LD.]
We propped his steps, he leaned upon us both.

OSWALD Ay, we are coupled by a chain of adamant;
Let us be fellow-labourers, then, to enlarge
Man's intellectual empire. We subsist
In slavery; all is slavery; we receive
Laws, but we ask not whence those laws have come;
We need an inward sting to goad us on.

MARMADUKE Have you betrayed me? Speak to that.

OSWALD The mask,
Which for a season I have stooped to wear,
Must be cast off.--Know then that I was urged,
(For other impulse let it pass) was driven,
To seek for sympathy, because I saw
In you a mirror of my youthful self;
I would have made us equal once again,
But that was a vain hope. You have struck home,
With a few drops of blood cut short the business;
Therein for ever you must yield to me.
But what is done will save you from the blank
Of living without knowledge that you live:
Now you are suffering--for the future day,
'Tis his who will command it.--Think of my story--
Herbert is _innocent_.

MARMADUKE (in a faint voice, and doubtingly)
You do but echo
My own wild words?

OSWALD Young Man, the seed must lie
Hid in the earth, or there can be no harvest;
'Tis Nature's law. What I have done in darkness
I will avow before the face of day.
Herbert _is_ innocent.

MARMADUKE What fiend could prompt
This action? Innocent!--oh, breaking heart!--
Alive or dead, I'll find him.

[Exit.]

OSWALD
Alive--perdition!

[Exit.]

SCENE--The inside of a poor Cottage

ELEANOR and IDONEA seated

IDONEA The storm beats hard--Mercy for poor or rich,
Whose heads are shelterless in such a night!

A VOICE WITHOUT
Holla! to bed, good Folks, within!

ELEANOR O save us!

IDONEA What can this mean?

ELEANOR Alas, for my poor husband!--
We'll have a counting of our flock