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brought forth this subtle dangerous stratagem.

Whilst the two battles dealt the dole of death

and Edmund in the forefront stoutly fought

with words encouraging his soldiers

and with rude strokes discouraging the Danes,

Edricus took up an English dead man's head,

and sticking it upon his bloody sword

unto the vanward of King Edmund's troops,

held his despiteful and most speedy course, ...

telling the soldiers Edmund Ironside

was slain, bidding the soldiers yield

or fly the field and trust unto their heels.

The soldiers in amaze began to fly;

then Edmund, hearing of this stratagem,

amongst the thickest of his enemies,

gave notice that he lived a conqueror.

His soldiers, taking heart, returned and fought.

His enemies, despairing, run away.

Edmund returns in triumph on the stage, ...

but Canutus returns in passion and in rage.

What after happens, with your patience,

the entering actors gives intelligence. [Exit.]

Scene III.4

[Enter Edmund Ironside with lords and soldiers.]

EDMUND: Praised be the eternal bulwark of this land,

the fortress of my crown, in Whom I trust,

that hath thus discomfited my foes

by His omnipotent all-conquering arm.

And worthy lords, triumphant warriors

whose valors echo through the mouth of fame

and writes you worthies in the book of life

maugre the envy of detraction,

we render hearty thanks to each of you

for fighting in our rights with such bold spirits. ...

Continue to be valiant, and if God

make us once happy in a peaceful reign,

I'll guerdon every soldier bounteously

that lifts a weapon to defend our right.

Let us not loiter opportunity,

but follow Danish Canute and force him fly.

On, march afore, sound trumpets, strike up drums,

let shrieking fifes tell Canute that Edmund comes!

[The soldiers shout and exeunt.]

Scene III.5

[Enter Canutus, Edricus, with other lords and soldiers.]

CANUTUS: A plague upon you all for arrant cowards!

Look how a dunghill cock, not rightly bred,

doth come into the pit with greater grace,

brustling his feathers, setting up his plumes,

clapping his wings and crowing louder out

than doth a cock of game that means to fight;

yet after when he feels the spurs to prick,

crakes like a craven and bewrays himself;

even so my big-boned Danes, addressed to fight

as thought they meant to scale the cope of heaven ...

and like the giants grapple with the gods,

at first encounter rush upon their foes

but straight retire -- retire? Nay, run away

as men distraught with lightning from above

or dastards feared with a sudden fray.

EDRICUS: Renowned sovereign, do not fret yourself.

Fortune in turning will exalt your state

and change the countenance of her cloudy brow.

Now you must hope for better still and better,

and Edmund must expect still worse and worse. ...

A low'ring morning proves a fairer day.

Fortune's ill-favored frown shows she will smile

on you and frown on Ironside.

CANUTUS: What tellst thou me of Fortune and her frowns,

of her sour visage and her rolling stone?

Thy tongue rolls headlong into flattery.

Now by these heavens above our wretched heads,

ye are but cowards, every one of you.

Edmund is blessed. Oh had I but his men,

I would not doubt to conquer all the world ...

in shorter time than Alexander did;

but all my Danes are Braggadocios

and I accursed to be the general

of such a flock of fearful runaways.

SOUTHAMPTON: Remember you have lost ten thousand men,

all English-born except a thousand Danes.

Your pensive looks will kill them that survive

if thus to choler you give liberty.

CANUTUS: It were no matter if they all were slain;

then they should never run away again. ...

USKATAULF: My noble lord, our countrymen are safe.

In all these broils English 'gainst English fight.

The Danes or none or very few are slain.

CANUTUS: [Turns towards Uskataulf.]

It was a sign ye fled and did not fight.

Is't not a dishonor unto you

to see a foreign nation fight for me,

whenas my home-bred countrymen do run,

leaving their king amongst his