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_Raby._ Frenzy and poison!
_Dou._ Both a husband's gift; But thus I do her justice.
_As Douglas goes to stab himself, enter Elwina distracted, her hair dishevelled, Percy's scarf in her hand._
_Elw._ [_goes up to Douglas._]
What, blood again? We cannot kill him twice!
Soft, soft--no violence--he's dead already;-- I did it--Yes--I drown'd him with my tears; But hide the cruel deed! I'll scratch him out A shallow grave, and lay the green sod on it; Ay--and I'll bind the wild briar o'er the turf, And plant a willow there, a weeping willow-- [_she sits on the ground._ But look you tell not Douglas, he'll disturb him; He'll pluck the willow up--and plant a thorn.
He will not let me sit upon his grave, And sing all day, and weep and pray all night.
_Raby._ Dost thou not know me?
_Elw._ Yes--I do remember You had a harmless lamb.
_Raby._ I had indeed!
_Elw._ From all the flock you chose her out a mate, In sooth a fair one--you did bid her love it-- But while the shepherd slept, the wolf devour'd it.
_Raby._ My heart will break. This is too much, too much!
_Elw._ [_smiling._] O 'twas a cordial draught--I drank it all.
_Raby._ What means my child?
_Dou._ The poison! Oh the poison!
Thou dear wrong'd innocence--
_Elw._ Off--murderer, off!
Do not defile me with those crimson hands. [_shews the scarf._ This is his winding sheet--I'll wrap him in it-- I wrought it for my love--there--now I've drest him.
How brave he looks! my father will forgive him, He dearly lov'd him once--but that is over.
See where he comes--beware, my gallant Percy, Ah! come not here, this is the cave of death, And there's the dark, dark palace of Revenge!
See the pale king sits on his blood-stain'd throne!
He points to me--I come, I come, I come.
[_she faints, they run to her, Douglas takes up his sword and stabs himself._
_Dou._ Thus, thus I follow thee.
_Edr._ Hold thy rash hand!
_Dou._ It is too late. No remedy but this Could medicine a disease so desperate.
_Raby._ Ah, she revives!
_Dou._ [_raising himself._] She lives! bear, bear me to her!
We shall be happy yet.
[_he struggles to get to her, but sinks down._ It will not be-- O for a last embrace--Alas! I faint-- She lives--Now death is terrible indeed-- Fair spirit, I lov'd thee--O--Elwina! [_dies._
_Elw._ Where have I been? The damps of death are on me.
_Raby._ Look up, my child! O do not leave me thus!
Pity the anguish of thy aged father.
Hast thou forgot me?
_Elw._ No--you are my father; O you are kindly come to close my eyes, And take the kiss of death from my cold lips!
_Raby._ Do we meet thus?
_Elw._ We soon shall meet in peace.
I've but a faint remembrance of the past-- But something tells me--O those painful struggles!
Raise me a little--there-- [_she sees the body of Douglas._ What sight is that?
A sword, and b.l.o.o.d.y? Ah! and Douglas murder'd!
_Edr._ Convinc'd too late of your unequall'd virtues, And wrung with deep compunction for your wrongs, By his own hand the wretched Douglas fell.
_Elw._ This adds another, sharper pang to death.
O thou Eternal! take him to thy mercy, Nor let this sin be on his head, or mine!
_Raby._ I have undone you all--the crime is mine!
O thou poor injur'd saint, forgive thy father, He kneels to his wrong'd child.
_Elw._ Now you are cruel.
Come near, my father, nearer--I would see you, But mists and darkness cloud my failing sight.
O Death! suspend thy rights for one short moment, Till I have ta'en a father's last embrace-- A father's blessing.--Once--and now 'tis over.
Receive me to thy mercy, gracious Heaven! [_she dies._
_Raby._ She's gone! for ever gone! cold, dead and cold.
Am I a father? Fathers love their children---- I murder mine! With impious pride I s.n.a.t.c.h'd The bolt of vengeance from the hand of Heaven.
My punishment is great--but oh! 'tis just.
My soul submissive bows. A righteous G.o.d Has made my crime become my chastis.e.m.e.nt. [_exeunt._
THE END.
_Maurice, Fenchurch Street._
_London, 1819._
_The following Works,_
JUST PUBLISHED,
MAY BE HAD OF ALL BOOKSELLERS IN TOWN AND COUNTRY.
