Lady Rand. She lives; but wastes her life in constant woe, Weeping her husband slain, her infant lost. Bewail their destiny, now have compassion Lady Rand. Thy virtue ends her woes.-My son! my son! I am thy mother, and the wife of Douglas! [Falls upon his neck. Norv. O heaven and earth, how wondrous is my fate! Art thou my mother? Ever let me kneel! Lady Rand. Image of Douglas! Fruit of fatal love! All that I owe thy sire, I pay to thee. Norv. Respect and admiration still possess me, Checking the love and fondness of a son : Yet I was filial to my humble parents. But did my sire surpass the rest of men, As thou excellest all of womankind? Lady Rand. Arise, my son! In me thou dost behold The poor remains of beauty once admired: field When Douglas died. O! I have much to ask. Lady Rand. Hereafter thou shalt hear the lengthen❜d tale Of all thy father's and thy mother's woes. Which now Lord Randolph, as my husband, holds. To right thee still: before the king I'll kneel, Norv. The blood of Douglas will protect itself. Lady Rand. But we shall need both friends and favour, boy, To wrest the lands and lordship from the gripe Of Randolph and his kinsman. Yet I think My tale will move each gentle heart to pity; My life incline the virtuous to believe. Norv. To be the son of Douglas is to me Inheritance enough. Declare my birth, And in the field I'll seek for fame and fortune. Lady Rand. Thou dost not know what perils and injustice Await the poor man's valour. O, my son! Too long hast thou been thus attended, Douglas! But how I purpose to redress thy wrongs Must be hereafter told. Prudence directs That we should part before yon chiefs return. Of private conference. Its purport mark; Leave me, my son! and frame thy manners still Norv. I will remember. Where is Norval now, That good old man? Lady Rand. At hand conceal'd he lies, An useful witness. But beware, my son, Of yon Glenalvon; in his guilty breast Resides a villain's shrewdness, ever prone To false conjecture. He hath grieved my heart. Norv. Has he, indeed ?-Then let yon false Glenalvon Beware of me. [Exit DOUGLAS. Manet Lady RANDOLPH. Lady Rand. There burst the smother'd flame! O! thou all righteous and eternal King! Who father of the fatherless art call'd, Enter Lord RANDOLPH and GLENALVON. Lord Rand. Yon gallant chief, Of arms enamour'd, all repose disclaims. Lady Rand. Be not, my lord, by his example sway'd; Arrange the business of to-morrow now, And, when you enter, speak of war no more. [Exit Lady RANDOLPH. |