University of Virginia Library

Scene.—The Forest.
Enter Edward and Lucretia.
Edw.
How far'st thou now?

Luc.
Why bravely, bravely, Edward!
Th' exhausted animal, the faint machine,
Hath been wound up anew: fresh hope instill'd,
Dear Edward, never fails to give fresh spirits:
Nay I could walk all night, sweet sleep defy,
And dance exulting on my journey's end.

Edw.
I fear the weather for thee: and thy strength,
However better'd by supplying Hope,
Is yet too low to reach the Castle gates,
Before some two hours hence—'tis dark already:
I pray we may not have a storm—the calm
And heat intense portended this.

Luc.
It seems
To threaten us—I hope it will not come;
Yet fearless I could set me down, and brave
The boist'rous winds, beneath a friendly hedge.
I've ta'en a cordial, that will make me proof.
Amid a thousand present ills I'd sit
To meditate to-morrow's joy, and lose
Immediate sense in blest anticipation.

Edw.
Methought I heard—

Luc.
What dost thou see? What is't thou look'st at, Edward?

Edw.
Be not alarm'd—for though I have a doubt
Foul play is meant us, yet thou need'st not fear:
I have a heart will scare a dozen rogues;
And here are only three.

Luc.
See they dismount,
Intent on mischief—they are villains, Edward!
Ah my frail nature! sure they will not kill us.—

Edw.
We'll make alliance with this friendly oak.—
I am not without arms; this trusty point
Is made of toughest iron, and will give
A fatal blow to unprovok'd oppression.

Enter the Ruffians.
1st Ruf.
You are sure he is unarm'd?

2d Ruf.
My Lord told me so.

1st Ruf.
Then what is that he carries in his hand?

3d Ruf.

Why he's a Pilgrim: can't you perceive it
is the Cross.

1st Ruf.

If that be all, we'll cross him presently.

You know our agreement—dispatch him out of hand,
and bind her: 'tis time enough to send her to Heaven.

Edw.
Off, villains, off.

(They attack Edward, who keeps his ground, till one of the Ruffians forces him to quit it, by slipping behind the tree.—He beats the other two off the Stage.)
Luc.
(to one of the Ruffians, who struggles to bind her.)
Oh Heav'n! I pray you do not kill me, Sir!
What would you of so poor a wretch as I?
Now, as you hope for mercy, spare my life!
Help! Edward, help! Help! Help!

(Edward returns, and beats off the Ruffian.)
Luc.
Oh! do not leave me:
Edward, return! thou can'st not overtake them—
For Mercy's sake return!

(Edward returns, and she runs to him.)
Edw.
They will not rally;
For cowardice, that clings to villany,
Spurs on their flight, and gives the speed of wings.
Come now, take courage.

Mark
(within).
Ho! Lucretia!

Edw.
Softly!

Mark
(within).
Lucretia! what, Lucretia! ho! Lucretia!

Luc.
What can this mean? perhaps my Lord hath sent—

Edw.
Retire, and let me speak.

Mark
(within).
What! ho! Lucretia!

Enter Mark.
Edw.
Whom seek'st thou, Sir?

Mark.
Oh! hast thou seen a Lady
Traverse the Forest in a Pilgrim's garb?

Edw.
I have; and now what would'st thou with the Lady?

Mark.
Oh bring me to her, Sir! She is my Lady.
I heard a fray: I hope no harm hath reach'd her—
Ha! by my hopes, thou art the very youth
Who tends upon her steps—She must be near—
Where art thou, Madam? 'tis Mark, old Mark,
Thy faithful servant Mark, that calls—Sir—I—
Nay, tell me, is the Lady's name Lucretia?

Luc.
Oh! my good friend, it is, it is Lucretia.

Mark.
Blest be the hour! this is the act of Heav'n;
And welcome! welcome! thus on my knees
Oh! suffer me to kiss these welcome hands.

Luc.
And art thou still alive? my good old friend!
And still the father of my Magdeline?
Oh thou'rt a worthy good old man.

Mark.
Ah! Madam!
Still do I tremble at the recollection:—
My dreadful oath—Orlando—

Luc.
I've seen Orlando,
Here in the forest, while the sun was setting:
He told me of my child, and Heav'n be prais'd
She lives to recompence my suff'rings all.
Oh! you must all of you have thought me dead:
But now the worst is past, we'll grieve no more,
For lasting joy is come again amongst us.

Mark.
Then Heav'n be prais'd! and sure I will not mar
The present joys.—The blessed Saints have sent thee:
Yet wish I must, (my heart is us'd to bode)
The virtues thou bring'st back may find reward.

Luc.
Nay, do not doubt it, Mark! my Lord is gone,
Yielding to my inflexible request,
Against his inclination gone, to make
The Castle ready for his Pilgrim guests.
There stands, my friend, a paragon for youth:
Embrace him, Mark! for he hath sav'd me twice,
And times unnumber'd hath reliev'd my pains.

Mark.
Nay, I could love him for his mien alone,
That speaks his heart to be both brave and good.

Edw.
Good Sir! thy presence is most timely for us,
And hath reliev'd thy Lady of her fears.

Luc.
I had forgot them at the sight of Mark:
Though scarce a second ere thou cam'st my life
Was at the stake: ah! had'st thou seen my champion,
How bravely he oppos'd himself to three,
And singly vanquish'd their united force!
Oh my deliverer!

(Takes Edward's hand, he kisses hers.
Edw.
Such recompence
Would tempt a wish for further proofs of service.
Sir, are these villanies committed often?

Mark.
Once is too oft; for in the Forest grounds
I never recollect the like before;
And my suspicious soul forebodes no good.

Edw.
Thou need'st not fear, they will not come again.

Mark.
The coursers which they rode, I saw them fly,
Are far too good to call such villains masters—
Ah Madam! was Orlando kind?

Luc.
He was.

Mark.
What! very kind?

Luc.
When once his wonder dropt,
His kindness overflow'd: he would have stay'd;
But I denied, and forc'd him to the Castle.

Mark.
Then to the Castle let us follow quick:
And to the utmost urge thy strength, dear Lady!
For I have horrid doubts I fain would end.

Luc.
Well, Mark! end how they will, I'll not complain:
Refin'd attention long hath pass'd my hopes.

Edw.
That's well resolv'd:—let's on; the wind increases,
And sulphur fills the air.

Mark.
Pray use our arms,
For on we must—I'll lead the shortest way.

Luc.
See my supports! brave Edward, and the Cross!
The strength that bore me homeward to my joys.

(Exeunt.