Britain ... - Blue-Lite

378 THE VARANGIAN. [Act IV.
Of robbery and rebellion in the realm.
When, lords, will come the day that we shall see
Our standard floating from the fen-girt towers
Of this enchanter ? O, impatience frets
My warlike spirit sorely !
FITZ-ROLLO.
When will come
The hour that I shall this Varangian meet,
Falchion to falchion, steed to steed, and mid
The battle-carnage trample on his wreaths ?
OSMOND.
Doubt not, sir King, but we shall soon hear news
From Ely's shifting Abbot. All his lands
Beyond the precincts of this island seized
Wisely by thy command, he will betray
Ere long the fords.
Ivo, the news ! the news ! How
Enter Ivo.
KING.
speeds the witch
With her enchantments ? Come, for once be brief.
IVO.
My constant speech is brevity itself,
With all observance due to proper words.
I would not to the King a story tell
In talk unseemly, use uncourt-like style,
Not for a King's full ransom. My discourse
Is ever fitted to the hearer's skill ;
And though my sayings brief and scant may be,
Yet I, dread sire, meet choice of language make.
FITZ-ROLLO.
Dull-prosing fool, whose words belie themselves