Poor Man--
Murdered!
Murdered!
William Wordsworth
]
ACT IV
SCENE--A desolate prospect--a ridge of rocks--a Chapel on the summit of
one--Moon behind the rocks--night stormy--irregular sound of a
bell--HERBERT enters exhausted.
HERBERT That Chapel-bell in mercy seemed to guide me,
But now it mocks my steps; its fitful stroke
Can scarcely be the work of human hands.
Hear me, ye Men, upon the cliffs, if such
There be who pray nightly before the Altar.
Oh that I had but strength to reach the place!
My Child--my Child--dark--dark--I faint--this wind--
These stifling blasts--God help me!
[Enter ELDRED. ]
ELDRED Better this bare rock,
Though it were tottering over a man's head,
Than a tight case of dungeon walls for shelter
From such rough dealing.
[A moaning voice is heard. ]
Ha! what sound is that?
Trees creaking in the wind (but none are here)
Send forth such noises--and that weary bell!
Surely some evil Spirit abroad to-night
Is ringing it--'twould stop a Saint in prayer,
And that--what is it? never was sound so like
A human groan. Ha! what is here?
Poor Man--
Murdered! alas! speak--speak, I am your friend:
No answer--hush--lost wretch, he lifts his hand
And lays it to his heart--
(Kneels to him. ) I pray you speak!
What has befallen you?
HERBERT (feebly)
A stranger has done this,
And in the arms of a stranger I must die.
ELDRED Nay, think not so: come, let me raise you up:
[Raises him. ]
This is a dismal place--well--that is well--
I was too fearful--take me for your guide
And your support--my hut is not far off.
[Draws him gently off the stage. ]
SCENE--A room in the Hostel--MARMADUKE and OSWALD
MARMADUKE But for Idonea! --I have cause to think
That she is innocent.
OSWALD Leave that thought awhile,
As one of those beliefs which in their hearts
Lovers lock up as pearls, though oft no better
Than feathers clinging to their points of passion.
This day's event has laid on me the duty
Of opening out my story; you must hear it,
And without further preface. --In my youth,
Except for that abatement which is paid
By envy as a tribute to desert,
I was the pleasure of all hearts, the darling
Of every tongue--as you are now. You've heard
That I embarked for Syria. On our voyage
Was hatched among the crew a foul Conspiracy
Against my honour, in the which our Captain
Was, I believed, prime Agent.
ACT IV
SCENE--A desolate prospect--a ridge of rocks--a Chapel on the summit of
one--Moon behind the rocks--night stormy--irregular sound of a
bell--HERBERT enters exhausted.
HERBERT That Chapel-bell in mercy seemed to guide me,
But now it mocks my steps; its fitful stroke
Can scarcely be the work of human hands.
Hear me, ye Men, upon the cliffs, if such
There be who pray nightly before the Altar.
Oh that I had but strength to reach the place!
My Child--my Child--dark--dark--I faint--this wind--
These stifling blasts--God help me!
[Enter ELDRED. ]
ELDRED Better this bare rock,
Though it were tottering over a man's head,
Than a tight case of dungeon walls for shelter
From such rough dealing.
[A moaning voice is heard. ]
Ha! what sound is that?
Trees creaking in the wind (but none are here)
Send forth such noises--and that weary bell!
Surely some evil Spirit abroad to-night
Is ringing it--'twould stop a Saint in prayer,
And that--what is it? never was sound so like
A human groan. Ha! what is here?
Poor Man--
Murdered! alas! speak--speak, I am your friend:
No answer--hush--lost wretch, he lifts his hand
And lays it to his heart--
(Kneels to him. ) I pray you speak!
What has befallen you?
HERBERT (feebly)
A stranger has done this,
And in the arms of a stranger I must die.
ELDRED Nay, think not so: come, let me raise you up:
[Raises him. ]
This is a dismal place--well--that is well--
I was too fearful--take me for your guide
And your support--my hut is not far off.
[Draws him gently off the stage. ]
SCENE--A room in the Hostel--MARMADUKE and OSWALD
MARMADUKE But for Idonea! --I have cause to think
That she is innocent.
OSWALD Leave that thought awhile,
As one of those beliefs which in their hearts
Lovers lock up as pearls, though oft no better
Than feathers clinging to their points of passion.
This day's event has laid on me the duty
Of opening out my story; you must hear it,
And without further preface. --In my youth,
Except for that abatement which is paid
By envy as a tribute to desert,
I was the pleasure of all hearts, the darling
Of every tongue--as you are now. You've heard
That I embarked for Syria. On our voyage
Was hatched among the crew a foul Conspiracy
Against my honour, in the which our Captain
Was, I believed, prime Agent.
