University of Virginia Library

SCENE IV.

Another part of the Forest.
Enter March, musing.
Mar.
If these sleek menials may be believed,
Who waste and riot in yon gaudy tents,
Then I am sore misled, and this gay band
Are not the men I seek.—I'll not believe't:
Plain circumstance and reason both agree
In pointing their retreat. I will not hence
Till I have seen them face to face, and heard
Each yeoman's voice. Not all their borrow'd locks,
Strange guise, and uncouth titles, shall avail;
Nay, though they mask them in the scarf of hell,
Some of them I shall note.—And should I find,
As sore I dread, my fair ungrateful Elen
Disgraced and soil'd;—my beauteous virgin rose
Torn from its parent stem, just in the bud,
Ere yet its glowing breast had dared to ope
Its blushing beauties to the summer's eye,
Cropt by a villain's hand, and cast aside
All sullied in the dust,—O, I will pawn
This heart's blood for revenge!—Cold though it be,
A parent's feelings warm it, till each drop,
Each creeping rill that sheds its living tinge
Through this dejected frame, thrills at the thought,
And rouses me to action.—Yonder comes
A homely swain; mayhap he can inform
More of these stranger knights. I'll go and task him.

(Exit.)