Who is full tardy. Softly, they come forth.
*[1]How like a ship, with all her goodly sails
Spread to the sun, the haughty princess moves!
(A flourish of trumpets. Enter from the tent the King with Ethelbert, Edrick, Thanes, and Attendants; and Elburga, with Dwina and Ladies. They advance towards the front of the stage.)
King. Nay, sweet Elburga, clear thy frowning brow;
He who is absent will not long delay
His pleasing duty here.
Elb. On such a day, my Lord, the brave I honour.
As those who have your royal arms maintain'd
In war's iron field, such honour meriting.
What individual chiefs, or here or absent.
Are therein lapt, by me unheeded is;
I deign not to regard it.
King. Thou art offended, daughter, but unwisely.
Plumed with the fairest honours of the field,
Such pious grief for a brave father's death,
Bespeaks a heart such as a gentle maid
In her faith-plighted Lord should joy to find.
Elb. Who best the royal honours of a prince
Maintains, best suits a royal maiden's love.
King. Elburga, thou forget'st that gentleness
Which suits thy gentle kind.
- ↑ * Probably I have received this idea from Samson Agonistes, where Dalila is compared to a stately ship of Tarsus "with all her bravery on, and tackle trim," &c.
