E Which bathe the limbs in sweat to think Admitting no resistance, bends alike of them; Should he, by tales which would draw tears from iron, 1060 Work on her nature, and so turn compassion And gratitude to ministers of vice, And make the spotless spirit of filial love Prime mover in a plot to damn his Victim Both soul and body- Wal. "Tis too horrible; 1065 Oswald, what say you to it? Lacy. Hew him down, And fling him to the ravens. Mar. But his aspect, It is so meek, his countenance so venerable. Wal (with an appearance of mistrust). But how, what say you, Oswald? Lacy (at the same moment). Stab him, were it The feeble and the strong. She needs not here 1090 Her bonds and chains, which make the mighty feeble. -We recognise in this old Man a victim Prepared already for the sacrifice. Lacy. By heaven, his words are reason! Osw. Yes, my Friends, His countenance is meek and venerable; 1095 And, by the Mass, to see him at his prayers! I am of flesh and blood, and may I perish When my heart does not ache to think of it! Poor Victim! not a virtue under heaven But what was made an engine to ensnare thee; But yet I trust, Idonea, thou art safe. Wal. Mar. 1100 How! what? your Idonea? [TO MARMADUKE. Mine; But now no longer mine. You know Lord Clifford; He is the Man to whom the Maiden-pure As beautiful, and gentle and benign, 1105 And in her ample heart loving even meWas to be yielded up. Lacy. Now, by the head Of my own child, this Man must die; my hand, harThe giant's strength; and, at the voice of A worthier wanting, shall itself entwine Justice, sares not the worm. The giant and the worm 1080 In his grey hairs! Mar. (to LACY). I love the Father in thee. to feel, he weighs them in one scale. The wiles You know me, Friends; I have a heart of woman, And craft of age, seducing reason, first Made weakness a protection, and obscured The moral shapes of things. His tender And I have felt, more than perhaps be Osw. Carry him to the Camp! Yes, the Camp. 1120 Oh, Wisdom! a most wise resolve! a then, He shall be led, and there, the Country round All gathered to the spot, in open day Osw. 'Tis nobly thought; His death will be a monument for ages. Mar. (to LACY). I thank you for that hint. He shall be brought 1125 Before the Camp, and would that best and wisest Of every country might be present. There His crime shall be proclaimed; and for the rest It shall be done as Wisdom shall decide: Meanwhile, do you two hasten back and 1130 see' That all is well prepared. Wal. We will obey you. (Aside). But softly! we must look a little nearer. Mar. Tell where you found us. some future time I will explain the cause. ACT III. It were a pleasant pastime to construct A scale and table of belief-as thusTwo columns, one for passion, one proof; Each rises as the other falls: and first, Passion a unit and against us-proof-Nay, we must travel in another path, I Or we're stuck fast for ever;-passio then, Shall be a unit for us; proof-no, passio We'll not insult thy majesty by time, Person, and place the where, the whe the how, And all particulars that dull brains quire II At To constitute the spiritless shape of Fa They bow to, calling the idol, Demonstr [Exeunt. They have no substance. Pass but a few That may not be retold to any ear. And something shall be done which May touch, whene'er her Vassals are at Last night, 1180 And therefore chose this solitary Moor, Here to impart the tale, of which, last night, 1210 en I returned with water from the I strove to ease my mind, when our two brook, overheard the Villains-every word Like red-hot iron burnt into my heart. Said one, Man "It is agreed on. The blind Comrades, Commissioned by the Band, burst in upon us. Mar. Last night, when moved to lift the avenging steel, Shall feign a sudden illness, and the I did believe all things were shadows— Girl, 1185 The on her journey must proceed alone, maid yea, I could fetch lessons out of wiser schools That could withstand it. True," con- Than you have entered, were it worth the But that they cannot stand up of themselves; Another sits i' th' sun, and by the hour To occupy-both fools, or wise alike, Osw. I would not give a denier for the man I'll plant myself before Lord Clifford's To make mankind merry for evermore, Castle, A surly mastiff kennels at the gate, Then plain it is as day that eyes we made And he shall howl and I will laugh, a For a wise purpose-verily to weep with But first, how wash our hands of this old [Looking roun A pretty prospect this, a masterpiece 12 Of Nature, finished with most curio skill! (TO HERBERT). Good Baron, have y 12 Her. How glad I am to hear your voic I know not Wherein I have offended you ;-last nig I found in you the kindest of Protectors This morning, when I spoke of wearines Osw. You know we left him sitting- You from my shoulder took my scrip an Mar. Oh yes, that mole, that viper in the path; 1255 Plague on my memory, him I had forgotten. About your own; but for these two hours Feed on her leaves. You knew her wellpast Once only have you spoken, when the stance ay, there, Old Man! you were a very Lynx, you One happy thought has passed across my mind. -It may not be-I am cut off from man; Troops of armed men, Might have fine room to ramble about Met in the roads, would bless us; little here, A grand domain to squeak and gibber in. Her. Lost Man! if thou have any closepent guilt 1305 Pressing upon thy heart, and this the hour Of visitation Mar. children, 1331 Rushing along in the full tide of play, Stood silent as we passed them! I have heard The boisterous carman, in the miry road, Check his loud whip and hail us with mild voice, 1335 A bold word from you! And speak with milder voice to his poor Her. Restore him, Heaven! Wretch-A Flower, beasts. Mar. And whither were you going? Her. Learn, young Man, Fairest of all flowers, was she once, but To fear the virtuous, and reverence misery, Whether too much for patience, or, like miné, They have snapped her from the stemPoh! let her lie 1310 Besoiled with mire, and let the houseless snail Softened till it becomes a gift of mercy. Mar. Now, this is as it should be! |