 | The Countess of Salisbury |  |
41
ACT IV.
Enter Raymond and Grey.Grey.
My lord, you waste the precious hours in cold
Irresolute delays: nor circumstance
Nor time admit of long deliberation.
Raymond.
—Wou'd I had never seen this fatal mansion!
Grey.
A sorry wish, my lord. Behold the fierce,
The lordly ranger of the desert wild;
No sluggish fears he knows; he pauses not,
Nor looks behind, but onward speeds him till
He gripes the trembling prey: be ever thus
The youth, whom thirst of love and beauty fires.
Raymond.
—Away; call forth my train—nay murmur not:
Command that ere the lark proclaim the morn
They hold them each prepar'd. Here I will rest,
If rest I can, this night; to-morrow's sun
Shall see me fled for ever from these walls.
Grey.
—Go—I detain thee not.
Summon thy train, mount the swift steed, away;
The gates shall open to thy flight—but know,
That shame and scorn shall follow at thy heels.
Yet worse; the insulted baron next pursues thee:
Nor rocks, nor mountains, nor opposing seas
Shall stay him, but with more than mortal rage
He shall assail thee.
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—Are there no other means?
Grey.
None.
Raymond.
No other way but murder? Horrid thought!—
Oh Grey if e'er the dagger's drawn I feel
Such perturbation here, what then, oh what
Shall prove my portion when 'tis steep'd in blood?
The drops can from the point be wip'd away,
But never from the mind.
Grey.
Lift, lift thine eye,
And let it gaze upon the bright reward.
Riches and honours grace the swelling act,
While beauty, like the ruby-crowned morn,
When first she peers upon the mountain top,
Comes smiling on to meet you—These are objects,
My lord, would irritate the palsied arm
Itself of fear; excite the lagging blood,
And spur it on to acts of noble daring.
Raymond.
What wou'd you do?—Think—Salisbury is a name
Of all belov'd, of more than vulgar sway
Throughout the land; a deed unauthoriz'd
As this shall never 'scape the arm of justice.
Grey.
Such wary counsels shall our steps o'er-rule
As may deride suspicion—One there is,
A knight among thy vassal train perhaps
Unnoted: soft of speech he is, and fair;
But of a heart that mocks at human feelings:
Him I have sounded with reserve; and find
Him not unapt to this our secret purpose—
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Awaits the man, whose arm for thee enacts
Such signal service?
Raymond.
Half my fortunes, all
Wou'd I on him bestow, whose prosperous arts
Shou'd make the fair one mine.
Grey.
She shall be thine.
Raymond.
But say, my friend, what tale, what rare device
Shou'd fruitful art explore that might amuse
Her just suspicions?
Grey.
Innocence, the mask
Of innocence, and counterfeited sorrow—
Enter Eleanor.
Eleanor.
If beauty in distress, if dignity
Now sinking into ruin can assail
Thy pity, come, oh! come, and weep to see—.
Grey.
The countess, I suppose.
Eleanor.
My lord, my lord,
'Twould melt the savage into human softness,
And make him howl forth pity to behold her—
Did you behold her, pale, disorder'd as
She runs, now calling wildly on her lord,
Again upon her son, again on thee.
Sometimes, alas! she beats her beauteous bosom;
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The silken hairs, which fall in heaps unheeded;
Wrings her white hands, and weeps and raves by turns,
Till nature spent and wearied gives her pause.
Raymond.
Away—we will speak comfort to her sorrows.
[Exit Eleanor.]
—Wretch that I am!—But I will yield them up;
Son, husband, all I will resign, if so
I may appease her phrenzy.
[Going, is detained by Grey.]
Grey.
Be not rash.
Short is the date of every stronger passion;
Unstay'd the mind of woman; by a breath
Oft agitated, by a breath compos'd—
Yield them, my lord! it wou'd be madness, ruin.
Raymond.
Which ever way I turn, it is destruction.
Grey.
O'ercast with fear, thine eye takes nothing in
But fancies of the sickliest hue—For shame,
Rouse, rouse my noble lord; awake, shake off
This weakness. Pleasure must be woo'd with toil.
Go to her, solace her; if that shou'd fail,
Permit her as by stealth to visit Salisbury;
At sight of him this tumult shall subside.
Raymond.
With love and pity I am torn. In vain
I strive; too far I am advanc'd in error.
Oh! will no hand disclose a path whereby
I may return?—Accurs'd be thou, myself;
And doubly be accurs'd that fatal hour
I turn'd mine ear to thy destructive counsels.
