The Borderers. A Tragedy Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: A BC DEFGHIJKLBFMNFOPQFRS TUP P FIVWFXPYQPZPPOPYA2PP B2C2PD2C2PFPPPP P B2E2PPB2F2PG2H2TI2A2 PPPYB2OPPB2B2B2PB2B2 B2PPPB2PJ2PB2B2K2I2V L2PB2B2B2E2OM2K2B2PO N2FPB2B2O2P2Q2OB2FR2 B2PPOD2B2OPB2B2P P B2PPOB2POS2E2PPT2U2P V2B2OB2O2FPE2PE2FPB2 F2PG2OPB2PW2OB2PX2OR Y2PPB2Z2PFB2B2OFVPON 2B2PPIB2PPOA3POPPPB3 B2OI2B2C3PPOB2OPPD3P B2PPPA2PB2B2PPE3F3PP OPOB2V2FL2B2PPA2B2OB 2PA2PB2E2B2PP P PI2OVD2PA2B2OI2A2I2E 2PPPB2E2PO P YPOI2PKC3A2E2PR2PE2B 2PB2PPB2B2B2PB2B2B2O B2B2OOA2OB2B2G3PI2A2 POPA2OOPB2OPPA2T2PT2 PPIOPRB2PA2A2B2PA2A2 PA2H3PB2PPPPOB2PPPP VP PPI3OJ3OPOPPK3A2L3PM 3PPI3H3PPPA2OE2PB2PM 2N3PB2B2PI3OB2PG2OM2 G2OB2B2G2A2 P D3PPQI2A2OG2B2A2A2PB 3A2PN3B2A2PPPPPB2PPP M2OPO B3 B2OA2PO3A2OB2N3B3 B2 G2PA2POA2B2P N3 L2B2B2PP3 PR B2OOC2Q3OPB2OOR3B2PB 2S3PN3OZ2OT2A2E2B2I2 PT3POPB2B2O2A2PT2I2O I2OL3PPOPN3B2A2I2A2P OOOB2B2POOJ2POB2A2B2 PPPOB2PPB2T3PB2A2B2P 3B2M3N3B2OOON3OI2OPL 3A2A2E2PD3A2N3PA2E2O POI2E2G2OOA2PPPOA2P3 PN3OG2A2OA2POPOB2OOP Z2U3OPOB2B2B2A2OO2N3 OA2PPPA2OOV3V3OOOA2A 2POPPOPN3G2OQA2A2PZ2 UPI2PB2PPA2I2N3A2OB2 B2B2I2B2A2POW3G2G2A2 PI2B2PV3B2A2PB2A2PX3 PPA2PPY2Y3PB2QB2T2O P G2R PX2PON3A2PA2E2PN3OP3 PB2 B3 PB2PA2PB2OOB2A2OPG2N 3PPRA2OOA2G2B2OG2G2A 2A2OA2N3B2PROA2PL2OO L2Z3A2P OPB2A2A2I2B2RPPB2B2A 2B2B2V3PB2G2G2B2A2PA 2G2OQOPROI2A2PPRG2A2 B2PB2B2B2G2B2B2PPPPO A2PB2B2A2OPOPPPA2Q3P N3B2P3B2P P PA2PA2OB2PA2OA2PG2N3 PA2PPN3PB3B2PR N3 B2B2B2O2PPA2A2PPPPPP PPE2N3A2A2PPPOI2PG2O POI2I2OA2A2B2PB2E2PB 2PPA2B2Z2PG2OPPOOB2A 2OB2 B2PB2 PPA2ON3PB2PB2PB2N3PP OPB2A4B2PPPN3POPROB4 N3B2G2B2PN3B2G2B2PPO B2A2PB2N3OA2B2OOPB2H 3OPOI2RPB2B2A2B2T2B2 A2PN3PC4X2B2N3N3G2E2 PPPPB2PG2PA2B2A2D4N3 PA2PON3R3PPA2PA2B2PJ 2PC4PA2N3PN3B2PPB2G3 I2A2PB2PPA2B2T2PB2I2 H3G2OA2PPOPB2A2POPN3 A2OA2PI2B2N3A2N3OPPA 2PB2B2PN3B2A2B2PB2PO B2N3E2 P POB2PB2OB2OB2A2OB2PI 2PB2A2IPA2A2OPA2J2A2 B2OPC2PA2OPN3B2B2PB2 N3L2PB2B2N3OPPN3PPA2 PA2A2PB2OPON3B2PI2D3 N3OB2B2B2POZ2N3PB2PN 3B2POPRM3OPE2B2PB2N3 OPD3B2A3T2PT2PPPB2OO OPPB2 B2 OA2A2E2PB2PB2 A2T2PPB2A2OPA2A2 O B2PB2ON3A2OB2B2N3PPP POB2B2OPZ3M3T2PB2D3D 3PORD3PPPPB2PPA2B2B2 PPPA2B2B3N3PROPPB2OO B2PB2B2OIOE4B2PB3B2B 2PPPOPB2PA2PT2OB2 E2 T2B2PPOE2PPPB2PB2B2P E2A2PB2A2PPPI2B2OB2B 2B2PA2T3A2B2N3PA2PB2 PPB2OE2E2E2N3OPOPA2B 2B2N3OOB2R2N3PPPOB2P PI2PPA2E2QPI2OC2PE2P OB2N3OPPB2PB2PPB2E2A 2PN3B2OB2PB2P3POPE4O OE2OPA2OPT2PPOB2PPPB 2B2POPPOB2T2PB2PPB2P POPPPPI2ON3P P ON3 PPPOPOPB2PB2 OO T2OB2B2PB2F4PF4E2OON 3OOPOP3POPB2PPPPPPT2 OB2PE2 P B2I2B2B2OON3B2PE2PPO POPZ2POE2T2PPPP OOOOPB2PPOPPPI2B2OPB 2B2PPB2POPB2PB2B2OOB 2B2B2B2E2OPT2OB2OOPP E2PB2POE2OZ2POE2PPPP PN3PB2OE2OODE2OP B2O PB2PPOOB2OO E2 PN3PUOPE2PB2PC2OPPB2 B2PPE2PB2PPB2B2P3POP OB2POPOPPB2B2OOPOOPO OOPPOOOOOOB2OB2OOACT I | A |
- | |
SCENE Road in a Wood | B |
WALLACE and LACY | C |
- | |
LACY The troop will be impatient let us hie | D |
Back to our post and strip the Scottish Foray | E |
Of their rich Spoil ere they recross the Border | F |
Pity that our young Chief will have no part | G |
In this good service | H |
WAL Rather let us grieve | I |
That in the undertaking which has caused | J |
His absence he hath sought whate'er his aim | K |
Companionship with One of crooked ways | L |
From whose perverted soul can come no good | B |
To our confiding open hearted Leader | F |
LACY True and remembering how the Band have proved | M |
That Oswald finds small favour in our sight | N |
Well may we wonder he has gained such power | F |
Over our much loved Captain | O |
WAL I have heard | P |
Of some dark deed to which in early life | Q |
His passion drove him then a Voyager | F |
Upon the midland Sea You knew his bearing | R |
In Palestine | S |
LACY Where he despised alike | T |
Mahommedan and Christian But enough | U |
Let us begone the Band may else be foiled Exeunt | P |
- | |
Enter MARMADUKE and WILFRED | P |
- | |
WIL Be cautious my dear Master | F |
MAR I perceive | I |
That fear is like a cloak which old men huddle | V |
About their love as if to keep it warm | W |
WIL Nay but I grieve that we should part This Stranger | F |
For such he is | X |
MAR Your busy fancies Wilfred | P |
Might tempt me to a smile but what of him | Y |
WIL You know that you have saved his life | Q |
MAR I know it | P |
WIL And that he hates you Pardon me perhaps | Z |
That word was hasty | P |
MAR Fy no more of it | P |
WIL Dear Master gratitude's a heavy burden | O |
To a proud Soul Nobody loves this Oswald | P |
Yourself you do not love him | Y |
MAR I do more | A2 |
I honour him Strong feelings to his heart | P |
Are natural and from no one can be learnt | P |
More of man's thoughts and ways than his experience | B2 |
Has given him power to teach and then for courage | C2 |
And enterprise what perils hath he shunned | P |
What obstacles hath he failed to overcome | D2 |
Answer these questions from our common knowledge | C2 |
And be at rest | P |
WIL Oh Sir | F |
MAR Peace my good Wilfred | P |
Repair to Liddesdale and tell the Band | P |
I shall be with them in two days at farthest | P |
WIL May He whose eye is over all protect you Exit | P |
- | |
Enter OSWALD a bunch of plants in his hand | P |
- | |
OSW This wood is rich in plants and curious simples | B2 |
MAR looking at them The wild rose and the poppy and the | E2 |
nightshade | P |
Which is your favourite Oswald | P |
OSW That which while it is | B2 |
Strong to destroy is also strong to heal | F2 |
Looking forward | P |
Not yet in sight We'll saunter here awhile | G2 |
They cannot mount the hill by us unseen | H2 |
MAR a letter in his hand It is no common thing when one like | T |
you | I2 |
Performs these delicate services and therefore | A2 |
I feel myself much bounden to you Oswald | P |
'Tis a strange letter this You saw her write it | P |
OSW And saw the tears with which she blotted it | P |
MAR And nothing less would satisfy him | Y |
OSW No less | B2 |
For that another in his Child's affection | O |
Should hold a place as if 'twere robbery | P |
He seemed to quarrel with the very thought | P |
Besides I know not what strange prejudice | B2 |
Is rooted in his mind this Band of ours | B2 |
Which you've collected for the noblest ends | B2 |
Along the confines of the Esk and Tweed | P |
To guard the Innocent he calls us Outlaws | B2 |
And for yourself in plain terms he asserts | B2 |
This garb was taken up that indolence | B2 |
Might want no cover and rapacity | P |
Be better fed | P |
MAR Ne'er may I own the heart | P |
That cannot feel for one helpless as he is | B2 |
OSW Thou know'st me for a Man not easily moved | P |
Yet was I grievously provoked to think | J2 |
Of what I witnessed | P |
MAR This day will suffice | B2 |
To end her wrongs | B2 |
OSW But if the blind Man's tale | K2 |
Should 'yet' be true | I2 |
MAR Would it were possible | V |
Did not the soldier tell thee that himself | L2 |
And others who survived the wreck beheld | P |
The Baron Herbert perish in the waves | B2 |
Upon the coast of Cyprus | B2 |
OSW Yes even so | B2 |
And I had heard the like before in sooth | E2 |
The tale of this his quondam Barony | O |
Is cunningly devised and on the back | M2 |
Of his forlorn appearance could not fail | K2 |
To make the proud and vain his tributaries | B2 |
And stir the pulse of lazy charity | P |
The seignories of Herbert are in Devon | O |
We neighbours of the Esk and Tweed 'tis much | N2 |
The Arch Impostor | F |
MAR Treat him gently Oswald | P |
Though I have never seen his face methinks | B2 |
There cannot come a day when I shall cease | B2 |
To love him I remember when a Boy | O2 |
Of scarcely seven years' growth beneath the Elm | P2 |
That casts its shade over our village school | Q2 |
'Twas my delight to sit and hear Idonea | O |
Repeat her Father's terrible adventures | B2 |
Till all the band of playmates wept together | F |
And that was the beginning of my love | R2 |
And through all converse of our later years | B2 |
An image of this old Man still was present | P |
When I had been most happy Pardon me | P |
If this be idly spoken | O |
OSW See they come | D2 |
Two Travellers | B2 |
MAR points The woman is Idonea | O |
OSW And leading Herbert | P |
MAR We must let them pass | B2 |
This thicket will conceal us | B2 |
They step aside | P |
- | |
Enter IDONEA leading HERBERT blind | P |
- | |
IDON Dear Father you sigh deeply ever since | B2 |
We left the willow shade by the brook side | P |
Your natural breathing has been troubled | P |
HER Nay | O |
You are too fearful yet must I confess | B2 |
Our march of yesterday had better suited | P |
A firmer step than mine | O |
IDON That dismal Moor | S2 |
In spite of all the larks that cheered our path | E2 |
I never can forgive it but how steadily | P |
'You' paced along when the bewildering moonlight | P |
Mocked me with many a strange fantastic shape | T2 |
I thought the Convent never would appear | U2 |
It seemed to move away from us and yet | P |
That you are thus the fault is mine for the air | V2 |
Was soft and warm no dew lay on the grass | B2 |
And midway on the waste ere night had fallen | O |
I spied a Covert walled and roofed with sods | B2 |
A miniature belike some Shepherd boy | O2 |
Who might have found a nothing doing hour | F |
Heavier than work raised it within that hut | P |
We might have made a kindly bed of heath | E2 |
And thankfully there rested side by side | P |
Wrapped in our cloaks and with recruited strength | E2 |
Have hailed the morning sun But cheerily Father | F |
