H32. Cumberland Battle of Hastings, A Tragedy THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES This book is DT T E on the last date stamp* UNIVERSITY of LIBi. THE j BATTLE of HASTINGS, A TRAGEDY. By RICHARD CUMBERLAND, Efq ; AS IT IS ACTED AT THE THEATRE-ROYAL I N D. RURY-LANE. LONDON: PRINTED FOR EDWARD AND CHARLES DILLY, IN THE POULTRY. MDCCLXXVIJJ. [PRICE ONE SHILLING AND SIXPENCE.] TvT NORRIS. Dramatis Perfonse, M E N. HAROLD, King of England, Mr. BENSLLY. EDGAR ATHELING, Mr. HENDERSON EARL EDWIN, Mr. PALMER. EARL W A L T H E O F, Mr. BRERETON. EAR L of MERCIA, Brother to 7 , , TvT TT 7j f Mr. is Harold, - - - ) EARL of NORTHUMBER- LAND, - - - - S I F F R I C, Mr. FARREN. REGINALD, - Mr. CHAPLIN. RAYMOND, - - Mr. HURST. PUNCAN, a Scotlijh Seer, - Mr. CHAMBERS, W O M E N. MATILDA, Daughter to Harold, Mifs YOUNGE. ED WIN A, - - - - Mrs. YATES. SAB IN A, - - - - - Mrs. COLLES. Attendants on MATILDA, Guards, Foreflers^ Wardens, and various Attendants. PROLOGUE, Spoken by MR. HENDERSON. *T J O holy land in fiiperftition s day, When bare foot pilgrims trode their ~M>ary way, By mother church's unremitting la-iu Scoured into grace, lire you'll net grudge a li.tle fober chat With this demure old tabby Tragic cat ; No charge 'lies he;' rj' conversation critn tie hope s you'll think hfrfame, no vccrfefor kitn P I L O G U E. Spoken by Miss Y O U N G E. T?R O M ancient Tbrfpis to the prejent age The My thoughts are little worth. EDWIN. I fee thou'rt cautious,. So let it pafs How fares our fifter ? blooms The rofe of health frelh on Edwina's cheek, As it was wont ? RAYMOND. It brightens, as it blows. E D w i N. Yes, Raymond, fhe is fair ; Heaven for the (ins Of this offending country made her fair; Oh, 1 had treafur'd up fuch thoughts ! But mark, Edmund ; the youth whom I have father'd, he, "Who in the beating furge of black defpair, But for my faving arm, had funk outright And perilh'd fathoms deep, lad night i'th' camp, Soon as the guard had gone it's ftated round^ Vaulted THE BATTLE OF HASTINGS. 5 Vaulted the trench like Perfeus on his fteed^ Then fled, as if he'd overtake the wind, Whither heav'n knows. RAYMOND. Fled ; death to honour, fled ! EDWIN. Fled at this glorious crifis. Oh, It cuts My heart's beil hope afunder ! ' RAYMOND. Heavenly vengeance O'ertake and flrike him ! EDWIN. Peace ! You muft not curfe him". RAYMOND. Hah ! wherefore not ? EDWIN. Becaufe expect a wonder Becaufe he is thy king. RAYMOND. Uphold me, heaven ! E D w i N. Mine and thy king ; of Alfred's line a king ; Edgar, call'd Atheling j the rightful lord Of 6 THE BATTLE OF HASTINGS. Of this ingrateful realm, which Kentifli Harold Audacioufly ufurps RAYMOND. What do I hear ? Alas I thought him poor, an orphan youth The child of hard misfortune. EDWIN. Think foftilk PI keep thcfe thoughts untold. RAYMOND. Had I known this* I wou'dhave ferv'd him hourly on my knees ; O noble fir, direct me where to feek him, How to reftore him to thefe peaceful fh.ades. , E D w i N. Not for the world ; no, if we meet again* Back to the Englifh camp he fhall repair ; The fcene of all his hopes : Oh fuch a form Of majefty with youthful beauty grac'd, He was the foldier's idol ; fuch a fpirit -Beam'd from his eyes, his preftnce like the fim. Gladden'd beholders hearts. RAYMOND. I have a,miftrcfs x A young and beauteous lady. EDWIN. Name her not, The fource of all my Ihame : Shall it be faid That THE BATTLE OF HASTINGS. 7 That Edwin rais'd his fovereign to the throne, Only to place a fifter at his fide ? Perifh the thought I Now learn a mighty fecret > Matilda loves him ; Harold's matchlefs daughter Loves Edgar Atheling ; her dower a kingdom : Therefore no talk of Edmund and Edwina, They meet no more. Now, Raymond, had I lodg'd My fecret in a light and leaky bofom, Better my fword fhou'd rip it up at once And take it back again But thou art honefh RAYMOND. You were not wont to doubt me. EDWIN. Nay, I will not. Hah ! what is this ? who bade this mufic forth ? (Clarinets at a diftancc. RAYMOND. My lord, I know not. EDWIN. Whence proceeds it ? Mark. RAYMOND. If my ear fail not, from the beachen grove, Weft of king Alfred's tower. EDWIN. Lead to the place. Exeunt. g THE BATTLE OF HASTINGS. Edgar enters with forejlers bearing clarinets. EDGAR. Now breathe a drain, if your rude flops will let you, Soft as a lover's figh Nay, you're too loud- Mark, where you've rous'd the gentle fleeping deer. Fellows, begone ; away ! Edwina ! (Edw'ma appears at a window* EDWINA. Edmund ! Oh, I have fuffer'd a long age of abfence. EDGAR. Come then and make thefe few fhort moments bleft. EDWINA. How (hall I come ? Tear down thefe iron bars And leap into thine arms ? What lhall I do ? EDGAR. (Goes to the caftle gate and dif covers it to be open. By all my hopes, the caille gate is open i Defccnd j be fwift ! EDWINA. As thine own thoughts. She difappears* EDGAR. THE BATTLE OF HASTINGS. 9 EDGAR. ( alow. ) O Love, Small elf, who by the glow- worm's twinkling light, Fine fany-fmger'd child, can'ft flip the bolt, While the cramm'd warden fnores, this is thy doing. Lo, where fhe comes, fo breaks the morning forth, Blufhing and breathing odours ( Edwina appears ) O thou trembler, Reft on my faithful bofom ( ; faired, tell me, Still doft thou Jove ? fpeak, is thine Edmund welcome ? EDWINA. Is the fnn welcome to the wakeful eye^ Of the wreckt mariner, when o'er the waves The Iong-expe6bed dayfpring of- his hope, Mounts in the worlhipt eafl But why comes Edmund Thus wrapt in darknefs at this fecret hour As to a guilty meeting ? ED o A R. 'Tis the hour Sacred to love and me, ere noify labour Wakens the fun, while yet the fairy elves Dance in their dewy rounds ; the filent hour Before the lark her fhrill-ton'd matins fings, Or morning iiTues from the nuptial eafb, And to the bofoms of the miffing hours The new-born day commits : It is the hour When every flying minute fliould be wafted Back to the Ikies on downy wings of love. 'C EDWINA, io THE BATTLE OF HASTINGS. E D W I N A. Away, your words affright me ; you conibrt With mad ambition, Edmund, and your love So gentle once, is like the wars you follow, Fiery and fierce* EDGAR. Inftrncl me in thy willies ; Tell me what love (hou'd be. E D w i N A. Love fhou'd be pure, Harmlefs as pilgrims kifies on the (brines Of virgin martyrs ; holy as the thoughts Oi: dyingr faints, when angels hover o'er them ; Harmonious, gentle, foft ; fuch love fhou'd be, The zephyr, not the whirlwind, of the foul. EDGAR. Yes, but nly love, like never- ending time, Will neither be determin'd, nor defcrib'd. The poet by the magic of his fong Can charm the lifr'nins; moon, afcend the fpheres, And in his airy and extravagant flight Belt wide Creation's round ; yet can he never Invent that form of words to fpeak my paflion. E D W I N A. If fuch your paiTion, why this fecret meeting ; Why talk of filent hours ? Let earth and heaven Look on and witncls to your love ! fo truth, So nature fpeaks ; I know no other language. EDGAR, THE BATTLE OF HASTINGS." n EDGAR. Oh, that the throne of this proud realm were mine, That I might fay before the applauding world, Afcend, my lovely bride, and be a queen. E D w i N A. A queen ! what idle dreams perplex thy fancy ? Are there no blefilngs for the poor and humble ? EDGAR. Yes, but a brother's curfe E D w i N A. A brother's curfe'! Doth he not love thee, wait upon thee hourly, . Talk of thee ever, bend down his proud fpirit Ev'n to a vaftal's homage ? Nay, by heav'n, With an idolatry of foul he loves thee ; And fhall he not applaud me for my choice ? EDGAR. He