Britain ... - Blue-Lite

Scene II.] THE VARANGIAN. 385
husband ? But to see
Betrayed a loving
My sovereign standing on destruction's verge,
And he, this Saxon, a fell
regicide,
Stealing behind with lifted knife to strike
My King, my dear-loved uncle, mad with fear,
And reckless what mankind or after times
Might deem me for this act, I hither flew
To save my royal kinsman save my nation
From universal
slaughter ;
45
( ) for the English
Have sworn to
slay the Normans in one night
Throughout the kingdom ! Yet, by Heaven ! I half
Repent my rash resolves, lest on this head
A husband's blood should fall.
Thy
KING.
Countess, let not
tender weakness lead thee into fear.
Thou hast thy duty done to Heaven and me,
And Justice, when he falls, his blood shall wipe
From off her sword on his own guilty head.
JUDITH.
Mother of God ! I see him hastening hither !
Who knows how, by repentance, lie the King
May soften yet to mercy. [Aside :
I confess,
With deep reluctant grief confess, shouldst thou
Be won to spare the Earl, and Heaven incline
Thy heart to pity ! thou must never hope
That he can pardon thee, while on that head
Rests England's crown ;
for in his guilty dreams
Oft have I heard him vow to do such deeds,
That he would with thy bastard blood wash out
The wrongs thou didst to England Goodness keep me,
The man is here !
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