That staff of yours I could almost have heart | P |
To fling't away from you you make no use | B2 |
Of me or of my strength come let me feel | F2 |
That you do press upon me There indeed | P |
You are quite exhausted Let us rest awhile | G2 |
On this green bank He sits down | O |
HER after some time Idonea you are silent | P |
And I divine the cause | B2 |
IDON Do not reproach me | P |
I pondered patiently your wish and will | W2 |
When I gave way to your request and now | O |
When I behold the ruins of that face | B2 |
Those eyeballs dark dark beyond hope of light | P |
And think that they were blasted for my sake | X2 |
The name of Marmaduke is blown away | O |
Father I would not change that sacred feeling | R |
For all this world can give | Y2 |
HER Nay be composed | P |
Few minutes gone a faintness overspread | P |
My frame and I bethought me of two things | B2 |
I ne'er had heart to separate my grave | Z2 |
And thee my Child | P |
IDON Believe me honoured Sire | F |
'Tis weariness that breeds these gloomy fancies | B2 |
And you mistake the cause you hear the woods | B2 |
Resound with music could you see the sun | O |
And look upon the pleasant face of Nature | F |
HER I comprehend thee I should be as cheerful | V |
As if we two were twins two songsters bred | P |
In the same nest my spring time one with thine | O |
My fancies fancies if they be are such | N2 |
As come dear Child from a far deeper source | B2 |
Than bodily weariness While here we sit | P |
I feel my strength returning The bequest | P |
Of thy kind Patroness which to receive | I |
We have thus far adventured will suffice | B2 |
To save thee from the extreme of penury | P |
But when thy Father must lie down and die | P |
How wilt thou stand alone | O |
IDON Is he not strong | A3 |
Is he not valiant | P |
HER Am I then so soon | O |
Forgotten have my warnings passed so quickly | P |
Out of thy mind My dear my only Child | P |
Thou wouldst be leaning on a broker reed | P |
This Marmaduke | B3 |
IDON O could you hear his voice | B2 |
Alas you do not know him He is one | O |
I wot not what ill tongue has wronged him with you | I2 |
All gentleness and love His face bespeaks | B2 |
A deep and simple meekness and that Soul | C3 |
Which with the motion of a virtuous act | P |
Flashes a look of terror upon guilt | P |
Is after conflict quiet as the ocean | O |
By a miraculous finger stilled at once | B2 |
HER Unhappy Woman | O |
IDON Nay it was my duty | P |
Thus much to speak but think not I forget | P |
Dear Father how 'could' I forget and live | D3 |
You and the story of that doleful night | P |
When Antioch blazing to her topmost towers | B2 |
You rushed into the murderous flames returned | P |
Blind as the grave but as you oft have told me | P |
Clasping your infant Daughter to your heart | P |
HER Thy Mother too scarce had I gained the door | A2 |
I caught her voice she threw herself upon me | P |
I felt thy infant brother in her arms | B2 |
She saw my blasted face a tide of soldiers | B2 |
That instant rushed between us and I heard | P |
Her last death shriek distinct among a thousand | P |
IDON Nay Father stop not let me hear it all | E3 |
HER Dear Daughter precious relic of that time | F3 |
For my old age it doth remain with thee | P |
To make it what thou wilt Thou hast been told | P |
That when on our return from Palestine | O |
I found how my domains had been usurped | P |
I took thee in my arms and we began | O |
Our wanderings together Providence | B2 |
At length conducted us to Rossland there | V2 |
Our melancholy story moved a Stranger | F |
To take thee to her home and for myself | L2 |
Soon after the good Abbot of St Cuthbert's | B2 |
Supplied my helplessness with food and raiment | P |
And as thou know'st gave me that humble Cot | P |
Where now we dwell For many years I bore | A2 |
Thy absence till old age and fresh infirmities | B2 |
Exacted thy return and our reunion | O |
I did not think that during that long absence | B2 |
My Child forgetful of the name of Herbert | P |
Had given her love to a wild Freebooter | A2 |
Who here upon the borders of the Tweed | P |
Doth prey alike on two distracted Countries | B2 |
Traitor to both | E2 |
IDON Oh could you hear his voice | B2 |
I will not call on Heaven to vouch for me | P |
But let this kiss speak what is in my heart | P |
- | |
Enter a Peasant | P |
- | |
PEA Good morrow Strangers If you want a Guide | P |
Let me have leave to serve you | I2 |
IDON My Companion | O |
Hath need of rest the sight of Hut or Hostel | V |
Would be most welcome | D2 |
PEA Yon white hawthorn gained | P |
You will look down into a dell and there | A2 |
Will see an ash from which a sign board hangs | B2 |
The house is hidden by the shade Old Man | O |
You seem worn out with travel shall I support you | I2 |
HER I thank you but a resting place so near | A2 |
'Twere wrong to trouble you | I2 |
PEA God speed you both | E2 |
Exit Peasant | P |
HER Idonea we must part Be not alarmed | P |
'Tis but for a few days a thought has struck me | P |
IDON That I should leave you at this house and thence | B2 |
Proceed alone It shall be so for strength | E2 |
Would fail you ere our journey's end be reached | P |
Exit HERBERT supported by IDONEA | O |
- | |
Re enter MARMADUKE and OSWALD | P |
- | |
MAR This instant will we stop him | Y |
OSW Be not hasty | P |
For sometimes in despite of my conviction | O |
He tempted me to think the Story true | I2 |
'Tis plain he loves the Maid and what he said | P |
That savoured of aversion to thy name | K |
Appeared the genuine colour of his soul | C3 |
Anxiety lest mischief should befal her | A2 |
After his death | E2 |
MAR I have been much deceived | P |
OSW But sure he loves the Maiden and never love | R2 |
Could find delight to nurse itself so strangely | P |
Thus to torment her with 'inventions' death | E2 |
There must be truth in this | B2 |
MAR Truth in his story | P |
He must have felt it then known what it was | B2 |
And in such wise to rack her gentle heart | P |
Had been a tenfold cruelty | P |
OSW Strange pleasures | B2 |
Do we poor mortals cater for ourselves | B2 |
To see him thus provoke her tenderness | B2 |
With tales of weakness and infirmity | P |
I'd wager on his life for twenty years | B2 |
MAR We will not waste an hour in such a cause | B2 |
OSW Why this is noble shake her off at once | B2 |
MAR Her virtues are his instruments A Man | O |
Who has so practised on the world's cold sense | B2 |
May well deceive his Child what leave her thus | B2 |
A prey to a deceiver no no no | O |
'Tis but a word and then | O |
OSW Something is here | A2 |
More than we see or whence this strong aversion | O |
Marmaduke I suspect unworthy tales | B2 |
Have reached his ear you have had enemies | B2 |
MAR Enemies of his own coinage | G3 |
OSW That may be | P |
But wherefore slight protection such as you | I2 |
Have power to yield perhaps he looks elsewhere | A2 |
I am perplexed | P |
MAR What hast thou heard or seen | O |
OSW No no the thing stands clear of mystery | P |
As you have said he coins himself the slander | A2 |
With which he taints her ear for a plain reason | O |
He dreads the presence of a virtuous man | O |
Like you he knows your eye would search his heart | P |
Your justice stamp upon his evil deeds | B2 |
The punishment they merit All is plain | O |
It cannot be | P |
MAR What cannot be | P |
OSW Yet that a Father | A2 |
Should in his love admit no rivalship | T2 |
And torture thus the heart of his own Child | P |
MAR Nay you abuse my friendship | T2 |
OSW Heaven forbid | P |
There was a circumstance trifling indeed | P |
It struck me at the time yet I believe | I |
I never should have thought of it again | O |
But for the scene which we by chance have witnessed | P |
MAR What is your meaning | R |
OSW Two days gone I saw | B2 |
Though at a distance and he was disguised | P |
Hovering round Herbert's door a man whose figure | A2 |
Resembled much that cold voluptuary | A2 |
The villain Clifford He hates you and he knows | B2 |
Where he can stab you deepest | P |
MAR Clifford never | A2 |
Would stoop to skulk about a Cottage door | A2 |
It could not be | P |
OSW And yet I now remember | A2 |
That when your praise was warm upon my tongue | H3 |
And the blind Man was told how you had rescued | P |
A maiden from the ruffian violence | B2 |
Of this same Clifford he became impatient | P |
And would not hear me | P |
MAR No it cannot be | P |
I dare not trust myself with such a thought | P |
Yet whence this strange aversion You are a man | O |
Not used to rash conjectures | B2 |
OSW If you deem it | P |
A thing worth further notice we must act | P |
With caution sift the matter artfully | P |
Exeunt MARMADUKE and OSWALD | P |
- | |
SCENE The door of the Hostel | V |
HERBERT IDONEA and Host | P |
- | |
HER seated As I am dear to you remember Child | P |
This last request | P |
IDON You know me Sire farewell | I3 |
HER And are you going then Come come Idonea | O |
We must not part I have measured many a league | J3 |
When these old limbs had need of rest and now | O |
I will not play the sluggard | P |
IDON Nay sit down | O |
Turning to Host | P |
Good Host such tendance as you would expect | P |
From your own Children if yourself were sick | K3 |
Let this old Man find at your hands poor Leader | A2 |
Looking at the dog | L3 |
