Eth. Doth this offend you?—O it makes me feel
A spirit for this awful hour unmeet,
When I do think on you, ye hypocrites!
First Pr. Come, come! we waste our time, the heads-man waits.
(to Eth.) Prepare thee for the block.
Eth. And will you in the sight of these my friends
Your bloody task perform? Let them retire.
First Pr. Nay, nay, that may not be: our pious Hexulf
Has given his orders.
Sec. Pr. O be not so cruel!
Tho' he has order'd so, yet, ne'ertheless,
We may suspend this veil, and from their eyes
The horrid sight conceal.
First Pr. Then be it so; I grant it.
(A large cloth or curtain is suspended upon the points of two spears, held up by spearmen, concealing the block and executioner, &c. from the Thanes.)
First Pr. (to the men behind the curtain, after a pause.)
Are ye ready?
(Voices behind.) Yes, we are ready now. (to Eth.)
And thou?
Eth. God be my strength! I'm ready also.
