(Enter Selred with followers, and looks up to the walls, where Sigurtha waves her hand.)
Sig. Welcome, brave Selred! welcome all thy band!
How far are they behind for whom we watch?
Sel. Two little miles or less. Methinks ere this
Their van should be in sight.
My messenger inform'd you?
Sig.Oh, he did!
Sel. Where is my father?
Sig. He rests within, spent with a fearful joy,
And silent tears steal down his furrow'd cheeks.
Sel. I must confer with him. The king intends
To stop and do him honour on his march,
But enters not our walls.
(Exeunt into the castle.
SCENE III. A chamber in the castle. Enter Sigurtha and Bertha, speaking as they enter.
Berth. Nay, Mother, say not so; was he not wont,
If but returning from the daily chace,
To send an upward glance unto that tower?
There well he knew, or late or cold the hour,
His eye should find me.
Sig. My gentle Bertha, be not thus disturb'd,
Such busy scenes, such new unlook'd-for things
Ruffle the flowing stream of habit; men
Will then forgetful seem, tho' not unkind.
Berth. Think'st thou? (shaking her head)
I saw him by his sov'reign stand,
