University of Virginia Library

ACT III.

Scene First.

—Grounds of Sir Walter's House.
Enter 1st and 2nd Servants, armed with guns, R.
2nd Servant.
It's useless asking Master Sneed his meaning.
Our business is obedience.

1st Serv.
Verily.
But evening's closing in,—the wind grows cold!
The outward man feels ill at ease—the nights
Are dark and moonless.

2nd Serv.
What for that cares Jabez?
Our orders are to watch the whole night through
That none may enter, nor yet quit the house.

1st Serv.
Belike Sir Walter, as a man of war,
Delighteth in precaution; or dost think
He has intelligence of some foul plot
Of the malignants?

2nd Serv.
Like enough, since Jabez
Swore us to secrecy, and bade us let
Our watch be known to none—only if any
Shall make attempt to enter or go out
We are to seize him, and in privacy
Give Master Sneed advice.

1st Serv.
Ay, thou shalt seize him,
And I'll give notice in the house.

2nd Serv.
Why, man, thou'rt not afeard?

1st Serv.
Verily no, good William;
I am provided well with carnal weapons;—
My gun is doubly loaded—peradventure
'Twould do more service, though, upon occasion,
If I should add another charge? There's room.

2nd Serv.
Thou hadst better give thyself a charge of this. (shewing a bottle)


1st Serv.
What is it?

2nd Serv.
Brandy. (presenting flask)


1st Serv.
(drinking)
Thou'rt a goodly youth!
I will keep watch beside thee.

2nd Serv.
Nay, my post
Is in the young plantation, by the window
Of the Bower Chamber—thine the house's front.

1st Serv.
'Tis ill-devised. Alone, we shall grow heavy
And, peradventure, sleep—I'll stay with thee:
So can we hold some profitable converse,
Strengthening from time to time our natural man,
And keeping guard with better vigilance;
Else were we undeserving trust!

2nd Serv.
This way then.
I own I've no dislike for company,
And here's enough for both!

Holding up flask—Exeunt, L.
Enter Captain Baroque, R.
Captain B.

Vat a diable! De vind is change, and all
is ready for the pauvre gentilhomme; but vere is de
petit garçon to tell him so? I say him, “Ven you see
de vind, you soon see me—so look out.”

Enter Page, L.
Page.

Very true, Captain. So, having seen the wind,
as you would say—me voici!

Captain B.

Dat is de good littel boy.

Page.
(indignantly)

Little boy, forsooth!

Captain B.

Vell, vell, big man den—as you vas be
some day, if you grows a good deal first—aha! Come,
all is ready! Vill I go to de lady?

Page.

You go to my lady, you sea-horse! I'd have
you know, sir, none but gentlemen of condition approach
her! The very sight of you would make her faint. Why
you look like a Polar bear, and smell like a stock-fish—
Pah!

Captain B.

Very well, littel boy! (half aside)
I vas
put dat insult in de bill! And now dépêche toi, make
haste, for I vas not like to be found here. Dey peutetre
take me for a spy, and hang me—vich désagréable—I
vas put dat peril in de biil, too!

Page.

Why, upon my honour I think if old Jabez
Sneed were to catch you, nothing would give him greater
pleasure.

Captain B.

Jabez Sneed! And who vas Jabez Sneed?

Page.

Oh, only our old steward; who, I doubt not,
would think the blood of a Frenchman a sacrifice of a
sweet savour!

Captain B.

Aha! I vas remember him—Jabez Sneed—
I vas put Jabez Sneed down in de bill, too. Oh, for
certain, Jabez Sneed—I must charge for all my dangers.

Page.

Mercy on us! I shall ruin poor Lord Arden if
I stay with this purse-sucker any longer. There, good
fellow, keep thyself out of sight in yonder shrubbery,
and I will go arrange all with my lady. I need not bid
you lie close. Remember Jabez Sneed. Ha, ha!

Exit, R.
Captain B.

Ay, ay! I vas remember Jabez Sneed—no
fear—I vas charge two louis more for Jabez Sneed. He
vould like if he vas hang me. Aha! lucky I vas take de
precaution to bring viz me some littel marchandize—
mouchoirs—bijouterie—parfumerie—just in case dey vas
catch me; den I vas pass for vat dey call pedlar; and my
English so remarkable parfait, nobody vas never suspect
me for nosing as a native.

Exit, L. 2 E.

Scene Second.

—Gallery in Sir Walter's House.
Enter Sir Walter and Jabez, L. 1 E.
Sir Wal.
I will not hear you more. You make me blush
At the forbearance that has let you speak
So much already. What your mistress does
Asks not your license, nor will I permit
You call in question aught she wills.

Jabez.
Speak lower;
And keep your counsel! There is little credit
In being known for a convenient husband.

Sir Wal.
(starting)
What's this, sir?