We soon shall meet again If thou neglect | P |
This charge of thine then ill befall thee Look | M3 |
The little fool is loth to stay behind | P |
Sir Host by all the love you bear to courtesy | P |
Take care of him and feed the truant well | I3 |
HOST Fear not I will obey you but One so young | H3 |
And One so fair it goes against my heart | P |
That you should travel unattended Lady | P |
I have a palfrey and a groom the lad | P |
Shall squire you would it not be better Sir | A2 |
And for less fee than I would let him run | O |
For any lady I have seen this twelvemonth | E2 |
IDON You know Sir I have been too long your guard | P |
Not to have learnt to laugh at little fears | B2 |
Why if a wolf should leap from out a thicket | P |
A look of mine would send him scouring back | M2 |
Unless I differ from the thing I am | N3 |
When you are by my side | P |
HER Idonea wolves | B2 |
Are not the enemies that move my fears | B2 |
IDON No more I pray of this Three days at farthest | P |
Will bring me back protect him Saints farewell | I3 |
Exit IDONEA | O |
HOST 'Tis never drought with us St Cuthbert and his Pilgrims | B2 |
Thanks to them are to us a stream of comfort | P |
Pity the Maiden did not wait a while | G2 |
She could not Sir have failed of company | O |
HER Now she is gone I fain would call her back | M2 |
HOST calling Holla | G2 |
HER No no the business must be done | O |
What means this riotous noise | B2 |
HOST The villagers | B2 |
Are flocking in a wedding festival | G2 |
That's all God save you Sir | A2 |
- | |
Enter OSWALD | P |
- | |
OSW Ha as I live | D3 |
The Baron Herbert | P |
HOST Mercy the Baron Herbert | P |
OSW So far into your journey on my life | Q |
You are a lusty Traveller But how fare you | I2 |
HER Well as the wreck I am permits And you Sir | A2 |
OSW I do not see Idonea | O |
HER Dutiful Girl | G2 |
She is gone before to spare my weariness | B2 |
But what has brought you hither | A2 |
OSW A slight affair | A2 |
That will be soon despatched | P |
HER Did Marmaduke | B3 |
Receive that letter | A2 |
OSW Be at peace The tie | P |
Is broken you will hear no more of 'him' | N3 |
HER This is true comfort thanks a thousand times | B2 |
That noise would I had gone with her as far | A2 |
As the Lord Clifford's Castle I have heard | P |
That in his milder moods he has expressed | P |
Compassion for me His influence is great | P |
With Henry our good King the Baron might | P |
Have heard my suit and urged my plea at Court | P |
No matter he's a dangerous Man That noise | B2 |
'Tis too disorderly for sleep or rest | P |
Idonea would have fears for me the Convent | P |
Will give me quiet lodging You have a boy good Host | P |
And he must lead me back | M2 |
OSW You are most lucky | O |
I have been waiting in the wood hard by | P |
For a companion here he comes our journey | O |
- | |
Enter MARMADUKE | B3 |
- | |
Lies on your way accept us as your Guides | B2 |
HER Alas I creep so slowly | O |
OSW Never fear | A2 |
We'll not complain of that | P |
HER My limbs are stiff | O3 |
And need repose Could you but wait an hour | A2 |
OSW Most willingly Come let me lead you in | O |
And while you take your rest think not of us | B2 |
We'll stroll into the wood lean on my arm | N3 |
Conducts HERBERT into the house Exit MARMADUKE | B3 |
- | |
Enter Villagers | B2 |
- | |
OSW to himself coming out of the Hostel | G2 |
I have prepared a most apt Instrument | P |
The Vagrant must no doubt be loitering somewhere | A2 |
About this ground she hath a tongue well skilled | P |
By mingling natural matter of her own | O |
With all the daring fictions I have taught her | A2 |
To win belief such as my plot requires | B2 |
Exit OSWALD | P |
- | |
Enter more Villagers a Musician among them | N3 |
- | |
HOST to them Into the court my Friend and perch yourself | L2 |
Aloft upon the elm tree Pretty Maids | B2 |
Garlands and flowers and cakes and merry thoughts | B2 |
Are here to send the sun into the west | P |
More speedily than you belike would wish | P3 |
- | |
SCENE changes to the Wood adjoining the Hostel MARMADUKE and | P |
OSWALD entering | R |
- | |
MAR I would fain hope that we deceive ourselves | B2 |
When first I saw him sitting there alone | O |
It struck upon my heart I know not how | O |
OSW To day will clear up all You marked a Cottage | C2 |
That ragged Dwelling close beneath a rock | Q3 |
By the brook side it is the abode of One | O |
A Maiden innocent till ensnared by Clifford | P |
Who soon grew weary of her but alas | B2 |
What she had seen and suffered turned her brain | O |
Cast off by her Betrayer she dwells alone | O |
Nor moves her hands to any needful work | R3 |
She eats her food which every day the peasants | B2 |
Bring to her hut and so the Wretch has lived | P |
Ten years and no one ever heard her voice | B2 |
But every night at the first stroke of twelve | S3 |
She quits her house and in the neighbouring Churchyard | P |
Upon the self same spot in rain or storm | N3 |
She paces out the hour 'twixt twelve and one | O |
She paces round and round an Infant's grave | Z2 |
And in the churchyard sod her feet have worn | O |
A hollow ring they say it is knee deep | T2 |
Ah what is here | A2 |
A female Beggar rises up rubbing her eyes as if in sleep a | E2 |
Child in her arms | B2 |
BEG Oh Gentlemen I thank you | I2 |
I've had the saddest dream that ever troubled | P |
The heart of living creature My poor Babe | T3 |
Was crying as I thought crying for bread | P |
When I had none to give him whereupon | O |
I put a slip of foxglove in his hand | P |
Which pleased him so that he was hushed at once | B2 |
When into one of those same spotted bells | B2 |
A bee came darting which the Child with joy | O2 |
Imprisoned there and held it to his ear | A2 |
And suddenly grew black as he would die | P |
MAR We have no time for this my babbling Gossip | T2 |
Here's what will comfort you | I2 |
Gives her money | O |
BEG The Saints reward you | I2 |
For this good deed Well Sirs this passed away | O |
And afterwards I fancied a strange dog | L3 |
Trotting alone along the beaten road | P |
Came to my child as by my side he slept | P |
And fondling licked his face then on a sudden | O |
Snapped fierce to make a morsel of his head | P |
But here he is kissing the Child it must have been a dream | N3 |
OSW When next inclined to sleep take my advice | B2 |
And put your head good Woman under cover | A2 |
BEG Oh sir you would not talk thus if you knew | I2 |
What life is this of ours how sleep will master | A2 |
The weary worn You gentlefolk have got | P |
Warm chambers to your wish I'd rather be | O |
A stone than what I am But two nights gone | O |
The darkness overtook me wind and rain | O |
Beat hard upon my head and yet I saw | B2 |
A glow worm through the covert of the furze | B2 |
Shine calmly as if nothing ailed the sky | P |
At which I half accused the God in Heaven | O |
You must forgive me | O |
OSW Ay and if you think | J2 |
The Fairies are to blame and you should chide | P |
Your favourite saint no matter this good day | O |
Has made amends | B2 |
BEG Thanks to you both but O sir | A2 |
How would you like to travel on whole hours | B2 |
As I have done my eyes upon the ground | P |
Expecting still I knew not how to find | P |
A piece of money glittering through the dust | P |
MAR This woman is a prater Pray good Lady | O |
Do you tell fortunes | B2 |
BEG Oh Sir you are like the rest | P |
This Little one it cuts me to the heart | P |
Well they might turn a beggar from their doors | B2 |
But there are Mothers who can see the Babe | T3 |
Here at my breast and ask me where I bought it | P |
This they can do and look upon my face | B2 |
But you Sir should be kinder | A2 |
MAR Come hither Fathers | B2 |
And learn what nature is from this poor Wretch | P3 |
BEG Ay Sir there's nobody that feels for us | B2 |
Why now but yesterday I overtook | M3 |
A blind old Greybeard and accosted him | N3 |
I' th' name of all the Saints and by the Mass | B2 |
He should have used me better Charity | O |
If you can melt a rock he is your man | O |
But I'll be even with him here again | O |
Have I been waiting for him | N3 |
OSW Well but softly | O |
Who is it that hath wronged you | I2 |
BEG Mark you me | O |
I'll point him out a Maiden is his guide | P |
Lovely as Spring's first rose a little dog | L3 |
Tied by a woollen cord moves on before | A2 |
With look as sad as he were dumb the cur | A2 |
I owe him no ill will but in good sooth | E2 |
He does his Master credit | P |
MAR As I live | D3 |
'Tis Herbert and no other | A2 |
BEG 'Tis a feast to see him | N3 |
Lank as a ghost and tall his shoulders bent | P |
And long beard white with age yet evermore | A2 |
As if he were the only Saint on earth | E2 |
He turns his face to heaven | O |
OSW But why so violent | P |
Against this venerable Man | O |
BEG I'll tell you | I2 |
He has the very hardest heart on earth | E2 |
I had as lief turn to the Friar's school | G2 |
And knock for entrance in mid holiday | O |
MAR But to your story | O |
BEG I was saying Sir | A2 |
Well he has often spurned me like a toad | P |
But yesterday was worse than all at last | P |
I overtook him Sirs my Babe and I | P |
And begged a little aid for charity | O |
But he was snappish as a cottage cur | A2 |
Well then says I I'll out with it at which | P3 |
I cast a look upon the Girl and felt | P |
