]
BEGGAR Forgive me, gracious Sir!
BEGGAR Forgive me, gracious Sir!
William Wordsworth
Rainbow arches,
Highways of dreaming passion, have too long,
Young as he is, diverted wish and hope
From the unpretending ground we mortals tread;--
Then shatter the delusion, break it up
And set him free. What follows? I have learned
That things will work to ends the slaves o' the world
Do never dream of. I _have_ been what he--
This Boy--when he comes forth with bloody hands--
Might envy, and am now,--but he shall know
What I am now--
[Goes and listens at the dungeon. ]
Praying or parleying? --tut!
Is he not eyeless? He has been half-dead
These fifteen years--
[Enter female Beggar with two or three of her Companions. ]
(Turning abruptly. ) Ha! speak--what Thing art thou?
(Recognises her. ) Heavens! my good friend! [To her.
]
BEGGAR Forgive me, gracious Sir! --
OSWALD (to her companions)
Begone, ye Slaves, or I will raise a whirlwind
And send ye dancing to the clouds, like leaves.
[They retire affrighted. ]
BEGGAR Indeed we meant no harm; we lodge sometimes
In this deserted Castle--_I repent me. _
[OSWALD goes to the dungeon--listens--returns to the Beggar. ]
OSWALD Woman, thou hast a helpless Infant--keep
Thy secret for its sake, or verily
That wretched life of thine shall be the forfeit.
BEGGAR I _do_ repent me, Sir; I fear the curse
Of that blind Man. 'Twas not your money, Sir,--
OSWALD Begone!
BEGGAR (going)
There is some wicked deed in hand:
[Aside. ]
Would I could find the old Man and his Daughter.
[Exit Beggar. ]
[MARMADUKE re-enters from the dungeon]
OSWALD It is all over then;--your foolish fears
Are hushed to sleep, by your own act and deed,
Made quiet as he is.
MARMADUKE Why came you down?
And when I felt your hand upon my arm
And spake to you, why did you give no answer?
Feared you to waken him? he must have been
In a deep sleep.
Highways of dreaming passion, have too long,
Young as he is, diverted wish and hope
From the unpretending ground we mortals tread;--
Then shatter the delusion, break it up
And set him free. What follows? I have learned
That things will work to ends the slaves o' the world
Do never dream of. I _have_ been what he--
This Boy--when he comes forth with bloody hands--
Might envy, and am now,--but he shall know
What I am now--
[Goes and listens at the dungeon. ]
Praying or parleying? --tut!
Is he not eyeless? He has been half-dead
These fifteen years--
[Enter female Beggar with two or three of her Companions. ]
(Turning abruptly. ) Ha! speak--what Thing art thou?
(Recognises her. ) Heavens! my good friend! [To her.
]
BEGGAR Forgive me, gracious Sir! --
OSWALD (to her companions)
Begone, ye Slaves, or I will raise a whirlwind
And send ye dancing to the clouds, like leaves.
[They retire affrighted. ]
BEGGAR Indeed we meant no harm; we lodge sometimes
In this deserted Castle--_I repent me. _
[OSWALD goes to the dungeon--listens--returns to the Beggar. ]
OSWALD Woman, thou hast a helpless Infant--keep
Thy secret for its sake, or verily
That wretched life of thine shall be the forfeit.
BEGGAR I _do_ repent me, Sir; I fear the curse
Of that blind Man. 'Twas not your money, Sir,--
OSWALD Begone!
BEGGAR (going)
There is some wicked deed in hand:
[Aside. ]
Would I could find the old Man and his Daughter.
[Exit Beggar. ]
[MARMADUKE re-enters from the dungeon]
OSWALD It is all over then;--your foolish fears
Are hushed to sleep, by your own act and deed,
Made quiet as he is.
MARMADUKE Why came you down?
And when I felt your hand upon my arm
And spake to you, why did you give no answer?
Feared you to waken him? he must have been
In a deep sleep.
