He said it had its own fidelity, And true to him would be if not to truth. ETHILDA. You serve the Heretoch and not Earl Athulf. EMMA. Earl Athulf at the Heretoch's behest ; And they are so entwined that serving one Is serving both. ETHILDA. No, no, you serve not both; You serve Earl Leolf only. EMMA. If it please you. Here is the gold; with this he said your way Would soon be opened to the King, whose heart Would then be comforted and fortified With tidings of deliverance near at hand. ETHILDA. That shall be well; but yet my brother's heart Is carefuller for the Queen's deliverance. I would that I had comfort for him there. EMMA. I trust that both Earl Leolf and the Queen Will soon be heard of. Heida, could we find her, Might tell us much; for, either by her art Or by forerunning of intelligence, What happens to the Heretoch is hers So soon as it befalls if not before. But I have sought her fruitlessly. What's here ? I think I see her now. Her errand is to us. ETHILDA. If this be she, EMMA. Regard her not, For she is freest of her utterance When least importuned or observed. Talk on. ETHILDA. I think I asked you-yes-how looked the Earl When last you saw him? EMMA. Wasted much. His hair, Which was not till this year so much as grizzled, Is almost grey. ETHILDA. Earl Athulf grey? HEIDA, who has been advancing, and touching her harp fitfully, now plays a low prelude. EMMA. Madam, I may say Like yonder archway, one half in the shade, The other in the sun; for hope shines through him. HEIDA (sings). By sun and moon, By fire and flood, By well and stone, And ashen wood, By lot and torch, By dreams and thunder, Comes that above That would be under. EMMA. She will draw nearer, if you mark her not; HEIDA (sings again). By Wellesbourne and Charlcote ford, By Wellesbourne and Charlcote Lea, By Charlcote ford and Wellesbourne, The raven stood on his white breast; Hoarsely in the dead man's ear Raven whispered' Friend, good cheer! Ere the winter pinch the crow, He that slew thee shall lie low. ETHILDA. She cannot tell us of a victory past But she must dash the triumph of our joy 'Twixt telling and foretelling, one is sure, Well, Heida, hast thou aught to say? HEIDA. Princess, I may not tarry. To the King Earl Leolf sends his duty, and therewith ETHILDA. [Exit. Good Heida, stay! She's gone; but this shall tell us. You can read. 66 EMMA reads. Your Majesty shall know that a battle has been fought L |