University of Virginia Library

SCENE VII.

Enter a Dalecarlian.
Dale.
My Lord, as now I pass'd the Mountain's Brow,
I spy'd some Men, whose Arms, and strange Attire,
Give Cause for Circumspection.

Gust.
Danes, perhaps;
Haste, intercept their Passage to the Camp.

[Ex. Dal.
Arv.
Those are the Danes that witness to my Shame.

Gust.
Perish th' opprobrious Term! not so, Arvida;
Myself will be the Guardian of thy Fame;
Trust me, I will—Our Friends approach—O clear
While I attend them, clear that Cloud, my Brother,
That sits upon the Morning of thy Youth;
It hangs too near the Heart of thy Gustavus.

[Exit.
Arv.
Of thy Gustavus! O Wretch, Wretch, curs'd Wretch!
What is this Time and Place, and Toys of Circumstance;
That wind our Actions, so, as Heav'n's own Hand
What's done may not unravel?—Pardon may!—
There's the Lethean Sweet, the Snow of Heav'n,
New blanching-o'er the Negro Front of Guilt,
That to the Eye of Mercy all appears
Fair as th' unwritten Page—yet self-convict,
Tho' Heav'n's free Pow'r shou'd pardon, where's my Peace?
Thus, thus to be driven out from my own Breast!
To have no Shed, no shelt'ring Nook at Home
To take Reflection in! How looks the Wretch
Whose Heart cries Villain to itself? I'll not
Endure its Batt'ry—Somewhat must be done
Of high Import 'ere Night, that I may sleep,
Or wake for ever.