With glaring eyes, like an enchafed wolf,
He hied him where the lowest southern wall
Rises but little o'er the rugged rock;
There, aided by a half projecting stone,
He scal'd its height, and holding o'er his head
His sword and shield, grasp'd in his better hand,
Swam the full moat.
Eth. (to Sel.) O, noble youth!
Did I not say, you might as well arrest
The fire of heav'n within its pitchy cloud
As keep him here?(Bertha faints away.)
Alas, poor maid!
(Whilst Sigurtha and Eth. &c. attend to Bertha, enter followers and retainers, and begin to take down the armour from the walls. Enter Woggarwolfe.)
Wog. (to Sel.) They would have shut your gate upon me now,
But I, commission'd on the king's affairs,
Commanded entrance. Oswal greets you chiefs,
And gives you orders with your followers,
To join him speedily. (seeing Bertha.)
What, swooning women here?
Sel. Ethwald is gone in spite of all our care,
And she, thou know'st, my father's niece's child,
Brought up with him from early infancy,
Is therein much affected.
Wog. (smiling.) O, it is ever thus, I know it well,
When striplings are concern'd! Once on a time,
A youthful chief I seiz'd in his own hall,
When, on the instant, was the floor around
