; and that Randolf fought And conquered Clifford, who had dreadful odds. Countess of Buchan. And are they fighting now? Crombe. No; but to-morrow The battle is. Countess of Buchan. Then, gallant friend, away! Take horse and ride! You must not miss to-morrow. Spur through the night!--Nay, think no more of me! Or think me sitting lightsome on the croup, And smiling at the moon. I go with you: My soul is in your arm!--You must not stay. One stout heart more!--Ride, ride!--I thank you, friend: To know your dear and steadfast constancy, As now I do, is worth these lonely years.-- Away to victory!--I can weep at last!-- Here, take this withered rag! It is the scarf The queen gave me that far-off night in Drome. My parched and desert eyes that sorrow shrunk Are wet with happiness! See! Am I red? My pale and stagnant blood wakes up again, I would that we were flying together, Crombe, As once we did, rebels, so free and glad! Now go! Now go!--Yes, kiss me through the bars: My kiss shall help to win the battle. Go! [He kisses her, and goes out. The scene closes.

SCENE II.--The Scottish Camp at Bamwckburn. Bruce in his tent at night.

Bruce. This drowned and abject mood; this sodden brain; This broken back; this dull insanity, That mopes and broods and has no thought at all; This dross, that, in exchange for molten gold Of madness thrice refined, were hell for heaven; This flabby babe; this hare; this living death; This sooty-hued, cold-blooded melancholy! We know it for a subtle, potent lie-- A vapour, a mere mood! But when it comes, Stealing upon us like unwelcome sleep In high festivity, we've no more power To shake our souls alive, than if we'd drunk Of Lapland philtres,--muddy brew of hell! When we, like beakers brimmed with wine, are full Of living in the hand of God, there strikes Some new divine idea through His brain, And in the careless instant we are spilled To be replenished never: so we feel. We feel? How hard it is to fix the mind! Only less hard than to withdraw it. Sleep? No; not to-night. Heart, faithless heart, grow strong. Ay, now I have remembrance of a thought A dear breath whispered making wisdom sweet. "Husband," she said, "when faith is strong in you, Then only have you any right to think, To judge, to act." And kissed me then, as if Her healing truth had need of honey! O, Love with its simple glance can pierce the night, When drowsy sages at their tapers nod! I will not trust myself but when self-trust Is buoyant in me. And I surely know to-morrow's battle finds one soul sufficient.-- I wonder how my wife is! Have these years, These days, these hours--it is the hours that tell-- Dealt kindly with her in her nunnery? Poor lady! She is gentle, delicate-- A lute that can respond to nothing harsh. If she be shattered by this heavy stroke Of separation! I, with sinewy strings, Endure the constant quivering----

Enter Guard.

What now?
Guard. The leaders wait without, your majesty.
Bruce. Is it that time? Well, bid them enter.

Enter Edward Bruce, Douglas, Randolf, and Walter the Steward.

Friends, Good morning. Let me see your eyes.--Randolf, You have not slept.--Sir James, perhaps you have! Your eyes were never dull.--What, half awake! Why, Walter, love, if not anxiety, Should have kept watch in that young head of yours! Brother, I know you slept. Edward Bruce. Why should I not? I thanked God for the error that I made In giving respite to the garrison, Since it has brought us to this desperate pass Where we must conquer. Then I slept, and dreamt; And wakened, laughing at I know not what. Randolf. I had no sleep. This would not leave my mind, That we were one to five. Bruce. Why Randolf, shame! You are the last who should complain of that. What good knight was it, like a water-drop, Lost shape and being in an English sea, Which found him out a rock, but yesterday? Why man, you are my cousin, Thomas Randolf; And this is Douglas; this, my brother Edward; We are men who have done deeds, God helping us. God helping us, we'll do a deed to-day! Randolf. I do not fear; but, lonely, in the night I could not see how we must win. Bruce. No! come. [They go to the door of the tent and look out. I see the battle as it will be fought. The sun climbs up behind us: if he shine, His beams will strike on English eyes. Look there! The earth throws off her mourning nightly weed; And the fresh dawn, her bowermaid, coyly comes To veil her with the morning, like a bride Worthy the sun's embrace. This fight you dread, Regard it as a happy tournament Played at the marriage of the fragrant world, If the full weight and awe of its intent Press on you too o'erwhelmingly. Randolf. Not I. I'd rather lose the fight for what it is, Than win it jestingly. Bruce. Well said! The night, That filled you with its gloom, out of your blood Exhales, and it is day. Imagine, now: Between high Stirling and the Bannock stream, Whose silvery streak hot blood will tarnish soon, Four battles stand. To westward, Edward's charge, Douglas and Walter to the north and east, Randolf, the doubter, in the central van; I keep the second ward. Pent in this space We cannot be unflanked, the river's gorge On this wing, and on that, calthrops and pits. The English archers scattered--Edward's task-- There but remains to stand, while yonder host, Which leaves its revel only now, shall twine, And knot, entangled in its proper coils, Crammed in a cage too small for such a bulk, Such sinuous length, such strength, to bustle in, Save to its own confusion and dismay. Speak I not reasonably, and quietly? Randolf. Too quietly for me! Why, in this trap, This coffin, they shall die for want of air! Edward Bruce. It is too cheap a victory! Douglas. When won, I hope we may not find it all too dear. [Bagpipes, drums, trumpets. Bruce. Ha! now the din begins! My blood is lit! Come, let us set our soldiers in a glow! After the abbot says the battle mass, I'll speak to them, and touch them with a flame. Douglas. They'll burn. Edward Bruce. They'll make a bonfire. Walter the Steward. To announce That Scotland's liberty's of age. Bruce. Well roared, My lioncel! [They go out.