As if my heart would burst and so I left him | N3 |
OSW I think good Woman you are the very person | O |
Whom but some few days past I saw in Eskdale | G2 |
At Herbert's door | A2 |
BEG Ay and if truth were known | O |
I have good business there | A2 |
OSW I met you at the threshold | P |
And he seemed angry | O |
BEG Angry well he might | P |
And long as I can stir I'll dog him Yesterday | O |
To serve me so and knowing that he owes | B2 |
The best of all he has to me and mine | O |
But 'tis all over now That good old Lady | O |
Has left a power of riches and I say it | P |
If there's a lawyer in the land the knave | Z2 |
Shall give me half | U3 |
OSW What's this I fear good Woman | O |
You have been insolent | P |
BEG And there's the Baron | O |
I spied him skulking in his peasant's dress | B2 |
OSW How say you in disguise | B2 |
MAR But what's your business | B2 |
With Herbert or his Daughter | A2 |
BEG Daughter truly | O |
But how's the day I fear my little Boy | O2 |
We've overslept ourselves Sirs have you seen him | N3 |
Offers to go | O |
MAR I must have more of this you shall not stir | A2 |
An inch till I am answered Know you aught | P |
That doth concern this Herbert | P |
BEG You are provoked | P |
And will misuse me Sir | A2 |
MAR No trifling Woman | O |
OSW You are as safe as in a sanctuary | O |
Speak | V3 |
MAR Speak | V3 |
BEG He is a most hard hearted Man | O |
MAR Your life is at my mercy | O |
BEG Do not harm me | O |
And I will tell you all You know not Sir | A2 |
What strong temptations press upon the Poor | A2 |
OSW Speak out | P |
BEG Oh Sir I've been a wicked Woman | O |
OSW Nay but speak out | P |
BEG He flattered me and said | P |
What harvest it would bring us both and so | O |
I parted with the Child | P |
MAR Parted with whom | N3 |
BEG Idonea as he calls her but the Girl | G2 |
Is mine | O |
MAR Yours Woman are you Herbert's wife | Q |
BEG Wife Sir his wife not I my husband Sir | A2 |
Was of Kirkoswald many a snowy winter | A2 |
We've weathered out together My poor Gilfred | P |
He has been two years in his grave | Z2 |
MAR Enough | U |
OSW We've solved the riddle Miscreant | P |
MAR Do you | I2 |
Good Dame repair to Liddesdale and wait | P |
For my return be sure you shall have justice | B2 |
OSW A lucky woman go you have done good service Aside | P |
MAR to himself Eternal praises on the power that saved | P |
her | A2 |
OSW gives her money Here's for your little boy and when you | I2 |
christen him | N3 |
I'll be his Godfather | A2 |
BEG Oh Sir you are merry with me | O |
In grange or farm this Hundred scarcely owns | B2 |
A dog that does not know me These good Folks | B2 |
For love of God I must not pass their doors | B2 |
But I'll be back with my best speed for you | I2 |
God bless and thank you both my gentle Masters | B2 |
Exit Beggar | A2 |
MAR to himself The cruel Viper Poor devoted Maid | P |
Now I 'do' love thee | O |
OSW I am thunderstruck | W3 |
MAR Where is she holla | G2 |
Calling to the Beggar who returns he looks at her stedfastly | G2 |
You are Idonea's mother | A2 |
Nay be not terrified it does me good | P |
To look upon you | I2 |
OSW interrupting In a peasant's dress | B2 |
You saw who was it | P |
BEG Nay I dare not speak | V3 |
He is a man if it should come to his ears | B2 |
I never shall be heard of more | A2 |
OSW Lord Clifford | P |
BEG What can I do believe me gentle Sirs | B2 |
I love her though I dare not call her daughter | A2 |
OSW Lord Clifford did you see him talk with Herbert | P |
BEG Yes to my sorrow under the great oak | X3 |
At Herbert's door and when he stood beside | P |
The blind Man at the silent Girl he looked | P |
With such a look it makes me tremble Sir | A2 |
To think of it | P |
OSW Enough you may depart | P |
MAR to himself Father to God himself we cannot give | Y2 |
A holier name and under such a mask | Y3 |
To lead a Spirit spotless as the blessed | P |
To that abhorred den of brutish vice | B2 |
Oswald the firm foundation of my life | Q |
Is going from under me these strange discoveries | B2 |
Looked at from every point of fear or hope | T2 |
Duty or love involve I feel my ruin | O |
- | |
ACT II | P |
- | |
SCENE A Chamber in the Hostel OSWALD alone rising from a Table | G2 |
on which he had been writing | R |
- | |
OSW They chose 'him' for their Chief what covert part | P |
He in the preference modest Youth might take | X2 |
I neither know nor care The insult bred | P |
More of contempt than hatred both are flown | O |
That either e'er existed is my shame | N3 |
'Twas a dull spark a most unnatural fire | A2 |
That died the moment the air breathed upon it | P |
These fools of feeling are mere birds of winter | A2 |
That haunt some barren island of the north | E2 |
Where if a famishing man stretch forth his hand | P |
They think it is to feed them I have left him | N3 |
To solitary meditation now | O |
For a few swelling phrases and a flash | P3 |
Of truth enough to dazzle and to blind | P |
And he is mine for ever here he comes | B2 |
- | |
Enter MARMADUKE | B3 |
- | |
MAR These ten years she has moved her lips all day | P |
And never speaks | B2 |
OSW Who is it | P |
MAR I have seen her | A2 |
OSW Oh the poor tenant of that ragged homestead | P |
Her whom the Monster Clifford drove to madness | B2 |
MAR I met a peasant near the spot he told me | O |
These ten years she had sate all day alone | O |
Within those empty walls | B2 |
OSW I too have seen her | A2 |
Chancing to pass this way some six months gone | O |
At midnight I betook me to the Churchyard | P |
The moon shone clear the air was still so still | G2 |
The trees were silent as the graves beneath them | N3 |
Long did I watch and saw her pacing round | P |
Upon the self same spot still round and round | P |
Her lips for ever moving | R |
MAR At her door | A2 |
Rooted I stood for looking at the woman | O |
I thought I saw the skeleton of Idonea | O |
OSW But the pretended Father | A2 |
MAR Earthly law | G2 |
Measures not crimes like his | B2 |
OSW 'We' rank not happily | O |
With those who take the spirit of their rule | G2 |
From that soft class of devotees who feel | G2 |
Reverence for life so deeply that they spare | A2 |
The verminous brood and cherish what they spare | A2 |
While feeding on their bodies Would that Idonea | O |
Were present to the end that we might hear | A2 |
What she can urge in his defence she loves him | N3 |
MAR Yes loves him 'tis a truth that multiplies | B2 |
His guilt a thousand fold | P |
OSW 'Tis most perplexing | R |
What must be done | O |
MAR We will conduct her hither | A2 |
These walls shall witness it from first to last | P |
He shall reveal himself | L2 |
OSW Happy are we | O |
Who live in these disputed tracts that own | O |
No law but what each man makes for himself | L2 |
Here justice has indeed a field of triumph | Z3 |
MAR Let us be gone and bring her hither here | A2 |
The truth shall be laid open his guilt proved | P |
- | |
Before her face The rest be left to me | O |
OSW You will be firm but though we well may trust | P |
The issue to the justice of the cause | B2 |
Caution must not be flung aside remember | A2 |
Yours is no common life Self stationed here | A2 |
Upon these savage confines we have seen you | I2 |
Stand like an isthmus 'twixt two stormy seas | B2 |
That oft have checked their fury at your bidding | R |
'Mid the deep holds of Solway's mossy waste | P |
Your single virtue has transformed a Band | P |
Of fierce barbarians into Ministers | B2 |
Of peace and order Aged men with tears | B2 |
Have blessed their steps the fatherless retire | A2 |
For shelter to their banners But it is | B2 |
As you must needs have deeply felt it is | B2 |
In darkness and in tempest that we seek | V3 |
The majesty of Him who rules the world | P |
Benevolence that has not heart to use | B2 |
The wholesome ministry of pain and evil | G2 |
Becomes at last weak and contemptible | G2 |
Your generous qualities have won due praise | B2 |
But vigorous Spirits look for something more | A2 |
Than Youth's spontaneous products and to day | P |
You will not disappoint them and hereafter | A2 |
MAR You are wasting words hear me then once for all | G2 |
You are a Man and therefore if compassion | O |
Which to our kind is natural as life | Q |
Be known unto you you will love this Woman | O |
Even as I do but I should loathe the light | P |
If I could think one weak or partial feeling | R |
OSW You will forgive me | O |
MAR If I ever knew | I2 |
My heart could penetrate its inmost core | A2 |
'Tis at this moment Oswald I have loved | P |
To be the friend and father of the oppressed | P |
A comforter of sorrow there is something | R |
Which looks like a transition in my soul | G2 |
And yet it is not Let us lead him hither | A2 |
OSW Stoop for a moment 'tis an act of justice | B2 |
And where's the triumph if the delegate | P |
Must fall in the execution of his office | B2 |
The deed is done if you will have it so | B2 |
Here where we stand that tribe of vulgar wretches | B2 |
You saw them gathering for the festival | G2 |
Rush in the villains seize us | B2 |
MAR Seize | B2 |
OSW Yes they | P |
Men who are little given to sift and weigh | P |
Would wreak on us the passion of the moment | P |
MAR The cloud will soon disperse farewell but stay | P |
Thou wilt relate the story | O |
OSW Am I neither | A2 |
