Puslapio vaizdai
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ODO.

Brethren, when I unfolded all the doubts

That compassed round the cause, the enemy's strength,
The fears, the double faces, the false hearts,

That walk amongst us,-reasons all that plead
For caution and some temperate composition,-
He checked and chid me like a troublesome child
That prates at random; bade me know that God
Revealed it otherwise, and he must needs
Believe in God; then calling for a scourge,

Said 'twas a time for exercise devout

And he entreated my good company

For mutual castigation.

Enter SIGERIC.

SIGERIC.

Honoured Lords,

The wench which had an audience upon Wednesday
Is now returned, and with her an old man.

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Now we shall find how far

Earl Athulf will be compromised. Come in.

Re-enter SIGERIC, followed by EMMA and WULFSTAN

THE WISE.

Good wench we have expected thee, and thou

Art welcome-but who 's this?

EMMA.

A man, my Lords,

Known to you all by fame though not by favour ;

Wulfstan the Wise.

ODO.

Sir, you are welcome too.

Earl Athulf peradventure deems the knot
Of these affairs worthy your vindication,
Wherein by message he hath dealt till now
Conveyed us through this envoy, weak by sex,
But verily quick-witted. Sir, we know

Your great renown for wisdom, and we hail
Your advent hither, for we deem the Earl,
In calling age and wisdom to his aid,

Is wise though young, and if he be, the terms
We offer are what wisdom will commend
And modesty embrace.

WULFSTAN.

My good Lords, far

Beyond my merits doth my fame extend;

But moderation alway have I praised

And peace ensued, and therefore have been held

To mediate not unfit, when Mars attired

In triple steel on this side shakes his spear,

Bellona upon that side mounts her car

By Flight and Terror drawn.

ODO.

You doubtless know

The tenour of our terms,-all Regulars

Since Edred's death supplanted to return,

Save those who did themselves in Edred's reign
Supplant in benefices duly holden

The Secular Incumbents-the new Queen
To be acknowledged so soon as the Pope
Shall grant his dispensation. Even you,
Though secular yourself, must see in this

The scales of Justice balanced. To these terms
What saith the brave Earl Athulf?

EMMA.

Me, my Lords,

Earl Athulf charged with what from him proceeds ;

What from my father (for he is my father)

You hear, be pleased to value at its worth
As his, but not the Earl's.

LEOFWYN.

The Earl is wise.

The starling shall be true to what she 's taught,
Whilst birds of divination-well-the matter-
How is the Earl inclined to us?

EMMA.

My Lords,

The Earl inclines; but ere he shall impledge

Himself, much less his absent friend Earl Leolf,

In this behalf, he looks to be assured

The Synod late convened for other ends

Will set its seal to this.

ODO.

The Earl demands

To-morrow

No more than what is just and right.

The Synod meets, and if our voice prevail
Will ratify the terms. But Dunstan still
His purpose holds, and it is rumoured now

Hath secret intercourse with Rome, for ends

Unknown to us.

LEOFWYN.

Earl Athulf is apprised

How that from us the motion may not issue; But let it be propounded on his part,

Or by the Seculars before the Synod,

And we shall so foreshape the minds of men,
That by the acclaim of most, if not of all,
It shall be hailed acceptable.

EMMA.

My Lords,

The Earl forgot not this, and therefore sends

With me my father, that persuasively

He may, according to his gifts, impart

The proffered compact, with the instances That recommend it to the assembled Church; Trusting to you to second and support

What he delivers.

But speak it roundly.

ODO.

Sir, be not afraid,

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