No More Learning

I will not murmur; blasted as I have been,
Thou hast left me ears to hear my Daughter's voice,
And arms to fold her to my heart. Submissively
Thee I adore, and find my rest in faith.


[Enter OSWALD. ]


OSWALD Herbert! --confusion! (aside).
Here it is, my Friend,
[Presents the Horn. ]
A charming beverage for you to carouse,
This bitter night.


HERBERT Ha! Oswald! ten bright crosses
I would have given, not many minutes gone,
To have heard your voice.


OSWALD Your couch, I fear, good Baron,
Has been but comfortless; and yet that place,
When the tempestuous wind first drove us hither,
Felt warm as a wren's nest. You'd better turn
And under covert rest till break of day,
Or till the storm abate.
(To MARMADUKE aside. ) He has restored you.
No doubt you have been nobly entertained?
But soft! --how came he forth? The Night-mare Conscience
Has driven him out of harbour?


MARMADUKE I believe
You have guessed right.


HERBERT The trees renew their murmur:
Come, let us house together.


[OSWALD conducts him to the dungeon. ]


OSWALD (returns)
Had I not
Esteemed you worthy to conduct the affair
To its most fit conclusion, do you think
I would so long have struggled with my Nature,
And smothered all that's man in me? --away! --
[Looking towards the dungeon. ]
This man's the property of him who best
Can feel his crimes. I have resigned a privilege;
It now becomes my duty to resume it.


MARMADUKE Touch not a finger--


OSWALD What then must be done?


MARMADUKE Which way soe'er I turn, I am perplexed.


OSWALD Now, on my life, I grieve for you. The misery
Of doubt is insupportable.