To bear a part in this Man's punishment | P |
Nor be its witness | B2 |
MAR I had many hopes | B2 |
That were most dear to me and some will bear | A2 |
To be transferred to thee | O |
OSW When I'm dishonoured | P |
MAR I would preserve thee How may this be done | O |
OSW By showing that you look beyond the instant | P |
A few leagues hence we shall have open ground | P |
And nowhere upon earth is place so fit | P |
To look upon the deed Before we enter | A2 |
The barren Moor hangs from a beetling rock | Q3 |
The shattered Castle in which Clifford oft | P |
Has held infernal orgies with the gloom | N3 |
And very superstition of the place | B2 |
Seasoning his wickedness The Debauchee | P3 |
Would there perhaps have gathered the first fruits | B2 |
Of this mock Father's guilt | P |
- | |
Enter Host conducting HERBERT | P |
- | |
HOST The Baron Herbert | P |
Attends your pleasure | A2 |
OSW to Host We are ready | P |
to HERBERT Sir | A2 |
I hope you are refreshed I have just written | O |
A notice for your Daughter that she may know | B2 |
What is become of you You'll sit down and sign it | P |
'Twill glad her heart to see her father's signature | A2 |
Gives the letter he had written | O |
HER Thanks for your care | A2 |
Sits down and writes Exit Host | P |
OSW aside to MARMADUKE Perhaps it would be useful | G2 |
That you too should subscribe your name | N3 |
MARMADUKE overlooks HERBERT | P |
then writes examines the letter | A2 |
eagerly | P |
MAR I cannot leave this paper He puts it up agitated | P |
OSW aside Dastard Come | N3 |
MARMADUKE goes towards HERBERT | P |
and supports him MARMADUKE | B3 |
tremblingly beckons OSWALD to take his place | B2 |
MAR as he quits HERBERT There is a palsy in his limbs he | P |
shakes Exeunt OSWALD and HERBERT MARMADUKE following | R |
- | |
SCENE changes to a Wood a Group of Pilgrims and IDONEA with them | N3 |
- | |
FIRST PIL A grove of darker and more lofty shade I never saw | B2 |
SEC PIL The music of the birds | B2 |
Drops deadened from a roof so thick with leaves | B2 |
OLD PIL This news It made my heart leap up with joy | O2 |
IDON I scarcely can believe it | P |
OLD PIL Myself I heard | P |
The Sheriff read in open Court a letter | A2 |
Which purported it was the royal pleasure | A2 |
The Baron Herbert who as was supposed | P |
Had taken refuge in this neighbourhood | P |
Should be forthwith restored The hearing Lady | P |
Filled my dim eyes with tears When I returned | P |
From Palestine and brought with me a heart | P |
Though rich in heavenly poor in earthly comfort | P |
I met your Father then a wandering Outcast | P |
He had a Guide a Shepherd's boy but grieved | P |
He was that One so young should pass his youth | E2 |
In such sad service and he parted with him | N3 |
We joined our tales of wretchedness together | A2 |
And begged our daily bread from door to door | A2 |
I talk familiarly to you sweet Lady | P |
For once you loved me | P |
IDON You shall back with me | P |
And see your Friend again The good old Man | O |
Will be rejoiced to greet you | I2 |
OLD PIL It seems but yesterday | P |
That a fierce storm o'ertook us worn with travel | G2 |
In a deep wood remote from any town | O |
A cave that opened to the road presented | P |
A friendly shelter and we entered in | O |
IDON And I was with you | I2 |
OLD PIL If indeed 'twas you | I2 |
But you were then a tottering Little one | O |
We sate us down The sky grew dark and darker | A2 |
I struck my flint and built up a small fire | A2 |
With rotten boughs and leaves such as the winds | B2 |
Of many autumns in the cave had piled | P |
Meanwhile the storm fell heavy on the woods | B2 |
Our little fire sent forth a cheering warmth | E2 |
And we were comforted and talked of comfort | P |
But 'twas an angry night and o'er our heads | B2 |
The thunder rolled in peals that would have made | P |
A sleeping man uneasy in his bed | P |
O Lady you have need to love your Father | A2 |
His voice methinks I hear it now his voice | B2 |
When after a broad flash that filled the cave | Z2 |
He said to me that he had seen his Child | P |
A face no cherub's face more beautiful | G2 |
Revealed by lustre brought with it from Heaven | O |
And it was you dear Lady | P |
IDON God be praised | P |
That I have been his comforter till now | O |
And will be so through every change of fortune | O |
And every sacrifice his peace requires | B2 |
Let us be gone with speed that he may hear | A2 |
These joyful tidings from no lips but mine | O |
Exeunt IDONEA and Pilgrims | B2 |
- | |
SCENE The Area of a half ruined Castle on one side the entrance | B2 |
to a dungeon OSWALD and MARMADUKE pacing backwards and | P |
forwards | B2 |
- | |
MAR 'Tis a wild night | P |
OSW I'd give my cloak and bonnet | P |
For sight of a warm fire | A2 |
MAR The wind blows keen | O |
My hands are numb | N3 |
OSW Ha ha 'tis nipping cold | P |
Blowing his fingers | B2 |
I long for news of our brave Comrades Lacy | P |
Would drive those Scottish Rovers to their dens | B2 |
If once they blew a horn this side the Tweed | P |
MAR I think I see a second range of Towers | B2 |
This castle has another Area come | N3 |
Let us examine it | P |
OSW 'Tis a bitter night | P |
I hope Idonea is well housed That horseman | O |
Who at full speed swept by us where the wood | P |
Roared in the tempest was within an ace | B2 |
Of sending to his grave our precious Charge | A4 |
That would have been a vile mischance | B2 |
MAR It would | P |
OSW Justice had been most cruelly defrauded | P |
MAR Most cruelly | P |
OSW As up the steep we clomb | N3 |
I saw a distant fire in the north east | P |
I took it for the blaze of Cheviot Beacon | O |
With proper speed our quarters may be gained | P |
To morrow evening | R |
Looks restlessly towards the mouth of the dungeon | O |
MAR When upon the plank | B4 |
I had led him 'cross the torrent his voice blessed me | N3 |
You could not hear for the foam beat the rocks | B2 |
With deafening noise the benediction fell | G2 |
Back on himself but changed into a curse | B2 |
OSW As well indeed it might | P |
MAR And this you deem | N3 |
The fittest place | B2 |
OSW aside He is growing pitiful | G2 |
MAR listening What an odd moaning that is | B2 |
OSW Mighty odd | P |
The wind should pipe a little while we stand | P |
Cooling our heels in this way I'll begin | O |
And count the stars | B2 |
MAR still listening That dog of his you are sure | A2 |
Could not come after us he 'must' have perished | P |
The torrent would have dashed an oak to splinters | B2 |
You said you did not like his looks that he | N3 |
Would trouble us if he were here again | O |
I swear the sight of him would quail me more | A2 |
Than twenty armies | B2 |
OSW How | O |
MAR The old blind Man | O |
When you had told him the mischance was troubled | P |
Even to the shedding of some natural tears | B2 |
Into the torrent over which he hung | H3 |
Listening in vain | O |
OSW He has a tender heart | P |
OSWALD offers to go down into the dungeon | O |
MAR How now what mean you | I2 |
OSW Truly I was going | R |
To waken our stray Baron Were there not | P |
A farm or dwelling house within five leagues | B2 |
We should deserve to wear a cap and bells | B2 |
Three good round years for playing the fool here | A2 |
In such a night as this | B2 |
MAR Stop stop | T2 |
OSW Perhaps | B2 |
You'd better like we should descend together | A2 |
And lie down by his side what say you to it | P |
Three of us we should keep each other warm | N3 |
I'll answer for it that our four legged friend | P |
Shall not disturb us further I'll not engage | C4 |
Come come for manhood's sake | X2 |
MAR These drowsy shiverings | B2 |
This mortal stupor which is creeping over me | N3 |
What do they mean were this my single body | N3 |
Opposed to armies not a nerve would tremble | G2 |
Why do I tremble now Is not the depth | E2 |
Of this Man's crimes beyond the reach of thought | P |
And yet in plumbing the abyss for judgment | P |
Something I strike upon which turns my mind | P |
Back on herself I think again my breast | P |
Concentres all the terrors of the Universe | B2 |
I look at him and tremble like a child | P |
OSW Is it possible | G2 |
MAR One thing you noticed not | P |
Just as we left the glen a clap of thunder | A2 |
Burst on the mountains with hell rousing force | B2 |
This is a time said he when guilt may shudder | A2 |
But there's a Providence for them who walk | D4 |
In helplessness when innocence is with them | N3 |
At this audacious blasphemy I thought | P |
The spirit of vengeance seemed to ride the air | A2 |
OSW Why are you not the man you were that moment | P |
He draws MARMADUKE to the dungeon | O |
MAR You say he was asleep look at this arm | N3 |
And tell me if 'tis fit for such a work | R3 |
Oswald Oswald | P |
Leans upon OSWALD | P |
OSW This is some sudden seizure | A2 |
MAR A most strange faintness will you hunt me out | P |
A draught of water | A2 |
OSW Nay to see you thus | B2 |
Moves me beyond my bearing I will try | P |
To gain the torrent's brink | J2 |
Exit OSWALD | P |
MAR after a pause It seems an age | C4 |
Since that Man left me No I am not lost | P |
HER at the mouth of the dungeon Give me your hand where are | A2 |
you Friends and tell me | N3 |
How goes the night | P |
MAR 'Tis hard to measure time | N3 |
In such a weary night and such a place | B2 |
