In such sad service; and he parted with And it was you, dear Lady! We joined our tales of wretchedness together, And begged our daily bread from door to door. I talk familiarly to you, sweet Lady! Idon. Will be rejoiced to greet you. 695 Old Pil. It seems but yesterday That a fierce storm o'ertook us, worn with travel, In a deep wood remote from any town. Old Pil. one We sate us down. The sky grew dark and darker: I struck my flint, and built up a small fire With rotten boughs and leaves, such as the winds Would drive those Scottish Rovers to their dens 705 If once they blew a horn this side the Tweed. 730 Mar. I think I see a second range of Towers; Of many autumns in the cave had piled. Meanwhile the storm fell heavy on the woods; Our little fire sent forth a cheering This castle has another Area-come, Osw. As well indeed it might. The fittest place? And this you deem I'll answer for it that our four-legged The wind should pipe a little, while we This mortal stupor which is creeping over stand me, Cooling our heels in this way!-I'll begin What do they mean? were this my single And count the stars. body Mar. (still listening). That dog of his, Opposed to armies, not a nerve would Could not come after us-he must have you are sure, perished; 755 tremble: Why do I tremble now?-Is not the depth 780 The torrent would have dashed an oak to Of this Man's crimes beyond the reach of splinters. thought? You said you did not like his looks- And yet, in plumbing the abyss for Osw. He has a tender heart! Mar. How now, what mean you? 790 This is a time, said he, when guilt may Truly, I was going In helplessness, when innocence is with Osw. Why are you not the man you With all their natural weight of sorrow were that moment? 795 [He draws MARMADUKE to the dungeon. Mar. You say he was asleep,-look at and pain, flood Mar. A minute past, he went to fetch When my old Leader slipped into the a draught Of water from the torrent. "Tis, you'll say, And perished, what a piercing outcry A cheerless beverage. I was alarmed. Her. Why so? a roofless rock had been a comfort, Storm-beaten and bewildered as we were; 815 And in a night like this to lend your cloaks To make a bed for me!-My Girl will weep When she is told of it. Mar. This Daughter of yours Is very dear to you. Her. Oh! but you are young; Over your head twice twenty years must roll, 820 you 835 Sent after him. I have loved you ever since. Osw. Herbert !-confusion! (aside). Here it is, my Friend, [Presents the Horn. A charming beverage for you to carouse This bitter night. Her. Ha! Oswald! ten bright crosses I would have given, not many minutes gone, To have heard your voice. Osw. Your couch, I fear, good Baron, Has been but comfortless; and yet that place, 860 When the tempestuous wind first drove us hither, Felt warm as a wren's nest. You'd better turn And under covert rest till break of day, Or till the storm abate. (TO MARMADUKE aside.) He has restored you, No doubt you have been nobly entertained? But soft!-how came he forth? The Nightmare Conscience Has driven him out of harbour? You have guessed right. I would so long have struggled with my Nature, And smothered all that's man in me?away! [Looking towards the dungeon. This man's the property of him who best Can feel his crimes. I have resigned a privilege; 875 It now becomes my duty to resume it. Mar. Touch not a finger Osw. Osw. Now, on my life, I grieve for you. Of doubt is insupportable. Pity, the facts Did not admit of stronger evidence; 881 Twelve honest men, plain men, would set us right; Their verdict would abolish these weak scruples. Mar. Weak! I am weak-there does my torment lie, Feeding itself. Osw. Verily, when he said 885 How his old heart would leap to hear her steps, You thought his voice the echo of Idonea's. Mar. And never heard a sound so terrible. Osw. Perchance you think so now? Mar. I cannot do it: Twice did I spring to grasp his withered throat, 890 When such sudden weakness fell upon me, I could have dropped asleep upon his breast. Osw. Justice-is there not thunder in the word? 865 I believe Shall it be law to stab the petty robber Who aims but at our purse; and shall this Parricide895 Worse is he far, far worse (if foul dishonour Her. The trees renew their murmur: Come, let us house together. [OSWALD conducts him to the dungeon. Osw. (returns). Had I not Esteemed you worthy to conduct the affair 870 To its most fit conclusion, do you think Be worse than death) to that confiding Whom he to more than filial love and duty |