PRELUDE. On which, in ancient times, a Cross was rear'd, Carved o'er with words which foil'd philologists; And the events it did commemorate Were dark, remote, and undistinguishable As were the mystic characters it bore. NAY, smile not, Lady, when I speak! But, mark,—a wizard, born on Avon's I mean that rough-hewn block of Now, or in after days, beside that stone, And accents which, once heard, the ear forgets not, Though ne'er again to list them. Siddons, thine, Canst thou not spare an ave or a creed? Or hath the steep ascent exhausted you? Thou matchless Siddons! thrill upon You trode it stoutly, though 'twas our ear; And on our eye thy lofty Brother's form Rises as Scotland's monarch. But, to thee, Joanna, why to thee speak of such visions ? Thine own wild wand can raise them. rough and toilsome. WAL. I have trode a rougher. NIN. On the Highland hillsScarcely within our sea-girt province here, Unless upon the Lomonds or Benarty. WAL. I spoke not of the literal path, good father, Yet since thou wilt an idle tale of But of the road of life which I have mine, Take one which scarcely is of worth the task; travell'd, Ere I assumed this habit; it was bounded, Hedged in, and limited by earthly prospects, As ours beneath was closed by dell and thicket. Here we see wide and far, and the broad sky, With wide horizon, opens full around, If otherwise, the fault rests with the While earthly objects dwindle. Broauthor. SCENE I. The summit of a Rocky Pass near to Newburgh, about two miles from the ancient Abbey of Lindores, in Fife. In the centre is MacDuff's Cross, an antique monument; and, at a small distance, on one side, a Chapel, with a lamp burning. Enter, as having ascended the Pass, NINIAN and WALDHAVE, Monks of Lindores. NINIAN crosses himself, and seems to recite his devotions. WALDHAVE stands gazing on the prospect, as if in deep contemplation. NIN. Here stands the Cross, good brother, consecrated By the bold Thane unto his patron saint, Magridius, once a brother of our house. ther Ninian, Fain would I hope that mental elevation Could raise me equally o'er worldly thoughts, And place me nearer heaven. NIN. 'Tis good morality. But yet That though we look on heaven from forget not, Yet doth the Prince of all the airy space, this high eminence, Arch foe of man, possess the realms between. WAL. Most true, good brother; and men may be farther From the bright heaven they aim at, even because They deem themselves secure on't. NIN. (after a pause). You do gaze— Strangers are wont to do so-on the prospect. Yon is the Tay roll'd down from Highland hills, Proud Stirling rises; yonder to the Know then, when fell Macbeth be east, neath the arm Dundee, the gift of God; and fair Of the predestined knight, unborn of And still more northward lie the Three boons the victor ask'd, and ancient towers WAL. Of Edzell. NIN. How? know you the towers of Edzell? WAL. I've heard of them. NIN. Then have you heard a tale, Which when he tells, the peasant shakes his head, And shuns the mouldering and deserted walls. WAL. Why, and by whom, deserted? NIN. Long the tale. Enough to say that the last Lord of Edzell, Bold Louis Lindesay, had a wife, and found WAL. Enough is said, indeed,— since a weak woman, Ay, and a tempting fiend, lost Paradise, When man was innocent. NIN. They fell at strife, Men say, on slight occasion; that That first when Scotland's King assumes the crown, MacDuff's descendant rings his brow with it; And hence, when Scotland's King calls forth his host, MacDuff's descendant leads the van in battle; And last, in guerdon of the crown restored, Red with the blood of the usurping tyrant, The right was granted in succeeding time, That if a kinsman of the Thane of Fife Commit a slaughter on a sudden impulse, And fly for refuge to this Cross MacDuff, For the Thane's sake he shall find sanctuary; For here must the avenger's step be Did by a vision warn the Abbot Controll'd his waves soon as they bickering Among the neighbouring nobles, now WAL. should chance require me. most likely From this return of Berkeley from At midnight I relieve you on your abroad, Having the Lindesay's blood upon When we may taste together some his hand. refreshment: watch, WAL. The Lindesay, then, was I have cared for it; and for a flask of loved among his friends? NIN. Honour'd and fear'd he was -but little loved; For even his bounty bore a show of sternness; And when his passions waked, he was a Sathan Of wrath and injury. WAL. How now, Sir Priest ! (fiercely-forgive me (recol. wine There is no sin, so that we drink it not Until the midnight hour, when lauds have toll'd. Farewell a while, and peaceful watch be with you! [Exit towards the Chapel. WAL. It is not with me, and alas! alas ! lecting himself-I was dreaming I know not where to seek it. This Of an old baron, who did bear about him Some touch of your Lord Reynold. NIN. Lindesay's name, my brother, Indeed was Reynold;-and methinks, moreover, That, as you spoke even now, he would have spoken. I brought him a petition from our convent : He granted straight, but in such tone and manner, monk's mind Is with his cloister match'd, nor lacks more room. Its petty duties, formal ritual, Fill up his round of life; even as some reptiles, They say, are moulded to the very shape, And all the angles of the rocky crevice, By my good saint! I thought myself In which they live and die. But for Must stop his bloody course, e'en as I heard their tread when kneeling in NIN. He comes! Thou art a novice on this watch, Brother, I'll take the word and speak to him. Pluck down thy cowl; know that we spiritual champions Have honour to maintain, and must not seem To quail before the laity. [WALDHAVE lets down his cowl, and steps back. Enter MAURICE BERKELEY. BER. I claim the privilege of Clan My name is Maurice Berkeley, and my lineage Allies me nearly with the Thane of Fife. NIN. Give us to know the cause of sanctuary? BER. Let him show it Against whose violence I claim the privilege. Enter LINDESAY, with his sword drawn. He rushes at BERKELEY; NINIAN interposes. NIN. Peace, in the name of Saint Peace, in our Prior's name, and in Keeps the advantage still. They To sheathe thy sword, and stir no How's this?-that look that mien- This is my brother's sword; the hand |