SONG.

SCENE I.

And to the nobler file, be steep'd so richly

And the fierce dictates of the headlong passions. In that elixir, honour, that the lack

Sing, then, my love; for if a voice have inliuence Of things so very trivial in themselves

To mediate peace betwixt me and my destiny, Shall be misfortune. One shall seek for them' Flora, it must be thine. O’er the wide waves-one in the deadly breach

Flo.

My best to please you! And battle's headlong front-one in the paths Of midnight study,-and, in gaining these Emblems of honour, each will hold himself

When the tempest's at the loudest, Repaid for all his labours, deeds, and dangers.

On its gale the eagle rides;

When the ocean rolls the proudest, What then should he think, knowing them his own,

Through the foam the sea-bird glidesWho sees what warriors and what sages toil for,

All the rage of wind and sea The formal and establish'd marks of honour,

Is subdued by constancy. Usurp'd from him by upstart insolence?

Gnawing want and sickness pining, El. (who has listened to the last speech with some

All the ills that men endure;

Each iheir various paigs combining,
impatience.) This is but empty declamation,

Constancy can find a cure-
Oswald.

Pain, and Fear, and Poverty,
The fragments left at yonder full-spread banquet,

Are subdued by constancy. Nay, even the poorest crust swept from the table,

Bar me from each wonted pleasure, Ought to be far more precious to a father,

Make me abject, inean, and poor ; Whose family lacks food, than the vain boast,

Heap on insults without measure,

Chain me to a dungeon NoorHe sate at the board-head.

I'll be happy, rich, and free,
Os. Thou'lt drive me frantic!-I will tell thee,

If endow'd with constancy.
woman-
Yet why to thee? There is another ear
Which that tale better suits, and he shall hear it.

ACT II
(Looks at his sword, which he has unbuckled,

and addresses the rest of the speech to it. Yes, trusty friend, my father knew thy worth,

A Chamber in a distant part of the Castle. A large Window' And often proved it—often told me of it

in the flat scene, supposed to look on the Lake, which is occaThough thou and I be now held lightly of,

sionally illuminated by lightning. There is a Couch-bed in And want the gilded hatchments of the time,

the Room, and an antique cabinet. I think we both may prove true metal still.

Enter KATLEEN, introducing BLACKTHORN. 'Tis thou shalt tell this story, right this wrong :Rest thou till time is fitting. [Hangs up the sword.

Kat. This was the destined scene of action, Black[The Women look at each other with anxiety And here our properties. But all in vain, thorn, during this speech, which they partly over

For of Gullcrammer we'll see nought to-night, hear. They both approach OSWALD. Except the dainties that I told you of. (sages, El. Oswald-my dearest husband !

Black. O, if he's left that same hog's face and sauFlo.

My dear father. He will try back upon them, never fear it. Os. Peace, both—we speak no more of this. I go The cur will open on the trail of bacon, To heave the drawbridge up.

Like

my

old brach hound.

(Exit. Kat. And should that hap, we'll play our comedy,kat. (mounts the steps towards the loop-hole, looks Shall we not, Blackthorn? Thou shalt be Owlsout, and speaks.) The storm is gathering fast

piegle--broad, heavy drops

Black. And who may that same liard-named perFall plashing on the bosom of the lake,

kat. I've told you nine times over.

(son be? And dash its inky surface into circles;

Black. Yes, pretty Katleen, but my eyes were busy The distant hills are hid in wreaths of darkness. In looking at you all the time you were talking; ”Twill be a fearful night.

And so I lost the tale. OSWALD re-enters, and throws himself into a seat.

hat. Then shut your eyes, and let your goodly ears

Do their good office.
El.
More dark and dreadful

Black.

That were too hard penance. Than is our destiny, it cannot be.

Tell but thy tale once more, and I will hearken Os. (to Flo.) Such is Heaven's will—it is our part | As if I were thrown out, and listening for to bear it.

My bloodhound's distant bay. We're warranted, my child, from ancient story

Kal.

