THE LOST MAIDEN MORDENT-LENOX. Mor. We are now in private. Len I am glad we are. Mor. And now, sir, I insist on a clear and explicit answer. I find Joanna ? Where may Len. Nay, sir, where may I find Joanna? Mor. Mr. Lenox, I will not be trifled with; where is she? Len. Nor will I be trifled with, Mr. Mordent: I say where Is she? The contrivance was your own. I know you. The moment you set your eyes on her, you began your treacherous plots to secure her affections; and, when you found I would not resign mine at your persuasion, you put them in practice, while you treacherously pretended to secure her to me. I tell you, I know you. Mor. This will not serve, sir; it is all evasion. Ler. Ay, sir, it is evasion! cunning, cruel, base evasion! and I affirm she is in your possession. Mor. Mr. Lenox, I am at this moment a determined and desperate man, and must be answered. I Where is she? Len. Sir, I am as determined and desperate as yourself, and say where is she? For you alone can tell. Mor. 'T is false ! Len. False? Mor. Ay, false ! Len. (Going up to him.) He is the falsest of the false that dares whisper such a word. Mor. Hark ye, sir! I understand your meaning, and came purposely provided. (Draws a pair of pistols.) choice; they are loaded. Len. Oh with all my heart! Come, sir! Mor. (Placing himself.) Foot to foot! Len. (Both presenting.) Muzzle to muzzle! Mor. Why don't you fire? Len. Why don't you unlock your pistol? Mor. (After unlocking it.) There! Len. Why do you turn it out of the line? Take your (Pause.) I see your intention. Mordent, you are tired of life and want me to murder you. Hang it, man, that is not treating your friend like Kill me if you will, but don't make me your assassin. a friend Mor. Nay, kill me, or tell me where I may find the wretched Joanna. Len. Fiends seize me, if I can tell you! I know not where, or what is become of her. Mor. Your behavior tells me you are sincere; and to convince you at once that I am no less so, know- she is my daughter. Len. Your daughter! I'll seek the world through with you to find her. Forgive me! Mor. Would I could forgive myself! Len. But it seems then, she has escaped, and is perhaps in safety. Mor Oh! that she were! Let us retire. HOLCRAFT THE HAKON JARL. HAKONERLING. (Hakon enters, leading his son Erling by the hand.) Erl. 'Tis cold, my father! Hak. 'Tis yet early morning. Art thou so very chill? I shall behold the rising sun - how grand! A sight that I have never known before. Hak. Seest thou yon ruddy streaks along the east? Erl. What roses! how they bloom and spread on high ! Yet father, tell me whence come all these pearls, Wherewith the valley here is richly strewn ? How brightly they reflect the rosy light! Hak. They are not pearls, it is the morning dew And that which thou deemest roses, is the sun! Seest thou? he rises now. Look at him, boy! Erl. Oh! what a beauteous whirling globe he seem3. How fiery red! Dear father, can we never Visit the sun in yonder distant land? Hak. My child, our whole life thitherward is tending, That flaming ball of light is Odin's eye His other is the moon, of milder light, That he just now has left in Mimer's well, Hak. The sacred ocean That is old Mimer's deep and potent well. That strengthens Odin's eyes. From the cool waves, The moon again by night. Erl. But now it hurts me It mounts too high. Hak. Upon his golden throne, The almighty father mounts, soon to survey The whole wide earth. The central diamond In his meridian crown, our earthly sight May not contemplate. What man darest to meet The unveiled aspect of the king of day? Erl. (Terrified.) Hu! hu! my father-in the fores What are those bearded, frightful men? Hak. Fear not They are the statues of the gods, by men Thus hewn in marble. [yonder They blind not with sun-gleams. Before them we can pray with confidence, And look upon them with untroubled firmness. Erl. No, my father! I am afraid-seest thou that old man there! Hak. Child, it is Odin Erl. No-no wouldst thou fly from Odin? I fear not the great king in heaven He is so good and beautiful, and calls The flowers from earth's bosom, and himself shines Like a flower on high; - but that pale sorcerer He grins like an assassin ! Hak. Ha! Erl. Father, At least let me bring my crown of flowers. I left it there on the hedge, when first Thou broughtest me hither to see the sun rise. Then let us go home; Believe me that old ran there means no good! Hak. Go bring thy wreath, and quickly come again, A lamb for sacrifice is ever crowned. (Exit Erling.) Immortal powers! Behold the faith of Hakon in this deed. (Re-enter Erling.) Erl. Here am I father, and here 's the crown, Hak. Yet Ere thou goest, my child, kneel down before Great Odin. Stretch thy hands both up to heaven, Paternal bosom." (He kneels, stretching his arms out toward the sun, and says with childish innocence and simplicity,) El. Oh! Great Odin, hear Little Erling! as thy child receive him To thy paternal bosom. (Hakon, who stands behind, draws his dagger, and intends to stab him, but it drops out of his hand; Erling turns round quietly, takes it up, and says as he rises,) Here it is Your dagger, father: 't is so bright and sharp! When I grow taller I will have one too, Thee to defend against thy enemies. Hak. Ha! what enchanter with such words assists To move thy father's heart? Erl. How's this, my father? You are not angry, sure! What have I done? Hak. Come Erling! follow me behind that statue! Hak. Yet listen! There are red roses blooming there, not white - To see them shooting forth. Come then, my child! I do not love red roses. Hak. Come, I say. Hearest thou not Hemidal's cock! He crows and crows. ANONYMOUS Att. A stranger craves admittance to your highness. Att. That I know not Enveloped in a vestment of strange form, Att. Thy royal brother. Sal. Bring him instantly. -- (Exit Attendant.) Now with his specious, smooth, persuasive tongue, Fraught with some wily subterfuge, he thinks (Enter Attendant, and Malek Adhel.) Sal. Leave us together. (Exit Attendant.) (Aside.) I shoul Now summon all thy fortitude, my soul. [know that torn. Nor, though thy blood cry for him, spare the guilty. (Aloud.) Well, stranger, speak; but first unveil thyself, For Saladin must view the form that fronts him. Mal. Ad. Behold it, then! Sal. I see a traitor's visage. Sal. No Saladin owns no kindred with a villain. Mal. Ad. Oh, patience, heaven! Had any tongue but thi Uttered that word, it ne'er should speak another. Sal. And why not now? Can this heart be more pierced By Malek Adhel's sword than by his deeds? Oh, thou hast made a desert of this bosom ! For open candor, planted sly disguise; For confidence, suspicion; and the glow Of generous friendship, tenderness, and love, For ever banished. Whither can I turn, When he by blood, by gratitude, by faith, By every tie bound to support, forsakes me ? Who, who can stand, when Malek Adhel falls? Henceforth I turn me from the sweets of love, The smiles of friendship and this glorious world, In which all find some heart to rest upon, I am thy brother, then; but late thou saidst - Sal. Was it traitor? True— Thou hast betrayed me in my fondest hopes. Thinkest thou I'm softened? By Mohammed, these hands Should crush these aching eyeballs, ere a tear Fall from them at thy fate! Oh monster, monster ! Is excellent to thee, for in his form |