The Poetical Works of William Wordsworth - LightNovelsOnl.com
You're reading novel online at LightNovelsOnl.com. Please use the follow button to get notifications about your favorite novels and its latest chapters so you can come back anytime and won't miss anything.
[Exit Beggar.]
[MARMADUKE re-enters from the dungeon]
OSWALD It is all over then;--your foolish fears Are hushed to sleep, by your own act and deed, Made quiet as he is.
MARMADUKE Why came you down?
And when I felt your hand upon my arm And spake to you, why did you give no answer?
Feared you to waken him? he must have been In a deep sleep. I whispered to him thrice.
There are the strangest echoes in that place!
OSWALD Tut! let them gabble till the day of doom.
MARMADUKE Scarcely, by groping, had I reached the Spot, When round my wrist I felt a cord drawn tight, As if the blind Man's dog were pulling at it.
OSWALD But after that?
MARMADUKE The features of Idonea Lurked in his face--
OSWALD Psha! Never to these eyes Will retribution show itself again With aspect so inviting. Why forbid me To share your triumph?
MARMADUKE Yes, her very look, Smiling in sleep--
OSWALD A pretty feat of Fancy!
MARMADUKE Though but a glimpse, it sent me to my prayers.
OSWALD Is he alive?
MARMADUKE What mean you? who alive?
OSWALD Herbert! since you will have it, Baron Herbert; He who will gain his Seignory when Idonea Hath become Clifford's harlot--is _he_ living?
MARMADUKE The old Man in that dungeon _is_ alive.
OSWALD Henceforth, then, will I never in camp or field Obey you more. Your weakness, to the Band, Shall be proclaimed: brave Men, they all shall hear it.
You a protector of humanity!
Avenger you of outraged innocence!
MARMADUKE 'Twas dark--dark as the grave; yet did I see, Saw him--his face turned toward me; and I tell thee Idonea's filial countenance was there To baffle me--it put me to my prayers.
Upwards I cast my eyes, and, through a crevice, Beheld a star twinkling above my head, And, by the living G.o.d, I could not do it.
[Sinks exhausted.]
OSWALD (to himself) Now may I perish if this turn do more Than make me change my course.
(To MARMADUKE.) Dear Marmaduke, My words were rashly spoken; I recal them: I feel my error; shedding human blood Is a most serious thing.
MARMADUKE Not I alone, Thou too art deep in guilt.
OSWALD We have indeed Been most presumptuous. There _is_ guilt in this, Else could so strong a mind have ever known These trepidations? Plain it is that Heaven Has marked out this foul Wretch as one whose crimes Must never come before a mortal judgment-seat, Or be chastised by mortal instruments.
MARMADUKE A thought that's worth a thousand worlds!
[Goes towards the dungeon.]
OSWALD I grieve That, in my zeal, I have caused you so much pain.
MARMADUKE Think not of that! 'tis over--we are safe.
OSWALD (as if to himself, yet speaking aloud) The truth is hideous, but how stifle it?
[Turning to MARMADUKE.]
Give me your sword--nay, here are stones and fragments, The least of which would beat out a man's brains; Or you might drive your head against that wall.
No! this is not the place to hear the tale: It should be told you pinioned in your bed, Or on some vast and solitary plain Blown to you from a trumpet.
MARMADUKE Why talk thus?
Whate'er the monster brooding in your breast I care not: fear I have none, and cannot fear-- [The sound of a horn is heard.]
That horn again--'Tis some one of our Troop; What do they here? Listen!
OSWALD What! dogged like thieves!
[Enter WALLACE and LACY, etc.]
