No More Learning

HERBERT I thank you; but, a resting-place so near,
'Twere wrong to trouble you.


PEASANT God speed you both.


[Exit Peasant. ]


HERBERT Idonea, we must part. Be not alarmed--
'Tis but for a few days--a thought has struck me.


IDONEA That I should leave you at this house, and thence
Proceed alone. It shall be so; for strength
Would fail you ere our journey's end be reached.


[Exit HERBERT supported by IDONEA. ]

[Re-enter MARMADUKE and OSWALD]


MARMADUKE This instant will we stop him--


OSWALD Be not hasty,
For, sometimes, in despite of my conviction,
He tempted me to think the Story true;
'Tis plain he loves the Maid, and what he said
That savoured of aversion to thy name
Appeared the genuine colour of his soul--
Anxiety lest mischief should befal her
After his death.


MARMADUKE
I have been much deceived.


OSWALD But sure he loves the Maiden, and never love
Could find delight to nurse itself so strangely,
Thus to torment her with _inventions! _--death--
There must be truth in this.


MARMADUKE Truth in his story!
He must have felt it then, known what it was,
And in such wise to rack her gentle heart
Had been a tenfold cruelty.


OSWALD Strange pleasures
Do we poor mortals cater for ourselves!
To see him thus provoke her tenderness
With tales of weakness and infirmity!
I'd wager on his life for twenty years.


MARMADUKE We will not waste an hour in such a cause.


OSWALD Why, this is noble! shake her off at once.


MARMADUKE Her virtues are his instruments. --A Man
Who has so practised on the world's cold sense,
May well deceive his Child--what! leave her thus,
A prey to a deceiver? --no--no--no--
'Tis but a word and then--


OSWALD Something is here
More than we see, or whence this strong aversion?
Marmaduke! I suspect unworthy tales
Have reached his ear--you have had enemies.


MARMADUKE Enemies! --of his own coinage.


OSWALD That may be,
But wherefore slight protection such as you
Have power to yield? perhaps he looks elsewhere. --
I am perplexed.