Part 49 (1/2)

EDWARD. Treble denial of the tongue of flesh, Like Peter's when he fell, and thou wilt have To wail for it like Peter. O my son!

Are all oaths to be broken then, all promises Made in our agony for help from heaven?

Son, there is one who loves thee: and a wife, What matters who, so she be serviceable In all obedience, as mine own hath been: G.o.d bless thee, wedded daughter.

[_Laying his hand on the_ QUEEN'S _head_.

QUEEN. Bless thou too That brother whom I love beyond the rest, My banish'd Tostig.

EDWARD. All the sweet Saints bless him!

Spare and forbear him, Harold, if he comes!

And let him pa.s.s unscathed; he loves me, Harold!

Be kindly to the Normans left among us, Who follow'd me for love! and dear son, swear When thou art king, to see my solemn vow Accomplish'd.

HAROLD. Nay, dear lord, for I have sworn Not to swear falsely twice.

EDWARD. Thou wilt not swear?

HAROLD. I cannot.

EDWARD. Then on thee remains the curse, Harold, if thou embrace her: and on thee, Edith, if thou abide it,--

[_The_ KING _swoons;_ EDITH _falls and kneels by the couch_.

STIGAND. He hath swoon'd!

Death?... no, as yet a breath.

HAROLD. Look up! look up!

Edith!

ALDRED. Confuse her not; she hath begun Her life-long prayer for thee.

ALDWYTH. O n.o.ble Harold, I would thou couldst have sworn.

HAROLD. For thine own pleasure?

ALDWYTH. No, but to please our dying king, and those Who make thy good their own--all England, Earl.

ALDRED. _I_ would thou couldst have sworn. Our holy king Hath given his virgin lamb to Holy Church To save thee from the curse.

HAROLD. Alas! poor man, _His_ promise brought it on me.

ALDRED. O good son!

That knowledge made him all the carefuller To find a means whereby the curse might glance From thee and England.

HAROLD. Father, we so loved--

ALDRED. The more the love, the mightier is the prayer; The more the love, the more acceptable The sacrifice of both your loves to heaven.

No sacrifice to heaven, no help from heaven; That runs thro' all the faiths of all the world.