University of Virginia Library

SCENE II.

A Gothic library in Revesdale Castle. The room, which is in some confusion, is hung with weapons, portraits, &c. The arms of the Revesdale family are painted on a window, which is partly open, fronting the park. Antique couch at back. Writing table; on it pens, inkstand, parchments, and papers. Antique chairs.
Lord Revesdale, Drayton, Miles, and Holme seated at table.
Dray.
What says your lordship?

Reves.
That had I remained
In the militia, wherein, as you say,
My friend displaced me, I had scorned to use
The king's trust 'gainst himself.

Dray.
But the people love you.
Lift but your hand, hundreds of stalwart yeomen
Will leap to horse.

Reves.
I will not rashly peril
Those honest, trusting hearts. As yet I know not
Your plans, your strength, or your associates.

Holme.
You know King James a tyrant to his people,
And your immediate ruin.

Miles.
What can bind you
To him who has left you nothing but a name?

Reves.
My last possession! You'll forgive me, therefore,
If I'm jealous how I risk it.

[All rise.
Miles.
[Aside.]
What a look!
They're well called the proud Revesdales.

Holme.
To the point:
Should William of Nassau set foot in England,
Shall he have aid from you?

Reves.
I'll answer that
When I've your scheme and know my comrades.

Dray.
Ere
We name them, sign this document. [Taking parchment from his breast.]
It prays
Prince William's presence here, to arbitrate
Between the king and his wronged subjects.

Reves.
[Perusing the paper.]
But
Exacts no pledge to arm in the quarrel?

Dray.
None.

Reves.
[Signing it.]
'Tis signed.

[Returns it to Drayton.
Dray.
And here's the list of those who share our venture.

[Gives it.
Reves.
Sir Dudley Ford, Lord Harwood, Langton, Orme.
High names!

Dray.
Meet us an hour hence at my house,
Where those in league assemble. Meantime learn
We're bound by mutual peril. Your subscription
Is treason, and incurs its sentence—death!

Reves.
For this you bade me sign, to force my silence
By the base means of fear. I sought to know
By comrades, and I know them. There's your path.

[Pointing to door.
Dray.
Not by that door, an't please you. We require
The screen of the forest. For our late precaution,
Remember danger brooks not ceremony.
In an hour we shall expect you. Friends, to horse!

[Drayton, Miles, and Holme go out by window.
Reves.
[Who paces the room, suddenly stopping short.]
Pshaw, pshaw! Why should it fret me that base hirelings
Ask pledges for my truth? 'Tis not with them
I deal, but with their cause—a righteous protest
Against this tyrant who treads down our laws,
Breaks every kingly oath; in the Church's name
Slays poor schismatics, while himself betrays
The Church to Rome! My wronged and loyal house
Falls from thee, James, in me! I'll join these men,
And for more secrecy afoot.

[He seizes his hat and cloak from chair.
Enter Felicia.
Reves.
[With great tenderness.]
Felicia!

Fel.
Do you go forth?

Reves.
Ay, love, on urgent matters.

Fel.
Urgent! And you've not told them to your sister?

Reves.
Since we were orphans, have I known a joy
You knew not likewise? 'Tis my cares alone
That would be secret.

[Kissing her forehead, and crossing towards door.
Fel.
Stay, I've greetings for you
From Master Ringwood. He would have you count
His heart and home your own.

Reves.
[Bitterly.]
Was Arthur by
To confirm this bounty! [Aside.]
He who flaunts in honours
Stripped from his friend, and so lends countenance
To the court's insult!

Fel.
Basil!

Reves.
Girl, that man
Would rise upon our ruin!

Fel.
[Reproachfully.]
Arthur Ringwood!

Reves.
[After a pause.]
I may have been unjust.

Fel.
You were indeed.
Then you'll accept their welcome; you will, Basil?
Are you too proud?

Reves.
What shield has poverty
But pride? In happier days you knew me free
To all of worth, as liberal of kind thoughts
As the day of light. My disk is darkened now!
Let it die out, rather than glimmer on
By the pensioned beams of others!

Fel.
Should you spurn
Those aids from man to man, the loftiest need
To lean on or they fall?

Reves.
The line of Revesdale
May fall; it never leaned.

Fel.
Be not so lost
In pining for past greatness, as to scorn
Life's present blessings! Though the king—

Reves.
My curse
Hunt him to shame as flagrant as the glory
Of our crushed house! May!—O, 'tis brave to war
With these tongue-pellets! I've delayed too long.
[Felicia suddenly intercepts him, and lays her hand on his arm.
Why do you hold me?

Fel.
Basil, you nurse some scheme
Against the king.

Reves.
Wondrous! You're a Cassandra,
And deal in prophecy.

Fel.
Like hers—of danger.

Reves.
Excellent!

Fel.
Is there none?

Reves.
And if there were,
Did ever daughter of our house urge danger
To bar a brother's path?

Fel.
She does not now,
If duty summons. See, I loose my clasp.
Say thou art called by that which in calm hours
Thy heart counts duty, and I bid thee go,
Though the risk be life.

Reves.
I go, then. It is duty
To guard a people's rights.

Fel.
One moment yet!
Is it the people's rights, or thine own wrongs,
That sway thee most!

Reves.
What matters which?

Fel.
Much, Basil.
Do things in their true names. Take thou thy vengeance,
If it be right, as vengeance; but don't call it
Love for a people's rights.

Reves.
Both may combine.

Fel.
Scarcely. Hate cannot blend with a pure will,
And not corrupt it. Brother, earth has seen
Few patriots. These, if they strove with wrong,
Strove first by reason and by prayers; hast thou?
They knew each sounding of the nation's course;
Dost thou, till late secluded in these walls?
If they did strike, 'twas in extremity,
In grief, at cost of household ties, with yearnings
To sheathe the sword they drew; canst thou so strike?

Reves.
Who lessons me, and dares to preach my duties?

Fel.
[Kneeling.]
Thyself, whose truth and honour in clear seasons
Shone on thy sister's soul, and, kindling there,
Shine back to guide thee now in hours of storm!

Reves.
[After a pause, dropping his cloak.]
You're right, Felicia. I forego this purpose
Till I have pondered well, and asked my heart
If honour prompt it. I'll not take revenge
Under the mask of justice. Yet, 'twas all
He had left me in my wreck!

Fel.
All?

Reves.
[Embracing her.]
No, my sister!

Enter Richard.
Rich.
Your lordship's pardon! Master Bancroft's here,
And much desires to see you.

Reves.
[Aside.]
It must be.
Tell him I come.

[Richard goes out.
Fel.
Bancroft, I never hear
That name without a shudder.

Reves.
Fear not, sweet!
He comes on pressing business—the near sale
Of Revesdale for his cousin's debt.

Fel.
And then?

Reves.
Thou wilt be with me; where thou art is home.

[He passes his arm round her, and conducts her out.