 | Ethwald |  |
SCENE I.
A gloomy vaulted apartment in an old castle, with no windows to it, and a feeble light burning in one corner. Enter Edward from a dark recess near the bottom of the stage, with slow pensive steps, frequently stopping as he advances, and remaining for some time in a thoughtful posture.Edw.
Doth the bright sun from the high arch of heaven
In all his beauteous robes of flecker'd clouds,
And ruddy vapours, and deep glowing flames,
And softly varied shades, look gloriously?
Do the green woods dance to the wind; the lakes
Cast up their sparkling waters to the light?
Do the sweet hamlets in their bushy dells
Send winding up to heaven their curling smoke
On the soft morning air?
Do the flocks bleat, and the wild creatures bound
In antic happiness, and mazy birds
Wing the mid air in lightly skimming bands?
Ay, all this is; all this men do behold;
The poorest man. Even in this lonely vault,
My dark and narrow world, oft do I hear
The crowing of the cock so near my walls,
And sadly think how small a space divides me
From all this fair creation.
From the wide spreading bounds of beauteous nature,
I am alone shut out; I am forgotten.
Peace, peace! He who regards the poorest worm
Still cares for me, albeit He shends me sorely.
This hath its end. Perhaps, small as these walls,
A bound unseen divides my dreary state
From a more beauteous world; that world of souls,
Fear'd and desir'd by all: a veil unseen
Which soon shall be withdrawn.
[Casts up his eyes to heaven, and turning, walks silently to the bottom of the stage, then advancing again to the front.
The air feels chill; methinks it should be night.
I'll lay me down: perchance kind sleep will come,
And open to my view an inward world
Of garish fantasies, from which nor walls,
Nor bars, nor tyrant's power, can shut me out.
[He wraps himself in a cloak and lies down. Enter a ruffian, stealing up softly to him as supposing him asleep. Edward, hearing him, uncovers his face, and then starts up immediately.
Edw.
What art thou?
Or man or sprite? Thou lookest wondrous stern,
What dost thou want? Com'st thou to murder me?
Ruff.
Yes, I am come to do mine office on thee;
Thy life is wretched, and my stroke is sure.
Edw.
Thou sayest true; yet, wretched as it is,
It is my life, and I will grapple for it.
Ruff.
Full vainly wilt thou strive, for thinkest thou
We enter walls like these with changeling hearts,
To leave our work undone?
Edw.
We, sayest thou?
There are more of you then?
Ruff.
Ay, ay, there are enow to make it sure;
But, if thou wilt be quiet, I'll do't myself.
Mine arm is strong; I'll give no second stroke;
And all escape is hopeless.
Edw.
What, thinkest thou I'll calmly stretch my neck
Until thou butch'rest me?
No, by good heaven! I'll grapple with thee still,
And die with my blood hot!
[Putting himself in a posture of defence.
Ruff.
Well, since thou'lt have it so, thou soon shalt see
If that my mates be lovelier than myself.
[Exit.
Edw.
O that I still in some dark cell could rest,
And wait the death of nature!
[Looking wildly round upon the roof and walls of the vault.
Nor stone, nor club, nor beam to serve my need!
Out from the walls, ye flints, and fill my grasp!
Nought! nought! Is there not yet within this nook
Some bar or harden'd brand that I may clutch?
[Exit hastily into the dark recess, and is followed immediately by two ruffians, who enter by the opposite side, and cross the stage after him.
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