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Edmund Ironside - Act 2. Scene 1

ACT II.

Scene I. — A Field.

Enter E DRICK and A LLWYN .

EDRICK.

Allwyn, the Danish trumpet thrice hath sounded,
And the tired army halts. The King intends
Here to encamp. Be thine th' intrusted care
T' intrench the British forces on the left,
At ample distance. When the weary Danes
Repair with sleep the waste of labour, then,
Close by the covert of that shadowy wood,
Conduct thy troops to the extremest bound

Edmund Ironside - Act 1. Scene 3

Scene III. Before the Castle.

Enter K ENELM , meeting an Officer.

KENELM.

How fares our royal Mistress Elgiva?

OFFICER.

Oh! if thou bring'st intelligence of Edmund,
Thou art thrice welcome. Since he went to battle,
Soft sleep forsakes her eye, and ev'ry charm
Flies from her fading face. Are we victorious?

KENELM.

Look round the Castle: 'Tis brave Edmund's all.

Edmund Ironside - Act 1. Scene 2

Scene II.

Enter E LGIVA .

Royal Mourner,
Yet turn, yet lift, thy melancholy eyes;
Think of the victories that grace thy Lord,
And let the thought breathe comfort to thy soul.

ELGIVA.

Talk not of comfort, for my soul is griev'd
By long suspence. No tidings yet from Edmund.
The moon has wax'd and wan'd since last we parted.
In war for speed he used to imitate
The darting lightning. If success were ours,
The welcome tidings had been soon despatched

Edmund Ironside - Act 1. Scene 1

A Tragedy.

ACT I.

Scene I. — Gloucester Castle Garden.

Enter Emma and B IRTHA .

EMMA.

H ERE distant from the cruel rage of war,
Securely placed in peaceful solitude,
We know but little of the gen'ral sorrow.
Yon venerable grove of spreading oaks
Kindly immures this antiquated castle
From proud Ambition's eye. It seems to court
Neglected worth and ruin'd majesty,
To sly for shelter here.

Life in Deaths -

What Mystery is this
To seek for Life in Death,
The great Destroyer of the Sons
Of Adam and of Soth?
Can Death beget sweet Life?
Can such an Honey-comb,
So sweet and precious, come forth
Of Death's devouring Womb?

Yes: Christ hath broke the Teeth
And ta'ne away the Sting
Of Cruel Death, that Death is now