The Complete Works of Sir Walter Scott

from habit, starting at every moment; ties a napkin over his head; then shrinks beneath the bed-clothes. He starts once or twice, and at length seems to go to sleep. A bell tolls ONE. He leaps up in his bed.

GULLCRAMMER.

I had just coax'd myself to sweet forgetfulness,
And that confounded bell-I hate all bells,
Except a dinner bell-and yet I lie, too,-
I love the bell that soon shall tell the parish
Of Gabblegoose, Melchisedek's incumbent-
And shall the future minister of Gabblegoose,
Whom his parishioners will soon require
To exorcise their ghosts, detect their witches,
Lie shivering in his bed for a pert goblin,
Whom, be he switch'd or cocktail'd, horn'd or poll'd,
A few tight Hebrew words will soon send packing?
Tush; I will rouse the parson up within me,
And bid defiance (A distant noise.) In the name
of Heaven,

What sounds are these!-O Lord! this comes of rashness!

[Draws his head down under the bed-clothes. [Duet without, between OwLSPIEGLE and COCKLE

With a sable cloak and a tafleta vest;

He must be wash'd, and trimm'd, and dress'd, To please the eyes be loves the best.

GULLCRAMMER (who has been observing them.) I'll pluck a spirit up; they're merry goblins, And will deal mildly. I will sooth their humour; Besides, my beard lacks trimming.

[He rises from his bed, and advances with
great symptoms of trepidation, but affecting
an air of composure. The Goblins receive
him with fantastic ceremony.

Gentlemen, 'tis your will I should be trimm'd-
E'en do your pleasure. (They point to a seat-he
sits.)
Think, howsoe'er,
Of me as one who hates to see his blood;
Therefore I do beseech you, signior,

Be gentle in your craft. I know those barbers,
One would have harrows driven across his visnomy.
Bather than they should touch it with a razor.

753

GULLCRAMMER.

That's a good boy. I love to hear a child
Stand for his father, if he were the devil.

[He motions to rise. Craving your pardon, sir.--What! sit again? My hair lacks not your scissors.

[OWLSPIEGLE insists on his sitting. Nay, if you're peremptory, I'll ne'er dispute it, Nor eat the cow and choke upon the tailE'en trim me to your fashion.

[OWLSPIEGLE cuts his hair, and shaves his head
ridiculously.

COCKLEDEMOY (sings as before.)
Hair-breadth 'scapes, and hair breadth snares.
Hare-brain'd follies, ventures, cares,
Part when father clips your hairs.

If there is a hero frantic,

Or a lover too romantic ;

If threescore seeks second spouse,

Or fourteen lists lover's vows,

Bring them here-for a Scotch boddle,
Owlspiegle shall trim their noddle.

[They take the napkin from about GULLCRAM-
MER'S neck. He makes bows of acknow-
ledgment, which they return fantastically,
and sing-

Thrice crow'd bath the black cock, thrice croak'd hath the raven, And Mast: Melchisedek Gullcrammer's shaven!

Welcome, as Fortunatus' wishing cap,
For 'twas a cap that I was wishing for.

(There I was quaint in spite of mortal terror.)

[As he puts on the cap, a pair of ass's ears disengage themselves.

Upon my faith, it is a dainty head-dress,

I can bear this no longer-thus children are spoil'd. [Strikes into the tune.

Master Owlspiegle, hoy!

He deserves to be whipp'd, little Cockledemoy! [Their voices are heard as if dying away.

now.

When they were here, I was not half so frighten'd
As now they're gone-they were a sort of company.
What a strange thing is use-A horn, a claw,
The tip of a fiend's tail, was wont to scare me.
Now am I with the devil hand and glove;
His soap has lather'd, and his razor shaved me;
I've joined him in a catch, kept time and tune,
Could dine with him, nor ask for a long spoon;
And if I keep not better company,
What will become of me when I shall die? [Exit.

SCENE III.

A Gothic Hall, waste and ruinous. The moonlight is at times seen through the shafted windows. Enter KATLEEN and BLACKTHORN-They have thrown off the more ludicrous parts of their disguise.

KATLEEN.

This way-this way; was ever fool so gull'd!

BLACKTHORN.

I play'd the barber better than I thought for.
Well, I've an occupation in reserve,

When the long bow and merry musket fail me.-
But, hark ye, pretty Katleen.

Art thou not afraid,

BLACKTHORN.

And might become an alderman!-Thanks, sweet That we may meet with real ones?
Monsieur,

In these wild halls while playing feigned goblins,

Believe me, it shall be from other motive
Than fear of Erick's spectre.

[A rustling sound is heard.

BLACKTHORN.

I heard a rustling soundUpon my life, there's something in the hall, Katleen, besides us two!

KATLEEN.

A yeoman thou,
A forester, and frighten'd! I am sorry
I gave the fool's-cap to poor Gullcrammer,
And let thy head go bare.

[The same rustling sound is repeated.

BLACKTHORN.

Why, are you mad, or hear you not the sound?

KATLEEN.

And if I do, I take small heed of it.
Will you allow a maiden to be bolder

Than you, with beard on chin and sword at girdle?

BLACKTHORN.

Nay, if I had my sword, I would not care;
Though I ne'er heard of master of defence,
So active at his weapon as to brave

The devil, or a ghost-See! see! see yonder!

