The Poetical Works of William Wordsworth Volume I Part 63

[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?