Upon the hunter's spear.

Lord R. 'Tis shrewdly thought.

Glen. When we grow loud, draw near.

lord

His rising wrath restrain.

'Tis strange, by Heav'n!

But let my

[Exit Randolph.

That she should run full tilt her fond career
To one so little known. She too that seem'd
Pure as the winter stream, when ice emboss'd,
Whitens its course. Even I did think her chaste,
Whose charity exceeds not. Precious sex!

Whose deeds lascivious pass Glenalvon's thoughts!

Enter NORVAL.

His port I love; he's in a proper mood
To chide the thunder, if at him it roar'd.

Has Norval seen the troops?

Nor. The setting sun

340 [Aside.

With yellow radiance lighten'd all the vale;
And as the warriors mov'd each polish'd helm,
Corslet, or spear, glanc'd back his gilded beams.
The hill they climb'd, and halting at its top,
Of more than mortal size, tow'ring, they seem'd
An host angelic, clad in burning arms.

Glen. Thou talk'st it well; no leader of our host
In sounds more lofty speaks of glorious war.
Nor. If I shall e'er acquire a leader's name,
My speech will be less ardent. Novelty
Now prompts my tongue, and youthful admiration
Vents itself freely; since no part is mine

Of praise pertaining to the great in arms.

Glen. You wrong yourself, brave Sir; your martial

deeds

Have rank'd you with the great. But mark me,
Norval;

Lord Randolph's favour now exalts your youth
Above his veterans of famous service.

360

Let me, who know these soldiers, counsel you.
Give them all honour: seem not to command;
Else they will scarcely brook your late sprung power,
Which nor alliance props, nor birth adorns.

Nor. Sir, I have been accustomed all my days
To hear and speak the plain and simple truth:
And tho' I have been told that there are men
Who borrow friendship's tongue to speak their scorn,
Yet in such language I am little skill'd.
Therefore I thank Glenalvon for his counsel,

Although it sounded harshly. Why remind
Me of my birth obscure? Why slur my power
With such contemptuous terms?

Glen. I did not mean

To gall your pride, which now I see is great.
Nor. My pride!

Glen. Suppress it, as you wish to prosper.
Your pride's excessive. Yet, for Randolph's sake,
I will not leave you to its rash direction.

If thus you swell, and frown at high-born men, 380 Will high-born men endure a shepherd's scorn?

Nor. A shepherd's scorn!

Glen. Yes; if you presume

To bend on soldiers these disdainful eyes,

What will become of you?

Nor. If this were told!.

Hast thou no fears for thy presumptuous self?

Glen. Ha! dost thou threaten me?

Nor. Didst thou not hear?

Glen. Unwillingly I did; a nobler foe

[Aside.

Had not been question'd thus. But such as theeNor. Whom dost thou think me?

Glen. Norval.

Nor. So I am

And who is Norval in Glenalvon's eyes?

Glen. A peasant's son, a wandering beggar.boy; At best no more, even if he speaks the truth.

Nor. False as thou art, dost thou suspect my truth? Glen. Thy truth! thou'rt all a lie: and false as hell Is the vain-glorious tale thou told'st to Randolph. Nor. If I were chain'd, unarm'd, and bed-rid old, Perhaps I should revile; but as I am,

402

I have no tongue to rail. The humble Norval
Is of a race who strive not but with deeds.
Did I not fear to freeze thy shallow valour,
And make thee sink too soon beneath my sword,
I'd tell thee-what thou art. I know thee well.
Glen. Dost thou not know Głenalvon, born to com-
mand

Ten thousand slaves like thee

Nor. Villain, no more!

Draw and defend thy life. I did design

To have defy'd thee in another cause;

But Heav'n accelerates its vengeance on thee.
Now for my own and lady Randolph's wrongs.

Enter Lord RANDOLPH.

Lord R. Hold, I command you both. The man that stirs

Makes me his foe.

Nor. Another voice than thine

That threat had vainly sounded, noble Randolph. Glen. Hear him, my Lord; he's wond'rous conde

scending!

Mark the humility of shepherd Norval!

Nor. Now you may scoff in safety.

Lord R. Speak not thus,

420

[Sheaths his Sword.

Taunting each other; but unfold to me

The cause of quarrel, then I judge betwixt you.
Nor. Nay, my good Lord, tho' I revere you much,
My cause I plead not, nor demand your judgment.
I blush to speak; I will not, cannot speak

Th' opprobrious words that I from him have borne.
To the liege-lord of my dear native land
I owe a subject's homage: but ev'n him
And his high arbitration I'd reject.
Within my bosom reigns another lord;
Honour, sole judge, and umpire of itself.
If my free speech offend you, noble Randolph,
Revoke your favours, and let Norval go

Hence as he came, alone, but not dishonour'd.

Lord R. Thus far I'll mediate with impartial voice: The ancient foe of Caledonia's land

Now waves his banners o'er her frighted fields.
Suspend your purpose till your country's arms
Repel the bold invader: then decide

The private quarrel.

Glen. I agree to this.

Nor. And I.

440

Enter Servant.

Ser. The banquet waits.

Lord R. We come.

Glen. Norval,

(Exit with Servant.

Let not our variance mar the social hour,

Nor wrong the hospitality of Randolph.
Nor frowning anger, nor yet wrinkled hate,
Shall stain my countenance. Sooth thou thy brow;
Nor let our strife disturb the gentle dame.

Nor. Think not so lightly, Sir, of my resentment. When we contend again, our strife is mortal. [Exeunt.

ACT V. SCENE I.

Enter DOUGLAS.

Douglas.

THIS is the place, the centre of the grove;
Here stands the oak, the monarch of the wood.
How sweet and solemn is this midnight scene!
The silver moon, unclouded, holds her way