More powerful far than thine, give place and way;
Take then this key, and wait the event with courage.
[He drops the key. He disappears gradually
-the moonlight failing at the same time.
KATLEEN (after a pause.)
Whate'er it was, 'tis gone! My head turns round-
The blood that lately fortified my heart

Now eddies in full torrent to my brain,
And makes wild work with reason. I will haste,
If that my steps can bear me so far safe,
To living company. What if I meet it
Again in the long aisle, or vaulted passage?
And if I do, the strong support that bore me
Through this appalling interview, again
Shall strengthen and uphold me.

[As she steps forward she stumbles over the key.
What's this? The key?-there may be mystery in't.
I'll to my kinswoman, when this dizzy fit
Will give me leave to choose my way aright.
[She sits down exhausted.

Re-enter BLACKTHORN, with a drawn sword and
torch.
BLACKTHORN.

Katleen! What, Katleen!-What a wretch was I

(A Figure is imperfectly seen between two of To leave her!--Katleen,-I am weapon'd now,

the pillars.

KATLEEN.

And fear nor dog nor devil.-She replies not!
Beast that I was-nay, worse than beast; the stag,
As timorous as he is, fights for his hind.

There's something moves, that's certain, and the What's to be done!-I'll search this cursed castle moonlight,

Chased by the flitting gale, is too imperfect
To show its form; but, in the name of God,
I'll venture on it boldly.

Whate'er thou art, be answer'd-Know, I will not
Desert the kinswoman who train'd my youth;
Know, that I will not quit my friend, my Flora!
Know, that I will not leave the aged man

From dungeon to the battlements; if I find her not, I'll fling me from the highest pinnacleKATLEEN (who has somewhat gathered her spirits in consequence of his entrance, comes behind and touches him; he starts.)

Brave sir!

'Tis true-the difference betwixt the churches,
Which zealots love to dwell on, to the wise
Of either flock are of far less importance
Than those great truths to which all Christian men
Subscribe with equal reverence.

OSWALD.

We thank thee, father, for the holy office,
Still best performed when the pastor's tongue
Is echo to his breast; of jarring creeds

Whose roof has shelter'd me. This is my resolve-It ill beseems a layman's tongue to speak.

We shall be drown'd without your kind assistance.
Sweet Master Owlspiegle, your dragonfly-
Your straw, your bean-stalk, gentle Cockle'moy!
LEONARD (looking from the shot-hole.)

'Tis true, by all that's fearful! The proud lake
Peers, like ambitious tyrant, o'er his bounds,
And soon will whelm the castle-even the draw
bridge

Is under water now.

KATLEEN.

Let us escape! Why stand you gazing there?

DURWARD.

Upon the opening of that fatal grate
Depends the fearful spell that now entraps us,
The key of Black Lord Erick-ere we find it,
The castle will be whelm'd beneath the waves,
And we shall perish in it!

KATLEEN (giving the key.)
A chance most strange and fearful gave it me.
Here, prove this;
OSWALD (puts it into the lock, and attempts to turn
it-a loud clap of thunder.)

FLORA.

The lake still rises faster.-Leonard, Leonard,
Canst thou not save us!

[LEONARD tries the lock-it opens with a vio
lent noise, and the Portcullis rises. A loud
strain of wild music.-There may be a
Chorus here.

[OSWALD enters the apartment. and brings out a scroll.

LEONARD.

The lake is ebbing with as wondrous haste As late it rose-the drawbridge is left dry!

OSWALD.

This may explain the cause.-
(GULLCRAMMER offers to take it.) But soft you, sir,
We'll not disturb your learning for the matter;
You shall not go unguerdon'd. Wise or learn'd,
Yet since you've borne a part in this strange drama,
Modest or gentle, Heaven alone can make thee,
Being so much otherwise; but from this abundance
Thou shalt have that shall gild thine ignorance,
Exalt thy base descent, make thy presumption
Seem modest confidence, and find thee hundreds
Ready to swear that same fool's-cap of thine

LEONARD (advances and attempts the grate.) Is reverend as a mitre. It is fast

As is the tower, rock seated.

GULLCRAMMER.

Thanks, mighty baron, now no more a bare one!— I will be quaint with him, for all his quips. [Aside.

OSWALD.

Nor shall kind Katleen lack Her portion in our happiness.

KATLEEN.

Thanks, my good lord, but Katleen's fate is fix'd-
There is a certain valiant forester,

Too much afear'd of ghosts to sleep anights
In his lone cottage, without one to guard him.-.

LEONARD.

If I forget my comrade's faithful friendship, May I be lost to fortune, hope, and love!

DURWARD.

Peace, all! and hear the blessing which this scroll
Speaks unto faith, and constancy, and virtue.
No more this castle's troubled guest,
Dark Erick's spirit hath found rest.
The storms of angry Fate are past-
For Constancy defies their blast.
Of Devorgoil the daughter free
Shall wed the Heir of Aglionby;
Nor ever more dishonour soil
The rescued house of Devorgoil !

: [MS.-" The storms of angry Fate are past-
Constancy abides their blast.

Of Devorgoil the daughter fair
Shall wed with Dacre's injured heir,
The silver moon of Devorgoil."]

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The Complete Works of Sir Walter Scott: With a Biography, and His ..., Volume 1