_Percy_.--Hear them in as few words as I can tell it:
Edward hath sworn, and he will keep his vow,
That if to-day ye yield not up the town,
Become his prisoners, break your faith with Scotland,
Ye with the morning dawn shall see your sons
Hung up before your windows. He hath sworn it;
And, by my earldom--faith as a Christian--
Honour as a peer--he will perform it!

_Lady Seton [aside]_.--Ruler of earth and heaven! a mother begs
Thy counsel--Thy protection! Say I _mother_!
No voice again shall call me by that name--
Both! both my boys!

_Sir Alex_.--Ha! my Matilda!
Thou here! Dry up thy tears, my love! dry up thy tears!
I cannot sacrifice both sons and mother!
Alas, my country! I must sell thee dearly!
My faith--mine honour too!--take--take them, Percy!
I am a father, and my sons shall live!--
Shall _live_! and I shall _die_! [_Unsheathing his sword_.

_Lady Seton_.--Hold! hold, my husband--save thy life and honour!
Thou art a father--am not I a mother?
Knowest thou the measure of a mother's love?
Think ye she yearns not for her own heart's blood?
Yet I will _live_! and thou shalt live, my husband!
We will not rob this Edward of his shame;
Write--I will dictate as my sons had done it--