University of Virginia Library

SCENE IV.

—The Turrets of Blechington House. Sunset.
Ticely and Horner are discovered in conversation, while Soldiers, &c. are busy fixing pieces of ordnance, &c. Others on guard.
Hor.
Egad, we'll tease these rascals. Here we'll grin,
And let them shew their teeth.

Tice.
The garrison
Is not so firm; th' example of young Fenwicke
Has shaken confidence. For my own part,
I'd say 'tis madness to hold out.

Hor.
You would!
The devil claim young Fenwicke, then, say I,
A proud, ambitious boy. He's rightly served,
Thus falling in the hands of Oliver;
Though, sooth to say, I think him now with those
He would not scruple to accept as comrades.
'Tis said King Charles refused him an appointment—
Know you upon what ground?

Tice.
'Twas thought his father
Had entertained a disaffected spirit—
But, see, the Colonel comes. I will descend
And look to the ammunition.

(Exit L. H.
Hor.
I like not
That fellow's bearing. Faith, I'll watch him closely.

Enter Wyndebanke, R. H.
Wyn.
So, friends, the news is bad; our kinsman ta'en,
And thence held out a threat. How stand their men?
Can we— (Aside, and looking out, L. U. E.)
By heaven, I doubt it! They are drawn
In palpable anticipation on't.
No, no: attack is hopeless.

Enter Edith, R. H.
Edith.
See, Edward, they're in motion, and engaged
Upon some work close underneath the wall.
Look, Edward: what is that huge thing they're raising?

(Goes back.
Hor.
(To Wyn.)
It looks most marvellously like a gibbet.

Wyn.
(Aside to Horner.)
Hush, I beseech you!

(Wyndebanke motions him to keep silence, and gives directions. Exit Horner, L. H.
Edith.
(Who has caught Horner's words.)
Oh, my poor brother! Edward—dearest Edward—
For mercy's sake, delay not e'en a moment—
The time is passing. Since you must surrender,
Oh, do it quickly, I beseech you!

Wyn.
(Drawing her to him.)
Edith,
I beg—nay, I command you, do not utter
Within the hearing of my soldiery
One word of yielding. I again remind you
Of the strict pledge I gave my king.

Edith.
(Almost choking with emotion, and entirely disregarding his caution.)
Oh, horror!
My brother—Edward, is he, then, to die?

Wyn.
I hope not, dearest. Cromwell will not dare—
'Tis but a threat to terrify. Retire,
I beg you, Edith. Depend on't I'll do all
That can be done consistent with my pledge.

Edith.
Edward—my brother—is he, then, to die?

Wyn.
I hope not.

Edith.
How! you hope not—say he shall not!
What is a hasty promise to a life?
Think you your king would wish you to become
A monster of such inhumanity,
Because in ignorance of casualty
A pledge was offered.
(She bursts into tears, and falls at his feet.)
Edward—dearest Edward,
The time—the hour is passing rapidly—
Will you permit your bride to sue in vain?
Oh, if my love is valued, and you'd not
That of my dear affection, I should tear
Each vestige from my heart—this instant save—
Save my poor brother, nor for a moment think
Of being what I should ever after hold you—
His murderer!

Wyn.
(Greatly moved.)
Hush, girl. You do not know
The wily arts of Cromwell. We've no proof
As yet, that George is truly in his hands.

Edith.
(Having again, approached parapet.)
Look—look, then, there! Ah, look—they lead him forth—
His hands are bound—his neck is bare—yes, look,
They lead him towards the gibbet— (Rushing to him.)
—Edward—husband—
For God's sake, save him!
(The Soldiers, standing by, murmur. Wyndebanke, as though almost bewildered, passes his hand across his brow, but, recovering himself, says in a deep but trembling tone:

Wyn.
Dearly as I love you,
You shall not make me waver in my honour
That, as his life, belongs unto the king,
And were I, Edith, in that youth's position,
And he in mine, I'd hold the self-same tenet,
And gladly die to do my monarch service.

Edith.
But such a death—so terrible—oh, horror!

Enter Horner, hastily, L.
Hor.
The treacherous Ticely, Wyndebanke—

Wyn.
Well, speak—

Hor.
Is even now inciting those below
To throw the portal open to the enemy.

Edith.
Thank heaven!

Wyn.
(Angrily.)
Silence! Horner, will you aid me?
I know you will. Take, then, some trusty men,
And plant them in the court yard: let them fire
On him who dares attempt to cross it first
Without my special order.

Hor.
I will do it.

(Exit L.
Edith.
He mounts the scaffold—see! (Altering her tone from entreaty to firm determination.)
Inhuman husband!
I'll not long survive him!
(She suddenly plants herself on the extreme verge of the parapet, L. C.)
Now save my brother—save him instantly,
Or, by the heaven above, I spring from hence,
And make you thus the cruel murderer
Of him and me!

(The Soldiers murmur loudly.)
Wyn.
Bring forth the signal!
(A white flag is brought forward, which Wynde, seizes, and waves from the parapet, L. C. Distant shouts are heard—Edith descends and embraces the knees of Wyndebanke, who, as he raises her, exclaims:
There, woman! Teach me now to face my king!