will renounce thee, hate thee for thy choice. E D w I.N A. Away, I'll not believe it : hate, renounce ! It cannot be ; hence with this dark referve, If thou know'ft aught, whichhonour fhou'd unfold, I do conjure thee, fpeak j tho' late, confefs. EDGAR. By heav'n, thy brother C 2 (EowiN 12 THE BATTLE OF HASTINGS. ( E D w I.N enters bajlily. ) EDWIN. Are you found, young fir ? fhame, fhame, fhame ! Is this the friend, the hero ? Have I deferv'd this from you ? EDGAR. If to love The beft, the faireft of her fex is bafe, Vile and ingrateful ; if it be a fin Morning and eve to name her in my prayers, 1 am of all mpft guilty. E D W I N. You abufe The weaknefs of a fond unguarded orphan, Parlying in iecret by the moon's pale beam : The tendereft flower that withers at the breeze, Or, if the amorous fun but (leal a kifs, Drops its loft head and dies, is not more frail Than maiden reputation j 'tis a mirror Which the firft figh defiles. E D G A R. Look at that form ; With all thy cold philofophy furvey it, And wonder, if thou can'ft, why I adore. EDWIN. Away, nor vex my too, too patient fpirit With this fond rhapibdy : Hence, and to horfe ! Buckle afrefh your glittering armour on ; For THE BATTLE OF HASTINGS, f 13. For England, not Edwina, now demands you. By your thrice-plighted oath I do conjure you, By all the world calls honeft, by your hopes, Come to the camp ; if you return not with me, The fun, which rifes yonder in the Eaft, Goes not more furely to his ev'ning grave Than I to mine. EDGAR. Lo, I obey your fummons, Fierce flinty warrior ! in yond beachen grove Stands my caparifon'd and ready fteed ; There on the trunk, whofe living bark records My lov'd Edwina's name, hangs up my fword, My mailed corflet and my plumed creft, With all the proud apparel of the war : When I am furnifh'd, I (hall court admittance To this fair prefence and implore a fmile, As my laft parting boon, which if obtain'd, Nor 1 pells, nor talifmans fhall be fo potent To ihield my bofom in the bleeding field, As the fweet magic of Edwina's eyes. EDWINA. If thou hail love or pity in thy foul, Return, and tell the reft. EDGAR. Q death, to part ! {Exit.) EDWINA. Now, ftern admoniiher, I fee my fate, And I will bear it with what grace I can j Not lightly, as philofophers prefcribe To 14 THE BATTLE OF HASTINGS. To others, when themfelves are well at eafe, But deeply, feelingly, as one fhou'd do, Whofe heart by nature and by love made foft ; With forrow and unkindnefs now is rent. ED WIN, You love and you avow it righteous heav'n ! What is there in the fcope of human means, Which my providing forefight hath not fummon'd To fence off this deftrudion ? Loll Edwina j Hath not thy brother, like a faithful pilot, Sounded this dang'rous coaft, where rocks and fhallows Wait for the wreck of honour's coftly freight ? Have I not pointed to the baneful quarter, Whence cold and bjafting difappointment b|ows Withering thy beauty's bloom ? E D w i N A. Thou haft, my brother, Thou haft done all that man cou'd do to fave me, But heav'n is over all. EDWIN. When laft we parted, Thou helplefs orphan, what was then my caution? EDWINA. You caution'd me againft unwary love ; You warn'd me how I liften'd, how I look'd, 'Twas a vain warning ; I had look'd and liilen'd, And whilft I open'd my weak heart to pity, I let in love withal. E D w r N. THE BATTLE OF HASTINGS. 15 EDWIN. You let in madnefs. E D w i N A. Did you not pity ? I have feen your eyes, Unus'd to weep, turn fountains as they gaz'd ! Did you not love ? Your very foul wasEdmund's; I know you'll call it friendlhip i fo did I, But find too late 'twas love. EDWIN. Call it defpair, For hope it muft be never ; call it death. Sure fome malignant planet rul'd thy birth, And thou art doom'd to nothing but difafter ; Threenightsanddays thy widow'd mother travail'd With fruitlefs pangs, the fourth fucceeding morn She bleft her new-born murderer and expir'd j Then, as 'tis faid, my father's {hade did walk ; Then on the weftern tower the ominous owl Scream'd at mid-day, the faithlefs mifletoe From its maternal oak untwin'd its arms, And dropt without a blaft. E D w i N A. No more ; but flrike > Mine is the crime to be bclov'd by Edmund : Draw forth thy fword and ftrike it to my heart, That rebel heart, which will not be commanded, But, fpite of death and Edwin, dares to love. Why doft thou paufe ? EDWIN. Strike to thy heart ! O horror ! Not 16 THE BATTLE OF HASTINGS. Not if an angel vifbly defcended, And bade me give the blow. E D w i N A. Wilt thou not kill me r E D w i N. - By heaven, I wou'd not harm thee to be Lord Of fea and earth. E D w i N A. Then take me to thine arms, For flill thou lov'ft me ; ftill tliou art my brother. EDWIN. I am thy brother ftill ; and hold thy love Dearer than relicks of departed faints, Richer than hoarded piles of worfhipt gold ; Come then and feek content in forne calm dwelling, Some filent convent from the world withdrawn, Where pray'r and penance- make atonement fure, Where meditation communing with heaven Shall iboth the rebel paffiohs into peace, Refine the foul and conquer love itfelf. EDWIN A . Talk not of cells and convents ; I am Edmund's. EDWIN. Thou mud forget the very name of Edmund. E D w i N A. His very, name ! why, fpr whit caufe ? declare. EDWIN. THE BATTLE OF HASTINGS. i? EDWIN. There is a caufe, a caufe approv'd by heav'h, And crown'd with deathlefs glory : Search no further ; This hour he parts ; return thou to thy reft When next we meet, thou {halt applaud and thank me. Go, go, Edwina-* -nay It muft be fa. Exit. E D w i N A. (alone) Why then it fhall be fo : Let him to battle ; Tear us afunder I can only die ; When I am gone, his fame fhall be immortal. So when the bleak and wintry tempeft rends The mantling ivy from the worfhipt fides Of fome afpiring tower, where late it hung; The ftately mafs, as with a fullen fcorn, From its proud height looks down upon the wreck, And difencumber'd from its feeble gueft, Bares its broad bofom and defies the ftorm. EDGAR enters amid as for battle. EDGAR. Alone ! O happy chance ! at thy fond bidding Obedient I return. E D W I N A. Mali ! what art thou ? EDGAR. Doft thou not know me ? Am I not thine Edmund ? D E D w i N A. 1 8 THE BATTLE OF HASTINGS. E D W I N A. Away ! 'tis loft I muft forget that name. EDGAR. Coin what new name thou wilt : Let me be any thing, So 'tis but what you love, T ihall be happy. E D w i N A. Are thefe the foft habiliments of love ? This high proud plumage,, thefe blood-ftained arms ? Go to the miftrefs v/hom you ferve, Ambition : And talk no more of love. E D G A R. By heav'n I love thee More than the fun-burnt earth loves foft'ning. fhowers, More than new-ranfom'd captives love the day, Or dying martyrs, breathing forth their fouls, The acclamations of whole hofis of angels. E D w i x A. Why then leaves Edmund what fo- well he lov.es? E D o A R.. But to- return more worthy of that love; Can I, oh- tell me, can thine Edmund fltep I'n thefe calm haunts, whilft war's infulting fhout Fills the wide cope of hrav'n, mid every blaft, That thro* th:~. Rjlkary fo; ell howls, Wafts to my car. i.:.y country's dying groans ? E D W I N A.. THE BATTLE OF HASTINGS. 19 E D W I N A. If groans can move thee, why fo deaf to mine ? Myfterious youth, or now at once refolve me> Or now for ever go ; Who and what art thou ? Why does my brother wreft thee from my fight ? And why with that ftern brow am I commanded (Vain fruitlefs mandate) to forget my Edmund, Forget thy very name and that dear hour, When firft he brought thee to thefe happy fcenes? What tender charges did he then impofe ! How did his tongue run over in thy praife, 'Till, honouring Edmund for a brother's fake, I foon perceiv'd I lov'd him for his own. EDGAR. Oh, there is fuch perfuafion in thy looks, I fhall forget myfelf and tell thee all. E D W I N A. 