The Works of Charles and Mary Lamb Volume IV Part 95

And so to the end of her long speech as printed [page 189].

At this point in the MS. comes in "the hodge-podge of German puerilities" (see the letter to Manning, February 15, 1802), the sacrifice of which so discontented Manning, who evidently considered the "supplementary scene" (closing the fourth act, [pages 189 to 191]), as Lamb called it, a poor subst.i.tute.

Scene changes to Woodvil Hall.

_John reading a letter by sc.r.a.ps--A Servant attending._

"An event beyond the possible reach of foresight. 'Tis thought the deep disgrace of supposed treachery in you o'ercame him. His heart brake. You will acquit yourself of worse crimes than indiscretion.

My remorse must end with life.

"Your quondam companion and penitent for the wrong he has done ye.

"GRAY.

"_Postscript._--The old man being unhappily removed, the young man's advancement henceforth will find no impediment."

_John._ Impediment indeed there now is none: For all has happened that my soul presag'd.

What hinders, but I enter in forthwith And take possession of my crowned state?

For thy advancement, Woodvil, is no less; To be a King, a King.

I hear the shoutings of the under-world, I hear the unlawful accents of their mirth, The fiends do shout and clap their hands for joy, That Woodvil is proclaim'd the Prince of h.e.l.l.

They place a burning crown upon my head, I hear it hissing now, [_Puts his hand to his forehead._]

And feel the snakes about my mortal brain.

[_Sinks in a swoon, is caught in the arms of a servant._]

Scene. A Courtyard before Woodvil Hall.

Sandford. Margaret (as just arrived from a journey).

_Margaret._ Can I see him to-night?

_Sandford._ I think ye had better stay till the morning: he will be more calm.

_Margaret._ You say he gets no sleep?

_Sandford._ He hath not slept since Sir Walter died. I have sat up with him these two nights. Francis takes my place to-night--O! Mistress Margaret, are not the witch's words come true--"All that we feared and worse"? Go in and change your garments, you have travelled hard and want rest.

_Margaret._ I will go to bed. You will promise I shall see him in the morning.

_Sandford._ You will sleep in your old chamber?

_Margaret._ The Tapestry room: yes. Pray get me a light. A good night to us all.

_Sandford._ Amen, say I. [_They go in._]

Scene. The Servants' Hall.

Daniel, Peter and Robert.

_Daniel._ Are we all of one mind, fellows? He that lov'd his old master, speak. Shall we quit his son's service for a better? Is it aye, or no?

_Peter._ For my part, I am afraid to go to bed to-night.

_Robert._ For certain, young Master's indiscretion was that which broke his heart.

_Peter._ Who sits up with him to-night?

_Robert._ Francis.

_Peter._ Lord! what a conscience he must have, that he cannot sleep alone.

_Robert._ They say he is troubled with the Night-mare.

_Daniel._ Here he comes, let us go away as fast as we can.

_Enter John Woodvil and Francis._ [_They run out._]

_John._ I lay me down to get a little sleep, And just when I began to close my eyes, My eyes heavy to sleep, it comes.

_Francis._ What comes?

_John._ I can remember when a child the maids[38]

Would place me on their lap, as they undrest me, As silly women use, and tell me stories Of Witches--Make me read "Glanvil on Witchcraft,"

And in conclusion show me in the Bible, The old Family-Bible with the pictures in it, The 'graving of the Witch raising up Samuel, Which so possest my fancy, being a child, That nightly in my dreams an old Hag came And sat upon my pillow.

I am relapsing into infancy,-- And shortly I shall dote--for would you think it?

The Hag has come again. Spite of my manhood, The Witch is strong upon me every night.

[_Walks to and fro, then as if recollecting something._]

What said'st thou, Francis, as I stood in the pa.s.sage?

Something of a Father: The word is ringing in my ears now--

[Footnote 38: Twice afterwards Lamb returned to this episode--in "The Witch Aunt" in story _Mrs. Leicester's School_ (see Vol. III.), and in "Witches and other Night Fears," in _Elia_ (see Vol. II. 9).]

_Francis_. I remember, one of the servants, Sir, would pa.s.s a few days with his father at Leicester. The poor old man lies on his deathbed, and has exprest a desire to see his son before he dies. But none cared to break the matter to you.

_John_. Send the man here. [_Francis goes out_.]

My very servants shun my company.

I held my purse to a beggar yesterday Who lay and bask'd his sores in the hot sun, And the gaunt pauper did refuse my alms.

_Francis returns with Robert_.

_John_. Come hither, Robert. What is the poor man ailing?

_Robert_. Please your honour, I fear he has partly perish'd for want of physic. His means are small, and he kept his illness a secret to me not to put me to expenses.

_John_. Good son, he weeps for his father.

Go take the swiftest horse in my stables, Take Lightfoot or Eclipse--no, Eclipse is lame, Take Lightfoot then, or Princess[39], Ride hard all night to Leicester.

And give him money, money, Francis-- The old man must have medicines, cordials, And broth to keep him warm, and careful nurses.

He must not die for lack of tendance, Robert.

[Footnote 39: Lamb puts his pen through these two lines, and writes across them "miserable bad."]