]
Praying or parleying?
Praying or parleying?
Wordsworth - 1
He lies
Within the Vault, a spear's length to the left.
[MARMADUKE descends to the dungeon. ]
(Alone. ) The Villains rose in mutiny to destroy me;
I could have quelled the Cowards, but this Stripling
Must needs step in, and save my life. The look
With which he gave the boon--I see it now!
The same that tempted me to loathe the gift. --
For this old venerable Grey-beard--faith
'Tis his own fault if he hath got a face
Which doth play tricks with them that look on it:
'Twas this that put it in my thoughts--that countenance--
His staff--his figure--Murder! --what, of whom?
We kill a worn-out horse, and who but women
Sigh at the deed? Hew down a withered tree,
And none look grave but dotards. He may live
To thank me for this service. Rainbow arches,
Highways of dreaming passion, have too long,
Young as he is, diverted wish and hope
From the unpretending ground we mortals tread;--
Then shatter the delusion, break it up
And set him free. What follows? I have learned
That things will work to ends the slaves o' the world
Do never dream of. I _have_ been what he--
This Boy--when he comes forth with bloody hands--
Might envy, and am now,--but he shall know
What I am now--
[Goes and listens at the dungeon.
]
Praying or parleying? --tut!
Is he not eyeless? He has been half-dead
These fifteen years--
[Enter female Beggar with two or three of her Companions. ]
(Turning abruptly. ) Ha! speak--what Thing art thou?
(Recognises her. ) Heavens! my good friend! [To her. ]
BEGGAR Forgive me, gracious Sir! --
OSWALD (to her companions)
Begone, ye Slaves, or I will raise a whirlwind
And send ye dancing to the clouds, like leaves.
[They retire affrighted. ]
BEGGAR Indeed we meant no harm; we lodge sometimes
In this deserted Castle--_I repent me. _
[OSWALD goes to the dungeon--listens--returns to the Beggar.
Within the Vault, a spear's length to the left.
[MARMADUKE descends to the dungeon. ]
(Alone. ) The Villains rose in mutiny to destroy me;
I could have quelled the Cowards, but this Stripling
Must needs step in, and save my life. The look
With which he gave the boon--I see it now!
The same that tempted me to loathe the gift. --
For this old venerable Grey-beard--faith
'Tis his own fault if he hath got a face
Which doth play tricks with them that look on it:
'Twas this that put it in my thoughts--that countenance--
His staff--his figure--Murder! --what, of whom?
We kill a worn-out horse, and who but women
Sigh at the deed? Hew down a withered tree,
And none look grave but dotards. He may live
To thank me for this service. Rainbow arches,
Highways of dreaming passion, have too long,
Young as he is, diverted wish and hope
From the unpretending ground we mortals tread;--
Then shatter the delusion, break it up
And set him free. What follows? I have learned
That things will work to ends the slaves o' the world
Do never dream of. I _have_ been what he--
This Boy--when he comes forth with bloody hands--
Might envy, and am now,--but he shall know
What I am now--
[Goes and listens at the dungeon.
]
Praying or parleying? --tut!
Is he not eyeless? He has been half-dead
These fifteen years--
[Enter female Beggar with two or three of her Companions. ]
(Turning abruptly. ) Ha! speak--what Thing art thou?
(Recognises her. ) Heavens! my good friend! [To her. ]
BEGGAR Forgive me, gracious Sir! --
OSWALD (to her companions)
Begone, ye Slaves, or I will raise a whirlwind
And send ye dancing to the clouds, like leaves.
[They retire affrighted. ]
BEGGAR Indeed we meant no harm; we lodge sometimes
In this deserted Castle--_I repent me. _
[OSWALD goes to the dungeon--listens--returns to the Beggar.
