Page:Representative American plays.pdf/153

136 Charles. And have I killed her! {gazing

after her.) Rav. Wretch, and do you mourn

Over the clay, that would have kill'd the

soul?

{Re-enter Walford.)

Walf. She has revived, and calls for thee,

my friend, Charles. She lives, she lives! Then I

defy my fate. Rav. Outcast from Heav'n, thy doom is near at hand. Walford, we '11 strait convey him to the

church, Where by this time the judges have as- sembled. To try his sinful mother. Charles. How ? my mother !

And have ye laid your sacrilegious hands Upon my mother? Rav. Silence wretched youth.

I will but see my daughter — meantime

Walford, Guard well your prisoner. Charles. Guard me! heartless father,

That feelest not the ties of blood and

nature — Think you, at such an hour, I 'd quit my mother ?

{Exeunt Ravensworth, Charles and Walford. )

end of act four.

ACT FIVE.

Scene 1. A Wood. {Stage dark.)

{Enter the UNKNO^VN.)

At length, unseen by human eye, I 've

gain'd Her neighbourhood. The village lies be- fore me ; And on the right rises the eminence On which she dwells — She dwells! who

dwells? heart Hold till thou art assur'd. Such were

the features. The stately form of her, whose cherish'd

image. Time spares my widow'd heart, fresh and

unchang'd. — I must be satisfied. — The night has

fallen Murky and thick; and in the western

Heavens,

The last of day was shrouded in the folds Of gathering clouds, from whose dark

confines come, At intervals, faint flashes, and the voice Of muttering thunder: there will be a

storm. How is it that I feel, as never yet I felt before, the threatening elements; My courage is bow'd down and cowers, as

though The lowering canopy would fall in

streams Of death and desolation. Dark portents, Hence ! There 's a Heaven beyond the

tempest's scope. Above the clouds of death. Wing your

flight thither. Thoughts — hopes, desires; there is your

resting place. {Exit.)

Scene 2. The interior of the Church. {Arranged as a Hall of Justice.) Pas- sages lead to doors on each side of the desk. The Judges seated at the desk. Charles stands on the left, near thi? Judges. Isabella nearer the front; on the same side Ravensworth, Walford, Mary, and Alice; on the opposite side, Villagers, Officers, etc.

Judge. Ye have heard the charge — but ere ye answer to it Bethink ye well. Confession may do

much To save you from the penalty; or miti- gate Your punishment. Denial must. deprive

you Of every hope of mercy. — Answer then — And first, j^ou, madam. ISA. Sorcery! Gracious Heaven!

Is it necessary, in this age of light, And before men and Christians, I should

deny A charge so monstrous! Judge. Answer to the question.

ISA. We are not guilty then; so aid us

Heaven ! Judge. S[)eak for yourself alone. Will you disclose Who — what 3'e are? IsA. I am a gentlewoman-

JNlore I cannot disclose. Jl'dge. Say, wherefore, madam,

You came among us? IsA. Sir, I came to seek

A father. Judge. Who is he ?

ISA. I dare not name him.