DUNSTAN. Nay, pardon me, for I will speak my mind. Your grace may call to mind proud Marius' fall, That through his wilful mind lost life and empire; And Nimrod, that built huge Babylon, And thought to make a tow'r to check the clouds, Was soon dismay'd by unknown languages; For no one knew what any other spake: Which made him to confess, though 'twere too late, He had made offence in tempting of the Lord. Remember David, Solomon, and the rest; Nor had proud Holofernes lost his head, Had he not been a foul adulterer. KING. Dunstan, forbear, and let this answer thee: Thou art too presumptuous in reproving me, For I have sworn, as truly as I live, That I will never pardon Ethenwald. DUNSTAN. Did you but see the man, I am assur'd You would not choose but pardon Ethenwald. PERIN. Why, Dunstan, you have seen as well as I, That Ethenwald hath dissembled with the king. My gracious lord, first cut that traitor down, And then will others fear the like amiss. DUNSTAN. I tell thee, Perin, were the earl in place, Thou wouldst eat these words utter'd in his disgrace. Veni, Astoroth![320] And, in good time, see where he comes. [_Aside_. _Here enter_ ALFRIDA _disguised, with the_ DEVIL, [_disguised as_ ETHENWALD.] KING. But tell me, Dunstan, is this Alfrida? DUNSTAN. It is, my gracious lord, and this is Ethenwald, That lays his breast wide open to your grace, If so it please your grace to pardon him. KING. Yes, Dunstan, I am well content to pardon him. Ethenwald, stand up, and rise up, Alfrida, For Edgar now gives pardon to you both. DUNSTAN. Astoroth, away! [_Aside_.] My gracious lord, Dunstan will not forget This unknown favour shown Earl Ethenwald; For which account my nephew and myself Do yield both lives and goods at your dispose. KING. Thanks, Dunstan, for thy honourable love: And thou deserv'st to be a councillor, For he deserves not other to command, That hath no power to master his desire; For Locrine, being the eldest son of Brute, Did doat so far upon an Almain maid, And was so ravished with her pleasing sight, That full seven years he kept her under earth, Even in the lifetime of fair Gwendolin: Which made the Cornish men to rise in arms, And never left, till Locrine was slain. And now, though late, at last I call to mind What wretched ends fell to adulterers. DUNSTAN. And if your grace call Abram's tale to mind, When that Egyptian Pharaoh crav'd his wife, You will, no doubt, forgive my nephew's guilt; Who by the merry jest he showed your grace, Did save your honour and her chastity. KING. We take it so; and for amends, Ethenwald, Give me thy hand and we are friends; And love thy wife, and live together long, For Edgar hath forgot all former wrong. ETHENWALD. Thanks, gracious king, and here upon my knee I rest to be disposed, as you please. KING. Enough, Ethenwald. But who comes here? _Enter_ HONESTY.