University of Virginia Library

SCENE VI.

—Court Yard of Dunbayne Castle.
Enter Malcolm through an archway.
RECITATIVE—MALCOLM.
Love! Sovereign Fiend! proud Tyrant of the Soul!
Tormenting Urchin, mocking Fate's controul!—
(The bugle horn is sounded without.)
But hark!—my trusty Edric! 'tis his well known horn,
Throw wide our Castle gates—

(The Gates are thrown open, and Edric and a few followers appear crossing the Castle draw-bridge—Edric approaches, trembling, dreading to make known Athlin's reply.)
Mal.
—Thou shak'st with fear!
Then Edmund speak (to another attendant)
let me their answer hear!
My generous proffers—

Edm.
—They reject with scorn,
Misname you Murderer—dare you to the fight—
And Chief, behold
Looking out through the Castle Gates.
Like burnish'd gold
Their glittering Armour beams upon our sight!

Mal.
(Reflecting)
A moment's pause—'tis sudden—let me see—
Valour is oft the Dupe of Treachery.
AIR AND CHORUS.
(His Troops surround him to the tap of the drum.)
While the draw-bridge remains, the Foe 'twill deceive—
Nor bar our Castle Gate with too much care;
But when once enter'd, prepar'd to receive,
Enclose, and drive them to despair.
Thus boldly arm'd—to ambush hie,
To the tap a tap, a tap, of the hollow drum!
The signal that calls to Victory,
Is the alarm bell's brazen bomb! bomb! bomb!

All disperse to their lurking places—the bugle horn, trumpet, &c. heard without, and shouts of Osbert's party as beseigers.—Osbert and Alleyn burst open the Castle gates—in the act of commanding their Clan to follow, the alarm bell sounds, the Dunbayne Clan rush from their concealment, drive Athlin's back, and close the gates on Osbert and Alleyn, who are assailed by Malcolm and Edric— Alleyn subdues Edric; but, flying to the assistance of Osbert, is vanquished by Malcolm, and both are made prisoners.
RECITATIVE—MALCOLM. (exultingly to Alleyn.)
Stripling—in gloomy murmurs mourn thy fate,
Thy beardless Chieftain, where dire horror reigns,
Like thee indignant shall regret my hate,
Like thee unpitied clank his galling chains!
(Alleyn and Osbert embrace.)
But join our Clan, and thine be wealth and power,
Destruction or renown await my breath!—
Ere the deep bell toll ONE (thy number'd hour);
Prepare to join us, or to sink in Death.

Alleyn.
Then Death be Alleyn's portion—he defies
It's keenest pangs, and for his Chieftain dies!

Osbert and Alleyn again embrace, and are borne off to separate Dungeons—Malcolm draws Edric aside, gives him a dagger, and points to Alleyn's Dungeon, exclaiming “Strike Home.”—Edric, bewildered with terror, is approaching Osbert's— Malcolm detains him.
Mal.
Hold! a respite Mary's Brother shall receive!
But Alleyn DIES, or Edric MUST NOT LIVE.

(Exeunt, their eyes fixed on each other—a tremulous vacancy in Edric's features, and a determined ferocity on Malcolm's.)