How tardy old friends are, how prompt are new!
Taken in the flower and freshness of good-will,
My friend of yesterday will run his ears
Into some risk to please me. On my back
He'll put a surplice, and amongst the choir
I sing the psalm. But linger not, I pray.

The

SIGERIC.

passage to the left-I think you know it.

Come, I will show you.

ΕΜΜΑ.

I beseech you, Sir,

When you address the Synod, wander not;

Be mindful of the purpose.

WULFSTAN.

Yes, my child;

151

I'll sit the purpose close. Truly, a light

That shines not in its place is worse than none ;

And when the thought is prized above the purpose,

'Tis Jack o' the Lanthorn speaks. Oh, Sir, your pardon!

[Exeunt.

SCENE VI.

A CHAMBER IN THE TOWER.

DUNSTAN, to whom enter OSWALD, Bishop of Worcester, and ETHELWALD, Bishop of Winchester.

DUNSTAN.

They come, and hastily! My Lords, what cheer?

Or, let me say, what tiding?

For our cheer,

If God be gracious to us, flies not round

With every gust.

OSWALD.

The Synod is assembling

With Seculars commixed. We hear that still

Earl Athulf hangs at Tonbridge; but his force
Daily increaseth. It is good we go.

This hour we meet the Synod in good heart,

What cometh with the next we know not.

DUNSTAN.

Nay,

Who trusteth knoweth. To the Synod then;

But let us be expected for a season

Before we show ourselves.

[Exeunt.

SCENE VII.

A WIDE GALLERY LEADING TO THE SYNODIAL CHAMBER.

It is filled with Monks, Guards, and Attendants.

Two

of the Gerefa's or High Sheriff's Deputies are in front. Ecclesiastics of rank, including two or three Abbesses, pass through more and more frequently as the Scene proceeds, not unmixed with Civil and Military Functionaries. Each Ecclesiastic is attended by an Acolyte as a train-bearer.

They are stricken deer; I would not come amongst

the herd if I were they.

SECOND DEPUTY.

I never saw Dunstan's chair before. 'Tis a choice piece of workmanship.

FIRST DEPUTY.

He made it himself, and they say if another were to sit in it, it would toss him in the air. He can make anything, and make it do his bidding.

SECOND DEPUTY.

But should his chair be set above the Archbishop's ?

FIRST DEPUTY.

It was so ordered, and indeed he that is above the King may be above the Archbishop. King, said I! Who knows whether there be a King, or in which brother's reign we that are living live?

SECOND DEPUTY.

Hush! Speak not so.

FIRST DEPUTY.

Nay, 'tis the way of the beehive, and Courts are no

Sirs, if it please you. No offence.

Farther back, I pray.

What though he be a Secular? he's noble

And of a generous life.

A MONK.

Six meals a day,

With morat and spiced ale, is generous living.
Also the gout he hath is generous.

ANOTHER MONK.

Bed, board, nor bath, he never yet forewent
The joys of for a day. Look at his tonsure ;
A well grown acorn's cup would cover it.

Enter amongst others, WULFSTAN THE WISE, habited as an
Ecclesiastic, attended by SIDROC, in the dress of an
Acolyte, bearing his train.

SIDROC (aside to WULFSTAN).

Let us stand here, and reckon as they pass

The numbers on each side.

Enter EMMA in a surplice with a band of Choristers.

EMMA (aside to the FIRST DEPUTY).

Aha! my friend,

Know'st thou the merry wench?

FIRST DEPUTY.

Nay, softly; hush!

But pass no further yet; here you shall stand,

And I will tell you, as they come, who's who.