University of Virginia Library

SCENE V.

A Pavilion in the Danish Camp.
Ivar, Hubba, and Danish Officers.
Hub.
O stain to manhood!—'tis a blot, my brother,
That covers Denmark!—yes, it is a deed
That ties the worth and freshness of our fame
To detestation!—What, to wrong a sex,
Sacred to arms, and guarded by their weakness—
The murder of defenceless women!—Gods,
Of virgins too, devoted to your altars!
It is a war with Heaven and earth!

Ivar.
Advise,
How may we cast the unworthy imputation
From our own honours.

Hub.
Will you, to your servant,
Permit this dear concern?

Ivar.
Most willingly.

Hub.
Arnold, be thine the care to seize on all
The perpetrators of this deed—to York
Convey them—Kenulph, be it thine,
From the sad ashes of yon pile to cull
The sacred reliques—see them closed in gold,
Fit emblem of the purity that pass'd
Thro' such a fire!—

[Shouts.
Ivar.
What new alarm?—See, soldier, whence those shouts,
That echo through our camp?

Enter Officer.
Officer.
My royal lord!
'Tis said our general approaches, free,
And safe, from York.

Ivar.
How, say'st thou—is it possible?
By mighty Thor, he comes!—'tis he—