"Let him go free, forsooth, when he tells me he is my foe, and will go hence and join my bitterest enemies the moment he is free.
Go free! and who art thou who askest this boon?
Hast thou such claims upon me, that for thy pleasure I should give freedom to thy son ?" "My lord, my lord, 'tis for thine own sake, for his, thy child as well as mine, I do beseech, implore thy mercy?
draw not the curse of heaven on thy heart by exposing him to death.

Thou wilt know and feel him as indeed thy child when he lies bleeding before thee, when thine own hand hath forged the death-bolt, and then, then it will be too late; thou wilt yearn for his voice in vain.

Oh! is it not sufficient triumph to have in thy power the wife who hath dared thy authority, who hath joined the patriot band, and so drawn down on her the vengeance of Edward?
The price of a traitor is set upon her head.

My lord, my lord, is not one victim enough--will not my capture insure thee reward and honor in the court of Edward?
Then do with me what thou wilt--chains, torture, death; but my child, my brave boy--oh, if thou hast one spark of mercy in thy heart, let him go!" "Mother," hoarsely murmured Alan, as he strove to raise her from her suppliant posture, "mother, this shall not be! look upon that face and know thou pleadest in vain.

I will not accept my freedom at such a price; thy knee, thy supplications unto a heart of stone, for me! No, no; mother, dear mother, we will die together!" "Thou shalt not, thou shalt not, my beloved, my beautiful! thy death will be on my head, though it come from a father's hand.