May in the issue of this marriage see A hand, a sword, a claimant of the Crown A cause of strife. I grant the marriage rash, But out of common life this lesson cull: By a hot stripling, in the parent's heart And even as he his son, I deem the Church, With reconciling and reclaiming love, Should conquer back the King. My humble voice, Bending to better judgments, thus concludes. MORCAR. O thou dead fly that spoilest the pot! O grub! The Devil shall hang thee up to dry, thou rag! For thou art soaked and saturate with sin. Brother, art thou mad ? He is no traitor, but a faithful priest. Why dost thou rail upon him thus ! Cry out and cease not! saith the voice I hear Search out the sleights of Bel and slay the Dragon; And who saith cease, be dumb! ODO. I say it, Brother ; Yea, I command thee cease. Our Brother Monn Is wishful to be heard; speak, Brother Monn. MONN. My loving friends and Brethren, we are met Such prodigies and portents. Think, oh, think An image of the Virgin, as ye know, Was seen to weep, and sweat, and lift its hands, The vault of Heaven was filled with falling stars, But if we bear in mind that such things were, We must not, dare not, judge what God hath judged. GODREDUD. The worthy Abbot, by my faith, my Lords, Doth excellently well to bid us weigh These miracles and signs. They signified, Doubtless, some untoward events, my Lords; Behoves us not too rashly to deliver ; Divisions in the realm, it may be war, Implacable revenge, and hatred dire, And wrath, which wills not that its wounds be healed. The birthday of a progeny like this Would doubtless teem with warnings, which to pervert But to those premonitions, further signs And now two armies in the South and West To Edwin's cause as favoured from above, Be offered, not to spurn them. SIDROC (aside to WULFSTAN). Now, now, now; Stand up and speak-produce them. WULFSTAN. Here they are, Most noble Godredud, here are the terms: 'I, Athulf, Earl, intent on sparing life, Send greeting and say thus: All Regulars, The Secular Incumbents; the new Queen Shall grant his dispensation, shall be crowned; Shall answer for the past.'-My Lords and Brethren, (Acclamations from the Secular party, mingled with shouts of rage and execrations from the other.) Brethren, hear me speak. Brethren and friends, I fain would speak to you— My friends and Brethren, hear me, I beseech you. ODO. My Sons, this passion and this noise, I hold Unworthy this assembly. Hear him speak, |