HER I do not hear the voice of my friend Oswald | P |
MAR A minute past he went to fetch a draught | P |
Of water from the torrent 'Tis you'll say | B2 |
A cheerless beverage | G3 |
HER How good it was in you | I2 |
To stay behind Hearing at first no answer | A2 |
I was alarmed | P |
MAR No wonder this is a place | B2 |
That well may put some fears into 'your' heart | P |
HER Why so a roofless rock had been a comfort | P |
Storm beaten and bewildered as we were | A2 |
And in a night like this to lend your cloaks | B2 |
To make a bed for me My Girl will weep | T2 |
When she is told of it | P |
MAR This Daughter of yours | B2 |
Is very dear to you | I2 |
HER Oh but you are young | H3 |
Over your head twice twenty years must roll | G2 |
With all their natural weight of sorrow and pain | O |
Ere can be known to you how much a Father | A2 |
May love his Child | P |
MAR Thank you old Man for this Aside | P |
HER Fallen am I and worn out a useless Man | O |
Kindly have you protected me to night | P |
And no return have I to make but prayers | B2 |
May you in age be blest with such a daughter | A2 |
When from the Holy Land I had returned | P |
Sightless and from my heritage was driven | O |
A wretched Outcast but this strain of thought | P |
Would lead me to talk fondly | N3 |
MAR Do not fear | A2 |
Your words are precious to my ears go on | O |
HER You will forgive me but my heart runs over | A2 |
When my old Leader slipped into the flood | P |
And perished what a piercing outcry you | I2 |
Sent after him I have loved you ever since | B2 |
You start where are we | N3 |
MAR Oh there is no danger | A2 |
The cold blast struck me | N3 |
HER 'Twas a foolish question | O |
MAR But when you were an Outcast Heaven is just | P |
Your piety would not miss its due reward | P |
The little Orphan then would be your succour | A2 |
And do good service though she knew it not | P |
HER I turned me from the dwellings of my Fathers | B2 |
Where none but those who trampled on my rights | B2 |
Seemed to remember me To the wide world | P |
I bore her in my arms her looks won pity | N3 |
She was my Raven in the wilderness | B2 |
And brought me food Have I not cause to love her | A2 |
MAR Yes | B2 |
HER More than ever Parent loved a Child | P |
MAR Yes yes | B2 |
HER I will not murmur merciful God | P |
I will not murmur blasted as I have been | O |
Thou hast left me ears to hear my Daughter's voice | B2 |
And arms to fold her to my heart Submissively | N3 |
Thee I adore and find my rest in faith | E2 |
- | |
Enter OSWALD | P |
- | |
OSW Herbert confusion aside Here it is my Friend | P |
Presents the Horn | O |
A charming beverage for you to carouse | B2 |
This bitter night | P |
HER Ha Oswald ten bright crosses | B2 |
I would have given not many minutes gone | O |
To have heard your voice | B2 |
OSW Your couch I fear good Baron | O |
Has been but comfortless and yet that place | B2 |
When the tempestuous wind first drove us hither | A2 |
Felt warm as a wren's nest You'd better turn | O |
And under covert rest till break of day | B2 |
Or till the storm abate | P |
To MARMADUKE aside He has restored you | I2 |
No doubt you have been nobly entertained | P |
But soft how came he forth The Night mare Conscience | B2 |
Has driven him out of harbour | A2 |
MAR I believe | I |
You have guessed right | P |
HER The trees renew their murmur | A2 |
Come let us house together | A2 |
OSWALD conducts him to the dungeon | O |
OSW returns Had I not | P |
Esteemed you worthy to conduct the affair | A2 |
To its most fit conclusion do you think | J2 |
I would so long have struggled with my Nature | A2 |
And smothered all that's man in me away | B2 |
Looking towards the dungeon | O |
This man's the property of him who best | P |
Can feel his crimes I have resigned a privilege | C2 |
It now becomes my duty to resume it | P |
MAR Touch not a finger | A2 |
OSW What then must be done | O |
MAR Which way soe'er I turn I am perplexed | P |
OSW Now on my life I grieve for you The misery | N3 |
Of doubt is insupportable Pity the facts | B2 |
Did not admit of stronger evidence | B2 |
Twelve honest men plain men would set us right | P |
Their verdict would abolish these weak scruples | B2 |
MAR Weak I am weak there does my torment lie | N3 |
Feeding itself | L2 |
OSW Verily when he said | P |
How his old heart would leap to hear her steps | B2 |
You thought his voice the echo of Idonea's | B2 |
MAR And never heard a sound so terrible | N3 |
OSW Perchance you think so now | O |
MAR I cannot do it | P |
Twice did I spring to grasp his withered throat | P |
When such a sudden weakness fell upon me | N3 |
I could have dropped asleep upon his breast | P |
OSW Justice is there not thunder in the word | P |
Shall it be law to stab the petty robber | A2 |
Who aims but at our purse and shall this Parricide | P |
Worse is he far far worse if foul dishonour | A2 |
Be worse than death to that confiding Creature | A2 |
Whom he to more than filial love and duty | P |
Hath falsely trained shall he fulfil his purpose | B2 |
But you are fallen | O |
MAR Fallen should I be indeed | P |
Murder perhaps asleep blind old alone | O |
Betrayed in darkness Here to strike the blow | N3 |
Away away | B2 |
Flings away his sword | P |
OSW Nay I have done with you | I2 |
We'll lead him to the Convent He shall live | D3 |
And she shall love him With unquestioned title | N3 |
He shall be seated in his Barony | O |
And we too chant the praise of his good deeds | B2 |
I now perceive we do mistake our masters | B2 |
And most despise the men who best can teach us | B2 |
Henceforth it shall be said that bad men only | P |
Are brave Clifford is brave and that old Man | O |
Is brave | Z2 |
Taking MARMADUKE'S sword and giving it to him | N3 |
To Clifford's arms he would have led | P |
His Victim haply to this desolate house | B2 |
MAR advancing to the dungeon It must be ended | P |
OSW Softly do not rouse him | N3 |
He will deny it to the last He lies | B2 |
Within the Vault a spear's length to the left | P |
MARMADUKE descends to the dungeon | O |
Alone The Villains rose in mutiny to destroy me | P |
I could have quelled the Cowards but this Stripling | R |
Must needs step in and save my life The look | M3 |
With which he gave the boon I see it now | O |
The same that tempted me to loathe the gift | P |
For this old venerable Greybeard faith | E2 |
'Tis his own fault if he hath got a face | B2 |
Which doth play tricks with them that look on it | P |
'Twas this that put it in my thoughts that countenance | B2 |
His staff his figure Murder what of whom | N3 |
We kill a worn out horse and who but women | O |
Sigh at the deed Hew down a withered tree | P |
And none look grave but dotards He may live | D3 |
To thank me for this service Rainbow arches | B2 |
Highways of dreaming passion have too long | A3 |
Young as he is diverted wish and hope | T2 |
From the unpretending ground we mortals tread | P |
Then shatter the delusion break it up | T2 |
And set him free What follows I have learned | P |
That things will work to ends the slaves o' the world | P |
Do never dream of I 'have' been what he | P |
This Boy when he comes forth with bloody hands | B2 |
Might envy and am now but he shall know | O |
What I am now | O |
Goes and listens at the dungeon | O |
Praying or parleying tut | P |
Is he not eyeless He has been half dead | P |
These fifteen years | B2 |
- | |
Enter female Beggar with two or three of her Companions | B2 |
- | |
Turning abruptly 'Ha speak' what Thing art thou | O |
Recognises her Heavens my good Friend To her | A2 |
BEG Forgive me gracious Sir | A2 |
OSW to her companions Begone ye Slaves or I will raise a | E2 |
whirlwind | P |
And send ye dancing to the clouds like leaves | B2 |
They retire affrighted | P |
BEG Indeed we meant no harm we lodge sometimes | B2 |
In this deserted Castle 'I repent me ' | - |
OSWALD goes to the dungeon listens returns to the Beggar | A2 |
OSW Woman thou hast a helpless Infant keep | T2 |
Thy secret for its sake or verily | P |
That wretched life of thine shall be the forfeit | P |
BEG I 'do' repent me Sir I fear the curse | B2 |
Of that blind Man 'Twas not your money sir | A2 |
OSW Begone | O |
BEG going There is some wicked deed in hand Aside | P |
Would I could find the old Man and his Daughter | A2 |
Exit Beggar | A2 |
- | |
MARMADUKE re enters from the dungeon | O |
- | |
OSW It is all over then your foolish fears | B2 |
Are hushed to sleep by your own act and deed | P |
Made quiet as he is | B2 |
MAR Why came you down | O |
And when I felt your hand upon my arm | N3 |
And spake to you why did you give no answer | A2 |
Feared you to waken him he must have been | O |
In a deep sleep I whispered to him thrice | B2 |
There are the strangest echoes in that place | B2 |
OSW Tut let them gabble till the day of doom | N3 |
MAR Scarcely by groping had I reached the Spot | P |
When round my wrist I felt a cord drawn tight | P |
As if the blind Man's dog were pulling at it | P |
OSW But after that | P |
MAR The features of Idonea | O |
Lurked in his face | B2 |
OSW Psha Never to these eyes | B2 |
Will retribution show itself again | O |
With aspect so inviting Why forbid me | P |
To share your triumph | Z3 |
MAR Yes her very look | M3 |
Smiling in sleep | T2 |
OSW A pretty feat of Fancy | P |
MAR Though but a glimpse it sent me to my prayers | B2 |
OSW Is he alive | D3 |
