Poetical Works of Robert Bridges, Volume 4Bridges, Robert
General
Poetical Works of Robert Bridges, Volume 4
Bridges, Robert
English drama; English poetry
_Man._ Wait: there is more.—
Thy refuge being discovered, I was charged
With treason, and in course shipped hence for Spain.
My ship was sunk, and I, but for God’s mercy,
Drowned. My disgrace and rumoured death so wrought
On Constance, that she lies in life’s last hope. 2350
To all of us thou hast done unmeasured ill:
What is thy plea?
_Pal._ Though God himself should curse me,
My purpose hath been good.
_Man._ Ay, that I’ll grant:
Thou’rt for the right, but being too hot upon it
Mistakest right. Thou art numbered with the madmen
Who, thinking the whole world’s unhappiness
Hangs on one string, tread all else underfoot
So they may reach to cut it.—And where’s the good?
Thyself, too, in what plight, that after all
This sacrifice of others’ rights, thou rushest 2360
To die to save thine honour from a stain,
That needs no washing!
_Pal._ Enough: there let it end:
I die to-morrow.
_Man._ Nay, thou must escape:
Retrieve all that thou canst. I now shall go
To Margaret, whom before I feared to meet.
She will be working for thee. If she fail,
The archbishop yet hath power to stay thy death
Till I can serve thee. If thy love for her,
And hers for thee abide, you must be married.
Nay, all she urged was good.
_Pal._ O, ’tis impossible. 2370
Work not for my escape: ’tis best I die.
_Man._ Nay, nay. Thou that canst fight, fight with thyself.
The brave despair that fear not: that’s the shock
The strongest suffer. Thou wast ill of late;
Wert thou now strong, shame would not crush thy spirit. [_Going._
_Pal._ Manuel, go not!
_Man._ Yes, I must go. Remember
My name is Father Thomas. None must guess
Who hath been with thee.—Farewell. Fight with thyself;
Palicio, with thyself. Thou shalt be saved. [_Exit._
ACT · V
SCENE · 1
_The same. PALICIO as before._
_PALICIO._
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account