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(angrily to Alwy.) What thou look'st on me too, as if forsooth, Thou wert amaz'd at this. Perceiv'st thou not How hardly I'm beset to keep the power I have so dearly bought? Shall this impede me? Let infants shrink! I have seen blood enough; And what have I to do with mercy now? (stalking gloomily away, then returning.) Selred and Ethelbert, and fiery Hereulf Are to their castles sullenly retired, With many other warlike Thanes. The storm Is gath'ring round me, but we'll brave it nobly.

Alwy. The discontented chiefs, as I'm inform'd By faithful spies, are in the halls of Hereulf Assembled, brooding o'er their secret treason.

Ethw. Are they? Then let us send a chosen band And seize them unprepared. A nightly march Will bring them near their castle. Let us, then, Immediate orders give; the time is precious. (Exeunt.