erefore I bless her: when I think of Man,
I bless her with sad spirit,--when of God,
I bless her in the fulness of my joy!

MARMADUKE The name of daughter in his mouth, he prays!
With nerves so steady, that the very flies
Sit unmolested on his staff.--Innocent!--
If he were innocent--then he would tremble
And be disturbed, as I am.
(Turning aside.) I have read
In Story, what men now alive have witnessed,
How, when the People's mind was racked with doubt,
Appeal was made to the great Judge: the Accused
With naked feet walked over burning ploughshares.
Here is a Man by Nature's hand prepared
For a like trial, but more merciful.
Why else have I been led to this bleak Waste?
Bare is it, without house or track, and destitute
Of obvious shelter, as a shipless sea.
Here will I leave him--here--All-seeing God!
Such as _he_ is, and sore perplexed as I am,
I will commit him to this final _Ordeal!_--
He heard a voice--a shepherd-lad came to him
And was his guide; if once, why not again,
And in this desert? If never--then the whole
Of what he says, and looks, and does, and is,
Makes up one damning falsehood. Leave him here
To cold and hunger!--Pain is of the heart,
And what are a few throes of bodily suffering
If they can waken one pang of remorse?
[Goes up to HERBERT.]
Old Man! my wrath is as a flame burnt out,
It cannot be rekindled. Thou art here
Led by my hand to save thee from perdition:
Thou wilt have time to breathe and think--

HERBERT Oh, Mercy!

MARMADUKE I know the need that all men have of mercy,
And therefore leave thee to a righteous judgment.

HERBERT My Child, my blessed Child!

MARMADUKE No more of that;
Thou wilt have many guides if thou art innocent;
Yea, from the utmost corners of the earth,
That Woman will come o'er this Waste to save thee.
[He pauses and looks at HERBERT'S staff.]
Ha! what is here? and carved by her own hand!
[Reads upo