University of Virginia Library

Scene 1.

The grounds belonging to the Governor's house. Lady Agnes, disordered. Margaret following.
LADY AGNES.
Follow me not; I go to seek my sons.
Dost hear me, girl? Let go my hand! My sons
Are in the camp; no place for such as thee.
My errand is a lone one.

MARGARET.
Dearest lady,
Drive me not from you!

LADY AGNES.
Fie on't! Margaret.
Wouldst have me trust a decent Scottish lassie
With Edward's lawless soldiery? Thy mistress
Is bound to better care of thee, poor Margaret.
Wait thou until thy maiden snood be doffed
For matron coif. Even such as I, myself,
May shudder at the enterprise; these English
Have grown so pitiless! Thou canst not know
How pitiless—nor will they let me tell thee—
The leech forbade it; did he not?

MARGARET.
Yes, lady;
He bade me keep you quieted.

LADY AGNES.
Most truly.
Well, we must do his bidding. I'll but whisper—
These English are so fell they neither spare
Mother nor children. Children! that reminds me
My own are waiting me in yonder camp,
While I am loit'ring here; my bright-eyed Allan
And my dark Duncan. Ha! in yonder camp?
What do they there? Art tampering with the foe?
I tell thee, Margaret, if the lads are traitors
Then they are none of mine. 'Tis some mistake!
Mine were true men.

MARGARET.
The Friar will soon return,
And tell us, lady, all concerning them.
(Aside.)
(I am content her wanderings take this turn;
It may beguile her to repose awhile,
Which she so greatly needs for restoration
To wonted sanity.) The pious father
Will shortly bring us tidings from the camp,
Upon whose word we know you can rely.

LADY AGNES.
Truly, so can I; thou sayest well, my Margaret.
No more discreet an handmaid can attend
On any dame. 'Tis fittest we await
The Friar's return, to ascertain this matter,
Ere we depart on an uncertain quest.
Meantime, let me betake me to my couch,
And tell my beads. Lend me thy arm, my girl.