d with fear?
Go, seek the haughty Scot, and tell him--no--
Conduct me to his presence.

_Elw._ Percy, hold;
Think not 'tis Douglas--'tis--

_Per._ I know it well----
Thou mean'st to tell me 'tis Elwina's husband;
But that inflames me to superior madness.
This happy husband, this triumphant Douglas,
Shall not insult my misery with his bliss.
I'll blast the golden promise of his joys.
Conduct me to him--nay, I will have way--
Come, let us seek this husband.

_Elw._ Percy, hear me.
When I was robb'd of all my peace of mind,
My cruel fortune left me still one blessing,
One solitary blessing, to console me;
It was my fame.--'Tis a rich jewel, Percy,
And I must keep it spotless, and unsoil'd:
But thou wouldst plunder what e'en Douglas spar'd,
And rob this single gem of all its brightness.

_Per._ Go--thou wast born to rule the fate of Percy.
Thou art my conqueror still.

_Elw._ What noise is that?
[_Harcourt goes to the side of the stage._

_Per._ Why art thou thus alarm'd?

_Elw._ Alas! I feel
The cowardice and terrors of the wicked,
Without their sense of guilt.

_Har._ My lord, 'tis Douglas.

_Elw._ Fly, Percy, and for ever!

_Per._ Fly from Douglas?

_Elw._ Then stay, barbarian, and at once destroy
My life and fame.

_Per._ That thought is death. I go:
My honour to thy dearer honour yields.

_Elw._ Yet, yet thou art not gone!

_Per._ Farewell, farewell! [_exit Percy._

_Elw._ I dare not meet the searching eye of Douglas.
I must conceal my terrors.

_Douglas at the side with his sword drawn, Edric holds him._

_Dou._ Give me way.

_Edr._ Thou shalt not enter.

_Dou._ [_struggling with Edric_] If there were no hell,
It would defraud my vengeance of its edge,
And she should live. [_breaks from Edric and comes forward._
Cursed chance! he is not here.

_Elw._ [_going._] I dare not meet his fury.

_Dou._ See she flies
With every mark of guilt.--Go, search the bower,
[_aside to Edric._
He shall not thus escape. Madam, return. [_aloud._
Now, honest Douglas, learn of her to feign. [_aside._
Alone, Elwina? who just parted hence?
[_with affected composure._

_Elw._ My lord, 'twas Harcourt; sure you must have met him.

_Dou._ O exquisite dissembler! [_aside._] No one else!

_Elw._ My lord!

_Dou._ How I enjoy her criminal confusion! [_aside._
You tremble, madam.

_Elw._ Wherefore shoul