 | Earl Goodwin |  |
71
Enter King Edward, Emma, and Lodowicke.
Edward.
Good father, let Te Deum sound in the morn
Thro' all our churches: my internal peace
Is wrought to strong perfection. We must wait
The coming of our friends; well do they claim
Our grateful salutation. But be near,
Soon to retire with me. Thy fervent pray'r
Shall give new vigour to my humble thanks.
Lodowicke
(designingly).
My king shall be attended. I have heard
Our holy priests complain with gentle sighs,
As tardily they walk'd, of fees unpaid,
Of this world's lux'ry, tythes too low in Kent,
Of Goodwin's wide possessions, which the earl
Would never yield to our church strictures: true,
We ever were a most abstemious tribe.
Edward.
Be't thine to silence their complaints.
Emma.
Beware
How thou dost charge thy people.
Lodowicke.
Gracious queen,
The people are voluptuous, high in spirit,
No rule subdues their passions, they do loathe
The day set by for fasting.
Emma.
Should we judge
From thy fresh countenance, officious priest,
Thou dost choose wisely more substantial blessings.
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Welcome, Editha! Love and lasting joy
Shall bless each time-born hour; thy tears no more
Wash the cold pavement of a cloister. Truth
Plants bright conviction in thy Edward's heart,
Bidding the chain of superstition fall.
Editha.
In Edward's love centers my ev'ry wish;
But he contemns my tender lost affections.
Edward, thy looks congeal me. Goodwin's eye
Will shine with fondness on his lov'd Editha.
Brothers, away! my dignity of soul
Shall ne'er be lost. I willingly exchange
Edward for such a father.
Edward.
Talk not thus;
I do confess me late the prey of art,
And sudden dark suspicion. We'll forget it,
Our days to love and piety devote;
Nor will I leave thee but when duty bends
My knee with Lodowicke.
Leofwine.
Where is my father?
Troops of warm soldiers passing on, was heard
Discoursing loudly of my brother Tostie.
Edward.
Brave Goodwin, and his sons, Harold and Girth,
Will soon be here: Tostie is fled to France,
Having assaulted Harold, and condemned
Thy father's league with us.
Swaine.
His restless spirit
73
To manly pity.
Editha.
Youth has many pleas
To kind indulgence in a brother's heart.
I must deplore Tostie's ungovern'd temper:
Yet do I hope it is not so debas'd,
As to grow hard and stubborn with his years.
Swaine.
I am not his accuser.
Edward.
Tostie's warmth
Luxurious France may soften. Mirth this night
Shall here take boundless pleasure, bright-ey'd joy
Snatch off the rein of care, and lull the soul
With nature's truest melody.
Editha.
My mind
Seems lost in an unusual transport. Heaven,
Thy wise decrees mortals should never scan,
Since thy rich compensations truly prove,
Each woe a blessing, born of endless love.
[Exeunt.
| Earl Goodwin | |