University of Virginia Library

SCENE IV.

An open square before the great gate of the prison: a crowd of spectators, with guards, &c., are discovered, waiting for the coming forth of Rayner to his execution, and a solemn bell is heard at intervals. The gate opens, and enter Rayner walking between Mardonio and Hardibrand, and followed by Richard and Bertram, preceded and followed by guards, officers, &c. The procession moves slowly over the stage, and exeunt, followed by the greater part of the crowd, though a good many of them still remain upon the stage. Then re-enter Hardibrand and Richard, followed by one or two of the crowd: Hardibrand walking up and down in a perturbed manner, and Richard leaning his back against the side-scene, where he continues motionless with his eyes fixed on the ground. The murmur of the multitude is heard for some time without, and then ceases, followed by a dead silence.
1st crowd.

The sound of the multitude is still now.

2d crowd
(looking out).

I fancy, by the crowd
who stand all gathered round yonder in dead silence,
he is now preparing for the block.

3d crowd.

It must be so: mercy on us, what a
mantle of human faces there be spread round on
every side, and not one sound of voice amongst
them all!

Har.
(starting and stopping suddenly, to 1st crowd). A long pause.

Didst thou hear aught?

1st crowd.

No, they are still silent.

Har.

Look out, I pray thee, and tell me what thou seest.
What dost thou gaze at with so broad an eye?

[1st crowd looks out.

1st crowd.

The executioner is now mounted upon
the platform, and the prisoner—O! I cannot
look any more!

[A loud confused noise is heard without.
Har.

What's that?

2d crowd.

It is like the cry of a great multitude,
when they look upon something that is
terrible.

1st crowd.

Then the stroke is given, and it is all over now.

[Hardibrand turns hastily away, and rushes to the other end of the stage, whilst Richard gives a heavy groan, and still remains motionless. A shout is heard without.
Har.
(returning furiously from the bottom of the stage).

More of that horrible din!—
May they bring down the welkin on their heads!

2d crowd
(to 1st crowd).

What art thou looking at now?

1st crowd.

Nay, there is nothing to look at now:
the platform is down, and the crowd is returning
home again.

Enter Ohio, running across the stage.
Ohio.

I've done it! I've done it! I've done it!

[Exit.
Enter a messenger in great haste, followed by a civil Officer.
1st crowd.
Where are you running to so fast?

Mes.
Is the execution over?

1st crowd.
Yes, it is over.

Mes.
Ah! then I am too late.

1st crowd.
What mean ye by that?

Mes.
I brought a pardon for him.

Har.
(rushing upon the messenger and collaring him).
A pardon! O confound your tardy speed!
Had you upon some paltry wager striv'n,
You had run faster. O, thou cursed fool!
O hadst thou sped, I'd make a rich man of thee!

Mes.
(disentangling himself).
My steed and I across the high-swoln flood,
Those on the shore shrieking to see our boldness,
Have fearless swum some miles short of the pass
Which we must else have gain'd, or, by my faith,
I had been later.

Har.
Thou liest, thou cursed fool! thou shouldst have sped
Swift as a bullet from the cannon's mouth.

[Collaring him again.
Enter Rayner, Mardonio, Bertram, and crowd.
Mar.
(to Hardibrand, pulling him back from the messenger).
Hold, general! what hath the poor man done?

Har.
What has he done! he's brought a pardon, fiend!
[The crowd give a great shout, crying out “Pardon, pardon,” and Hardibrand, turning round at the noise, and seeing Rayner, springs forward, and catches him in his arms.
God bless us all, and let us keep our wits!
Is this true seeing that my eyes are blest with?
O welcome, welcome! this is wonderful!
My boy! my noble boy! my gallant boy!
Thou art a man again, and I—I'm mad:
My head wheels round, but 'tis a blessed madness.
What sayst thou? art thou silent?
Hast no voice?

Ray.
To be upon the verge of death is awful;
And awful from that verge to be recall'd.
God bless you! O God bless you! I am spent;
But let me draw my breath a little while,
And I will thank you—I will—Bear with me:
I cannot speak.
[Recovering himself, and seeing the crowd gather round him with joyful and sympathising looks.
Surely 'tis a kind world I have return'd to;
There's sympathy and love in ev'ry heart.

Mar.
(to messenger).
Where is the pardon? let me have it, friend,
That I may read it.
[Messenger gives him a paper, which he reads.
We charge thee upon our authority to set the—
[Reading the rest low to himself.
What! call ye this a pardon which acquits
The prisoner as guiltless of the crime?
May God be praised! how has all this been?

Mess.
Count Zaterloo, who on his death-bed lies,
In deep remorse, a paper of confession,
Attested by a priest and his own mother,
Caused to be drawn, which to the governor
I've brought, I wot, as quickly as I might,
Though (pointing to Hardibrand)
this good gentleman—

Har.
(embracing the messenger).
O no! O no! thou'rt a brave fellow now,
And, as I've said, I'll make a rich man of thee.
But I'm bewilder'd still: how hath it been
That he is saved, seeing no pardon reach'd him?

Mar.
Yes, thou mayst wonder! for some unknown friend
Had sawn across the main prop of the scaffold,
So that the headsman mounting first, the platform
Fell with a crash; and he, all maim'd and bruised,
Unfit to do his office, was perforce—

Har.
Ay, ay, 'tis plain, thou needst not tell me more.—
But he, the unknown friend—

Enter Ohio, running exultingly.
Ohio.
'Twas I that did it!
Beat me and scourge me as ye list: I did it!
He offer'd me his cloak: he pitied me;
And I have paid him back.

Har.
Ha! well done and well said, my brave black thing!
Art thou a prince? in faith I think thou art.
I'll take thee home, and make a man of thee.
No, no! (Pointing to Rayner.)

Here is my son, my heir, my child:
All that I have is his: he will reward thee.
Thou hast a gen'rous mind, although debased
With vile oppression and unmanly scorn.

Ray.
(taking Ohio and Hardibrand both by the hand).
What shall I say to you? my heart would speak
What my voice cannot. O! and here comes one
Who mocks all power of words.

[Enter Elizabeth running, and rushes into Rayner's arms; the crowd then eagerly gathers round them, and closes upon them.
Mar.
(stepping out from the crowd, and looking upon them).
Yes, gather round him, kindly souls, though rude,
In the true artless sympathy of nature;
For he is one o'er whom the storm has roll'd
In awful power, but spared the thunderbolt.—
When urged by strong temptation to the brink
Of guilt and ruin, stands the virtuous mind
With scarce a step between; all pitying heaven,
Severe in mercy, chast'ning in its love,
Ofttimes, in dark and awful visitation,
Doth interpose, and leads the wand'rer back
To the straight path, to be for ever after
A firm, undaunted, onward-bearing traveller
Strong in humility, who swerves no more.

[Exeunt.