[_aside._

[_takes her hand, and looks stedfastly at her as he speaks._

But reflect once more:
When you shall hear that England's gallant peers,
Fresh from the fields of war, and gay with glory,
All vain with conquest, and elate with fame,
When you shall hear these princely youths contend,
In many a tournament, for beauty's prize;
When you shall hear of revelry and masking,
Of mimic combats and of festive halls,
Of lances shiver'd in the cause of love,
Will you not then repent, then wish your fate,
Your happier fate, had till that hour reserv'd you
For some plumed conqueror?

_Elw._ My fate, my lord,
Is now bound up with yours.

_Dou._ Here let me kneel--
Yes, I will kneel, and gaze, and weep, and wonder;
Thou paragon of goodness!--pardon, pardon, [_kisses her hand._
I am convinc'd--I can no longer doubt,
Nor talk, nor hear, nor reason, nor reflect.
--I must retire, and give a loose to joy. [_exit Douglas._

_Bir._ The king returns.

_Elw._ And with him Percy comes!

_Bir._ You needs must go.

_Elw._ Shall I solicit ruin,
And pull destruction on me ere its time?
I, who have held it criminal to name him?
I will not go--I disobey thee, Douglas,
But disobey thee to preserve thy honour. [_exeunt._

ACT THE SECOND.

SCENE I. THE HALL.

_Enter Douglas, speaking._

See that the traitor instantly be seiz'd,
And strictly watch'd: let none have access to him.--
O jealousy, thou aggregate of woes!
Were there no hell, thy torments would create one.
But yet she may be guiltless--may? she must.
How beautiful she look'd! pernicious beauty!
Yet innocent as bright seem'd the sweet blush
That mantled on her cheek. But not for me,
But not for me, those breathing roses blow!
And then she wept--What! can I bear her tears?
Well--let her weep--her tears are for another;
O did they fall for me, to dry their streams
I'd drain the choicest blood that feeds this heart,
Nor think the drops I shed were half so precious.
[_he stands in a musing posture._

_Enter Lord Raby._

_Raby._ Sure I mistake--am I in Raby Castle?
Impossible; that was the seat of smiles;
And Cheerfulness and Joy were household gods.
I us'd to scatter pleasures when I came,
And every servant shar'd his lord's delight;
But now Suspicion and Distrust dwell here,
And Discontent maintains a sullen sway.
Where is the smile unfeign'd, the jovial welcome,
Which cheer'd the sad, beguil'd the pilgrim's