The fear, but not the fact, of death . . . if this, Should find a free deliverance to the work, Content Enter the QUEEN MOTHER and ODO. you, Madam. Let me hear no more. You have another and a better son. Though this should not deserve to reign nor live,— Already, yea, and stinketh,—yet should that Applausively succeed. I say no more; But leave to me the working out God's will THE QUEEN MOTHER. My Lord, yourself was witness How hardy and how stout he was against me, Foully with evil speaking from his heart, Likewise the ten commandments. Yet, my Lord, I do beseech you, spare him! DUNSTAN. To what end? For God's behoof, or yours, or his, or whose? THE QUEEN MOTHER. Speak, my Lord Primate; bid him to spare my son. Who biddeth me? DUNSTAN. ODO. Lord Abbot, by mine office I might be bold to speak by way of bidding; The times are evil; accidents may come, Yielding occasion of exceeding malice, And backward sliding, if beyond the range Of Christian prudence, through inordinate zeal, For of one colour though the city be, And neighbouring shires the same, still is the land, Is spun of light, and dipped in dies of Heaven; As not to raise against us those, though erring, DUNSTAN. Be content. Though neither law nor usage of the realm Still have I pondered all. The godless King ODO. If reason should so work with him at length That such should be his choice, 't were excellent. DUNSTAN. Since he was crowned, experience, by my hand [Exeunt. SCENE III. A PRECINCT OF THE TOWER. ETHILDA and EMMA. ETHILDA. They will not; for they say that I am watched, Should bring a double danger; but for you They would attempt it. At the hour of nones The Abbot will be with him, after which You will have least to fear. Fled with Earl Sidroc. We shall meet ere night. [Exeunt. |