(_Hangs the shield in its place, and puts away the weapons lying about_.) Hath any news been sent down? First Camp Watcher. Nay! Ildibad. Are ye hungry? Second Camp Watcher. Oh, yea. Ildibad. Hunger is for women--mark ye that! And show not such dark faces to our young Queen. That becometh not a marriage day. _THIRD SCENE_. _Surrounded by noisy people_, Teja _and_ Balthilda _have appeared in front of the tent. They enter led by_ Bishop Agila. _Before them, two choir-boys swinging censers. Behind them_, Amalaberga, Euric, Athanaric, Theodemir, _and other lords and military leaders. The tent covers are let down. Exeunt the watchers_. (Bishop _lets go the hands of the bridal pair, and turns back to_ Amalaberga.) (Teja _stands gloomy and brooding_. Balthilda _casts a shy imploring look around her. Painful silence_.) Ildibad (_softly_). Now must thou say something, King, to welcome thy young wife. Teja (_softly_). Must I? (_Taking one of the choir-boys by the nape of the neck_.) Not so vehemently, boy; the smoke cometh up into our nostrils. What dost thou when thou wieldest not thy censer? Boy. I wield my sword, King. Teja. That is right. But make ye haste with wielding the sword, or ye may easily be too late. (_Softly_.) Nothing to be seen of the ships, Ildibad? Ildibad. Nothing, my King. But thou must speak to thy young wife. Teja. Yea ... so now I have a wife, Bishop? Bishop. Here standeth thy wife. King, and waiteth on thy word. Teja. Forgive me, Queen, if I find not this word. I have been brought up in the midst of battles, and other dwelling-place have I not known. It will be hard for thee to share this with me. Balthilda. King ... my mother ... taught me ... (_She stops_.) Teja (_with assumed kindness_). And what taught thee thy mother? Amalaberga. That a wife belongeth to her husband--above all, in the hour of distress; she taught her that, King. Teja. That may indeed be true and holy to ye wives.... If only the husband also belonged to his wife in the hour of distress. And yet one thing, Amalaberga. It hath been told me that in the morning, cocks crow near ye wives yonder in the Wagenburg. For weeks, the warriors have eaten no meat. I counsel ye, give them the cocks. (Amalaberga _bows_.) Bishop. My King! Teja. Heh! Thou hast but now spoken so beautifully at the field-altar, Bishop. Dost thou desire to preach so soon again?