"204 DRAMATIC SCENES. 



SIR E. Wilf ord, approach me. What am I to say 

 For aiming at your life ? Do you not scorn me, 

 Despise me for it ? 



WILF. I ! Oh, Sir ! 



Sm E. You must ; 



For I am singled from the herd of men, 

 A vile, heart-broken wretch ! 



WILF. Indeed* indeed, Sir, 



You deeply wrong yourself. Your equal's love, 

 The poor man's prayer, the orphan's tear of gratitude, 

 All follow you : and // / owe you ALL ! 

 / am most bound to bless you. 



SIR E. Mark me, Wilford : 



I know the value of the orphan's tear ; 



The poor man's prayer ; respect from the respected ; 



I feel to merit these, and to obtain them, 



Is to taste, here below, that thrilling cordial 



Which the remunerating angel draws 



From the eternal fountain of delight, 



To pour on blessed souls that enter Heaven. 



I FEEL this : I ! How must my nature, then, 



Revolt at him who seeks to stain his hand 



In human blood? and yet, it seems, this day 



I sought your life. Oh ! I have suffer'd madness ! 



None know my tortures, pangs ! but I can end them -, 



End them as tar as appertains to thee . 



I have resolv'd it. Hell-born struggles tear me : 

 But I have ponder'd on't, and I must trust thee. 



WILF. Your confidence shall not be 



SIR E. You must SWEAR. 



WILF. Swear, Sir ! will nothing but an oath, then 



SIR E. Listen. 



Mayf all the ills that wait on frail humanity 

 Be doubled on your head, if you disclose 

 My fatal secret ! May your body turn 

 Most /rtzar-like and loathsome ; and your mind 

 More loathsome than your body ! May those 'fiends, 

 Who strangle babes, for very wantonness, 



* Most emphatic manner. 



f This imprecation requires the most earnest delivery, with the 

 greatest degree of solemnity. 