A civil simile!
And blessed writ, to say, that song assuages

Then for the tenth time, and the last-be told,
The gloomy cares that prey upon our reason, Owlspiegle was of old the wicked barber
And wake a strife betwixt our better feelings To Erick, wicked Lord of Devorgoil.

[MS.-

- One shall seek these emblems.')

[ The MS. throughout the First Act reads Buckthorn.]

Black. The chief who drown’d his captives in the Preserved with other trumpery of the sort, We all have heard of bim.

[Solway- For we have kept nought but what is good for nought. Kat. A hermit hoar, a venerable man

[She drops a cap as she draws out the clothes. So goes the legend-came to wake repentance

Blackthorn lifts it, and gives it to her. In the fierce lord, and tax'd him with his guilt; Nay, keep it for thy pains--it is a coxcomb; But he, heart-harden'd, turn'd into derision

So call'd in ancient times, in ours a fool's cap; The man of heaven, and, as his dignity

For you must know they kept a Fool at Devorgoil Consisted much in a long reverend beard,

In former days; but now are well contented Which reach'd his girdle, Erick caused bis barber, To play the fool themselves, to save expenses; This same Owlspiegle, violate its honours

Yet give it me, I'll find a worthy lise for't. With sacrilegious razor, and clip his hair

I'll take this page's dress, to play the page After the fashion of a roguish fool.

Cockledemoy, who waits on ghostly Owlspiegle; Black. This was reversing of our ancient proverb, And yet ’tis needless, too, for Gullerammer And shaving for the devil's, not for God's sake. Will scarce be here to-night.

kut. True, most grave Blackthorn; and in punish Black. I tell you that he will-I will uphold Of this foul act of scorn, the barber's ghost [ment His plighted faith and true allegiance Is said to have no resting after death,

Unto a sows'd sow's face and sausages, But haunts these halls, and chiefly this same chamber, And such the dainties that you say he sent you, Where the profanity was acted, trimming

Against all other likings whatsoever, And clipping all such guests as sleep within it. Except a certain sneaking of affection, Such is at least the tale our elders tell,

Which makes some folks I know of play the tool, With many others, of this haunted castle.

To please some other folks. Black. And you would have me take this shape of kul. Well, I do hope he'll come—there's first a Owlspiegle,

He will be endgell’d by my noble uncle [chance And trim the wise Melchisedek !-I wonnot.

I cry his mercy-by my good aunt's husband, Kat. You will not!

Who did vow vengeance, knowing nought of him Black.

No—unless you bear a part. But by report, and by a limping sonnet kal. What! can you not alone play such a farce? Which he had fashion'd to my cousin's glory,

Black. Not I-I’m dull. Besides, we foresters And forwarded by blind Tom Long the carrier; Still hunt our game in couples. Look you, Katleen, So there's the chance, first of a hearty beating, We danced at Shrovetide—then you were my partner; Which failing, we've this after-plot of vengeance. We sung at Christmas-you kept time with me; Black. Kind damsel, how considerate and merAnd if we go a mumming in this business,

ciful! By heaven, you must be one, or Master Gullcrammer But how shall we get off, our parts being play’d? Is like to rest unshaven

Kat. For that we are well fitted ; here's a trap-door Kat. Why, you fool,

Sinks with a counterpoise-you shall go that way. What end can this serve?

I'll make my exit yonder—’neath the window, Black.

Nay, I know not, I. A balcony communicates with the tower But if we keep this wont of being partners, (pen? That overhangs the lake. Why, use makes perfect-who knows what may hap Black. 'Twere a rare place, this house of Devorgoil,

Kat. Thou art a foolish patch—But sing our carol, To play at hide-and-seek in-shall we try, As I have alter'd it, with some few words

One day, my pretty Katleen? To suit the characters, and I will bear-

kat. Hands off, rude ranger!I'm no managed hawk [Gives a paper.

