University of Virginia Library

SCENE III.

The bed-chamber of Maclean.
Enter Maclean, followed by Helen.
Helen.
Ah! wherefore art thou so disturb'd? the night
Is almost spent: the morn will break ere long,
And rest hast thou had none. Go to thy bed:
I pray thee, go.

Mac.
I cannot: urge me not.

Helen.
Nay, try to rest: I'll sit and watch by thee.

Mac.
Thou'lt sit and watch! O woe betide the hour!
And who will watch for thee?

Helen.
And why for me?
Can any harm approach? When thou art near,
Or sleeping or awake, I am secure.

Mac.
(pacing to and fro distractedly).
O God! O God!

Helen.
Those exclamations!
[Going up to him, while he avoids her.
Turnst thou from me thus?
Have I offended? dost thou doubt my faith?
Hath any jealous thought—I freely own
Love did not make me thine: but, being thine,
To no love-wedded dame, bound in the ties
Of dearest sympathy, will I in duty—
In steady, willing, cheerful duty yield.
Yea, and though here no thrilling rapture be,
I look to spend with thee, by habit foster'd,
The evening of my days in true affection.

Mac.
The evening of thy days! alas, alas!
Would heaven had so decreed it!
[Pulling away his hand from hers.
Grasp me not!
It is a fiend thou clingst to.
[A knock at the door.
Power of heaven!
Are they already at the chamber door!

Helen.
Are those who knock without unwelcome?—hush!
Withdraw thyself, and I will open to them.

[Goes to the door.
Mac.
O go not! go not!

[Runs after her to draw her back, when a vassal, rushing from behind the bed, lays hold of him.
Vas.
Art thou not sworn to us? Where is thy faith?

Mac.
I know, I know! the bands of hell have bound me.
O fiends! ye've made of me—what words can speak
The hateful wretch I am!
Hark! hark! she cries!
She shrieks and calls on me!

[Helen 's cries heard without, first near and distinct, afterwards more and more distant as they bear her away; while the vassal leads Maclean forcibly off the stage by the opposite side, he breaks from him, and hastens towards that by which Helen went out.
Vas.
Thou art too strong for me. Do as thou wilt;
But if thou bringst her back, even from that moment
Benlora is our leader, and thyself,
The Campbell's husband, chieftain and Maclean
No more shalt be. We've sworn as well as thou.

[Maclean stops irresolutely, and then suffers the vassal to lead him off by the opposite side.