He told him all he knew, a dreadful tale. While others plundered, he had marked a maid Who carried in her arms a lisping child: Seizing his fancy, her he laid hold upon; She struggled hard; he in his greedy haste-- For though the leader, if he took her not And any other were possessed of her, He might not claim her--the loud-screaming babe Tore from her, bent to kill; but on its breast, Its clothing being rent, there gleamed a cross Of gold, whereon in diamonds quaintly set Christ hung on ruby nails with ruby blood: It turned aside his purpose. Nigh them knelt Another woman, wringing of her hands, And weeping o'er another infant dead. Afraid to desecrate the symbol blest, He pressed the child, from early earthly death Saved by the cross, into this Rachel's arms, And swung the maid, discumbered harshly so, Upon his horse, and kept her for his own. The other woman with the cross-saved child Escaped, and took with her a store of gold. Mercer. This woman who escaped must be my wife: It is my wife! Resource was still her forte; By countless proofs her sleight of head she showed, Nor were her hands less cunning in their kind. I have not known in any clime of earth, Where trade constrained, or pleasure led me on, One of her sex likelier for such a deed As this checkmating of the brigand band: And with it all a girl most feminine; The deepest scrutiny would never dream What strength lay sleeping with an open eye Beneath her melting gaze and rosy mouth, Like fire that underburns a flowery mead. Pardon me, pray, I have not talked of her To any one alive for many years. Why she should travel in that company, Not leaving word, nor sending any news, I can but marvel. Lady M. Here my husband comes. Enter Sir James Montgomery. Sir James. News, news! Lady M. O heaven! Sir James. I'll tell you as we go. [They go out. ACT IV SCENE.--A Wood. Enter Edmund and May.