University of Virginia Library

SCENE VII.

A ruined Abbey with the front of the sepulchral vault.
A PARTY OF SOLDIERS.
FIRST SOLDIER.
Would we could light upon this lurking rebel!
Courage, my friends! he'll prove a golden prize,
And pay the toil of our pursuit. You, Neville,
You, and your comrade pass yon mould'ring wall,
Search thro' each ruined cell of this old abbey,
While we remain in front, prepared to seize
The traitor, started from his secret haunt.

(Exeunt two Soldiers.
SECOND SOLDIER.
Heard you no noise?

FIRST SOLDIER.
No, nothing but their steps.

SECOND SOLDIER.
Hark! they have just descried some nightly rover.

SOLDIER,
(behind the scene.)
Come forth! base runnagate! nay, if thou dost not,
We shall pursue, and drag thee from thy den.

FIRST SOLDIER.
My life on't he is found: stand firm, brave comrades,
If he is armed, fear not to strike him down!
Dead, or alive, our prize will be the same.

(The door of the Sepulchre opens, and Llandorvin rushes forth with a Sword.)
FIRST SOLDIER.
Yield, rebel, or thou diest.

LLANDORVIN.
No! ye poor slaves!
Enfeebled as I am, with age and wo,
Yet my good sword can make for me a passage
Thro' twice your opposition; I have seen
Your tyrant, in my day, glad to retreat
From the keen lightning of this radiant blade.
I pray ye, force me not to stain its lustre
With your ignoble blood!

FIRST SOLDIER.
Proud Cambrian, die!

LLANDORVIN.
Nay! then thou draw'st perdition on thyself:
(Llandorvin strikes, but after his first blow, the two Soldiers who pursued him, issue from the Sepulchre and seize him.)
Fate is against me! but exult in silence,
Ye prosperous servants of oppressive power!
And, while ye haste to claim the gold, ye covet,
Still reverence your captive! still my soul
Gives me to exercise the nobler courage,
To triumph over wrongs by brave endurance.