ELDRED I tell you his hands and his body were cold--how could I
disturb his last moments?
disturb his last moments?
Wordsworth - 1
we are undone for ever.
ELDRED Heaven forbid that I should lift my hand against any man.
Eleanor, I have shed tears to-night, and it comforts
me to think of it.
ELEANOR Where, where is he?
ELDRED I have done him no harm, but----it will be forgiven me; it
would not have been so once.
ELEANOR You have not _buried_ anything? You are no richer than
when you left me?
ELDRED Be at peace; I am innocent.
ELEANOR Then God be thanked--
[A short pause; she falls upon his neck. ]
ELDRED Tonight I met with an old Man lying stretched upon the
ground--a sad spectacle: I raised him up with a hope
that we might shelter and restore him.
ELEANOR (as if ready to run)
Where is he? You were not able to bring him _all_ the way
with you; let us return, I can help you.
[ELDRED shakes his head. ]
ELDRED He did not seem to wish for life: as I was struggling on,
by the light of the moon I saw the stains of blood upon my
clothes--he waved his hand, as if it were all useless; and
I let him sink again to the ground.
ELEANOR Oh that I had been by your side!
ELDRED I tell you his hands and his body were cold--how could I
disturb his last moments? he strove to turn from me as
if he wished to settle into sleep.
ELEANOR But, for the stains of blood--
ELDRED He must have fallen, I fancy, for his head was cut; but I
think his malady was cold and hunger.
ELEANOR Oh, Eldred, I shall never be able to look up at this roof
in storm or fair but I shall tremble.
ELDRED Is it not enough that my ill stars have kept me abroad
to-night till this hour? I come home, and this is my
comfort!
ELEANOR But did he say nothing which might have set you at ease?
ELDRED I thought he grasped my hand while he was muttering
something about his Child--his Daughter--
(starting as if he heard a noise).
What is that?
ELEANOR Eldred, you are a father.
ELDRED God knows what was in my heart, and will not curse my son
for my sake.
ELEANOR But you prayed by him? you waited the hour of his release?
ELDRED The night was wasting fast; I have no friend; I am spited
by the world--his wound terrified me--if I had
brought him along with me, and he had died in my
arms! ----I am sure I heard something breathing--and
this chair!
ELEANOR Oh, Eldred, you will die alone.
ELDRED Heaven forbid that I should lift my hand against any man.
Eleanor, I have shed tears to-night, and it comforts
me to think of it.
ELEANOR Where, where is he?
ELDRED I have done him no harm, but----it will be forgiven me; it
would not have been so once.
ELEANOR You have not _buried_ anything? You are no richer than
when you left me?
ELDRED Be at peace; I am innocent.
ELEANOR Then God be thanked--
[A short pause; she falls upon his neck. ]
ELDRED Tonight I met with an old Man lying stretched upon the
ground--a sad spectacle: I raised him up with a hope
that we might shelter and restore him.
ELEANOR (as if ready to run)
Where is he? You were not able to bring him _all_ the way
with you; let us return, I can help you.
[ELDRED shakes his head. ]
ELDRED He did not seem to wish for life: as I was struggling on,
by the light of the moon I saw the stains of blood upon my
clothes--he waved his hand, as if it were all useless; and
I let him sink again to the ground.
ELEANOR Oh that I had been by your side!
ELDRED I tell you his hands and his body were cold--how could I
disturb his last moments? he strove to turn from me as
if he wished to settle into sleep.
ELEANOR But, for the stains of blood--
ELDRED He must have fallen, I fancy, for his head was cut; but I
think his malady was cold and hunger.
ELEANOR Oh, Eldred, I shall never be able to look up at this roof
in storm or fair but I shall tremble.
ELDRED Is it not enough that my ill stars have kept me abroad
to-night till this hour? I come home, and this is my
comfort!
ELEANOR But did he say nothing which might have set you at ease?
ELDRED I thought he grasped my hand while he was muttering
something about his Child--his Daughter--
(starting as if he heard a noise).
What is that?
ELEANOR Eldred, you are a father.
ELDRED God knows what was in my heart, and will not curse my son
for my sake.
ELEANOR But you prayed by him? you waited the hour of his release?
ELDRED The night was wasting fast; I have no friend; I am spited
by the world--his wound terrified me--if I had
brought him along with me, and he had died in my
arms! ----I am sure I heard something breathing--and
this chair!
ELEANOR Oh, Eldred, you will die alone.
