University of Virginia Library

SCENE IV.

Open space before the Court-house of St. Louis. Groups of Lawyers and Citizens.
1st Lawyer.
Didst hear the speech of Maurice in this case?

2d Lawyer.
'Twas terrible!

1st Lawyer.
I never heard the like!
And when he did discourse of Blasinghame,—
His first wrong to the widow—his denial
Of the poor orphan's right—his violence
To those who strove to serve her interests—
The picture that he painted was so monstrous,
That every heart grew cold.

3d Lawyer.
And Blasinghame,
Himself—didst note him?

2d Lawyer.
'Twas another picture!

1st Lawyer.
He sat a spectacle of ghastly fury,
That had moved pity, could we have forgotten
His looks at the beginning of the case.
At first, how bold he seem'd—with what defiance;
Next, with what doubt; then follow'd his dismay—
And last, his fury; while, with impotent rage,
And something, as it seem'd, of shame and horror,
In his own spite at what the other drew,
He crouch'd at last beneath the terrible scourging,
And half escaped from sight.

2d Lawyer.
I saw him clutching
The panel that he lean'd on, as for help,
While, beaded on his forehead, the big sweat
Still gather'd as it fell; and, on his lips
The stain of red that mingled with the foam,
Show'd how he had even bitten through his lips,
In his great agony, and knew it not.

1st Lawyer.
The judge has charged the jury!

2d Lawyer.
He was charging
Just when I left. I could not stand it longer—
As much exhausted at the stern excitement,
As Blasinghame himself.

1st Lawyer.
For Ferguson,
The up-hill work was pitiful. To follow,
With such a case, a speaker such as Maurice,
Was quite as killing to himself as client.
Nobody heard, or cared to hear, his pleading—
Not even the jury.

2d Lawyer.
What will be the verdict?

1st Lawyer.
Why, who can doubt? The insuppressible groan,
That broke from every breast—the gaze of fury
That blazed in every eye, when, pointing slowly,
And shaking with such dire significance,
The hand of Maurice fix'd on Blasinghame,
As still, with holy horror in his accents,
He spoke his wonder, that, with guilt so hideous,
He still could brave the gaze of man and justice!—
That groan and glance declared the popular judgment,
And such will be the verdict.

2d Lawyer.
Hark! that cry—

1st Lawyer.
Declares it.

[Shouts in the porch as the people rush out of the Court-house.]
1st Citizen.
Hurrah for Norman Maurice!

2d Citizen.
The widow's friend!

3d Citizen.
The people's man forever!

2d Lawyer.
There speaks the popular heart.

1st Lawyer.
A glorious voice,
That makes him senator.

2d Lawyer.
Hark! he comes forth.

Enter Maurice, with widow Pressley and Kate, followed by Mercer Brooks, Catesby, and others. Shouts.
Widow.
Ah! sir. God's blessing on you,—make us happy,
And take the half of all you've got for us!

Maurice.
Not for the world, dear madam! I'll not forfeit
The pure delight I feel in serving virtue
For its won sake! In lifting the down-trodden,
For sake of wrong'd humanity! No more.

[People shout.
1st Voice.
Hurrah for Norman Maurice!

2d Voice.
The widow's friend!

3d Voice.
The people's man forever!

Maurice
, [to Mercer.]
Let us get hence.
Dear madam, take my carriage,
And bear the grateful tidings to my wife;
Remain with her to-day while I am absent;—
To-night, as still it's like, I shall be absent,
Rejoice her with our triumph. She expects you!

Widow.
I have no thanks—no words,—my tongue is frozen.

Maurice.
'Tis that the thaw is wholly at your heart!
Go hence. Escort her, Mercer, to the carriage.

[Exeunt Widow, Kate, and Mercer.
Catesby,
[whispering to Maurice.]
Look to it, Maurice—here comes Blasinghame!

Enter Blasinghame with others.
Blasinghame.
Where is he! Let me see! Ha, give me way!
[Forces through the crowd, rushes upon Maurice, striking him with a stick.
Villain, my blows make answer to thy speech!

Maurice.
A blow—and I no weapon! But it needs none—
When, with such powerful passions in my heart,
I feel my sinews fortified with strength,
To drag a thousand tigers to my feet.
Thus, monster, that hast trampled on a people,
Defied their virtues—at their sufferings mock'd—
Thus, with my foot upon thy stubborn neck,
I trample—I degrade thee to the dust!

[Seizes Blasinghame by the throat, hurls him to the ground, and stands upon his neck. Shouts of the people.
1st Citizen.
Hurrah for Norman Maurice!

2d Citizen.
The people's friend!

3d Citizen.
The champion of the widow!

Catesby,
[interposing.]
Enough, sir. Let him rise. I'll whisper him
Where he can find us.

Maurice.
Now, within the hour!

[Catesby and Savage lift Blasinghame.
Catesby.
Colonel Blasinghame!

Blasinghame.
Where is he? Give me way!

Maurice,
[confronting him.]
Here!

Savage,
[interposing.]
Enough of this!
I see! You'll be at Mercer's. [To M.]


Maurice.
Ay, now!

Savage.
No more! Come, Blasinghame.

Blasinghame.
You, Joe!
Well, you are true, boy, and I did you wrong.
Forgive me! You will see to this. This man
Hath had his cursed foot upon my neck!
You saw it!—ha! You saw it!

Savage.
He will meet you!

Blasinghame.
Ha, Joe! Your hand. But when?

Savage.
Within the hour!

Blasinghame.
Good! See to it. Ha, ha. Methinks—

Savage.
No more!—
Away with me at once; you must not linger.

Blasinghame.
Methinks I could drink blood. I'm very thirsty.

[Exeunt Blasinghame and Savage.
Catesby.
Come, let us get in trim. Are you a shot?

Maurice.
No!

Catesby.
Ah! that's unfortunate!

Maurice.
You think so?—
Never you matter, Catesby: I will kill him!