Those
who had been most ready to flatter him were silent on this occasion,
for they perceived that King Athelstane was persuaded of his brother's
guilt; and some of them said, "They remembered that Prince Edwin had
often said that he had a better title to the throne than King
Athelstane."
Prince Edwin could not deny that he had used these words; but it seemed
to him very hard that they should be repeated to the king in the hour
of his sore distress. Looking around, with a countenance expressive of
mingled sorrow and indignation, he said,--
"Unhappy that I am! they that were my most familiar friends are they
that speak against me! Is there no one that can bear me witness that I
am guiltless of the crime of plotting to take away my brother's life?"
"I will, though I die for it!" cried a voice, feeble from bodily
suffering, but firm in the courageous utterance of truth. It was that
of Wilfrid, the page, who, with his countenance still pale and
disfigured from the effects of the blow received from Prince Edwin,
stood boldly forward to bear witness of the scene which had taken place
in his presence between Brithric and the prince.
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