MAR What mean you who alive | D3 |
OSW Herbert since you will have it Baron Herbert | P |
He who will gain his Seignory when Idonea | O |
Hath become Clifford's harlot is 'he' living | R |
MAR The old Man in that dungeon 'is' alive | D3 |
OSW Henceforth then will I never in camp or field | P |
Obey you more Your weakness to the Band | P |
Shall be proclaimed brave Men they all shall hear it | P |
You a protector of humanity | P |
Avenger you of outraged innocence | B2 |
MAR 'Twas dark dark as the grave yet did I see | P |
Saw him his face turned toward me and I tell thee | P |
Idonea's filial countenance was there | A2 |
To baffle me it put me to my prayers | B2 |
Upwards I cast my eyes and through a crevice | B2 |
Beheld a star twinkling above my head | P |
And by the living God I could not do it | P |
Sinks exhasted | P |
OSW to himself Now may I perish if this turn do more | A2 |
Than make me change my course | B2 |
To MARMADUKE Dear Marmaduke | B3 |
My words were rashly spoken I recall them | N3 |
I feel my error shedding human blood | P |
Is a most serious thing | R |
MAR Not I alone | O |
Thou too art deep in guilt | P |
OSW We have indeed | P |
Been most presumptuous There 'is' guilt in this | B2 |
Else could so strong a mind have ever known | O |
These trepidations Plain it is that Heaven | O |
Has marked out this foul Wretch as one whose crimes | B2 |
Must never come before a mortal judgment seat | P |
Or be chastised by mortal instruments | B2 |
MAR A thought that's worth a thousand worlds | B2 |
Goes towards the dungeon | O |
OSW I grieve | I |
That in my zeal I have caused you so much pain | O |
MAR Think not of that 'tis over we are safe | E4 |
OSW as if to himself yet speaking aloud The truth is | B2 |
hideous but how stifle it | P |
Turning to MARMADUKE | B3 |
Give me your sword nay here are stones and fragments | B2 |
The least of which would beat out a man's brains | B2 |
Or you might drive your head against that wall | P |
No this is not the place to hear the tale | P |
It should be told you pinioned in your bed | P |
Or on some vast and solitary plain | O |
Blown to you from a trumpet | P |
MAR Why talk thus | B2 |
Whate'er the monster brooding in your breast | P |
I care not fear I have none and cannot fear | A2 |
The sound of a horn is heard | P |
That horn again 'Tis some one of our Troop | T2 |
What do they here Listen | O |
OSW What dogged like thieves | B2 |
- | |
Enter WALLACE and LACY etc | E2 |
- | |
LACY You are found at last thanks to the vagrant Troop | T2 |
For not misleading us | B2 |
OSW looking at WALLACE That subtle Greybeard | P |
I'd rather see my father's ghost | P |
LACY to MARMADUKE My Captain | O |
We come by order of the Band Belike | E2 |
You have not heard that Henry has at last | P |
Dissolved the Barons' League and sent abroad | P |
His Sheriffs with fit force to reinstate | P |
The genuine owners of such Lands and Baronies | B2 |
As in these long commotions have been seized | P |
His Power is this way tending It befits us | B2 |
To stand upon our guard and with our swords | B2 |
Defend the innocent | P |
MAR Lacy we look | E2 |
But at the surfaces of things we hear | A2 |
Of towns in flames fields ravaged young and old | P |
Driven out in troops to want and nakedness | B2 |
Then grasp our swords and rush upon a cure | A2 |
That flatters us because it asks not thought | P |
The deeper malady is better hid | P |
The world is poisoned at the heart | P |
LACY What mean you | I2 |
WAL whose eye has been fixed suspiciously upon OSWALD Ay | B2 |
what is it you mean | O |
MAR Hark'e my Friends | B2 |
Appearing gay | B2 |
Were there a Man who being weak and helpless | B2 |
And most forlorn should bribe a Mother pressed | P |
By penury to yield him up her Daughter | A2 |
A little Infant and instruct the Babe | T3 |
Prattling upon his knee to call him Father | A2 |
LACY Why if his heart be tender that offence | B2 |
I could forgive him | N3 |
MAR going on And should he make the Child | P |
An instrument of falsehood should he teach her | A2 |
To stretch her arms and dim the gladsome light | P |
Of infant playfulness with piteous looks | B2 |
Of misery that was not | P |
LACY Troth 'tis hard | P |
But in a world like ours | B2 |
MAR changing his tone This self same Man | O |
Even while he printed kisses on the cheek | E2 |
Of this poor Babe and taught its innocent tongue | E2 |
To lisp the name of Father could he look | E2 |
To the unnatural harvest of that time | N3 |
When he should give her up a Woman grown | O |
To him who bid the highest in the market | P |
Of foul pollution | O |
LACY The whole visible world | P |
Contains not such a Monster | A2 |
MAR For this purpose | B2 |
Should he resolve to taint her Soul by means | B2 |
Which bathe the limbs in sweat to think of them | N3 |
Should he by tales which would draw tears from iron | O |
Work on her nature and so turn compassion | O |
And gratitude to ministers of vice | B2 |
And make the spotless spirit of filial love | R2 |
Prime mover in a plot to damn his Victim | N3 |
Both soul and body | P |
WAL 'Tis too horrible | P |
Oswald what say you to it | P |
LACY Hew him down | O |
And fling him to the ravens | B2 |
MAR But his aspect | P |
It is so meek his countenance so venerable | P |
WAL with an appearance of mistrust But how what say you | I2 |
Oswald | P |
LACY at the same moment Stab him were it | P |
Before the Altar | A2 |
MAR What if he were sick | E2 |
Tottering upon the very verge of life | Q |
And old and blind | P |
LACY Blind say you | I2 |
OSW coming forward Are we Men | O |
Or own we baby Spirits Genuine courage | C2 |
Is not an accidental quality | P |
A thing dependent for its casual birth | E2 |
On opposition and impediment | P |
Wisdom if Justice speak the word beats down | O |
The giant's strength and at the voice of Justice | B2 |
Spares not the worm The giant and the worm | N3 |
She weighs them in one scale The wiles of woman | O |
And craft of age seducing reason first | P |
Made weakness a protection and obscured | P |
The moral shapes of things His tender cries | B2 |
And helpless innocence do they protect | P |
The infant lamb and shall the infirmities | B2 |
Which have enabled this enormous Culprit | P |
To perpetrate his crimes serve as a Sanctuary | P |
To cover him from punishment Shame Justice | B2 |
Admitting no resistance bends alike | E2 |
The feeble and the strong She needs not here | A2 |
Her bonds and chains which make the mighty feeble | P |
We recognise in this old Man a victim | N3 |
Prepared already for the sacrifice | B2 |
LACY By heaven his words are reason | O |
OSW Yes my Friends | B2 |
His countenance is meek and venerable | P |
And by the Mass to see him at his prayers | B2 |
I am of flesh and blood and may I perish | P3 |
When my heart does not ache to think of it | P |
Poor Victim not a virtue under heaven | O |
But what was made an engine to ensnare thee | P |
But yet I trust Idonea thou art safe | E4 |
LACY Idonea | O |
WAL How what your Idonea | O |
To MARMADUKE | E2 |
MAR 'Mine' | O |
But now no longer mine You know Lord Clifford | P |
He is the Man to whom the Maiden pure | A2 |
As beautiful and gentle and benign | O |
And in her ample heart loving even me | P |
Was to be yielded up | T2 |
LACY Now by the head | P |
Of my own child this Man must die my hand | P |
A worthier wanting shall itself entwine | O |
In his grey hairs | B2 |
MAR to LACY I love the Father in thee | P |
You know me Friends I have a heart to feel | P |
And I have felt more than perhaps becomes me | P |
Or duty sanctions | B2 |
LACY We will have ample justice | B2 |
Who are we Friends Do we not live on ground | P |
Where Souls are self defended free to grow | O |
Like mountain oaks rocked by the stormy wind | P |
Mark the Almighty Wisdom which decreed | P |
This monstrous crime to be laid open 'here' | O |
Where Reason has an eye that she can use | B2 |
And Men alone are Umpires To the Camp | T2 |
He shall be led and there the Country round | P |
All gathered to the spot in open day | B2 |
Shall Nature be avenged | P |
OSW 'Tis nobly thought | P |
His death will be a monument for ages | B2 |
MAR to LACY I thank you for that hint He shall be brought | P |
Before the Camp and would that best and wisest | P |
Of every country might be present There | O |
His crime shall be proclaimed and for the rest | P |
It shall be done as Wisdom shall decide | P |
Meanwhile do you two hasten back and see | P |
That all is well prepared | P |
WAL We will obey you | I2 |
Aside But softly we must look a little nearer | O |
MAR Tell where you found us At some future time | N3 |
I will explain the cause Exeunt | P |
- | |
ACT III | P |
- | |
SCENE The door of the Hostel a group of Pilgrims as before | O |
IDONEA and the Host among them | N3 |
- | |
HOST Lady you'll find your Father at the Convent | P |
As I have told you He left us yesterday | P |
With two Companions one of them as seemed | P |
His most familiar Friend Going There was a letter | O |
Of which I heard them speak but that I fancy | P |
Has been forgotten | O |
IDON to Host Farewell | P |
HOST Gentle pilgrims | B2 |
St Cuthbert speed you on your holy errand | P |
Exeunt IDONEA and Pilgrims | B2 |
- | |
SCENE A desolate Moor | O |
OSWALD alone | O |
- | |
OSW Carry him to the Camp Yes to the Camp | T2 |
