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Thro' skies where I could count each little star.
The fanning west wind scarcely stirs the leaves!
The river, rushing o'er its pebbled bed,
Imposes silence with a stilly sound,
In such a place as this, at such an hour,
If ancestry can be in ought believed,
Descending spirits have convers'd with man,
And told the secrets of the world unknown,

Enter Old NORVAL.

Old Nor. 'Tis he. But what if he should chide me

hence?

His just reproach I fear.

Forgive, forgive,

[Douglas turns aside and sees him.

Canst thou forgive the man, the selfish man,
Who bred Sir Malcolm's heir, a shepherd's son ?

Doug. Kneel not to me; thou art my father still:
Thy wish'd-for presence now completes my joy. 20
Welcome to me; my fortunes thou shalt share,
And ever honour'd with thy Douglas live.

Old Nor. And dost thou call me father; Oh, my son!

I think that I could die, to make amends

For the great wrong I did thee. 'Twas my crime
Which in the wilderness so long conceal'd
The blossom of thy youth.

Doug. Not worse the fruit,

That in the wilderness the blossom blow'd.
Amongst the shepherds, in the humble cot,
I learn'd some lessons, which I'll not forget
When I inhabit yonder lofty towers.

I, who was once a swain, will ever prove
The poor man's friend; and when my vassals bow,
Norval shall smooth the crested pride of Douglas.

Nor. Let me but live to see thine exaltation!
Yet grievous are my fears. Oh, leave this place,
And those unfriendly towers!

Doug. Why should I leave them?

Nor. Lord Randolph and his kinsman seek your life. Doug. How know'st thou that?

Old Nor. I will inform you how :

When evening came, I left the secret place
Appointed for me by your mother's care,
And fondly trod in each accustom'd path
That to the castle leads. Whilst thus I rang'd,
I was alarm'd with unexpected sounds
Of earnest voices. On the persons came.
Unseen I lurk'd, and overheard them name
Each other as they talk'd, lord Randolph this,
And that Glenalvon. Still of you they spoke,
And of the lady; threat'ning was their speech,
Tho' but imperfectly my ear could hear it.
'Twas strange, they said, a wonderful discov'ry :
And ever and anon they vow'd revenge,

Doug. Revenge! for what?

Old Nor. For being what you are,

Sir Malcolm's heir: how else have you offended?
When they were gone, I hied me to my cottage,
And there sat musing how I best might find
Means to inform you of their wicked purpose,
But I could think of none.

At last, perplex'd,

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I will not bear myself as I resolv'd.

But yet consider, as no vulgar name,

That which I boast, sounds amongst martial men,
How will inglorious caution suit my claim?
The post of fate unshrinking I maintain.
My country's foes must witness who I am.
On the invaders' heads I'll prove my birth,
'Till friends and foes confess the genuine strain.
If in this strife I fall, blame not your son,

Who, if he lives not honour'd, must not live.

Lady R. I will not utter what my bosom feels. Too well I love that valour which I warn. Farewel, my son! my counsels are but vain,

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[Embracing.

And as high Heav'n hath will'd it, all must be.

[Separate.

Gaze not on me, thou wilt mistake the path;

I'll point it out again.

[Just as they are separating,

Enter from the wood Lord RANDOLPH and GLENALVON.

Lord R. Not in her presence.

Now

Glen. I'm prepar'd.

Lord R. No: I command thee stay.

I go alone: it never shall be said

That I took odds to combat mortal man.

The noblest vengeance is the most compleat.

Exit.

[GLENALVON makes some steps to the same side of the stage, listens and speaks.

Glen. Demons of death come settle on my sword,

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And to a double slaughter guide it home!

The lover and the husband both must die.

Lord R. [Behind the scenes.] Draw, villain! draw! Doug [Without.] Assail me not, lord Randolph; Not as thou lov'st thyself. [Clashing of swords.

Glen. [Running out.] Now is the time.

Enter Lady RANDOLPH, at the opposite side of the stage, faint and breathless.

Lady R. Lord Randolph, hear me; all shall be

thine own!

But spare! Oh, spare my son!

Enter DOUGLAS, with a sword in each hand.

Doug. My mother's voice!

I can protect thee still.

Lady R. He lives, he lives;

For this, for this to Heav'n eternal praise !
But sure I saw thee fall.

Doug. It was Glenalvon,

Just as my arm had master'd Randolph's sword,
The villain came behind me; but I slew him.

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Lady R. Behind thee! ah! thou'rt wounded! Oh, my child,

How pale thou look'st! And shall I lose thee now ?

Doug. Do not despair: I feel a little faintness; [Leans upon his sword.

I hope it will not last.

Lady R. There is no hope!`

And we must part! The hand of death is on thee!

Oh! my beloved child! O Douglas, Douglas!

[DOUGLAS growing more and more faint. Doug. Too soon we part: I have not long been Douglas ;

O destiny! hardly thou deal'st with me ;
Clouded and hid, a stranger to myself,
In low and poor obscurity I've liv'd.

Lady R. Has Heav'n preserv'd thee for an end like
this?

Doug. Oh! had I fall'n as my brave fathers fell, Turning with fatal arm the tide of battle!

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'Like them I should have smil'd and welcom'd death: But thus to perish by a villain's hand!

Cut off from nature's and from glory's course,
Which never mortal was so fond to run.

Lady R. Hear justice; hear! stretch thy avenging

arm.

[DOUGLAS falls.

Doug. Unknown I die; no tongue shall speak of me. Some noble spirits, judging by themselves

May yet conjecture what I might have prov'd,
And think life only wanting to my fame :
But who shall comfort thee?

Lady R. Despair, despair!

Doug. Oh, had it pleas'd high Heav'n to let me live A little while!my eyes that gaze on thee Grow dim apace! my mother-O! my mother! [Dies.

Enter Lord RANDOLPH and ANNA.

Lord R. Thy words, thy words of truth, have pierc'd my heart;

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