Page:Miscellaneous Plays 1.pdf/318

298

To mar men's heads than save them. And gentle Othus too, unbrace thyself: How liked thou the gripe of soldiers' geer?

Worn in the cause for which I wear it now, It feels like the close hug of a rough friend, Awkward but kindly.

Thanks, gen'rous Othus! it had pleas'd me better To've had the gentle service of thy pen. Thou could'st have told, if so it might have been, How brave men acted, and how brave men fell,— You gallant seamen, in th' applauding view Of the throng'd beach, amidst the tempest's rage, Ev'n on the last plank of your sever'd bark, Ride it careeringly, my brave Rodrigo!

Yes, royal sir; with brave true-hearted mates All things we do and bear right cheerfully.

And so will we.—Your hand, my gallant friend! And yours, and yours, and yours, my brave Eubedes—