--Ay, here comes mair proposals--the sorry
proposal them! I wish them and proposals an' a' were in the
middle o' the Tweed.
_Enter_ EARL PERCY _and_ Attendants.
_Percy_.--Save ye, my band of heroes; by St. Cuthbert,
Your valorous deeds have wrought a miracle,
And turned my master's hatred into mercy;
For, deeming it a sin that such brave fellows
Should die a beggar's vulgar death from want,
He doth propose to drop hostilities,
And for two weeks you may command our friendship:
If in that time you gain no aid from Scotland,
Renounce the country, and be Edward master;
But, should you gain assistance--why, then, we
Will raise the siege, and wish you all good-bye.
_Elliot [to the people]_.--Urge the acceptance, friends, of
these conditions.
_Omnes_.--We all accept these terms.
_Sir Alex_.--It is the people's wish; and I agree.
_Percy_.--And you, in pledge of due performance, sir,
Do give up this your son into our hands,
In surety for your honour------
_Sir Alex_.--What! my son!
Give him up too--yield him into your power?
Have ye not one already?--No! no! no!
I cannot, my Lord Percy; no, I cannot
Part with him too, and leave their mother childless!
_Provost Ramsay_.--Wad ye no tak me as a substitute, Lord
Percy? I'm a man o' property, and chief magistrate beside; now,
I should think, I'm the maist likely person.
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