A king's heart is not
his own, as is that of a private man. As he must lead his people in battle,
and if needs be give his life for them, so must he give his hand where it
will most advantage them."
"I cannot do it," Harold said. "I will not sacrifice you even for England.
I will remain Earl of Wessex, and Edwin may reign as king if he so
chooses."
"That cannot be, Harold. If the people of England call you to the throne,
it is your duty to accept the summons. You know that none other could guide
them as you can, for already for years you have been their ruler. They love
you, they trust in you, and it were a shame indeed if the love we bear each
other should stand in the way of what is above all things needful for the
good of England. You know well enough that when the national council meets
to choose a king the South will declare for you. But if Edwin and Morcar
influence Mercia and the North to declare for another, what remains but a
breaking up of the kingdom, with perhaps a great war?"
"I cannot do it, and I will not," Harold said, stopping in his walk and
standing before her. "My life, my work, all save you I will give up for
England--but you I will not."
Edith turned even paler than before. "You will not give me up, Harold, but
you cannot hold me. I can bear my life in seclusion and retirement, and can
even be happy in the thought of our past love, of your greatness, and in
the peace of England, which, I should have the consolation of knowing, was
due to the sacrifice that we had both made, but I could not live happy,
even with your love and your companionship, knowing that I have brought
woes upon England.
Pages:
254
255
256
257
258
259
260
261
262
263
264
265
266
267
268
269
270
271
272
273
274
275
276
277
278