The Poetical Works of William Wordsworth Volume I Part 65

[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.]