University of Virginia Library

SCENE II.

BALDRED
(alone.).
Too long, methinks, the king confers with Egbert.
He leads the army!—I would have it so.—
The time has been men fell in fight.—Death ruled
Unquestion'd there.—Yet now, methinks, for him
All weapons lose their edge!—But has this head
Forgot the means t' effect this bosom's purpose?
I hate her now—yet envy him his joys.
Yes, but for him I had won her—but for him
In love's full confidence had met those eyes,
Had clasp'd that hand in love.

Enter Egbert.
EGBERT.
What! murmur'st thou of confidence and joy?
Of eyes that meet, and hands that clasp in love!

BALDRED.
That sinful in their sweetness are these things,
And as rank weeds that wear a gaudy blossom,
Should be uprooted from the wholesome soil;
While, as the liberal herbage spreading wide,
Or sacred grain, friendly to general life,
The public weal alone should be our care.

EGBERT.
These maxims, holy kinsman, are severe
For one erewhile a gay, a gallant soldier.
What! for the public weal would'st thou uproot
That which does make the public weal our care?
Why fill the eyes with tears? Why leaps the heart?
“Our country” but the theme of our discourse?
We love the land where first the light of heaven
Broke on our eyes!—dear by all childhood's joys!
Her soil enfolds our fathers' honour'd bones!
Our friends and kinsmen reap her golden harvests!
But there are ties! which thou hast thrown from thee,
That more than these endear our country's name!
That brace the thrilling nerves, and swell the bosom—
Doubling the powers and energies of man!

BALDRED.
Ha! did I throw from me those ties? (howe'er
My heaven-ward thoughts despise them now!) thou treach'rous,
Thou gay insinuating flatterer!—thou,
Who stealing on the promise of my bliss—

EGBERT.
'Tis false, proud priest! Her love was mine, ere thou
Hadst with loathed passion gazed on Ina's charms.
She ever hated thee!—

BALDRED.
Thou say'st so, boaster!
Haply my soldiers' hearts alike were thine,
Ere I had led them forth.—I! who so long
Fenced with this arm thy father's tottering throne
Against dread Ethelbald.—

EGBERT.
Hold, Baldred, hold!
I grant my father's throne was sore beset
When mighty Ethelbald came thundering on.
But force me not to say who fenced his throne.

BALDRED.
Nay, doubly treacherous was thy part! thou cam'st
Prank'd in gay youth, and glittering novelty—
With idle promises, alluring wiles—
And won the dastard knaves, who had forsook me,
To turn again with swift recoiling force
On the triumphant foe; thus foully wresting
The dear-earn'd meed of longer services.

EGBERT.
Vain reasoner! true; the flying bands I rallied
By promises, not idle, if fulfill'd!
Nor robb'd thee of the meed of victory,—
For on thy brow I would have placed her wreath.

BALDRED.
'Twas all hypocrisy!—'twas insult all!
Thou still hast wrong'd me,—but I scorn thee still.
Fortune's sleek minion! Flattery's demi-god!
Awhile thou yet may'st flutter in their sunshine,
A gay-wing'd insect, till the northern blast
From short existence sweep thee, while the eagle
Towers in her native skies!

EGBERT.
Peace! coward priest!
Who thus secure, beneath that saintly garb,
Dost blacken worth, and rail at envied greatness.

BALDRED.
Thy worth I own not, nor thy fleeting greatness.
Power is true greatness! Go, guide thou the sword
Thousands of sinews wield! but I can slack
Those sinews that they loose their hold. Thus wrapt,
I sway by holy awe the souls of men,
And am superior in superior power!

EGBERT.
I mock thy blustering impotence and pride,
But I respect the garb thou dost abuse,
And, therefore, priest, I unchastised will leave thee,
While yet my better thoughts restrain my arm.

[Exit.
BALDRED.
Thinks he to awe me by his lofty carriage?
And shall my spirit stand rebuked by his?
Shall I, in blood his equal,—hang the head?
Wondering, confess his rare endowments? Hail him
With idiot incense as the vulgar use?
There are tame spirits who recline content
Beneath the greatness that o'ershadows them.
The timid herds, denied by nature fangs
To wage offensive war, will throng together—
Obscure equality! The lion stalks
Alone!—unrivall'd he!—the lonely tiger
Leaps single on his prey!—these brook no equal;
Nor will I, crouching, a superior own!

[Exit.