Percy Part 13

And thy bright sun of glory set in blood?

I would have spar'd thy virtues, and thy age, The knowledge of her infamy.

_Raby._ 'Tis false.

Had she been base, this sword had drank her blood.

_Dou._ Ha! dost thou vindicate the wanton?

_Raby._ Wanton?

Thou hast defam'd a n.o.ble lady's honour-- My spotless child--in me behold her champion: The strength of Hercules will nerve this arm, When lifted in defence of innocence.

The daughter's virtue for the father's shield, Will make old Raby still invincible. [_offers to draw._

_Dou._ Forbear.

_Raby._ Thou dost disdain my feeble arm, And scorn my age.

_Dou._ There will be blood enough; Nor need thy wither'd veins, old lord, be drain'd, To swell the copious stream.

_Raby._ Thou wilt not kill her?

_Dou._ Oh, 'tis a day of horror!

_Enter Edric and Birtha._

_Edr._ Where is Douglas?

I come to save him from the deadliest crime Revenge did ever meditate.

_Dou._ What meanest thou?

_Edr._ This instant fly, and save thy guiltless wife.

_Dou._ Save that perfidious--

_Edr._ That much-injur'd woman.

_Bir._ Unfortunate indeed, but O most innocent!

_Edr._ In the last solemn article of death, That truth-compelling state, when even bad men Fear to speak falsely, Percy clear'd her fame.

_Dou._ I heard him--'Twas the guilty fraud of love.

The scarf, the scarf! that proof of mutual pa.s.sion, Given but this day to ratify their crimes!

_Bir._ What means my lord? This day? That fatal scarf Was given long since, a toy of childish friendship; Long ere your marriage, ere you knew Elwina.

_Raby._ 'Tis I am guilty.

_Dou._ Ha!

_Raby._ I,--I alone.

Confusion, honour, pride, parental fondness, Distract my soul,--Percy was not to blame, He was--the destin'd husband of Elwina!

He loved her--was belov'd--and I approv'd.

The tale is long.--I chang'd my purpose since, Forbad their marriage--

_Dou._ And confirm'd my mis'ry!

Twice did they meet to-day--my wife and Percy.

_Raby._ I know it.

_Dou._ Ha! thou knew'st of my dishonour?

Thou wast a witness, an approving witness, At least a tame one!

_Raby._ Percy came, 'tis true, A constant, tender, but a guiltless lover!

_Dou._ I shall grow mad indeed; a guiltless lover!

Percy, the guiltless lover of my wife!

_Raby._ He knew not she was married.

_Dou._ How? is't possible?

_Raby._ Douglas, 'tis true; both, both were innocent; He of her marriage, she of his return.

_Bir._ But now, when we believ'd thee dead, she vow'd Never to see thy rival. Instantly, Not in a state of momentary pa.s.sion, But with a martyr's dignity and calmness, She bade me bring the poison.

_Dou._ Had'st thou done it, Despair had been my portion! Fly, good Birtha, Find out the suffering saint--describe my penitence, And paint my vast extravagance of fondness, Tell her I love as never mortal lov'd-- Tell her I know her virtues, and adore them-- Tell her I come, but dare not seek her presence, Till she p.r.o.nounce my pardon.

_Bir._ I obey. [_exit Birtha._

_Raby._ My child is innocent! ye choirs of saints, Catch the blest sounds--my child is innocent!

_Dou._ O I will kneel, and sue for her forgiveness, And thou shalt help me plead the cause of love, And thou shalt weep--she cannot sure refuse A kneeling husband and a weeping father.

Thy venerable cheek is wet already.

_Raby._ Douglas! it is the dew of grateful joy!

My child is innocent! I now would die, Lest fortune should grow weary of her kindness, And grudge me this short transport.

_Dou._ Where, where, is she?

My fond impatience brooks not her delay; Quick, let me find her, hush her anxious soul, And sooth her troubled spirit into peace.

_Enter Birtha._

_Bir._ O horror, horror, horror!

_Dou._ Ah! what mean'st thou?

_Bir._ Elwina--

_Dou._ Speak--

_Bir._ Her grief wrought up to frenzy, She has, in her delirium, swallow'd poison!