To stoop to lure of yours.-But bear you gallantly; Black. Part in the gambol. I'll go study quickly. This Gullerammer hath vex'd my cousin much, Is there no other ghost, then, haunts the castle, I fain would have some vengeance. But this same barber shave-a-penny goblin?

Black. I'll bear my part with glee-he spoke irreI thought they glanced in every beam of moonshine, Of practice at a mark!

[verently As frequent as the bat.

(phecies,
Kat.

That cries for vengeance. Kal. I've heard my aunt's high husband tell of pro- But I must go—I hear my aunt's shrill voice! And fates impending o'er the house of Devorgoil; My cousin and her father will scream next. Legends first coin'd by ancient superstition,

El. (at a distance.) Katleen! Katleen! And render'd current by credulity

Black.

Hark to old Sweetlips!-And pride of lineage. Five years have I dwelt, Away with you before the full cry openAnd ne'er saw any thing more mischievous

But stay, what have you there? Than what I am myself.

Kal. (with a bundle she has taken from the wardBlack. And that is quite enough, I warrant you.

robe.) My dress, my page's dress-let it But, stay, wliere shall I find a dress

alone. To play this-what d'ye call him-Owlspiegle? Black. Your tiring-room is not, I hope, far distant; kat. (takes dresses out of the cabinet.) Why, there | You're inexperienced in these new habilimentsare bis own clothes,

I am most ready to assist your toilet,

the paper.

SCENE II.

Kai. Out, you great ass ! was ever such a fool! We must take care the venison has due honour

(Runs on So much I owe the sturdy knave, Lance Blackthorn, BLACK. (sings.)

Flo. Mother, alas ! when Grief turns reveller, 0, Robin Hood was a bowman good,

Despair is cup-bearer. What shall hap to-morrow?And a bowman good was he,

El. I have learn'd carelessness from fruitless care. And he met with a maiden in merry Sherwood, All under the greenwood tree.

Too long I've watch'd to-morrow-let it come

And cater for itself—Thou hear'st the thunder.
Now give me a kiss, quoth bold Robin Hood,
Now give me a kiss, said he,

(Low and distant thunder. For there never came maid into merry Sherwood, This is a gloomy night-within, alas! But she paid the forester's fee.

(Looking at her husband. I've coursed this twelvemonth this sly puss, young Still gloomier and more threatening-Let us use Katleen,

Whatever means we have to drive it o'er, And she has dodged me, turn’d beneath my nose,

And leave to Heaven to-morrow. Trust me, Flora, And flung me out a score of yards at once;

'Tis the philosophy of desperate want
If this same gear fadge right, I'll cote and mouth her, To match itself but with the present evil,
And then! whoop! dead! dead! dead !-She is the And face one grief at once.
To make a woodsman's wife of!-

[metal | Away, I wish thine aid and not thy counsel.
(Pauses a moment.

[As FLORA is about to go off, GULLCRAMMER'S Well-I can find a hare upon her form

voice is heard behind the flat scene, as if With any man in Nithsdale-stalk a deer,

from the drawbridge. Run Reynard to the earth for all his doubles,

Gull. (behind.) Hillo-billo-hilloa-hoa-hoa! Reclaim a haggard hawk that's wild and wayward,

(Oswald raises himself and listens; ELEANOR Can bait a wild-cat-sure the devil's in't

goes up the steps, and opens the window at But I can match a woman–I'll to study.

the loop-hole; GULLCRAMMER's voice is then (Sits down on the couch to examir

heard more distinctly.
Gull. Kind Lady Devorgoil-sweet Mistress

Flora!-
The night grows fearful, I have lost my way,

And wander'd till the road turn'd round with me, Scene changes to the inhabited apartment of the castle, as in

And brought me back-For Heaven's sake, give me the last scene of the preceding Act.

shelter ! A fire is kindled, by which Oswald sits in an attitude of

Kat. (aside.) Now, as I live, the voice of Gulldeep and melancholy thought, without paying atten

crammer! tion to what passes around him. ELEANOR is busy in covering a table; Flora goes out and re-enters, as if I'II swear I am the only one to whom

