pian bills They turn'd upon him, but his active arm And, heaven directed, came this day to do Struck to the ground, from whence they rose The happy deed that gilds my humble name. no more, Lord R. He is as wise as brave. Was The fiercest two; the others fled amain, ever tale And left him master of the bloody field. With such a gallant modesty rehears'a ? Speak, lady Randolph, upon beauly's tongue My brave deliverer! thou shalt enter now Dwell accents pleasing to the brave and bold; A nobler list, and in a monarch's sight Speak, noble dame, and thank him for thy lord. Contend with princes for the prize of fame. Lady R. My lord, I cannot speak' what I will present thee to our Scottish king, now I feel; Whose valiant spirit ever valour lov'd. My heart o'erflows with gratitude to heaven, Ah! my Matilda, wherefore starts that tear? And to this noble youth, who, all unknown Lady R. I cannot say; for various affecTo you and yours, deliberated not, tions, Nor paus'd al peril, but, humanely brave, And strangely mingled, in my bosom swell; Fought on your side against such fearful odds. Yet each of ibem may well command a tear. Have you not learn'd of him whom we should I joy that thou art sase; and I admire thank ? Him and his fortunes, who hath wrought thy Whom call the saviour of lord Randolph's life? safety ; , Lord R. I ask'd that question, and he an- Yea, as my mind predicts, with thine his own. swer'd not; Obscure and friendless he the army sought, But I must know who my deliverer is. Bent upon peril, in the range of death [To Norval. Resolv'd to hunt for fame, and with his sword Nor. A low-born man, of parentage obs- To gain distinction which his birth denied. cure, In this attempt, unknown he might have peWho nought can boast, but his desire to be rish’d, A soldier, and to gain a name in arms. And gain'd with all his valour, but oblivion. Lord K. Whoe'er thou art, thy spirit is Now grac'd by thee, his virtues serve no more ennobl'd Beneath despair. The soldier now of hope, By the great King of kings: thou art ordaind He stands conspicuous; fame and great renown And stamp'd a hero, by the sovereign band Are brought within the compass of his sword. Of sature! Blush not, flower of modesty On this my mind reflected, whilst you spoke, As well as valour, to declare thy birth. And bless'd the wonder-working Lord of heaven. Nor. My name is Norval:, on the Gram- Lord R. Pious and grateful ever are thy thoughis! My father feeds his flocks; a frugal swain, My deeds shall follow where thou point'st the Whose constant cares were to increase bis way. store, Next to myself, and equal to Glenalvon, And keep his only son, myself, at home. In honour and command shall Norval be. For I had heard of battles, and I long'd Nor. I know not how to thank you. Rude To follow to the field some warlike lord: I am And beav'n soon granted what my sire denied. In speech and manners: never till this hour This moon which rose last night, round as Stood I in such a presence: 'yet , my lord, my shield, There's something in my breast, which makes Had not yet filld her horns, when, by her light, band of fierce barbarians, from ihe hills, To say, that Norval ne'er will shame thy faRash'd like a torrent down upon the vale, Sweeping our flocks and herds. The shep- Lady R. I will be sworn thou wilt not. herds fled Thou shalt be For safety and for succour. I alone, My knight; and ever, as thou didst to-day, With bended bow, and quiver full of arrows, With happy valour guard the life of Randolph. Horer'd about the enemy, and mark'd Lord R. Well hast thou spoke. The road he took; tben hasted to my friends, forbid reply ; [To Norval. bom, with a troop of fifiy chosen men, We are thy debtors still. Thy high desert I met advancing. The pursuit I led, O'ertops our gratitude. I must proceed, Till we o'ertook the spoil-encumber'd foe. As was at first intended, to the camp. We fought and conquerd. Ere a sword was Some of my train I see are speeding hither, drawn, Impatient doubtless of their lord's delay. de arrow from my bow had pierc'd their Go with me, Norval, and thine eyes shall see chief, The chosen warriors of thy native land, Wbo wore that day the arms which now I Who languish for the fight, and beat the air With brandish'd swords. Returning home in triumph, I disdain'd Nor. Let us be gone, my lord. The sbepherd's slothful life; and having heard Lord R. [To Lady R.] About the tim That our good king had summond his bold that the declining sun peers Sball his broad orbit o'er yon hill suspend, To lead their warriors to the Carron side, Expect us to return. This night once more I left my father's house, and took with me Within these walls I rest; my tent I pitch A chosen servant to conduct my steps; To-morrow in the field. Prepare the feast: Yon trembling coward, who forsook his mas- Free is his heart who for his country fights: ter.. He in the eve of battle may resign Journeying with this intent, I pass'd these Himself to social pleasure : sweetest then, towers, When danger to a soldier's soul endears me bold vour. Let me wear. blessed cross, The human joy that never may return. 