And thy bright sun of glory set in blood?
I would have spar"d thy virtues, and thy age, The knowledge of her infamy.
_Raby._ "Tis false.
Had she been base, this sword had drank her blood.
_Dou._ Ha! dost thou vindicate the wanton?
_Raby._ Wanton?
Thou hast defam"d a n.o.ble lady"s honour-- My spotless child--in me behold her champion: The strength of Hercules will nerve this arm, When lifted in defence of innocence.
The daughter"s virtue for the father"s shield, Will make old Raby still invincible. [_offers to draw._
_Dou._ Forbear.
_Raby._ Thou dost disdain my feeble arm, And scorn my age.
_Dou._ There will be blood enough; Nor need thy wither"d veins, old lord, be drain"d, To swell the copious stream.
_Raby._ Thou wilt not kill her?
_Dou._ Oh, "tis a day of horror!
_Enter Edric and Birtha._
_Edr._ Where is Douglas?
I come to save him from the deadliest crime Revenge did ever meditate.
_Dou._ What meanest thou?
_Edr._ This instant fly, and save thy guiltless wife.
_Dou._ Save that perfidious--
_Edr._ That much-injur"d woman.
_Bir._ Unfortunate indeed, but O most innocent!
_Edr._ In the last solemn article of death, That truth-compelling state, when even bad men Fear to speak falsely, Percy clear"d her fame.
_Dou._ I heard him--"Twas the guilty fraud of love.
The scarf, the scarf! that proof of mutual pa.s.sion, Given but this day to ratify their crimes!
_Bir._ What means my lord? This day? That fatal scarf Was given long since, a toy of childish friendship; Long ere your marriage, ere you knew Elwina.
_Raby._ "Tis I am guilty.
_Dou._ Ha!
_Raby._ I,--I alone.
Confusion, honour, pride, parental fondness, Distract my soul,--Percy was not to blame, He was--the destin"d husband of Elwina!
He loved her--was belov"d--and I approv"d.
The tale is long.--I chang"d my purpose since, Forbad their marriage--
_Dou._ And confirm"d my mis"ry!
Twice did they meet to-day--my wife and Percy.
_Raby._ I know it.
_Dou._ Ha! thou knew"st of my dishonour?
Thou wast a witness, an approving witness, At least a tame one!
_Raby._ Percy came, "tis true, A constant, tender, but a guiltless lover!
_Dou._ I shall grow mad indeed; a guiltless lover!
Percy, the guiltless lover of my wife!
_Raby._ He knew not she was married.
_Dou._ How? is"t possible?
_Raby._ Douglas, "tis true; both, both were innocent; He of her marriage, she of his return.
_Bir._ But now, when we believ"d thee dead, she vow"d Never to see thy rival. Instantly, Not in a state of momentary pa.s.sion, But with a martyr"s dignity and calmness, She bade me bring the poison.
_Dou._ Had"st thou done it, Despair had been my portion! Fly, good Birtha, Find out the suffering saint--describe my penitence, And paint my vast extravagance of fondness, Tell her I love as never mortal lov"d-- Tell her I know her virtues, and adore them-- Tell her I come, but dare not seek her presence, Till she p.r.o.nounce my pardon.
_Bir._ I obey. [_exit Birtha._
_Raby._ My child is innocent! ye choirs of saints, Catch the blest sounds--my child is innocent!
_Dou._ O I will kneel, and sue for her forgiveness, And thou shalt help me plead the cause of love, And thou shalt weep--she cannot sure refuse A kneeling husband and a weeping father.
Thy venerable cheek is wet already.
_Raby._ Douglas! it is the dew of grateful joy!
My child is innocent! I now would die, Lest fortune should grow weary of her kindness, And grudge me this short transport.
_Dou._ Where, where, is she?
My fond impatience brooks not her delay; Quick, let me find her, hush her anxious soul, And sooth her troubled spirit into peace.
_Enter Birtha._
_Bir._ O horror, horror, horror!
_Dou._ Ah! what mean"st thou?
_Bir._ Elwina--
_Dou._ Speak--
_Bir._ Her grief wrought up to frenzy, She has, in her delirium, swallow"d poison!