No More Learning

You said you did not like his looks--that he
Would trouble us; if he were here again,
I swear the sight of him would quail me more
Than twenty armies.


OSWALD How?


MARMADUKE The old blind Man,
When you had told him the mischance, was troubled
Even to the shedding of some natural tears
Into the torrent over which he hung,
Listening in vain.


OSWALD He has a tender heart!


[OSWALD offers to go down into the dungeon. ]


MARMADUKE How now, what mean you?


OSWALD Truly, I was going
To waken our stray Baron. Were there not
A farm or dwelling-house within five leagues,
We should deserve to wear a cap and bells,
Three good round years, for playing the fool here
In such a night as this.


MARMADUKE Stop, stop.


OSWALD Perhaps,
You'd better like we should descend together,
And lie down by his side--what say you to it?
Three of us--we should keep each other warm:
I'll answer for it that our four-legged friend
Shall not disturb us; further I'll not engage;
Come, come, for manhood's sake!


MARMADUKE These drowsy shiverings,
This mortal stupor which is creeping over me,
What do they mean? were this my single body
Opposed to armies, not a nerve would tremble:
Why do I tremble now? --Is not the depth
Of this Man's crimes beyond the reach of thought?
And yet, in plumbing the abyss for judgment,
Something I strike upon which turns my mind
Back on herself, I think, again--my breast
Concentres all the terrors of the Universe:
I look at him and tremble like a child.
OSWALD Is it possible?


MARMADUKE One thing you noticed not:
Just as we left the glen a clap of thunder
Burst on the mountains with hell-rousing force.
This is a time, said he, when guilt may shudder;
But there's a Providence for them who walk
In helplessness, when innocence is with them.
At this audacious blasphemy, I thought
The spirit of vengeance seemed to ride the air.


OSWALD Why are you not the man you were that moment?


[He draws MARMADUKE to the dungeon. ]


MARMADUKE You say he was asleep,--look at this arm,
And tell me if 'tis fit for such a work.
Oswald, Oswald!
[Leans upon OSWALD. ]


OSWALD This is some sudden seizure!


MARMADUKE A most strange faintness,--will you hunt me out
A draught of water?


OSWALD Nay, to see you thus
Moves me beyond my bearing. --I will try
To gain the torrent's brink.


[Exit OSWALD. ]


MARMADUKE (after a pause)
It seems an age
Since that Man left me. --No, I am not lost.