[Goes out in great agitation.
45
alone.
—My hopes begin to totter.
If he resign them, Salisbury is appeas'd,
And he retires: what then becomes of Grey?
On me, on me of course the tempest falls.
That must not be—He goes to see her now—
Who knows what new-sprung hope may follow thence?
There is a charm in soft distress, that works
Upon the soul like magic; causing love
Oft times, as oft exciting loose desire—
It is most apt. I will, before he goes
To her, explore each access to his heart;
Attack each avenue that leads to virtue;
Try every mining art that may assist
The loose contagion: Shou'd he seize her beauties,
Farewel remorse; then dies the injur'd husband.
[Exit.
Scene opening, discovers lord Salisbury on the ground, in chains.
Enter Leroches.
Leroches.
Alas! on the cold ground. I fear his wrongs
Have made him mad; I heard him rage—My lord—
Rise, rise, my lord, and speak to thy Leroches.
Lord Salisbury.
—Thou art unkind.
Leroches.
Oh! wou'd to Heaven that I cou'd ease thy troubles!
Lord Salisbury.
I had in sweet oblivion lost myself
And every care; why hast thou call'd me back
To hated recollection?—O my wrongs!
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Again, again, they wake me into madness.
Leroches.
Thy wrongs shall be reveng'd.
Lord Salisbury.
Torn from them both!
—Let me not think.
Leroches.
Think on our friends, my lord:
Perhaps even now they are at hand; and soon
Will thunder at the gates.
Lord Salisbury.
Is't possible?
Or do my eyes but false persuade me to it?—
In trammels! and within my walls! beneath
That roof where I am sole-invested lord!—
Leroches.
Look, behold.
Lord Salisbury.
I see; thou art dishonour'd.
Leroches.
'Tis the will
Of Heaven, and I submit me to my fortunes.
Lord Salisbury.
How cam'st thou hither?
Leroches.
By command, as I
Suppose, of—but I will not name him.
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Blasts
Upon him!—Didst thou see my wife?
Leroches.
No, my lord.
Lord Salisbury.
Nor my son?
Leroches.
My lord I saw not either.
Lord Salisbury.
Nor of either heard?
Leroches.
No, my good lord, I trust that they are safe.
Lord Salisbury.
Hear me, sweet Heaven! ye throned powers above,
Dread arbiters of mortal doings, hear—
Dry not instant up the springs of life,
But grant me measure of revenge. Unbind,
For pity these dishonour'd limbs unbind,
And give this monster to my willing arm:
If I not firmly gripe, if I not tear
With more than savage force his hated form—
Enter a Knight.
Traitor!
What hast thou done? Bring forth my honour'd dame—
Haste, bring her instant; give her to my arms,
Uninjur'd, undefil'd, or by the souls
Of the most holy and unspotted saints—
Spare me, good Heaven—I am, I am to blame—
Imports thy coming aught with me?
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Behold
In me thy better angel, come to warn
Thee of unguarded danger—Oh my lord!
My lord! beware of horrid treachery—
Whatever knight thou not'st, that traitor like
Approacheth thee with smiles; that with the charm
Of honey'd speech would practice on thy hearing,
Of him beware—They seek thy ruin; chance
Betray'd their purpose; I was touch'd with pity.
[Going.]
Lord Salisbury.
Nay, go not yet.
Knight.
Suspicion's on the watch;
My thoughts are scarce my own.
Lord Salisbury.
It is for guilt,
Not conscious honesty to taste of fear.
Knight.
Know then, my lord, tho' strict necessity
Enrolls me in the list of Raymond's train,
Yet doth my soul abhor the unhallow'd service.
Lord Salisbury.
Be thou but faithful, and discover all
Thou know'st, so shalt thou thrive in Salisbury's favour.
Knight.
Fear not my faith. But shall lord Salisbury prove
A friend indeed? for I shall need thy arm
And interest both against so great a foe.
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Now by my honour, ever yet held dear,
I will protect thee 'gainst whatever foe.
Knight.
Morton desires but this—Know then, that late
As by the western porch I stood, my ear
Was met by certain voices: strait I turn'd;
And thro' the crevice of th'adjoining door
Was known that same insidious knight and Grey,
In low, but earnest converse. Thee they nam'd:
And I cou'd hear the latter, whilst he said,
“A dagger is the best. With honest smiles,
“And fair-instructed speech you must essay him.
“Thy peace and fortunes on this feat depend.”
