Page:The Family Legend.pdf/160

146

O horrible! ye will not murder him? Murder a harmless infant!

My aged mother, lady, loves her son As thou dost thine; and she has sworn to do it.

Has sworn to do it! Oh! her ruthless nature Too well I know.(To Lorne eagerly.) Loose them, and let them go.

Let fiends like these escape?

He does but threaten To move our fears: they dare not slay the child.

They dare! they will!—O if thou art my father! If Nature's hand e'er twined me to thy heart As this poor child to mine, have pity on me! Loose them and let them go!—Nay, do it quickly. O what is vengeance? Spare my infant's life.