No More Learning

IDONEA Ill can I bear that look--Plead for me, Oswald!
You are my Father's Friend.
(To MARMADUKE. ) Alas, you know not,
And never _can_ you know, how much he loved me.
Twice had he been to me a father, twice
Had given me breath, and was I not to be
His daughter, once his daughter? could I withstand
His pleading face, and feel his clasping arms,
And hear his prayer that I would not forsake him
In his old age--
[Hides her face. ]


MARMADUKE Patience--Heaven grant me patience! --
She weeps, she weeps--_my_ brain shall burn for hours
Ere _I_ can shed a tear.


IDONEA I was a woman;
And, balancing the hopes that are the dearest
To womankind with duty to my Father,
I yielded up those precious hopes, which nought
On earth could else have wrested from me;--if erring,
Oh let me be forgiven!


MARMADUKE I _do_ forgive thee.


IDONEA But take me to your arms--this breast, alas!
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!