Ay: thy noble handmaid, Hildegard. I know not if she love me.

ROSAMUND.

ROSAMUND.

Thou shalt know. But this thou knowest: I may not give thee her.

ALMACHILDES.

ALMACHILDES.

I would not take her from the Lord God’s hand If hers were given against her will to mine.

ROSAMUND.

ROSAMUND.

A man said that: a manfuller than men Who grip the loveless hands of prisoners. Well It must be with the bride whose happier hand Lies fond and fast in thine. Our Hildegard, Being free and noble as Albovine and we, Born one with us in race and blood, and thence Our equal in our sole nobility, Must well be won by noble works, and love Whose light is one with honour’s.

ALMACHILDES.

ALMACHILDES.

Queen, may I Perchance not win it? I know not.

ROSAMUND.

ROSAMUND.

Nay, nor I. Soon may we know; they are entering toward the feast.

[The curtain drawn discovers a banquet, with guests assembled: among them Narsetes and Hildegard.

Narsetes

Hildegard

Re-enter Albovine.

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