The pains and plagues that on our heads came Some mighty gulf of separation past, I seemed transported to another world; A thought resigned with pain, when from the mast The impatient mariner the sail unfurled, home And from all hope I was for ever hurled. XLI. And oft I thought (my fancy was so strong) XLII. No help I sought; in sorrow turned adrift, XLIII. So passed a second day; and, when the third Was come, I tried in vain the crowd's resort. --In deep despair, by frightful wishes stirred, Near the sea-side I reached a ruined fort; There, pains which nature could no more support, With blindness linked, did on my vitals fall; Borne to a hospital, I lay with brain Of looks where common kindness had no part, Have I." She ceased, and weeping turned away; As if because her tale was at an end, And groans which, as they said, might make a She wept; because she had no more to say dead man start. Through tears the rising sun I oft have viewed, Through tears have seen him towards that world descend Where my poor heart lost all its fortitude: Of that perpetual weight which on her spirit lay. Within himself he said-What hearts have we! The blessing this a father gives his child! Suffering not doing ill-fate far more mild. Three years a wanderer now my course I bend-Yet happy thou, poor boy! compared with me, Oh! tell me whither-for no earthly friend B Readers already acquainted with my Poems will recognise, in the following composition, some eight or ten lines which I have not scrupled to retain in the places where they originally stood. It is proper, however, to add, that they would not have been used elsewhere, if I had foreseen the time when I might be induced to publish this Tragedy. February 28, 1842. ACT I. SCENE-Road in a Wood. WALLACE and LACY. Lacy. The Troop will be impatient; let us hie Back to our post, and strip the Scottish Foray Of their rich Spoil, ere they recross the Border. -Pity that our young Chief will have no part In this good service. Wal. Rather let us grieve That, in the undertaking which has caused His absence, he hath sought, whate'er his aim, Companionship with One of crooked ways, From whose perverted soul can come no good To our confiding, open-hearted, Leader. Lacy. True; and, remembering how the Band have proved That Oswald finds small favour in our sight, Well may we wonder he has gained such power Over our much-loved Captain. Wal. I have heard Of some dark deed to which in early life Lacy. Where he despised alike Enter MARMADUKE and WILFRED. Wil. Be cautious, my dear Master! Mar. I perceive |