Britain ... - Blue-Lite

410 THE VARANGIAN. [Act V.
And through the darkest times in silence sheds
On iron hearts its influence, like the dew
That nightly cheers with noiseless benison
The sun-smote fields of summer.
'Tis our pride
To feed the hungry and the naked clothe,
To shield th' oppressed from the oppressor's scourge,
And imitate our heavenly Founder's deeds.
The proudest chivalry and knighthood bow
To our far nobler, far more ancient Order,
In whose refulgence all their lesser pomp
Doth like the dawn-star fade, when from the kiss
Of the bold sun the speedy morning flies,
Earth brightening with her blushes. Ours is not
A titled rank ordained by mortal kings,
For it was founded by the KIXG of kings,
Who the wide ocean measured in his hand,
Lit with his fiery glance the flaming sun,
And on the formless void earth's deep foundations
Laid in eternal darkness even HE
The ARCHITECT of all things !
Death or the secrets I
KING.
HEEEWARD.
Death then be it ! Death
With glory, and not life with damning shame.
KING.
Death on the rack ! That from thee shall extort
HEREWARD.
No, not a sentence. No, not one brief word
Which shall disgrace the name of a true brother.
KING.
Then let my guards advance