# A Series of Plays in which it is attempted to delineate The Stronger Passions of the Mind, Volume Two/Ethwald - Part First Act 3

ACT III.
SCENE I. A small close grove, with a steep rocky bank at one end of it. Several Peasants are discovered standing upon the bank, as if looking at some distant sight.
1st Pea. Good lack a day! how many living souls,
In wide confused eddying motion mix'd,
Like cross set currents on the restless face
Of winter floods!
2d Pea. Where fight the Northern Mercians?
1st Pea. On the right. The gentle ethling, as I am inform'd,
Fights likewise on the right: heav'n spare his head!
'Tis his first battle.
3d Pea. Hear, hear! still louder swells that horrid sound.
1st Pea. Ay, many voices join in that loud din,
Which soon shall shout no more.
3d Pea. Ay, good neighbour,
Full gloriously now looks that cover'd field,
With all those moving ranks and glitt'ring arms;
But he who shall return by setting sun
Will see a sorry sight.
(A loud distant noise)
1st Pea. Heav'n save us all! it is the warlike yell
Of those damn'd Britons that increaseth so.
By all the holy saints our men are worsted!
(an increasing noise heard without.)
Look! yonder look! they turn their backs and fly.
3d Pea. O, blasting shame! where fights brave Ethwald now?
He is, I fear, far in the distant wing.
Let us be gone! we are too near them here:
The flight comes this way: hear that horrid sound!
The saints preserve us!
(The sound of the battle increases, and is heard nearer. The Peasants come hastily down from the bank and exeunt. Enter Edward with several followers disordered and panic-struck.)
1st. Fol. (looking round.) They cease to follow us: this thickset grove
Has stopped the pursuit: here we are secure.
(Edward throws himself down at the root of a tree, and covers his face with his hands.
2d Fol. (filling his helmet with water from a stream, and presenting it to Edw.)
My prince, this cooling water will refresh you.
Ed. (keeping his face still covered with one hand and waving him off with the other.)
Away, away! and do not speak to me!
(A deep pause, the noise of the battle is again heard coming nearer.)
1st Fol. We must not tarry here. (to Edw.)
My Lord, the farther thickets of this wood
Will prove a sure concealment: shall we move?
Edw. (still covering his face.) Let the earth gape and hide me! (another deep pause.)
3d Fol. to 1st. The sin of all this rout falls on thy head,
Thou cursed Thane! thou and thy hireling knaves
First turn'd your backs and fled.
1st Fol. to 3d. Thou liest, foul tongue! it was thy kinsman there
Who first did turn; for I was borne away, (pointing to 4th Fol.)
Unwillingly away, by the rude stream
Of his fear-stricken bands. When, till this hour,
Did ever armed Briton see my back?
4th Fol. Arm'd Britons dost thou call them? devils they are!
Thou know'st right well they deal with wicked sprites.
Those horrid yells were not the cries of men;
And fiends of hell look'd thro' their flashing eyes.
I fear to face the power of simple man
As little as thyself.
Enter more Fugitives.
1st Fol. (To Ed.) Up, my good Lord! We must move quickly hence:
We must not stay.
Ed. Then thrust me thro' and leave me.
I'll flee no more. (looking up wildly, then fixing his eyes wistfully upon 3d Follower, and bending one knee to the ground.)
Ebbert, thy sword is keen, thy arm is strong:
O, quickly do't! and I shall be with those
Who feel nor shame nor panic.
(3d Fol. and several others turn their faces away and weep. Enter more Fugitives.)
1st. Fol. What, is all lost?
1st. Fug. Yes, yes! our wing is beaten. Seagurth alone, with a few desp'rate men,
Still sets his aged breast against the storm;
But thick the aimed weapons round him fly,
Like huntsmen's arrows round the toiled boar,
And he will soon be nothing.
Edw. (starting up.) O, God! O, living God! my noble father!
He has no son!—Off, ye debasing fears!
I'll tear thee forth, base heart, if thou dost let me.
(coming forward and stretching out his arms.)
Companions, noble Mercians—Ah, false word!
I may not call you noble. Yet, perhaps,
One gen'rous spark within your bosom glows.
Sunk in disgrace still lower than ye all,
I may not urge—Who lists will follow me!
All with one voice. We will all follow thee!
