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Rai. Who?—what knight hath lost A Ladye-love?

Aym. Could he speak thus, and wear That scornful calm, if——No! he is not calm. What have you done?

Rai. (aside.) Yes! she shall die to him!

Aym. (grasping his arm.) What have you done? —speak!

Rai. You should know the tale Of our dark ancestor, the Lion-Chief, And his son's bride.

Aym. Man! man! you murder'd her! [Sinking back. It grows so dark around me! She is dead! (Wildly.) I'll not believe it! No! she never look'd Like what could die![Goes up to his brother. If you have done that deed——

Rai. (sternly) If I have done it, I have flung off shame From my brave father's house!

Aym. (in a low voice to himself.) So young, and dead!—because I loved her—dead! Where is she, murderer? Let me see her face. You think to hide it with the dust!—ha! ha! The dust to cover her! We'll mock you still: If I call her back, she'll come! Where is she?—speak! Now, by my father's tomb! but I am calm.

Rai. Never more hope to see her!

Aym. Never more! [Sitting down on the ground. I loved her, so she perish'd!—All the earth Hath not another voice to reach my soul, Now hers is silent! Never, never more! If she had but said farewell!—(Bewildered.) It grows so dark! This is some fearful dream. When the morn comes I shall wake. ——My life's bright hours are done!

Rai. I must be firm.

Have you forgotten this? We thought it lost, But it rose proudly waving o'er the fight In a warrior's hand again! Yours, Aymer! yours! Brother I redeem your fame!

Aym. (putting it from him) The worthless thing! Fame! She is dead!—give a king's robe to one Stretch'd on the rack! Hence with your pageantries Down to the dust!

Her. The banner of the Cross! Shame on the recreant! Cast him from us!

Rai. Boy!