Puslapio vaizdai
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Now list the counsel which from Heaven and Earth,

Much reading of their signs and characters,

I learn, and bid thee follow. If less pure

In outward seeming than its sacred source,
Be not the less assured it is from God,

Who works through human frailties to good ends.
Mew not her up, nor yet be strict with him;
Withdraw your watch and ward-let the girl loose-
Loose access give the boy; so shall she fall,
And she so fallen, satiate appetite

Sickens on this side marriage and there an end.

THE QUEEN MOTHER.

My Lord... but what am I? Oh, my good Lord; weak woman! it is not for me...

A

poor

But yet to give her way . . . Oh, infamous minx!

If she should prosper ! . . .

DUNSTAN.

Fear it not; trust me.

In women's breasts the passions that are bred,
Which for a summer's season work their will,
As surely with the dangerous hour's approach
Rise like arm'd Helots raging, and are found

Of their worst enemies the best allies.

With-with a woman's passions, not against them,

He takes the field who wisely would pursue

Her ultimate overthrow.

THE QUEEN MOTHER.

Most true, my lord,

Most excellently true! Oh, man of God!
Command me always-it is Heaven's behest!
I will take order for the following out

Of thy intent.

DUNSTAN.

It is an easy task.

Have eyes that see not, ears that hear not, brains That apprehend not. Let their wills run riot.

What other furtherance a woman's wit

To such an end as this may minister,

Be vigilant to use. Hark! hist! a Spirit!
Another and a third. They're trooping up.

THE QUEEN MOTHER.

St. Magnus shield us!

DUNSTAN.

Thou art safe; but go;

The wood will soon be populous with Spirits.

The path thou cam'st retread. Who laughs i' the air?

The

Ecce crucem, spargere lucem,

Spiritûm Trias, pandite vias!

way is open. To St. Elstan's well

I will attend thee, and there Gurmo waits.

SCENE IV.

A CHAMBER IN THE PALACE.

Enter ATHULF and ELGIVA.

ELGIVA.

This is the chamber where the Council sits:
I leave thee here: the very rushes bristle,
Disdaining to be trodd'n by female feet.

ATHULF.

To meet at eight, the summons said. By this

They are at hand; but ere you go, one word.
I see a trouble sit on Leolf's brow.

Elgiva, oh my sister! art thou true?

Indeed, I am.

ELGIVA.

[Exeunt.

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Sincerely and in truth and honesty

Have I dealt with him always, and do now.

I verily believed I loved him once.

I think I love him still.

ATHULF.

Alas! alas!

But not him only, no, nor yet him most.

Beware, my sister, that ambition's weeds

Choke not the garden where thy love should grow.

In Man, of questionable quality

Ambition has been holden; but in Woman

Oh! 'tis the veriest beggary of the heart

That winter ever witnessed!

ELGIVA.

Athulf, no;

A weaker to a stronger love may yield;

But not in me will love, or weak or strong,
Yield to ambition ever.

ATHULF.

Oh, this head!

So shapely, and by nature so adorned !
Far rather would I see the glossy braid
Of its own golden tresses circle it

Than England's jewelled crown.

(An ATTENDANT, who appears at the door, announces
"The Chancellor.")

Good night, Elgiva. Said'st thou, a stronger love?
The strength of love is constancy. Farewell!

As came the honey from the lion's carcase,

So sweetness comes of strength. Beware, I say;
Kings love like other men—or other boys:

Not so they marry.

[Exit ELGIVA.

Gone in anger! Well;

Reproof that vexed not never yet sank deep,

Nor ever of a warning that was welcome

Came needful caution. Tush! a woman's wrath.

And yet the very day that first we meet

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