SCENE III.
A royal apartment: an open door in front, showing
an inner chamber, in which is discovered
Ethwald
lying upon a couch, and surrounded with the Thanes
and Officers of his court,
Selred
and
Ethelbert
standing on each side of him.
Sel.
(
after
Ethw.
has said something to him in a
low voice).
He is too much inclosed and longs for air:
He'll breathe more freely in the outer chamber,
Let us remove him.
[
They lift him in his couch, and bring him forward
to the front of the stage.
1st off.
How are you now, my lord?
Ethw.
Somewhat exhausted: and albeit, good Thanes,
I greatly am indebted to your love,
For a short space I fain would be alone.
1st off.
Farewell! God send your highness rest! meantime
We'll pray for your recovery.
2d off.
And heaven will hear our prayers.
Omnes.
Amen, amen!
Ethw.
Pray heaven to order all things for the weal
Of my good realm, and I shall be well pleased
To live or die. Adieu!
[
Exeunt all but
Ethw., Selred,
and
Ethelbert.
After a pause, in which
Ethw.
seems
agitated and uneasy.
My dearest Selred, think it not unkind,
But go thou too. [Exit
Selred.
[Raising himself on the couch, and taking both
the hands of
Ethelbert, which he presses in
his, looking up in his face expressively for some
time before he speaks.
I am oppress'd. To them, even in this state,
I still must be a king: to you, my friend,
Let me put off all seeming and constraint,
And be a poor weak man. (A pause.)
Thou speakest not,
Thy face is sad and solemn. Well I see
Thou lookst upon me as a dying wretch—
There is no hope.
Eth.
Much will it profit thee
To be prepared as though there were no hope;
For if thou liv'st thou'lt live a better man,
And if thou diest, may heav'n accept it of thee!
Ethw.
O that it would! But, my good Ethelbert,
To be thus seized in my high career,
With all my views of glory op'ning round me—
The Western state e'en now invites mine arms.
And half Northumberland, in little time,
Had been to Mercia join'd.
Eth.
Nay, think not now, I pray thee, of these matters!
They mix uncouthly with the pious thoughts
That do become your state.
Ethw.
I know it well;
But they do press so closely on my heart—
O I did think to be remember'd long!
Like those grand visitations of the earth,
That on its alter'd face for ages leave
The traces of their might. Alas, alas!
I am a powerful, but a passing storm,
That soon shall be forgotten!
Eth.
I do beseech thee think of better things!
Ethw.
Thou seest I weep.—Before thee I may weep.
[
Dropping his head upon his breast, and groaning deeply.
Long have I toil'd and stain'd my hands in blood
To gain pre-eminence; and now, alas!
Newly arrived at this towering height,
With all my schemes of glory rip'ning round me,
I close mine eyes in darkness, and am nothing.
Eth.
What, nothing sayst thou?
Ethw.
O no, Ethelbert!
I look beyond this world, and look with dread,
Where all for me is fearful and unknown.
Death I have daily braved in fields of fight,
And, when a boy, oft on the air-hung bough
I've fearless trod, beneath me roaring far
The deep swoln floods, with every erring step
Instant destruction. Had I perish'd then—
Would that I had, since it is come to this!
[
Raising up his hands vehemently to heaven.
Eth.
Be not so vehement: this will endanger
The little chance thou still mayst have for life.
The God we fear is merciful.
Ethw.
Ay, He is merciful; but may it reach—
O listen to me!—Oswal I have murder'd,
And Edward, brave and gentle—ay, this bites
With a fell tooth!—I vilely have enthrall'd;
Of all his rights deprived. The loving Bertha:
Too well thou knowst what I have been to her—
Ah! thinkest thou a thousand robed priests
Can pray down mercy on a soul so foul?
Eth.
The inward sighs of humble penitence
Rise to the ear of heav'n, when pealed hymns
Are scatter'd with the sounds of common air;
If I indeed may speak unto a king
Of low humility.
Ethw.
Thy words bite keenly, friend. O king me not!
Grant me but longer life, and thou shalt see
What brave amends I'll make for past offences.
Thou thinkest hardly of me; ne'ertheless,
Rough as my warrior's life has been, good thoughts
Have sometimes harbour'd here.
[
Putting his hand on his heart.
If I had lived,
It was my full intent that, in my power,
My people should have found prosperity:
I would have proved to them a gen'rous lord.
If I had lived—Ah! thinkst thou, Ethelbert,
There is indeed no hope?
Eth.
I may not flatter you.
Ethw.
(
holding up his clasped hands).
Then heaven
have mercy on a guilty soul!
Good Ethelbert, full well thou knowst that I
No coward am: from power of mortal thing
I never shrank. O might I still contend
With spear and helm, and shield and brandish'd blade!
