O God of battles, make their wall of shields
Firm as thy cliffs, strengthen their palisades!
Firm as thy cliffs, strengthen their palisades!
Tennyson
STIGAND. Power now from Harold to command thee hence
And see thee safe from Senlac.
EDITH. I remain!
STIGAND. Yea, so will I, daughter, until I find
Which way the battle balance. I can see it
From where we stand: and, live or die, I would
I were among them!
CANONS _from Waltham (singing without)_.
Salva patriam
Sancte Pater,
Salva Fili,
Salva Spiritus,
Salva patriam,
Sancta Mater. [1]
[Footnote 1: The _a_ throughout these Latin hymns should be
sounded broad, as in 'father. ']
EDITH. Are those the blessed angels quiring, father?
STIGAND. No, daughter, but the canons out of Waltham,
The king's foundation, that have follow'd him.
EDITH.
O God of battles, make their wall of shields
Firm as thy cliffs, strengthen their palisades!
What is that whirring sound?
STIGAND. The Norman arrow!
EDITH. Look out upon the battle--is he safe?
STIGAND. The king of England stands between his banners.
He glitters on the crowning of the hill.
God save King Harold!
EDITH. --chosen by his people
And fighting for his people!
STIGAND. There is one
Come as Goliath came of yore--he flings
His brand in air and catches it again,
He is chanting some old warsong.
EDITH. And no David
To meet him?