Thy husband hath only trodden the path appointed to us all." "In his case," said the widow, "my liege must remember it has been a brief and a bloody one." "I agree he hath had foul measure.

But since I have been unable to protect him, as I confess was my royal duty, I am willing, in atonement, to support thee and these orphans, as well or better than you lived in the days of your husband; only do thou pass from this charge, and be not the occasion of spilling more life.

Remember, I put before you the choice betwixt practising mercy and pursuing vengeance, and that betwixt plenty and penury." "It is true, my liege, we are poor," answered the widow, with unshaken firmness "but I and my children will feed with the beasts of the field ere we live on the price of my husband's blood.

I demand the combat by my champion, as you are belted knight and crowned king." "I knew it would be so!" said the King, aside to Albany.

"In Scotland the first words stammered by an infant and the last uttered by a dying greybeard are 'combat--blood--revenge.' It skills not arguing farther.
Admit the defendants." Sir John Ramorny entered the apartment.