Now shall our gambol be play'd off with spirit; busied in the kitchen. There should be some by-play -the women whispering together, and watching the

That screech-owl hoop was e'er acceptable. state of OswALD; then separating, and seeking to avoid Os. What bawling knave is this that takes our his observation, when he casually raises his head, and

dwelling drops it again. This must be left to taste and ma For some hedge-inn, the haunt of lated drunkards? nagement. The Women, in the first part of the scene, El. What shall I say?-_Go, Katleen, speak to him. talk apart, and as if fearful of being overheard; the Kat. (aside.) The game is in my hands—I will say by-play of stopping occasionally, and attending to

something OSWALD's movements, will give liveliness to the Scene.

Will fret the Baron's pride-and then he enters. El. Is all prepared ?

(She speaks from the window.) Good sir, be patient! Flo. Ay; but I doubt the issue

We are poor folks—it is but six Scotch miles Will give my sire less pleasure than you hope for. To the next borough town, where your Reverence

El. Tush, maid-I know thy father's humour bet- May be accommodated to your wants; He was high-bred in gentle luxuries;

[ter. We are poor folks, an't please your Reverence, And when our griefs began, I've wept apart,

And keep a narrow household—there's no track While lordly cheer and high-fill'd cups of wine To lead your steps astray

[lady, Were blinding him against the woe to come.

Gull. Nor none to lead them right.-You kill me,
He has turn’d his back upon a princely banquet : If you deny me harbour. To budge from hence,
We will not spread his board—this night at least, And in my weary plight, were sudden death,
Since chance hath better furnish'd-with dry bread, Interment, funeral-sermon, tombstone, epitaph.
And water from the well.

Os. Who's he that is thus clamorous without ?
Enter KATLEEN, and hears the last speech.

(To El.) Thou know'st him?

El. (confused.) I know him?-10-yes—'tis a worKal. (aside.) Considerate aunt !-she deems that

thy clergyman, a good supper

Benighted on his way;---but think not of him. Were not a thing indifferent even to him

Kat. The morn will rise when that the tempest's Who is to hang to-morrow; since she thinks so, And if he miss the marsh, and can avoid (past,

2. Lance La f turns rete || hap to-pr

from irea 1-let it go

st the time end dute

Trust!

has due bain The crags upon the left, the road is plain.

What have we here?-is this the reverend man? Os. Then this is all your piety!—to leave

(He takes up the candle, and surveys GULLCRAMOne whom the holy duties of his office

MER, who strives to sustain the inspection with Have summond over moor and wilderness,

confidence, while fear obviously contends with

conceit and desire to show himself to the best To pray beside some dying wretch's bed,

advantage.
Who (erring mortal) still would cleave to life,
Or wake some stubborn sinner to repentance, -

Gull. Kind sir-or, good my lord—my band is

ruffled, To leave him, after offices like these, alas:

But yet 'twas fresh this morning. This fell shower To choose his way in darkness 'twixt the marsh

Hath somewhat smirch'd my cloak, but you may note Eng at her lat And dizzy precipice?' El. What can I do?

It rates five marks per yard; my doublet ito'er , Os. Do what thou canst-the wealthiest do no

Hath fairly 'scaped—'tis three-piled taffeta.

(Opens his cloak, and displays his doublet. more ant

And if so much, 'tis well. These crumbling walls, Os. A goodly inventory-Art thou a preacher ? nt evi, While yet they bear a roof, shall now, as ever,

Gull. Yea-1 laud Heaven and good Saint Mungo Give shelter to the wanderer-Have we food ?

for it. Counsel He shall partake it-Have we none? the fast

Os. 'Tis the time's plague, when those that should

weed follies Shall be accounted with the good man's merits e fiat And our misfortunes

Out of the common field, have their own minds [He goes to the loop-hole while he speaks, and O’errun with foppery-Envoys 'twixt heaven and places himself there in room of his Wife,

earth, who comes down with reluctance.