'Twas then that Edwin told us thou waft fprting From the bed blood which England's lile cou'd boaft; He faid that thou waft Edgar's neareft friend, That with his crown thy fortunes had been loft; Bade us revere thee, love thee as the king, For that fo clofe an union knit your fouls, Edgar and thou were one. EDGAR. And truth he told, For I am Edgar ; I am England's king. E D W I N A. King ! thou the king ! D 2 ED GAR. 20 THE BATTLE OF HASTINGS, EDGAR. Be conflant. I am Edgar. E D W I N A. (After a paufe y Jhe finks jlowly on her knees. The heavens confirm your right, and build your fortune To its deferved greatnefs; on my knees I beg a blefling on you, but for pity Mock me no more, it is not noble in you., And tortures my poor heart, E p G A R. Hear me, Edwina, E D w i N A. Fly me, difown me, leave me to my fate. EDGAR. No, by this fond embrace I fwear to live For thee alone ; when I forlake Edwina, Let me chronicled to lateft ages For vile and falfe.- Remember'd in thy prayers, As with impenetrable armour fenc'd, Fearlefs I part ; faireft, and beft, farewel ! May each good fpirit of the night and day \Vatch round thee hourly! England and Edwina! End of the Firft Aft, BATTLE OF HASTINGS. A C T II. S C E N E I. The Englifi Camp. The royal Tent with tie Banners of Harold unfurled* EDGAR and EDWIN. E D W I N. rLDMUND, your fteed is feather-footed, light As goffamour, and you, methinks, did ride, As you'd o'ertake the couriers of the fky, Hors'd o'n the fightlefs winds ; The camp yqt fleeps , We have outftript the hour. EDGAR. Mark, Edwin, mark, How lovingly the ftrumpet winds falute Thefe flanting banners of the Earl of Kent : Teac^i me fome patience O ye miniftring ftorms, Where did you fleep, while ufurpation grew To this proud height ? ED w r N, No more : remember, Sir, You are a rub] eft here. ED GAR. S2 THE BATTLE OF HASTINGS. EDGAR. King Edmund's heir, Can he be fubjeft to Earl Goodwyn's fon ? If thou wouldft teach that lefibn, fluke thefe veins And let out Alfred's blood. EDWIN. You are too loud : Here comes Northumberland, a fiery fpirit, Which fourfcore winters have not yet extinguilht : I pray you, though he be your houfe's foe, Bear yourfelf gently tow'rds him, 'twill be wifdom. Enter NORTHUMBERLAND, SIFFRIC, WALTHEOF, and others. NORTHUMBERLAND. The king not forth yet ! Oh, it is the foul Of difcipline to harnefs with the fun : Can'ft thou not, SifFric, call to mind the day When with a handful of Northumbrian kerns 1 foil'd the king of Scots on Tweda's brink ? SIFFRIC. ? Twas on Saint Jude betimes. NORTHUMBERLAND. The grey-ey'd morn Laugh'd to behold the vaunting fluggard fly, As we did hollow him with hunter's cries Back to his native wilds. Soft, who are thefe ? The faction of young Edgar : Said you not Thefe men had fled the camp But fee where comes Mercia, the princely brother of our king. Earl THE BATTLE OF HASTINGS. aj Earl of MERCIA with attendants. M E R c i A. Warriors, well met : health aad a happy morn! And may the fun, which dances on your plumes, Still with new glories gild your conqu'ring brows ! The king not yet abroad ! ftill on his knees For his dear people's fake. How wears the day ? NORTHUMBERLAN D. Prince, till our royal leader fhall come forth There is no day: Let him once found to battle, On piles of Norman flain we'll build him altars High as Olympus ; in the battle's fhout We'll chant our morning oraifons fo loud, That heav'ns high vault fhall echoe with the peal. EDGAR. How valiant-tongu'd we are ! heav'ns favor guard us, And keep off the old adage ! EDWIN. Be more patient* And let his humour pafs. EDGAR. Hang him, vain dotard,, I ficken at his folly. EDWIN. See! the King. Xhe curtain of the tent is fuddenly drawn off, and King Harold appears. : He comes forward. Kl N G,r 24 THE" BATTLE OF HASTINGS. K I N G, Nobles, all hail.. 0. fight of joyful hope For furFering England ; patriot band of worthies Confederate by the holieit league on earth To the beft dearer! caufe : How fay you, friends, Stand your hearts with us for immediate battle i Do they all beat to the fame martial meafure, And ihall we forth at once ? NORTHUMBERLAND. Forth ! Strike the drums 5 Seize your bright fpears, my gallant countrymen, And let us drive thefe hungry wolves before us Home to their howling foreils. KING. Valiant chiefs, You hear Northumberland renown'd in arms : Is there amongft us one who wou'd incline To meafures of more caution ? S i F F R i c. My dread Leige, Well hath Northumberland advis'd for battle ; Of friends, of fame abandoned be the man, Who checks the warrior's ardour and impofes Vile coward fears beneath the mafk of caution. E D w i x . I muft confefs my reafon is not caught By empty founds, nor can I give my voice For rauh, intemperate and immediate battle : The foe, dread Sir, is fixty thoufand ftrong, By hardy warriors led and train'd in arms : Snatch THE BAtf LE OF CASTINGS. -25 Snatch your bright fpearsj cries bold Northumber- land, And chace thefe wolvesAlaSj thefe wolves have fangsj And will not fly for words* NORTHUMBERLAND. Ndw by my life, Edwin, thy heart is not with England's caufe, EDGAR. Not with his country's caufc ! Northumberland Wert thoti as great as pagan Herculesj And I no better than thyfelf, old man, Ev'n fuch a wither'd palfied thing as thou art, Yet wou'd I tell thee to thy teeth 'tis falfe ; As wide as loweft hell ftands off from heav'n. So do thy words from truth, S i F F R i no danger^ But joy and love and glory crown the deed; EDGAR. No more* but to the point. ED w i N< In one plain word Thus then I open all thy fate Matilda ! Nay dart not, Sir thy tried and loving fervant^ Edwin, thy ever faithful creature tells thee That thou muft wed Matilda. EDGAR. Hah ! muft wed ! What if I love her not ? EDWIN. All men muft love her. EDGAR. Muft wed, muft love ! Away! Did the great mafter Put in thy hand thofe fine and fecret fprings, Which guide the various movements of the foul ? Roufe it to hate, or melt it into love ? No, there is that in every human bread, Which heav'n made free and tyrants cannot reach. E D wi N. THE BATTLE OF HASTINGS, 45 EDWIN. Wilt thou not meet the hand that lifts thee up From low defpair and feats thee on a throne ? EDGAR. Perifh ambition ! perifh every hope Rather than this Ihould be ! EDWIN, Go then, ye fons Of freedom, go ! your facred birthright fell To Norman mafters ; hence, like Icatter'd llieep Without a fhepherd, for there's none to watch But hirelings ; he, the mafter of the flock, Shrinks from his duty and forfakes the fold. EDGAR. Edwiiij this patriot rage becomes thee well, But let me glory in my choice, the crown, Nay, was it mine, the world wou'd be Edwina's: And know, I'd rather be the roving kern, That prints Arabia's fands with burning feet, And fend my heart amidfl the tawny tribes To fix where love fliou'd point, than be a king To wed as fordid policy prefcribes. (Exit* EDWIN alone. Death to my hopes, he has no foul for empire. Heav'ns ! that a man born for a nation's glory, Can fellhis birthright at fo vile a price, For fuch a toy as beauty! O Edwina, (And muft 1 call thee fitter ?) fatal fyren, Thou haft done this : If Waltheof fees the King Edgar is loft ; that, that muft be prevented H With $o THE BATTLE OF HASTINGS. With my beft fpeed, for oh ! I love him ftill, Still my heart tells me I wou'd die to fave him. (Exit. MATILDA and ED WIN A. MATILDA. A little further yet I fee you wonder Why 1 have brought you to this place apart : It is becaufe a fympathy of foul Draws and unites me to you j 'tis becaufe There fits a weeping cherub in your eyes, That filently demands why I am fad. And I mufl fpcak to it : The worldly -wife, Who flowly climb by cold degrees to friendship, Such are my fcorn ; at fight of Athelina Affection from my bread fprung forth at once Mature as Pallas from the brain of Jove. E D w i N A. Yourboiinty,ltke the fun, warms where it fhines, And what it feels, infpires. MATILDA. O Athelina, I am ordain'd to mifery, foul-enfiav'd And fentenc'd fore againft the heart's protefl To wed and be a wretch. F. D w i N A. And who compels Matilda ! victim-like what tyrant drags thee As to a pagan altar, there to offer Conftrain'd obeifance, and put on the vow As (laves do fetters with an aking heart ? MA- THE BATTLE or HASTINGS. 