(angrily to Alwy.) What thou look'st on me too, as if forsooth,
Thou wert amaz'd at this. Perceiv'st thou not
How hardly I'm beset to keep the power
I have so dearly bought? Shall this impede me?
Let infants shrink! I have seen blood enough;
And what have I to do with mercy now?
(stalking gloomily away, then returning.)
Selred and Ethelbert, and fiery Hereulf
Are to their castles sullenly retired,
With many other warlike Thanes. The storm
Is gath'ring round me, but we'll brave it nobly.
Alwy. The discontented chiefs, as I'm inform'd
By faithful spies, are in the halls of Hereulf
Assembled, brooding o'er their secret treason.
Ethw. Are they? Then let us send a chosen band
And seize them unprepared. A nightly march
Will bring them near their castle. Let us, then,
Immediate orders give; the time is precious.
(Exeunt.
END OF THE THIRD ACT.