Example should with precept join, to show us Gull. (without.) Hillo-hoa-hoa!

How we may scorn the world with all its vanities. CRISTÁTY By my good faith, I cannot plod it farther;

Gull. Nay, the high heavens forefend that I were MER'S 需 The attempt were death.

vain ! Os. (speaks from the window.) Patience, my friend, When our learn’d Principal such sounding laud I come to lower the drawbridge.

Gave to mine Essay on the hidden qualities
(Descends, and exit.

Of the sulphuric mineral, I disclaim'd
El. O, that the screaming bittern had bis couch

All self-exaltment. And (turning to the women) when Uಾತ ಕತೆ:

Where he deserves it, ' in the deepest marsh! The lovely Saccharissa Kirkencroft, [at the dance,

Kat. I would not give this sport for all the rent Daughter to Kirkencroft of Kirkencroft,
Of Devorgoil, when Devorgoil was richest!

Graced me with her soft hand, credit me, ladies,
( To El.) But now you chided me, my dearest aunt, That still I felt myself a mortal man,
For wishing him a horse-pond for his portion ?

Though beauty smiled on me.
El. Yes, saucy girl; but, an it please you, then

Os. Come, sir, enough of this.

[heavens, He was not fretting me; if he had sense enough,

That you're our guest to-night, thank the rough abile .

And skill to bear him as some casual stranger, And all our worser fortunes; be conformable
But he is dull as earth, and every hint

Unto my rules; these are no Saccharissas
Is lost on him, as hail-shot on the cormorant,

Togild with compliments. There's in your profession,
Whose hide is proof except to musket-bullets ! As the best grain will have its piles of chaff,
Flo. (apart.) And yet to such a one would my kind a certain whiffler, who hath dared to bait
mother,

A noble maiden with love tales and sonnets;
Whose chiefest fault is loving me too fondly, And if I meet him, his Geneva cap
Wed her poor daughter!

May scarce be proof to save his ass's ears.
be patient
Enter GULLCRAMMER, his dress damaged by the storm;

Kat. (aside.) Umph-I am strongly tempted; ELEANOR runs to meet him, in order to explain to him And yet I think I will be generous, that she wished him to behave as a stranger. Gull- And give his brains a chance to save his bones. CRAMMER, mistaking her approach for an invitation to Then there's more humour in our goblin plot, familiarity, advances with the air of pedantic conceit

Than in a simple drubbing.

(cover bim, belonging to his character, when Oswald enters,

El. (apart to Flo.) What shall we do? If he dis-
ELEANOR recovers herself, and assumes an air of dis-

He'll sling him out at window.
tance GULLCRAMMER is confounded, and does not
know what to make of it.

Flo. My father's hint to keep himself unknown

Is all too broad, I think, to be neglected.
Os. The counterpoise has clean given way; the El. But yet the fool, if we produce his bounty,
bridge

May claim the merit of presenting it;
Must e'en remain unraised, and leave us open, And then we're but lost women for accepting
For this night's course at least, to passing visitants. A gift our needs made timely.

spent

Kat.

Do not produce them. Of a reserve of victuals. E'en let the fop go supperless to bed,

Flo. Go to the casement, cousin. And keep his bones whole.

Kat.

Go yourself, Os. (to his Wise.) Hast thou aught And bid the gallant who that bugle winded To place before him ere he seek repose?

Sleep in the storm-swept waste; as meet for bim El. Alas! too well you know our needful fare As for Lance Blackthorn.-Come, I'll not distress you, Is of the narrowest now, and knows no surplus. I'll get admittance for this second suitor,

Os. Shame us not with thy niggard housekeeping; And we'll play out this gambol at cross purposes. He is a stranger-were it our last crust,

But see, your father has prevented me. And be the veriest coxcomb ere wore taffeta,

Os. (seems to have spoken with those without, and A pitch he's little short of-he must share it, answers.) Well, I will ope the door; one guest already, Though all should want to-morrow.

