University of Virginia Library

SCENE II.

A Wood. Night.
Baldred and armed Peasants.
BALDRED.
A thoughtless groom that tends on Alwyn's steeds
Betray'd their course. They will pass through this wood:
Conceal yourselves, my friends, and be ye sure
The prince escape not. Egbert's death alone
Can save you from the sword of Ethelbald.
Think of your wives, your children, and your homes.
Hark! I hear distant voices! to your stand. [They conceal themselves.


Enter Egbert and Alwyn.
EGBERT.
Oh Alwyn! that my gallant steed should fail me!
In Ina's rescue fail me!—

ALWYN.
Ere he sunk
O' erwearied, he had measured half the realm!
My fleetest coursers wait in yonder hamlet,
Conceal'd by darkness and these tangled trees.
Trust me, my lord; I know each knotted oak,
Each bushy dell; and, though the moon refuse
Her friendly beam, can guide your steps aright.

[The peasants attack them. Egbert wards off their weapons, but does not strike them.
EGBERT.
Refrain these ruffian staves! hold, traitors! hold!
I am your prince—your leader—and for you
Have this day staked my blood on yonder plains.
Stand off! forbear! I would not take the lives
Of those for whom I fought beneath that sun,
Gone down erewhile in crimson blushes wrapt,
To hide him from your deed.
[The peasants fall back, and then advance again tumultuously.
On your allegiance!
Ingratitude shames mercy from her softness!
[They fall back again.
Mistaken men! what villain set you on?
Not of yourselves—ye men of Wessex!—no—
Not of yourselves,—my countrymen!
My fellow subjects!—and my fellow soldiers!
Would ye attempt my life. I know you would not!
I trust you ere ye speak.
[Peasants fall at his feet. (Sheathing his sword).
Who set you on?

PEASANTS.
A holy man declared you held at nought
Our lives, our fortunes—and he bade us boldly
By one great stroke secure them.

EGBERT.
“Boldly,” fellow!
Is midnight murder bold? ye are abused—
'Tis at his country's foe the Briton strikes,
And thus secures the blessings ye have named.

PEASANTS.
Oh! pardon—generous prince! our lives are yours.

EGBERT
(raising them).
Away, poor knaves, away! ye were misled.
I would not have the peering moon betray
Some well-known aspect, and unwilling force me
To do as justice points.—I pardon you—
Depart—nor let me see you till in battle
Ye on your country's foes redeem this deed.

[As they are going off, Baldred steals behind Egbert with uplifted weapon.
ALWYN
(rushing on him, and seizing his arm).
Ha! treacherous villain?—No! it cannot be
A British breast I pierce!—Die—traitor, die!

[Stabs him.
BALDRED
(falling).
Detested Alwyn!—Is it thine—to wield—
The threaten'd—bolt—of vengeance!—

ALWYN.
Baldred's voice?
And didst thou wrap thee in the holy seeming
Of peace and love for this? for secret murder?

EGBERT.
Unhappy Baldred! how had I deserved
Thy deadly hate?

BALDRED.
As does the sun—himself—
The hate—of all—heaven's glittering—host beside,
And I—like them—would shun—thy hated—presence.
Wilt—wilt thou—still-embitter—death's last pang,
As thou hast poison'd—all—my course—of life.

EGBERT.
Yet live! oh live! accept my friendship, Baldred—
My forgiveness!—

BALDRED.
Forgiveness—from the man—I hate?
Ye demons! save me—from him—save—oh, save me!

[Dies.
ALWYN.
So may th' unerring vengeance of high Heaven
Still fall on those, who wrest the sacred cause
To their dark purposes!

EGBERT.
Oh, Ina! Ina!
Should this delay prove fatal!—On, my friend!

[Exeunt.