University of Virginia Library

SCENE III.

The Banditti shout, behind the Scenes, and show themselves, coming down the Avenues, bringing Hugo bound. Edred speaks as they enter.
Sifrid, Edred, Walter, Banditti, and Hugo.
Edred.
(By the Band.)
(Single Voice.)
(By the Band.)

All Banditti.
Long life to Sifrid!

Sifrid.
Welcome, thrice welcome,
Noble brothers! Now, by my head I swear,
It joys me much to see you thus return;
So full of life, of spirit, and of joy;
With numbers so entire; after such rude
And dangerous conflict. Triumph like to this
Our Band knew never,—victory so complete.

First Band.
Never, our Captain: some half-score except,
Who fell, sore prest by numbers, all return.

Sifrid.
'Tis well. But say, who is this captive slave?

First Band.
A trembling, coward knave; a very fool;
Whom we, deceiv'd, pursu'd; mistaking him
For one of nobler sort, and bolder heart,
Who somehow hath escap'd us.— (To Hugo.)
Sirrah, knave!
Hold up thy head.— (To Sifrid.)
So full is he of fear,
As yet, our Chief, we nought have learnt of him.

Sifrid.
(To Hugo.)
Captive! resume thy courage man! Look up!
There shall no harm be done thee—Fear'st thou yet?
Fellow, I swear to thee upon my sword,
Nay, by my head I swear, no mischievous,
Or deadly evil, shall be practis'd on thee.
Who? What thou art? Why here? Briefly unfold.

Hugo.
Dread Sir, have mercy on me! Nought am I,
But a poor slave, the follower of a lord,
Who, thro' this country, seeks a wandering maid;
For whose dear love all comfort he foregoes.
But yester-morn, he join'd him to a band,
Of noble knights, who sought the North of Wales;
For better safety, travelling together.
Alas! most sad mischance! none of that band,
My master's self except, now tastes of life.

Sifrid.
And he?

Hugo.
He, he alone, escap'd; urging
With wondrous speed, down the steep rock, his flight.

Sifrid.
Haste thee! disclose his name and quality.

Hugo.
'Mid England's Peers, the first;—Earl Ethelbert.

Sifrid.
Earl Ethelbert!—Thunder of Heaven!—What he?—
And roam these woods?—He here? within my power?
Why yes!—'tis well!—Now, by the arm of God!—
Vengeance!—revenge!—O! it is well!—'tis well!—

Edred.
(To Walter.)
What may this mean?

Walter.
(To Edred.)
Speak to him, Edred.

Edred.
(To Walter)
I will.
Captain! brother! friend! Sifrid!—What ails thee?
What dreadful passion agitates thy soul?

Sifrid.
Can he love?—Curses blast his love!—No—no—
I will have ample, will have sweet revenge!

Edred.
Sifrid!—He hears me not.—Sifrid, my friend!
Are we not sworn to thee?—Tell us thy wrong.

Sifrid.
Forgive me! O my good friends, forgive me!
I have done much injustice to your love,
Thus long to hide it from you; but will now—
(To the Band.)
Bear hence that slave, and see him close confin'd!
Then, my kind brothers, hasten to return;
For I would bare my heart, and nought conceal.