University of Virginia Library

SCENE VI.

Ethelbert, Sifrid, and Banditti, burst through the Wood, and advance hastily.
(Angelina shrieks faintly, and clings to Edwin—who raises his staff, in defence,—while, with his left arm, he supports her.)
Edwin. Angelina. Ethelbert. Sifrid. Banditti.
Ethelbert.
Tis she! and in another's arms!—
Hermit!
Release—

Edwin.
Robber! thou diest if thou advance.

Ethelbert.
See'st not our numbers?—Wherefore should I hurt thee?

Edwin.
Single, unarm'd, I will defend my charge,
“Against a world in arms.” (To Angelina.)
Fear not, my love!
Heaven combats on the side of right.

Ethelbert.
(Angrily.)
Old man,
Provoke me not!

Edwin.
Proud boy, away! (To her.)
Be calm.
(To him.)
Dare not!— (To her.)
My Angelina—

Angelina.
(Faintly, and looking up to him.)
O, forbear!
Risk not thy life!

Ethelbert.
(Fiercely.)
Hermit, be brief. By heaven,
Nought shall detain her.

Edwin.
As thou valuest life,
Advance not.

Sifrid.
Peace! let me be heard, my friends.—
Holy man, we come not here to injure thee:
Far be from us impiety so base.
Earl, Ethelbert most dearly loves the maid
Whom thou withhold'st: and surely thou dost know
Of what fierce quality and fiery power
Is love; and wilt forgive impetuous speech.
He seeks but to restore her to her friends,
And gain her hand: for, he doth so adore,
Above all earthly good he prizeth it.
And why should'st thou detain? why not release,
And give, her to his wish?—His noble soul
Disdains a force superior to employ.—
Be obstinate no more—but yield—

Edwin.
(With great firmness.)
Never.

Ethelbert.
I would not harm that reverend form, or dash,
Against the earth, thy sacred head;
But, wert thou young, thy life should answer me,
For thy high insolence, old man!

Edwin.
(Throwing off his disguise.)
Off! off!
Ye trappings of dishonorable peace!
Array of bondage, vestments of disgrace!
Hence, the monk's cowl, and hermit's staff! and now,
Come forth thou sword of ancestry heroic!
(To Ethelbert.)
Villain! I dare thee!

Ethelbert.
(In great surprize.)
Edwin!

Edwin.
(Fiercely advancing.)
Edwin, Lord!

Ethelbert.
(With great emotion.)
The saviour of my life!
The murderer of my love!

Edwin.
Nay, hang not back!
We stand upon the perilous brink of death,
And one must surely leap.

Ethelbert.
(Greatly agitated.)
Almighty God!
Whence?—wherefore?—why is this?—My life!—my love!
Gratitude!—Passion!—It can not—can not be!—
(Walks distractedly.)
Come to my breast each noble sentiment?
Arm, arm my soul, and make it all your own,—
That I— (irresolutely)
I can not do it— (firmly)
I will—
That I may spare his love, who sav'd my life.

(All stand in a posture of surprize.)
Edwin.
Why do we wait?

Ethelbert.
After ingratitude
So base, if with repentant heart I come,
Say, noble Edwin, canst thou yet forgive me?
Angelina, daughter of heaven, canst thou?

Edwin.
Whene'er Earl Ethelbert becomes himself,
He shall not want a friend.

(Edwin drops his sword; they meet, and embrace. Angelina advances.)
Ethelbert.
Angelina,
I owe thee all:—compassionate my woes;
Forget my errors; if thou canst, forgive.

(Angelina places one hand in his—the other in Edwin's.)
Angelina.
When Edwin pardons, I can ne'er refuse.

Edwin.
(Drawing her towards him.)
My Angelina!

Ethelbert.
Excellent woman!
(To the Band.)
My friends, one mystery remains to you.
It is to Edwin that I owe my life;
Rescu'd, at risk of his, from men whose souls
No mercy knew. Already had they stript
And bound me; and their reared swords
Menac'd my death; when, (a delivering spirit,)
He came, with lightning speed—withering their powers.
Three fell beneath his hand; and, to the fourth,
Humbled, and full of promises, he gave
Life, freedom, and security.—Bleeding,
Nor conscious of my state, me he convey'd
To where attention dwelt; and only left,
When, in returned strength, vigorous he saw me.
But—O how!—how shall I relate the rest?
Vain-glorious, cruel, execrably base,—
In the remembrance, Sifrid, of thy woes,
Learn thou the shameful history of his.