University of Virginia Library

Scene V.

—A Garden within the walls of Chester Castle.
Elgiva
(alone).
How pleasant it might seem to a bird of the air
Passing upon the wing, or aught that's free,
In this delightful garden to abide,
And be a captive ever. Make me free
And I myself should linger on this ground
Reluctant to depart. But as I am
The shadow of the imprisoned spirit falls
On everything around; the warbling thrush
Is tedious in the telling of his loves,
The perfume of the wallflower taints the air.
And yet in much of this adornment lurks
A lover's hand. They gave me to the ward
Of age and bitterness in Ruold's father,
Forgetting Ruold's father had a son.
I am his captive and he mine, poor youth!
For though they stripped me of my royalties,
In the prerogatives of beauty still
I found myself acknowledged. Ah! he comes.
He shall have audience. No, he's not alone.
I'll hide my head awhile. 'Tis Sigeric.

[Retires into an arbour.
Enter Ruold and Sigeric.
Sigeric.
The King thus rescued from that imminent fate,
The cry was now for Dunstan. Where was he?
For with his traitorous head should he atone
The meditation of that mortal blow
Which he had all but dealt. So where was he?
Gone! vanished! not a footstep to be found!
Whether by transformation magical,
Or subterranean egress, to which he,
And no one else, was privy,—how none knew,
But gone he was; and Sidroc in pursuit
Went babbling like a buckhound all abroad
That vainly seeks the slot. His creature, too,
Gruff Gurmo, disappeared.

Ruold.
Ere long, be sure,
He will be heard of.

Sigeric.
Should he gain the coast,
'Tis thought he'll cross to Flanders. Either way
The Primate, unto whom the King speaks fair,
Demurs not to his banishment, if so
The kingdom's wounds be healed; and with this word
He sends me to be present on his part
At Edgar's Witenagemót. When meets it?

Ruold.
'Tis summoned for the Vigil of St. Chad
At Malpas, whither is my father gone
Since yesterday. He went ensuing peace,
Constrained, though last to be constrained, to own
That peace is needful. Not a day but teems
With tidings of the Dane. He threatens now
The coasts of Somerset and Severn's mouth.
This, with the loss of Dunstan from our ranks,
And Odo's inclination, looks one way.

Sigeric.
I think it brings us peace.

Ruold.
Which seen, my friend,
Advise me, I beseech you. What results?
A peace is made, my father last to join
The general voice, and odious more than others
As the Queen's gaoler—how shall fare his head?

Sigeric.
He must be cared for in the composition;
An amnesty for all, and him by name,
Must stand upon the treaty.

Ruold.
Who shall trust it?
My friend, the terms that I would trust are terms
For service rendered.

Sigeric.
If I know your drift,
You would let loose the Queen.

Ruold.
And wherefore not?

Sigeric.
As servant of the Primate and the State,
I say God speed you in your bold intent.
In private, as your father's friend and yours,
I bid you to beware. If peace be made,
And you have still been constant to your charge,
It is but, at the worst, uncertainties
That hang about you. But if peace be missed,
And you have set at large this royal pledge,
The very aim and purport of the war,
It shall be then no question nor surmise
What shall befall you.

Ruold.
If no risk were run,
Where were the service that could claim reward?
Keep you my counsel for my father's sake,
And if at Malpas when you meet the Witan
You hear a rumour of the Queen escaped,
Call it a misadventure and mischance.

Sigeric.
Save what shall reach me when I'm gone from hence
I shall know nought. God send you well to fare!

[Exit.
Ruold.
I thank you, worthy Sigeric. Farewell.
Elgiva! Royal mistress! Beautiful Queen!
Would that the danger to my head were more,
Lest you should deem it but a politic cast,
And not a loyal venture.

Re-enter Elgiva.
Elgiva.
My good Ruold,
'Twas Sigeric went from you, was it not?
What tidings brought he?

Ruold.
Madam, he confirms
Our yesterday's intelligence. The King
Is rescued by Earl Athulf. Dunstan fled.
And this besides,—Ethilda is betrothed
With solemn ceremonial to the Earl,
Though yet the nuptials are not; for the Pope
To Dunstan only gave authority
The sentence which he uttered to revoke;
And whilst the Earl is excommunicate
The Princess to the marriage rite demurs.

Elgiva.
Her heart was ever scrupulous, and splits
Betwixt the Pope and Athulf. Notwithstanding,
Athulf will prosper. Ruold, faithful friend,
Now must I put thy loyalty to proof.
The letters from Earl Leolf that were brought
Are full of hope. At Audley is his force,
And with a light and deftly mounted troop
Ere midnight struck to Tilston could he come,
And me, there meeting him, could carry thence,
And pass the interspace of hostile ground
Ere break of day. No more of doubtful looks,
Dear faithful Ruold; I must brush away
These cobwebs from thy brow—Ah, now 'tis clear,
Free, frank, and bold!—Well, Ruold, what reply?

Ruold.
My Royal mistress, doubts if I have had,
They were not craven nor disloyal doubts;
They were but such as fear for you proposed,
Not for myself; and now my fears are less,
My faith the same; my answer is, then,—go,
Go at your gracious pleasure, if your flight
Be deemed more safe than your captivity.

Elgiva.
Oh! I am sick of safety in a prison.
Give me that dangerous liberty I seek,
And through the tossings of one turbulent night
Let me descry the harbour of my home,
With waving hands and welcomings of friends,
When 'mid the shoutings of the multitude
I shoot triumphant o'er the perilous bar
And pass at once to gladness and to peace.

Ruold.
Ev'n be it as you will. But stir not yet.
Wait till the Lords have drawn their forces in
And gathered to the Witenagemót.
Then shall you send to Leolf, and appoint
The period of your flight.

Elgiva.
'Twill not be long,
Good Ruold, will it? I will try to wait.