No More Learning

MARMADUKE I met a peasant near the spot; he told me,
These ten years she had sate all day alone
Within those empty walls.


OSWALD I too have seen her;
Chancing to pass this way some six months gone,
At midnight, I betook me to the Churchyard:
The moon shone clear, the air was still, so still
The trees were silent as the graves beneath them.
Long did I watch, and saw her pacing round
Upon the self-same spot, still round and round,
Her lips for ever moving.


MARMADUKE At her door
Rooted I stood; for, looking at the woman,
I thought I saw the skeleton of Idonea.


OSWALD But the pretended Father--


MARMADUKE Earthly law
Measures not crimes like his.


OSWALD _We_ rank not, happily,
With those who take the spirit of their rule
From that soft class of devotees who feel
Reverence for life so deeply, that they spare
The verminous brood, and cherish what they spare
While feeding on their bodies. Would that Idonea
Were present, to the end that we might hear
What she can urge in his defence; she loves him.


MARMADUKE Yes, loves him; 'tis a truth that multiplies
His guilt a thousand-fold.


OSWALD 'Tis most perplexing:
What must be done?


MARMADUKE We will conduct her hither;
These walls shall witness it--from first to last
He shall reveal himself.


OSWALD Happy are we,
Who live in these disputed tracts, that own
No law but what each man makes for himself;
Here justice has indeed a field of triumph.


MARMADUKE Let us begone and bring her hither;--here
The truth shall be laid open, his guilt proved
Before her face. The rest be left to me.

OSWALD You will be firm: but though we well may trust
The issue to the justice of the cause,
Caution must not be flung aside; remember,
Yours is no common life. Self-stationed here,
Upon these savage confines, we have seen you
Stand like an isthmus 'twixt two stormy seas
That oft have checked their fury at your bidding.
'Mid the deep holds of Solway's mossy waste,
Your single virtue has transformed a Band
Of fierce barbarians into Ministers
Of peace and order. Aged men with tears
Have blessed their steps, the fatherless retire
For shelter to their banners. But it is,
As you must needs have deeply felt, it is
In darkness and in tempest that we seek
The majesty of Him who rules the world.
Benevolence, that has not heart to use
The wholesome ministry of pain and evil,
Becomes at last weak and contemptible.
Your generous qualities have won due praise,
But vigorous Spirits look for something more
Than Youth's spontaneous products; and to-day
You will not disappoint them; and hereafter--


MARMADUKE You are wasting words; hear me then, once for all:
You are a Man--and therefore, if compassion,
Which to our kind is natural as life,
Be known unto you, you will love this Woman,
Even as I do; but I should loathe the light,
If I could think one weak or partial feeling--


OSWALD You will forgive me--


MARMADUKE If I ever knew
My heart, could penetrate its inmost core,
'Tis at this moment. --Oswald, I have loved
To be the friend and father of the oppressed,
A comforter of sorrow;--there is something
Which looks like a transition in my soul,
And yet it is not. --Let us lead him hither.


OSWALD Stoop for a moment; 'tis an act of justice;
And where's the triumph if the delegate
Must fall in the execution of his office?
The deed is done--if you will have it so--
Here where we stand--that tribe of vulgar wretches
(You saw them gathering for the festival)
Rush in--the villains seize us--


MARMADUKE Seize!


OSWALD Yes, they--
Men who are little given to sift and weigh--
Would wreak on us the passion of the moment.


MARMADUKE The cloud will soon disperse--farewell--but stay,
Thou wilt relate the story.


OSWALD Am I neither
To bear a part in this Man's punishment,
Nor be its witness?


MARMADUKE I had many hopes
That were most dear to me, and some will bear
To be transferred to thee.


OSWALD When I'm dishonoured!


MARMADUKE I would preserve thee. How may this be done?