1 I have a counsel for Glenalvon's ear. [Exeunt Lord Randolph and Norval. [Exit Anna. Lady R. His parting words' bave struck a Glen. To him your counsels always are fatal truth. commands. Oh, Douglas ! Douglas! tender was the time Lady R. I have not found so; thou art When we two parted, ne'er to meet again! known to me. How many years of anguish and despair Glen. Known! Has heaven annex’d to those swift passing hours Lady R. And most certain is my cause of Of love and fondness. knowledge. Wrelch that I am! Alas! why am I so? Glen. What do you know? By the most At every happy parent I repine. How blest the mother of yon gallant Norval! You much amaze me. No created being, She for a living husband bore her pains, Yourself except, durst thus accost Glenalvon. And heard him bless her when a man was born: Lady R. Is guilt so bold? and dost thou She nurs'd her smiling infant on her breast; make a merit his Have 'hitherto conceald, what, if indulg'd, Whilst I to a dead husband bore a son, Would make thee nothing! or what's worse And to the roaring waters gave my child. than thal, Anna. Alas! alas! why will you thus resume An outcast beggar, and unpitied too! Your grief afresh? I thought that gallant youth For 'mortals shudder at a crimc like thine. Would for a while have won you from your woe. Glen. Thy virtue awes me. First of woOn him intent you gazed, with a look mankind! Much more delighted, than your pensive eye Permit me yet to say, that the fond man Has deign’d on other objects to bestow. Whom love transports beyond strict virtue's Lady R. Delighted, say'st thou? Oh! even bounds, there mine eye If he is brought by love to misery, Found fuel for my life-consuming sorrow; In fortune ruin’d, as in mind forlorn, I thought, that had the son of Douglas liv'd, Unpitied cannot be. Pity's the alms He might have been like this young gallant Which on such beggars freely is bestow'd; stranger; For mortals know that love is still their lord, And pair’d with him in features and in shape, And o'er their vain resolves advances still: In all endowments, as in years, I deem, As fire, when kindled by our shepherds, moves My boy with blooming Norval might have Through the dry heath before the fanning wind. number'd. Lady R. Reserve these accents for some Whilst thus I mus'd, a spark from fancy fell On my sad heart, and kindled up a fondness To love's apology I listen not. For this young stranger, wand'ring from his Mark thou my words: for it is meet thou shouldst. And like an orphan cast upon my care. His brave deliverer, Randolph here retains. I will protect thee, said I to myself, Perhaps his presence may not please thee well: With all my power, and grace with all my But, at thy peril , practise ought against him: favour. Let not thy jealousy attempt to shake Anna. Sure, heaven will bless so gen'rous And loosen the good root he has in Randolph, a resolve. Whose favourites I know thou hast supplanted. You must, my noble dame, exert your power : Thou look’st at me, as if thou wouldst pry You must awake; devices will be fram'd, Into my beart. 'Tis open as my speech. And arrows pointed at the breast of Norval. I give this early caution, and put on Lady R. Glenalvon's false and crafty head The curb, before thy temper breaks away: will work The friendless stranger my protection claims; Against a rival in his kinsman's love, llis friend I am, and be noi thou his foe. If I deter him not; I only can, [Exit. Bold as he is, Glenalvon will beware Glen. Child that I was to start at my own How he pulls down the fabric that I raise. shadow, I'll be the artist of young Norval's fortune. And be the shallow fool of coward conscience! I am not what I have been; what I should be. Enter GLENALVON. The darts of destiny have almost pierc'd Glen. Where is my dearest kinsman, noble My marble heart. Had I one grain of faith Randolph ? In holy legends and religious tales, Lady R. Have you not heard, Glenalvon, I should conclude there was an arm above of the base That fought against me, and malignant turn'd, Glen. I have; and that the villains may not To catch myself, the subtle snare I set. 