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and brook not equals in your dignities,

fight then alone that would be kings alone:

let not all perish for the wills of two,

but let your swords decide whose title's best.

EDMUND: Edric, thou hitst the mark I level at.

Thy counsel, coming from a zealous heart,

fits in all points our expectation.

Know I accept thereof and offer here

to prove even hand in single fight ...

which of us two shall wear the diadem.

CANUTUS: Edmund, Report shall never whet her tongue

upon Canutus to eternize thee.

I scorn to stain my reputation

with abject titles of pale cowardice

to make thee famous in opinion's mouth.

I here accept thy challenge and his speech,

glad of so fit a time to be revenged

for all those foul dishonors thou hast done

and glad for sparing of that guiltless blood ...

which in our quarrels this day had been shed.

Oh, had this day been but a year ago,

many a tall man had been now alive,

many a salt tear had been now unshed

by father's for their son's unhappy deaths,

by mothers for their children's wretched ends

and widows for their husbands' timeless want;

but I am glad this long-expected hour

at last is come.

EGINA: ~~~ My lord, you shall not fight. ...

CANUTUS: My lady, but I will. Will you fight for me?

Give her my sword and shield.

[Edmund and Emma talks together. Edmund turns away.]

EMMA: Yet hear me, good my lord.

Will you on whom the state doth sole depend

our welfare, all the realm's, your friends, and kinsfolk,

hazard the loss of all upon the chance

of fickle fortune, since the better man

is sooner killed by over-hardiness

than an advised coward? Good my lord,

it is undecent you should fight with him, ...

being no king nor having aught to lose.

EDMUND: Madam, his life is even to him as dear

as mine to me. Besides, he is a prince

of noble blood and high-resolved spirit;

and if he were not, yet my cause being good

and justice on my side, I would not fear --

nay, could not with my honor but accept

the speech of Edric and in single fight

approve my title lawful, good and right.

Then madam, be content, and you shall see ...

the God in whom I trust will succor me.

Were he Golias, I the little king,

I would not fear, him on his knees to bring;

but he hath rather cause to doubt of me,

I being big and far more strong than he.

[Egina talks with Canutus, Canutus turns away.]

CANUTUS: I had rather fight with him than scold with you.

EGINA: I cannot speak but straight you say I scold.

CANUTUS: Then, sweeting, you must learn your tongue to hold.

Nay, now you'll blubber. Go to, take this kiss

and pray for me. Why stay you, Ironside? ...

EDMUND: Because I think thou art not fit to die,

but rather with Egina fit to cry.

My lords, I do command you, for your lives,

None be so hardy as to succor me

or to approach us ere the fight be done;

but if I die to make my sepulcher

even in the place whereas I took my death,

setting my crown upon Canutus' head

and do to him as to your sovereign.

CANUTUS: Even so, brave followers, I will you do ...

to Edmund here if Edmund conquer me.

Sound drums and trumpets with your warlike noise!

Either begin my joy or end my joys.

[The trumpets sound. The armies do compass the two

kings in the midst. They fight.]

Stay, hold thy hand, I prithee, breathe awhile.

EDMUND: Not till thou yieldst or dies.

[Edmund draws Canutus about.]

CANUTUS: Stay, Edmund,

'tis not for I fear thy fortitude

that thus I crave thee stay, but that I want

the use of breath to prosecute the fight.

EDMUND: Then breathe awhile: I give thee leave to rest. ...

EDRICUS: I fear Canutus will be overcome;

then shall I wish my tongue, the cause thereof

had been cut out when it began to speak,

for I desire to drink king Edmund's blood

because he ever sought to do me good.

SOUTHAMPTON: Egina, be content. I warrant you, aye

Canutus will do well enough.

EGINA: ~~~ I fear him much.

EDMUND: What, are ye ready?

CANUTUS: ~~~ Aye, to be thy death. ...

[They fight again. Edmund drives Canutus back about the