No More Learning

Herbert _is_ innocent.


MARMADUKE What fiend could prompt
This action? Innocent! --oh, breaking heart! --
Alive or dead, I'll find him.

[Exit. ]


OSWALD
Alive--perdition!

[Exit. ]




SCENE--The inside of a poor Cottage

ELEANOR and IDONEA seated


IDONEA The storm beats hard--Mercy for poor or rich,
Whose heads are shelterless in such a night!


A VOICE WITHOUT
Holla! to bed, good Folks, within!


ELEANOR O save us!


IDONEA What can this mean?


ELEANOR Alas, for my poor husband! --
We'll have a counting of our flocks to-morrow;
The wolf keeps festival these stormy nights:
Be calm, sweet Lady, they are wassailers
[The voices die away in the distance.
]
Returning from their Feast--my heart beats so--
A noise at midnight does _so_ frighten me.


IDONEA Hush! [Listening. ]


ELEANOR They are gone. On such a night, my husband,
Dragged from his bed, was cast into a dungeon,
Where, hid from me, he counted many years,
A criminal in no one's eyes but theirs--
Not even in theirs--whose brutal violence
So dealt with him.


IDONEA I have a noble Friend
First among youths of knightly breeding, One
Who lives but to protect the weak or injured.
There again!
[Listening. ]


ELEANOR 'Tis my husband's foot. Good Eldred
Has a kind heart; but his imprisonment
Has made him fearful, and he'll never be
The man he was.


IDONEA I will retire;--good night!
[She goes within. ]


[Enter ELDRED (hides a bundle)]


ELDRED Not yet in bed, Eleanor! --there are stains in that frock
which must be washed out.


ELEANOR What has befallen you?


ELDRED I am belated, and you must know the cause--
(speaking low)
that is the blood of an unhappy Man.