No More Learning

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.


HERBERT (at the mouth of the dungeon)
Give me your hand; where are you, Friends? and tell me
How goes the night.


MARMADUKE 'Tis hard to measure time,
In such a weary night, and such a place.