Comes my Lord Abbot Dunstan, his lean cheek

Surprised with smiles. So smoothly runs the realm, Missives are sent to each confederate Earl,

To bid his power disband; and these to you

Art thou not over-reached? I fear it much.
Dunstan in smiles? A presage to be feared.
I would I were at Kingston with my power.
Conceive you what this smiling may portend?

WULFSTAN.

You read it as the scholiast of mankind

Should ever read their acts, conjunctively,
Interpreting the several by the whole.

LEOLF.

Then, Hederic, we will expedite the levies.

The daylight's lengthened by yon rounding moon. Long marches and short nights-and so to Kingston.

[Exeunt.

SCENE III.

KINGSTON. A CHAMBER LEADING TO THE BANQUETING HALL IN THE PALACE.

The Dish-Thane passes through, followed by other Officers of the Household, by Attendants bearing dishes, and by the Female Cupbearer. In the back of the scene are a motley crowd, consisting of Musicians tuning their instruments two Fortune-Tellers, HEIDA and THORBIORGA; GRIMBALD, the King's Jester; BRIDFERTH, Dunstan's Chaplain; a few Monks and secular Priests, several Thanes of the second rank, Ceorls, and Soldiers. The Persons of the scene are in constant movement, changing their situations or passing in and out, some eagerly, others idly. Once or twice an Earl or Ealderman passes through, but without stopping or mixing with the crowd, which reverently makes way. The parties who are heard to speak are those who pass in front or pause there.

FIRST SOLDIER.

In the north aisle was I and saw it all.

SECOND SOLDIER.

The bailiff (curse him!) broke my head with his staff,
Or I had got there too.

FIRST SOLDIER.

Most royally

His excellent Majesty demeaned himself,

And graciously and grandly. At the Abbot Methought he looked askance, but with the rest ... (They pass.)

FIRST MONK.

-In the south aisle. He faltered as he swore

To keep the Church in peace.

SECOND MONK.

His cheek was pale.

FIRST MONK.

It was as white as leprosy.

BRIDFERTH.

No marvel,

For such an eye was on him in that hour

As smote Gehazi.

(They pass.)

A THANE (who advances in company with a SCHOLAR)

Hark ye! are we blind?

The Princess was led in by brave Earl Athulf;

And didst thou mark the manner of it, ha?

SCHOLAR.

Methought she leaned upon him and toward him,
With a most graceful timid earnestness;
A leaning more of instinct than of purpose,
And yet not undesigned. But think you then...
(They pass.)

HEIDA (sings to a harp).

She was fresh and she was fair,
Glossy was her golden hair ;
Like a blue spot in the sky
Was her clear and loving eye.

He was true and he was bold,
Full of mirth as he could hold;
Through the world he broke his way
With jest, and laugh, and lightsome lay.

Love ye wisely, love ye well;
Challenge then the gates of Hell,

Love and truth can ride it out,

Come bridal song or battle shout.

FIRST PRIEST.

Our gallant Heretoch, the good Earl Leolf,

Should have been there methought.

SECOND PRIEST.

He should have been ;

But there are reasons, look

ye,-reasons-mum

Most excellent reasons- -softly-in your ear—

(They pass)

THORBIORGA (sings).

He stood on the rock,

And he looked on the sea,

And he said of his false Love,

'My Love, where is she?

'Have they bought her with bracelets

And lured her with gold?

Is her love for her lover

A tale that is told?'