King. Conduct them straight to execution!
La Gloire. [Advancing to the left of Eustache.] Father!
Eust. How now? thou shakest!
La Gloire. 'Tisn't for myself, then.—For my own part, I am a man: but I cannot look on our relations, and my captain, and on you, father, without feeling a something, that makes a woman of me.—But I——
Eust. Briefly, boy; what is't?
La Gloire. Give me thy hand, father! So—[Kisses it.]—And now, if I part with it, while a puff of breath remains in my body, I shall lose one of the most sorrowful comforts, that ever poor fellow in jeopardy fixed his heart upon. Were I but well assured poor Madelon would recover the news, I could go off as tough as the stoutest.
Rib. [Advances to the right of Eustache.]
Farewell, old heart! thy body doth incase
The noblest spirit soldier e'er could boast,
To face grim death withal. Inform our fellows,