IDONEA Already I've been
punished
to the height
Of my offence.
Of my offence.
Wordsworth - 1
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.