To hold the castle. How shall this be settled?
Shall we confine them in the stronger vaults?
Ethw. (fiercely.) No, no! I'll have no more imprisonments!
Let them be slain; yea all; even to a man!
This is no time for weak uncertain deeds,
Saw you not Edmar as you hither came?
Alwy. We saw him with a stranger much engaged,
By a faint lamp, near to the eastern tower.
Ethw. Then follow me, and let us find him out.
Hex. We follow you, my Lord.
My house is like a faintly mooned cave,
And hateful shadows cross each murky aisle.
(Exeunt, Alwy bearing a light.
SCENE III. The evening: a wood with a view of Ethwald's castle seen thro' the trees. Enter Hereulf, disguised like a country hind: enter to him, by another path, a Thane, disguised also.
Her. Welcome, my friend! art thou the first to join me?
This as I guess should be th' appointed time:
For o'er our heads have pass'd on homeward wing
Dark flights of rooks and daws and flocking birds,
Wheeling aloft with wild dissonant screams;
Whilst from each hollow glen and river's bed
