University of Virginia Library

SCENE II.

Arden, Elvina.
Arden.
This happy morning, Lady, you appeared
The wife of Arden in the eye of England,
And tho' our hands were not in wedlock join'd,
Our interest is one. I have a right
To interpose in your concerns; and more,
I feel your sorrows as they were my own,
For I lament you more than I can blame.

Elvina.
I hope my Lord you come not to disturb
The dying moments of a wretched maid,
And wring a heart that soon shall cease to beat.

Arden.
I come not to renew, but end your woes.
I've a proposal for thy serious ear,
On which the fortune of thy life depends.

Elvina.
My Lord, I listen to it.

Arden.
You are young,
Elvina, you are beautiful; allured
And dazzled with false glory, you have erred
One step from duty; if reflection soon
Recalls you to the path from which you've strayed,
You add one beauty to a virtuous life,
Which spotless innocence can never boast.
If you renounce, if from your heart renounce,
Renounce for ever that opprobrious love,
Then I this instant to the plain descend,
The champion of your cause: A husband's arm
Will wipe the stain that rests upon thy name,
And upon mine: My honour is at stake:
A Baron of the realm, an English chieftain,
Arm'd, and invested with supreme command,
Will never brook dishonour, never bear
The shadow of affront; nor suffer man
To point the finger, or to lift the look
Of scorn against him.

Elvina.
In this hour of woe,
Your noble generosity, my Lord,
Hath given another pang to this sad bosom,
Which yet, alas! no just return can make.
Inviolable vows oppose your claim;
Stronger than vows, unalterable love
Reigns in a heart that owns no second Lord.

Arden.
That is the language of aversion fix'd.

Elvina.
It is the language of Elvina's soul.

Arden.
And have I merited thy stedfast scorn?

Elvina.
I scorn thee not. I can distinguish well
A lover's passion from a Baron's pride.
The candid bosom opens to the day;
Nor clothes ambition in the garb of love.
Your virtues I revere; your rank respect;
But who can teach a tender heart to throb?
I look upon thee as my Father's friend;
My country's champion: Never as my knight,
Or as my husband.

Arden.
Then behold your judge.
Guards, watch the prisoner.