 | The Outlaw |  |
97
SCENE IV.
The Interior of the Church. The Villagers strewing the floor. Fanny Ashton wandering idly about, and singing snatches of tunes.A VILLAGER.
Hush, Fanny. 'Tis the Church, and work-day tunes
Are unbecoming.
FANNY.
Would'st have something else?
I knew an old hymn once. Hark! this is it—
[Sings.
Am I a flower? My sky is gloom,
And the cold rain-drop chills my bloom;
But let thy Spirit blow—and see!
Sun-light and warmth return to me.
[Enter Ladies.
Am I a lamb? My wool retains
Of sin and guilt the crimson stains;
But flow, sweet streams, from Jesu flow!
And I am white as mountain snow.
And the cold rain-drop chills my bloom;
But let thy Spirit blow—and see!
Sun-light and warmth return to me.
[Enter Ladies.
Am I a lamb? My wool retains
Of sin and guilt the crimson stains;
But flow, sweet streams, from Jesu flow!
And I am white as mountain snow.
LADY MARGARET.
A most sweet voice!
98
So Henry used to say;
But his was sweeter when he said it. O!
My love's voice is as mellow as a bird's,
When it sings in the forest all alone,
And sad hearts listen!
[She busies herself in strewing.
LADY MARGARET.
What a lovely creature!
And to be thus! See, Emma, how deceived
May be our judgments. I but now did envy
The bliss of cot-maids!—
[To a strewer.
Dost thou know, good girl,
Who that poor maiden is?
GIRL.
So please you, she
Is the old Ranger's daughter; Cuthbert Ashton
Her father is called; Lord Clifford's keeper, who
Hath Lodge in Flasby forest.
LADY MARGARET.
She hath not
Been always thus?
99
'Tis not a week, since I
Beheld her at her father's, blithe and blooming.
LADY MARGARET.
And knowest thou not the cause of this sad change?
GIRL.
No; but I fancy love, ma'am—love and grief.
'Tis said that she was courted by a man
Known but to her—one of the Outlaws, ma'am—
And he hath killed her father.
LADY MARGARET.
Gracious Heaven!
FANNY
(to LADY MARGARET).
'Tis false! 'tis false! Believe me, it is false!
Dost thou know Henry? Trust me, he would not
Set foot upon a snail! His pride would shun
Its crawling filth, his pity spare its life
For the next sunny shower!
LADY MARGARET
(agitated).
And who is Henry?
FANNY.
Wouldst find the secret? Find it, then. I know,
But will not tell thee. Thou art proud and fair—
100
Have wiled my Henry from me; but 'tis false.
Thou couldst not have the heart! I know thou couldst not.
God bless you! I shall find my Henry still.
[Sings.
The Outlaw leads a merry life
Under the greenwood tree—
[Exit Fanny.
Under the greenwood tree—
LADY EMMA.
Ha! heard you that?
LADY MARGARET.
O! I have heard enough
To tell me I am wretched.
LADY EMMA.
Rather say,
There was a precipice concealed by fogs,
To whose dread brink your steps were hastening;
But Providence hath rolled the glooms away,
And you have seen the peril, and may pause!
LADY MARGARET.
True. Yet this solving of a painful doubt
Is trial to the heart!
[Exeunt.
| The Outlaw | |