51 MATILDA. So wills my father , never till this hour Did I behold him fo poflefs'd with pafiion, So terrible in wrath. E D w i N A. O fhame to nature i And what is he 'mongft Europe's kings fo great, That you of force muft wed ? MATILDA. Nor great is he, Nor number'd amongft Europe's kings, but one, Of whofe inheritance there, is not left, Save the free air he breathes, and one faint fpark Of fickly hope, that vifits his fad heart To rack it with recollection of loft right. E D w i N A. What do I hear ? MATILDA. Nay thou can'ft never guefs him j The laft, the loweft in thy thoughts E D w i N A. Indeed ! MATILDA. To fum up my afflictions in a word, 3 Tis Edgar Atheling. E D w i N A. Heav'ns grace forbid it ! Have they difcover'd him ? Hi MA- 52 THE BATTLE OF HASTINGS. MATILDA. Who j What's difcover'd ? E D W I N A. PeriHi the medling politic contriver. Who let this miichicf going \ Oh if Edgar MATILDA. Who talks, who thinks of Edgar ? Thou'rt poiTeft. E D W I N A. Who can be patient and yet hear fuch things ? The king commands ! what then r will he com- mand The foul and it's affections ? Beared lady, Your father tho' he be, is he fo great As to give law to nature ? MATILDA. I am fixt : Therefore be patient j had he afkt my life, I wo.u'cl obey and grant it, but my heart That is another's ; I cannot beftow What I do not poiTefs. E P W I N A . Then you'll not wed M A T I L D A. To Ecjgar never, be affur'd of that. E D w i N A. Oh 'tis a deed will chronicle your name In fame's eternal records 3 you diiliain To THE BATTLE OF HASTINGS. 53 To make a lying contract with your lips And fwerve with your affections ; you are fixt j You love another : Oh, may he you love, (Kneeling I make it my moil ardent prayer) Be your reward and glory ; live for you, And you alone ; and may you meet delights, Pure as your virtue, lafting as your truth! MATILDA. Kind Athelina, thanks ? bear with my weaknefs, And let me tell thee all my love's fond itory From the firft hour I met him ; the bright ..n, Smote on his helm, which fhot a fiery gleam, That dazzled all the plain ; before his troo;?, Arm'd at all points, upon a fnow-white freed Graceful he rode ; invention never yok'd A fairer courfer to Apollo's car, When with the zephyrs and the rofy hours Thro' heav'n's bright portal he afcends the eail, And on his beamy forehead brings the morn. E D w i N A. A fnow-white deed ! New terrors flrike my foul. (Afids. MATILDA. At fight of 'me he flopt, and from his fteed Active and feathery-light he leapt to earth. E D W I N A. Give me your pardon 5 ferves he in this camp ? MATILDA. Yes, but report prevails, he left the camp Lail night o' th' fudden ; and this morn, 'tis faid, Being return'd, in pretence of the King, Some 54 THE BATTLE 01 HASTINGS. Some proud high-ltomach'd lords did fharply urge And whet him to much rage > him and his friend Earl Edwin. E D w i N A. Hah! 'tis he. (Jf.de. MATILDA. Alas, what lhakes you ? You ftart and tremble, and your up-caft eyes Cling to heavVs throne: Know you the youth I fpeak of? ED w i N A. As yet you have not told his name. M A T i L L A. 'Tis Edmund, E D wi N A. I had a friend and Edmund was his name, But now that name's no more. MATILDA. You had a friend I knew it, Athelina ; yes I faw, I faw your forrows and I lov'd you for them ; Your friend is now no more Alas ! Tomorrow May lay my Edmund low as your's j but I, I fhall not live, as thou haft liv'd, to tell it. Oh, were he Edgar, had he Edgar's birth, My young, unknown, untitled, blooming ruftic, Did his blood flow but what of that ? My father Reigns tho' a fubjedt born, and fo fhall Edmund, If virtue hath an intered in heaven, And England's throne outftands tomorrow's florin. E D W I N A. Indeed ! MATILDA. No power can ftir me. ED- THE BATTLE OF HASTINGS. 55 E D W I N A. What if Edmund, What if the youth you love perchance hath made Some humbler fair his choice MATILDA. Perifh the thought, It brings diftrac"lion with it : I command you Not to fuppofe he can prefer another j 1 took you for my comforter, and lo You fix a fcorpion to my breaft. E D W I N A. A fcorpion ! I pray you be not angry ; I wou'd kneel And beg a blefTing for you ; but alas, Leaden affliction lies fo heavy on me, Imagination cannot ftretch a wing To raife me from the duft. MA TILDA. Nay, now you melt me ; Prithee go in, good maid, I am right forry I fpake fo harlhly to you : Do not weep, For my fake do not yet 'tis ever thus, When the fond thought of fome departed friend Burfts unawares from memory's gufhing fount, And in a flood of forrow whelms the foul. (Exeunt, End ef the Third Aft. THE BATTLE OF HASTINGS. ACT IV. SCENE I. EDWIN and WALT H EOF, EDWIN. JLoRD Waltheof, if thon haft not yet difclos'd The royal youth, forbear, I do revoke The word I gave thee. W A L T H E O F, Why, on what pretence ? E D W I N. Edgar c'ommandsr it ; lie difclaims ambition And will not wed Matilda. WALTHEOF. Will not wed ? Edgar, the mofl forlorn loft thing on earth, Not wed Matilda ? Strengthen my belief, Some wonder-working power ! It cannot be, E D w i N. By heav'n.that knows my heart, I have afiaird him With words, tears, menaces, entreaties, pray'rsi. But all all fruitlefs : he is fixt. W AL- YHE BATTLE OF HASTINGS, 57 W A L T H E O F. For (frame ! Some little grdv'lirig paffiori lurks about him, Some vulgar village wench, whofe ruddy health And ruftic manners fit his narrov/ foul, And kindle fomething he mi (lakes for love. ED W I N. Re&raiii yourfelf, my lord, your rage tranfports you, And yet to fliow I fcorn a mean difguife, I own, in bitternefs of foul I own it, Your charge in 'part is true ; th-re is a maid, But not of low degree, whom Edgar loves, Fatally loves, but not of ruftic manners Or name ignoble. W A L T H E O F. Whofoe'er flie be, F.vil betide her beauty ! (he hath poifon'd The deareft hopes of a moil bleiTed creature ; Accnrfed as (he is, me hath undone The happinefs of one, with whom compar'd She were an sethiop-. EDWIN. Peace, unholy raile'r, Yew know not whom you curfe Che is my fifeer* W A L T H E O F, Thy filler! Ah, is this well dons, my lord ? Thus am I us'd ? thus like your baled lacquey,. CaU'd andrecalTd and fool'd at pleaRire ? cle.tch! J ftand for Harold - 3 him I ferve j if Edgar 1 ' Fond!? 5 8 THE BATTLE OF HASTINGS. Fondly prefers thy fifter to the crown Of L 7 ngland and Matilda, be it fo ; Let Edgar fo declare it to the king, I fhall fulfil my promife. E D W I N, How,, betrayer! You pafs no more this way but thro' my guard. You ftand for Harold, you ; for Juftice I, (Draws bhfaord, For fuffering innocence, for truth and Edgar. W A L T H E O F. No more; putupyourfword; the king advances: Thus to be found were death to bothv (Extt. EDWIN. Away! It is my caufe that conquers, notmyfword. (Exit. T^he KING enters follow d by EDGAR. KING. Now if indeed thou art that loving friend Of Edgar Atheling," which fame reports three, Lend me thy patient ear. Thou'rt not to learn r How, when his grandfire good king Edmund died, Our Englifh nobles put him from his right ; And me a fubjecl: born, earl Goodwyn's fon, CalFd to the vacant throne ; fo call'd, of force Obey'd I them, and by a king's belt title,.. My fubjedls free election, took the crown. EDGAR. THE BATTLE OF HASTINGS. 