320 
Batten on stolen wealth, grow fat on plunder, 
Refuse to make a common cause of justice, 
And to unsheath the sword at tyranny ? 
Our forefathers had made this wilful Edward 
‘Their quarry of inexorable war, 
Till he had. yielded back my right 3 or chas’d 
a» him, ; 
Like the vile Dane, to other shores for 
shelter, 
- H. Benotsohasty. Ere a week is fled, 
The king will be dispos’d to give thee back 
Thy earldom, and his former confidence. 
If I declin’d, some other favourite 
Had ravish’d it for ever from our house. 
As for thy daughter, by my knightly word, 
From Edward’s lust her honour shall be safe 
While I have life and weapons. Trust me, 
brother, : 
Her purity I value, as thyself. 
His love I would encourage==but she’s 
thine. , 
If I have err’d, *twas from too much ambition 
To make. my brother’s house the first of 
England. 
T. Were these thy views? 
Fi. Yes, I will swear they were. 
© let us knit the brotherly embrace 
Of interchang’d forgiveness in this hall. 
ZT. If it beso, then I have greatly wrong’d 
thee, 
And call’d down curses on a man unguilty. 
© couldst thou know the pangs that tore my 
heart, 
What three black days of anguish I have 
: spent, 
While Iwas fore’d to hate my father’s son— 
But, Harold,’twas not thou ; *twas what thoy 
seem’ dst. 
Henceforth Pllset a watch upon my passion. 
. H. Here, take my hand, and be the past 
forgotten. 
J. This holy hand-shake be recorded 
yonder ! 
And him that violates its sacred tie, 
The gods pursue with unrelenting vengeance ! 
H. Let me announce thee, brother, to the 
king. 
Pl straight be here. 
Edi. 'O how my heart is eas’d! 
I’m glad thou heard’st my uncle: he is kind. 
My father, let me weep upon thy neck 
‘The tears of joy that tremble on my cheek. 
‘As when the clouds of tempest melt to rain, 
For louring death bestowing fertile showers, 
So is the change from enmity to love. 
?T will make my mother happy. To forefeel 
‘Her coming joy, redoubles my delight. 
ZT. Well soon be with her, child. I feel 
exhausted é, 
[ Goes. 
With this tumaltuous ebb and flow of feeling. 
Edi. Gladly the generous soul foregoes 
mistrust. 4 ; 
T: How liable to fatal misconception 
Ts all the conduct of the cunning man! 
“His ends were easier gain’d by plainer means. 
The mazy path winds further thro’ the wood, 
And adders lurk beneath its secret shade, 
re | arold and Tosti, a Tragedy. 
[May 1, 
Edi. Now every thing about me seems 
transform’d. : 
The day itself puts on a yellower garment, 
And sweeter music billows in the gale. 
Henceforth let Joy her blooming roses twine 
Around these stately columns: thro’ the 
roof 
Vibrate the welcome voice of mirth and 
song. 
(Eowanp, Harotp, also Minstréls, enter.) 
Edw. Tosti, thy daughter’s wishes, and 
thy brother’s, © 
My bosom echoes. Let unmingled gladness 
Hover among these hospitable rooms. 
And may oblivion’s murky caverf hide 
The hated memory of our vanish'd anger. 
( Minstrels sing.) ; 
Stay, stay, ye loitering gales, 
Ye clouds your golden tresses loose, 
Peace, whistling billows, peace : 
Ye Vauns, your locks with coral wreath’d, 
Forsake your marble caves, 
With amber strew the strand, ~ 
And to the billowy plain 
With winning words O woo the mermaid 
choir 
To twine their pearled arms in swimming 
dance, ; 
And warble songs of joy! 
*Tis Lofna, from her shelly car, 
Who waves the lily-wand. 
She guides to soft-eyed Hlyna’s hall 
Two brother-souls, 
Elves, on the sparkling floor 
Of Hlyna’s hall 
Your sweetest flow’rets fling. 
Two brother-souls approach 
To wreathe anew the bonds of love, . 
Which strife with wolfen tooth 
No more shall gnaw in twain. 
Edw. T would be left with Harold. At 
the feast 
We meet again, and in the wagsail-cup 
We'll bury what remains of lingering hatred, 
(Tost1,Ep1 THA, also Minstrels, withdraw.) 
Thate hypocrisy ; but you’re qbey’d. adh 
Why bend before hisanger? Why descend 
To use one word of mean apology ? 
Q, it was like the cowardice of one 
That one not face a quarrel, to forgive 
im. 
Besides, this boasted peace cannot be lasting. 
°Tis as the shining ice of one night’s freezing, 
Which levels all the waves to perfect calm- 
ness, . 
But is itse}f more treacherous than they. 
What shall be ‘done with Tosti? Had he 
fled, a : 
As he intended, with his cherish’d daughter, 
He might have been pursued, and I had gain’d 
Bee ee 
H. But so we mus¢ have ta’en the father’s 
life ; ; , 
And that is here, methinks, an easier prey-_ 
Edw, Iwill not be concern’d in motdery 
Harold, 
wet H. Whyy 
