ACT III. SCENE I. THE CASTLE AT TONBRIDGE. LEOLF'S Army encamped around it. OSCAR and LEOLF'S SENESCHAL. OSCAR. I would that Wulfstan might have staid behind ; As with a drag-chain. SENESCHAL. Nay, good Oscar, nay; We can't go further yet. The force in front Hourly increases; our reserves are late; And nothing comes from Wessex. Enter WULFSTAN THE WISE. Worthy Sir, Your daughter, as I hear, is married. Well; It is a blessing if her choice be yours, And if it be not, still the father's heart Will give the child God-speed. WULFSTAN. I did but bid her be less mutable, Assuredly. Telling her that the past, or worse or better, Her choice now planted, forth of it to bring On all things works for good; the barren breeds, By constancy. I told you, did I not, The desultory wind, was wrought upon ? OSCAR. Yes, Sir; you told it twice. WULFSTAN. [Exit SENESCHAL. The tale was this: The wind, when first he rose and went abroad Through the waste region, felt himself at fault, Wanting a voice; and suddenly to earth A voice so constant, soft, and lowly deep, Where he was born. Enter LEOLF, with EMMA, ERNWAY, and GRIMBALD. LEOLF. Unhappy news! last night! Sorely I grieve-ay, bitterly repent— Had I been in my place-oh, weak recoil— But it avails not.-Yesterday, my friends, Was fruitful in events. The King was crowned, Was married, was o'ermastered by the Monks. The Queen the while to Chester carried captive; Earl Athulf to the Tower. A shout-a hubbub in the camp-our ears Are but fools' ears, and yet they hear a shout. LEOLF. A welcome to some friend. As each arrives They hail him thus, and as the force he brings This is the loudest I have heard. Look out. ERNWAY. I see no force, my Lord, and but one man, Who hurries hitherward, and as he comes They crowd him, and with clapping of their hands And shouting bring him on. See ! Leolf.... Alas! . . . . What, Grimbald with you! . . Nay, You know it then already. Think no worse Of us or of our fortunes than they are. This half-faced treason will not touch the life. The Princess with a signet of the King's, LEOLF. Oh! Leolf! Athulf, say no more but this ; She stands within the keeping of God's love. |