Jabez.
Nothing. Yet it is convenient
When wives would have concealments, and the husbands
Keep their eyes closely shut. Tush—tush, Sir Walter!
Frowns do not frighten me; I'm an old man,
Gray in your father's service.

Sir Wal.
That you are so,
Must plead the pardon of my sin to hear thee.
I know thou lovest me, in thy surly fashion—
But love, in narrow minds grows jealousy;
And, restless as a chained and kenelled hound,
Bays against all approachers!

Jabez.
Better bay
At every passing sound than sleep in quiet
When thieves are at the door. Well, say I bark—
Will you not look what stirs me?

Sir Wal.
Man, I tell thee
He who would slander, even with a doubt,
The woman who has placed her trust in him,
Proclaims his heart unworthy from that hour
For love to shelter there. Oh! ere I doubted
The perfect truth of her I once had loved,
Though all creation, joined with my own sense,
Were ranged in the opposite, I'd cling to her,
Call my own sense, and all creation liar,
And rather rush to shipwreck in my trust,
Than safely swim on doubts to a cold shore
On which my sunken sun had ceased to shine.

(crosses, L.)
Jabez.
Mad, mad! The woman hath thrown spells upon him.

Sir Wal.
Sir, you presume on the permitted license
Of your long service; and I have done wrong
Bearing your testy insolence as humour.
I should have checked it earlier, knowing well
You never loved your lady.

Jabez.
Said I ever
That I did love her? I'm no flatterer;
That which my heart conceives, my tongue must utter.
Her presence is a burthen on my conscience!
Ill fared it ever with the chosen people,
When they brought in strange women to their tents.

Sir Wal.
This is past all conceiving. Whence has sprung
The boldness that dares speak thus of my wife?

Jabez.
I bade thee, Walter Amyott, use thine eyes.
Thou wilt not. I must tear them open then;
Shew thee this idol of thy trust—this woman
Of a strange people! Shew 'tis not for naught
She locks her chamber. She hath there concealed
That which destroys thy peace—thine honour.

Sir Wal.
(seizing him by the throat)
Villain!
What ho, within! Who waits there?
Enter 2nd Servant, R. 1 E.
Send your lady. (Exit Servant, R. 1 E.)

Ho, Eveline! (then to Jabez)
I do but let thee live
To blast thee with the sight of that pure virtue
Thy poisoned tongue would soul—to see thee writhe
As under the severe, but holy eye
Of an accusing angel—
Enter Lady Eveline, R. 1 E.
Eveline!
What hast thou done to make this wretch thy foe?
Wherein provoked his malice? There is something;
Why was it hid from me? Speak, Eveline!
I'll not endure delay.

Lady E.
Nay, love, be calm!
I had forgotten it in thy return,
So let it rest; not make thine earliest welcome
Complaint of those thou hast trusted.

Sir Wal.
(eagerly)
Ha! I knew it.
What was it? Tell me!

Lady E.
At some fitter time.

Sir Wal.
There's none so fit as this. Go on! What was it?

Lady E.
Of far too little worth to move thee thus.
Servants in wealthy houses think, perhaps,
Such pilfering their prerogative.

Sir Wal.
'Twas there then?
What, thou hast been too curious?

Lady E.
Was I wrong?
I thought thy wife was but another self;
And, in thy lengthened absence, thus I asked—
Perhaps 'twas scarce a woman's province, yet
I asked for his accounts.

Sir W.
(eagerly)
Ay!

Lady E.
Searching them,
With more of thought than one of greater skill
Might have bestowed, I found—or thought I found—

Sir W.
He robbed me? And you told him this?

Lady E.
I did.

Sir Wal.
And not unlikely, threatened that I too
Should know it?

Lady E.
Could I less?

Sir Wal.
I see it all!
Hound! (flinging Jabez violently off, then clasping Eveline in his arms)
Eveline, my wronged, my precious wife!
Canst thou forgive me?

Lady E.
What?

Sir Wal.
What! That my ear
Could dare take in a sound which breathed against thee.

Lady E.
Oh yes, and pardon him who spoke it, too.

Sir W.
But I will pay thee with yet dearer love,
If dearer love can be—cherish thee more,
If that a heart so fond yet more can cherish.
Oh, I am all unworthy of thee yet!
This baser metal needs refining more,
To mix with thy pure gold— (seeing Jabez, R.)
Ha, dost thou dare
Remain here still?

Jabez.
(R.)
My honesty is questioned.
I claim to have the accusation proved.

Sir Wal.
(C.)
Thou shalt, be sure on't.

Jabez.
Now, upon the instant.
The proofs, so called, are in that lady's hands,
Locked in the Bower Chamber. We will go there
Without delay; she hath the key! (aside to Sir Walter)
She's pale!

