University of Virginia Library

SCENE IV.

The King's chamber. Enter Ethwald with a thoughtful miserable look, and stands silently muttering to himself, when Alwy enters in haste, followed by an Officer.
Alwy.
Pardon, my lord; we bring you pressing tidings.

Ethw.
(angrily).
Shall I ne'er rest in peace in mine own chamber?
Ha! would that peace were there!—You bring me tidings;
And from what quarter come they?

Alwy.
From Utherbald, who holds your western fortress.

Ethw.
He doth not yield, I hope, unto the foe.
It is my strongest hold, and may defy
The strength of Wessex and of Britain join'd.

Off.
True, king, but famine all things will subdue.

Ethw.
He has surrender'd, then: by heaven and hell
I'll have his head for this!

Alwy.
No, royal Ethwald,
It is not yet so bad; but this brave man,
Commission'd by himself, will tell you all.

Ethw.
Speak, warrior: then he holds the fortress still?

Off.
He does, my lord, but much he lives in fear,
He shall not hold it long, unless your highness
Will give your warrant to release the prisoners;
Those ill designing Mercians whom your wisdom
Under his guard has placed.
He bade me say the step is dangerous;
But, if it is not done, those idle mouths,
Consuming much, will starve him and his men
Into compliance with the foe's demand.
What is your sov'reign will? for on the instant
I must return.

Ethw.
Tell him this is no time for foolish hazard.
Let them be put to death.

Off.
(shrinking back).
Must I return with this?
All put to death?

Ethw.
Yes, I have said: didst thou not hear my words?

Off.
I heard, in truth, but mine ears strangely rung.
Good saints there are, my lord, within our walls,
Close pris'ners kept, of war-bred men alone.
Of whom, I trow, there scarcely is a man
Who has not some fair stripling by his side
Sharing the father's bonds, threescore and ten;
And must they all—

Ethw.
I understand thee, fool.
Let them all die! have I not said it? Go:
Linger not here, but bear thy message quickly.
[Exit officer sorrowfully.
(Angrily to Alwy.)
What! thou lookest on me too, as if, forsooth,
Thou wert amaz'd at this. Perceiv'st thou not
How hardly I'm beset to keep the power
I have so dearly bought? Shall this impede me?
Let infants shrink! I have seen blood enough;
And what have I to do with mercy now?
[Stalking gloomily away, then returning.
Selred and Ethelbert, and fiery Hereulf,
Are to their castles sullenly retired,
With many other warlike Thanes. The storm
Is gath'ring round me, but we'll brave it nobly.

Alwy.
The discontented chiefs, as I'm inform'd
By faithful spies, are in the halls of Hereulf
Assembled, brooding o'er their secret treason.

Ethw.
Are they? Then let us send a chosen band,
And seize them unprepared. A nightly march
Will bring them near his castle. Let us then
Immediate orders give; the time is precious.

[Exeunt.