But I must go where spear and helm and shield
Avail not:
Where the skill'd warrior, cased in iron, stands
Defenceless as the poor uncrusted worm.
Some do conceit that disembodied spirits
Have in them more capacity of woe
Than flesh and blood maintain. I feel appall'd:
Yes, Thane of Sexford, I do say appall'd.
For, ah! thou knowst not in how short a space
The soul of man within him may be changed.
Eth.
I know it all too well. But be more calm;
Thou hast a task to do, and short perhaps
May be the time allow'd thee. True repentance
With reparation of offences past
Is ever yok'd. Declare it as thy will
That Edward do succeed unto his rights:
And for poor Bertha, she shall be my charge;
I'll tend and cheer her in my quiet home.
Ethw.
Thou dost prevent my boon: heaven bless thee for it!
I give thee power to do whate'er thou thinkst
I living should have done. 'Tis all I can,
And gracious heaven accept it at my hands!
Eth.
Amen, my friend! I'll faithfully fulfil
The important trust—Ha! how thy visage changes!
Thy mind's exertion has outrun thy strength.
He faints away. Help! who attends without?
Enter
Selred
with Attendants.
Support the king: whether a sudden faint
Or death be now upon him, trow I not,
But quickly call the queen.
Sel.
Alas, my brother!
[
Assisting
Eth.
to raise
Ethw.
's head.
Eth.
Raise him gently, Selred.
For, if that life within him still remain,
It may revive him.
Sel.
Ah, see how changed he is! Alas, my brother!
Pride of my father's house, is this thy end?
Enter
Elburga,
Nobles, &c.
Elb.
Let me approach unto my royal lord.
Good Ethelbert, thou long hast known thy king,
Look'd he e'er thus before?
[
Looking on
Ethw.
Eth.
No, royal dame; and yet 'tis but a faint;
See, he revives again.
Ethw.
(
opening his eyes).
Who are about me now?
Eth.
The queen and nobles.
Sel.
And Selred, too, is here, my dearest Ethwald!
Ethw.
(
holding out his hand to
Sel.)
Ay, noble
brother, thou wert ever kind.
Faintness returns again; stand round, my friends,
And hear my dying words. It is my will
That Ethelbert shall, after my decease,
With the concurrence of the nation's council,
The kingdom settle as may best appear
To his experienced wisdom, and retain
Until that settlement the kingly power.
Faintness returns again; I say no more.
Art thou displeas'd, my Selred?
Sel.
(
kneeling and kissing his hand).
No, brother,
let your dying will bereave me
E'en of my father's lands, and with my sword
I will maintain it.
Ethw.
Thou art a gen'rous brother; fare thee well!
Elb.
What, is the queen, indeed, so poor a thing
In Mercia's state that she should be o'erpass'd,
Unhonour'd and unmention'd?
Ethw.
(
to
Elb.,
waving his hand faintly).
Be at peace!
Thou shalt have all things that become thy state.
(
To attendants.)
Lower my head, I pray you.
1st off.
He faints again.
2d off.
He will not hold it long:
The kingdom will be torn with dire contentions.
And the Northumbrian soon will raise his head.
Ethw.
(
raising himself eagerly with great vehemence).
Northumberland! Oh I did purpose soon,
With thrice five thousand of my chosen men,
To have compass'd his proud towers.
Death, death! thou art at hand, and all is ended!
[
Groans, and falls back upon the couch.
1st off.
This is a faint from which I fear, brave Thanes,
He will awake no more.
2d off.
Sayst thou? go nearer and observe the face.
1st off.
If that mine eyes did ever death behold,
This is a dead man's visage.
2d off.
Let us retire. My good lord Ethelbert,
You shall not find me backward in your service.
1st off.
Nor me.
Omnes.
Nor any of us.
Eth.
I thank you, Thanes! 'Tis fit you should retire;
But Selred and myself, and, of your number,
Two chosen by yourselves, will watch the body.
[
To
Dwina,
who supports
Elburga,
and seems
soothing her.
Ay, gentle Dwina, soothe your royal mistress,
And lead her hence.
[
After looking steadfastly on the body.
Think ye, indeed, that death hath dealt his blow?
1st off.
Ah, yes, my lord! that countenance is death!
[
Selred
kneels by the body, and hides his head.
Eth.
Then peace be to his spirit!
A brave and daring soul is gone to rest.
Thus powerful death th' ambitious man arrests,
In midst of all his great and towering hopes,
With heart high swoln; as the omnipotent frost
Seizes the rough enchafed northern deep,
And all its mighty billows, heav'd aloft,
Boldly commixing with the clouds of heaven,
Are fix'd to rage no more.
[
The curtain drops.
