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Usw. Peace, both!-we speak no more of this. I go

To heave the drawbridge up.

[Exit. KATLEEN mounts the steps towards the loop-hole, looks out, and speaks.

The storm is gathering fast; broad, heavy drops
Fall plashing on the bosom of the lake,
And dash its inky surface into circles;

The distant hills are hid in wreaths of darkness.
"Twill be a fearful night.

OSWALD re-enters, and throws himself into a seat.
ELE.
More dark and dreadful

Than is our destiny, it cannot be.

Osw. (to FLO.) Such is Heaven's will-it is our part to bear it.

We're warranted, my child, from ancient story
And blessed writ, to say, that song assuages
The gloomy cares that prey upon our reason,
And wake a strife betwixt our better feelings
And the fierce dictates of the headlong passions.
Sing, then, my love; for if a voice have influence
To mediate peace betwixt me and my destiny,
Flora, it must be thine.

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Enter KATLEEN, introducing BLACKTHORN. KAT. This was the destined scene of action, Blackthorn,

And here our properties. But all in vain,
For of Gullcrammer we 'll see nought to-night,
Except the dainties that I told you of.

BLA. O, if he 's left that same hog's face and sau

sages,

He will try back upon them, never fear it.
The cur will open on the trail of bacon,
Like my old brach-hound.

KAT. And should that hap, we'll play our comedy,-Shall we not, Blackthorn? Thou shalt be Owlspiegle

BLA. And who may that hard-named person be? KAT. I've told you nine times over.

BLA. Yes, pretty Katleen, but my eyes were busy In looking at you all the time you were talking; And so I lost the tale.

KAT. Then shut your eyes, and let your goodly ears Do their good office.

BLA.
That were too hard penance.
Tell but thy tale once more, and I will hearken
As if I were thrown out, and listening for
My bloodhound's distant bay.

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Then, for the tenth time, and the last-be told,
Owlspiegle was of old the wicked barber

To Erick, wicked Lord of Devorgoil.

BLA. The chief who drown'd his captives in the Solway

We all have heard of him.

KAT. A hermit hoar, a venerable man— So goes the legend-came to wake repentance In the fierce lord, and tax'd him with his guilt; But he, heart-harden'd, turn'd into derision The man of heaven, and, as his dignity Consisted much in a long reverend beard, Which reach'd his girdle, Erick caused his barber This same Owlspiegle, violate its honours With sacrilegious razor, and clip his hair After the fashion of a roguish fool.

BLA. This was reversing of our ancient proverb, And shaving for the devil's, not for God's sake. KAT. True, most grave Blackthorn; and in punishment

Of this foul act of scorn, the barber's ghost

Is said to have no resting after death,

But haunts these halls, and chiefly this same cham

ber,

Where the profanity was acted, trimming

And clipping all such guests as sleep within it.

Such is at least the tale our elders tell,

With many others, of this haunted castle.

BLA. And you would have me take this shape o Owlspiegle,

And trim the wise Melchisedek!—I wonnot.

KAT. You will not!

1 The MS throughout the First Act reads Buckthorn

BLA.

No-unless you bear a part.
KAT. What! can you not alone play such a farce?
BLA. Not I-I'm dull. Besides, we foresters
Still hunt our game in couples. Look you, Katleen,

KAT. Well, I do hope he 'll come-there's first a chance

He will be cudgell'd by my noble uncle—

I cry his mercy-by my good aunt's husband,

We danced at Shrovetide-then you were my part-Who did vow vengeance, knowing nought of him ner;

We sung at Christmas-you kept time with me;
And if we go a mumming in this business,

By heaven, you must be one, or Master Gullcrammer
Is like to rest unshaven-

ΚΑΤ.

What end can this serve?

BLA.

Why, you fool,

Nay, I know not, I.

But if we keep this wont of being partners,

But by report, and by a limping sonnet
Which he had fashion'd to my cousin's glory,
And forwarded by blind Tom Long the carrier;
So there's the chance, first of a hearty beating,
Which failing, we've this after-plot of vengeance.

BLA. Kind damsel, how considerate and merciful!
But how shall we get off, our parts being play'd?
KAT. For that we are well fitted; here's a trap-door
Sinks with a counterpoise-you shall go that way.

Why, use makes perfect-who knows what may hap- I'll make my exit yonder 'neath the window,
pen?
A balcony communicates with the tower

KAT. Thou art a foolish patch-But sing our carol, That overhangs the lake.
As I have alter'd it, with some few words
To suit the characters, and I will bear-

[Gives a paper.
BLA. Part in the gambol. I'll go study quickly.
Is there no other ghost, then, haunts the castle,
But this same barber shave-a-penny goblin?

I thought they glanced in every beam of moonshine,
As frequent as the bat.

