The friendless stranger my protection claims: [Exit. Glen. Child that I was to start at my own shadow, I should conclude there was an arm above A favourite to hide the sun from me; This were thy center, if I thought she loved him! More fierce than hate, ambition, and revenge, Darkly a project peers upon my mind, Cross'd and divided by strange-colour'd clouds. [Exit. ACT III. SCENE I. A Court, &c. as before. Enter Anna. Anna. THY vassals, grief, great nature's order break, Enter Servant. Ser. One of the vile assassins is secur'd. We found the villain lurking in the wood: With dreadful imprecations he denies All knowledge of the crime. But this is not 21 Anna. Let me look on them. Ha! here is a heart, The chosen crest of Douglas' valiant name! These are no vulgar jewels. Guard the wretch. Enter Servants with a Prisoner. [Exit Anna. Pris. I know no more than does the child unborn Of what you charge me with. 1st Ser. You say so, Sir! But torture soon shall make you speak the truth. Enter Lady RANDOLPH and ANNA. Anna. Summon your utmost fortitude, before You speak with him. Your dignity, your fame, Are now at stake. Think of the fatal secret, Which in a moment from your lips may fly. Lady R. Thou shalt behold me, with a desperate heart, Hear how my infant perish'd. See, he kneels. [The Prisoner kneels. Pris. Heav'n bless that countenance so sweet and mild! A judge like thee makes innocence more bold. Who have attack'd and seiz'd me; who accuse 40 Lady R. Of this man's guilt what proof can ye produce? 1st Ser. We found him lurking in the hollow glynn. When view'd and call'd upon, amaz'd he fled, We overtook him, and enquir'd from whence And what he was: he said he came from far, And was upon his journey to the camp. Not satisfied with this, we search'd his clothes, And found these jewels, whose rich value plead Most pow'rfully against him. Hard he seems, And old in villainy, Permit us try His stubbornness against the torture's force. Pris. Oh, gentle lady! by your lord's dear life; Which these weak hands, I swear, did ne'er assail; And by your children's welfare, spare my age! Let not the iron tear my ancient joints, And my grey hairs bring to the grave with pain. Lady R. Account for these; thine own they cannot be: For these, I say: be stedfast to the truth; Detected falshood is most certain death. 60 [Anna removes the Servants and returns.] Pris. Alas! I'm sore beset! let never man, For sake of lucre, sin against his soul! Eternal justice is in this most just! I, guiltless now, must former guilt reveal. Lady R. Oh! Anna hear!—once more I charge thee speak The truth direct; for these to me foretel And certify a part of thy narration; With which, if the remainder tallies not, Sent down to search the secret sins of men: Some eighteen years ago I rented land Of brave Sir Malcolm, then Balarmo's lord; All that I had, and then turn'd me and mine, Received us: there hard labour, and the skill Beneath the ford, us'd oft to bring within 80 Had caught. The voice was ceas'd; the person lost: But looking sad and earnest on the waters, |