University of Virginia Library

SCENE VI.

A Landscape. Enter Lord Grey and Roddam.
LORD GREY.
I think thou'rt prudent.

RODDAM.
For that flattering thought
I stand your lordship's debtor.

LORD GREY.
Did you note
The Monk, our former Guide?

RODDAM.
I did, and deemed
His manner most unlike the garb he wore.

LORD GREY.
There guessed you rightly. Yet you could not dream
That in such peaceful garb there stood disguised
A Bandit leader?

RODDAM.
No; in sooth, I could not!

LORD GREY.
Yet so it is. At least so fame reports it.
Now mark me, Fenwick hath received from him—
We cannot doubt the source—a message, which—
We doubt as little—is a hostile one.
Too brave to weigh the risk of a rencounter
With one who laughs at honour and at law,
Lord Fenwick gives the meeting he demands.

RODDAM.
And you are here to tell it! You—his friend—
Are calmly talking of his risk, while he
Dies, it may be, amid a horde of villains!—
My horse there!

LORD GREY.
Honour to the noble soul
That speaks in thee! My friend is not alone.
Swinburne and Ridley, Orde and Lilburn follow
To vindicate the right. I but delay
To bid you lead the cavalcade to Malham;
And ask you, should the ladies mark our absence,
To find such fair excuse as may allay
Their apprehensions.

RODDAM.
That safe post be his,
Who fears to look on danger! I'll with you.

LORD GREY.
Bethink thee, one fair maid may lack protection.

RODDAM.
If you mean insult, my good Lord of Wark—

LORD GREY.
I half repent my choice. I deemed thee prudent,
And still will deem thee so—unless thy folly
Engross one moment further of a time
Too precious to be wasted.—Fare thee well.

[Exeunt.