The Poetical Works of William Wordsworth - LightNovelsOnl.com
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[He draws MARMADUKE to the dungeon.]
MARMADUKE You say he was asleep,--look at this arm, And tell me if 'tis fit for such a work.
Oswald, Oswald!
[Leans upon OSWALD.]
OSWALD This is some sudden seizure!
MARMADUKE A most strange faintness,--will you hunt me out A draught of water?
OSWALD Nay, to see you thus Moves me beyond my bearing.--I will try To gain the torrent's brink.
[Exit OSWALD.]
MARMADUKE (after a pause) It seems an age Since that Man left me.--No, I am not lost.
HERBERT (at the mouth of the dungeon) Give me your hand; where are you, Friends? and tell me How goes the night.
MARMADUKE 'Tis hard to measure time, In such a weary night, and such a place.
HERBERT I do not hear the voice of my friend Oswald.
MARMADUKE A minute past, he went to fetch a draught Of water from the torrent. 'Tis, you'll say, A cheerless beverage.
HERBERT How good it was in you To stay behind!--Hearing at first no answer, I was alarmed.
MARMADUKE No wonder; this is a place That well may put some fears into _your_ heart.
HERBERT Why so? a roofless rock had been a comfort, Storm-beaten and bewildered as we were; 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.
MARMADUKE This Daughter of yours Is very dear to you.
HERBERT Oh! but you are young; Over your head twice twenty years must roll, With all their natural weight of sorrow and pain, Ere can be known to you how much a Father May love his Child.
MARMADUKE Thank you, old Man, for this! [Aside.]
HERBERT Fallen am I, and worn out, a useless Man; Kindly have you protected me to-night, And no return have I to make but prayers; May you in age be blest with such a daughter!-- When from the Holy Land I had returned Sightless, and from my heritage was driven, A wretched Outcast--but this strain of thought Would lead me to talk fondly.
MARMADUKE Do not fear; Your words are precious to my ears; go on.
HERBERT You will forgive me, but my heart runs over.
When my old Leader slipped into the flood And perished, what a piercing outcry you Sent after him. I have loved you ever since.
You start--where are we?
MARMADUKE Oh, there is no danger; The cold blast struck me.
HERBERT 'Twas a foolish question.
MARMADUKE But when you were an Outcast?--Heaven is just; Your piety would not miss its due reward; The little Orphan then would be your succour, And do good service, though she knew it not.
HERBERT I turned me from the dwellings of my Fathers, Where none but those who trampled on my rights Seemed to remember me. To the wide world I bore her, in my arms; her looks won pity; She was my Raven in the wilderness, And brought me food. Have I not cause to love her?
MARMADUKE Yes.
HERBERT More than ever Parent loved a Child?
MARMADUKE Yes, yes.
HERBERT I will not murmur, merciful G.o.d!
I will not murmur; blasted as I have been, Thou hast left me ears to hear my Daughter's voice, And arms to fold her to my heart. Submissively Thee I adore, and find my rest in faith.
[Enter OSWALD.]
OSWALD Herbert!--confusion! (aside).
Here it is, my Friend, [Presents the Horn.]
A charming beverage for you to carouse, This bitter night.
HERBERT Ha! Oswald! ten bright crosses I would have given, not many minutes gone, To have heard your voice.
OSWALD Your couch, I fear, good Baron, Has been but comfortless; and yet that place, When the tempestuous wind first drove us. .h.i.ther, 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 n.o.bly entertained?
