Britain ... - Blue-Lite

Scene V.] THE VARANGIAN. 361
When the faint star of my poor fame, that long
Hath wandered through a night of clouds and storms,
Shall fade away in the broad sunny blaze
Of universal freedom.
NORFOLK.
England, my lords,
With all her 3
countless riches, ( ?) hath been made
A prey to lawless power. I shame to own
brand and Hereford's have been unsheathed
My
To aid the spoiler's work ;
but from this night
I, by St. Dransius, swear they shall be drawn
For England's general weal, England whom we
Adopt as our loved country ! But why stands,
Thoughtful and silent, brave Northumberland,
On whom the love of every Saxon waits,
Whom all true Normans honour ? And has he
No balm to pour upon his country's wounds,
No spirit
for
great enterprise, who once
With trump-like voice roused all the north to arms,
And made the lion of the south to tremble ? 38
( )
WALTHEOF.
My lords and barons, I have listened long
With wonder and with sorrow to your words ;
Yet I their import clearly gather not.
Am I in error, when I say they sound
Like the forewarning voice that tells the world
Of the deep thunder's coming ? Wrong I any
In deeming you as heralds that proclaim
Complotted
treason ?
HE REWARD.
Treason ! whom
And is it treason when I say rny sword
against ?
Shall be unsheathed my country to defend ?