whose figure
Resembled much that cold voluptuary,
The villain, Clifford. He hates you, and he knows
Where he can stab you deepest.

MARMADUKE Clifford never
Would stoop to skulk about a Cottage door--
It could not be.

OSWALD And yet I now remember,
That, when your praise was warm upon my tongue,
And the blind Man was told how you had rescued
A maiden from the ruffian violence
Of this same Clifford, he became impatient
And would not hear me.

MARMADUKE No--it cannot be--
I dare not trust myself with such a thought--
Yet whence this strange aversion? You are a man
Not used to rash conjectures--

OSWALD If you deem it
A thing worth further notice, we must act
With caution, sift the matter artfully.

[Exeunt MARMADUKE and OSWALD.]

SCENE--The door of the Hostel

HERBERT, IDONEA, and Host

HERBERT (seated)
As I am dear to you, remember, Child!
This last request.

IDONEA You know me, Sire; farewell!

HERBERT And are you going then? Come, come, Idonea,
We must not part,--I have measured many a league
When these old limbs had need of rest,--and now
I will not play the sluggard.

IDONEA Nay, sit down.
[Turning to Host.
Good Host, such tendance as you would expect
From your own Children, if yourself were sick,
Let this old Man find at your hands; poor Leader,
[_Looking at the dog_.
We soon shall meet again. If thou neglect
This charge of thine, then ill befall thee!--Look,
The little fool is loth to stay behind.
Sir Host! by all the love you bear to courtesy,
Take care of him, and feed the truant well.

HOST Fear not, I will obey you;--but One so young,
And One so fair, it goes against my heart
That you should travel unattended, Lady!--
I have a palfrey and a groom: the lad
Shall squire you, (would it not be better, Sir?)
And for