'scape, Why, rape and murder are not simple means ! With a strong band I have begirt the wood. The imperfect rape to Randolph gave a spouse; If they lurk there, alive they shall be taken, And the intended murder introduc'd And torture force from them the important A favourite to hide the sun from me; secret, And worst of all, a rival. Burning hell! Whether some foe of Randolph's hir’d their This were thy centre, if I thought she lov'd swords, him Or if |'Tis certain she contemns me; nay, commands Lady R. Thal care becomes a kinsman's love. me, other ear; home, And waves the flag of her displeasure o'er me,(The tender lamb, that never nipt the grass, can ye produce ? More fierce than hate, ambition, and revenge, 1 Serv. We found him lurking in the holRise up, and fill my bosom with your fires. low glen. And old in villany. Permit us try His stubbornness against the torture's force. Pris. Ob, gentle lady! by your lord's dear Enter ANNA. life, Which these weak hands, I swear, did ne'er · Anna. Thy vassals, grief, great nature's or assail, der break, And by your children's welfare, spare my age! And change the noontide to the midnight hour. Let not ihe iron tear my ancient joints, Whilst lady Randolph sleeps, I will walk forth, And my grey hairs bring to the grave with And taste the air that breathes on yonder bank. pain. Sweet may her slumbers be! Ye ministers Lady R. Account for these; thine own they Of gracious heaven, who love the human race, cannot be : Angels and seraphs, who delight in goodness, For these, I say: be stedfast to the truth; Forsake your skies and to her couch descend ! Detected falsehood is most certain death. There from her fancy chase those dismal forms [Anna removes the Servants, and That haunt her waking; ber sad spirit charm returns. With images celestial, such as please Pris. Alas! I'm sore beset! let never man, The blest above upon their golden beds. For sake of lucré, sin against his soul ! Eternal justice is in this most just! I, guiltless now, must former guilt reveal. Sere. One of the vile assassins is secur'd. Lady R. Oh! Anna, 'hear! - once more I We found the villain lurking in the wood: charge thee speak With dreadful imprecations he denies The truth direct; for these to me forctel All knowledge of the crime. But this is not And certify a part of thy narration, His first essay: these jewels were conceal'd With which, if the remainder tallies not, In the most secret places of his garment; An instant and a dreadful death abides thee. Belike the spoils of some that he has murder'd. Pris. Then, thus adjur'd, I'll speak to you Anna. Let me look on them. Ha! here is as just a heart, As if you were the minister of beaven, The chosen crest of Douglas' valiant name! Sent down to search the secret sins of men. These are no vulgar jewels. Guard the wretch. Some eighteen years ago I rented land [Exit. Of brave sir Malcolm, then Balarmo's lord ; But falling to decay, his servants seiz'd Enter Servants, with a Prisoner. All that I had, and then turn'd me and mine Pris. I know no more than does the child (Four helpless infants and their weeping mother), unborn Out to the mercy of the winter winds. Of what you charge me with. A little hovel by the river's side 1 Sero. You say so, sir! Receiv'd us; there hard labour, and the skill But torture soon shall make you speak the truth. In fishing, which was formerly my sport, Behold, the lady of lord Randolph comes : Supported life. Whilst thus we poorly liv'd, Prepare yourself to meet her just revenge. One stormy night, as I remember well, The wind and rain beat hard upon our roof; Enter LADY RANDOLPH and ANNA. Red came the river down, and loud and oft Anna. Summon your utmost fortitude, be- The angry spirit of the water shriek’d. fore At the dead hour of night was heard the cry You speak with him. Your dignity, your fame, of one in jeopardy. I rose, and ran Are now at stake. Think of ihe fatal secret , To where the circling eddy of a pool, Which in a moment from your lips may fly: Beneath the ford, us'd oft to bring within Lady R. Thou shalt behold me, with a des- My reach whatever floating thing the stream perate heart, Had caught. The voice had ceas'd; the perHear how my infant perish'd. See, he kneels. son lost; [The