Ed. Will ye, in truth? then we'll be brave men still.(brandishing his sword as he goes off.)
My noble father!
(Exeunt, clashing their arms eagerly.
SCENE II. A confused noise of a battle is heard. The scene draws up and discovers the British and Mercian armies engaged. Near the front of the stage they are seen in close fight, and the ground strew'd with several wounded and dead soldiers, as if they had been fighting for some time. Farther off, missile weapons and showers of arrows darken the air, and the view of the more distant battle is concealed in thick clouds of dust. The Mercians gain ground upon the Britons; and loud cries are raised by them to encourage one another. An active Mercian falls, and their progress is stopped whilst they endeavour to hear him off.
Fallen Mercian. I'm slain, I'm slain! tread o'er me and push forward.
Mer. Chief. O stop not thus! to it again, brave Mercians!
(The Mercians push on, encouraging one another with cries and clashing of arms: one of their bravest soldiers is wounded on the front of the stage and staggers backwards.)
Wounded Mer. Ay, this is death: O that my life had held
To see the end of this most noble game! (falls down, but seeing the Mercians about to push the Britons off the stage, raises himself half from the ground and claps his hands exultingly.)
Well fought, brave Mercians! On, my noble Mercians! (sinks down again.)
I am in darkness now! a clod o' the earth! (dies.)
(Britons without.) Fresh succour, Britons! courage! victory!
Carwallen and fresh succour!
(The Britons now raise a terrible yell and push back the Mercians, who yield ground and become spiritless and relaxed as their enemy becomes bolder. The Britons at last seize the Mercian standard, and raise another terrible yell, whilst the Mercians give way on every side.)
1st falling Mer. Horrour and death! the hand of wrath is o'er us!
2d falling Mer. A fell and fearful end! a bloody lair!
The trampling foe to tread out brave men's breath!
(The Britons yell again, and the Mercians are nearly beat off the stage.)
(Voice without.) Ethwald! the valiant Ethwald! succour, Mercians!
(Voice within.) Hear, ye brave comrades? Ethwald is at hand.
Enter Ethwald with his sword drawn.
Ethw. What, soldiers! yield ye thus, while vict'ry smiles
And bids us on to th' bent? Your northern comrades
Mock at their savage howls, and drive before them
These chafed beasts of prey. Come! to it bravely!
To it, and let their mountain matrons howl,
For these will soon be silent.
Give me the standard.
Voice. They have taken it.
Ethw. Taken! no, by the spirits of the brave!
Standard of ours on Snowdon winds to float!
No! this shall fetch it back! (taking off his helmet and throwing it into the midst of the enemy, then rushing upon them bare headed and sword in hand. The Mercians clash their arms and raise a great shout: the Britons are driven off the stage; whilst many of the dying Mercians clap their hands and raise a feeble shout after their comrades. The scene closes.)
SCENE III. An open space before a royal tent; the curtains of which are tucked up, and shew a company of warriours and dames within it. On either side of the open stage soldiers are drawn up in order. Enter two petty Thanes on the front of the stage.
1st Thane. Here let us stand and see the ceremony.
Without the tent, 'tis said the king will crown
The gallant Ethling with a wreath of honour, As the chief agent in this victory
O'r stern Carwallen and his Britons gain'd.
2d Thane. Thou sayest well. Within the royal tent
They wait, as I am told, the Ethling's coming,
Who is full tardy. Softly, they come forth.
*How like a ship, with all her goodly sails
Spread to the sun, the haughty princess moves!
(A flourish of trumpets. Enter from the tent the King with Ethelbert, Edrick, Thanes, and Attendants; and Elburga, with Dwina and Ladies. They advance towards the front of the stage.)
King. Nay, sweet Elburga, clear thy frowning brow;
He who is absent will not long delay
His pleasing duty here.
Elb. On such a day, my Lord, the brave I honour.
As those who have your royal arms maintain'd
In war's iron field, such honour meriting.
What individual chiefs, or here or absent.
Are therein lapt, by me unheeded is;
I deign not to regard it.
King. Thou art offended, daughter, but unwisely.
Plumed with the fairest honours of the field,
Such pious grief for a brave father's death,
Bespeaks a heart such as a gentle maid
In her faith-plighted Lord should joy to find.
Elb. Who best the royal honours of a prince
Maintains, best suits a royal maiden's love.
