Britain ... - Blue-Lite

7 2 THE ENGLISH SLAVE. [Act IV.
Less than that forest king, the stately elk,
Regards the baying of the mongrel cur.
When I the eldest boy bore to my hold,
I marked his shoulders with a burning arrow, (39)
I and my comrade Wolfe. That stamp he bears,
Th' imperishable legend of his birth ;
And when I stripped this sea-king, on his flesh
To carve the Danish eagle,
a keen torment
That joys me to retaliate on those dogs,
I knew him for thy brother's long-lost heir.
Wolfe still exists, a witness that shall crush
Thy power to nothing ;
for he will proclaim
40
( )
Before the king, the world, thy nephews' wrongs.
[Gondabert, overcome by his feelings, staggers and
leans for support against the side scenes.
Decide ! dispatch !
Dost thou not hear, loud thundering at thy gate,
The lion-like destroyer of the North ?
GONDABEET (faintly.}
Give me the parchment. But what pledge have I
For the fulfilment of thy doubtful word ?
RODERICK.
The safest, surest pledge that pledge which makes
Honest the miser and the veriest rogue
My interest.
GONDABERT (after signing.)
There, begone nay, fly !
O, tarry not a moment by the way,
Or I am lost for ever.
RODERICK.
Do not fear.
The roaring lion will not 'scape the toils
Ere my return. Wealth, triumph, and revenge ! [Exit.