Pho. Thou? Ion. Couldst thou believe That one, whose nature had been armed to stop Pho. Thus let me fall Low at thy feet, and, kneeling, here receive Ion. And that word I will not speak;—what have I to forgive? Which taught me all I guessed of brotherhood, Pho. I can not look upon thee: let me go, Ion. Nay, old playmate, We part not thus:-the duties of my state Ex. CCXLVI.-GUILT AND INNOCENCE. [Scene.-A Cottage amongst the Bernese Alps.] MANFRED and the CHAMOIS HUNTER. BYRON. C. Hun. No, no-yet pause-thou must not yet go forth; Thy mind and body are alike unfit To trust each other, for some hours at least ; Man. It imports not. I do know My route full well, and need no further guidance. C. Hun. Thy garb and gait bespeak thee of high lineage-- Which step from out our mountains to their doors, C. Hun. Well, sir, pardon me the question, Man. Away, away! there's blood upon the brim ! C. Hun. Man of strange words, and some half-maddening sin, Which makes thee people vacancy, whate'er Thy dread and sufferance be, there's comfort yet— The aid of holy men, and heavenly patience- Man. Patience and patience! Hence-that word was made For brutes of burden, not for birds of prey; Preach it to mortals of a dust like thine, I am not of thine order. C. Hun. Thanks to heaven! I would not be of thine, for the free fame Of William Tell; but whatsoe'er thine ill, It must be borne, and these wild starts are useless. -I live. C. Hun. This is convulsion, and no healthful life. Many long years, but they are nothing now With the fierce thirst of death-and still unslaked! C. Hun. Why, on thy brow the seal of middle age Man. Think'st thou assistance doth depend on time? Barren and cold, on which the wild waves break, But nothing rests, save carcasses and wrecks, Rocks, and the salt surf weeds of bitterness. C. Hun. Alas! he's mad-but yet I must not leave him. Man. I would I were-for then the things I see Would be but a distempered dream. C. Hun. And spirit patient, pious, proud, and free; It matters not-my soul was scorched already! C. Hun. And wouldst thou, then, exchange thy lot for mine? Man. No, friend! I would not wrong thee, nor exchange My lot with living being: I can bear However wretchedly, 'tis still to bear In life what others could not brook to dream, But perish in their slumber. This cautious feeling for another's pain, Man. Oh! no, no! My injuries came down on those who loved me,- But my embrace was fatal. C Hun. Heaven give thee rest! And penitence restore thee to thyself; Man. I need them not, But can endure thy pity. I depart 'Tis time-farewell!—Here's gold, and thanks for theeNo words-it is thy due.-Follow me not I know my path-the mountain peril's past: And once again I charge thee, follow not! [Exit Manfred.Į Ex. CCXLVII.—A NG ER AND OBSTINACY. SHERIDAN. Capt. A. Sir Anthony, I am delighted to see you here. and looking so well! Your sudden arrival at Bath made me apprehensive for your health. Sir A. Very apprehensive, I dare say, Jack. What, you are recruiting here, hey? Capt. A. Yes, sir, I am on duty. Sir A. Well, Jack, I am glad to see you, though I did not expect it; for I was going to write to you on a little matter of business. Jack, I have been considering that I grow old and infirm, and shall probably not be with you long. Capt. A. Pardon me, sir, I never saw you look more strong and hearty; and I pray fervently that you may coutinue so. Sir A. I hope your prayers may be heard, with all my heart. Well, then, Jack, I have been considering that I am so strong and hearty, I may continue to plague you a long time. Now, Jack, I am sensible that the income of your commission, and what I have hitherto allowed you, is but a small pittance for a lad of your spirit. Capt. A. Sir, you are very good. Sir 4. And it is my wish, while yet I live, to have my boy make some figure in the world. I have resolved, therefore, to fix you at once in a noble independence. Cap. A. Sir, your kindness overpowers me. Yet, sir, I presume you would not wish me to quit the army? Sir A. Oh! that shall be as your wife chooses. Capt. A. My wife, sir! Sir A. Ay, ay, settle that between you; settle that between you. Capt. A. A wife, sir, did you say? Sir A. Ay, a wife: why, did not I mention her before? Capt. A. Not a word of her, sir. Sir A. Yes, Jack, the independence I was talking of is by marriage; the fortune is saddled with a wife; that makes no difference? Capt. A. Sir, sir, you amaze me! but I suppose Sir A. What's the matter with the fool?-just now you ere all gratitude and duty. Japt. A. I was, sir; you talked to me of independence Ld a fortune, but not one word of a wife. Sir A. Why, what difference does that make? Sir, if you nave the estate, you must take it with the live stock on it, as it stands. Capt. A. Pray, sir, who is the lady? Sir A. What's that to you, sir? Come, give me your promise to love, and to marry her directly. Capt. A. Sure, sir, that's not very reasonable, to summon my affections for a lady I know nothing of! Sir A. I am sure, sir, 'tis more unreasonable in you to object to a lady you know nothing of,— Capt. A. You must excuse me, sir, if I tell you, once for all, that in this point I can not obey you. Sir A. Hark ye, Jack; I have heard you for some time with patience,-I have been cool,-quite cool: but take care; you know I am compliance itself, when I am not thwarted; no one more easily led, when I have my own way; but don't put me in a frenzy. Capt. A. Sir, I must repeat it; in this I can not obey you. Sir A. Now, hang me, if ever I call you Jack again, while I live! Capt. A. Nay, sir, but hear me. Sir A. Sir, I won't hear a word, not a word! not one word! So give me your promise by a nod, and I'll tell you what, Jack, I mean you dog,—if you do n't by——— Capt. A. What, sir, promise to link myself to some mass of ugliness; to Sir A. Zounds! sirrah! the lady shall be as ugly as I choose: she shall have a hump on each shoulder; she shall be as crooked as the crescent; her one eye shall roll like the bull's in Cox's museum; she shall have a skin like a mummy, and the beard of a Jew. She shall be all this, sirrah! Yes, I'll make you ogle her all day, and sit up all night to write sonnets on her beauty. |