Page:Passions 2.pdf/247

Sel. And Selred, too, is here, my dearest Ethwald!

Ethw. (holding out his hand to Sel.)
Ay, noble brother, thou wert ever kind.
Faintness returns again; stand round, my friends,
And hear my dying words. It is my will
That Ethelbert shall, after my decease,
With the concurrence of the nation's council,
The kingdom settle as may best appear
To his experienced wisdom, and retain,
Until that settlement, the kingly power.
Faintness returns again; I say no more.
Art thou displeas'd, my Selred?

Sel. (kneeling and kissing his hand.)
No brother, let your dying will bereave me
Ev'n of my father's lands, and with my sword
I will maintain it.

Ethw. Thou art a gen'rous brother; fare thee well!

Elb. What, is the queen, indeed, so poor a thing
In Mercia's state, that she o'er-passed is,
Unhonour'd and unmention'd?

Ethw. (to Elb. waving his hand faintly.)
Be at peace!
Thou shalt have all things that become thy state.
(To Attendants.) Lower my head, I pray you.

First Offi. He faints again.

Sec. Offi. He will not hold it long:
The kingdom will be torn with dire contentions,
And the Northumbrian soon will raise his head.