SCENE III.--The Field of Bannockburn. Enter Edward II., the Earl of Pembroke, Sir Giles De Argentine, Sir Ingram De Umfraville, with other Lords and Knights, in advance of the English lines.

Edward II. Will yon men fight? Umfraville. Ay, siccarly. My liege, If you will hear an old man's humble word Who knows the Scotchmen well, feign a retreat: Then will these fiery children of the North-- Children they are in every gift save strength, And most in guileless daring--rush on us, Leaving their vantage, and be overcome Utterly, as in many a fight before. Edward II. I'm a young warrior, and I mean to win By dint of strength, and not by strategy. To sneak a victory I came not north; But in a lordly way to overthrow The base usurper of my lordship here. Leave paltry sleights and fawnings upon chance To starveling rebels, keen as hungry curs That dodge the whip, and steal the bone at once. Think you we brought our friends across the sea To juggle with them? We are here to fight, As in the lists, like gentlemen. My lords, I give you Scotland. Nothing for myself Save sovereignty I claim: and that must be Not snared by ambush, for assassins fit, But seized by courage, frank and English. Pembroke. Sire, One reason only urges strategy: Adopting it, less English blood will flow. Edward II. That touches me. De Argentine. And it is kindly thought. But I have heard the Scotsmen plume themselves On victory over any English odds, In battles, pitched, embroiled, and hand to hand; That we have never vanquished them in fight Except when treachery assisted arms. Conquest unchallengeable, dearly bought Were worth its cost. A wily victory Would leave our foes unhumbled, unappeased, And confident of ultimate success. Edward II. This is the wisest counsel. Umfraville. Hear me yet. What warrior is wilier than Bruce? The schiltron he has perfected: no knights Can break the Scottish spearmen: chivalry Means nought for them save mounted foes whose trust Is in their horses---- Edward II. 'Tis a base device, This slaughter of our steeds! A dastard's trick! The delicate art of war, where excellence Lay in the power of noble blood alone, He makes a trade for ploughmen. Battle-fields Are shambles since this rebel taught his clowns To fear not knighthood! Umfraville. True indeed, my liege! And some have thought that this new style of war Will drive the other out. But see you not That every possible advantage---- Edward II. No! For I will not!--Behold, the Scots ask mercy! Umfraville. They do--from Heaven. These men will win or die. Edward II. I hate such kneeling, whining warriors, I! What right have they to think God on their side? Our glorious father taught them otherwise With iteration one had deemed enough. I burn to teach them finally. My lords, Our swords shall pray for us. One hour's hot work, And Scotland is your own. Let us begin! Each to his post, and everlasting shame Blight him who cherishes a moment's thought Of other means of victory than these, Our English bows and lances, English hearts, And not less English courage of our friends Whose foreign banners grace our army. Come; England shall stretch from Orkney to Land's End After to-day. St. George for Merry England! [They go out.

SCENE IV.--Another part of the Field. The Scottish Army. Enter Bruce and the other Leaders.

