No More Learning

ELDRED, a Peasant.
Peasant, Pilgrims, etc.

IDONEA.
Female Beggar.
ELEANOR, Wife to ELDRED.




SCENE--Borders of England and Scotland

TIME--The Reign of Henry III.




ACT I

SCENE--Road in a Wood

WALLACE and LACY



LACY The Troop will be impatient; let us hie
Back to our post, and strip the Scottish Foray
Of their rich Spoil, ere they recross the Border.
---Pity that our young Chief will have no part
In this good service.


WALLACE Rather let us grieve
That, in the undertaking which has caused
His absence, he hath sought, whate'er his aim,
Companionship with One of crooked ways,
From whose perverted soul can come no good
To our confiding, open-hearted, Leader.


LACY True; and, remembering how the Band have proved
That Oswald finds small favour in our sight,
Well may we wonder he has gained such power
Over our much-loved Captain.


WALLACE I have heard
Of some dark deed to which in early life
His passion drove him--then a Voyager
Upon the midland Sea. You knew his bearing
In Palestine?


LACY Where he despised alike
Mohammedan and Christian. But enough;
Let us begone--the Band may else be foiled.


[Exeunt.
]

[Enter MARMADUKE and WILFRED]


WILFRED Be cautious, my dear Master!


MARMADUKE I perceive
That fear is like a cloak which old men huddle
About their love, as if to keep it warm.


WILFRED Nay, but I grieve that we should part. This Stranger,
For such he is--


MARMADUKE Your busy fancies, Wilfred,
Might tempt me to a smile; but what of him?


WILFRED You know that you have saved his life.


MARMADUKE I know it.


WILFRED And that he hates you! --Pardon me, perhaps
That word was hasty.


MARMADUKE Fy! no more of it.


WILFRED Dear Master! gratitude's a heavy burden
To a proud Soul. --Nobody loves this Oswald--
Yourself, you do not love him.


MARMADUKE I do more,
I honour him. Strong feelings to his heart
Are natural; and from no one can be learnt
More of man's thoughts and ways than his experience
Has given him power to teach: and then for courage
And enterprise--what perils hath he shunned?
What obstacles hath he failed to overcome?