 | The Daughter |  |
SCENE I.
—The Shore.Enter Norris.
I stare at my good fortune! Things that seem'd
To bar my wishes, help them! First the stop,
Was put to Robert's flight; then his committal—
That was the most perverse; but now he's free.
My frank confession oped the dungeon-door,
At cost alone of smart reproof to me,
For what his worship call'd a wicked trick.
And now fair Marian, with her own consent,
Is mine! This very day we go to church!
I would it were to any other place!
I dream'd of her last night. I thought it was
Our wedding day, and, to the church-door, I
Was leading her. 'Twas shut! I knock'd at it.
One answer'd from within, “I must not enter!”
Whereat I shudder'd, for I knew the voice.
And yet again I knock'd. When oped the door,
And, fear-congealing sight! a spectre glared
Upon me! 'Twas my father!—and he said,
“It is forbid—thou must not enter here!”
I woke. It was the first night I had slept—
To call it sleep—since that unlucky night.
Oh! may I never sleep such sleep again!
[Goes out.
| The Daughter | |