Bruce. I think we all know well what courage is: Not thews, not blood, not bulk, not bravery: Its highest title, patience. Fiery haste Has lost most battles. Till the word be given, Let no man charge to-day: no seeming flight Must lead you to pursue: take root; grow strong; The earth is Scottish. For our country stand Like bastioned, frowning rocks that beard the sea, And triumph everlastingly. Doubt not The time to charge will come--once and straight home: We'll need no spur: so must you curb your blood; Command your anguished strength: a false start now Will lose a race we cannot run again. If any of you feel unfit for fight From any cause whatever, let him go, Leaving us undiluted. Scorn nor curse Shall blast him; but our generous thought shall praise His act and consecrate his name, As one who did his best in doing nought; For victory depends on each of us. I say, if gallant souls be timorous, Get them behind the hill, and be not sad: Great courage goes to make an open coward. [A great shout. Then are we all one heart. Our enemies, Our English enemies, who hope to drown The very name of Scot in Scottish blood, And these outlandish battle-harlots, hired From Holland, Zealand, Brabant, Normandy, Those Picards, Flemings, Gascons, Guiennese, The refuse of the realms from which they swarm, Are robbers lured by plunder, one and all, From king to scullion: they are in the wrong. We are the weapon to defend the right God grasps to-day. Can we be put to shame? Soldiers. No! Bruce. Forward, trusty friends! The hour is come For long-desired redemption of the vows Groaned out when tender mothers, sisters, wives, Fathers we worshipped, brothers we adored, Were spared not. Let our battle-cry be--No; I'll give you none. Each soldier shout the name Of that best friend in prison buried quick; Of yonder heaven-homed, most beloved soul Among the multitude whose butchered limbs Lie pledged in sepulchres. My countrymen, Welcome to victory, which must be ours, For death is freedom! Soldiers. Victory or death! [Exeunt.

SCENE V.--The Gillies' Hill. Men and women watching the battle.

