 | Athelstan |  |
SCENE V.
Changes to the open Camp.Dunelm. Athelstan, following.
Athelstan.
Yet hear me, Dunelm!
For Pity's sake, relent.
Dunelm.
Peace, clam'rous Tongue!
Athelstan.
What! shall your Guards spurn me with Insolence?
Your barbarous Camp imprison me?
Dunelm.
No more.
Within this Mound, the General's Voice is Law.
Athelstan.
She is my Child! Art thou, too, deaf to Mercy?
Dunelm.
Vex me not, Briton!
Athelstan.
But release my Daughter!—
Give me my Child, and let me quit your Camp,—
My Dukedom's Wealth is thine!
60
Thy Dukedom's Wealth?
Vain Man! Thy Pow'r is swallow'd up in Conquest:
Thy Titles vanish'd with thy Country's Freedom:
Thy boasted Wealth is fled to Denmark's Shore:
Thy Palace doom'd for Danes to riot in.
Peace then: and thank our Bounty, that we leave thee
Life, and the general Air.—
[Exit Dunelm.
Athelstan.
Oh merciless!
Yet, righteous Pow'rs! what Claim have I to Mercy!
Did I shew Mercy, on this fatal Morn,
To my poor bleeding Country; when this Arm
Made Widows childless!—Dar'st thou then, bold Wretch,
Dar'st thou against th' afflicting Hand of Heav'n
To rise, and plead for Mercy!—Rather bow thee
Low in the Dust!—Yes, thou shalt be my Bed,
[Throws himself on the Ground.
Cold Earth! Here will I lie, till Anguish end me!
Now rise, ye Ghosts of my wrong'd Countrymen!
Ye Spectres pale, rise with your gaping Wounds,
And hideous Yell!—Bring with you dire Despair
From the dread Caverns of eternal Night,
Where deep she dwells with agonizing Groans,
And sleepless Terrors! Rise, array'd in Blood!
Plant round your Horrors! 'till affrighted Reason
Start from my Brain; and I, the Prey of Phrenzy,
Like the fierce Mountain-Wolf in Madness foaming,
Howl to the midnight Moon!—
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