Prisoner kneels. But looking sad and earnest on the waters, Pris. Heaven bless that countenance so sweet By the moon's light I saw, whirld round and and mild ! round, Pris. He was. resume me. The human joy that never may return. I have a counsel for Glenalvon's ear. [Exeunt Lord Randolph and Norval. [Exit Anna. Lady R. His parting words' have struck a Glen. To him your counsels always are fatal truth. commands. Oh, Douglas ! Douglas! tender was the time Lady R. I have not found so; thou art When we two parted, ne'er to meet again! known to me. How many years of anguish and despair Glen. Known! Has heaven annex’d to those swift passing hours Lady R. And most certain is my cause of Of love and fondness. knowledge. Wretch that I am! Alas! why am I so? Glen. What do you know? By the most At every happy parent I repine. blessed cross, How blest the mother of yon gallant Norval! You much amaze me. No created being, She for a living husband bore her pains, Yourself except, durst thus accost Glenalvon. And heard bim bless her when a man was born: Lady R. Is guilt so bold? and dost thou She nurs'd her smiling infant on her breast; make a merit Tended the child, and reard the pleasing boy; Of thy pretended meekness ? this to me, She, with affection's triumph, saw the youth Who, with a gentleness which duty blames, In grace and comeliness surpass his llave hitherto conceald, what, if indulg'd, Whilst I to a dead husband bore a son, Would make thee nothing! or what's worse And to the roaring, waters gave my child. than that, Anna. Alas! alas! why will you thus An outcast beggar, and unpitied too! Your grief afresh? I thought that gallant youth For 'mortals shudder at a crime like thine. Would for awhile have won you from your woe. Glen. Thy virtue awes First of woOn him intent you gazed, with a look mankind! Much more delighted, than your pensive eye Permit me yet to say, that the fond man Has deign'd on other objects to bestow. Whom love transports beyond strict virtue's Lady R. Delighted, say'st thou? Oh! even bounds, there mine eye If he is brought by love to misery, Found fuel for my life-consuming sorrow; In fortune ruin'd, as in mind forlorn, I thought, that had the son of Douglas liv'd, Unpilied cannot be. Pity's the alms He might have been like this young gallant Which on such beggars freely is bestow'd; stranger; For mortals know that love is still their lord, And pair'd with him in features and in shape, And o'er their vain resolves advances still: In all endowments, as in years, I deem, As fire, when kindled by our shepherds, moves My boy with blooming Norval might have Through the dry heath before the fanning wind. number'd. Lady R. Reserve these accents for some Whilst thus I mus'd, a spark from fancy fell On my sad heart, and kindled up a fondness To love's apology I listen not. For this young stranger, wand'ring from his Mark thou my words: for it is meet thou home, shouldst. And like an orphan cast upon my care. Ilis brave deliverer, Randolph here retains. I will protect thee, said I to myself, Perhaps his presence may not please thee well: With all my power, and grace with all my But, at thy peril , practise ought against him: Let not thy jealousy attempt to shake Anna. Sure, heaven will bless so gen'rous And loosen ihe good root he has in Randolph, a resolve. Whose favourites I know thou hast supplanted. You must, my noble dame, exert your power : Thou look'st at me, as if thou wouldsi pry You must awake; devices will be framd, Into my heart. 'Tis open as my speech. And arrows pointed at the breast of Norval. I give this early caution, and put on Lady R. Glenalvon's false and crafty head The curb, before thy temper breaks away: will work The friendless stranger my protection claims; Against a rival in his kinsman's love, Ilis friend I am, and be noi thou his foe. If I deter him not; I only can. Erit. Bold as he is, Glenalvon will beware Glen. Child that I was to start at my own llow he pulls down the fabric that I raise. shadow, I'll be the artist of young Norval's fortune. And be the shallow fool of coward conscience! I am not what I have been; what I should be. Enter GLENALVON. The darts of destiny have almost pierc'd Glen. Where is my dearest kinsman, noble My marble heart. Had I one grain of faith Randolph ? In' holy legends and religious tales, Lady R. Have you not heard, Glenalvon, I should conclude there was an arm abore of the base That fought against me, and malignant turn'd, Glen. I have; and that the villains may not to catch myself, the subtle snare I set. Why, rape and murder are not simple means! With a strong band'I' have begirt the wood. The imperfect rape to Randolph gave a spouse; If they lurk there, alive they shall be taken, And the intended murder introduc'd And torture force from them the important A favourite to hide the sun from me; secret, And worst of all, a rival. Burning hell! Whether some foe of Randolph's hir’d their This were thy centre, if I though she lor'd swords, him! Or if 'Tis certain she contemns me; nay, commands Lady R. Thal care becomes a kinsman's love. me, other ear; favour. 