[Exit.

ALBOVINE.

ALBOVINE.

Nay, by God, Whoever God be, never Christ or Thor Beheld or blessed a nobler wife, whose love Was found through proof of purity by fire More like our northern stars and snows and suns, And sane in strong sufficiency of soul As womanhood by godhead from the womb Elected and exalted.

Enter Narsetes.

Narsetes

NARSETES.

NARSETES.

King, thy wife Hath given me back thy message given her.

ALBOVINE.

ALBOVINE.

Ay? And thou hast given her back my cup, then?

NARSETES.

NARSETES.

King, I have given it. Loth to give it if I were, Ye know: she knows as thou: thou knowest as she.

ALBOVINE.

ALBOVINE.

What ails thee to distaste thy duty? Man, Thou shouldst be glad, being loyal. Knowest thou not Her will it was that we should pledge therein To-night, this hour, our lifelong love, and seal it More surely so than priest or prayer can seal?

NARSETES.

NARSETES.

 Prev. P 54/59 next