59 EDGAR. And took you peace withal and fair content And confcious re<5titude ? You took the crown! So would not I, tho' it had brought dominion Wide as the world. Haveyoufweet deep at nights? Do no ill-omen'd vifions haunt your couch, And fmile the eyelids of the morn upon you, When you falute the light ? K I ^ G. Urge me no further : I fee thou'rt noble, and that manly plainnefs, Which Ibme wou'd ihrink from, knits me clofer to thee : Nay I will own thou haft call'd up a thought, Which like unweildy armour weighs me down. I do perceive fhame and remorfe are handmaids, That wait on guilt, as darknefs on the night. EDGAR. Methinks there needs no oracle for this ; To tell me man is cruel, falfe, ambitious, Full of grofs appetency and unjuft, Is to fay man is man, a general truth, To which your meaneft centinel fhall witnefs .As amply as myfelf : call in your camp, Our conference needs no privacy ; you fay Heaven goads the guilty breaft, and well you fay, For goad it fhall, or heav'n muft not be heaven. KING. Give me thy patience : what thou yet haft heard, Think but the prelude to more weighty matter, I have a daughter need I call her fair, Virtuous and full of grace? myrealm'sfoleheirefs: I 2 Her, 60 THE BATTLE OF HASTINGS. Her, in refpeft of his defcended right, Thq' fortune-wreckt and bankrupt ev'n in hqpe^ Jidgar fhall wed. EDGAR. Shall wed ? 'K I N G. Hah ! doft thou paufe ?. EDGAR. No, if affection moves at thy command, And love muft follow where ambition points, Jidgar fliall wed Matilda. K I N G. This to me ? EDGAR, But if love owns no law but of the heart ; And if perchance fome humbler maid hath drawn Such vows from Edgar's lips, as honour frames And fond believing innocence admits, Then KING. What then ? E D G A'R. Not upon the peopled earth, No, nor above the clouds refides that power, Can wrench the confcious witnefs from his heart^ .And fay to Edgar he lhall wed Matilda. KING, .HE BATTLE OF HASTINGS. 61 KING. What, fhall a needy outlaw talk of love ? A beggar plead affections and reject Her, to whqm Europe's kings have knelt in vain? EDO A.R. Yes, for fmce beggars have afpir'd to crowns, Kings have declin'd to beggars. KING. Hence, audacious, Nor feign for Edgar, what were Edgar prefent And known he dare not for his life avow, EDGAR, Know then 'tis Edgar fpeaks, 'tis Atheling Rejects your orfer'd terms, with fcorn rejects them. KING. Thou Edgar! EDGAR, I aim Edgar. KING. Guards ! arreft him. (Guards advance. Yet ftay ; a moment's paufe : Let me be calm ; Collect thy fcatter'd thoughts \ we yet are friends. EDGAR. No, when I league with guilt and yield to fear "What honour fhou'd withheld, heav'n ihall meet hell, Things 62 THE BATTLE OF HASTINGS. Things the moil fierce and oppofite in nature Shall Hart from their extremes and band together. Fly to thy guards, defencelefs and embay'd, With only truth and juftice on my fide, Both naked, both unarm'd, I do defy thee. KING. Doft thou defy me ? take back thy defiance, With death to better it. (As Harold is giving tbe fignal to the guard for ar~ reft ing Edgar t Matilda enters baftily. MATILDA. Health to my father ! Why dart thine eyes fuch angry lightnings forth? Why ftand thefe guards like hounds upon the flip? Is this their victim ? ah ! can he offend ? Never look'd guilt like him ; he errs perhaps .And with too bold a fpeech affronts the ear Of majefty ; a ftranger is not bound To all a fubj eft's forms : Let me prevail ; Send him afide and hear thy daughter fpeak. KING. My daughter fhall be heard ; is there a thing I ever yet denied thee ? Lead him off, And wait our pleafure. Hah ! that look hath language. (As the guard lead off Edgar, Matilda looks tenderly at him* Matilda, know'ft thou him thou doft furvey With fuch fond fcrutinv ? THE BATTLE OF HASTINGS. 63 MATILDA. You bade me know him, t^roteft and cherifh ; by his youthful graces Conqiler'd yourfelf, you turn'd them upon me : And now what caufe alas ! provokes this change? K IN G. Thou art the caufe ; 'tis for thy fake he dies. MATILDA. Die for my fake ? Not if his death cou'd add Myriads of years to my extended life, And every year bring myriads of delights. K I N G. Thefe are empalTion'd words : Alas, my child,-. If thou doft love this youth MATILDA. Thou wilt deftroy him j It is the favage policy of kings. KING, Thoti lov'ft him then confefs. MATILDA. To defperation, To death. KING. Then heaven cannot afflift thee deeper. MATILDA. I know it, but your daughter,. Sir, can die : I fpeak for nature } mine is not a heart, ' That 64 THE BATTLE OF HASTINGS; That can transfer affection ; tear him hence, You tear life too, there is no room for Edgar. KING. Say 'ft thou forEdgar ? He, that youth is Edgar, MATILDA. Harold catcbes her, as fie is falling, in his arms* After a paufe/he proceeds. Save me, fupport me 1 ' O my much-lov'd father, If he, that youth be Edgar, wpu'dft thou kill Him that Ihall be my hufoand.- KING. What but kiUjng Merits that monfter, who rejects Matilda ? MATILDA. Rejects Matilda ? Am I then rejected ? Oh that fome friend had plung'd a dagger here, Ere I had met this moment ! KING. Nay, be patient. MATILDA. Let me behold him and I will be patient. Was thine ear faithful ? did no wrongs provoke him ? I found thee high in wrath, he too was angry, He was, he was and fpake he knew not what, KING, Grant heav'n he did ! I am no practised faitor, And undeferv'd misfortune makes men proud. THE BATTLE o? HASTINGS. 6$ Hoa, guards ! produce the youth you have in charge. May he who arm'd thine eyes, infpire thy lips ! See where he comes ( Exit King. EDGAR enters guarded. Prince, (fo I now muft call you) If, while it pleas'd you to arTume the name And fimple flile of a plain Scottifh knight, Friendfhip for Edmund caus'd me to omit What Edgar's high pretenfions might have claim'd, I fhall expect your pardon. EDGAR. Take my thanks, For they are much thy due. MATILDA. Nay I am told You are too pr&ud to be Matilda's debtor, Crowns, by her hand prefented; you reject And fcorntheencumber'd boon: Vindictive Edgar^ Is it your fport to fteal away our hearts, Like heathen Jove, beneath a borrow'd form, Then reaflume the god, afcend your fkies, And leave the flighted maid to die with weeping ? EDGAR. What fhall I fay ? that I difclalm ambition ? That long efbrang'd and exil'd from my realm, My heart forgets its home and draws no fighs, Which point to England and my native right ? Or with an eye of cold philofophy Shall I afreet to view that radian; form, K An* 66 THE BATTLE OF HAStlNGS. And not confefs its charms ? I feel their power, But cannot give that heart which is another's. MATILDA. Another's ! where, in what proud realm is found She, from whofe fight diminifh'd rivals ihrink, And leave the choice of all mankind to her ? EDGAR. In rural nlence dwells the maid I love, With her in fome lone corner of your ifle, Far from ambition's walk, let me refide, Nor fhake the quiet of Matilda's foul. MATILDA. Sure of" all forms, wh'ich cruelty affumes, Humility can moft infult mankind : Away, nor cheat me with the/e fairy fcenes ; There is no beauty in our ifle for Edgar, , No fbft fequefter'd maid, no truth, no love, -' Save what this fond rejected heart contains. EDGAR. Thus urg'd, t'were meannefs to withhold the truth : In Hackic-y's fhades a Sylvan goddefs holds Her lonely haunts; Edwina is her namej Earl Edwin's filler MATILDA. Take her,, and be ftill That abject thing thou art ; take Edwin's fitter^. A fubjeci: beauty fits a fubjecl s choice. . Go to my father, tell him thou haft pierced His TE BATTLE OF HASTINGS. 