To know thee mine, that Nature for my bound Intent with thee to pass from this pale earth Into that rosy and celestial clime Where life is ever thus. Makes the heart tremble! ELGIVA. How joy fulfilled Now no change can come That is not to be feared. Re-enter RICOLA. Forgive me -but I fear RICOLA. My Lord, my Liege, . . I'm old, my Lord, And shake at trifles, but I strangely fear That mischief is afoot. EDWIN. At Kingston? RICOLA. There, And coming hitherward; the poor fool Grimbald Came flying like the scud o' the storm before, To warn you. EDWIN. And what saith he? Call him in (RICOLA goes to the door, and returns with GRIMBALD.) EDWIN. Well, my good fool, and what hast thou to tell? GRIMBALD. There was grace after meat with a fist on the board, And down went the morat, and out flew the sword. ELGIVA. Truce to thy calling for a while, good fool, And tell us plainly what befell. GRIMBALD. By the ears The nobles went together; in the fray The Horse-Thane and the Dish-Thane were o'erborne And sent to prison. Then I took to my heels To bring you word. ELGIVA. Earl Athulf? Where is he? GRIMBALD. He stood against Harcather hand to hand When I departed; but I know no more. Enter the QUEEN-MOTHER. THE QUEEN-MOTHER. So you are here, my son! and, Madam, you! Is it for this you vex the kingdom? Yea, To shedding of blood-for there has blood been shed— For nought but this? Oh, fie! for dalliance-oh! And whiles you waste the hours in wantonness.. EDWIN. Good Mother, speak of what you know. Not here Was either wantonness or waste of time. You little think how little idly spent Has been the hour that's gone. THE QUEEN-MOTHER. How spent? oh, son! But here come those can speak. Lo! here they come! Enter DUNSTAN and ODo, with two or three Thanes following, who are gradually augmented as the scene proceeds, till the stage is filled with DUNSTAN's adherents. RICOLA. Wilt please you to withdraw ? Wherefore is this, my Lord Archbishop? Why Dost thou pursue me to my privacy? When I did leave you 'twas my will to leave you. Am I your King, or am I not? ODO. Sir, Sir, 'Tis true, with suffrage of the Witena, You were anointed with the holy oil And crowned this day by me. But deem not thence Rather deem That calls more urgent, bonds of stricter claim, Enjoin the duties of your sovereignty; Amongst which duties eminently first, Is this, that when your Lords and Councillors, From the assembled wisdom of the State. EDWIN. 'Twas for carousal, not for conference, They met to-day. DUNSTAN. Sirs, stand ye all apart, And suffer that I reason with the King, Whose youth betrays him. Oh unruly flesh ! Oh wanton blood of youth! The primal sin ! The first offender still! The original snare! Perdition came of Woman, and alway since, When Time was big with mischief and mischance, ELGIVA. Of Woman say 'st thou that perdition came? 'Twas of the Serpent, Priest. THE QUEEN-MOTHER. What, break'st thou in ? Thou bold and naughty jade! Thou pit! Thou snare ! Oh, Mother, hold! EDWIN. Know you at whom you rail? Deem her your daughter, or me not your son. THE QUEEN-MOTHER. Thou art not and thou shalt not be my son, If thou demean'st thyself to her—a witch! |