Puslapio vaizdai
PDF
„ePub“

SCENE X.

AN ORATORY.

Two

DUNSTAN, in a shirt of sackcloth stained with blood, reclines on a pallet of straw. ODO stands near him. Choristers are closing their books.

How farest thou, Brother?

ODO.

DUNSTAN.

Brother, weak in flesh

But strong of spirit. Choristers, retire.

[Exeunt Choristers.

Brother, behoves us to compel our thoughts
An instant from above, and on this world,
Its temporalities and secular cares,

Turn them, so long averted. Say, in brief,
What tidings hear'st thou ?

ODO.

Still a gathering round

Of the King's forces, trooping to the call
Of Rehoboam's councillor, rash Earl Athulf.

DUNSTAN.

Son of perdition, he affronts his fate!

But there are more than he?

ODO.

At Hastings still

Earl Leolf stands aloof; but holds his power

In present preparation.

DUNSTAN.

Brother, lo!

With blasting and with mildew shall they perish! With madness, blindness, and astonishment

Shall they be smitten, the young man and the virgin, Terror within them and a sword without !

One way against us shall their host come forth,

-What is this?

And seven ways flee before us.

ATHULF is heard without, singing:

Sinks the sun with a smile,

Though his heart's in his mouth,

And night comes the while
With a sigh from the South.

Like them, Love, are you,

In your coming and flying ;
For you smiled me Adieu,

And you welcome me sighing.

DUNSTAN.

What mumming knave is here ?-Brother, I say,
Their host shall flee, the anger of the Just

Shall smoke against them.-Nay, again! What, ho!

GRIMBALD is heard without, singing:

There was a maid that was a jade,

Four lovers true had she ;

One did so dote, that he cut his own throat,
And she poisoned the other three.

DUNSTAN.

What, ho are we attended? Are there none

To keep the precincts?

GRIMBALD'S song continued.

From this we learn to see and discern,

Nor hotly to desire

A maid whose store of lovers is more

Than her just needs require.

Enter BRIDFERTH (DUNSTAN'S Chaplain).

DUNSTAN.

What vile noise is this

Of juggling mountebanks that bellow and sing?

BRIDFERTH.

My lord, Earl Athulf, from his Majesty,

9

Attended by his Majesty's chief jester,

Expects the end of your observances,

And entertains his patience.

ODO.

Insolent scoffer!

DUNSTAN.

The King hath sent him? Nay then, bring him here.

ODO.

[Exit BRIDFERTH.

Attended by a jester! Is 't not monstrous?
The jester shall to prison, if not the Earl.
He shall be whipped, and make a jest of that.

DUNSTAN.

Brother, not so. A grave occasion this,
Which calls us to account, and bids be still
All outward flourishes of empty anger.

Far looks the present hour, and sees beyond
A fertile future. Brother, in our brains,
Not in our bloods, are we to seek the seeds
Wherewith to sow it.

Enter ATHULf.

Welcome, sir, to Sheen!

ATHULF.

My Lord Archbishop, and my good Lord Abbot,

I crave your blessing. Summons from the King
bring you both, that you attend the Court
At Kingston, on St. Austin's eve, to grace
His coronation, and therein perform

Each

your

fit function then and there, Lord Primate, You shall anoint him King, and you, my Lord, As is your right, shall with the golden spurs Adorn and illustrate the royal heels.

DUNSTAN.

Sir Earl, all rights that in the Church reside,
And in ourselves, at all times stand we prompt
To exercise; and on St. Austin's eve,
Obedient alway to the King-next God—
As He shall give us guidance shall we walk.

ATHULF.

I will so say.
The King expects your aid,
But in default thereof, his head and heels

Will punctually upon St. Austin's eve

Be otherwise attended. Fare you well!

DUNSTAN.

Ho, ho! Sir Earl; say'st thou St. Austin's eve?

Look to thy sister!

F

[Exit.

« AnkstesnisTęsti »