University of Virginia Library

SCENE II.

Cenulph and Lords.
CENULPH.
The times indeed do wear a fearful aspect.
You, noble Oswald, Mordred, Alwyn, Orgar,
Have shared my counsels with the holy Baldred;
We have most sure advices from our outposts
That Ethelbald has arm'd, but yet declares not
His hostile purpose; still in martial shows
Breathing his powers: as 'twere the boar enchaf'd,
That whets his hideous tusks, and wounds the soil,
Rooting up herb and flower.

OSWALD.
My gracious liege,
And can you doubt the purpose of proud Mercia?
Have not of late more frequent messengers
Sped with unwonted diligence 'twixt him
And his fair daughter? nay, who has not mark'd
The princess' alter'd mien—the quick succession
Of fierce conflicting passions on her brow?
The day is not yet fix'd that gives her hand
To Cenulph's royal heir. The people murmur,
That thus the pledge of peace with Ethelbald
Should still on vain pretences be deferr'd.

CENULPH.
Oswald, thou pointest to my sorrow's source.
My friends, ye know Prince Egbert's ardent temper,
In childhood haply foster'd by indulgence.

ALWYN.
We do, my liege; but his impatient spirit
Is coupled with such warm, heart-winning frankness,
Such all-embracing kindness, it but seems
The larger bounty of more lib'ral nature.

MORDRED.
A father or a friend may see it thus,
But it is dangerous.—To this we owe,
(This spirit so impatient of control,)
That we are threaten'd by dread Ethelbald.

CENULPH.
We sheathed the sword, my friends, and Edelfleda
Came to our court—the pledge of mutual love
Betwixt two nations harass'd by long war.
Betroth'd to Egbert, all a mother's care,
From my good Editha, the princess shared.
The general sorrow, while my poor queen languish'd,
And her lamented death, forbade the nuptials.
Meantime—(Ah! woe to me that e'er I foster'd
That serpent in my easy bosom) Ina,
The orphan daughter of brave Sigiswold—

OSWALD.
My liege, removed you not the lovely mischief?
Forbidding her the court and festive pageants?

CENULPH.
I did; and thought to quench love's idle flame,
By sending Egbert to command the force
Raised to repel the inroads on our borders.
Whether it be, that all on martial deeds
His soul intent, he spurn inglorious ease,
Or that his fancy still on Ina dwell,
The court he shuns, and its gay soft delights;
And late, when at the tournament, proclaim'd
In honour of the beauteous Edelfleda,
He bore the prize from all the knights of name,
Neglectful of the princess,—at her feet
He placed nor sword nor trophy,—but abrupt
Broke from the lists, unmindful and discourteous.

MORDRED.
Justly the haughty princess is offended.

Enter Baldred.
BALDRED.
My Liege, I come from Edelfleda's presence,
A messenger unwilling—to declare
Her sudden purpose, ere the nuptial rites
Have seal'd the bond of union 'twixt the states,
To seek her father's court.

OSWALD.
My sovereign Lord!
The public weal at stake—

MORDRED.
Prevent her purpose—
Delay not, sire, to solemnize the nuptials.

CENULPH.
But she must first be soothed.—

OSWALD.
The prince alone
Can bend her proud neck to the gentle yoke
She would be woo'd to wear.—

CENULPH.
Retire, my friends,—
Alwyn, find thou my son. Thou know'st his haunts.
Command him to my presence in my closet.
I must be firm—my crown, my honour, all
Must be secured this day by his obedience.
I have too long been passive.—Mark me, Alwyn,
For thou dost hold, I know, the master key
That locks his inmost counsel; nay, with voice
Of soft persuasion, while thou seem'st to yield,
Dost bend his lofty spirit to thy reason:
See that he come disposed to do my pleasure.
It is the King who will confer with him.
Tell him he has too long abused the father.

[Exeunt severally.