_Elw._ [_goes up to Douglas._] What, blood again? We cannot kill him twice! Soft, soft--no violence--he's dead already;-- I did it--Yes--I drown'd him with my tears; But hide the cruel deed! I'll scratch him out A shallow grave, and lay the green sod on it; Ay--and I'll bind the wild briar o'er the turf, And plant a willow there, a weeping willow-- [_she sits on the ground._ But look you tell not Douglas, he'll disturb him; He'll pluck the willow up--and plant a thorn. He will not let me sit upon his grave, And sing all day, and weep and pray all night. _Raby._ Dost thou not know me? _Elw._ Yes--I do remember You had a harmless lamb. _Raby._ I had indeed! _Elw._ From all the flock you chose her out a mate, In sooth a fair one--you did bid her love it-- But while the shepherd slept, the wolf devour'd it. _Raby._ My heart will break. This is too much, too much! _Elw._ [_smiling._] O 'twas a cordial draught--I drank it all. _Raby._ What means my child? _Dou._ The poison! Oh the poison! Thou dear wrong'd innocence-- _Elw._ Off--murderer, off! Do not defile me with those crimson hands. [_shews the scarf._ This is his winding sheet--I'll wrap him in it-- I wrought it for my love--there--now I've drest him. How brave he looks! my father will forgive him, He dearly lov'd him once--but that is over. See where he comes--beware, my gallant Percy, Ah! come not here, this is the cave of death, And there's the dark, dark palace of Revenge! See the pale king sits on his blood-stain'd throne! He points to me--I come, I come, I come. [_she faints, they run to her, Douglas takes up his sword and stabs himself._ _Dou._ Thus, thus I follow thee. _Edr._ Hold thy rash hand! _Dou._ It is too late. No remedy but this Could medicine a disease so desperate. _Raby._ Ah, she revives! _Dou._ [_raising himself._] She lives! bear, bear me to her! We shall be happy yet. [_he struggles to get to her, but sinks down._ It will not be-- O for a last embrace--Alas! I faint-- She lives--Now death is terrible indeed-- Fair spirit, I lov'd thee--O--Elwina! [_dies._ _Elw._ Where have I been? The damps of death are on me. _Raby._ Look up, my child! O do not leave me thus! Pity the anguish of thy aged father. Hast thou forgot me? _Elw._ No--you are my father; O you are kindly come to close my eyes, And take the kiss of death from my cold lips! _Raby._ Do we meet thus? _Elw._ We soon shall meet in peace. I've but a faint remembrance of the past-- But something tells me--O those painful struggles! Raise me a little--there-- [_she sees the body of Douglas._ What sight is that? A sword, and bloody? Ah! and Douglas murder'd! _Edr._ Convinc'd too late of your unequall'd virtues, And wrung with deep compunction for your wrongs, By his own hand the wretched Douglas fell. _Elw._ This adds another, sharper pang to death. O thou Eternal! take him to thy mercy, Nor let this sin be on his head, or mine!