King. Elburga, thou forget'st that gentleness
Which suits thy gentle kind.
Elb. (with much assum'd stateliness.) I hope, my Lord,
I do, meantime, that dignity remember, Which doth beseem the daughter of a king!
King. Fie! clear thy cloudy brow! it is my will
Thou honour graciously his modest worth.
(Elb. bows, but smiles disdainfully.)
By a well feigned flight, he was the first
Who broke the stubborn foe, opening the road
To victory. Here, with some public mark
Of royal favour, by thy hand received,
I will to honour him; for, since the battle,
A gloomy melancholy o'er him broods,
E'en far exceeding what a father's death
Should cast upon a youthful victor's triumph.
Ah! here he comes! look on that joyless face!
Elb. (aside to Dwina, looking scornfully to Edward as he approaches.)
Look with what slow and piteous gait he comes!
Like younger brother of a petty Thane,
Timing his footsteps to his father's dirge.
Dwina. (aside.) Nay, to my fancy it seems wond'rous graceful.
Elb. (contemptuously.) A youth, indeed, who might with humble grace
Beneath thy window tell his piteous tale.
Enter Edward, followed by Ethwald and Attendants.
King. Approach, my son: so will I call thee now.
Here is a face whose smiles should gild thy honours,
If thou art yet awake to beauty's power.
Edw. (kissing Elburga's hand respectfully.) Honour'd I am, indeed; most dearly honour'd:
I feel it here (his hand on his heart) and should be joyful too,
If aught could gild my gloom.
(sighs very deeply, then suddenly recollecting himself)
And ever quick to honour valiant worth:
Ethwald, my friend—hast thou forgotten Ethwald?
(presenting Ethw. to her.)
Elb. Could I forget the warlike Thane of Mairnieth,
I must have barr'd mine ears against all sound;
For ev'ry voice is powerful in his praise,
And ev'ry Mercian tongue repeats his name.
(smiling graciously upon Ethw.)
King. (impatiently) Where go we now? we wander from our purpose.
Edward, thy youthful ardour, season'd well
With warlike craft, has crown'd my age with glory:
Here be thy valour crown'd, it is my will,
With honour's wreath, from a fair hand receiv'd.
(giving the wreath to Elburga.)
Edw. (earnestly) I do beseech you, uncle!—pray receive
My grateful thanks! the mournful cypress best
Becomes my brow: this honour must not be.
King. Nay, lay aside unseemly diffidence;
It must be so.
Edw. (impressively) My heart is much depress'd: O do not add
The burden of an undeserved honour, To bend me to the earth!
King. These warlike chieftains say it is deserv'd,
And nobly earn'd. It is with their concurrence
That now I offer thee this warriour's wreath:
Yes, Ethling, and command thee to receive it.
(Holding up his hand) There, let the trumpets sound.
(trumpets sound.)
Edw. (holding up his hands distractedly)
Peace, peace! nor put me to this agony! (trumpets cease.)
And am I then push'd to this very point?
Well, then, away deceit! too long hast thou, Like the incumbent monster of a dream
On the stretch'd sleeper's breast, depress'd my soul:
I shake thee off, foul mate! O royal sire,
And you, ye valiant Mercians, hear the truth!
Ye have believ'd, that by a feigned flight,
I gain'd the first advantage o'er the foe,
And broke their battle's strength: O, would I had!
That flight, alas! was real: the sudden impulse
Of a weak mind, unprov'd, and strongly struck
With new and horrid things, until that hour
Unknown and unimagin'd.—— Nor was it honour's voice that call'd me back:
The call of nature saved me. Noble Seagurth!
Had I been son of any sire but thee,
I had in dark and endless shame been lost,
Nor e'er again before these valiant men
Stood in this royal presence.
In all my fortune, happy I am alone
That my brave father, rescued by these arms,
Look'd on me, smiling thro' the shades of death,
And knew his son. He was a noble man!
He never turn'd from danger—but his son—
(Many voices at once) His son is worthy of him!
(Repeated again with more voices) His son is worthy of him!
Ethelbert. (with enthusiasm) His son is worthy of the noblest sire that ever wielded sword!
(Voices.) Crown him, fair princess! crown the noble Edward!
(Elburga offers him the wreath, which he puts aside vehemently.
