University of Virginia Library

Scene IV.

—Audley in Staffordshire.
Leolf and Emma.
Emma.
Could not the Queen await the coming up
Of the King's army? Must she hazard yours?

Leolf.
My army moves not. A few mounted thanes
Alone go with me. No, she hazards nought,—
Nought that is worth a care, except herself.

Emma.
She hazards all.

Leolf.
True, for her safety's sake
I could have wished her to let time declare
What should ensue at Malpas. But the signs
Bid fair for peace, and barring misadventure . . .

Emma.
'Tis a rash reckoning in such times as these
That bars a misadventure.

Leolf.
Nay, not so.
With Dunstan fled the spirit of the storm,
And Indiscretion, that was fain to hide
Its battered plumage, now may gambol forth
On bolder wing.—Earl Sidroc, by my life!
Welcome to Audley!

Enter Sidroc.
Sidroc.
Nay, Lord Heretoch, nay;
Before you make me welcome, hear my news.

Leolf.
No, you are welcome. If your news be bad,
Welcome the more, for then the more's the need
Of your good counsel.

Sidroc.
Dunstan is at large—
Nay more, has joined the Witenagemót.
I chased him to the coast, where in a night
The boors of Hampshire rose five thousand strong
And snatched him from my hands.

Leolf.
At Malpas now!
Already there!

Sidroc.
I fear he is indeed.
But have you then no tidings? Hear you not
From Malpas?

Leolf.
We had looked to hear anon.
There comes a fellow with an open mouth
And eager eye. Enter Messenger.

The sequel? Speak, my friend;
What more beside the message in thy face?

Messenger.
The Abbot is at Malpas.

Leolf.
That we knew,
Or nearly knew. What did he then when there?

Messenger.
He called the Witenagemót together
And bade them never more to speak of peace
Until the Church were founded in her rights.

Leolf.
And he was heard?

Messenger.
By some he was opposed
That stood around him, but the floor fell in
And they went headlong; on the only beam
That brake not, Dunstan, standing undismayed,
Stretched forth his arm and bade the multitude
Confess the hand of God.

Sidroc.
By Peter's Keys
Another miracle and a murder too
Done by this cunning carpenter!

Leolf.
What next
Needs not be asked. Peace was renounced, no doubt?

Messenger.
It was, my Lord.

Emma.
The salvage may be high,
But something there is saved by this. The Queen
Will now sit close.

Leolf.
I know not that; foul winds
Preach patience; but adversity, to some
So sedative, to others is a goad.
Aught that disturbs her, hurries her to act.
—Then hears the King her husband of her peril,
And he is hurried past his reason too.—
I pray you come. But, Ernway, get you ready
To carry letters south.

[Exeunt Leolf and Sidroc.
Emma.
Now will he write
Commending care and patience to the King,
And take the danger solely to himself.
But think you, Seneschal, the Earl's dear life
Should thus be thrown amongst the enemy
And all of us behind?

Seneschal.
What else can I?

Emma.
Why this: So soon as he is gone, the force
Is at thy order—move it on to Lea,
Whence thou canst see, if aught ensue amiss,
To Leolf's safe return.

Seneschal.
Nay, but the King,
If he be patient to the Heretoch's wish,
Will be but late to join us though we wait;
And should we move . . .

Emma.
The King will follow fast
Once he shall know you gone; which that he shall
In all its import know, trust to my care,
For I will forth with Ernway, and perchance
In this affair my counsel with the King
Shall weigh as heavy as the Heretoch's.