Ethwald A Tragedy, In Five Acts. Part First |
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| 1. | SCENE I. |
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 | Ethwald |  |
SCENE I.
A small close grove, with a steep rocky bank at one end of it. Several Peasants are discovered standing upon the bank, as if looking at some distant sight.1st peas.
Good lack a day! how many living souls,
In wide confused eddying motion mix'd,
Like cross set currents on the restless face
Of winter floods!
2d peas.
Where fight the Northern Mercians?
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On the right.
The gentle ethling, as I am inform'd,
Fights likewise on the right: heav'n spare his head!
'Tis his first battle.
3d peas.
Hear, hear! still louder swells that horrid sound.
1st peas.
Ay, many voices join in that loud din,
Which soon shall shout no more.
3d peas.
Ay, good neighbour,
Full gloriously now looks that cover'd field,
With all those moving ranks and glitt'ring arms;
But he who shall return by setting sun
Will see a sorry sight.
[A loud distant noise.
1st peas.
Heav'n save us all! it is the warlike yell
Of those damn'd Britons that increaseth so.
By all the holy saints our men are worsted!
[An increasing noise heard without.
Look! yonder look! they turn their backs and flee.
3d peas.
O blasting shame! where fights brave Ethwald now?
He is, I fear, far in the distant wing.
Let us be gone! we are too near them here:
The flight comes this way: hear that horrid sound!
The saints preserve us!
[The sound of the battle increases, and is heard nearer. The peasants come hastily down from the bank, and exeunt. Enter Edward with several followers disordered and panicstricken.
1st fol.
(looking round).
They cease to follow us: this tangled grove
Has stopp'd the fell pursuit: here may we rest.
[Edward throws himself down at the root of a tree, and covers his face with his hands.
2d fol.
(filling his helmet with water from a stream, and presenting it to Edw.)
My prince, this cooling water will refresh you.
Edw.
(keeping his face still covered with one hand, and waving him off with the other).
Away, away! and do not speak to me!
[A deep pause, the noise of the battle is again heard coming nearer.
1st fol.
We must not tarry here. (To Edw.)
My lord, the farther thickets of this wood
Will prove a sure concealment: shall we move?
Edw.
(still covering his face).
Let the earth gape and hide me.
(Another deep pause.
3d fol.
to 1st.
The sin of all this rout falls on thy head,
Thou cursed Thane! thou and thy hireling knaves
First turn'd your backs and fled.
1st fol.
to 3d.
Thou liest, foul tongue! it was thy kinsman there
Who first did turn; for I was borne away,
[Pointing to 4th fol.
Unwillingly away, by the rude stream
Of his fear-stricken bands. When, till this hour,
Did ever armed Briton see my back?
4th fol.
Arm'd Britons dost thou call them?— devils they are!
Thou knowst right well they deal with wicked sprites.
Those horrid yells were not the cries of men;
And fiends of hell look'd through their flashing eyes.
I fear to face the power of simple man
As little as thyself.
Enter more Fugitives.
1st fol.
(to Edw.)
Up, my good lord! Hence let us quickly move;
We must not stay.
Edw.
Then thrust me through and leave me.
I'll flee no more. (Looking up wildly, then fixing his eyes wistfully upon 3d follower, and bending one knee to the ground.)
Ebbert, thy sword is keen, thy arm is strong;
O, quickly do't! and I shall be with those
Who feel nor shame nor panic.
[3d fol. and several others turn their faces away and weep. Enter more fugitives.
1st fol.
What, is all lost?
1st fug.
Yes, yes! our wing is beaten.
Seagurth alone, with a few desp'rate men,
Still sets his aged breast against the storm:
But thick the aimed weapons round him fly,
Like huntsmen's arrows round the toiled boar.
And he will soon be nothing.
Edw.
(starting up).
O, God! O, living God! my noble father!
He has no son!—Off, ye debasing fears!
I'll tear thee forth, base heart, if thou dost let me.
[Coming forward and stretching out his arms.
Companions, noble Mercians—Ah, false word!
I may not call you noble. Yet, perhaps,
One gen'rous spark within your bosom glows.
Sunk in disgrace still lower than ye all,
I may not urge—Who lists will follow me!
All with one voice.
We will all follow thee!
Edw.
Will ye, in truth? then we'll be brave men
still.
[Brandishing his sword as he goes off.
My noble father!
[Exeunt, clashing their arms.
| Ethwald | |