7, His daughter's heart, and give .Him flab for ftab : Away, away ! thou haft thy full reyenge. EDGAR. Revenge ! my heart difclaims it : O Matilda 1 My prayers I can no more farewel foreyer ! (Exif, As EDGAR is parting from MATILDA, E D w i N A enters. ED wi N A. 'Tis Edgar ! Hah, he parts and fees me not. MATILDA. Stay, Athelina, turn, beloved maid, Turn from that monfter thine abhorrent eyes ; Approach and faye me ! . ED w i N A. What afflicts Matilda ? MATILDA. And is there need of words ? break, break, my heart ! Open thou prifon-houfe of t 1 e foul, diflblve And give a wretched captive it's releafe ! E D w i N A. Be calm. MATILDA. As death. Why look'd you on that youth ? K 2 ED- 63 THE BATTLE OF HASTINGS. ED w i N A. I look'd not on his face. MATILDA. Ah if thou had'ft, If thou had'fl look'd, thou woud'ft have lov'd like me, And like me been a wretch, E D w i N A. Alas, I pity thee. M A T I L D A. Then thou haft lov'd, for love will teach thee pity. Coud'ft thou believe it, he, (O heaven !) that Edmund, Whofe very name's a lye ; that Edgar Atheling For Edwin's fifter flights, rejects Matilda ; A princefs for a clown , me for Edwina. Strike herfmooth form all o'er with lep'rous Wanes, Ye fprites, whom magic incantations charm ! Shake her with palfied uglinefs, ye demons. And fo prefent her to her lover's arms To kill him with the touch, O Athelina, If thou doft love me join and aid the curfe ! EDWINA. Shall I curfe her, who never hath offended ? MATILDA. Turn then on him thy deepeft.d'irefl curfe ; Call up the damn'd, and darken heav'n with fjiells. THE BATTLE OF HASTINGS, 69 E D W I N A. Mercy forbid ! MATILDA. No mercy, but revenge : Give me revenge. He dies. E D w i N A. Ah take my life : Lo, at thy feet a wretched virgin kneels And prays for mercy. MATILDA. Hence ! you'll anger me. E D w i N A. I wou'd I cou'd : Turn thy revenge on me ; But fpare my Edgar's life. MATILDA. Thy Edgar fay'ft thou ? Who and what art thou ? Speak. E D w i N A. I am Edwina. MATILDA. What do I hear ? thou art EDWINA. I am Edwina : Here is that bofom thou wou'dfl plant with fores And fpotted leprofy, that fatal form, Which thou wou'dft roufe the demons up from hell, To flnke with palfied uglinefs ; behold ! I am 70 THE BATTLE OF HASTINGS.- I am the wretch whom thou Thence as our foes advance with level front And regulated files, he may perplex And gall their battle Take this enfign, Soldier, In Standford's fight I faw thee bravely win it> Defend it now as bravely. SOLDI E,R. With my life. (Exit Soldier. WALTHEOF enters. W A L T H E o F. Health and a happy morn to England's king \ Would heav'n, that all our warriors like their chief Had thus outflript the fun ! KING. Where is the promife, With which fo high you fed my pamper'd hope ? Edgar rejects my fuit : no power can move him. WAL- THE BATTLE OF HASTINGS. 75 WALTHEOF. Alas, you are too mild. KING. He's deaf to reafon. WALTHEOF. Be deaf to him, O Heaven, when he does kneel And cry for mercy ! Put your terrors forth, My life upon't he yields. KING. Set him before us. (Exit Waltheof. EDGAR enters guarded. EDGAR. Your meflenger conven'd me to your tent j Lo, I expe<5t your pleafure. V KING. Mark me then, While to thy free election I hold up Two different mirrors j in the one you fee The fair prefentment of a kingly crown, Where love and beauty weave the nuptial knot, That binds it to thy brow ; in plainer terms, My daughter and my empire wait thy choice. EDGAR. I have a vow noted in heav'n's own volume, Where faints have witnefs'd it. KING. Oh feize the moment ! If you efpoufe my daughter I go forth, L 2 To 76 THE BATTLE OF HASTINGS. To certain conqueft ; from my foul I think That England's fate now hangs on thy refolve. Heal then the breaches of the land, my fon, Ann make us all one heart. Come then, venations, And ihroud old Ocean with your hoftile fails ; By her own fons defended and belov'd England fnall ftand umhaken and fecure, only fall, when time itfelf expires. EDGAR. Bid me go forth ; conduft me to the charge : Plant me upon the lad forlorneft hope, Where the fight burns, where the mad furies tofs Their flaming torches, and wide-wafting death Up to the ribs in blood, with giant ftroke Widows the nations : thither let me go To fight, to fall , but never dare to hope Tho' you'd a Seraph's eloquence to tempt, A Seraph's truth to vouch for your prediction, That I wou'd yield my bofom to difgrace, Cancel the vo^v which I have given Edwina, And fave my country at my foul's expence. KING. "I hen know, obdurate EDGAR. What? KING. My country calls ; (Trumpets found a charge. 'Tis her 1 aft awful invocation j hark ! The altar burns ; a royal lady waits, And this her bridal dower : receive it, prince ; (He tenders the crown to Edgar. What can a king give more ? What has a father More dca;- to offer than his only child f EDGAR. THE BATTLE OF HASTINGS. 77 EDGAR. Forbear j 'tis mockery when the foul is fixt. KING. . Then thou art loft rOh yetpreferve thy country ! EDGAR. My honour and my oath K IN G. Thy life EDGAR". My love, KING. Pie then ! What hoa ! my guards. Strike off his head. MATILDA enters haftily and interpofu berfelf between EDGAR and the Guards, as they art advancing to feize him MATILDA, Strike offhis head! By him who made the heavens, Whofe great primaeval interdiction cries Thro' all creation's round, thou ihalt not kill, J do adjure you flop ! (?be guards fall back. KING. What phrenfy moves thee ? MATILDA. Or fpare him, or expect to fee me fall And dafh my defperate brains. Upon my knees, Father j I do befeech thee, grant him life. No R- 73 THE BATTLE OF HASTINGS. NORTHUMBERLAND, SIFFRIC, and other Chiefs enter. NORTHUMBERLAND. To horfe, dread fir; brace on your beaver (trait, Caparifon with fpeed, and meet the fun, Who thron'd and beaming on the upland edge, Stands in his fiery wane with glowing wheels And panting courfers to behold a fcene, Worth his diurnal round. KING. Warriors, lead on ! Tho' hell afiume her thoufand hideous fhapes, Phantoms and fiends and fierce anatomies To fhakeme from my courfe; tho' Duncan crois me With auguries and fpells, tho' this proud youth Bid (harp vexation with its wolfilb fangs Harrow my heart, in me is no delay. For thee, my child, whofe mterceflion turns Yet once again from this devoted head The uplifted hand of death, take, fmce thou wilt, The thanklefs life, thou mak'ft fo much thy care; And now farewel ! (Embracing Matilda. MATILDA. The god of battle guide thee! I will not ftiame thee with a tear , Farewel ! KING. Come forth, bright fword; hence, nature, from my heart : Now take me, England; I am all thine own. (Exit with his train. MATILDA. Go, ye brave Engliih j go, as ye are wont, To THE BATTLE OF HASTINGS. 