Britain ... - Blue-Lite

392 THE VARANGIAN. [Act V
ACT V.
SCENE I. An open Country in the Isle of Ely.
Enter the King, Osmond, Fitz-Rollo, Barons, and
army, with banners and martial music.
OSMOND.
I doubted not the Abbot would betray
Island and friends, his dearer lands to save ;
And by his means we have the entrance won
Into the fastness of these rebel hordes.
KING.
Behold ! they onward come in battle-wise,
Resolved to hazard all, by Edgar led,
Their meek, deluded Darling.
The sword of vengeance, lords,
Ere we draw
I will submit
To parley with these rebels ; doubting not
To win, without a blow, the voice of those
Who follow this unwarlike, gentle Prince.
FITZ-EOLLO (aside.)
I hate a brawl of words : such female feuds
Let cowards fight. The clang of sword and axe
On ringing bucklers, and the deep-toned shout
Of a death-struggle are the sounds for me.
Enter Edgar, Chiefs, and Saooons.
KING.
How now, my lord ! And is it thus thou com'st
To meet thy sovereign, once thy friend, who held
Thee dearest in his heart of all his subjects?