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146

Be it with dangers, toil, or pain beset, Which I will boldly tread. Smiles not my love?

Berth. I should, in truth: but how is this? methinks Thou ever look'st upon the things to come, I on the past. A great and honour'd man I know thou'lt be: but O, bethink thee, then! How once thou wert, within these happy walls, A little cheerful boy, with curly pate, Who led the infant Bertha by the hand, Storing her lap with ev'ry gaudy flower; With speckled eggs stol'n from the hedgeling's nest, And berries from the tree: ay, think on this, And then I know thou'lt love me! (Trumpet sounds. Catching hold of him eagerly) Hear'st thou that sound? The blessed saints preserve thee! Must thou depart so soon?

Ethw. Yes, of necessity: reasons of weight Constrain the king, and I, new in his service, Must seem to follow him with willing steps. But go thou with me to the castle gate, We will not part until the latest moment.

Berth. Yet stop, I pray, thou must receive my pledge. See'st thou this woven band of many dyes, Like to a mottled snake? its shiny woof Was whiten'd in the pearly dew of eve, Beneath the silver moon; its varied warp Was dyed with potent herbs, at midnight cull'd.