I
whispered
to him thrice.
Wordsworth - 1
--
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. ]
OSWALD Woman, thou hast a helpless Infant--keep
Thy secret for its sake, or verily
That wretched life of thine shall be the forfeit.
BEGGAR I _do_ repent me, Sir; I fear the curse
Of that blind Man. 'Twas not your money, Sir,--
OSWALD Begone!
BEGGAR (going)
There is some wicked deed in hand:
[Aside. ]
Would I could find the old Man and his Daughter.
[Exit Beggar. ]
[MARMADUKE re-enters from the dungeon]
OSWALD It is all over then;--your foolish fears
Are hushed to sleep, by your own act and deed,
Made quiet as he is.
MARMADUKE Why came you down?
And when I felt your hand upon my arm
And spake to you, why did you give no answer?
Feared you to waken him? he must have been
In a deep sleep.
I whispered to him thrice.
There are the strangest echoes in that place!
OSWALD Tut! let them gabble till the day of doom.
MARMADUKE Scarcely, by groping, had I reached the Spot,
When round my wrist I felt a cord drawn tight,
As if the blind Man's dog were pulling at it.
OSWALD But after that?
MARMADUKE The features of Idonea
Lurked in his face--
OSWALD Psha! Never to these eyes
Will retribution show itself again
With aspect so inviting. Why forbid me
To share your triumph?
MARMADUKE Yes, her very look,
Smiling in sleep--
OSWALD A pretty feat of Fancy!
MARMADUKE Though but a glimpse, it sent me to my prayers.
OSWALD Is he alive?
MARMADUKE What mean you? who alive?
OSWALD Herbert! since you will have it, Baron Herbert;
He who will gain his Seignory when Idonea
Hath become Clifford's harlot--is _he_ living?
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. ]
OSWALD Woman, thou hast a helpless Infant--keep
Thy secret for its sake, or verily
That wretched life of thine shall be the forfeit.
BEGGAR I _do_ repent me, Sir; I fear the curse
Of that blind Man. 'Twas not your money, Sir,--
OSWALD Begone!
BEGGAR (going)
There is some wicked deed in hand:
[Aside. ]
Would I could find the old Man and his Daughter.
[Exit Beggar. ]
[MARMADUKE re-enters from the dungeon]
OSWALD It is all over then;--your foolish fears
Are hushed to sleep, by your own act and deed,
Made quiet as he is.
MARMADUKE Why came you down?
And when I felt your hand upon my arm
And spake to you, why did you give no answer?
Feared you to waken him? he must have been
In a deep sleep.
I whispered to him thrice.
There are the strangest echoes in that place!
OSWALD Tut! let them gabble till the day of doom.
MARMADUKE Scarcely, by groping, had I reached the Spot,
When round my wrist I felt a cord drawn tight,
As if the blind Man's dog were pulling at it.
OSWALD But after that?
MARMADUKE The features of Idonea
Lurked in his face--
OSWALD Psha! Never to these eyes
Will retribution show itself again
With aspect so inviting. Why forbid me
To share your triumph?
MARMADUKE Yes, her very look,
Smiling in sleep--
OSWALD A pretty feat of Fancy!
MARMADUKE Though but a glimpse, it sent me to my prayers.
OSWALD Is he alive?
MARMADUKE What mean you? who alive?
OSWALD Herbert! since you will have it, Baron Herbert;
He who will gain his Seignory when Idonea
Hath become Clifford's harlot--is _he_ living?
