Ethwald A Tragedy, In Five Acts. Part Second |
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| 2. | SCENE II. |
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 | Ethwald |  |
SCENE II.
An apartment adjoining to the former, with a door leading to it at the bottom of the stage. Enter Alwy with a stern anxious face, and listens at the door; then enter, by the opposite side, Ethwald with a very haggard countenance.Ethw.
Dost thou hear aught?
Alwy.
No, nothing.
180
But thou dost:
Is it not done?
Alwy.
I hope it is, my lord.
Ethw.
Thou doubtest, then.—It is long past the hour
That should have lapp'd it. Hark! I hear a noise.
[A noise heard within of people struggling.
Alwy.
They are dealing with him now. They struggle hard.
Ethw.
(turning away with horror, and putting his hands upon his ears).
Ha! are we then so near it? This is horrid!
[After a pause.
Is it not done yet? Dost thou hear them still?
Alwy.
I hear them still: they struggle harder now.
[The noise within heard more distinctly.
Ethw.
By hell's dark host, thy fiends are weak of arm,
And cannot do their task! He will break forth,
With all the bloody work half done upon him!
[Running furiously to the door, and then shuddering, and turning away from it.
No, no, I cannot go! do thou go in,
And give thy strength. Let him be still'd i' the instant.
[A noise heard within of one falling.
Alwy.
There's no need now: did you not hear him fall?
[A groan heard within.
And that groan too? List, list! The deed is done.
[They both retire from the door, and Ethw. leaning his back against the wall, looks steadfastly towards it in silent expectation, whilst it is seen to open slowly a little way, then shut, then open again, without any one appearing.
Ethw.
What may this mean? This pause is horrible!
Will they or enter quickly or forbear?
Enter 1st ruffian, with his hands and clothes bloody, and all his hair and dress in disorder, like one who has been struggling hard. Enter soon after him 2d ruffian in a similar plight.
Alwy
(eagerly).
Ye've done it: is he dead?
1st ruff.
He is still'd now; but with such horrid strength
He grappled with us! we have had fell work.
Alwy.
Then let us see the body.
1st ruff.
Yes, enter if it please ye.
Alwy.
Be pleased, my lord.
(To Ethw.)
Ethw.
Pray thee be satisfied: I cannot go.
Alwy
(to the ruffians).
Bring ye the body hither.
[Exeunt ruffians.
[A silent pause.—Re-enter ruffians bearing the body, and laying it down before Ethw.
Look here, my lord, and be well satisfied:
It is his very face, though somewhat changed
With long confinement in these sickly damps,
And the convulsive throes of violent death.
Ethw.
It is his very face, though somewhat changed
With long confinement in these sickly damps,
And the convulsive throes of violent death.
(first shrinking from it with horror, then commanding himself, and looking upon it for some time steadfastly).
Yes, changed indeed! and yet I know it well.
Ah! changed indeed! Much he must needs have suffer'd
In his lone prison-house. Thou bruised flower!
And hast thou struggled all so bravely too
For thy most wretched life? Base, bloody work!
Remove it from my sight.
[Turning hastily from it.
Alwy.
What farther orders would you give these men?
Ethw.
Away! speak to me not! thou'st made me curs'd!
Would all the realm of Mercia I had lost,
Ere it had come to this!
Once in the battle's heat I sav'd his life.
And he did bless me for it.
[Beating his forehead distractedly.
Alwy.
Nay, good my lord, be not so keenly moved.
Where shall we lay the body?
Ethw.
Thou and those fiends do with it as ye will:
It is a damned work!
[Exit hastily.
Alwy
(to 1st ruf.)
Come thou with me. (To 2d ruf.)
We will return anon;
Meanwhile remain thou here and watch the corpse.
[Exeunt Alwy and 1st ruf.
2d ruf.
(alone).
Watch it! I would not watch it here alone
For all my ruffian's hire.
[Throws a coarse cloth over the body, and exit hastily.
| Ethwald | |