Page:A Series of Plays on the Passions Volume 1.pdf/379

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''Moon-light. A wild path in a wood, shaded with trees. Enter De Monfort, with a strong expression of disquiet, mixed with fear, upon his face, looking behind him, and bending his ear to the ground, as if he listened to something.)''

De Mon. How hollow groans the earth beneath my tread! Is there an echo here? Methinks it sounds As tho' some heavy footstep follow'd me. I will advance no farther. Deep settled shadows rest across the path, And thickly-tangled boughs o'er-hang this spot. O that a tenfold gloom did cover it! That 'midst the murky darkness I might strike; As in the wild confusion of a dream, Things horrid, bloody, terrible, do pass, As tho' they pass'd not; nor impress the mind With the fix'd clearness of reality. (An owl is heard screaming near him.) (Starting.) What sound is that? (Listens, and the owl cries again.) It is the screech-owl's cry. Foul bird of night! what spirit guides thee here? Art thou instinctive drawn to scenes of horrour? I've heard of this.(Pauses and listens.) How those fall'n leaves so rustle on the path, With whisp'ring noise, as tho' the earth around me