 | Glencoe |  |
74
SCENE IV.
A Hall in Mac Ian's House.A Banquet.
Mac Ian, Angus, Donald, John Macdonald, Glenlyon, Lindsay, Henry Macdonald, Officers of Argyle's Regiment, and Clansmen, seated.
MAC IAN
(rising).
Once more I thank you for the grace you pay
To a fallen chief, whose name and title live
As shadows of the past; but who can taste
A comfort in his downfall, while brave men
Show, by their courteous action, they preserve
Respect for what he has been. Let us drink
A health to those you serve;—the Majesties
Of England; whom to death I had withstood,
Had hope for James's cause remain'd; but whom,
That hope extinguish'd, I will frankly serve.
Rise, clansmen! Drink to William and his Queen,
To whom we owe our duty.
GLENLYON.
We esteem
The pledge at its just value.
MAC IAN.
I perceive
Your thoughts still wrong me. Stoutly have I fought
Upon King James's side; but with Dundee
His cause expired. I felt it when he fell,
Lifting his arm to wave these clansmen on,
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The household traitor, who, with felon hand,
Stole then his noble life, destroy'd, in him,
A line of monarchs. While the tangled woods
Of Killikrankie rang with shrill delight
Of our victorious Highlanders, I knew
That we were conquer'd; and I sheathed my sword
For ever.
ANGUS
(apart to Donald).
Do you mark him!
DONALD.
Yes; his life
Casts out its dying flash. He's doom'd.
GLENLYON.
You wrong
Your gallant comrades; surely loss of one
Might be supplied.
MAC IAN.
Not of a man like him.
'Tis not in multitudes of common minds
That by contagious impulses are sway'd,
Like rushes in the wind, a mighty cause
Can live; but in the master mind of one
Who sways them. Sooner would these glorious hills,
If crush'd to powder, with their atoms guard
Our glens, than million clansmen fill the place
Of such a chief. Would I had died with him!
No more of this; fill me some wine.
[Drinks.
Enter Alaster and Halbert.
Your leave
One moment.
(Mac Ian comes to Halbert, and takes his hand.)
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Halbert, I lack words to thank
This kindness as I ought.
HALBERT.
It is a joy
For me to know I am at peace with all,
And, most of all, with you.
MAC IAN.
'Tis very strange:
I am amazed how I could doubt your faith;
A film is passing from my soul, that leaves
All clear within its vision. Take your place.
[Halbert and Alaster sit on the opposite side of the hall to Glenlyon and Lindsay.
MAC IAN
(resuming his seat).
Your pardon. Let us drain another cup
To our chief guest, Glenlyon; frank in war,
And generous in alliance.
HALBERT
(to Alaster).
Watch him now;
He changes; see—his very lips are pale;—
I will unmask him.
ALASTER.
Pray forbear.
GLENLYON.
Accept
A soldier's thanks.
HALBERT
(to Alaster).
His voice is choked—look now—
Do you not see him shiver?
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It is but fancy;
How can he hope to see us fall more low
Than he has sunk us?
MAC IAN
(to Glenlyon).
You must pledge me now;—
Wine to Glenlyon.
[Glenlyon rises—takes the cup—puts it to his lips— and hastily returns it.
HALBERT.
He does not taste the wine,
He dares not taste it. Hold me not.
[Breaking from Alaster.
Glenlyon!
Why did you put aside the untasted cup?
Why did you change and glare? Why is your heart—
Your hollow heart, shivering and shrinking now?
Look on him, friends! Mac Ian!—Angus!—Donald!
John!—Alaster! Does some infernal charm
Delude you, that you rise not?
[To Glenlyon.]
Answer me!
What fiendish thought was yours when you withdrew
That goblet from your lips?
LINDSAY.
Who's this that dares
Insult Glenlyon?
HALBERT.
Parasite, I speak not
To such as you! Behold him now! He's silent.
LINDSAY.
In scorn.
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You will not deign to make reply
To this coarse brawler? Let us hence.
GLENLYON
(addressing Mac Ian).
Farewell!
You cannot curb the rudeness of your followers,
Nor I endure it.
[Glenlyon and Lindsay retiring.
HALBERT.
Let them not depart;
Not for myself I speak,—for I shall find
No time so fit to die; but for your wives—
Your sires—your babes—your all. Glenlyon! turn,
If you have so much nature as to look
The thing you dare.
GLENLYON
(turning).
Be brief in your demand.
What is your pleasure?
HALBERT.
That you spend three minutes
With me in the cold moonlight;—arm'd;—alone.
GLENLYON.
With you—a conquer'd rebel?
MAC IAN
(holding Halbert).
He's a guest
Beneath this roof's protection.
HALBERT.
Let him claim
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And he shall trample on me.
LINDSAY
(to Glenlyon).
Come away!
ALASTER.
Dear Halbert, do not risk a life so dear
As yours is to my father.
HALBERT.
Risk my life—
Dost see him? There is that within his breast
Would paralyse his arm, and make his knees
Tremble, and bid the stubborn soldier fall
Half slain without the steel;—
[To Glenlyon.
I charge on you
Black treason—what I know not yet—but feel;
Will you confess, or meet me?
LINDSAY.
Do not answer.
GLENLYON.
I meet you!—Talk to me of treason!—me
Who bear the lawful orders of a king;
To whom you are a traitor;—whom your race,
With all the hatred of their savage thoughts,
Abjure;—but he shall curb them—they shall feel
His power is here. Your worthless life, rash fool,
To-night I spare;—but if again we meet,
It shall be as you wish, for death.
[Exeunt Glenlyon, &c.
HALBERT.
It shall.
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(to Halbert).
I thank your generous courage, but I look
With wonder on your passion.
HALBERT.
What! does nothing
Whisper of peril to you?
MAC IAN.
No—my heart
Is jocund;—stripp'd of glory, power, and name,
We shall be all united and at peace.
HALBERT.
Heaven grant it!
ALASTER.
I would rather die to-morrow,
If I might choose, than hold the sweetest home
At England's mercy.
HALBERT.
My brave cousin! Blessings
In life and death be with you.
MAC IAN.
Come away;
This sadness will infect us. There's my hand
And my heart with it.
ALASTER.
And mine too.
JOHN.
And mine.
MAC IAN.
Farewell;—no strife shall separate us more.
[Exeunt Mac Ian, Alaster, and John.
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That's well!—
[Sees Henry.
My brother here?—he wakes my soul
To its own sufferings. Yet we must not part thus.
Brother!
HENRY.
What would you with me?
HALBERT.
I would know
We part to-night as brothers should; you think
That you have cause to blame me: wait awhile,
And you may judge me better.
HENRY.
Blame you?—No—
Not I—except that you forgot to bid
Your brother to your bridal. He'll make bold
To go unbidden.
HALBERT.
Fail not;—you may find
A blessing there you will be grateful for.
HENRY
(aside).
Can he suspect my purpose?—O, no doubt
You have deserved all gratitude;—and there
Will crown your favours.
HALBERT.
I will take your hand;
It trembles.
HENRY.
No;—or if it shakes,—the night
Chills bitterly. It will be firm to-morrow.
[Exit Henry Macdonald.
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To-morrow!—that will settle all—I'll seek
My mother now;—if she is still assured
That Helen loves—I cannot bear the thought,
Silence and darkness teach me to endure it!
[Exit Halbert Macdonald.
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