MAT. Salisbury, I come in hope of thy defence.
BRUCE. First will I die, ere you shall yield yourself
To any coward lord that serves the king.
SAL. Coward, proud boy! Thou find'st me no such beast,
And thou shalt rue in earnest this rude jest.
[Fight again. MATILDA taken, led by the hair
by two Soldiers.
SAL. Rude hands! how hale you virtuous honour forth!
You do not well: away!
Now, by my faith, ye do not well, I say.
Take her, fair queen, use her as she deserves:
She's fair, she's noble, chaste, and debonair.
I must, according to due course of war,
See that our soldiers scatter not too far,
Lest, what care won, our negligence may lose.
[Exit.
QUEEN. Is this the Helen, this the paragon,
That makes the English Ilion[329] flame so fast?
MAT. I am not she; you see I am not she:
I am not ravish'd yet, as Helen was.
I know not what will come of John's desire,
That rages like the sea, that burns like fire.
QUEEN. Plain John, proud Joan! I'll tear your painted face.
Thus, thus I'll use you. [Scratches her.
Enter SALISBURY.
MAT. Do, do what you will.