Page:Passions 2.pdf/138

126

Second Serv. It hath a power to cross all wicked spells; So that a man may sit next stool to th' devil, If he can lay but slyly such a twig Beneath his seat, nor suffer any harm.

First Serv. I wish there were some herb of secret power To save from daily skaith of blund'ring fools: I know beneath whose stool it should be press'd. Get thee along! the feast smokes in the hall. (Exeunt.

SCENE IV. A Saxon hall with the walls hung round with armour. Mollo, Ethelbert, Selred, Ethwald, Bertha, Sigurtha, ''and others, are discovered sitting round a table, on which stand goblets and flaggons, &c. after a feast.''

Eth. Nay, gentle Bertha, if thou followest him, Sheer off those lovely tresses from thy head, And with a frowning helmet shade those eyes: E'en with thy prowess added to his own, Methinks he will not be surcharged of means To earn his brilliant fortune in the field.

Ber. Nay, rather will I fill a little scrip With sick-men's drugs and salves for fest'ring wounds, And journey by his side, a trav'lling leech.

Sel. That will, indeed, no unmeet comrade be For one whose fortune must be earn'd with blows Borne by no substitutes.