EDITH.

What is that whirring sound?

STIGAND.

The Norman sends his arrows up to Heaven,
They fall on those within the palisade!

EDITH.

Look out upon the hill-is Harold there?

STIGAND.

Sanguelac-Sanguelac-the arrow the arrow!

Harold.

away!

14

SCENE II.-FIELD OF THE DEAD. NIGHT.

ALDWYTH and EDITH.

ALDWYTH.

O Edith, art thou here? O Harold, Harold—
Our Harold-we shall never see him more.

EDITH.

For there was more than sister in my kiss,

And so the saints were wroth. I cannot love

them,

For they are Norman saints—and yet I should

They are SO much holier than their harlot's

son

With whom they play'd their game against the

king!

ALDWYTH.

The king is slain, the kingdom overthrown!

EDITH.

No matter!

ALDWYTH.

How no matter, Harold slain?—

I cannot find his body. O help me thou!
O Edith, if I ever wrought against thee,
Forgive me thou, and help me here!

EDITH.

No matter!

ALDWYTH.

Not help me, nor forgive me?

EDITH.

So thou saidest.

ALDWYTH.

I say it now, forgive me!

EDITH.

Cross me not!

I am seeking one who wedded me in secret.
Whisper! God's angels only know it. Ha!
What art thou doing here among the dead?
They are stripping the dead bodies naked yonder,
And thou art come to rob them of their rings!

ALDWYTH.

O Edith, Edith, I have lost both crown

And husband.

EDITH.

So have I.

ALDWYTH.

I tell thee, girl,

I am seeking my dead Harold.

EDITH.

And I mine!

The Holy Father strangled him with a hair

Of Peter, and his brother Tostig helpt;

The wicked sister clapt her hands and laugh'd;

Then all the dead fell on him.

ALDWYTH.

Edith, Edith

EDITH.

What was he like, this husband? like to thee?
Call not for help from me. I knew him not.

He lies not here: not close beside the standard.

Here fell the truest, manliest hearts of Eng

land.

Go further hence and find him.

ALDWYTH.

She is crazed!