a marriage had been once
Propos'd 'twixt you and Percy?

_Elw._ If he did,
He thought, like you, it was a match of policy,
Nor knew our love surpass'd our fathers' prudence.

_Bir._ Should he now find he was the instrument
Of the Lord Raby's vengeance?

_Elw._ 'Twere most dreadful!
My father lock'd this motive in his breast,
And feign'd to have forgot the chace of Cheviot.
Some moons have now completed their slow course
Since my sad marriage.--Percy still is absent.

_Bir._ Nor will return before his sov'reign comes.

_Elw._ Talk not of his return! this coward heart
Can know no thought of peace but in his absence.
How, Douglas here again? some fresh alarm!

_Enter Douglas, agitated, with letters in his hand._

_Dou._ Madam, your pardon--

_Elw._ What disturbs my lord?

_Dou._ Nothing.--Disturb! I ne'er was more at ease.
These letters from your father give us notice
He will be here to-night:--He further adds,
The king's each hour expected.

_Elw._ How? the king?
Said you, the king?

_Dou._ And 'tis Lord Raby's pleasure
That you among the foremost bid him welcome.
You must attend the court.

_Elw._ Must I, my lord?

_Dou._ Now to observe how she receives the news! [_aside._

_Elw._ I must not,--cannot.--By the tender love
You have so oft profess'd for poor Elwina,
Indulge this one request--O let me stay!

_Dou._ Enchanting sounds! she does not wish to go-- [_aside._

_Elw._ The bustling world, the pomp which waits on greatness,
Ill suits my humble, unambitious soul;--
Then leave me here, to tread the safer path
Of private life; here, where my peaceful course
Shall be as silent as the shades around me;
Nor shall one vagrant wish be e'er allow'd
To stray beyond the bounds of Raby Castle.

_Dou._ O music to my ears! [_aside._] Can you resolve
To hide those wond'rous beauties in the shade,
Which rival kings would cheaply buy with empire?
Can you renounce the pleasures of a court,
Whose roofs resound with minstrelsy and mirth?

_Elw._ My lord, retirement is a wife's best duty,
And virtue's safest station is retreat.

_Dou._ My soul's in transports! [_aside_] But can you forego
What wins the soul of woman--admiration?
A world, where charms inferior far to yours
Only presume to shine when you are absent!
Will you not long to meet the public gaze?
Long to eclipse the fair, and charm the brave?

_Elw._ These are delights in which the mind partakes not.

_Dou._ I'll try her farther.