Thy fierce
forekings
had clench'd their pirate hides
To the bleak church doors, like kites upon a barn.
To the bleak church doors, like kites upon a barn.
Tennyson
HAROLD. There _was_ a moment
When being forced aloof from all my guard,
And striking at Hardrada and his madmen
I had wish'd for any weapon.
ALDWYTH. Why art thou sad?
HAROLD. I have lost the boy who play'd at ball with me,
With whom I fought another fight than this
Of Stamford-bridge.
ALDWYTH. Ay! ay! thy victories
Over our own poor Wales, when at thy side
He conquer'd with thee.
HAROLD. No--the childish fist
That cannot strike again.
ALDWYTH. Thou art too kindly.
Why didst thou let so many Norsemen hence?
Thy fierce forekings had clench'd their pirate hides
To the bleak church doors, like kites upon a barn.
HAROLD. Is there so great a need to tell thee why?
ALDWYTH. Yea, am I not thy wife?
VOICES. Hail, Harold, Aldwyth!
Bridegroom and bride!
ALDWYTH. Answer them! [_To_ HAROLD.
HAROLD (_to all_). Earls and Thanes!
Full thanks for your fair greeting of my bride!
Earls, Thanes, and all our countrymen! the day,
Our day beside the Derwent will not shine
Less than a star among the goldenest hours
Of Alfred, or of Edward his great son,
Or Athelstan, or English Ironside
Who fought with Knut, or Knut who coming Dane
Died English.
