 | The Father's Tragedy |  |
Scene I.
—Courtyard. Enter King Robert, Albany, Douglas, and Soldiers.King Robert.
No peace! Still fret the Borders.
Albany.
March is up,
The English sway'd to northward. 'Tis for us
This time to give them battle on their ground,
Nor let them ravage Scotland.
Douglas.
Trust my arms.
Your grace, I'll drive them to their scarpèd peak,
And plunder every homestead. In an hour
We start.
Albany.
You're swift, Lord Douglas. Heaven grant
As sure as swift!
Douglas.
You doubt it?
Albany.
Nay, my lord;
But fortune is a wheel.
Douglas.
Douglas the spring
And axis of its going. Fare you well.
[Exit with Soldiers.
[Enter Lindsey.]
King Robert.
Lindsey!
Albany.
Black, travel-stained!
King Robert
[aside].
I will not ask—
Not blab my weakness nor express my shame.
A question would command my blood to rise
Unkingly to my face; my voice is rough.
[Goes apart.
Albany.
All done?
Lindsey.
He's safe.
73
[aside].
That's well.
Albany.
And lodged within
The castle's dungeon?
Lindsey.
Yes.
King Robert
[aside].
There must he stay
Till, chastened by the rod of discipline,
He learn to know himself.
Albany.
Good jailers—ay?
Lindsey.
Yes, excellent; such do their duty well.
King Robert
[aside].
The father must not kiss his son henceforth,
But painfully chastise. I scarce can bear
To look into the face of any man
With honest children of a fair repute.
Albany.
How yielded he?
Lindsey.
In passion and in fear.
King Robert
[aside].
I'll leave this list'ning. It will move my love
To force the bolt I've strain'd my will to plant
Across the door of Mercy.
Albany
[to King Robert].
You would hence?
The matter of the prince's durance waits
But time to fructify in glad event.
[Exeunt.
| The Father's Tragedy | |