Edw. Forbear! a band of scorpions round my brow
Would not torment me like this laurel wreath.
(Elb. turns from him contemptuously, and gives the wreath to the King.)
Edw. (to King.) What, good, my Lord! is there not present here
A Mercian brow deserving of that wreath? Shall he, who did with an uncover'd head
Your battle fight, still wear his brows unbound?
Do us not this disgrace!
King. (fretfully) Thou dost forget the royal dignity: Take it away.(giving it to an Officer.)
(A confused murmuring amongst the soldiers.)
(Aside to the Seneschal, alarmed) What noise is that?
Sen. (aside to King.) Your troops, my sire, are much dissatisfied,
For that their fav'rite chief by you is deem'd
Unworthy of the wreath.
King. (aside.) What, is it so? call back mine officer.(taking the wreath again, and giving it to Elb.)
This wreath was meant for one of royal line,
But ev'ry noble Mercian, great in arms,
Is equal to a prince.
Crown the most valiant Ethwald.
Elb. (crowning Ethw. with great assumed majesty.)
Long may thy laurels flourish on thy brow,
Most noble chief!
(Ethw. takes the wreath and presses it to his lips, bowing to Elb. then to the King.)
Ethw. They who beneath the royal banner fight, Unto the fortunes of their royal chief
Their success owe. Honour'd, indeed, am I
That the brave Ethling hath so favour'd me,
And that I may, most humbly at your feet,
My royal sire, this martial garland lay.
(he, kneeling, lays the wreath at the King's feet; the King raises him up and embraces him: the Soldiers clash their arms and call out)
Sold. Long live the King! and long live noble Ethwald!
(This is several times repeated. Exeunt King, Edward, Elburga, &c. &e. Elburga lookhig graciously to Ethwald as she goes off. Manent Ethwald and Ethelbert.)
Eth. (repeating indignantly as they go off) Long live the King, and long live noble Ethwald!
Fie on the stupid clowns, that did not join
The gen'rous Edward's name! (to Ethw. who is standing looking earnestly after the Princess)
What dost thou gaze on?
Ethw. The princess look'd behind her as she went.
Eth. And what is that to thee?
(walks silently across the stage once or twice, gloomy and dissatisfied, then turning short upon Ethw.)
Ethw. (hesitating) I cannot reckon it unto the day—
Some moons ago.
Eth. Some moons! the moon in her wide course shines not
Upon a maid more lovely.
Ethw. I know it well.
Eth. Thou dost.
Ethw. (after a pause, looking attentively to Eth. who stands muttering to himself)
Methinks thou holdest converse with thyself.
Eth. (speaking aloud, as if he continued to talk to himself)
She steps upon the flowery bosom'd earth,
As tho' it were a foot-cloth, fitly spread
Beneath the tread of her majestic toe;
And looks upon the human countenance,
Whereon her Maker hath the signs impress'd
Of all that he within the soul hath stored
Of great and noble, gen'rous and benign,
As on a molten plate, made to reflect
Her grandeur and perfections.
Ethw. Of whom speak'st thou.
Eth. Not of the gentle Bertha. (Exit.
Ethw. What may he mean? He mark'd, with much displeasure,
The soldiers shout my name, and now my favour
With Mercia's princess frets him. What of this?
Ha! hath his active mind, outrun mine own
In shaping future consequences? Yes,
It must be so: a cloudy curtain draws, And to mine eye a goodly prospect shews,
Extending——No, I must not look upon it.
(Exit hastily.
SCENE IV. An open space with arms, garments, and other spoils of the Britons heaped up on every side of the stage. Enter Soldiers and range themselves in order, then enter Ethelbert and a Soldier, talking as they enter.
Eth. Ethwald amongst his soldiers, dost thou say, Divides his spoil?
Sol. He does most bountifully;
Nor to himself more than a soldier's share
Retains, he is so gen'rous and so noble.
Eth. I thank thee, friend. (Soldier retires.)
(Eth. after a pause)
I like not this; behind those heaps I'll stand
And mark the manner of this distribution, (retires)
Enter Alwy and a petty Thane.
Alwy. Brave warriours! ye are come at his desire,
Who for each humble soldier, bold in arms,
That has beneath his orders fought, still bears
A brother's heart. You see these goodly spoils:
He gives them not unto the cloister'd priests:
His soldiers pray for him.(Soldiers shout.)