Driven by the storm, has claim'd my hospitality, Gull.(partly overhearing what passes between them.) And you, if you were fiends, were scarce less welcome Nay, I am no lover of your sauced dainties : To this my mouldering roof, than empty ignorance Plain food and plenty is my motto still.

And rank conceit-I hasten to admit you. Your mountain air is bleak, and brings an appetite:

[Erit. A soused sow's face, now, to my modest thinking, El. (to Flo.) The tempest thickens. By that winded Has ne'er a fellow. What think these fair ladies

bugle, Of a sow's face and sausages ?

I guess the guest that next will honour us.--
(Makes signs to ELEANOR. Little deceiver, that didst mock my troubles,
Flo. Plague on the vulgarhind, and on his courtesies, "Tis now thy turn to fear!
The whole truth will come out!

lack Flo. Mother, if I knew less or more of this Os. What should they think, but that you're like to Unthought of and most perilous visitation, Your favourite dishes, sir, unless perchance

I would your wishes were fulfillid on me, You bring such dainties with you.

And I were wedded to a thing like yon. Gull. No, not with me; not, indeed,

Gull. (approaching.) Come, ladies, now you see the Directly with me; but-Aha! fair ladies!

jest is threadbare,

(sages[Makes signs again.

And you must own that same sow's face and sauKat. (aside.) He'll draw the beating down–Were

Re-enter Oswald with LEONARD, supporting BAULDIE Heaven's will be done!

[that the worst,

DURWARD. Oswald takes a view of them, as formerly Os.(apart.) What he can mean?—this is the veriest

of GULLCRAMJER, then speaks. Still he's a stranger, and the latest act [dog-whelpOf hospitality in this old mansion

Os. (10 Lco.) By thy green cassock, hunting-spear, Shall not be sullied.

I guess thou art a huntsman?

(and bugle, Gull. Troth, sir, I think, under the ladies' favour, Leo..(bowing with respect.) A ranger of the neighWithout pretending skill in second sight,

bouring royal forest, Those of my cloth being seldom conjurers-

Under the good Lord Nithsdale; huntsman, therefore, Os. (aside.) I'll take my Bible-oath that thou art In time of peace, and when the land has war,

To my best powers a soldier. Gull. I do opine, still with the ladies' favour, Os. Welcome, as either. I have loved the chase, That I could guess the nature of our supper:

And was a soldier once.—This aged man, I do not say in such and such precedence

What may be be?

[an humble mendicant, The dishes will be placed; housewives, as you know, Dur. (recovering his breath.) Is but a beggar, sir, On such forms have their fancies; but, I say still, Who feels it passing strange, that from this roof, That a sow's face and sausages

Above all others, he should now crave shelter. Os.

Peace, sir! Os. Why so? You're welcome both—only the word O'er-driven jests (if this be one) are insolent. Warrants more courtesy than our present means Flo. (apart, sceing her mother uneasy.) The old saw Permit us to bestow. A huntsman and a soldier still holds true-a churl's benefits,

May be a prince's comrade, much more mine; Sauced with his lack of feeling, sense, and courtesy, And for a beggar-friend, there little lacks, Savour like injuries.

Save that blue gown and badge, and clouted pouches, [A horn is winded without; then a To make us comrades too; then welcome both,

loud knocking at the gate. And to a beggar's feast. I fear brown bread, Leo. (without.) Ope, for the sake of love and charity! | And water from the spring, will be the best on't;

[OSWALD goes to the loop-hole. For we had cast to wend abroad this evening, Gull. Ileaven's mercy! should there come another And left our larder empty. stranger,

Gull.

Yet, if some kindly fairy, And he half-starved with wandering on the wolds, In our behalf, would search its hid recesses,The sow's face boasts no substance, nor the sausages, (Aparl.) We'll not go supperless now—we're three to To stand our reinforced attack! I judge, too, By this starved Baron’s language, there's no hope Still do I say, that a sowsed face aud sausages

none.

one,