Must never come before a mortal judgmentseat,

Or be chastised by mortal instruments. Mar. A thought that's worth a thousand worlds! [Goes towards the dungeon. Osw. I grieve That, in my zeal, I have caused you so much pain.

Mar. Think not of that! 't is over-we are safe.

Osw. (as if to himself, yet speaking aloud). The truth is hideous, but how stifle it? [Turning to Marmaduke. Give me your sword - nay, here are stones and fragments,

The least of which would beat out a man's brains;

Or you might drive your head against that

Hark'e, my Friends;[Appearing ga Were there a Man who, being weak an

I could forgive him.

Mar. (going on). And should he make

the Child

An instrument of falsehood, should he teach

her

To stretch her arms, and dim the gladsome light

Of infant playfulness with piteous looks
Of misery that was not

Lacy.

But in a world like ours

Troth, 't is hard

Even while he printed kisses on the cheek Of this poor Babe, and taught its innocent tongue

To lisp the name of Father-could he look To the unnatural harvest of that time When he should give her up, a Woman

grown,

To him who bid the highest in the market Of foul pollution

Her bonds and chains, which make the mighty feeble.

We recognize in this old Man a victim Prepared already for the sacrifice. Lacy. By heaven, his words are reason! Osw. Yes, my Friends, His countenance is meek and venerable; And, by the Mass, to see him at his prayers!

I am of flesh and blood, and may I perish When my heart does not ache to think of it!

Poor Victim! not a virtue under heaven But what was made an engine to ensnare

thee; But yet I trust, Idonea, thou art safe. Lacy. Idonea!

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We will have ample justice. Who are we, Friends? Do we not live on ground

Where Souls are self-defended, free to grow

Like mountain oaks rocked by the stormy wind.

Mark the Almighty Wisdom, which decreed This monstrous crime to be laid open

here,

Where Reason has an eye that she can use, And Men alone are Umpires. To the Camp

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He shall be led, and there, the Country round

All gathered to the spot, in open day
Shall Nature be avenged.

Osw. "Tis nobly thought; His death will be a monument for ages. Mar. (to Lacy). I thank you for that hint. He shall be brought

Before the Camp, and would that best and wisest

Of every country might be present. There, His crime shall be proclaimed; and for the rest

It shall be done as Wisdom shall decide: Meanwhile, do you two hasten back and 580

see

That all is well prepared.

Wal. We will obey you. (Aside.) But softly! we must look a little

And all particulars that dull brains require
To constitute the spiritless shape of Fact,
They bow to, calling the idol, Demonstra
tion.

A whipping to the Moralists who preach
That misery is a sacred thing: for me,
I know no cheaper engine to degrade

Osw. But hear the proofs

Mar. Ay, prove that when two pe Lie snugly in a pod, the pod must then Be larger than the peas-prove this't were matter

Worthy the hearing. Fool was I to drea It ever could be otherwise!