Britain ... - Blue-Lite

382 THE VARANGIAN. [Act IV.
And as inconstant, too. But see, he comes,
Leading the Countess daintily, as if
He sorrowed that her feet should touch the ground.
I marvel much he spreads not his bright robe
For her to walk on.
Enter Judith, led by Osmond.
KING.
How comes it, lady niece,
That you unwonted visitation pay
To camps and scenes of war ?
JUDITH.
My royal uncle, I am hither come
Warning to give thee of a fearful plot
KING.
What ?
plot what new commotion is stirred ? up
And who are its abettors ?
JUDITH.
Good my lord,
Edgar is from the Scottish court returned ;
And in St. Alban's halls hath he the chiefs
Of this conspiracy in council met,
Where on his head the rebel Abbot placed
The imperial diadem.
KING.
I'll hang that Abbot
In chains before his abbey gates, and bury
Beneath the burning ruins all its inmates !
LANFRANC.
Alas ! and never shall this realm find peace ?
I fondly hoped that
KING.
Lanfranc, there can be