Page:Representative American plays.pdf/137

120 George. I '11 see her in the morning, tho' they hang me.

{Exeunt, George looking back.)

END OP ACT ONE.

ACT SECOND.

Scene 1. A Forest. In the background an insulated caverned rock. Night. The Unknown enters bg a bridge formed of the trunk of a tree, icliicli is let down from the rock. {His dress is of Skins: his general appearance, wild — but his air and manner dignified. He is armed.)

Unk. Yes : it is near the dawn — the dawn ! when man

Again shall greet his fellow man, and na- ture,

Through all her living kingdom shall re- joice.

I only of the human race, condemn'd

To shun my species, and in caves of night

Shut out the common day. Ye glorious stars,

I gaze on you — I look on you, ye Heav- ens,

"With an unblenehing eye. You read the heai-t.

And you can judge the act. If I was wrong;

If innocent blood rest on me — here I stand

To pay the dreadful forfeiture, — let fall

In drops of fire your red-hot vengeance on me.

Am I a murderer? Is the mark of Cain

Imprinted on my front! — I would not murmur —

But as I am but man, forgive it Heaven.

Torn from the beings that I fondly lov'd. —

For nineteen years an outlaw and a wan- derer —

Proscribed and hunted like the ravening wolf ; —

A price set on my felon head — A felon !

Am I so, Heaven! Did these wounds, received

In thy holy cause, stream with a felon's blood.

Was it a felon's courage nerved my arm,

A felon's zeal that burn'd within my heart?

Yet this I could endure — but when I think

Of thee, my child— my daughter— Ha ! a

step! Perhaps a beast of prey! I fear nol

that, The panther is my co-mate and my

brother ; Man only is mine enemy — He comes.

{Retires into cave.)

{Enter Charles, in a neat hunting dress of green, cap, etc., a short sword, or couteau-de-chasse slung, and a gun in his hand.)

Charles. Each step I take but plunges me the deeper In this wild labyrinth. — Here 's a

pretty scene For those whose love o' the picturesque,

could make them Forget their bed and supper. My poor

mother Will be so disappointed — and, dear Mary, Will not your hopes, too, rise with the

lark : I '11 on. But whither? May I not be straying

further : I must needs make my couch e'en here. —

What's this? A bridge; and further on, methinks, a

cavern, 'Twill serve — But hold — perhaps I

shall disturb Some wild beast in his lair. Tut! 'tis

some hunter Has made his cabin here — I '11 try.

{Going to cavern.) Unk. Pass not.

{Enters from cave.) Charles. You speak commaiulingly. UxK. And may, when strangers

Intrude upon my privacy. That cave Is mine, my castle. Charles. It must be confess'd

You play the Castellain right courte- ously. UxK. No trifling, boy. Are you a spy? —

What are you? Charles. My answer 's here.

{Levelling his gun.) Unk. Tut, overweening child,

Level thy weapon at the timid deer That fears thy puny skill. The withered

leaf Stirr'd by the falling nut, or passing

breeze. Startles as much as does thy idle menace. Charles. To prove it is not idle — Unk. Hold, rash boy;

If but this tube is rais'd, thou perish'st. Rh