FITZ.  O, how came she there?

HUB.  When all these fields were walks for rage and fear: 
This howling like a head of hungry wolves,[338]
That, scudding as a herd of frighted deer: 
When dust, arising like a coal-black fog,
From friend divided friend, join’d foe to foe,
Yet neither those nor these could either know;
Till here and there, through large wide-mouthed wounds,
Proud life, even in the glory of his heat
Losing possession, belch’d forth streams of blood,
Whose spouts in falling made ten thousand drops,
And with that purple shower the dust allay’d—­
At such a time met I the trembling maid;
Seeming a dove from all her fellows parted—­
Seen, known, and taken; unseen and unknown
To any other that did know us both,
At her entreats I sent her safely guided
To Dunmow Abbey; and the guide return’d
Assures me she was gladfully receiv’d,
Pitied, and in his sight did take her oath.

FITZ.  Hubert, for this thy honourable deed
I and my house will reverence thy name.

HUB.  Yet, I beseech you, hide it from the king;
At least that I convey’d her to the place.

    Enter KING, MOWBRAY, CHESTER.

FITZ.  Hubert, I will.

KING.  What, stand they still on terms?

LEI.  On honourable terms, on terms of right. 
Our lives without our liberty we scorn.

KING.  You shall have life and liberty, I swear.

LEI.  Then Leicester bows his knee to his liege lord,
And humbly begs his highness to beware
Of wronging innocence, as he hath done.

RICH.  The like Richmond desires, and yields his sword.

KING.  I do embrace ye both, and hold myself
Richer by a whole realm in having you.

FITZ.  Much is my wrong; yet I submit with these,
Begging free leave to live a private life.

KING.  Old brands of malice in thy bosom rest: 
Thou shalt have leave to leave me, never doubt. 
Fitzwater, see thou ship thee straight for France,
And never set thy foot on English shore,
Till I repeal thee.  Go, go hence in peace.

LEI.  Why doth your highness wrong Fitzwater thus?

KING.  I right his wrong; he’s weary of the land.

RICH.  Not of the land, but of a public life.

KING.  Content ye, lords:  in such quick times as these
We must not keep a drone among our bees.

FITZ.  I am as glad to go as you to send: 
Yet I beseech this favour of your grace,
That I may see Matilda, ere I part.

KING.  Matilda! see Matilda, if thou canst,
Before sunset:  stay not another day.

FITZ[339].  The abbey-walls, that shroud my happy child,
Appear within her hapless father’s sight. 
Farewell, my sovereign, Leicester, Richmond, lords: 
Farewell to all; grief gives no way to words.

KING.  Fitzwater, stay:  lords, give us leave awhile. 
Hubert, go you before unto the abbess,
And signify our coming.  Let her bring
Matilda to her father. (Exit HUBERT.) Come, old man;
Be not too froward, and we shall be friends. 
About this girl our mortal jars began,
And, if thou wilt, here all our quarrel ends.