Britain ... - Blue-Lite

Scene IV.] THE ENGLISH SLAVE. 89
Hath emptied on my head ! Hast thou, whom I
So fondly loved, my deadliest foe let loose ?
Traitress ! that love is changed to fellest hate !
With speed send forth a herald to the Dane,
And tell that wild freebooter of the sea,
If he send not, unharmed, my Edgar back,
I will take off E vandals head, and hang
Her body o^er my walls !
EVANDA.
Dark homicide,
I fear thee not ; a Danish woman
Now triumphs o'er thee, and defies thy rage. [Exit.
GONDABERT.
There is one only way. Call forth my guards !
I'll seek these Danes, and rescue from their knives
My gallant boy, or perish on his ashes.
[Exit.
SCENE IV. A wild Heath. In the centre of the stage
a large cromlech, or rock-altar, with steps leading up
to it. A fire blazing on the ground ; the cold grey
tints of morning on the distant mountains. A storm,
with thunder and lightning. Wild and solemn music.
Enter a train of Danish women, strewing
the altar and
ground with flowers ; then Ivor and officers, lead-
ing a procession of Danish Soldiers, with banners,
horns, and trumpets. Then the
Chief-Priest, bearing
the sacrificial knife, Edgar following in chains, and
crowned with a garland ; a train of Priests behind
him. Edgar is made to ascend the altar during the
chorus, the Chief-Priest standing beside him prepared
to strike.