Percy Part 9

_Edr._ What can their purpose be?

_Dou._ Is it not clear?

Harcourt has raised his arm against my life; He fail'd; the blow is now reserv'd for Percy; Then, with his sword fresh reeking from my heart, He'll revel with that wanton o'er my tomb; Nor will he bring her aught she'll hold so dear, As the curs'd hand with which he slew her husband.

But he shall die! I'll drown my rage in blood, Which I will offer as a rich libation On thy infernal altar, black revenge! [_exeunt._

SCENE II. THE GARDEN.

_Enter Elwina._

_Elw._ Each avenue is so beset with guards, And lynx-ey'd Jealousy so broad awake, He cannot pa.s.s unseen. Protect him, heaven!

_Enter Birtha._

My Birtha, is he safe? has he escap'd?

_Bir._ I know not. I dispatch'd young Harcourt to him, To bid him quit the castle, as you order'd, Restore the scarf, and never see you more.

But how the hard injunction was receiv'd, Or what has happen'd since, I'm yet to learn.

_Elw._ O when shall I be eas'd of all my cares, And in the quiet bosom of the grave Lay down this weary head!--I'm sick at heart!

Should Douglas intercept his flight!

_Bir._ Be calm; Douglas this very moment left the castle, With seeming peace.

_Elw._ Ah, then, indeed there's danger!

Birtha, whene'er Suspicion feigns to sleep, 'Tis but to make its careless prey secure.

_Bir._ Should Percy once again entreat to see thee, 'Twere best admit him; from thy lips alone He will submit to hear his final doom Of everlasting exile.

_Elw._ Birtha, no; If honour would allow the wife of Douglas To meet his rival, yet I durst not do it.

Percy! too much this rebel heart is thine: Too deeply should I feel each pang I gave; I cannot hate--but I will banish--thee.

Inexorable duly, O forgive, If I can do no more!

_Bir._ If he remains, As I suspect, within the castle walls, 'Twere best I sought him out.

_Elw._ Then tell him, Birtha, But, Oh! with gentleness, with mercy, tell him, That we must never, never, meet again.

The purport of my tale must be severe, But let thy tenderness embalm the wound My virtue gives. O soften his despair; But say--we meet no more.

_Enter Percy._

Rash man, he's here!

[_she attempts to go, he seizes her hand._

_Per._ I will be heard; nay, fly not; I will speak; Lost as I am, I will not be denied The mournful consolation to complain.

_Elw._ Percy, I charge thee, leave me.

_Per._ Tyrant, no: I blush at my obedience, blush to think I left thee here alone, to brave the danger I now return to share.

_Elw._ That danger's past: Douglas was soon appeas'd; he nothing knows.

Then leave me, I conjure thee, nor again Endanger my repose. Yet, ere thou goest, Restore the scarf.

_Per._ Unkind Elwina, never!

'Tis all that's left me of my buried joys, All which reminds me that I once was happy.

My letter told thee I would ne'er restore it.

_Elw._ Letter! what letter?

_Per._ That I sent by Harcourt.

_Elw._ Which I have ne'er receiv'd. Douglas perhaps-- Who knows?

_Bir._ Harcourt, t' elude his watchfulness, Might prudently retire.

_Elw._ Grant heaven it prove so!

[_Elwina going, Percy holds her._

_Per._ Hear me, Elwina; the most savage honour Forbids not that poor grace.

_Elw._ It bids me fly thee.

_Per._ Then, ere thou goest, if we indeed must part, To sooth the horrors of eternal exile, Say but--thou pity'st me!

_Elw._ [_weeps._] O Percy--pity thee!

Imperious honour;--surely I may pity him.

Yet, wherefore pity? no, I envy thee: For thou hast still the liberty to weep, In thee 'twill be no crime: thy tears are guiltless, For they infringe no duty, stain no honour, And blot no vow; but mine are criminal, Are drops of shame which wash the cheek of guilt, And every tear I shed dishonours Douglas.

_Per._ I swear my jealous love e'en grudges thee Thy sad pre-eminence in wretchedness.

_Elw._ Rouse, rouse, my slumb'ring virtue! Percy, hear me.

Heaven, when it gives such high-wrought souls as thine, Still gives as great occasions to exert them.

If thou wast form'd so n.o.ble, great, and gen'rous, 'Twas to surmount the pa.s.sions which enslave The gross of human-kind.--Then think, O think, She, whom thou once didst love, is now another's.

_Per._ Go on--and tell me that that other's Douglas.

_Elw._ Whate'er his name, he claims respect from me: His honour's in my keeping, and I hold The trust so pure, its sanct.i.ty is hurt E'en by thy presence.

_Per._ Thou again hast conquer'd.

Celestial virtue, like the angel spirit, Whose flaming sword defended Paradise, Stands guard on every charm,--Elwina, yes, To triumph over Douglas, we'll be virtuous.

_Elw._ 'Tis not enough to be,--we must appear so: Great souls disdain the shadow of offence, Nor must their whiteness wear the stain of guilt.

_Per._ I shall retract--I dare not gaze upon thee; My feeble virtue staggers, and again The fiends of jealousy torment and haunt me.

They tear my heart-strings.----Oh!

_Elw._ No more; But spare my injur'd honour the affront To vindicate itself.

_Per._ But, love!