[Going,
Du N. Stay! hear me!
Give but the word, the countersign agreed,
And by the holy fount of truth I swear
No blood of thine shall flow this day through me.
Nay, more, if ought of blame attach to thee,
I swear to place myself in Bedford's power.
Let me not plead in vain. By all that justice,
By all that mercy, all that pity wakes,
By all that thou hast sworn of love to woman,
Grant my request!
War. Cease! cease! a cruel strife
Thou raisest in my breast.
[Countess kneels to Warwick.
Du N. Ah! see who pleads!
Canst thou resist that look? By this joint act—
War. Du Nois, my Alice, rise—spare me this trial.
Du N. End this suspense.
War. It must not, cannot be.
Witness, O Heaven! what this denial costs.
But honour's laws forbid what feeling prompts—
The friend would grant—the soldier must deny.
[Going, he returns.
Wouldst see her once again—here is my signet—
Thou needst not pity less than I. Farewell.