ODO. Brethren, when I unfolded all the doubts That compassed round the cause, the enemy's strength, That walk amongst us,-reasons all that plead Said 'twas a time for exercise devout And he entreated my good company For mutual castigation. Enter SIGERIC. SIGERIC. Honoured Lords, The wench which had an audience upon Wednesday Now we shall find how far Earl Athulf will be compromised. Come in. Re-enter SIGERIC, followed by EMMA and WULFSTAN THE WISE. Good wench we have expected thee, and thou Art welcome-but who 's this? EMMA. A man, my Lords, Known to you all by fame though not by favour ; Wulfstan the Wise. ODO. Sir, you are welcome too. Earl Athulf peradventure deems the knot Your great renown for wisdom, and we hail Is wise though young, and if he be, the terms WULFSTAN. My good Lords, far Beyond my merits doth my fame extend; But moderation alway have I praised And peace ensued, and therefore have been held To mediate not unfit, when Mars attired In triple steel on this side shakes his spear, Bellona upon that side mounts her car By Flight and Terror drawn. ODO. You doubtless know The tenour of our terms,-all Regulars Since Edred's death supplanted to return, Save those who did themselves in Edred's reign The Secular Incumbents-the new Queen The scales of Justice balanced. To these terms EMMA. Me, my Lords, Earl Athulf charged with what from him proceeds ; What from my father (for he is my father) You hear, be pleased to value at its worth LEOFWYN. The Earl is wise. The starling shall be true to what she 's taught, EMMA. My Lords, The Earl inclines; but ere he shall impledge Himself, much less his absent friend Earl Leolf, In this behalf, he looks to be assured The Synod late convened for other ends Will set its seal to this. ODO. The Earl demands To-morrow No more than what is just and right. The Synod meets, and if our voice prevail Hath secret intercourse with Rome, for ends Unknown to us. LEOFWYN. Earl Athulf is apprised How that from us the motion may not issue; But let it be propounded on his part, Or by the Seculars before the Synod, And we shall so foreshape the minds of men, EMMA. My Lords, The Earl forgot not this, and therefore sends With me my father, that persuasively He may, according to his gifts, impart The proffered compact, with the instances That recommend it to the assembled Church; Trusting to you to second and support What he delivers. But speak it roundly. ODO. Sir, be not afraid, |