cannot, and back I will not. The Queen (whom LEOLF." ETHILDA. This, if I could but to the King convey it, Would much sustain his spirit. EMMA. Please you, Madam, To use the gold I brought you-it is done. [Trumpets sound at a distance. ETHILDA. Hark! the patrol comes round; pass to the chapel. [Exeunt. SCENE V. A CHAMBER IN THE ARCHBISHOP'S PALACE. WULFSTAN THE WISE and SIGERIC, the Archbishop's Secretary. SIGERIC. With both these puissant Earls, as I hear say, You have been inward. WULFSTAN. Yea, Sir, in my time; With Athulf formerly, with Leolf always. SIGERIC. Earl Athulf is a merry man accounted. WULFSTAN. Much mirth he hath, and yet less mirth than fancy. His is that nature of humanity Which both ways doth redound, rejoicing now One law is common,-that their act and reach SIGERIC. These two Earls Are, certes, the prime spirits of the age. Yet hardly may we either Earl esteem A match for Dunstan. From his youth devote To books, with chemic and mechanic art Searching the core of things; and then caught up To Edred's court and favour, studying there The ways of men and policies of states, No marvel from such training that he took An applicable mind; and were he not Pushed sometimes past the confine of his reason He would o'ertop the world. WULFSTAN. Sir, could he sway His proper passions, he were Lord of all. But he is more their captive than the King, Poor innocent! is his. SIGERIC. When others storm Then only is he calm. 'Twas thought at first And solitude, he made his ministers, Himself desisting. WULFSTAN. His, Sir, you shall find A spirit subdolous, though full of fire. He, when his prey is taken in the toils, Withholds himself until its strength be spent With struggles, and its spirit with despair; Forth from his ambush stalks. SIGERIC. But Dunstan's web Is woven with a difference. He shrinks This softness hath he still. Enter EMMA. EMMA. Why halt you here? The doors are opened to the ante-chamber, And it will soon be crowded. Pray you, come. Earl Sidroc, in an Acolyte's apparel, Will bear your train, and waits you here without. SIGERIC. You have the Archbishop's pass? WULFSTAN. Yes, it is here. EMMA. I can pass too; I have cajoled with smiles The High Gerefa's man that keeps the door. |