University of Virginia Library

SCENE I.

An arched passage from a gateway in the royal castle. The sound of warlike music without. Enter Ethelbert and Selred with their followers, as if just come from a long march: enter, by the opposite side, Alwy, upon which they halt, the foremost of the followers but just appearing under the gateway.
Alwy.
Welcome, most valiant chieftains! Fame reports
That crown'd with full success ye are return'd.

Eth.
Good sooth, we boast but little of our arms;
Though Woggarwolfe, our base ignoble spoiler,
Wounded and sorely shent, we've left behind,
Again in cloister'd walls with ghostly men,
Winding his soul, with many a heavy groan,
Into a saintly frame! God speed the work!
We are but just in time to save our halls.

Sel.
It is a shame that such a ruffian thief
Should thus employ the arms of warlike Thanes.

Alwy.
In truth it is, but now there reigns in Mercia
A warlike king, who better knows to deal
With valiant men. The messenger inform'd you?

Sel.
He did; yet, be it own'd, to call him king
Sounds strangely in our ears. How died king Oswal?

Eth.
(to Sel.)
Patience, my friend! good time will show thee all.
Yet pray inform us, Alwy, ere we part,
Where is young Edward? in these late commotions
What part had he?

Alwy.
Would to the holy saints I could inform you!
Reports there are, incongruous and absurd—
Some say, in hunting from his followers stray'd,
Passing at dusk of eve a high-swoln stream,
Therein he perish'd; others do maintain
That, loathing greatness, he conceals himself
In some lone cave: but as I bear a heart
True to King Ethwald and the public weal,
I know of him no more.

Sel.
Thou liest!

Eth.
(pulling back Sel.)
Peace, art thou mad?

Alwy
(pretending not to hear).
What said brave Selred?

Eth.
A hasty exclamation of no meaning.

Alwy.
I must away, and bear the welcome tidings
Of your arrival to the royal ear.

Eth.
But stop, before thou goest I fain would know
How fared Elburga in the passing storm?
Where has she refuge found?

Alwy.
Within these walls; she is the queen of Mercia.

Eth.
I am indebted to thee.

[Exit Alwy.
Sel.
(staring with surprise upon Ethelbert).
What dost thou think of this? Did we hear truly?
To the usurper of her father's crown,
And, if our fears be true, his murd'rer too!
To him! O most unnatural!

Eth.
Ay, so it is. As one, who ventures forth
After an earthquake's awful visitation,
The country round in strange unwonted guise
Beholds; here swelling heights and herby knolls,
Where smok'd the cottage and the white flocks browz'd,
Sunk into turbid pools; there rifted rocks,
With all their shaggy woods upon their sides,
In the low bosom of the flowery vale
Resting uncouthly—even so does he,
Who looks abroad after the storms of state,
Strange changes see; unnatural and strange.

Sel.
It makes my spirit boil—the gentle Edward!
So gently brave!

Eth.
Yes, there is cause of grief
And indignation too: but Ethwald reigns,
Howe'er he gain'd his height, and he possesses
The qualities that suit his lofty station.
With them I fear he has his passions also,
Hostile to public good: be it our part
To use the influence we still retain
O'er his ambitious mind for Mercia's weal!
This is our duty now.

Sel.
I'll take thy counsel.
(To the soldiers.)
Follow, weary comrades.

[Exeunt Eth. and Sel. and their followers, marching across the stage.