No More Learning

It throbs, and you have a heart that does not feel it.


MARMADUKE (exultingly)
She is innocent. [He embraces her. ]


OSWALD (aside)
Were I a Moralist,
I should make wondrous revolution here;
It were a quaint experiment to show
The beauty of truth-- [Addressing them. ]
I see I interrupt you;
I shall have business with you, Marmaduke;
Follow me to the Hostel.

[Exit OSWALD. ]


IDONEA Marmaduke,
This is a happy day. My Father soon
Shall sun himself before his native doors;
The lame, the hungry, will be welcome there.
No more shall he complain of wasted strength,
Of thoughts that fail, and a decaying heart;
His good works will be balm and life to him.


MARMADUKE This is most strange! --I know not what it was,
But there was something which most plainly said,
That thou wert innocent.


IDONEA How innocent! --
Oh heavens! you've been deceived.


MARMADUKE Thou art a Woman
To bring perdition on the universe.
IDONEA Already I've been punished to the height
Of my offence.
[Smiling affectionately. ]
I see you love me still,
The labours of my hand are still your joy;
Bethink you of the hour when on your shoulder
I hung this belt.
[Pointing to the belt on which was suspended HERBERT'S scrip. ]


MARMADUKE Mercy of Heaven! [Sinks. ]


IDONEA What ails you? [Distractedly. ]


MARMADUKE The scrip that held his food, and I forgot
To give it back again!


IDONEA What mean your words?


MARMADUKE I know not what I said--all may be well.


IDONEA That smile hath life in it!


MARMADUKE This road is perilous;
I will attend you to a Hut that stands
Near the wood's edge--rest there to-night, I pray you:
For me, I have business, as you heard, with Oswald,
But will return to you by break of day.


[Exeunt. ]




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.