79 To glorious conqueft : Oh remember, friends, Ye ftrike for us, for freedom, for your country. Angels of viftory furround your hoft And fight upon your fide. Tranfporting founds ! ( Adiftant/hout* With joyful fhoutings they falute their king, And ftrike their fhields in token of applaufe. Edgar ! (Turning from the fide fcene to Edgar. EDGAR. Matilda ! Arm me with a fword ; Or, like the Decii, felf-devoted thus I'll rufh upon the foe. MATILDA. Yet e're the fhock Of battle fevers us perchance for ever, Refolve me, had it been my lot to meet thee, With free affections and a vacant heart, Cou'd'ft thou have deign'd to caft away a thought On loft Matilda? Ah,Cou'dft thou have lov'd her? E D G A R . Born to each grace, with every virtue bleft, How can Matilda afk of Edgar this ? Sure I were loft to every manly feeling, If honour'd thus, I fhou'd forbear to hold, Whilft memory lives, thy image prefent here, And cherifh it with gratitude, with love. MATILDA. It is enough : Hear, angels, and record it ! Now take this fword ; if in yon bleeding ranks You meet the King, or fainting with his wou ids, Or preft, with numbers, think he had a daughter, And 8o THE BATTLE OF HASTINGS. Aad fave her father, as fhe refcued thee. {Matilda is going. EDGAR. Ev'n to the teeth of death I will obey thee. Yet flay ! one word Tis to exact from virtue More than frail nature warrants ; yet thy foul Is large ; Oh fay, wilt thou protect Edwina ? MATILDA. Whilft I have life. F.D G A R. Then thou art truly great. MATILDA. What, know'ft thou not Edwina is my gueft ? EDGAR. Edwina here ! thy gueft ! MATILDA. One tent contains us : Beneath a borrow'd name (Oh let the truth Henceforth be facred !) fhe befought protection; I took her, laid her neareft to my heart, And fed her with its belt, its deareft hopes But hark ! the battle joins Farewel for ever. (Exit. {A general charge. EDGAR. Live, live and fave Edwina ! Hark., they fhoutT There's victory in the found. O day and night ! They ftop, they turn. Behold, the Normans ftyj I fee bright glory flaming in the van j Tiptoe (lie (lands in (kiey-tinclur'd dole, Her head high-rear'd and pointing to the fkies, With pinions bent for Might: Stay, godlike vifion, And'iet me fly to fnatch Edwina ! ED- THE BATTLE OF HASTINGS. 81 E D w i N A enters. As be is haftming out, E D w i N A meets him. E D W I N A. Edgar ! And do we live to meet ? Oh, inatch the moment, And fave thyfelf and me. Whence this impatience ? Why that diforder'd rolling of thine eye ? What ails thee, prince ? EDGAR. And can'ft thou afk ? Behold I E D W I N A. D horrible ! a fcene of death- E D G A.R. Of glory ; Of fame immortal, of triumphant rapture- And wou'dft thou hold me here ? (She. takes hold of bis band. ED w i N A. AMilt thou forfake me ? ED GAR. Let go my hand : if you perfifl, Edwina, To hold me thus, a thoufand, thou land furies, And each more horrible than death fhall haunt me, 'Till phrenfy- (truck, with mine own hand I feize This recreant heart and pluck it from my breaft. EDWIN enters hajlily. EDWIN. Thus art thou found ? Thro' deluges of blood, M Launch'd 82 THE BATTLE OF HASTINGS. Lannch'd from the nobleft veins in all this Ifle, Fighting I fought thee : Fly, ill-fated prince- EDGAR. What do I hear ? Is it not victory ? EDWIN. Curfe on the ftrumpet Fortune, fhe revolts And fides with Normandy, their feeming flight Was but a feintxj upon the word they halted, Check'd in their mid career ; then wheeling fwift With thick-clos'd files charg'dourdiforder'd ranks, That reel'd upon the fhock : A faithlefs band Led by Earl Waltheof, that ftill veering traitor, Went over to the foe. EDGAR. Lives Harold yet ? EDWIN. From helmet to the heel all red with bloody And gafh'd with glorious wounds, he call'dme to him, And bade me fay, that with his dying breath To thee and to Matilda he bequeathes All that is left of England. EDGAR. Lead me to him, E D W I N A. To death as foon. EDWIN. Retire to fafer ground, EDGAR. Retire ! (hall Edgar fly, whilft Harold fights? Off, let me go. ED- THE BATTLE OF HASTINGS. 83 EDWINA. Nay, if my arms can't hold thee EDGAR, O thou foft Syren ! take her noble Edwin, Take my foul's better part before I fink To infamy Oh, take her from my heart. (Exit. ED wi N A. If thou haft love or pity in thy bofom, Hafte and preferve him ! (Exit. Edwin. Oh, this rives my heart. Earth, earth, receive a wretch. (She falls on the ground. enters with attendants, having difcoverd ED WIN A on the gronnd, Jhe advances haftily to her. MATILDA. She faints : fhe falls ! Look up, Edwina ! Is it death's refemblance, Or death itfelf ? flie lives. Help me toraife her. (bey raife her, EDWINA. Matilda ! MATILDA. Start not ! I am yet thy friend, EDWINA. Fly then and fave - O heaven ! MATILDA, Thy Edgar No. I faw your hero dart into the fight As the train' d, fwimmer fprings into the flood, EDWINA. ou a woman ? M ~ MA^ $4 THE BATTLE OF HASTINGS. MATILDA. Wou'd to heaven I were not ! Then had I grappled to your warrior's fide And ftruck for England, for my father Oh ! I lookt but now, and faw a ftorm of blood, A raging ocean fcatter'd o'er with wrecks : Fir'd at the fight I fnatcht a javelin up Some warrior's hafte had dropt the feeble weapon. Eell from my woman's hand : Again I lookt, No Englifh banner floated in the air, Save where my father fought ; revolting nature Shrunk from the fcene, and foon a fcalding flood Of tears burft forth that quench'dthefeorbs of fight* E D W I N A. [Where fhall I turn ? MATILDA* To death. E D W I JJ A. Dreadful refort ? MATILDA. And yet when Hope,aur laft kind nnrfmg friendj, Forfakes her patient's couch and dark defpair Puts out that light, which like a nightly beacon Points to the harbour, where the foundering bark Of mifery may fteer, Ah whither then Shall life's benighted paflenger refort, But to oblivioji and the all-covering grave ? E D w l N A. Why then, when death had arm'd my uplifted hand a v. Didft thou prevent the blow and bid me liv^ ? MATILDA. Live but till Edgar falls, then rear the. blow ? I'll not prevent it Hah, what bleeding man ! No*- THE BATTLE OF HASTINGS, 85 NORTHUMBERLAND enters^ fupforted ly Soldiers* NORTHUMBERLAND. A little onward yet Enough, enough ! Good fellow, hold thy kerchief to my fide. Run one of you and bring me fpeedy word. What troops thofe are, which wilfully maintain A dying kind of combat ; if there's hope, Make fignal with your hand and Ihout -flaunch, ftaunch my wound- My curfe upon that Norman boar Fitz Hugh, His tufk has ript my heart-firings ; yet I cleft him^ Did I not, foldier ? Soft, for mercy's fake, Jefu Maria, what a pang was that ! ^ook out j no fign of hope ?- None, none j all'$ loft He frru' tes his breaft with anguifh. Hence, ftand off, (He breaks from thejoldiers who flip-port him. Wide as the grave I rend this bleeding breach. (He tears o$en. his wound. fall England ! fall Northumberland 'Tis pad. (He falls into his foldier s arms and expires. MATILDA. Farewel, flout heart ! how better thus to fall By death hewn down, than to outlive the leaf, And drop a faplefs ruin ! let me view thee : Is death no more than this ? Why thou, Edwina, Or I, or any one may do as much. Life, like a worn-out garment, is call off And there's an end : I than : k thee for the leflbn, 'Twill ftand me much in ufe -bear him away. (The foldier s take off the body. EDGAR enters with EDWIN and Soldiers. EDWIN. He lives, he comes ! hence to the winds, my fears; There's blood upon thy fcarf. ED. 86 THE BATTLE OF HASTINGS. EDGAR. Then it was ftruck From Norman veins. MATILDA. Where is my father ? EDGAR. Hah! Edwin ! E D w i N. My lord. EDGAR. The foe fufpends purfuit, And calls his conquering legions back from (laughter ; Run, Edwin, run and take this enfignwith theej Here on the craggy fummit of the cliff Wave it aloft, and call the ftragglers up TO form upon the heights j thefe ftill are ours. {Exit Edwin.