Lady Rand. To what mysterious woes are mortals born! In this dire tragedy, were there no more Norv. No; they were dead: kind Heaven had closed their eyes Before their son had shed his brother's blood. Lord Rand. Hard is his fate; for he was not to blame! There is a destiny in this strange world, Let schoolmen tell us why.-From whence these sounds? [Trumpets at a distance. Enter an Officer. Off. My lord, the trumpets of the troops of Lorn: The valiant leader hails the noble Randolph. Lord Rand. Mine ancient guest? does he the warriors lead ? Has Denmark roused the brave old knight to arms? Off No; worn with warfare, he resigns the sword. His eldest hope, the valiant John of Lorn, Lord Rand. Glenalvon, go, With hospitality's most strong request Entreat the chief. [Exit GLENALVON. Off. My lord, requests are vain. He urges on impatient of delay, Stung with the tidings of the foe's approach. Lord Rand. May victory sit on the warrior's plume! Bravest of men! his flocks and herds are safe; Remote from war's alarms his pastures lie, Yet foremost he into the plain descends, I'll [Exit RANDOLPH. Manent Lady RANDOLPH and NORVAL. Lady Rand. The soldier's loftiness, the pride and pomp Investing awful war, Norval, I see, Norv. Ah! should they not?. Blest be the hour I left my father's house! Lady Rand. There is a gen'rous spirit in thy breast, That could have well sustain'd a prouder fortune. This way with me; under yon spreading beech, Unseen, unheard, by human eye or ear, I will amaze thee with a wondrous tale. Norv. Let there be danger, lady, with the se cret, That I may hug it to my grateful heart, And prove my faith. Command my sword, my life; These are the sole possessions of poor Norval. I'd say I knew them, and they were my father's. Lady Rand. Thy father's, say'st thou? Ah! they were thy father's! Norv. I saw them once, and curiously inquired Of both my parents, whence such splendour came; But I was check'd, and more could never learn. Lady Rand. Then learn of me, thou art not Norval's son. Norv. Not Norval's son! Lady Rand. Nor of a shepherd sprung. Norv. Lady, who am I then? Lady Rand. Noble thou art; For noble was thy sire! Norv. I will believe→→ O, tell me farther! Say, who was my father? Norv. Lord Douglas, whom to-day I saw? Norv. And in yonder camp Lady Rand. Alas! Norv. You make metremble-Sighs and tears!— Lives my brave father? Lady Rand. Ah! too brave indeed! He fell in battle ere thyself was born. Norv. Ah me, unhappy! ere I saw the light? But does my mother live? I may conclude, From my own fate, her portion has been sorrow. Lady Rand. She lives; but wastes her life in constant woe, Weeping her husband slain, her infant lost. Norv. You that are skill'd so well in the sad story Of my unhappy parents, and with tears 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. |