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Pride and presumption finish thus their shame. [Shout. Hark!

Chan. 'Tis a train of pris'ners bring ng hither.

Enter SALISBURY with Officers and Soldiers, conducting KING JOHN, the Duke of ToURAIN, Archbishop of SENS, and several French Noblemen, prisoners.

Prince. Brave Salisbury, you're welcome to my

arms.

The field is ours!

Sal. And nobly was it fought!

Behold, my prince, how well we have acquitted
The claims our adversaries made on us.

Your veteran swordsman, Sir John Pelham, sends
This royal trophy to adorn your triumph.

Prince. Most wise and valiant of all christian kings, Rever'd for virtues, and renown'd in arms! That I behold you thus, dissolves my heart With tender feeling; “while I bend the knee "In humble praise of that good Providence, "Which gives so great a victory to England! "For you, great monarch," let your godlike soul Striye with adversity, and still preserve,

As well you may, your royal mind unconquer'd.
Fortune is partial in her distributions:

Could merit always challenge its reward,

In other lights we might this hour have stood,
Perhaps the victor you, and I the captive:

But fear no wrong, the good should never fear it.
“This land, from whence my ancestors have sprung,

I

"By me shall not be injur'd." For yourself, And this illustrious train of "noble pris'ners," My care shall be to treat you as I ought.

King. My gracious conqueror, and kindest cousin,
This goodness more than victory renowns you!
That I'm unfortunate is no reproach,

I brav'd all dangers as became a king,
'Till by my coward subjects left and lost.

Prince. Lead to my tent: when we are there arriv'd,
Prepare a banquet with all princely pomp,
At which I'll wait, and serve my royal guests.
My noble lords, and brave companions all,
I leave your praise for the wide world to sound!
Nor can the voice of fame, however loud,
Out-speak the merit of your matchless deeds.
Oh, may Britannia's sons through ev'ry age,
As they shall read of this so great achievement,
Feel the recorded victory inspire

An emulation of our martial fire,

When future wrongs their ardor shall excite,
And future princes lead them forth to fight!
'Till by repeated conquests, they obtain
A pow'r to awe the earth and rule the main !
Each tyrant fetter gloriously unbind,
And give their liberty to all mankind.

[Exeunt omnes.

EPILOGUE.

AGAIN
AGAINST such odds if Edward could succeed,
Our English warriors once were great indeed:
But, mournful thought! we surely must complain,
They're sadly alter'd from King Edward's reign:
Yet some there are, who merit every praise,

Stems of that stock, and worthy of those days;
Illustrious heroes!-

How unlike to those,

Whose valour, like their wit, lies only in their clothes? Such arrant beaux, so trim, so degagée,

swear,

That ev'n French ladies would not run away.
They'll huff, indeed, and strut, look proud, and
And all this they can do- -because they dare.
But know, poor souls, all this implies no merit,
Ev'n women soon discern a man of spirit;
Judges alike of warriors and of wooers:
The mightiest talkers, are the poorest doers,
Such to subdue, requires no martial fire,
One Joan of Arc would make them all retire.
But hold,I wander- -Poitiers be my story,
And warm my breast with British love of glory;
When each bold Briton took his country's part,
And wore her freedom blazon'd on his heart,
Such were our sires-But now, oh, dire disgrace!
Lo, half their offspring lost in silk and lace.

Ye Britons, from this lethargy arise,
Burst forth from folly's bondage, and be wise:
Once more let virtue, dignity, be priz'd:
Nor copy what your ancestors despis'd.
Each false refinement study to disdain,
And harden into manhood back again;
So shall our Briton's honours mount on high,
And future fields with that of Poitiers vie.

THE END.

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