Lady E.
(L.)
Not now—to-morrow

Jabez.
Lady, I say now!
At once I'll come to controversy with thee.
My reputation's touched, as I cries aloud
For instant justice—instant!

Sir Wal.
He is right.
If he has power to prove his innocence,
It cannot be too soon. Give me the key!

Lady E.
(agitated)
No, Walter, no,—not now!

Sir Wal.
Tush! this is folly.
When 'twas but thy caprice I yielded to it,
And asked no questions—but now, weightier motives
Forbid that a mere whim should push back justice.
(pause)
What! (with surprise)
Silent still? Give me the key.

Lady E.
(calmly—but after a struggle)
I will not.

Jabez.
(aside to Sir Walter, who stands amazed)
You mark?

Lady E.
I might say, cannot—but I then
Should speak untruth. Do not be angry, Walter:
I'll tell thee one day, and thou'lt say I did
Rightly and well. Thou art not angry?

Sir Wal.
(faintly)
No.
There, leave me for awhile. I would be private.
I have some further business with this man. (crosses, L.)


Lady E.
(affectionately)
You'll kiss me?—or I'll think you're angry.

Sir Wal.
(as before)
No,
Not now. A kiss should be the meeting springs
Of love's unruffled waters—and just now,
There is a something stirring at my heart,
Disturbs its current. Give it time to rest. (waves her away)


Lady E.
I will not vex you with more disobedience.
(aside)
'Tis almost over! But a few short hours—
Yet, oh, that they were past!—and I once more
Sheltered no unshared thought. Only to-night!

Exit, R. 1 E.
Sir Wal.
(standing as if lost, and passing his hand over his brow)
Down, wicked thoughts! I know she's good and pure—
Wise, noble, virtuous—who dares bid me doubt it?
I looked in her clear eyes, and they were steadfast,
And full of holy purpose. Though her cheek
Was pale, there flickered there no shade of shame.
'Twas open all. If such consist with evil,
Then devils people heaven, and all's a wreck!
Creation, shattered to its elements,
Mocks at all form, and maddens in confusion!
(seeing Jabez, R.
What, thou again! I'll speak with thee hereafter.
Thou heard'st she said to-morrow. Come to-morrow;
But shun my sight till then; I'll do my best
To think no evil in the interval.
Begone! Yet stop. A seal upon thy tongue!
If thou shalt breathe in any living ear,
Or hint a thought, such as thou hast spoke in mine,
I'll tear the heart out of thy felon breast,
And fling it to my dogs! Beware!

(crosses, R.)
Enter 1st Servant, L. 1 E., whispers Jabez—then retires up, L.
Jabez.
(exultingly)
Aha!
Sir Walter Amyot—my unthanked zeal
Had set a band of watchers round your house;
They have surprised a man in the plantation
That screens the window of the Bower Chamber;
Wilt please you to examine him yourself?
Or leave him to your servants' questioning?

Sir Wal.
(passionately)
Hellhound! Thou'rt on the track, then! Be it so!
Lead on, lead on! (crosses L.)
And let me know the worst!

Exit, followed by Jabez and 1st Servant, L. 1 E.

Scene Third.

—Outside of Sir Walter's House—Night— lights down—the window of one of the rooms showing among the trees, L. C.
Enter Page L. 3 E.; Jabez follows cautiously.
Page.
Where's my brave Captain gone? Lord Arden's ready,
And only waits my lady's last farewell—
Mercy! who's coming?

Enter Sir Walter and 1st and 3rd Servants.
Jabez.
(seizing Page)
Lo! Behold, Sir Walter!
Here's this incarnate mischief on the watch!
What dost thou here?

Page.
I—I—I—I'm in love,
And walk by moonlight.

Jabez.
A transparent lie!
There is no moon!

Page.
I'm waiting for it!

Sir Wal.
(sternly)
Peace! (Page about to go, R.)

Boy, do not stir—move not a foot. And you— (to Jabez)

Put on your hounds upon the scent. (stands rigid in expectation)


Jabez.
(up C., having motioned to the Servants who go off into the plantation, R. 3 E.)
Sir Walter—

Sir Wal.
Silence! My ear can bear no sound—thy voice
The least of all. The night owl or the raven,
Were as sweet music to it!
Enter Servants with Captain Baroque, R. 3 E.
Come, what find you? (impatiently yet without turning)


Page.
(aside)
Oh, my poor Captain!

Jabez.
This way; Drag him on!
Now spoke I truth? Look here! (then looking at the Captain, pauses astonished)


Sir Wal.
(crosses C.—after a moment's hesitation, turning and fixing his eyes on Baroque—starts)
Why, what is this!
What scarecrow from the fields have you brought hither?
Speak, man, what art thou?

Captain B.
(R. C.)

