DRAMATIC SCENES. 



207 



Disturb'd cool Justice in her judgment-seat, 



By shouting " Innocence!" ere I had finish'd, 



The court enlarged me ; and the giddy rabble 



Bore me, in triumph, home. Ay ! look upon me. 



I know thy sight aches at me. 



WILF. Heaven forgive me ! It may be wrong, but 

 Indeed I pity you. 



SIR E. I disdain* all pity. 

 I ask no consolation. Idle boy ! 

 Think'st thou that this compulsive confidence 

 Was given to move thy pity ? Love of fame 

 (For still I cling to it) has urg'd me, thus, 

 To quash thy curious mischief in its birth. 

 Hurt honor, in an evil, cursed hour, 

 Drove me to MURDER ; LYING; 'twould again. 

 My honesty. sweet peace of mind, all, all, 

 Are barter'd for a NAME. I will maintain it. 

 Should slander whisper o'er my sepulchre, 

 And my soul's agency survive in death, 

 I could" embody it with heaven's lightning, 

 And the hot shaft of my insulted spirit 

 Should strike the blaster of my memory 

 Dead, in the churchyard. Boy, I would not kill thee ; 

 Thy rashness and discernment threaten'd danger ! 



To check them there was no way left but this 



Save one : your death : you shall not be my victim. 



WILF. My death! What, take my life My life! 



to prop 

 This empty honour. 



SIR E. Empty ? tGrovelling fool ! 



WILF. I am your servant, Sir : child of your bounty. 

 And know my obligation. I have been 

 Too curious, haply : 'tis the fault of youth. 

 I ne'er meant injury : if* it would serve you, 

 I would lay down my life; I'd give it freely : 

 Could you, then, have the heart to rob me of it : 

 You could not; should not. 



SIRE. How! 



WILF. You dare not. 



* Strong expression of disdain. f Most contemptuous manner. 