'scape, And waves the flag of her displeasure o'er me, The tender lamb, that never nipt the grass, can ye produce ? More fierce than hale, ambition, and revenge, 1 Serv. We found him lurking in the holRise up, and fill my bosom with your fires. low glen. And old in villany. Permit us try His stubbornness against the torture's force. Pris. Ob, gentle lady! by your lord's dear Enter ANNA. life, Which these weak hands, I swear, did ne'er Anna. Thy vassals, grief, great nature's or assail, der break, And by your children's welfare, spare my age! And change the noontide to the midnight hour. Let not ihe iron tear my ancient joints, Whilst lady Randolph sleeps, I will walk forth, And my grey hairs bring to the grave with And taste the air that breathes on yonder bank. pain. Sweet may her slumbers be! Ye ministers Lady R. Account for these; thine own they Of gracious heaven, who love the human race, cannot be : Angels and seraphs, who delight in goodness, For these, I say: be stedfast to the truth; Forsake your skies and to her couch descend ! Detected falsehood is most certain death. There from her fancy chase those dismal forms [ Anna removes the Servants, and That haunt her waking; ber sad spirit charm returns. With images celestial, such as please Pris. Alas! I'm sore beset ! let never man, The blest above upon their golden beds. For sake of lucre, sin against his soul! Eternal justice is in this most just! I, guiltless now, must former guilt reveal. Sero. One of the vile assassins is secur'd. Lady R. Oh! Anna, hear! – on - once more I We found the villain lurking in the wood: charge thee speak With dreadful imprecations he denies The truth direct; for these to me forctel All knowledge of the crime. But this is not And certify a part of thy, narration, llis first essay: these jewels were conceal'd With which, if the remainder tallies not, In the most secret places of his garment; An instant and a dreadful death abides thee. Belike the spoils of some that he has murder'd. Pris. Then, thus adjur'd, I'll speak to you Anna. Let me look on them. Ha! here is as just a heart, As if you were the minister of heaven, The chosen crest of Douglas' valiant name! Sent down to search the secret sins of men. These are no vulgar jewels. Guard the wretch. Some eighteen years ago I rented land [Exit. of brave sir Malcolm, then Balarmo's lord; But falling to decay, his servants seiz'd Enter Servants, with a Prisoner. All that I had, and then turn'd me and mine Pris. I know no more than does the child (Four helpless infants and their weeping mother), unborn Out to the mercy of the winter winds. Of what you charge me with. A little hovel by the river's side 1 Sero. You say so, sir! Receiv'd us; there hard labour, and the skill Bet torture soon shall make you speak the truth. In fishing, which was formerly my sport, Behold, the lady of lord Randolph comes : Supported life. Whilst thus we poorly liv'd, Prepare yourself to meet her just revenge. One stormy night, as I remember well, The wind and rain beat hard upon our roof; Enler LADY RANDOLPH and ANNA. Red came the river down, and loud and oft Anna. Summon your utmost fortitude, be- The angry spirit of the water shriek d. fore At the dead 'hour of night was heard the cry You speak with him. Your dignity, your fame, of one in jeopardy: I rose, and ran Are now at stake. Think of the fatal secret , To where the circling eddy of a pool, Which in a moment from your lips may fly. Beneath the ford, us'a oft to bring within Lady R. Thou shalt behold me, with a des- My reach whatever floating thing the stream perate heart, Had caught. The voice had ceas'd; the perHear how my infant perish'd. See, he kneels. son lost; [The Prisoner kneels. But looking sad and earnest on the waters, Pris. Heaven bless that countenance so sweet By the moon's light I saw, whirld round and and mild ! round, Pris. He was. |