But soft!--how came he forth? The Night-mare Conscience Has driven him out of harbour?

MARMADUKE I believe You have guessed right.

HERBERT The trees renew their murmur: Come, let us house together.

[OSWALD conducts him to the dungeon.]

OSWALD (returns) Had I not Esteemed you worthy to conduct the affair To its most fit conclusion, do you think I would so long have struggled with my Nature, And smothered all that's man in me?--away!-- [Looking towards the dungeon.]

This man's the property of him who best Can feel his crimes. I have resigned a privilege; It now becomes my duty to resume it.

MARMADUKE Touch not a finger--

OSWALD What then must be done?

MARMADUKE Which way soe'er I turn, I am perplexed.

OSWALD Now, on my life, I grieve for you. The misery Of doubt is insupportable. Pity, the facts Did not admit of stronger evidence; Twelve honest men, plain men, would set us right; Their verdict would abolish these weak scruples.

MARMADUKE Weak! I am weak--there does my torment lie, Feeding itself.

OSWALD Verily, when he said How his old heart would leap to hear her steps, You thought his voice the echo of Idonea's.

MARMADUKE And never heard a sound so terrible.

OSWALD Perchance you think so now?

MARMADUKE I cannot do it: Twice did I spring to grasp his withered throat, When such a sudden weakness fell upon me, I could have dropped asleep upon his breast.

OSWALD Justice--is there not thunder in the word?

Shall it be law to stab the petty robber Who aims but at our purse; and shall this Parricide-- Worse is he far, far worse (if foul dishonour Be worse than death) to that confiding Creature Whom he to more than filial love and duty Hath falsely trained--shall he fulfil his purpose?

But you are fallen.

MARMADUKE Fallen should I be indeed-- Murder--perhaps asleep, blind, old, alone, Betrayed, in darkness! Here to strike the blow-- Away! away!--

[Flings away his sword.]

OSWALD Nay, I have done with you: We'll lead him to the Convent. He shall live, And she shall love him. With unquestioned t.i.tle He shall be seated in his Barony, And we too chant the praise of his good deeds.

I now perceive we do mistake our masters, And most despise the men who best can teach us: Henceforth it shall be said that bad men only Are brave: Clifford is brave; and that old Man Is brave.

[Taking MARMADUKE'S sword and giving it to him.]

To Clifford's arms he would have led His Victim--haply to this desolate house.

MARMADUKE (advancing to the dungeon) It must be ended!--

OSWALD Softly; do not rouse him; He will deny it to the last. He lies Within the Vault, a spear's length to the left.

[MARMADUKE descends to the dungeon.]

(Alone.) The Villains rose in mutiny to destroy me; I could have quelled the Cowards, but this Stripling Must needs step in, and save my life. The look With which he gave the boon--I see it now!

The same that tempted me to loathe the gift.-- For this old venerable Grey-beard--faith 'Tis his own fault if he hath got a face Which doth play tricks with them that look on it: 'Twas this that put it in my thoughts--that countenance-- His staff--his figure--Murder!--what, of whom?

We kill a worn-out horse, and who but women Sigh at the deed? Hew down a withered tree, And none look grave but dotards. He may live To thank me for this service. Rainbow arches, Highways of dreaming pa.s.sion, have too long, Young as he is, diverted wish and hope From the unpretending ground we mortals tread;-- Then shatter the delusion, break it up And set him free. What follows? I have learned That things will work to ends the slaves o' the world Do never dream of. I _have_ been what he-- This Boy--when he comes forth with b.l.o.o.d.y hands-- Might envy, and am now,--but he shall know What I am now-- [Goes and listens at the dungeon.]

Praying or parleying?--tut!

Is he not eyeless? He has been half-dead These fifteen years--

[Enter female Beggar with two or three of her Companions.]

(Turning abruptly.) Ha! speak--what Thing art thou?

(Recognises her.) Heavens! my good friend! [To her.]

BEGGAR Forgive me, gracious Sir!--

OSWALD (to her companions) Begone, ye Slaves, or I will raise a whirlwind And send ye dancing to the clouds, like leaves.

[They retire affrighted.]

BEGGAR Indeed we meant no harm; we lodge sometimes In this deserted Castle--_I repent me._

[OSWALD goes to the dungeon--listens--returns to the Beggar.]

OSWALD Woman, thou hast a helpless Infant--keep Thy secret for its sake, or verily That wretched life of thine shall be the forfeit.

BEGGAR I _do_ repent me, Sir; I fear the curse Of that blind Man. 'Twas not your money, Sir,--

OSWALD Begone!

BEGGAR (going) There is some wicked deed in hand: [Aside.]

Would I could find the old Man and his Daughter.