Is not this as it should be ?" "Aye, as it _must_ be, sire, while loyal hearts and patriot spirits form thy court.

Nobly and gallantly was the answer given to Pembroke's challenge.

Yet pardon me, sire, was it wise--was it well ?" "Its wisdom, lady, rests with its success in the hands of a higher power," answered the king, gravely, yet kindly.

"Other than we did we could not do; rashly and presumptuously we would not have left our quarters.

Not for the mere chase of, mad wish for glory would we have risked the precious lives of our few devoted friends, but challenged as we were, the soul of Bruce could not have spoken other than he did; nor do we repent, nay, we rejoice that the stern duty of inaction is over.
Thine eye tells me thou canst understand this, lady, therefore we say no more, save to beseech thee to inspire our consort with the necessity of this deed; she trembles for the issue of our daring.