University of Virginia Library

SCENE I.

Same as last Scene.
Revesdale is seated in an attitude of mental prostration, Richard leans over him; Bancroft stands apart, watching them.
Ban.
[To Richard.]
He'll not answer?

Rich.
You've done your work too well; for these two hours
Has he sat thus, more kin to death than life.

Ban.
[Aside.]
Yet he must speak; for there be secrets still
I would worm from him.—Bid the guard conduct
His sister here; the sight of her may rouse him.

Rich.
Ay, to new torture.

Ban.
Better that than humour
A fatal lethargy. Go! [Richard goes out.]
Our state secretary
Writes in reproach— [Reading from a letter.]
—“that I have missed my clew
To traitors here, who signed the requisition
To the Prince of Orange.” Now, of these, 'tis like
One is young Ringwood. His known lenity
To Monmouth's faction, and the treasonous acts
By him committed, make suspicion strong.
Could I discover this, and his confederates
Deliver up to justice, wealth and honours
Beyond all hope were mine. By threats or wiles,
I'll wring the truth from Revesdale.
Enter Felicia, guarded by two Officers.
So! Retire.
[Officers retire to door.
A torpor on your brother hangs, pernicious
To health and life. Your voice, perchance, may wake
His slumbering sense.

Fel.
[Gazing on him.]
So prostrate! O my brother!
Now that my heart is calmer, it consents
To my dear husband's pleading. Thy remorse
Tells of a soul not base, but sorely tempted.
Turn thy face hither; 'tis thy sister, Basil,
Entreats thee!

Reves.
[Vacantly.]
Who?

Fel.
Felicia.

Reves.
Let no bless'd shape
Visit this gulf. There's one to come; for him
I wait here.

Fel.
Whom expect you?

Reves.
Go! you're fair
And pure; he'll not consort with such, the fiend
Who plunged me here.

Ban.
[Approaching with coarse laughter.]
He raves!

Reves.
[Springing upon him.]
Ah, ah! thou'rt come;
I have thee in my gripe!

Ban.
Let go your hold!
Madman, be warned! release me! Off, I say!
I'll crush thee to the earth!

Reves.
Fool! dost thou think
My arms enfold thee merely? 'Tis my soul
That grasps its tempter! Mighty with despair,
It twines around thee, drags thee down, down, down
To its perdition!

Ban.
Off! I choke! What right
Have you for this? I sought my enemy's life,
But you—

Reves.
[Pausing.]
Ay, well?

Ban.
Betrayed your friend!

Reves.
[Releases him and staggers back.]
Thou'rt right.
Thou hast crushed me to the earth!

Fel.
Basil!

Reves.
I look on thee, yet live!

Fel.
You never dreamed
Of these sad issues. 'Twas a moment's frenzy
Surprised and overcame you.

Reves.
Is't to a wretch
Like me, your murderer—

Fel.
Listen! If I'm wronged,
I have a claim on thee. Oh, let my words
Fall in thy soul like holy seed, which time
Shall turn to fruitful duty. Live to prove
He who repents can expiate; live to serve
Thy kind, that thou may'st say, when grateful hearts
Bless thee—I had a sister once, whose spirit
Still lives in mine; she prayed for me, she blessed me;
With her last breath she won me from despair,
And left me what I am!

[Revesdale interrupts her with a cry of anguish.
Ban.
[Looking off.]
A step! who comes?
Enter Officer.
Well, sir, the troops?

Officer.
Are on their way. I met them with a force
More fit to take a city than a prisoner.

Ban.
A wise precaution.

Officer.
On their heels the crowd
Followed with shouts.

Ban.
And curses, doubtless.

Officer.
That
I know not; I but bore your summons to their captain.
He laughed—“Your errand's stale; we were already
Bent towards Revesdale.”

Ban.
[Surprised.]
So!

Officer.
I set spurs to horse,
And thus outrode them.

[At a sign of dismissal from Bancroft, Officer goes out.
Ban.
Lady, you've scant time
For preparation.

Fel.
Basil, one embrace!

Reves.
No, no! [Rushing up to Bancroft.]
Bancroft, as yet the law knows not
Of their offence; have pity—save her!—save
Her husband!

Ban.
What, so low?

Reves.
[Sinking on his knees.]
Ay, in the dust.
Where should guilt be? So low! Oh, thou mightst tower
Above me like a god! This prostrate thing
That's at thy knees, helpless, disgraced, and hopeless,
A word from thee can fire with hope, strength, honour.
The worm crawls; thou canst bid it rise a man!

Ban.
There's but one chance. Let Ringwood own his share
In the petition [Showing a letter]
to the Prince of Orange,
And trust to the king's mercy.

Reves.
[Rising.]
What petition?

Ban.
That signed by traitors, urging William's presence,
Implying, if not offering, support.

Reves.
[Aside.]
The same I signed that day Felicia's prayers
Won me from the conspiracy. [Aloud.]
He never
Set hand to that.

Ban.
Then he can give no clew
To the plot. I cannot save them. 'Tis of moment,
Most vital, some accomplice in that act
Should be discovered.

Reves.
[Aside.]
And my signature
To the requisition makes me such accomplice!

Ban.
Time hurries. Officers!

Reves.
Go, sister. Bancroft,
Remain.

Fel.
One last embrace.

Reves.
Not now—I dare not; yet,
A time may come. Go; we shall meet once more,
Once more, my sister. [Felicia goes out, guarded by two Officers.]
Now, you said detention
Of one who signed that deed was vital. Save
My sister and her husband, and I place
An accomplice in your power.

Ban.
[Aside.]
Ah! he bids high,
If I could trust him; yet to lose my vengeance!
Stay; I might compass both. Were Ringwood free,
The troops who are at hand might overtake him.

Reves.
Your answer! The king's force is nigh.

Ban.
What ground
Have I to trust you?

Reves.
This: I have confessed
I know the traitor. If I break my word,
The peril lights on me.

Ban.
It does already.

Reves.
I can be silent.

Ban.
[Aside.]
True; the prey meanwhile
May cheat me and escape. Will this accomplice
Name his confederates?

Reves.
No.

Ban.
[Aside.]
A foolish question!
Once seized, if he prove obstinate, the rack
Will force avowal. And within what time
Will you reveal the culprit?

Reves.
When my sister
And Ringwood are safe on shipboard.

Ban.
[Aside.]
I'll so plan
That ere they well spread sail they are pursued.
Should they escape, the stake will justify
My venture to the king. I take your terms.

Reves.
Quick, then; release them!

Ban.
Should you fail, be sure
Your life—

Reves.
Will answer it.

Ban.
I go; we meet
Straight in the courtyard; but your pledge—remember!

[Bancroft goes out.
Reves.
He yields; they may be rescued! They may live
In joy, with children round them, and my life,
My worthless life, may save them. Well said, sister;
He who repents can expiate!

[He goes out.