Is it my crime that Dame Harthild was differently minded?
And it was no lie that I bore love to her, on that night.
Love's fulness truly it was not--as Sudha named it.
That may be. Never knew I love's fulness.
And be it so. If the Gods hate me for an evil deed, wherefore do they not punish me alone?
Wherefore let others--so many others--suffer and atone for my sin?
Wherefore should King Hartstein perish, and many other princes, and thousands of men from all coasts and islands?
Wherefore should Dame Harthild perish, whom they would have avenged, and our unborn son?
How have all these sinned? Answer me, ye two, if ye know more than do I and the stars?"
But his blood brethren were silent, and Halfred continued--