Oswald, and his persevering endeavour to lead the man he disliked into so heinous a crime; but still more to preserve in my distinct remembrance, what I had observed of transitions in character, and the reflections I had been led to make, during the time I was a witness of the changes through which the French Revolution passed.--I. F.] 'The Borderers' was first published in the 1842 edition of "Poems, chiefly of Early and Late Years." In 1845, it was placed in the class of "Poems written in Youth."--Ed. DRAMATIS PERSONÆ MARMADUKE. \ OSWALD. | WALLACE. |- Of the Band of LACY. | Borderers. LENNOX. | HERBERT. / WILFRED, Servant to MARMADUKE. Host. Forester. ELDRED, a Peasant. