University of Virginia Library

SCENE IV.

The Banditti return.
Sifrid. Edred. Walter. Banditti.
Sifrid.
(To those who enter.)
My brothers, it is well.—'Mid all my griefs,
Much does it joy my soul to find such friends.

First Bandit.
Captain, we love you.

Sifrid.
Nay, I know it well,
And now confide my story to your love.
—'Twas my most hapless lot my birth to gain
In the same city with Earl Ethelbert.
His sire, of the first rank, (as sure you know,)
Was wealthy; and reported generous.
I was of noble birth—but—poor.—While young,
Distinction proud was neither known nor felt:
Like passions, and resembling taste, were ours;
And in sweet friendship's bands united us.

Edred.
And what could interrupt?—He did not dare—

Sifrid.
Observe!—To manhood now arriv'd, his sire
To France dismist him, hoping his improvement.
—O fatal error! thus alone to trust,
Remote from friends, in life's most dangerous prime,
Gay, inconsiderate, and warm-glowing youth!—
—'Twas there his passions gain'd the mastery;
And he, profuse of wealth, unaw'd by rule,
And ignorant of restraint; flatter'd, carest,
His every humour studied; all his wants,
His passions all, supplied; grew vain, debauch'd,
Selfish and mercenary, false and cruel.

Edred.
Ha!—I see—The Earl—

Sifrid.
Give heed!—It so befel,
Himself far off, and rioting in joys,
His father died. Then, and not till then, he,
To receive, at once, estate and title,
From abroad, return'd.

Edred.
Splendidly, no doubt;
With dissolute and arrogant demeanor.

Sifrid.
Most true.—In place exalted, he no more
His former friend recogniz'd; now, indeed,
A simple husbandman, of manners plain.
Nor did neglect alone content his soul;
Which, first estrang'd, soon hurried on to hate,
And urg'd his hand to deeds of foul oppression.

Walter.
Most execrable villain!

Sifrid.
I was weak—

Walter.
Damn'd, damn'd villain!

Sifrid.
Nor yet was quite subdu'd,
Tho' deeply wounded, the true love I bore him.—
To struggle was but vain. His rank and power,
Banisht all hope, and might defy all strength.
Convinc'd, I left my farm; becoming tenant
To a neighbouring Lord. There I saw, and lov'd,
The daughter of a man like me.

Walter.
And Ethelbert—
The Earl—

Sifrid.
Wealth, alone, she had not.—I scorn'd it.—

Walter.
And she?—

Sifrid.
Had not heard of affectation:
I was belov'd.

Edred.
And you were happy?

Sifrid.
No!

Edred.
No?

Sifrid.
O, no! This lord, this Ethelbert, this Earl,
Must have—O foul appendage! shame to rank!
A Mistress.

Walter.
And he did strive—

Sifrid.
Strove to gain,
Betray,
Betray, corrupt, my Emma.

Walter.
Thief! villain!

Sifrid.
Submissive, tender, complaisant, and mild,
The importuning lover long he play'd:
But she was constant; and with armed force,
At night, he bore her captive to his tower.

Walter.
Ruffian accurst!

Sifrid.
Nor knew we where she was.
He tried all arts; but she, inflexible,
To faithlessness or shame, did death prefer.

All Band.
Noble woman!

Edred.
The Earl—

Sifrid.
With disappointment rais'd to frantic rage,
And furious that to him I caus'd denial;
He nor restrain'd, nor limited his hate.
Me, he procur'd imprison'd;—basely fed;—

Walter.
Tyrant!

Sifrid.
I had forgiven him,—but he held,
In vile captivity, my love; and hop'd,
By long attention, to o'ercome her hate.
A year past on; he caus'd report be spread,
Nay, told her, I was dead. And then— (wildly.)


Edred.
(Alarmed.)
Sifrid!

Sifrid.
Didst ever know what 'twas to love, good Edred?—
Alas! I've known.—Hast ever known the bliss
Of love return'd? And heard the gentle “Yes”
Fall from the trembling lip of blushful maid?—

Edred.
Captain!

Sifrid.
This have I known.—And when thou look'dst
To bear thy treasure home, did some one come,
One whom thou ne'er hadst wrong'd, good Edred? one
On whom thou'dst lavisht all thy friendly store?
Came such an one between thy love and thee?
Say, did his baleful arm sunder ye, then?
Doom her to death, and tell thee she was dead?
Knew'st thou such grief?—And yet—This I have known.— (A pause—Sifrid covers his eyes.)


Edred.
Captain, 'twere well,
Weak, and o'ercome with sorrow, as thou art,
To spare recital of what yet remains.

Sifrid.
No, my good Edred, no! I feel renew'd:—
I thank thee that thou'st rouz'd my memory:—
What follows is most brief.
When now some years had seen me thus imprison'd,
I forc'd escape; nor of my friends, nor kin,
I stay'd to learn; but fled. Our former Chief,
As well you know, receiv'd me. And hence my deeds,
My fortune, and my various life, you know.
But let them pass:—Ethelbert roams these woods,—
You are brave;—I am your leader;—and you—

Edred.
Have sworn to obey—

Sifrid.
And will support me?

All.
To death.

Sifrid.