Transplanted now to the gay sunny vale,

Like the green thorn of May my fortune flowers,
Ye glorious stars! high Heaven's resplendent host!
To whom I oft have of my lot complain'd,
Hear and record my soul's unalter'd wish!
Dead or alive, let me but be renown'd!
May Heav'n inspire some fierce gigantic Dane,
To give a bold defiance to our host!
Before he speaks it out I will accept;
Like Douglas conquer, or like Douglas die.

Enter Lady RANDOLPH.

Lady R. My son! I heard a voice

Doug. The voice was mine.

Lady R. Didst thou complain aloud to Nature's ear, That thus in dusky shades, at midnight hours,

By stealth the mother and the son should meet?

[Embracing him. Doug. No; on this happy day, this better birth-day, My thoughts and words are all of hope and joy. 561 Lady R. Sad fear and melancholy still divide The empire of my breast with hope and joy. Now hear what I advise

Doug. First, let me tell

What may the tenor of your counsel change.
Lady R. My heart forebodes some evil.
Doug. 'Tis not good-

At eve, unseen by Randolph and Glenalvon,
The good old Norval in the grove o'erheard
Their conversation; oft they mention'd me

With dreadful threat'nings; you they sometimes

nam'd.

'Twas strange, they said, a wonderful discov'ry; And ever and anon they vow'd revenge.

Lady R. Defend us, gracious God! we are betray'd: They have found out the secret of thy birth : It must be so. That is the great discovery. Sir Malcolm's heir is come to claim his own, And they will be reveng'd. Perhaps even now, Arm'd and prepar'd for murder, they but wait 580 A darker and more silent hour, to break Into the chamber where they think thou sleep'st. This moment, this, Heav'n hath ordain'd to save thee! Fly to the camp, my son!

Doug. And leave you here?

No: to the castle let us go together.

Call up the ancient servants of your house,
Who in their youth did eat your father's bread.
Then tell them loudly that I am your son.
If in the breasts of men one spark remains
Of sacred love, fidelity, or pity,

Some in your cause will arm. I ask but few

To drive those spoilers from my father's house.

Lady R. Oh, Nature, Nature! what can check thy

force?

Thou genuine offspring of the daring Douglas!
But rush not on destruction: save thyself,
And I am safe. To me they mean no harm.
Thy stay but risks thy precious life in vain.
That winding path conducts thee to the river.

600

Cross where thou seest a broad and beaten way,
Which running eastward leads thee to the camp.
Instant demand admittance to lord Douglas;
Shew him these jewels which his brother wore.
Thy look, thy voice, will make him feel the truth,
Which I by a certain proof will soon confirm.

Doug. I yield me, and obey: but yet my heart
Bleeds at this parting. Something bids me stay
And guard a mother's life. Oft have I read
Of wondrous deeds by one bold arm achiev'd.
Our foes are two; no more: let me go forth,
And see if any shield can guard Glenalvon.

Lady R. If thou regard'st thy mother, or rever'st
Thy father's memory, think of this no more.
One thing I have to say before we part:

Long wert thou lost; and thou art found, my child, In a most fearful season. War and battle

620

I have great cause to dread. Too well I see
Which way the current of thy temper sets :
To-day I've found thee. Oh! my long-lost hope!
If thou to giddy valour giv'st the reign,
To-morrow I may lose my son for ever.
The love of thee before thou saw'st the light,
Sustain'd my life when thy brave father fell.
If thou shalt fall, I have nor love nor hope
In this waste world! My son, remember me!
Doug. What shall I say? How can I give you
comfort?

The God of battles of my life dispose

As may be best for you! for whose dear sake

I will not bear myself as I resolv'd.

But yet consider, as no vulgar name,

That which I boast, sounds amongst martial men,
How will inglorious caution suit my claim?
The post of fate unshrinking I maintain.
My country's foes must witness who I am.
On the invaders' heads I'll prove my birth,
'Till friends and foes confess the genuine strain.
If in this strife I fall, blame not your son,
Who, if he lives not honour'd, must not live.
Lady R. I will not utter what my bosom feels.
Too well I love that valour which I warn.
Farewel, my son! my counsels are but vain,

640

[Embracing.

And as high Heav'n hath will'd it, all must be.

[Separate.

Gaze not on me, thou wilt mistake the path;

I'll point it out again.

[Just as they are separating,

Enter from the wood Lord RANDOLPH and GLENALVON.

Lord R. Not in her presence.

Now

Glen. I'm prepar'd.

Lord R. No: I command thee stay.

I go alone: it never shall be said

That I took odds to combat mortal man.

The noblest vengeance is the most compleat.

Exit.

[GLENALVON makes some steps to the same side of the stage, listens and speaks.

Glen. Demons of death come settle on my sword,

H

And to a double slaughter guide it home!
The lover and the husband both must die.

Lord R. [Behind the scenes.] Draw, villain! draw! Doug [Without.] Assail me not, lord Randolph; Not as thou lov'st thyself. [Clashing of swords. Glen. [Running out.] Now is the time.

Enter Lady RANDOLPH, at the opposite side of the stage, faint and breathless.

Lady R. Lord Randolph, hear me; all shall be

thine own!

But spare! Oh, spare my son !

Enter DOUGLAS, with a sword in each hand.

Doug. My mother's voice!

I can protect thee still.

Lady R. He lives, he lives;

For this, for this to Heav'n eternal praise!
But sure I saw thee fall.

Doug. It was Glenalvon,

Just as my arm had master'd Randolph's sword,
The villain came behind me; but I slew him.

680

Lady R. Behind thee! ah! thou'rt wounded! Oh, my child,

How pale thou look'st! And shall I lose thee now?

Doug. Do not despair: I feel a little faintness; [Leans upon his sword,

I hope it will not last.

Lady R. There is no hope!

And we must part! The hand of death is on thee!