University of Virginia Library

SCENE I.

Another Part of the Valley.
Enter ARGENTILE in the dress of a Shepherdess.
ARGENTILE.
Welcome, these russet weeds, this pastoral crook,
More welcome than the sceptre and the train!
These are the simple 'tire that Nature meant
Her votaries should wear; sweet smiling Health,
And Happiness, and Peace, her holy sisters,
Never wore other, when, in better days,
They deign'd to dwell with mortals. Hail, thrice hail,
Thou solitary scene! how far beyond
The pageantry of courts thy stillness charms!
This grove my sighs shall consecrate; in shape
Of some fair tomb, here will I heap the turf,
And call it Adelbright's. Yon aged yew,
Whose rifted trunk, rough bark, and knarled roots
Give solemn proof of its high antientry,
Shall canopy the shrine. There's not a flower,
That hangs the dewy head and seems to weep,
As pallid blue bells, crow-toes, and marsh lilies,
But I'll plant here; and, if they chance to wither,
My tears shall water them: there's not a bird
That trails a sad soft note, as ringdoves do,
Or twitters painfully like the dun martlet,
But I will lure, by my best art, to roost
And plain them in these branches. Larks and finches
Will I fright hence, nor aught shall dare approach
This pensive spot, save solitary things
That love to mourn, as I do.

Enter OSWALD.
Osw.
Gracious Mistress!
I come with news.

Arg.
Is Editha then found?

Osw.
I know not that—

Arg.
Alas! why would'st thou mock me?

Osw.
The Danes, the Danes are still upon our coast;
I learn'd the tidings of a treacherous spy,
Whom I disarm'd and bound; and hast'ning back
Mounted yon hill, where I myself beheld
Their goodly fleet, some fifteen sail or more,
Moor'd in a neighb'ring creek. Pitch'd on the beach
Stood there a gallant tent, where, I not doubt,
The Envoy sojourns. Let me bear you quickly
To his protection; for, I fear me much,
Discov'ry waits us here.

Arg.
No, Oswald, no;
Till Editha be found I will not leave
This secret nook. Didst thou not promise me
To hie thee where the parting road might chance
Mislead her step?

Osw.
I did; but this event—
O let me instant lead you to the strand!

Arg.
What, Oswald! and forego the plighted word
I gave poor Editha! Here did I fix
Our place of meeting; Holy truth forbid
I should deceive her! Haste thee hence again.
Till her I see, I can resolve on nothing.
Take thou the valley, I myself will mount
Yon sidelong hill. My eye is younger, Earl,
And may descry her sooner. This when try'd,
Some two hours hence we'll meet at this same yew.
Let's lose no time; nay, answer not, good Oswald,
But to the search. To-morrow thou shalt rule,
If she be found to day. Heav'n speed thy errand.