rote a short essay, illustrative of that
constitution and those tendencies of human nature which make the
apparently 'motiveless' actions of bad men intelligible to careful
observers. This was partly done with reference to the character of
Oswald, and his persevering endeavour to lead the man he disliked into
so heinous a crime; but still more to preserve in my distinct
remembrance, what I had observed of transitions in character, and the
reflections I had been led to make, during the time I was a witness of
the changes through which the French Revolution passed.--I. F.]

'The Borderers' was first published in the 1842 edition of
"Poems, chiefly of Early and Late Years." In 1845, it was
placed in the class of "Poems written in Youth."--Ed.

DRAMATIS PERSONAE

MARMADUKE. \
OSWALD. |
WALLACE. |- Of the Band of
LACY. | Borderers.
LENNOX. |
HERBERT. /

WILFRED, Servant to MARMADUKE.
Host.
Forester.
ELDRED, a Peasant.
Peasant, Pilgrims, etc.

IDONEA.
Female Beggar.
ELEANOR, Wife to ELDRED.

SCENE--Borders of England and Scotland

TIME--The Reign of Henry III.

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.

WALLACE 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.

WALLACE I have heard
Of some dark deed to which in early life
His passion drove him--then a Voyager
Upon the midland Sea. You knew his bearing
In Palestine?

LACY Where he despised alike
Mohammedan and Christian. But enough;
Let us begone--the Band may else be foiled.

[Exeun