A Young Friar. "St. Andrew and St. George! Fight on! fight on!" A whole year's storms let loose on one small lake Prisoned among the mountains, rioting Between the heathery slopes and rugged cliffs, Dragging the water from its deepest lair, Shaking it out like feathers on the blast; With shock on shock of thunder; shower on shower Of jagged and sultry lightning; banners, crests, Of rainbows torn and streaming, tossed and flung From panting surge to surge; where one strong sound, Enduring with continuous piercing shriek Whose pitch is ever heightened, still escapes Wroth from the roaring war of elements; Where mass and motion, flash and colour spin Wrapped and confounded in their blent array: And this all raving on a summer's morn, With unseen larks beside the golden sun, And merest blue above; with not a breeze To fan the burdened rose-trees, or incense With mimic rage the foamless rivulet, That like a little child goes whispering Along the woodland ways its happy thought; Were no more wild, grotesque, fantastical, Uncouth, unnatural--and I would think Impossible, but for the vision here-- Than is this clamorous and unsightly war, Where swords and lances, shields and arrows, flash, Whistle, and clang--splintered like icicles, Eclipsed like moons, broken like reeds, like flames-- Lewd flames that lick themselves in burning lust-- With scorpion tongues lapping the lives of men; Where axes cut to hearts worth all the oaks; Where steel burns blue, and golden armours blaze-- One moment so, the next, a ruddier hue; Where broidered banners rustle in the charge, And deck the carnage out----A skeleton, Ribboned and garlanded may sweetly suit The morris-dancers for a May-pole now!-- Where hoofs of horses spatter brains of men, And beat dull thunder from the shaking sod; Where yelling pibrochs, braying trumpets, drums, And shouts, and shrieks, and groans, hoarse, shrill--a roar That shatters hearing--echo to the sky; Where myriad ruthless vessels, freighted full Of proud rich blood--with images of God, Their reasoning souls, deposed from their command-- By winds of cruel hate usurped and urged, Are driven upon each other, split, and wrecked, And foundered deep as hell. The air is dark With souls. I cannot look--I cannot see. [Kneels. A Woman. The battle's lost before it's well begun. Our men fall down in ranks like barley-rigs Before a dense wet blast. A Cripple. Despair itself Can only die before the English bows. O that they could come at them! Who are these That skirt the marsh? Woman. My sight is weak. But see; Here's an old fellow, trembling, muttering. Look How he is strung; and what an eye he has! Cripple. Old sight sees well away. I warrant, now, His is a perfect mirror of the fight. You see well, father? Old Man. Ay. That's Edward Bruce; And none too soon. The feathered deaths speed thick In jubilant choirs, flight after singing flight: That tune must end; the nest be harried. Ride, Fiery Edward! Yet our staunch hearts quail not. Ah! now the daze begins! I know it well. The cloth-yard shafts like magic shuttles, weave Athwart the warped air dazzling, dire dismay, And the beholder's blood slinks to his heart Like moles from daylight; all his sinews fade To unsubstantial tinder. Ha! spur! spur! There are ten thousand bowmen! Gallop! Charge! Now, by the soul of Wallace, Edward Bruce, The battle's balanced! On your sword it hangs! Look you; there's fighting! Just a minute's fight! Tug, strain! Throe upon throe! Travail of war! The birth--defeat and victory, those twins, That in an instant breathe and die, and leave So glorious and so dread a memory!-- The bowstring's cut! What butchery to see! They shear them down, these English yeomen! God! It looks like child's play too! And so it feels, Now I remember me.--That's victory. St. Andrew and the right! Woman. The knights, the knights! Old Man. I see them. But our spearmen! Do you see? This hill we stand on trembles with the shock: They budge not, planted, founded in the soil. Another charge! Now watch! Now see! Ugh! Ha! Did one spear flicker? One limb waver? No! These fellows there are fighting for their land! The English army through its cumbrous bulk Thrilled and astounded to the utmost rear, Twists like a snake, and folds into itself, Rank pushed through rank. Now are they hand to hand! How short a front! How close! They're sewn together With steel cross-stitches, halbert over sword, Spear across lance, and death the purfled seam! I never saw so fierce, so locked a fight! That tireless brand that like a pliant flail Threshes the lives from sheaves of Englishmen-- Know you who wields it? Douglas, who but he! A noble meets him now. Clifford it is! No bitterer foes seek out each other there. Parried! That told! and that! Clifford, good night! And Douglas shouts to Randolf; Edward Bruce Cheers on the Steward; while the King's voice rings In every Scotch ear: such a narrow strait Confines this firth of war! Young Friar. God gives me strength Again to gaze with eyes unseared. Jewels! These must be jewels peering in the grass, Cloven from helms, or on them: dead men's eyes Scarce shine so bright. The banners dip and mount Like masts at sea. The battle-field is slime, A ruddy lather beaten up with blood! Men slip; and horses, stuck with shafts like butts, Sprawl, madly shrieking! No, I cannot look! [Exit. Woman. Look here! look here, I say! Who's this behind? His horse sinks down--the brute is dead, I think. His clothes are torn; his face with dust and sweat Encrusted, baked, and cracked. He speaks; he shouts; And shouting runs this way. He's mad, I think. Cripple. He's made his hearers mad. Tents, blankets, poles, Pitch-forks, and staves, and knives, brandished and spread By women, children, grandsires! What is this?

Enter Crombe followed by a crowd bearing blankets for banners, and armed with staves, etc.

Crombe. I rode all night to strike a blow to-day: The noblest lady living bade me go: Her kiss is on my lips and in my soul. Come after me--yea, with your naked hands, And conquer weapons! [They go out, shouting.

SCENE VI.--The Field of Bannockburn. The Scotch Reserve. To them enter Bruce.

Bruce. Most noble souls who wait so patiently! Your splendid faith is in the air about you; Your steady eyes shine like a galaxy; Your presence comforts me: pressed in the fight, The thought of you, like balm upon a wound, Softened the thriftless aching of my heart. The English waver; on the hill behind Our followers fright them, marching in array Bannered and armed, a legion out of heaven. The tide of battle turns, and victory Needs only you to launch it bravely forth. Now--I would bid you think, but that the thought Eludes me, like a homely, old-known song, Wreathing in fitful gusts beyond the sense-- Now will the lofty keystone of our life Be pitched in heaven for ever. We have dreamt Our prayers into fulfilment many a time: to-day we wrestle, and the victory's ours: And yet I feel so scantly what it means That I'm ashamed. Enough: I know you all.-- Now for our homes, our children, and our wives, For freedom, for our land, for victory! And cry our old cry, Carrick! Soldiers. Carrick and victory! [They go out.

SMITH: A TRAGIC FARCE (Crieff, 1886)

PERSONS

Smith. Hallowes. Graham. Brown. Jones. Robinson. Two Men-servants. Magdalen. Topsy.

Scene: London and Garth. Time: The Present.

SMITH