Lady Rand. Thou dost not think so: woeful as I am, I love thy merit, and esteem thy virtues. Lord Rand. Straight to the camp, Lady Rand. O! may adverse winds, Far from the coast of Scotland, drive their fleet! And every soldier of both hosts return In peace and safety to his pleasant home! Lord Rand. Thou speak'st a woman's, hear a warrior's wish: Right from their native land, the stormy north, Then shall our foes repent their bold invasion, Lady Rand. War I detest: But war with Whose manners, language, and whose looks are strange, Is not so horrid, nor to me so hateful, As that which with our neighbours oft we wage. A river here, there an ideal line, By fancy drawn, divides the sister kingdoms. As twins are to each other; valiant both: forth A soldier drop his sword, and doff his arms, Lady, farewell: I leave thee not alone; [Exit. Enter ANNA. Anna. Forgive the rashness of your Anna's love: Urged by affection, I have thus presumed To interrupt your solitary thoughts; And warn you of the hours that you neglect, Lady Rand. So to lose my hours Is all the use I wish to make of time. Anna. To blame thee, lady, suits not with my state: But sure I am, since death first prey'd on man, What had your sorrows been if you had lost, Anna. Have I distress'd you with officious love, And ill-timed mention of your brother's fate? Forgive me, lady: humble though I am,- So fervently I love you, that to dry fortune: These piteous tears, I'd throw my life away. Lady Rand. What power directed thy uncon scious tongue To speak as thou hast done? to name Anna. I know not : But since my words have made my mistress tremble, I will speak so no more; but silent mix My tears with her's. Lady Rand. No, thou shalt not be silent. Anna. What means my noble mistress? Lady Rand. Didst thou not ask what had my sorrows been, If I in early youth had lost a husband?— In the cold bosom of the earth is lodged, Mangled with wounds, the husband of my youth; And in some cavern of the ocean lies My child and his! Anna. O lady, most revered! The tale wrapt up in your amazing words Lady Rand. Alas! an ancient feud, Of my misfortunes. Ruling fate decreed, That my brave brother should in battle save The life of Douglas' son, our house's foe: The youthful warriors vow'd eternal friendship. To see the vaunted sister of his friend Impatient, Douglas to Balarmo came, Under a borrow'd name.-My heart he gain'd; Nor did I long refuse the hand he begg'd: My brother's presence authorized our marriage. Three weeks, three little weeks, with wings of down, Had o'er us flown, when my loved lord was call'd To fight his father's battles; and with him, In spite of all my tears, did Malcolm go. Scarce were they gone, when my stern sire was told Thou first of virtues, let no mortal leave Thy onward path! although the earth should gape, |