No More Learning

Ask it of Aldred.
[_To_ HAROLD.

ALDRED. It shall be granted him, my king; for he
Who vows a vow to strangle his own mother
Is guiltier keeping this, than breaking it.

EDWARD. O friends, I shall not overlive the day.

STIGAND. Why then the throne is empty. Who inherits?
For tho' we be not bound by the king's voice
In making of a king, yet the king's voice
Is much toward his making. Who inherits?
Edgar the Atheling?

EDWARD. No, no, but Harold.
I love him: he hath served me: none but he
Can rule all England.
Yet the curse is on him
For swearing falsely by those blessed bones;
He did not mean to keep his vow.

HAROLD. Not mean
To make our England Norman.

EDWARD. There spake Godwin,
Who hated all the Normans; but their Saints
Have heard thee, Harold.

EDITH. Oh! my lord, my king!
He knew not whom he sware by.

EDWARD. Yea, I know
He knew not, but those heavenly ears have heard,
Their curse is on him; wilt thou bring another,
Edith, upon his head?

EDITH. No, no, not I.

EDWARD. Why then, thou must not wed him.

HAROLD.