Unseen, unheard, by human eye or ear, I will amaze thee with a wondrous tale. Nor. Let there be danger, lady, with the secret, That I may hug it to my grateful heart, And prove my faith. Command my sword, my life: These are the sole possessions of poor Norval. I'd Lady R. Know'st thou these gems ? Nor. Durst I believe mine eyes say father's. I knew them, and they were my Lady R. Thy father's, say'st thou? Ah, they were thy father's! Nor. I saw them once, and curiously enquired Of both my parents, whence such splendor came. But I was check'd, and more could never learn. Lady R. Then learn of me; thou art not Norval's son. Nor. Not Norval's son ! Lady R. Nor of a shepherd sprung. Nor. Lady, who am I then? Lady R. Noble thou art, For noble was thy sire. Nor. I will believe Oh, tell me farther! Say, who was my father? Lady R. Douglas! Nor. Lord Douglas, whom to-day I saw ? Lady R. His younger brother. Nor. And in yonder camp ? Lady R. Alas! Nor. You make me tremble-Sighs and tears! Lives my brave father? Lady R. Ah, too brave indeed! He fell in battle ere thyself was born. Nor. Ah, me unhappy, ere I saw the light! But does my mother live? I my conclude, From my own fate, her portion has been sorrow. Lady R. She lives: but wastes her life in constant woe, Weeping her husband slain, her infant lost. Nor. You, that are skill'd so well in the sad story Of my unhappy parents, and with tears Bewail their destiny, now have compassion Upon the offspring of the friends you loved. Oh, tell me who and where my mother is ! Oppress'd by a base world, perhaps she bends Beneath the weight of other ills than grief, And, desolate, implores of heaven the aid Her son should give. It is, it must be soYour countenance confesses that she is wretched! Oh, tell me her condition! Can the swordWho shall resist me in a parent's cause? Lady R. Thy virtue ends her woe-] son! Nor. Art thou my mother? -My son! my Lady R. I am thy mother, and the wife of Douglas! [Falls upon his neck. Nor. Oh, heaven and earth! how wondrous is my fate! Ever let me kneel! Lady R. Image of Douglas! fruit of fatal love! Nor. Respect and admiration still possess me, Lady R. Arise, my son. In me thou dost behold 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 lengthen'd tale Of all thy father's and thy mother's woes. At present this Thou art the rightful heir Which now Lord Randolph, as my husband, holds. To right thee still. Before the king I'll kneel, Nor. The blood of Douglas will protect itself. To wrest thy lands and lordship from the gripe Nor. To be the son of Douglas is to me 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, Of private conference. Its purport mark; Leave me, my son; and frame thy manners still D Nor. I will remember. Where is Norval now, That good old man ? Lady R. At hand conceal'd he lies, An useful witness. But beware, my son, Lady R. There burst the smother'd flame.- How do bad women find Enter LORD RANDOLPH and GLENALVON. Lord R. Yon gallant chief, Of arms enamour'd, all repose disclaims. [Exit. 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 Heaven! her mien, 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, the acquaintance of a day, This assignation, [Shews a letter.] the assassin freed, Might breed suspicions in a husband's brain. Whose heart he knows he has not; though she brings For let her seem, like the night's shadowy queen, 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. This billet must to blooming Norval go: At the next turn awaits my trusty spy; I'll give it him refitted for his master. In the close thicket take your secret stand; 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, |