KAT. I've heard my aunt's high husband tell of
prophecies,

And fates impending o'er the house of Devorgoil;
Legends first coin'd by ancient superstition,
And render'd current by credulity

And pride of lineage. Five years have I dwelt,
And ne'er saw any thing more mischievous
Than what I am myself.

BLA. And that is quite enough, I warrant you.
But, stay, where shall I find a dress

To play this-what d'ye call him-Owlspiegle?
KAT. (takes dresses out of the cabinet.) Why, there
are his own clothes,

Preserved with other trumpery of the sort,
For we have kept nought but what is good for nought.
[She drops a cap as she draws out the clothes.
Blackthorn lifts it, and gives it to her.

Nay, keep it for thy pains-it is a coxcomb;
So call'd in ancient times, in ours a fool's cap;
For you must know they kept a Fool at Devorgoil
In former days; but now are well contented
To play the fool themselves, to save expenses;
Yet give it me, I'll find a worthy use for't.
I'll take this page's dress, to play the page
Cockledemoy, who waits on ghostly Owlspiegle;
And yet 'tis needless, too, for Gullcrammer
Will scarce be here to-night.

BLA. I tell you that he will-I will uphold
His plighted faith and true allegiance
Unto a sows'd sow's face and sausages,
And such the dainties that you say he sent you,
Against all other likings whatsoever,
Except a certain sneaking of affection,
Which makes some folks I know of play the fool,
To please some other folks.

BLA. "Twere a rare place, this house of Devorgoil,
To play at hide-and-seek in-shall we try,
One day, my pretty Katleen?

[hawk

KAT. Hands off, rude ranger! I'm no managed To stoop to lure of yours.-But bear you gallantly; This Gullcrammer hath vex'd my cousin much,

I fain would have some vengeance.

BLA. I'll bear my part with glee; he spoke irreve-
rently
Of practice at a mark !

КАТ.
That cries for vengeance.
But I must go; I hear my aunt's shrill voice!
My cousin and her father will scream next.
ELE. (at a distance.) Katleen! Katleen!
BLA.
Hark to old Sweetlips!.
Away with you before the full cry open-
But stay, what have you there?
KAT. (with a bundle she has taken from the wardrobe.)
My dress, my page's dress-let it alone.
BLA. Your tiring-room is not, I hope, far distant;
You're inexperienced in these new habiliments-
I am most ready to assist your toilet.

KAT. Out, you great ass! was ever such a fool!
[Runs off

BLA. (sings.)

O, Robin Hood was a bowman good,
And a bowman good was he,

And he met with a maiden in merry Sherwood,
All under the greenwood tree.

Now give me a kiss, quoth bold Robin Hood,
Now give me a kiss, said he,

For there never came maid into merry Sherwood,
But she paid the forester's fee.

I've coursed this twelvemonth this sly puss, young
Katleen,

And she has dodged me, turn'd beneath my nose,
And flung me out a score of yards at once;

If this same gear fadge right, I'll cote and mouth her,
And then! whoop! dead! dead! dead!-She is the

metal

To make a woodsman's wife of!

Whatever means we have to drive it o'er,

[Pauses a moment. And leave to Heaven to-morrow. Trust me, Flora, 'Tis the philosophy of desperate want To match itself but with the present evil, And face one grief at once.

Well I can find a hare upon her form
With any man in Nithsdale-stalk a deer,
Run Reynard to the earth for all his doubles,
Reclaim a haggard hawk that 's wild and wayward,
Can bait a wild-cat,-sure the devil's in 't
But I can match a woman-I'll to study.

[Sits down on the couch to examine the paper.

SCENE II.

Scene changes to the inhabited apartment of the Castle, as in the last Scene of the preceding Act. A fire is kindled, by which OSWALD sits in an attitude of deep and melancholy thought, without paying attention to what passes around him. ELEANOR is busy in covering a table; FLORA goes sout and re-enters, as if busied in the kitchen. There should be some by-play-the women whispering together, and watching the state of OSWALD; then separating, and seeking to avoid his observation, when he casually raises his head, and drops it again. This must be left to taste and management. The Women, in the first part of the scene, talk apart, and as if fearful of being overheard; the by-play of stopping occasionally, and attending to Oswald's movements, will give liveliness to the Scene.

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Away, I wish thine aid and not thy counsel.

[As FLORA is about to go off, GULLCRAMMER'S voice is heard behind the flat scene, as if from the drawbridge.

GUL. (behind.) Hillo-hillo-hilloa-hoa-hoa! [OSWALD raises himself and listens; ELEANOR goes up the steps, and opens the window at the loop-hole; GULLCRAMMER'S voice is then heard more distinctly.