Lord Salisbury.
I thank thee for this warning; and ere long
Shall recompense thy love.
Morton.
Had I the power
To serve thee, as the will, thou should'st not wear
Those marks of shame—But oh! the unhappy countess!
Lord Salisbury.
What, what of her?
Morton.
Alas! to think the pangs
She feels this moment, torn as she hath been
By rude barbarians from her lord and son.
Lord Salisbury.
But is she safe? hath not dishonour reach'd her?
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Oh may she never know dishonour!—Yet
Lord Raymond—
Lord Salisbury.
Perish the detested name
For ever! for it makes my blood outcourse
The wholesome speed of nature.
Morton.
It is true,
He holds her in his power—
Lord Salisbury.
He does, he does;
And I do live to know it.
Morton.
But I trust
He will not use that power—Farewel, my lord;
I will away, and gather all I can
Of their condition.
Lord Salisbury.
Thou shalt win my love.
See, see my wife, oh! see her if thou can'st:
Speak comfort to her. Say the only pangs I feel
Are for her safety. Bid her hope for timely aid;
But to remember still, the virtuous mind
Will welcome death itself before dishonour.
Morton.
To see her, is a task I fear will foil
My utmost; but no art shall be untried.
[Exit Morton.
Lord Salisbury.
Is there no way to freedom?—Oh my friends!
My friends! Haste, Ardolf, haste to my revenge.
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Thy fierce impatience, thy untoward will
It is, my lord, that hath betray'd our safeties.
To Ardolf deaf, thou would'st not wait his succours;
Deaf too to me, thou would'st approach the castle.
Lord Salisbury.
Fear not: this stranger, like Heav'n's brighter star,
Hath risen propitious—Heav'ns! but what of that?
My wife!—perhaps even now within the gripe
Of fell incontinence she struggles—Beware
That thought—down, down, or I shall rage to madness.
Leroches.
My lord, he wou'd not—
Lord Salisbury.
Hark!—
Leroches.
He wou'd not, dare not, sure: or if he dare,
Her inborn dignity, her virtue—
Lord Salisbury.
Peace!—
Lady Salisbury.
Hold off your brutal hands!
[from without.
Lord Salisbury.
'Tis she! 'tis she!
The slave assails her—Let me forth—
Slaves! murderers! instant let me forth, or I—
Lady Salisbury.
Hast thou no touch of pity?
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Horror! horror!
Out hair! out by the roots! nor let a grain
Be left to tell there grew such honours there.
Lady Salisbury.
O my lord! my lord!—
Lord Salisbury.
By Heav'n I will not be restrain'd—
[Lero. strives to stay him.
Nor all your bolts, nor barriers, all the pow'rs
Of hell united shall withhold me from her—
[Exit.
Leroches.
Preserve him, Heaven! I fear
Some act of horrid import—Oh! she comes!
Wild, wild as the rough ocean vex'd with storms.
Enter Lady Salisbury, Eleanor, Morton.
Lord Salisbury.
I will have vengeance. Such an outrage—No,
I will not weep. They think I have no means:
'Tis false: I will resume a spirit.
Eleanor.
Alas! alas!
Lady Salisbury.
I had a son; sweet William! thou hast heard
Him prattle: there was music on his tongue.
Eleanor.
Can Heav'n behold such crimes, and not awake
It's thunders?
Lady Salisbury.
Weep'st thou? I can weep myself;
I have some cause—He is my husband, who
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And the winds make a noise; 'tis a rough night;
No little star to guide his darkling steps—
The Heav'ns do rain down pity for me.
Eleanor.
Rave
Not thus, dear lady; oh! be comforted.
Lady Salisbury.
Yes, yes; I know: these trifles have disturb'd me.
The bird is rifl'd.
Poor flutterer! oh! it was nought to spoil
Her of her little hope—Did'st thou not see
Her valiant mate, how fierce he shook his plumes,
And peck'd at them? Did he not?—He had sav'd
His mistress from the spoilers, but they snar'd him.
Lord Salisbury
entering.
Where is the slave? I will not brook delay.
Lady Salisbury.
He's come! he's come—Now, ruffians, I have found
Him, we will die together e'er you part us.
Lord Salisbury.
Hell! what are your blackest horrors to this?
Lady Salisbury.
We will have justice—Bury Grey alive.
Lord Salisbury.
She's lost!
Lady Salisbury.
Say you!—Put Raymond to the torture.
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I will tear him joint by joint.
Lady Salisbury.
