Lay lance in rest!—wave, noble banners! wave!
[Throwing down his sword.
Go from me!—leave the fallen!
Her. Nay, but the cause!
Tell us the cause!
Rai. (approaching him indignantly.)
Your sword—your crested helm
And your knight's mantle—cast them down! your name
Is in the dust!—our father's name! The cause!
—Tell it not, tell it not!
[Turning to the soldiers and waving his hand.
Sound, trumpets! sound!
On, lances! for the Cross!
[Military music. As the knights march out,
he looks back at Aymer.
I would not now
Call back my noble father from the dead,
If I could with but a breath!—Sound, trumpets, sound!
[Exeunt knights and soldiers.
Aym. Why should I bear this shame? 'tis not too late!
[Rushing after them, he suddenly checks himself.
My faith! my knightly faith pledged to my fall!
[Exit.
Scene IV. Before a Church.
Groups of Citizens passing to and fro. Aymer
standing against one of the pillars of the church
in the background, and leaning on his sword.
1st Cit. (to 2d.) From the walls, how goes the battle?
2d. Cit. Well, all well,
Praise to the Saints! I saw De Chatillon
fighting, as if upon his single arm
The fate o' the day were set.
3d. Cit. Shame light on those
That strike not with him in their place!
1st Cit. You mean
His brother? Ay, is't not a fearful thing
That one of such a race—a brave one too—
Should have thus fallen?
2d Cit. They say the captive girl
Whom he so loved, hath won him from his faith
To the vile Paynim creed.
Aym. (suddenly coming forward.) Who dares say that?
Show me who dares say that!
[They shrink back—he laughs scornfully.
Ha! ha! ye thought
To play with a sleeper's name!—to make your mirth
As low-born men sit by a tomb, and jest
