University of Virginia Library

SCENE III.

A court of Justice. On the bench sits Lord Clifford with Fenwick, Grey, Swinburne, Orde, &c. and Roddam. A number of the Outlaws chained together; beside them Harman Trueman. Behind the prisoners stand D'Eston and Farrand with the principal gentry of Craven. Earl Percy and the Ladies enter and take their places on the bench. The proceedings appear to have gone on for some time.
LORD CLIFFORD.
These men are ignorant; were wont to be
Good, honest villagers; and had of vice
Nothing beyond their class. 'Tis clear as day,
That they have been misled—misled by whom?
That must be scrutinised.—But there stands one
Whom I should mis-describe, did I put him
In the same catalogue with simple clowns.
Stand forward, Trueman!—Thou art here accused
Of leaguing with, abetting, and concealing
These men in their bad deeds. What canst thou say
In vindication of thy conduct?

HOST.
This—
I keep an open house.

LORD CLIFFORD.
Ay, that thou dost,
An open house for felons. Is't not so?

HOST.
For honest men, my Lord, if they have cash,
But that is seldom; and by this same token,
I do believe these honest. When they rub
The scores against them from my check-board, then
I may esteem them thieves.

LORD CLIFFORD.
A quibble, man,
Which shall not serve you. Thou hast heard the proof—
These men were frequent revellers at thy house.

HOST.
Ay, marry were they! Oft they drank and late;
Would they had paid as often!

LORD CLIFFORD.
Now, Sir, dare you,
Before this court, assert that these men owe
Even for one poor gill?

HOST.
I dare be sworn
That they have drunk a thousand, and ne'er paid
For one poor drop. Your worship shall be judge
If that implies a debt.

LORD CLIFFORD.
Another quibble.
This is a deep knave. But my honest Harman,
The question I shall next address to thee,
Will make a subterfuge too difficult
E'en for thy subtle brain. Art thou not paid
For all these men have drunk?

HOST.
I am, my lord.

LORD CLIFFORD.
So far 'tis well. Now wilt thou say by whom?

HOST.
By those that had the cash, my lord; for I,
Like all my tribe, do make good customers
Pay for the bad—in which sense I am paid.

LORD CLIFFORD.
Unfathomable rascal! But I will
Not thus be trifled with. Sir, these men stand
Convicted of a series of offences,
Gross, unaccountable. At Fountains Abbey,
In spite of curse by candle, bell, and book,
They drove the brethren forth. Six weeks ago,
The men of Gargrave from their night-attack
Scarce found the church a sanctuary. Tithes,
Ordained for holiest purposes, have been
Demanded and received—to gild their riot.
They fell on my poor servant, Cuthbert Ashton.
As their guilt's climax, from the last offence
Deaths have resulted; and the penalty
Their lives must pay. Now, Harman Trueman, thou,
As cognisant beforehand of their guilt,
Standest in equal peril. Thou canst yet,
However, save thyself, and do good service,
By now discovering who enticed them into
The course they soon may suffer for.

HOST
(turning round).
Is't so?
Then, officer, your gyves! I'll take my place
Beside the guilty, and will suffer with them.
For never will old Trueman turn informer
Against the friends that trusted them!

LORD CLIFFORD.
The rack
Shall tear the secret from thy craft!—Remove him
To torture, officers.

[Officers seize Trueman.
D'ESTON
(stepping forward).
A moment stay!
'Twill save your lordship's time, and spare you trouble,
To clear at once this matter up. These men,
Your lordship justly says, are ignorant,
And simple, and have been misled. Permit me
To earn for them a pardon, by delivering
One Leader up to justice.

LORD CLIFFORD.
Name him, D'Eston.

D'ESTON.
I am that one.

FARRAND
(stepping forward).
And I another.

SEVERAL GENTLEMEN.
We
Must also plead th'offence, my lord.

LORD CLIFFORD.
Amazement!
The flower of Craven's chivalry thus blighted!

RODDAM.
By th'Mass, I'm glad on't! Little did I dream
That we had such antagonists. In sooth
They fought like men; and were it mine t'impose
Their penance, I would order that anew
They meet us in yon chasm, and fight it out
With their good swords!

NORTHUMBERLAND
(smiling).
Peace, Roddam.

LORD CLIFFORD.
Other measure
Must be dealt out to them! It cannot be
That human life should fall like autumn leaves
Unnoted and unvalued. Gentlemen,
The law, that with an equal eye beholds
The guilt of rich and poor, or if it leans,
Leans on the rich with just severity,
As having ampler means to know their duty—
That law, long set at nought, demandeth now
Augmented vengeance.

[Enter Henry abruptly.
HENRY.
Yes; but not on them.
Here point your thunder, if the bolt must fall!
These have but shared the frolic and the farce,
The tragedy o'th'play hath all been mine.
I slew young Norton, I beheld the death
Of Fanny Ashton.

[A pause of astonishment.
LORD CLIFFORD
(to HENRY).
Then, young sir—

LORD FENWICK.
One word
Permit to me, ere judgment be pronounced.
There is a mystery in these transactions
Which it were wise to clear. I know that man
[Pointing to Henry.
I know his honour fair. If he hath ta'en
A life, as he confesses, I will pledge
My own, that it hath been for worthy cause,
And in fair fight. These are not idle words;
There is my gage—
[Throws down his gauntlet.
I'll prove them on the body
Of any that shall dare to take it up!

LADY MARGARET.
Thanks, noble Fenwick!—I forget myself—
I only meant to say that I believe
That—gentleman—incapable—I pray you—
Lord Clifford! He is innocent—

[Faints.
LORD CLIFFORD.
Sweet Lady,
Would he were worthy of so fair a pleader!
Look to her, lords.—This case we'll further hear
In private. Keep the prisoners in charge.
And, D'Eston, follow me.

[The Court breaks up.