Britain ... - Blue-Lite

50 THE ENGLISH SLAVE. [Act III.
Fade like the rainbow, which o'er hill and dale
The mountain-boy pursues with fruitless speed.
Well, be it so.
One sun-bright passion still inspires my soul
Amid its gloomiest storms love for the land
That gave me birth ;
and to protect her rights,
Her lofty freedom, which so well befit
A subject to enjoy, a prince to give,
I at thy shrine, St. Brice, a sacrifice
Will offer of my country's hated foes. [Exit.
SCENE II. The Castle Gardens, illuminated with
torches. At the upper part of the stage, tables laid
out for a feast, canopied with festoons offlowers.
A crowd of Vassals of both sexes discovered, with lands
ofglee-men and glee-maidens dancing in various groupes,
and Scalds playing on their harps ; others tossing
knives and balls in 28 the air, ( ) with all the sports of
a Saxon festival.
Enter Elfilia, with a wild distracted air.
ELFILIA (advancing to the front of the stage.}
What do I here, amid this festive scene ?
Where every vassal shouts joy to thy bridal,
Destroyer of my peace ! I, too,
A darkly evil day, and many, follow
will shout
Thy nuptials, cruel Edgar. Here the wolf,
The grey wolf of Dunheved's mountain 29
dwells; ( )
Yet have I
wildly ventured to his den.
Earth has no greater misery now for me :
I'm reckless what may come