Thane. (to Alwy.) What is thy meaning?
Alwy. Knowest thou not the king has now bestow'd
The chiefest portion of his British spoil
On Alban's abbey?
Enter Ethwald.
(Soldiers shouting very loud.) Long live brave Ethwald, health to noble Ethwald.
Ethw. Thanks for these kindly greetings, valiant hearts!
(Soldiers shout again very loud.)
In truth I stand before you, brave companions,
Somewhat asham'd; for, with my wishes match'd,
These hands are poor and empty, (loud acclamations.)
I thank you all again; for well I see
You have respect unto the dear good will
That must enrich these heaps of homely stuff.
Soldiers. Long live our gen'rous leader!
Eth. (giving a Soldier a helmet filled with lots.)
Here, take the lots and deal them fairly round.
Heaven send to all of you, my valiant friends,
A portion to your liking. This rough heap
(pointing to the arms.)
Will give at least to each some warlike trophy, Which henceforth, hung upon his humble walls,
Shall tell his sons and grandsons yet to come
In what proud fields, and with what gallant mates
Their father fought. And I, methinks, well pleas'd,
Resting, as heretofore I oft have done,
My wand'ring steps beneath your friendly roofs,
Shall, looking up, the friendly token spy,
And in my host a fellow soldier hail.
Soldiers. (with loud acclamations.)
God bless you, noble chief! unto the death
We'il hold to vou, brave leader!
Ethw. And if I also do not hold to you
I am no warriour.(pointing to the spoils.)
For this motley geer,
Would it were all composed of precious things!
That to his gentle wife or favour'd maid,
Each soldier might have borne some goodly gift;
But tell them, British matrons cross the woof
With coarser hands than theirs.
1st Sol. Saint Alban bless his noble countenance!
'Twas fashion'd for bestowing.
2d Sol. Heav'n store his halls with wealth!
Ethw. (going familiarly amongst the soldiers as the lots are drawing.)
Well, Ogar, hast thou drawn? good luck to thee.
And thou, good Baldwin too? Yet fie upon it!
The heaviest weapon of the British host
Lacks weight of metal for thy sinewy arm.—
Ha! health to thee, mine old and honest host!
I'm glad to see thee with thine arm unbound.
And ruddy too! thy dame should give me thanks:
I send thee home to her a younger man
Than I receiv'd thee. (to the Soldier with the lots who is passing him.)
Nay, stay thee, friend, I pray, nor pass me o'er.
We all must share alike; hold out thy cap. (smiling as he draws.)
The knave would leave me out.
(Loud acclamations, the soldiers surrounding him and clashing their arms.)
Enter Selred and Followers.
Sel. (to Sol.) Ha! whence comes all this uproar?
Sol. Know you not?
Your noble brother 'midst his soldiers shares
His brightest spoils.
Sel. The grateful knaves! is all their joy for this?
(to his Followers.)
Well, go and add to it my portion too;
'Twill make them roar the louder. Do it quickly.
(Exit.
Soldiers, (looking after Sel.) Heaven bless him too, plain honest careless soul!
He gives as tho' he gave not. (loud acclamations.)
Long live brave Ethwald and the noble Selred.
Ethw. (aside to Alwy, displeased.) How came he here?
Alwy. I cannot tell.
Ethw. (to Sol.) We are confined within this narrow space:
Go range yourselves at large on yon green sward,
And there well spread the lots.
(Exeunt the Soldiers, arranging themselves as they go.)
SCENE V. An apartment in a royal castle. Enter Ethelbert, and leans his back upon a pillar near the front of the stage, as if deeply engaged in gloomy thoughts: afterwards enters Ethwald by the opposite side at the bottom of the stage, and approaches Eth. slowly, observing him attentively as he advances.
Ethw. Thou art disturbed, Ethelbert.
Eth. I am.
Ethw. Thine eyes roll strangely, as tho' thou beheld'st
Some dreadful thing:———
On what look'st thou?
Eth.Upon my country's ruin.
The land is full of blood: her savage birds
O'er human carcases do scream and batten:
The silent hamlet smokes not, in the field
The aged grandsire turns the joyless soil:
Dark spirits are abroad, and gentle worth
Within the narrow house of death is laid,
An early tenant.
