UBBO.

Yes, to be another's wife, and hugging him,

To smile and jeer at me,

a fruitful wife,

A breeder of more Saxon slaves, ha! girl?

ALICE.

To be a wife hope scarcely gave the thought;
It is a dream, and yet sweet liberty

Would be a bootless thing without that dream.

UBBO.

This blights me! I could have let her go but now

[Aside - his features are convulsed.

ALICE.

Still, wife or maid, happy or sad, or gay,

I ne'er could laugh or jeer thy name, ah no!
I will

pray for thee, and will bless thee too,

If thou wilt make me free:

And as for Saxon slaves, believe me, sir!

There breathes not such a—

[Looking up in his face.

- Oh my good lord! look not so terribly

Have mercy on me! I will, I —

UBBO.

[Kneeling to him.

No, I will be most patient... another hour,
Yes, an hour more, before... Alice, I go -

Yet hope not to escape me!

I'll not have mercy on thee, never, never!

I feel so strained by grief, I cannot weep.

[Kneels and prays.

SCENE VII.

GUTHRUM's Tent-Feast commencing - GUTHRUM, SEDROCK, and Danish Lords-ASKE, the High Priest, Danish Harper, and Attendants—UBBO enters after the rest and takes his seat.

Drink to the clash of arms, and drain the mead.

SECOND LORD.

The mead is dead, it is a gloomy sign.

THIRD LORD.

When, but an hour since, a bull was killed
To Thor, the priest could find no heart.

SECOND LORD.

That is the worst response a God can give.

No heart!

THIRD LORD.

In sooth, my friends! this bodes us little good;

Look! all the guests feel much perplexed and grieved,—

I will not drink.

SECOND LORD.

[Sets down his cup.

The Gods are much displeased, drink no more, ho!

GUTHRUM.

Why, how now? what's amiss?

Cheer up, my friends! and look not so disconsolate.

SEDROCK.

My lord! whilst praying in the sacred grove,

The priests did find the ash that overtopped
Odin's high altar like a deity,

All warp'd and scathed, the branches torn away, -
It stands indeed, but 'tis a blasted thing.

GUTHRUM.

I heard no storm last night.

SECOND LORD.

I kept the watch, no storm disturb'd the sky,

The moon shone half the night.

[Aside. The Lords whisper, but attention is gradually drawn to UBBO.

UBBO.

By giving her to Odin, I shall burst

A chain that gnaws me with continual pain;
She's like an arrow rankling in my heart,

And must be torn away, - how it will bleed

Is scarcely worth a thought. "Tis strange I feel
More like a culprit than a patriot

In sacrificing for the Danish good

A simple girl . . . Yes! to appease the Gods

It must be done. Besides, she loves another,
She shall die pure as melts the morning snow,
And so farewell, cold Alice!

FIRST LORD.

See how he mutters Alice!