Her son should give. It is, it must be so- Who shall resist me in a parent's cause? 200 Lady R. Thy virtue ends her woes-My son! my son! I am thy mother, and the wife of Douglas! [Falls upon his neck. Nor. Oh, heaven and earth? how wond'rous is fate! Art thou my mother? Ever let me kneel! Lady R. Image of Douglas! fruit of fatal love! Nor. Respect and admiration still possess me. my Lady R. Arise, my son. In me thou dost behold The poor remains of beauty once admir'd. The autumn of my days is come already : For sorrow made my summer haste away, Yet in my prime I equall'd not thy father: His eyes were like the eagle's, yet sometimes Liker the dove's; and, as he pleas'd, he won All hearts with softness, or with spirit aw'd. 220 Nor. How did he fall! Sure 'twas a bloody field When Douglas died. Oh, I have much to ask! Lady R.Hereafter thou shalt hear the lengthened tale Of all thy father's and thy mother's woes. G At present this-Thou art the rightful heir Which now lord Randolph, as my husband, holds. But thou shalt not be wrong'd; I have the power To right thee still. Before the King I'll kneel, And call lord Douglas to protect his blood. Nor. The blood of Douglas will protect itself. Lady R. But we shall need both friends and favour, boy, To wrest thy lands and lordship from the gripe Nor. To be the son of Douglas is to me 240 Lady R. Thou dost not know what perils and injustice Await the poor man's valour. Oh, my son! Too long hast thou been thus attended, Douglas, Retire, and from thy rustic follower's hand Of private conference. Its purport mark; Leave me, my son; and frame thy manners still Nor. I will remember. 2.60 Where is Norval now? That good old man. Lady R. At hand conceal'd he lies, An useful witness. But beware, my son, Of yon Glenalvon; in his guilty breast Resides a villain's shrewdness, ever prone To false conjecture. He hath griev'd my heart. Nar. Has he, indeed? Then let yon false Glenal von Beware of me. [Exit. Lady R. There burst the smother'd flame. Oh, thou all-righteous and eternal King! Who Father of the fatherless art call'd, Protect my son! Thy inspiration, Lord! Hath fill'd his bosom with that sacred fire, Which in the breasts of his forefathers burn'd? Set him on high, like them, that he may shine 280 The star and glory of his native land! Then let the minister of death descend, And bear my willing spirit to its place. Yonder they come. How do bad women find When I, by reason and by justice urg'd, Enter Lord RANDOLPH and GLENALVON. Lord R. Yon gallant chief, Of arms enamour'd, all repose disclaims. Lady R. Be not, my lord, by his example sway'd. Arrange the business of to-morrow now, And when you enter, speak of war no more. [Exit. Lord R. 'Tis so, by heav'n! her mein, her voice her eye, And her impatience to be gone, confirm it. Glen. He parted from her now. Behind the mount, Amongst the trees, I saw him glide along. Lord R. For sad sequester'd virtue she's renown'd. Glen. Most true, my Lord. Lord R. Yet this distinguish'd dame Invites a youth, th' acquaintance of a day, Alone to meet her at the midnight hour. 300 This assignation [Shews a letter.] the assasin freed, Might breed suspicion in a husband's brain, Whose heart he knows he has not; though she brings She may, she will, bring shame and sorrow on him; The worst of sorrows, and the worst of shames ! Glen. Yield not, my lord, to such afflicting thoughts; But let the spirit of an husband sleep, Till your own senses make a sure conclusion. At the next turn awaits my trusty spy; In the close thicket take your secret stand; 320 The moon shines bright, and your own eyes may judge Of their behaviour. Lord R. Thou dost counsel well. Glen. Permit me now to make one slight essay. Lord R. And what avails this maxim? Withdraw a little! I'll accost young Norval, Explore his spirit. If he is no more Than humble Norval by thy favour rais'd, Lov'd by the first of Caledonia's dames, He'll turn upon me, as the lion turns |