320
ETHWALD:
low. They then go behind the curtain, leaving the Thanes on the front of the stage, who stand fixed in silent and horrid expectation; except Selred, who sits down upon the ground with his face hid between his knees, and Hereulf, who rising suddenly from the ground, looks wildly round, and seeing Ethelbert gone, throws himself down again in all the distraction of grief and despair.)
(A voice behind, after some noise and bustle of preparation has been heard.)
Now do'ff his garment and undo his vest,
Fie on it, there! assist the prisoner.
Sec. Voice. Let some one hold his hands.
Third Voice. Do ye that office. (a pause of some length.)
Voice again. Heads-man, let fall thy blow, he gives the sign.
(The axe is seen lifted up above the curtain, and the sound of the stroke is heard.)
Thanes. (shrinking involuntarily, and all speaking at once.)
The stroke of death is given!
(The Spearmen let fall the curtain, and the body of Ethelbert is discovered upon the ground, with a cloth over it, whilst his head is held up by the Executioner, but seen very indistinctly through the spears and pikes of the surrounding Soldiers. The Thanes start back and avert their faces.)
