University of Virginia Library

SCENE I.

Ina's Bower.
Ina, Osric, and Guards.
INA.
My home! thou scene of happiness! my home!
(Oh! the sweet recollections in that word!)
For the last time my eyes would fain retrace
Each several spot so dear!—but blinding tears—
[Seeing the guards, and shuddering.
These savage men! good Osric, pray dismiss them—
They gaze on me with bold, ungentle looks,
That wear not the respect methinks were due
To wretchedness like mine.

OSRIC
(makes signs they should retire).
You are obey'd.

INA.
Is thy heart hard, that Baldred chooses thee
To be my jailer?

OSRIC.
Lady, I'm a soldier,
Command the troops that guard the royal person;
And while I hold this charge, were my own father
Entrusted to my keeping, I were firm.

INA.
And must the soldier know no touch of nature?

OSRIC.
I said not so. I meant but to declare
The soldier's honour must not shrink, although
His heart-strings burst.

INA.
Methinks, my lord
Did show thee favour once?

OSRIC.
'Twas on an outpost.
Wounded, and left as dead, the tide of battle
Roll'd onwards where I lay.—The prince was there
(For he was every where, and ruled the fates),
He placed me on his steed, supported, led me,—
Himself deep wading through swoln Isis' flood,
And gave me to a cottager in charge—
Nay, thought of me in victory's madd'ning hour,
And sent, ere night, one skill'd to close my wounds.
Lady, if hard this heart, th' impression graved
On hardest things is deepest, and most durable!

INA.
Thou'rt moved!—kind soul!—my grief, not I, did wrong thee.
Sure thou couldst pity me!

OSRIC.
Oh! might I prove it!

INA.
Thou may'st! for though thou canst not spare my life,
'Tis thine to soften death. Thou, by thy office,
Hast access ever to the royal presence.
Conduct me to the king.

OSRIC
(astonished).
Ha! say'st thou?—wherefore?

INA.
I would but claim a grandsire's pitying care
For Egbert's—for thy benefactor's—child.
Then look on death with such meek constancy
As innocence may lend.

OSRIC.
Thou hast prevail'd.
But, lady, wait—I pray you wait a space
Till darker night close round, and the hush'd palace
Assure no interruption.—'Tis but life
I hazard here,—the soldier's honour safe!
For Alwyn said the king forbade control,
Save in what might afford thee means of freedom.

INA.
Thou generous man! thy precious life is sure;
The prince at hazard of his own will guard it.
But what of Alwyn? thou didst speak his name.

OSRIC
(giving her a dagger).
He bade me give thee this; yet, charge thee, live
If it be possible—

INA
(taking it eagerly).
I understand him.
[After looking at it with emotion, she goes to a table on which are emblems of worship.
Here I shall offer up my last sad prayer
When I return; and, if the secret voice
Of conscience speak assent, yes,—I will hug thee,
Horrible as thou art!—thou last best friend,
That canst alone prevent the headsman's stroke.
[Lays the dagger on the table.
Here too I place my Egbert's pictured form,
It might offend.
[Takes a picture from her breast.
And here, these gems, his tokens!
[Places ornaments.
They ill become the wretched supplicant
To death devoted.—
(Returning to Osric).
Alwyn, where is he?
I little thought that Alwyn would forsake me.

OSRIC.
Forsake thee? He! The cruel sentence pass'd,
He flung him on the steed prepared for thee;
And, with a madman's desperate course, he sped
To seek thy Egbert.

INA.
Oh! 'twas rashly done!
Had I but known his purpose, I had sent
Some words of comfort,—of fallacious hope.
Osric, my husband's bosom owns no thought
Mine does not share. We are one heart! one mind!
And the full tidings of my fate, pour'd forth
With careless haste, will kill him. Oh! I know,
Too well I know, alas! th' impetuous course
Of all his soul's affections!—

OSRIC.
Nay, take comfort.
Haply good Alwyn brings him to thy rescue.

INA.
The distance, Osric!—Will the wild winds lend
Their rushing wings?

OSRIC.
Forestall not evils, lady.
There's pity still in heaven!

INA
(looking out).
See, my friend!
The last pale lingering light has left the west.
I will prepare me.

OSRIC.
I will wait you, lady.

[Exeunt severally.