Britain ... - Blue-Lite

THE DEVOTED ONE. [Act II.
And keen suspicion dog the traitor's heels,
While o'er his head the sword of justice hangs
By a frail hair suspended. But he comes.
Enter Edric.
Now, Edric, speak thy message.
EDRIC (kneeling.)
Hail, Canute !
Thrice hail to him who o'er all England reigns !
CANUTE.
Ha ! glorious news ! But Edmund, what of him ?
EDRIC.
He is, my lord, as thou wouldst have him be,
A 13
lifeless
piece of clay. ( )
The manner of his death.
CANUTE.
EDRIC.
Relate, good Edric,
Seek not to know
More than I tell thee. I beheld his blood
Red on the trusty blades of those who did
Their office
faithfully. The nobles all
Of Edmund's faction now are turned to thee,
And every Saxon owns thy sovereign power.
CANUTE.
Then am I king indeed ! and on my brows
The crowns of England and of Denmark rest,
While Norway soon Scant shall not, Edric, be
Thy guerdon for such service. Other deeds
Must yet be done, Thy axe the royal tree,
Sprung from the ancient root of Cerdic's line,
Hath felled to e/irth ; but from it freshly springs
Some cherished saplings, which, if not destroyed,