University of Virginia Library

Scene II.

The Court.
King, Malgodin, Ethel, Robert, Haveloc, Courtiers, &c.
King.
And now, young Ingelwald, that rid'st so fast,
What news bring you from the East?
As by your face, there should be news within,
Burning to be unbosomed.

Rob.
Gracious liege,
Upon my lips no welcome news abide,
But such as shall on your imperial eyes
Draw down your frowning brow, and bid your voice
Unlock its youthful thunder. The old Swede
Hath broken his bounds; with twice five thousand men
He treads upon the bosom of the land,
Lighting his way with villages on fire,
And driving forth the unhoused hungry swains,
Who, like starved locusts, feeding far and wide,
Eat what the tempest spares.

King.
Where lies his force?

Rob.
Now before Engelborg,
Which nobly yet doth bear his furious brunt,
But scarcely may, unless fresh succour come,
Hold out a seven-night more.

King.
So closely pressed?
Why, then, your castle stands in daily fear.

Rob.
Most imminent, sire, and since my duty here
Hath called me to your hand, fearing to leave
My only sister to the unheaded courage
Of menials, whose zeal, faithful and proved,
Might yet lack in my absence, I have bidden her
Follow me hither.

King.
And do when expect her?

Rob.
This day, my liege.

King.
She shall be welcome hither,
As well befits the sister of her brother,
And taste a royal treatment. For the Swede,
We knew his purpose long, and but awaited
Some overt act like this to lay him bare
To a well-merited chastisement. Here, Ingelwald,
Here hast thou written the several mustered companies
Late gathered, and appointed of the best,
With all equipment needful. The command,
By death late wrested from the shaking hand
Of Otfrid, aged with honourable years,
Take thou, and succour Engelborg. The Dane
Wars with us, but I think we shall not need
His slow-advancing succour.

Rob.
Noble my lord,
You will yourself go forth?

King.
No, Ingelwald;
Me higher state cares do at home detain.
The head that from offence would ward the body
Makes not itself a weapon, but employs
The service of its members. Thus I of thee
Create a hand, whose vigorous employment
I will afar direct.

Rob.
Your majesty
Hath seen no war. Hath royalty such arts
That it can cool the youthful rolling blood,
To sit at home when arms are in the field,
And glory on a fiery wing doth float,
The entranced spectatress of the bloody day?
Oh, let my liege once strap his armour on,
And bind his young thigh with a soldier's sword—
Once hear the clanging trumpet's troubled voice,
And loud citation of the rolling drum,
Bidding fall on—and once, after bold deeds,
Hear victory ring in his amazed ears,
And he will hold a warlike fame more worth
Than these dull cares of state. Befits a king
First to secure or ere he rule his realm.

Mal.
What, shall his majesty go out to war?
And that his precious and irreplaceable person
Submit to the perilous chance of battle-field?
For whom fight'st thou or is thy service worth
But for the King? And that for which alone
We do protect all else—his life, shall we
Stake on the first throw?

Rob.
Why, thou pest of kings,
As I can read a flatterer in thy face—

King.
Content thee, Ingelwald. We go not forth;
Our choice admits not question: use good haste;
Choose thine own officers, as thou best knowest,
Who hold the worthiest faculties.

Rob.
Here is one,
Whom I would fain have second to myself;
So please your majesty commend my choice.
He is the Earl of Felborg, son of him
Who was your royal father's nearest friend,
Counsellor, and warrior, under whose able eye
He studied war, and stands most near to me,
As the betrothed husband of my sister.

King.
If he be like his father all throughout,
As in his grave young face I read a semblance
To that which I from early years recall,
We may hope here for such a prop of state
As kings are rich to own.—Welcome, young sir!
Ethel of Felborg,—as I nothing doubt
You hold your father's name,—second i' the army
We name you here; and as your service holds,
You shall well find that no ungrateful eye
Looks on your works.

Eth.
I humbly thank my liege,
And my best efforts shall not want to show me
Worthy your high conception.

King.
The third place
Your brother Arthur holds; rode he not with you?

Rob.
He waits upon my sister.

King.
Well, move on.
And, gentlemen, to-morrow set you forth.
This evening high festivity let reign
In all our bosoms. We invite you all
To grace our entertainment. Noble Ethel,
Let us not want you.

[Exeunt King, Malgodin, and Train.
Manent Ethel, Robert, and Haveloc.
Rob.
Felborg, know this gentleman,
The brother of our King, and I dare warrant him
As honourable as high-born, and add—may I not, sir?—
Willing to love you.

Hav.
It is extremely true.
Did I not fear to seem too confident,
And over-estimate my worthiness,
I would make bold to sue you for your friendship.

Eth.
You do me, sir, much honour.

Hav.
May I ride with you,
And learn some soldiership under your flag?
You are young, and yet well practised. I so raw,
I fear I shall disgrace your company.

Rob.
You can ride, and use your weapon.

Hav.
That's but little;
But I can be obedient and diligent,
If the Lord Felborg will accept the services
Of such a volunteer.

Eth.
Sir, very willingly.
I'll keep a place for you. Good day, my lord.—
Robert, will you go with me?

Rob.
Ay; I'll follow you.

[Exit Ethel.
Hav.
That's somewhat cold, I think.

Rob.
Who? Ethel cold!
When you have lived with him a little week,
He'll love you like a brother.

Hav.
Would I were worthier;
I could love him strangely. Farewell till to-night, then.

[Exeunt.