Britain ... - Blue-Lite

Scene IV.] THE ENGLISH SLAVE. 7 1
Of worse than Danish pirates,
seized the whole,
My ancestors out-turning on the world
To be their wretched slaves. I scorned their fate,
And feel 'tis honest noble to destroy
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All of thy lineage who my rights usurp. ( )
GONDABERT.
Thou lying robber ! base, audacious slave !
This instant die !
[Rushes on Roderick and attempts to stab him, he avoids
the How and wrests the dagger from Gondabert.
RODERICK.
Ha! ha! ha! ha!
Thy feeble fury beggars my derision.
Think'st thou I did not come prepared to meet
Thy utmost vengeance
Return not safe, these boys will be set free,
Such were my strict commands,
? If I in one hour
-free as the winds.
They know from me the secret of their birth,
And to the English monarch will
appeal.
There is thy blade. {Flinging it towards him.
Strike manfully.
Now, if thou darest to strike,
I will not stir a foot,
Till thou hast signed and sealed that deed of gift.
GONDABERT (snatching the parchment a pause.)
I will not sign it. Let them to the king.
Who will believe a wandering robber Dane,
A nameless pirate ? No, I fear them not.
Take, thou pernicious caitiff, back thy scroll,
I scorn thy deep-laid plans.
RODERICK.
What ho !
[Flinging
Hold, Gondabert, if thou wouldst save thyself.
I heed the utmost thou to me canst do
it at him.