Or till the Pope be Christ’s.

Aldwyth, the queen, glides in, and seeing Edith, says—

Away from him! Away!

Edith says (we can imagine her sweet plaintiveness)—

I will.… I have not spoken to the king

One word: and one I must. Farewell!

And she offers to go.

But Harold, beckoning with a grand gesture of authority—

Not yet!

Stay! The king commands thee, woman!