Ethw.Thou 'rt beside thyself!
Think'st thou that I, with these good arms, will stand
And suffer all this wreck?
Eth. Ha! say'st thou so? Alas it is thyself
Who rul'st the tempest! (shaking his head solemnly.)
Ethw. If that I bear the spirit of a man,
Thou falsely see'st! Think'st thou I am a beast;
A fanged wolf, reft of all kindly sense,
That I should do such deeds?
I am a man aspiring to be great, But loathing cruelty: who wears a sword
That will protect and not destroy the feeble.
(putting his hand vehemently upon his sword.)
Eth. Ha! art thou roused! blessings on thy wrath!
I'll trust thee still. But see, the Ethling comes,
And on his face he wears a smile of joy.
Enter Edward, advancing gayly to Ethwald.
Ed. A boon, a boon, great Mairnieth's Thane I crave.
Eth. You come not with a suppliant's face, my Lord.
Ed. Not much cast down for lack of confidence
My suit to gain. That envious braggard there,
The chief of Bournoth, says, no Mercian arm,
Of man now living, can his grandsire's sword
In warlike combat wield: and, in good sooth!
I forfeit forty of my fattest kine
If Ethwald's arm does not the feat achieve.
(To Ethw.) What say'st thou, friend? Methinks thou'rt grave and silent:
Hast thou so soon thy noble trade forgot?
Have at it then! I'll rouse thy spirit up:
I'll soldier thee again. (drawing his sword playfully upon Ethwald, who defends himself in like manner.)
Fie on't! that was a wicked northern push:
It smells of thine old sports in Mollo's walls.
(pauses and fights again.)
To it again! How listless thou art grown!
Where is thy manhood gone?
Ethw. Fear not, my Lord, enough remains behind To win your forty kine.
Ed. I'll take thy word for't now: in faith, I'm tired!
I've been too eager in the morning's chace
To fight your noonday battles. (putting the point of his sword to the ground, and leaning familiarly upon Ethwald.)
My arm, I fear, would make but little gain
With Bournoth's sword. By arms and brave men's love!
I could not brook to see that wordy braggard
Perching his paltry sire above thy pitch:
It rais'd my fiend within. When I am great,
I'll build a tower upon the very spot
Where thou did'st first the British army stay,
And shame the grandsires of those mighty Thanes
Six ages deep. Lean I too hard upon thee?
Ethw. No, nothing hard: most pleasant and most kindly.
Take your full rest, my Lord.
Ed. In truth, I do: methinks it does me good
To rest upon thy brave and valiant breast.
Eth. (stepping before them with great animation.)
Well said, most noble Edward!
The bosom of the brave is that on which
Rests many a head; but most of all, I trow,
Th' exposed head of princely youth thereon
Rests gracefully. (steps hack some paces and looks at them with delight.)
Ed. You look upon us, Thane, with eager eyes
And looks of meaning.
Eth. Pardon me, I pray!
My fancy oftentimes will wildly play,
And strong conceits possess me.
Indulge my passing freak: I am a man
Upon whose grizzled head the work of time
Hath been by care perform'd, and, with the young,
Claiming the priv'lege of a man in years.
(taking the hands of Ed. and Ethw. and joining them together.)
And on this sword, it is a brave man's sword,
Swear that you will unto each other prove,
As prince and subject, true.
Ed. No, no, good Thane!
As friends, true friends; that doth the whole include.
I kiss the honour'd blade. (kissing the sword held out by Eth.)
Eth. (presenting the sword to Ethw.) And what says noble Ethwald?
Ethw. All that the brave should say. (kissing it also.)
Eth. (triumphantly) Now, Mercia, thou art strong! give me your hands,
Faith, I must lay them both upon my breast!
(pressing both their hands to his breast.)
This is a lovely sight!
Ethw. (softened) You weep, good Ethelbert,
Eth. (brushing off his tears with his hand.)
Yes, yes! such tears as the warm shower'd earth
Shews to the kindly sun.
Ed. (to Ethw. gently clapping his shoulder.)
I love this well: thou like a woman weep'st,
And fightest like a man. But look, I pray!
There comes my arm's-man with the braggard's sword:
Let us assay it yonder.(Exeunt.
END OF THE THIRD ACT.