^ MATILDA. Where is my father ? Where are all the heroes^ "Whom I have feen return triumphant home, Wi-th victory eagle-wing'd upon their helms ? EDGAR. All loft with thoufands upon thoufands funk And fwallow'd up. in death ? MATILDA. Death, fay'ft thou ? EDGAR. Hearken, ! The hireling troops had fled ; one native phalanx Fatally brave yet flood ; there deep-engulph'd Withir\ THE BATTLE OF HASTINGS. $7 Within the Norman hoft I found thy father, Mounted like Mars upon a pile of flain : Frowning he fought, and wore his helmet up, His batter'd harnefs at each ghaftly fiuice Streaming with blood ; life gufh'd at every vein j Yet liv'd he, as in proud dcfpight of nature, His mighty foul unwilling to forfake Its princely dwelling ; fwift as thought I flew ; And as a flurdy churl his pole-axe aim'd Full at the hero's creft, I fprung upon him And fheath'd my rapier in the caitiff's throat. MATILDA. Didft thou ? then thou art faithful. Open wide And fhower your bleffings on his head, ye heav'ns ! EDGAR. A while the fainting hero we upheld, (For Edwin now had join'd me) but as well We might have driv'n the mountain cataract Back to its fource, as ftemm'd the battle's tide. I faw the imperial Duke, and with loud infults Provok'd him to the combat, but in vain - y The purfey braggart now fecure of conqueft: Rein'd in his fteed, and wing'd his fquadron round To cut us from retreat ; cold death had ftopt Thy father's heart ; ev'n hope itfelf had died : 'Midft ihowers of darts we bore him from the field, And now, fupported on his foldiers pikes, The venerable ruin comes. Beheld ! (fthe body of Harold is brought in. MATILDA. Soldiers for this laft mournful office thanks ! Bear him within the tent, upon the couch Lay ye the body, fpread his mantle o'er him, And all depart : For this I thank you, Nature, That 8s THE BATTLE OT HASTINGS, That when you fent calamity on earth, And bade it walk o'er all this vale of tears* You fent deliv'rance alfo, and with death, And with a land-mark, bounded its domain* As open'd an afylum in the grave. (he body is carried into the tent t Matilda follow $ (Exit Matilda* E D w i N A. Lo, where (he follows her dead father's body, She hath a foul that will not bend fo grief And difappoiritment* EDGAR. Hafte, beloved maid, And force her from the body (Exit Edwind* Earl SIFFRIC enters. SIFFRIC. And doft thou live, brave youth; doftthoufurvive Thofe miracles of valour which I faw, Andblufhingfaw? for Oh, toofurelwrong'dthee; Give me thy pardon ; thou haft more than conquer'd* i EDGAR. Siffric, enough ! It is not now a time For Englifh hands to ftrike at Englifh hearts, Elfe but 'tis paft. Where's old Northumberland; Where valiant Mercia ? Ah! is't fo with both ? (Earl Siffric makes fignal of their death, EDWIN returns withjoldiers. Welcome, brave Edwin ! thou bring'ft hope for England. THE BATTLE OF HASTINGS, 89 EDWINA comes out of the E D w i N A. H6rror on horror ! when will death have end ? Some fiery dog ftar reigns ancl deadly madnefs Strikes all below the moon. Scarce had they let 1 heir mournful burthen down, wl>en following quick She riuli'd into the tent, and ralfmg up Her father's mantle, fnatcht one eager look ; Then with uplifted eyes and heaving fighs Seizing his fword with iirong determin'd grafp Piung'd it into her breafb. Behold, fhe comes ! MATILDA enters Jupported. MATILDA. 'T is done! the faithful point hath reach'd my life, And fpoke it's errand fairly : Now, my foul, Now fpread thy wings, and fly. E D W I N A. O killing fight I E D G A R. O deed of horror ! MATILDA. Hufh, nd more of that. Think'ft thou the Almighty's mercy fiiall not reach. '.! o take affliction in ? look well at me ; Of friends, crown, country, kinfmen, father reft, Love-lorn, of reafon more than half beguil'd, Heart-broke and (truck from out the book of hope ? AY hat cou'd I do but die ? EDGAR. Heaven's joys receive thee! N MA- 90 THE B ATTLE OF HASTINGS. , MAT IL D A. Amen ! the voice is Edgar's, but my eyes Grow dim, alas, 'tis hard I cannot fee thee : Give me the crown ; quick, reach it to my hand. (They bring the crown andfrefent it to Matilda. Ay, now I have it, fhorn of pow'r indeed, But light'ned of it's cares ; h dgar, o'er thee This radient circle like a cloud may pafs, But thy pofterity to lateft time Shall bind it on their brows. Receive it,, prince. And noble as thou art, Oh, fpare the dead Nor ftir my father's aflies with thy curfe. (Edgar receives the crown* EDGAR. Peace to his ftiade, fo heaven my fins forgive As I thy father. MATILDA. 'Tis enough : farewel ! Life's ftorm is paft ; wave after wave fubfides, The turbid paflions fink and all is peace : Ambition, jealoufy r nay love itfelf, Laft, ling'ring,. drops into the grave and dies. (She finks into the arms of hey attendants and expires. EDGAR. There fled a mighty fou] Angels, receive it. And waft it to the manfions of the bleft ! And art thou mine ? (To the Crown. Friends, foldiers, fubjeds now. Lord Edwin, Siffric, England's brave remains, I, Edgar Atheling, king Edmund's heir, Now take this mournful relique of my right. If you are with me, warriors, ftrike your iheilds. Thanks, gallant countrymen ! (They ftrike. ED- THE BATTLE OF HASTINGS. 91 EDWIN. Lo, on his knee Edwin falutes thee ; king of England, hail ! EDGAR. Come to my heart, my friend, my more than father ! (To Edwin, S i F F R i c. Siffric, the convert of thy valour, kneels And every faculty of head, heart, hand, To thy free fervice dedicates. EDGAR. Arife ! And take, ('tis all your king can give) my thanks. And now, myfair betroth'd, reach forth thine hand, And touch this golden fymbol, whilfl I fwear, Here Handing in the awful eye of heaven, To fnare it with Edwina. E D w i v AJ On my knees I yield thee thanks, whilft before heaven I fwear., Tho' thou hadft nothing to beftcw but chains And beggary and want and torturing ftripes And dungeon darkncfs, ftill thy poor Edwina For thee alone lliall live, with thee ihall die. EDGAR, Now, warriors, how refolveyou? View that field; The Norman, like a lion, fwill'd with (laughter, Sleeps o'er his bloody mefs ; our fcatter'd troops Collect and form around. S i F F R r c. We live ia Edgar ; Save the lad hope of England and retreat. E o>- 92 THE BATTLE OF HASTINGS. EDGAR. Retreat ! fhall Englifh warriors hear that word And from an Englifh king ! No, Siffric, never,- Unfurl the Saxon ftandard ! See, my lords, Twice taken in the fight and twice recover'd, The hereditary glory lives with Fdgar. Beneath that banner godlike Alfred conquered ; Beneath that banner, drench'd in Danifh blood, My grandfire Irm-fdfd Edmund fought ; Wrencli'd from my infant grafpj a bold ufurper Seiz'd it, perTef-: it, died in it's defence : And fliall I, in the tame refpect of life, With clofe-furl'd enfigns, trailing in the duft, Halt in the rear of fame ? No, gallant Englifh, Turn not, but as the galled panther turns, To lick his wounds, and with recruited fury Spring to the fight afrefh : So turn ; fo ftand ! And from this height, ennobled by your valour, "Hurl boW defiance to the foe beneath. (Drums, &V. THE END, DIVERSITY of CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES LIBRARY University of California SOUTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY FACILITY 305 De Neve Drive - Parking Lot 17 Box 951388 LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 90095-1388 Return this material to the library from which it was borrowed. Stockton, Calif. Univers Soutl Lib]