But they will part us—
They come—You shall not—no; no pow'r on earth
Shall force me—Now they pull—Hold, hold, my lord—
Yet closer—now, now, now.
Lord Salisbury.
My wife, my Ela!
Lost as thou art, oh! do not leave me.
Morton.
Distressful sight!—Oh most inhuman Grey!
Eleanor.
Nature, my lord, unequal to the conflict,
Has for a space retir'd within herself;
But shortly to return. This interval
Of death-like quiet will, I trust, recal
Her safer senses—She revives.
Lady Salisbury.
But this is strange—
Eleanor.
My lord,
Speak to her; sooth her, and she will be calm.
Lord Salisbury.
Speak to her, sooth her—what have I with her? with thee?
Oh agonizing hour! Had I but perish'd
In the same wave that buried my lov'd friends,
It had been well—'Twas cruelty to save me.
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Am I indeed awake?—Let me stand up—
What is the matter?
Lord Salisbury.
My poor, injur'd wife!
Lady Salisbury.
Nay, but inform me, I am overdoubtful;
I wou'd believe, I know—if what I now
Behold, be not a dream, you are my husband.
Lord Salisbury.
The wretch that was so call'd.
Lady Salisbury.
Alack! alack!
Sure I have been afflicted sore—My lord!
My life!—why dost thou start from me?—Oh take
Me to thy arms! for I have need of comfort.
Lord Salisbury.
Art thou not undone?
Lady Salisbury.
Indeed I have wept.
Lord Salisbury.
Lost, stain'd, dishonour'd by a villain?
Lady Salisbury.
How,
My lord! Think'st thou that I have other wrongs
To weep than thou hast seen?
Lord Salisbury.
I heard thee cry.
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I know not what I did—Dishonour'd!—O!
The thought wakes every pulse to indignation.
Lord Salisbury.
What! did he not assail thee?
Lady Salisbury.
No—Assail me!
Lord Salisbury.
Then art thou safe, thy honour unassay'd?
Lady Salisbury.
So witness Heaven!
Lord Salisbury.
The God of Heaven be prais'd!
Lady Salisbury.
—And coud'st thou think so meanly of me?—Oh!
I had let the life-blood from this bosom forth
Ere I had brook'd dishonour.
Lord Salisbury.
Best of thy sex!—Thy cries like daggers pierc'd me;
And fearful fancy pictur'd such a scene
As hurried me to madness—But thou art safe,
My wife is safe! and I am blest again.
Lady Salisbury.
My heart o'erjoys—Yet wherefore do I fear?
Lord Salisbury.
I had forgot—my son; for him thou fear'st.
Lady Salisbury.
Not only for my son, but for thyself,
Thy precious self I tremble—Oh this fiend!
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And bold, are station'd round him, and but wait
Their master's nod.
Leroches.
Wou'd we were safe bestow'd
Without this fearful prison!
Lady Salisbury.
Wou'd we were!—
Think, think, my lord, is there no way to flight?
Lord Salisbury.
Thou hast recall'd to my remembrance what,
If seconded by this our plighted friend,
May claim a serious and attentive hearing.
Morton.
Small is the service I can boast my lord;
In all my best I shall be prompt to aid you.
Lord Salisbury.
Hear then—Deep underneath this vaulted ground,
Curious and close, by our forefathers scoop'd,
I do remember me there is a dark,
And secret mine, which leads by many a maze
Without the castle. Not far thence there stands
Within the bosom of an aged grove,
An house for pious uses set apart,
The hallow'd seat of godly brethren: there
I fear not we shall rest secure of ill.
Lady Salisbury.
Most opportune as could our wishes frame—
But oh! our little hope! our younger care!
Morton.
My life shall answer for lord William's safety,
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Then let us forth.
Morton.
The night is over young;
The castle's yet awake, and wou'd but mock
The attempt.
Lord Salisbury.
Say, what shall be the appointed hour?
Morton.
Some three hours hence, my lord; or ere the clock
Perchance have told the second watch—And now
That squint suspicion mar not, let us part.
Lady Salisbury.
Then must we part?—But 'tis to save us all.
Three hours—farewel!—Oh! they will be three long
Long hours to me.
Lady Salisbury.
Farewel my best!—Mean time
Leroches, we will rest us here apart—Farewel,
Farewel! thou soother sweet of every care!
The god, that loves the unsullied mind, descend,
And be thy guardian till we meet again.
[Ex. omnes.
End of the Fourth Act.
| The Countess of Salisbury | |