No More Learning

HERBERT Unhappy Woman!


IDONEA Nay, it was my duty
Thus much to speak; but think not I forget--
Dear Father! how _could_ I forget and live--
You and the story of that doleful night
When, Antioch blazing to her topmost towers,
You rushed into the murderous flames, returned
Blind as the grave, but, as you oft have told me,
Clasping your infant Daughter to your heart.


HERBERT Thy Mother too! --scarce had I gained the door,
I caught her voice; she threw herself upon me,
I felt thy infant brother in her arms;
She saw my blasted face--a tide of soldiers
That instant rushed between us, and I heard
Her last death-shriek, distinct among a thousand.


IDONEA Nay, Father, stop not; let me hear it all.


HERBERT Dear Daughter! precious relic of that time--
For my old age, it doth remain with thee
To make it what thou wilt. Thou hast been told,
That when, on our return from Palestine,
I found how my domains had been usurped,
I took thee in my arms, and we began
Our wanderings together. Providence
At length conducted us to Rossland,--there,
Our melancholy story moved a Stranger
To take thee to her home--and for myself,
Soon after, the good Abbot of St. Cuthbert's
Supplied my helplessness with food and raiment,
And, as thou know'st, gave me that humble Cot
Where now we dwell. --For many years I bore
Thy absence, till old age and fresh infirmities
Exacted thy return, and our reunion.
I did not think that, during that long absence,
My Child, forgetful of the name of Herbert,
Had given her love to a wild Freebooter,
Who here, upon the borders of the Tweed,
Doth prey alike on two distracted Countries,
Traitor to both.


IDONEA Oh, could you hear his voice!
I will not call on Heaven to vouch for me,
But let this kiss speak what is in my heart.
[Enter a Peasant]


PEASANT Good morrow, Strangers! If you want a Guide,
Let me have leave to serve you!


IDONEA My Companion
Hath need of rest; the sight of Hut or Hostel
Would be most welcome.


PEASANT Yon white hawthorn gained,
You will look down into a dell, and there
Will see an ash from which a sign-board hangs;
The house is hidden by the shade. Old Man,
You seem worn out with travel--shall I support you?


HERBERT I thank you; but, a resting-place so near,
'Twere wrong to trouble you.


PEASANT God speed you both.


[Exit Peasant. ]


HERBERT Idonea, we must part. Be not alarmed--
'Tis but for a few days--a thought has struck me.


IDONEA That I should leave you at this house, and thence
Proceed alone. It shall be so; for strength
Would fail you ere our journey's end be reached.


[Exit HERBERT supported by IDONEA. ]

[Re-enter MARMADUKE and OSWALD]


MARMADUKE This instant will we stop him--


OSWALD Be not hasty,
For, sometimes, in despite of my conviction,
He tempted me to think the Story true;
'Tis plain he loves the Maid, and what he said
That savoured of aversion to thy name
Appeared the genuine colour of his soul--
Anxiety lest mischief should befal her
After his death.


MARMADUKE
I have been much deceived.


OSWALD But sure he loves the Maiden, and never love
Could find delight to nurse itself so strangely,
Thus to torment her with _inventions!