 | The Father's Tragedy |  |
Scene IV.
—The same. A Dungeon. Rothsay and Emmeline.Rothsay.
Do not leave me yet.—
Emmeline.
I'm called.
Rothsay.
You must not put me from the milk,
And leave me. God! I'm fed with innocence,
And like a baby fall upon my sleep.
Keep close!
Emmeline.
My lord, lie down upon the ground;
It may be you will rest.
Rothsay.
Ay, if you watch.
I cannot sleep alone.
The very air is starved and shrieks at me
For the want of human breath. Oh, let me feel
The succour of a voice. Put me to sleep
With some soft cradle-words.
Emmeline.
My memory
Is crazed; I cannot think of them.
Woman
[without].
Oh, fly!
Mistress, be quick, there is the sound of steps.
Rothsay.
Unless you watch me, Slumber will not come,
For I should be too secret to be found
Of one so blind. I cannot lay my hands
On any of my senses; all's confused;
All's lost. ...
I've got one little cake within my vest—
I shall forget where I have hidden it,
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And you keep drawing back.
Emmeline
[turning away].
Lie down, my lord.
It's rest you need.
Woman
[without].
Oh, mistress, we are lost!
Rothsay.
What! You are come again!
Emmeline.
To bid good-night,
And settle you to sleep: you'll say your prayers?
Rothsay.
I have no prayers; I'm back now to the child. ...
It's a land of milk and honey. ... Oh! I drowse. ...
Don't stir!
Emmeline.
He's breathing heavily; he's gone.
Woman
[without].
They're on us!
Emmeline.
He's asleep.
Now may I—
[Enter Wright, Selkirk, with the Country Woman.]
Selkirk.
Hang!
Woman.
For pity's sake, save her!
She's kind and young: 'twas I that forced her come
With story of the pain in yonder cell.
She came not of herself.
Wright.
Nor by herself
Shall feel the noose. The gallows carries two,
Old nurse of Satan!
Woman.
You are beasts, and worse
Because you look like men, to starve the child
Within there—pinch his bonnie youth and wring
Tears from his royal eyes; and then to hang
This dearie. ...
Wright.
Ho! a cord! She'll deafen us.
Sly harlots!
Selkirk.
He's spent everything on such.
Now 'tis your time to pay. He's bankrupt, lass.
Emmeline.
These insults worse than kill me.
Woman.
Hold your tongues,
You savages!
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Old watch and bawd!
Emmeline.
Ye heavens,
Make haste to end my hearing!
Wright.
Off with them.
The deil! He's gone to sleep. Spite o' the bars,
You've charmed him.
Emmeline.
When he wakes ... and oh! we're dead
I must not think.
Woman.
He will not wake again.
Heaven bless you! he will wake in Paradise.
Ye murderers! you'll have it hot in hell.
God's mother, curse you!
Emmeline.
Hush! we will not speak.
Let us die still.
Selkirk.
Cords! cords!
Wright.
Then gurgle out
Your devil's threats!
Emmeline.
Oh! ... if my Henry comes,
He'll find me dead and learn about my death;
He will not like it here; but when he's taught
A little of the angels, he will smile
And take me to his arms. I'm ready now.
[Exeunt.
| The Father's Tragedy | |