SCENE III. A wide arched cave, rude but grand, seen by a sombre light; a small furnace burning near the front of the stage. Enter Ethwald and Ethelbert, who pause and look round for some time without speaking.
Ethw. Gloomy, and void, and silent!
Eth. Hush!
Ethw. What hearest thou?
Eth. Their hollow sounding steps. Lo! see'st thou not?
(Pointing to the further end of the stage, where from an obscure recess enter three Mystics robed in white, and ranged on one side of the stage, point to Ethwald: whilst from another obscure recess enter three Mystic Sisters, and ranged on the opposite side point to Eth. then from a mid recess enters the Arch Sister, robed also in white, but more majestic than the others, and a train of Mystics and Mystic Sisters behind her. She advances half-way up the stage, then stops short, and points also to Ethwald.
(All the Mystics, &c. speaking at once.)
Who art thou?
Arch Sist. I know thee who thou art; the hand of Mercia:
The hand that lifts itself above the head.
I know thee who thou art.
Ethw. Then haply ye do know my errand too.
