Britain ... - Blue-Lite

Scene III.] THE VARANGIAN. 343
Have villainously taken all the spoil
Which, in our farewell forage, we had gleaned
With honest industry.
TABITHA.
Thy first mishap. An evil omen this
Of what's foredoomed to follow.
Mark that, Ben-Zadoc :
BEN-ZADOC.
O,
By Esau's birthright, 'tis a grievous
I swear
loss !
it chafeth me. But what are these ?
Sorely
HEXULPH.
A little fruit we gathered in the woods,
Whose shining husk, as thou mayst see, doth promise
A wealthy core for ransom, if well peeled.
BEN-ZADOC.
We'll strip them of their gear ay, of their skin,
And lay their quivering heart-core bare, if they
Yield not a speedy and an ample ransom.
Aha, fair damsel ! art thou mine again ?
And without purchase, too ? Come, come ; there 's yet
Some luck in store ay, Jacob's ten-fold luck ;
For I once more shall make a goodly price
Of those bright eyes and dainty blushes, which
So well become that cheek. I'll double now
Thy value in the mart, unless this chief
Pay ransom like a king. What wealth hast thou
Of field and flock, of gold and precious gems,
Wherewith to purchase freedom for thyself,
And this ?
thy gay companion
HEREWAUD.
I have one,
One only boon, a well-accustomed sword.