Ard. But who knows love from hate
In days like these? Some foe with friendship's eyes,
Some secret knife of Oswald's——
Char. None may tread
The guarded pass save our knight Vairdelan
And your two brothers.
Ard. Vairdelan is late.
Why went he down?
Char. Knights true as he, my girl,
Are never questioned.
Ard. [Starting] Who are at the gates?
Char. Your brothers come.
Ard. So soon? That means good news
From Banissat. He'll be your strength against
This mighty Oswald.
Char. Fair his word may be,
But I go down the pass.
Ard. Go down? To meet
That fiend?
Char. The man who calls himself my foe,
But named of God my brother.