Doth of pure truth substantiate the essence. Enough! Come down. The screech-owl from afar Upbraids thy usurpation. Cease, I say. GURMO descends. Await me in the border of the forest, By Elstan's well. [Exit GURMO. A sturdy knave is yon! He has transacted murder in his time, Yet will he walk in darkness through the forest [Enter the QUEEN MOTHER in a Peasant's garb. Give your Grace good even! You are a faithful servant of the Church, And humbler weeds than these would gladly wear, Would seek to serve her. THE QUEEN MOTHER. Father, I am faint, For a strange terror seized me by the way. I pray you let me sit. DUNSTAN, I say, forbear! Thou art in a Presence that thou wot'st not of, If stand thou canst not, kneel. [She falls on her knees. THE QUEEN MOTHER. Oh, merciful Heaven! Oh, sinner that I am! DUNSTAN. Dismiss thy fears; Thine errand is acceptable to Him Who rules the hour, and thou art safer here THE QUEEN MOTHER. Alas! lost boy! с This arching umbrage, step aside; look up; The alphabet of Heaven is o'er thy head, The starry literal multitude. To few, And not in mercy, is it given to read The mixed celestial cypher. Not in mercy, Save as a penance merciful in issue, Doth God impart that mournfullest of gifts Which pushes farther into future time The bounds of human foresight. Yonder book, In mercy to the King and not to me, Unfolds its tragic page. Is written there Something that must be, something more that may, But yet may be prevented. THE QUEEN MOTHER. On my knees, I pray thee, holy Dunstan, read not there Of ruin to my son. DUNSTAN. What there is writ Needs must I read; and wiselier shouldst thou pray Means of prevention. THE QUEEN MOTHER. In thy holy hands I place myself; thy bidding will I do As knowing it is Heaven's. DUNSTAN. This wily wench That profiting by the softness and green sap THE QUEEN MOTHER. Insolent jade! Were it not, father, a good deed in Christ, Bewitch'd past reason, that he flouts his mother, Forgets his duty-woeful, woeful day! Says 'Silence,' if I do but say God bless him!' An excellent deed and righteous before God, DUNSTAN. With thee the cry is ever " Kill and Kill.” THE QUEEN MOTHER. Or but to mew her up... DUNSTAN. Nay, worse and worse; it were but to inflame By opposition the boy's passionate will. |