Oh Wisdom a most wise resolve and then | O |
That half a word should blow it to the winds | B2 |
This last device must end my work Methinks | B2 |
It were a pleasant pastime to construct | P |
A scale and table of belief as thus | B2 |
Two columns one for passion one for proof | F4 |
Each rises as the other falls and first | P |
Passion a unit and 'against' us proof | F4 |
Nay we must travel in another path | E2 |
Or we're stuck fast for ever passion then | O |
Shall be a unit 'for' us proof no passion | O |
We'll not insult thy majesty by time | N3 |
Person and place the where the when the how | O |
And all particulars that dull brains require | O |
To constitute the spiritless shape of Fact | P |
They bow to calling the idol Demonstration | O |
A whipping to the Moralists who preach | P3 |
That misery is a sacred thing for me | P |
I know no cheaper engine to degrade a man | O |
Nor any half so sure This Stripling's mind | P |
Is shaken till the dregs float on the surface | B2 |
And in the storm and anguish of the heart | P |
He talks of a transition in his Soul | P |
And dreams that he is happy We dissect | P |
The senseless body and why not the mind | P |
These are strange sights the mind of man upturned | P |
Is in all natures a strange spectacle | P |
In some a hideous one hem shall I stop | T2 |
No Thoughts and feelings will sink deep but then | O |
They have no substance Pass but a few minutes | B2 |
And something shall be done which Memory | P |
May touch whene'er her Vassals are at work | E2 |
- | |
Enter MARMADUKE from behind | P |
- | |
OSW turning to meet him But listen for my peace | B2 |
MAR Why I 'believe' you | I2 |
OSW But hear the proofs | B2 |
MAR Ay prove that when two peas | B2 |
Lie snugly in a pod the pod must then | O |
Be larger than the peas prove this 'twere matter | O |
Worthy the hearing Fool was I to dream | N3 |
It ever could be otherwise | B2 |
OSW Last night | P |
When I returned with water from the brook | E2 |
I overheard the Villains every word | P |
Like red hot iron burnt into my heart | P |
Said one It is agreed on The blind Man | O |
Shall feign a sudden illness and the Girl | P |
Who on her journey must proceed alone | O |
Under pretence of violence be seized | P |
She is continued the detested Slave | Z2 |
She is right willing strange if she were not | P |
They say Lord Clifford is a savage man | O |
But faith to see him in his silken tunic | E2 |
Fitting his low voice to the minstrel's harp | T2 |
There's witchery in't I never knew a maid | P |
That could withstand it True continued he | P |
When we arranged the affair she wept a little | P |
Not the less welcome to my Lord for that | P |
And said 'My Father he will have it so ' | - |
MAR I am your hearer | O |
OSW This I caught and more | O |
That may not be retold to any ear | O |
The obstinate bolt of a small iron door | O |
Detained them near the gateway of the Castle | P |
By a dim lantern's light I saw that wreaths | B2 |
Of flowers were in their hands as if designed | P |
For festive decoration and they said | P |
With brutal laughter and most foul allusion | O |
That they should share the banquet with their Lord | P |
And his new Favourite | P |
MAR Misery | P |
OSW I knew | I2 |
How you would be disturbed by this dire news | B2 |
And therefore chose this solitary Moor | O |
Here to impart the tale of which last night | P |
I strove to ease my mind when our two Comrades | B2 |
Commissioned by the Band burst in upon us | B2 |
MAR Last night when moved to lift the avenging steel | P |
I did believe all things were shadows yea | P |
Living or dead all things were bodiless | B2 |
Or but the mutual mockeries of body | P |
Till that same star summoned me back again | O |
Now I could laugh till my ribs ached Oh Fool | P |
To let a creed built in the heart of things | B2 |
Dissolve before a twinkling atom Oswald | P |
I could fetch lessons out of wiser schools | B2 |
Than you have entered were it worth the pains | B2 |
Young as I am I might go forth a teacher | O |
And you should see how deeply I could reason | O |
Of love in all its shapes beginnings ends | B2 |
Of moral qualities in their diverse aspects | B2 |
Of actions and their laws and tendencies | B2 |
OSW You take it as it merits | B2 |
MAR One a King | E2 |
General or Cham Sultan or Emperor | O |
Strews twenty acres of good meadow ground | P |
With carcases in lineament and shape | T2 |
And substance nothing differing from his own | O |
But that they cannot stand up of themselves | B2 |
Another sits i' th' sun and by the hour | O |
Floats kingcups in the brook a Hero one | O |
We call and scorn the other as Time's spendthrift | P |
But have they not a world of common ground | P |
To occupy both fools or wise alike | E2 |
Each in his way | P |
OSW Troth I begin to think so | B2 |
MAR Now for the corner stone of my philosophy | P |
I would not give a denier for the man | O |
Who on such provocation as this earth | E2 |
Yields could not chuck his babe beneath the chin | O |
And send it with a fillip to its grave | Z2 |
OSW Nay you leave me behind | P |
MAR That such a One | O |
So pious in demeanour in his look | E2 |
So saintly and so pure Hark'e my Friend | P |
I'll plant myself before Lord Clifford's Castle | P |
A surly mastiff kennels at the gate | P |
And he shall howl and I will laugh a medley | P |
Most tunable | P |
OSW In faith a pleasant scheme | N3 |
But take your sword along with you for that | P |
Might in such neighbourhood find seemly use | B2 |
But first how wash our hands of this old Man | O |
MAR Oh yes that mole that viper in the path | E2 |
Plague on my memory him I had forgotten | O |
OSW You know we left him sitting see him yonder | O |
MAR Ha ha | D |
OSW As 'twill be but a moment's work | E2 |
I will stroll on you follow when 'tis done | O |
Exeunt | P |
- | |
SCENE changes to another part of the Moor at a short distance | B2 |
HERBERT is discovered seated on a stone | O |
- | |
HER A sound of laughter too 'tis well I feared | P |
The Stranger had some pitiable sorrow | B2 |
Pressing upon his solitary heart | P |
Hush 'tis the feeble and earth loving wind | P |
That creeps along the bells of the crisp heather | O |
Alas 'tis cold I shiver in the sunshine | O |
What can this mean There is a psalm that speaks | B2 |
Of God's parental mercies with Idonea | O |
I used to sing it Listen what foot is there | O |
- | |
Enter MARMADUKE | E2 |
- | |
MAR aside looking a HERBERT And I have loved this Man and | P |
she hath loved him | N3 |
And I loved her and she loves the Lord Clifford | P |
And there it ends if this be not enough | U |
To make mankind merry for evermore | O |
Then plain it is as day that eyes were made | P |
For a wise purpose verily to weep with | E2 |
Looking round | P |
A pretty prospect this a masterpiece | B2 |
Of Nature finished with most curious skill | P |
To HERBERT Good Baron have you ever practised tillage | C2 |
Pray tell me what this land is worth by the acre | O |
HER How glad I am to hear your voice I know not | P |
Wherein I have offended you last night | P |
I found in you the kindest of Protectors | B2 |
This morning when I spoke of weariness | B2 |
You from my shoulder took my scrip and threw it | P |
About your own but for these two hours past | P |
Once only have you spoken when the lark | E2 |
Whirred from among the fern beneath our feet | P |
And I no coward in my better days | B2 |
Was almost terrified | P |
MAR That's excellent | P |
So you bethought you of the many ways | B2 |
In which a man may come to his end whose crimes | B2 |
Have roused all Nature up against him pshaw | P3 |
HER For mercy's sake is nobody in sight | P |
No traveller peasant herdsman | O |
MAR Not a soul | P |
Here is a tree ragged and bent and bare | O |
That turns its goat's beard flakes of peagreen moss | B2 |
From the stern breathing of the rough seawind | P |
This have we but no other company | O |
Commend me to the place If a man should die | P |
And leave his body here it were all one | O |
As he were twenty fathoms underground | P |
HER Where is our common Friend | P |
MAR A ghost methinks | B2 |
The Spirit of a murdered man for instance | B2 |
Might have fine room to ramble about here | O |
A grand domain to squeak and gibber in | O |
HER Lost Man if thou have any close pent guilt | P |
Pressing upon thy heart and this the hour | O |
Of visitation | O |
MAR A bold word from 'you' | P |
HER Restore him Heaven | O |
MAR The desperate Wretch A Flower | O |
Fairest of all flowers was she once but now | O |
They have snapped her from the stem Poh let her lie | P |
Besoiled with mire and let the houseless snail | P |
Feed on her leaves You knew her well ay there | O |
Old Man you were a very Lynx you knew | O |
The worm was in her | O |
HER Mercy Sir what mean you | O |
MAR You have a Daughter | O |
HER Oh that she were here | O |
She hath an eye that sinks into all hearts | B2 |
And if I have in aught offended you | O |
Soon would her gentle voice make peace between us | B2 |
MAR aside I do believe he weeps I could weep too | O |
There is a vein of he | O |
William Wordsworth
(1)
Poem topics: , Print This Poem , Rhyme Scheme
Submit Spanish Translation
Submit German Translation
Submit French Translation
Write your comment about The Borderers. A Tragedy poem by William Wordsworth
Best Poems of William Wordsworth