By mingling natural matter of her own worn With all the daring fictions I have taught A hollow ring; they say it is knee her, Aloft upon the elm-tree. Pretty Maids, deep Ah! what is here? Beg. 395 [A female Beggar rises up, rubbing her eyes as if in sleep-a Child in her arms. Oh! Gentlemen, I thank you; I've had the saddest dream that ever troubled Garlands and flowers, and cakes and The heart of living creature.-My poor Babe Bring to her hut; and so the Wretch has But here he is, [kissing the Child] it must lived Ten years; and no one ever heard her voice; have been a dream. 415 Osw. When next inclined to sleep, take my advice And put your head, good Woman, under cover. Beg. Ay, Sir, there's nobody that feels for us. 445 Beg. Oh, Sir, you would not talk thus, Why now--but yesterday I overtook if you knew A blind old Greybeard and accosted him, What life is this of ours, how sleep will I' th' name of all the Saints, and by the master The weary-worn.-You gentlefolk have got 420 Warm chambers to your wish. I'd rather be A stone than what I am.-But two nights gone, The darkness overtook me-wind and rain Shine calmly as if nothing ailed the sky: You must forgive me. Your favourite saint-no matter this 430 Thanks to you both; but, evermore, Beg. Oh Sir! As if he were the only Saint on earth, How would you like to travel on whole He turns his face to heaven. hours As I have done, my eyes upon the ground, Expecting still, I knew not how, to find A piece of money glittering through the dust? 435 Mar. This woman is a prater. Pray, good Lady! Do you tell fortunes? Beg. Oh Sir, you are like the rest. But there are Mothers who can see the 440 Here at my breast, and ask me where I bought it: Osw. 470 But yesterday was worse than all; at last I overtook him, Sirs, my Babe and I, 475 This they can do, and look upon my face- I cast a look upon the Girl, and felt Come hither, Fathers, Mar. Osw. I think, good Woman, you are the very person Beg. You are provoked, A dog that does not know me.-These And will misuse me, Sir! Mar. No trifling, Woman!— Osw. You are as safe as in a sanctuary; 500 Speak. Mar. Speak! good Folks, For love of God I must not pass their doors; But I'll be back with my best speed: for you 525 Beg. He is a most hard-hearted Man. God bless and thank you both, my gentle Mar. Your life is at my mercy. Beg. Do not harm me, And I will tell you all!-You know not, Sir, What strong temptations press upon the Masters. [Exit Beggar. Mar. (to himself). The cruel Viper ! Poor devoted Maid, Now I do love thee. Osw. I am thunderstruck. Mar. Where is she-holla! [Calling to the Beggar, who returns; he looks at her stedfastly. You are Idonea's Mother? Nay, be not terrified-it does me good 530 That either e'er existed is my shame: 555 'Twas a dull spark-a most unnatural fire Osw. (interrupting). In a peasant's That died the moment the air breathed dress You saw, who was it? I love her, though I dare not call her daughter. upon it. -These fools of feeling are mere birds of winter That haunt some barren island of the north, Where, if a famishing man stretch forth his hand, 560 They think it is to feed them. I have left him To solitary meditation;-now Osw. Lord Clifford-did you see him Of truth, enough to dazzle and to blind, And he is mine for ever-here he comes. talk with Herbert? Beg. Yes, to my sorrow-under the great oak At Herbert's door-and when he stood beside The blind Man-at the silent Girl he looked. 540 With such a look-it makes me tremble, A holier name; and, under such a mask, Looked at from every point of fear or Duty, or love-involve, I feel, my ruin. 550 The moon shone clear, the air was still, ACT II. SCENE, A Chamber in the Hostel-OSWALD alone, rising from a Table on which he had been writing. so still 575 The trees were silent as the graves beneath them. Long did I watch, and saw her pacing round Upon the self-same spot, still round and round, Osw. They chose him for their Chief! Her lips for ever moving. what covert part Mar. At her door He in the preference, modest Youth, Rooted I stood; for, looking at the Measures not crimes like his. Osw. We rank not, happily, With those who take the spirit of their rule From that soft class of devotees who feel Reverence for life so deeply, that they spare 586 The verminous brood, and cherish what they spare Of fierce barbarians into Ministers Of peace and order. Aged men with tears Have blessed their steps, the fatherless retire 613 For shelter to their banners. But it is, As you must needs have deeply felt, it is In darkness and in tempest that we seek The majesty of Him who rules the world. Benevolence, that has not heart to use While feeding on their bodies. Would The wholesome ministry of pain and evil, that Idonea Becomes at last weak and contemptible. Were present, to the end that we might Your generous qualities have won due praise, 621 But vigorous Spirits look for something more Than Youth's spontaneous products; and to-day You will not disappoint them; and here. after Mar. You are wasting words; hear me then once for all: 625 You are a Man-and therefore, if compassion, Which to our kind is natural as life, Woman, Even as I do; but I should loathe the light, Here justice has indeed a field of triumph. If I could think one weak or partial Mar. Let us begone and bring her hither;-here The truth shall be laid open, his guilt proved 600 Before her face. The rest be left to me. feeling Osw. You will forgive me Mar. 630 If I ever knew My heart, could penetrate its inmost core, Osw. You will be firm: but though we 'Tis at this moment.-Oswald, I have That oft have checked their fury at your And where's the triumph if the delegate bidding. Must fall in the execution of his office? 640 'Mid the deep holds of Solway's mossy The deed is done-if you will have it soHere where we stand-that tribe of vul waste, Your single virtue has transformed a Band 610 gar wretches (You saw them gathering for the festival) |