University of Virginia Library

SCENE III.

The Outter-Court of the Castle—A Scaffold coveraged with black Cloth.
Douglas, Lord David, Mackra, Officer, Guards.
Mackra.
The charity of the good Lord Chancellor
Sends me to your assistance.

Douglas.
It was kind.
You're welcome father!

Mackra.
Since about to pay
The debt you owe to nature and the law,
All the amends you now can make the world,
Is to confess your crimes, and humbly own
Your sentence just.

Douglas.
I owe not this to truth.
To own the sentence past upon me just,
Would wrong my conscience which condemns me not.
The errors of my life, I humbly hope,
Will be forgiv'n; if any I have wrong'd,
'Twas what I meant not; if I e'er let slip
Occasion to do good, or pow'r abus'd,
I heartily regrate it. Man at best
Is weak, and much unequal to the part
He has to act; and if in youth he errs,
The good will pity, where they can't approve.

Mackra.
Such general acknowledgements fall short
Of what to heav'n is due, and what to man.
Your crimes against the State you must confess,
If you would hope forgiveness.

Douglas.
Let me ask,
What crime against the State have I committed?

Mackra.
Thy crimes against the State, so soul, so many,
Would any mouth defile, besides thine own;
Thy conscience is erroneous, or thy tongue
Gives not its verdict. Hadst thou not been guilty,
Would men so fam'd for clemency and justice,
Have sent thee hither?—Hence thy guilt is plain.

Douglas.
Forgive me father, if I say you want
That charity, your Master hath affirm'd
The genuine mark of Christians. Thus to judge—

Mackra.
Bold man! dost thou not know the reverence due
The minister of heav'n?

Douglas.
Thou grave reproach!
To virtue and religion, which disclaim thee,
Dost thou assume that venerable title?
'Tis charity's celestial flame that marks
The friend of virtue, and the priest rever'd.
Get thee to him that sent thee! much he needs
Thy courtly aid, to cheer his guilty soul.

Mackra.
Once more, unhappy mortal I adjure thee
To speak the truth, and own thy sentence just.
If not, the pow'r on me by heav'n conferr'd,
I must employ to sink thy soul to hell.

Douglas.
Fear'st thou not him, who sees thy heart and mine!—
For his sake I beseech thee, let me die
In peace and charity.

Mackra.
Sleep on secure,
Till flames awake thee!

Douglas.
When like me thou stand'st
Upon the brink of time, may heav'n afford!
Thy soul, that comfort thou with-hold'st from me.

[Exit Mackra.