Britain ... - Blue-Lite

Scene II.] THE VARANGIAN. 313
To the vile lash of every fool above thee,
Unmulct though he in
spleenful mood should plunge
His dagger in
thy heart, canst thou endure
A life like this ?
HEREWARD.
No, gentle lady ;
Would rather give this flesh to be the food
Of hungry wolves.
JUDITH.
That breathes a manly spirit.
I'll not suspect thee, nor believe that thou
Dost vaunt misseemingly.
Some maiden of thy choice ;
There is, perhaps,
Would shield from every danger, and her path
one whom thy love
Through life's dark pilgrimage bestrew with flowers ;
One whom thy burning passion holds more dear
Than the red tide which circles through thy veins :
Have I not guessed aright ?
HEREWAED.
JUDITH.
I
Indeed thou hast.
And she must brook the insults of thy state,
A sorrow-stricken bond-slave. What wouldst thou
Enact to win her freedom ?
My
HEREWARD.
life-blood for her ransom.
Barter gladly
JUDITH.
Bravely spoken.
What wouldst thou do, were I that life to save
Thy rashness hath endangered, and to both
Give freedom, give thee honour, wealth, and place,
Where thy deservings, like a goodly tree