GUL. Kind Lady Devorgoil-sweet Mistress Flora !--The night grows fearful, I have lost my way, And wander'd till the road turn'd round with me, And brought me back-For Heaven's sake, give me shelter!

KAT. (aside.) Now, as I live, the voice of Gullcrammer!

Now shall our gambol be play'd off with spirit;
I'll swear I am the only one to whom
That screech-owl whoop was e'er acceptable.

Osw. What bawling knave is this that takes our dwelling

For some hedge-inn, the haunt of lated drunkards? ELE. What shall I say?-Go, Katleen, speak to him.

KAT. (aside.) The game is in my hands-I will say something

Will fret the Baron's pride-and then he enters.
(She speaks from the window.) Good sir, be patient!
We are poor folks-it is but six Scotch miles
To the next borough town, where your Reverence
May be accommodated to your wants;

We are poor folks, an't please your Reverence,
And keep a narrow household-there's no track
To lead your steps astray-

GUL. Nor none to lead them right.-You kill me, lady,

If you deny me harbour. To budge from hence, And in my weary plight, were sudden death, Interment, funeral-sermon, tombstone, epitaph. Osw. Who 's he that is thus clamorous without? (To ELE.) Thou know'st him?

ELE. (confused.) I know him?-no-yes-'tis a worthy clergyman,

Benighted on his way;-but think not of him.
KAT. The morn will rise when that the tempest's
past,

And if he miss the marsh, and can avoid
The crags upon the left, the road is plain.

Osw. Then this is all your piety!—to leave
One whom the holy duties of his office
Have summon'd over moor and wilderness,
To pray beside some dying wretch's bed,
Who (erring mortal) still would cleave to life,
Or wake some stubborn sinner to repentance,-
To leave him, after offices like these,

To choose his way in darkness 'twixt the marsh

And dizzy precipice?1

ELE.

What can I do?

GUL. Kind sir-or, good my lord-my band is ruffied,

But yet 'twas fresh this morning. This fell shower

Osw. Do what thou canst-the wealthiest do no Hath somewhat smirch'd my cloak, but you may note

more

And if so much, 'tis well. These crumbling walls,
While yet they bear a roof, shall now, as ever,
Give shelter to the wanderer2-Have we food?
He shall partake it-Have we none? the fast
Shall be accounted with the good man's merits
And our misfortunes-

[He goes to the loop-hole while he speaks, and
places himself there in room of his Wife, who
comes down with reluctance.

GUL. (without.) Hillo-hoa-hoa!
By my good faith, I cannot plod it farther;
The attempt were death.

Osw. (speaks from the window.) Patience, my friend,
I come to lower the drawbridge.

[Descends, and exit. ELE. O, that the screaming bittern had his couch Where he deserves it,3 in the deepest marsh!

KAT. I would not give this sport for all the rent
Of Devorgoil, when Devorgoil was richest!
(To ELE.) But now you chided me, my dearest aunt,
For wishing him a horse-pond for his portion?

ELE. Yes, saucy girl; but, an it please you, then
He was not fretting me; if he had sense enough,
And skill to bear him as some casual stranger,-
But he is dull as earth, and every hint

Is lost on him, as hail-shot on the cormorant,
Whose hide is proof except to musket-bullets!

FLO. (apart.) And yet to such a one would my kind
mother,

Whose chiefest fault is loving me too fondly,
Wed her poor daughter!

Enter GULLCRAMMER, his dress damaged by the storm; ELEANOR runs to meet him, in order to explain to him that she wished him to behave as a stranger. GULLCRAMMER, mistaking her approach for an invitation to familiarity, advances with the air of pedantic conceit belonging to his character, when OSWALD enters, ELEANOR recovers herself, and assumes an air of distance-GULLCRAMMER is confounded, and does not know what to make of it.

It rates five marks per yard; my doublet
Hath fairly 'scaped-'tis three-piled taffeta.

[Opens his cloak, and displays his doublet. Osw. A goodly inventory-Art thou a preacher ! GUL. Yea I laud Heaven and good Saint Mungo for it.

Osw. 'Tis the time's plague, when those that should weed follies

Out of the common field, have their own minds
O'errun with foppery-Envoys 'twixt heaven and
earth,

Example should with precept join, to show us
How we may scorn the world with all its vanities.
GUL. Nay, the high heavens forefend that I were
vain!

When our learn'd Principal such sounding laud
Gave to mine Essay on the hidden qualities

Of the sulphuric mineral, I disclaim'd
All self-exaltment. And (turning to the women) when
at the dance,

The lovely Saccharissa Kirkencroft,
Daughter to Kirkencroft of Kirkencroft,

Graced me with her soft hand, credit me, ladies,
That still I felt myself a mortal man,

Though beauty smiled on me.

Osw. Come, sir, enough of this.