Vat you mean sare—scarecrow? I
am von honest littel tradesman, you call pedlar, vid
pretty trinkets. Ah, see! Vill you buy? (producing a box of wares)

Sir Wal.
What unimagined foolery is here?
You, sir! (seizing Jabez by the arm, and dragging him apart)

Is this what you have sought to fright me with?
This bale of dirt—this bundle of gross foulness!
Is this the—the—Ha! ha! (laughing convulsively)

I could go mad
With very laughter! Speak! Is this the plaything
You would accuse my wife of toying with?
Speak, wretch!

Jabez.
My marvel is no less than thine.
I do confess I know this fellow not—
Belike, some thief—

Captain B.
(overhearing)

Tief! Tief yourself, old man!
I fancy tief take tings out of de house, not bring
dem into it—fine tings like dese. (points to his box)

Page.
Nay, Master Sneed— (crosses to Sneed)


Captain B.
(aside)
Oh, dat is Jabez Sneed?

Sir Wal.
Answer me, fellow—what is't brings thee here,
Prowling about my house at night?

Captain B.

I begs your excellence vas pardon me; but
I vas told come very privately—de gentleman vat vant
me—Jabez Sneed—vant buy some pretty tings for pretty
housemaid, and nobody to know—aha!

(Page and Servants burst into shouts of laughter)
Jabez.
(thunderstruck)
Thou man of lies—

Page.
(laughing, L.)
Oh, Master Sneed—a housemaid!

Jabez.
Sir Walter—

Sir Wal.
Silence, sir! This fellow's story
May ask more search. Take him within the house,
I'll question him at leisure—and till then
Let none have speech of him. Stay! (to Servants)

You have watched;
There's for your pains. (giving money)
And do not think it strange—
They told me thieves were out—'twas a mistake.
Give it no further tattling—go!
Exeunt Servants and Captain Baroque, L. U. E.— Jabez crosses to R.—Page lingers.
Now, sirrah!
Tell me, shall I most think thee fool or villain?

Jabez.
(sullenly)
Sir Walter, who this knave may be, 'tis true
I know not—but to this I will be sworn,
I saw a man—a man of courtly seeming—
By every outward mark, a gentleman,
In the Bower Chamber. (pointing to the window)
There, this very day,
While it was barred to you.

Sir Wal.
What? Wilt thou dare
Still to persist—

Page.
(bursting into a loud laugh)
Ha! ha! ha! ha! ha!
Why, is it possible? Why, Master Sneed!
Did not you know me?

Sir Wal.
Thee!

Jabez.
A lie again!

Sir Wal.
Peace! Interrupt him not. Boy, tell me all;
Confirm this, and I'll heap upon thee favours
Past all thy youthful fancy ever dreamed.
'Twas thou?

Page.
A foolish fancy, sir—to see
How I should show as a smart cavalier.
I donned a flowing wig and a plumed hat,
And strutted some five minutes to a mirror
With great complacency—

Sir Wal.
(to Jabez)
Did'st see his face?

Jabez.
I will not lie! His back was turned to me;
But 'twas a man, and that I'll die upon!

Sir Wal.
Thou did'st not see him? 'Tis all clear as day;
And I am made the fool of thy perversions.
Away! ere I forget my knighthood and thy years,
And do thine age some violence. (crosses, R.)
She's pure!
Spotless as new-born infancy; and I
Only less vile to listen to thy slanders
Than thou to utter them. That chamber—

Jabez.
(laying his hand on Sir Walter's arm and pointing to the window, upon which the rising moon begins to shine)
Hist! (a figure appears in the room indistinctly)


Page.
(aside)
Confusion! I must warn them.

Jabez.
(catching and holding him, L. C.)
Stay! we'll have
No masquerading more. Methinks, Sir Walter,
The room's not quite so desolate.

Sir Wal.
(hesitating, R.)
Well—well?
She said to-morrow. What more natural
Than that to-night—she should—

(the figure of Lady Eveline appears in the moonlight near the window)
Jabez.
(whispers)
Look!

Sir Wal.
(agitated)
Yes; well?
I said so. What's in that? It is herself!

Jabez.
(to Page who struggles to get away)
Stand still, boy—or I'll put my dagger in you! (Lord Arden is seen to join her)

See there—aha! Now—now spoke the dog truth!
Look here, sir. (dragging the Page forward)
Here's the other—here he stands—
The pleasant cavalier!

Sir Wal.
(gasping)
'Tis a mad dream!
My overwrought, distempered brain breeds shadows!

Jabez.
(pointing)
To both of us alike then. Dream you not
She locks his hands in hers? (they are seen to do so)
Do you not dream—
Look! look! she— (Lady Eveline is seen to throw herself on her brother's neck)


Sir Wal.
Ah! (utters a cry and falls senseless)


Jabez.
Alas, poor gentleman! (going to raise him)