Page:The Mysterious Mother - Walpole (1781).djvu/41
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A TRAGEDY.
33
At sounds less pow'rful. Last year's 'clipse fell out,
Because your maidens cross'd a gipsy's palm
To know what was become of Beatrice.
Because your maidens cross'd a gipsy's palm
To know what was become of Beatrice.
COUNTESS.
And didst thou dare inform them where she dwells?
And didst thou dare inform them where she dwells?
PORTER.
No, on my duty—true; they think I know;
And so thinks Benedict, your confessor.
He says, she could not pass the castle-gates
Without my privity—Well! I had a talk
To say him nay. The honour of my keys,
My office was at stake. No, father, said I,
None pass the drawbridge without Peter's knowledge.
How then to beat him from his point?—I had it—
Who knows, quoth I, but sudden malady
Took off the damsel? She might, or might not
Have sepulture within the castle-walls—
No, on my duty—true; they think I know;
And so thinks Benedict, your confessor.
He says, she could not pass the castle-gates
Without my privity—Well! I had a talk
To say him nay. The honour of my keys,
My office was at stake. No, father, said I,
None pass the drawbridge without Peter's knowledge.
How then to beat him from his point?—I had it—
Who knows, quoth I, but sudden malady
Took off the damsel? She might, or might not
Have sepulture within the castle-walls—
COUNTESS.
Peace, fool—and thus thy shrewd equivocation
Has stain'd my name with murder's foul suspicion!
—O peace of virtue! thy true votaries
Quail not with ev'ry blast! I cloak my guilt!
Things foreign rise and load me with their blackness.
Erroneous imputation must be borne;
Lest, while unravelling the knotty web,
I lend a clue may vibrate to my heart.
—But who comes here?—retire we and observe.
[They withdraw.
Peace, fool—and thus thy shrewd equivocation
Has stain'd my name with murder's foul suspicion!
—O peace of virtue! thy true votaries
Quail not with ev'ry blast! I cloak my guilt!
Things foreign rise and load me with their blackness.
Erroneous imputation must be borne;
Lest, while unravelling the knotty web,
I lend a clue may vibrate to my heart.
—But who comes here?—retire we and observe.
[They withdraw.
SCENE IV.
FLORIAN, COUNTESS, PORTER.
FLORIAN.
'Tis not far off the time the porter will'd me
Expect him here. My friend, indulging grief,
'Tis not far off the time the porter will'd me
Expect him here. My friend, indulging grief,
Chose