Britain ... - Blue-Lite

Scene II.]
Of power unbridled ! What
THE VARANGIAN.
!
The meanest freeman's privilege,
to be denied
to choose
Where his fond heart directs ? Let cowardice
And shame tread on my heels, if I do not
Fulfil my vows of love !
HEREFORD.
Why
Meekness to be a railer ! I am not
this would teach
Gifted with patience, therefore would I speak,
Though the grim headsman with his gleaming axe
Stood waiting for my blood. Know, thou proud King,
A Norman Baron will be free to act,
Within his own dominions, as the prince
That sways a regal sceptre.
KING.
Ay, but he,
I swear, shall to this throne that homage pay,
His vassals pay to him.
HEREFORD.
Go trample thou
On thy base Saxon slaves the coward English,
Whose name it is a foul disgrace to bear ; ( n )
And bow their necks beneath thine iron yoke.
But I and valiant Norfolk will assert
The rights of free-born Normans.
LANFRANC.
Calm, my lords,
Your wrath-enkindled spirits. Know ye not
It is a liegeman's duty to bow down
Submissively to his high will who reigns
Your feudal sovereign, whose prerogatives
Ye seek to abrogate ?