University of Virginia Library

Scene VII.

Ethel's Quarters in Engelborg.
Ethel. Soldiers bringing in the Guard who had Robert and Arthur in charge.
Eth.
Are these the men that had the care of them?
I saw thee at the door. Is this the other?
By your gross negligence they have escaped,
And done foul murder in the dead of night.
Away with them! Yet stay! speak, if you will.

First Gu.
Nay, I care not to speak, 'twill not be believed.

Eth.
Yet I'll not hang them. What, after battlefield,
Because reluctant overstrained nature
Conquered the struggling will? Which one of us
But every day sleeps in his mortal charge,
And lets swift time with noiseless key slip in
And ravish opportunity? Yet I must punish them,
Lest this quick vice of ease become contagious.—
Fellows, I give you back your lives.

First Gu.
Look, General,

I'd have you know we are innocent in this. You may hang us or pardon us as you will, I care not. I obeyed orders, and there's an end on it.

Eth.

Orders? from whom? what orders?

First Gu.

Why, straightforward orders to give them swords, and find them horses, and let them go. Nay, you'll not believe it.

Sec. Gu.

Cornelius took me from my post.

First Gu.

Ay, look you, a man must obey orders.

Eth.

Cornelius!

First Gu.

Yonder he comes to forswear it. Hang us or drum us out, it's all one. Do it and never question, that's your rule, and then hang us for it.—Cheer up, comrade!

Enter Cornelius.
Eth.
He comes in smiling! By the immortal saints,
I think men mock at me. Cornelius,
Have you yet heard the Ingelwalds are broke loose?
These men, about to pay the penalty,
Charge you that you knew of it. What is this?

Cor.
Indeed!

Eth.
Indeed me no indeeds, sir! answer me!
I am not in my pleasant mood. Learn, too,
That these fell traitors have put murderers,
A new addition, to their names. D' you shrink?
Their sister's blood cries to the breaking day,
And blisters the pale stars.

Cor.
This is not so!

Eth.
I say it is. Even now their wretched bodies
Render their forfeited breaths.

Cor.
Cruel and treacherous!
They have betrayed me to my death. Hark, Ethel!

Eth.
Stand back! speak out! Does no man know me yet,
To think I will play off and on with them,
And make desert lackey the heels of favour?
These men stand yet in bonds; if by your order
The doors were opened, say it at once; each moment
Stamps your shame deeper.

Cor.
It was I that did it.

Eth.
Let them go free?

Cor.
Nor did I seek to hide it.

Eth.
Cornelius, I had rather seen you dead
Than thus betray your trust.—Stand round him, there.

Cor.
Hear, yet a moment hear me. They deceived me
By lying semblances and false reports,
Feigning it was your will they should go free,
And that you but condemned them for a show,
They made great seeming proof, and my confusion
Could not withstand their haste. Oh, pardon me,
Not for my fault, but that I could imagine
You could do thus.

Eth.
Could you believe it of me?
O bitter day! O bitter, bitter day!
Who shall be true to me, who shall believe me?

Cor.
I, Ethel! Kill me for my grievous error,
And dying think me true. It was my weakness
That made me judge you falsely by myself,
And not my lack of love; I was too shallow
To fathom your nobility. Let me die.

Eth.
Have I done well to take this thing in hand,
And put myself into the judgment-seat?
Have I been treacherous, base, and given to lies,
That my close-bosomed friends thus construe me?
That action wherein if I trod aright
Over the ploughshares of my dearest affections,
I thought would unseal all men's eyes, and make them
Confess my honesty, is turned against me,
And made a trick and meanness. Yet have courage.
When it is ended, and the cold earth lies
On this o'erburdened bosom, they will believe;
Till then I'll fight it out alone.—Cornelius,
As I had given these poor men their lives,
And as it was your weakness more than guilt,
I spare your life. Lay down your office, though,
And tokens of command; no more a soldier.—
Take off his sword.

Cor.
Take it; I have deserved it.
I dare not touch your hand. O Earl of Felborg,
Some time when I have wiped away this blot
Call me your friend again.

Eth.
Farewell, Cornelius;
[Exit Cornelius.
And with you go the last of all I loved.

Enter Olave.
Ol.
The traitors are despatched, my lord.

Eth.
So be it.
Violenzia sleeps. Alone on the broad earth.

Ol.
Your officers and soldiers love you dearly.

Eth.
I thank you very heartily.—Is it strange
That our diviner impulses, great thoughts,
And all the highest holiest life of the soul,
Should yearn for mortal sympathy and not find it,
No, not in women,—nay, not dare to ask for't?

Ol.
What is it you say, my lord?

Eth.
Do you not see,
It is the exceeding goodness of our God,
To bend our love unto his Father's breast,
And press our heads to his bosom? We are greater
As children than as brothers.

Ol.
Now he dreams again:
But they are dreams which I begin to think
Nobler than all I know. Is it possible
A man should be both saint and soldier?

Eth.
What is it to me, then, that no eye that meets mine
Shines with a kindred light; that should I speak
That which burns in me, oh, no tongue so strange
As my unfeigned utterance; that my acts, even,
Beget bewilderment, and are construed
Clean from their purposes? This should not trouble me,
Nor mortal solitude oppress my spirit:
It is for me to walk my single road;
There is in heaven a holy sympathiser
Shall smile to find me faithful. The time flies
Wherein I should be active; what's the hour?

Ol.
Early, my lord.

Eth.
What, do the soldiers sleep yet?

Ol.
Oh, no, my lord; the last reveillé sounded
An hour ago.

Eth.
Then they are on the march.

Ol.
In part they are.

Eth.
Christian of Lodenstern
Is a good officer and an honest man;
Have you not marked it?

Ol.
He is very worthy.

Eth.
Cornelius it was who broke his trust,
And set the prisoners free; he is disgraced.

Ol.
I was very sad to learn it.

Eth.
So was I.
Christian of Lodenstern shall have his place,
And stay here with the garrison.

Ol.
Do you think so?
He is a kinsman of the King's.

Eth.
What matter?
You say he is efficient. Send him to me
At my own lodging; so far I'll walk with you.

[Exeunt.