That you 're our guest to-night, thank the rough
heavens,

And all our worser fortunes; be conformable
Unto my rules; these are no Saccharissas

To gild with compliments. There's in your profession,
As the best grain will have its piles of chaff,
A certain whiffler, who hath dared to bait
A noble maiden with love tales and sonnets;
And if I meet him, his Geneva cap
May scarce be proof to save his ass's ears.

KAT. (aside.) Umph-I am strongly tempted
And yet I think I will be generous,
And give his brains a chance to save his bones.
Then there's more humour in our goblin plot,
Than in a simple drubbing.

ELE. (apart to FLO.) What shall we do? If he
discover him,

Osw. The counterpoise has clean given way; the He'll fling him out at window. bridge

Must e'en remain unraised, and leave us open,

For this night's course at least, to passing visitants.—
What have we here?—is this the reverend man?
[He takes up the candle, and surveys GULL-
CRAMMER, who strives to sustain the inspec-
tion with confidence, while fear obviously con-
tends with conceit and desire to show himself
to the best advantage.

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FLO. My father's hint to keep himself unknown
Is all too broad, I think, to be neglected.
ELE. But yet the fool, if we produce his bounty,
May claim the merit of presenting it;
And then we 're but lost women for accepting
A gift our needs made timely.
ΚΑΤ.
Do not produce them.
E'en let the fop go supperless to bed,
And keep his bones whole.

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To place before him ere he seek repose?

ELE. Alas! too well you know our needful fare Is of the narrowest now, and knows no surplus. Osw. Shame us not with thy niggard housekeeping;

He is a stranger were it our last crust,

And he the veriest coxcomb ere wore taffeta,

A pitch he's little short of he must share it,

Though all should want to-morrow.

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Go yourself,

And bid the gallant who that bugle winded
Sleep in the storm-swept waste; as meet for him
As for Lance Blackthorn.-Come, I'll not distress
you,

GUL. (partly overhearing what passes between them.) I'll get admittance for this second suitor,

Nay, I am no lover of your sauced dainties:

Plain food and plenty is my motto still.

Your mountain air is bleak, and brings an appetite:
A soused sow's face, now, to my modest thinking,
Has ne'er a fellow. What think these fair ladies
Of a sow's face and sausages?

[Makes signs to ELEANOR. FLO. Plague on the vulgar hind, and on his courtesies,

The whole truth will come out!

Osw. What should they think, but that you 're like to lack

Your favourite dishes, sir, unless perchance

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Peace, sir!

Osw.
O'er-driven jests (if this be one) are insolent.

FLO. (apart, seeing her mother uneasy.) The old saw
still holds true-a churl's benefits,
Sauced with his lack of feeling, sense, and courtesy,
Savour like injuries.

[A horn is winded without; then a loud knocking at the gate. LEO. (without.) Ope, for the sake of love and charity! [OSWALD goes to the loop-hole. GUL. Heaven's mercy! should there come another stranger,

And he half starved with wandering on the wolds,

And we 'll play out this gambol at cross purposes.
But see, your father has prevented me.

Osw. (seems to have spoken with those without, and answers.) Well, I will ope the door; one guest already,

Driven by the storm, has claim'd my hospitality,
And you, if you were fiends, were scarce less welcome
To this my mouldering roof, than empty ignorance
And rank conceit-I hasten to admit you.

ELE. (to FLO.) The tempest thickens.
winded bugle,

[Exit. By that

I guess the guest that next will honour us.———
Little deceiver, that didst mock my troubles,
'Tis now thy turn to fear!

FLO. Mother, if I knew less or more of this
Unthought of and most perilous visitation,
I would your wishes were fulfill'd on me,
And I were wedded to a thing like yon.

GUL. (approaching.) Come, ladies, now you see the jest is threadbare,

And you must own that same sow's face and sausages

Re-enter OSWALD with LEONARD, supporting BAULdie DURWARD. OSWALD takes a view of them, as formerly of GULLCRAMMER, then speaks.

Osw. (to LEO.) By thy green cassock, hunting-spear and bugle,

I guess thou art a huntsman }

LEO. (bowing with respect.) A ranger of the neighbouring royal forest,

Under the good Lord Nithsdale; huntsman, therefore,

In time of peace, and when the land has war,
To my best powers a soldier.

Osw. Welcome, as either. I have loved the chase,
And was a soldier once.-This aged man,
What may he be ?

DUR. (recovering his breath.) Is but a beggar, sir, an humble mendicant,

Who feels it passing strange, that from this roof,
Above all others, he should now crave shelter.

Osw. Why so? You 're welcome both-only the word

Warrants more courtesy than our present means
Permit us to bestow. A huntsman and a soldier
May be a prince's comrade, much more mine;
And for a beggar-friend, there little lacks,
Save that blue gown and badge, and clouted pouches,

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