(A noise of armed men is now heard at the door, endeavouring to break it open, whilst Ethwald and the Groom set their shoulders to it to prevent them. Enter Dwina hastily from an inner apartment, and with the Queen assists in putting their strength also to the door, as the force without increases. The door is at last broke open, and Hereulf, with the Rebel Chiefs, burst in sword in hand.
Her. (to Ethwald.)
Now, thou fell ruthless lion, that hast made
With bloody rage thy native forest waste!
The spearmen are upon thee! to the strife
Turn thy rough breast: thou canst no more escape.
Ethw. Quick to thy villain's work, thou wordy coward,
Who in the sick man's chamber seek'st the fame
Thou dar'st not in th' embattled field attain!
I am prepar'd to front thee and thy mates
Her. The sick man's chamber! darest thou, indeed.
Begrimed as thou art with blood and crimes,
'Gainst man committed, human rights assume?
Thou art a hideous and envenom'd snake,
Whose wounded length, even in his noisome hole,
Men fiercely hunt, for love of human kind;
And, wert thou scotch'd to the last ring of life,
E'en that poor remnant of thy curs'd existence
Should be trode out i' th' dust.
