Lay thou thy hand upon this golden pall! Behold the jewel of St. Pancratius Woven into the gold. Swear thou on this! HAROLD. What should I swear? Why should I swear on this? WILLIAM (_savagely_). Swear thou to help me to the crown of England. MALET (_whispering_ HAROLD). My friend, thou hast gone too far to palter now. WULFNOTH (_whispering_ HAROLD). Swear thou to-day, to-morrow is thine own. HAROLD. I swear to help thee to the crown of England ... According as King Edward promises. WILLIAM. Thou must swear absolutely, noble Earl. MALET (_whispering_). Delay is death to thee, ruin to England. WULFNOTH (_whispering_). Swear, dearest brother, I beseech thee, swear! HAROLD (_putting his hand on the jewel_). I swear to help thee to the crown of England. WILLIAM. Thanks, truthful Earl; I did not doubt thy word, But that my barons might believe thy word, And that the Holy Saints of Normandy When thou art home in England, with thine own, Might strengthen thee in keeping of thy word, I made thee swear.--Show him by whom he hath sworn. [_The two_ BISHOPS _advance, and raise the cloth of gold. The bodies and bones of Saints are seen lying in the ark_. The holy bones of all the Canonised From all the holiest shrines in Normandy! HAROLD. Horrible! [_They let the cloth fall again_. WILLIAM. Ay, for thou hast sworn an oath Which, if not kept, would make the hard earth rive To the very Devil's horns, the bright sky cleave To the very feet of God, and send her hosts Of injured Saints to scatter sparks of plague Thro' all your cities, blast your infants, dash The torch of war among your standing corn, Dabble your hearths with your own blood.--Enough! Thou wilt not break it! I, the Count--the King-- Thy friend--am grateful for thine honest oath, Not coming fiercely like a conqueror, now, But softly as a bridegroom to his own. For I shall rule according to your laws, And make your ever-jarring Earldoms move To music and in order--Angle, Jute, Dane, Saxon, Norman, help to build a throne Out-towering hers of France.... The wind is fair For England now.... To-night we will be merry. To-morrow will I ride with thee to Harfleur. [_Exeunt_ WILLIAM _and all the_ NORMAN BARONS, _etc_.