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And spike thy head a thousand feet aloft; Still will I say thy father had a son. (Rushing into his arms.) Come to my soldier's heart, thou noble bird Of a brave nest!—Must thou indeed be pluck'd And cast to kites? By heav'n thou shalt not die! Shall such a man as thou art from his post Be sham'd and push'd for one rash desp'rate act? It shall not be, my child! it shall not be!

In faith, good Gen'ral, could your zeal prevent it, I am not yet so tir'd of this bad world, But I could well submit me to the change.

I'll with all speed unto the Governor, Nor be discourag'd, tho' he loudly prate That grace and pardon will but leave at liberty The perpetrators of such lawless deeds To do the like again, with such poor cant.

We ask not liberty; we ask but life. O grant us this, and keep us where they will, Or as they will. We shall do no disquiet. O let them grant us life, and we will bless them!