O Sir, you are merry with me.
In grange or farm this Hundred scarcely owns
A dog that does not know me.--These good Folks,
For love of God, I must not pass their doors;
But I'll be back with my best speed: for you--
God bless and thank you both, my gentle Masters.

[Exit Beggar.]

MARMADUKE (to himself)
The cruel Viper!--Poor devoted Maid,
Now I _do_ love thee.

OSWALD I am thunderstruck.

MARMADUKE Where is she--holla!
[Calling to the Beggar, who returns; he looks at her stedfastly.]
You are Idonea's Mother?--
Nay, be not terrified--it does me good
To look upon you.

OSWALD (interrupting)
In a peasant's dress
You saw, who was it?

BEGGAR Nay, I dare not speak;
He is a man, if it should come to his ears
I never shall be heard of more.

OSWALD Lord Clifford?

BEGGAR What can I do? believe me, gentle Sirs,
I love her, though I dare not call her daughter.

OSWALD Lord Clifford--did you see him talk with Herbert?

BEGGAR Yes, to my sorrow--under the great oak
At Herbert's door--and when he stood beside
The blind Man--at the silent Girl he looked
With such a look--it makes me tremble, Sir,
To think of it.

OSWALD Enough! you may depart.

MARMADUKE (to himself)
Father!--to God himself we cannot give
A holier name; and, under such a mask,
To lead a Spirit, spotless as the blessed,
To that abhorred den of brutish vice!--
Oswald, the firm foundation of my life
Is going from under me; these strange discoveries--
Looked at from every point of fear or hope,
Duty, or love--involve, I feel, my ruin.

ACT II

SCENE--A Chamber in the Hostel--OSWALD alone, rising from a Table on
which he had been writing.

OSWALD They chose _him_ for their Chief!--what covert part
He, in the preference, modest Youth, might take,
I neither know nor care. The insult bred
More of contempt than hatred;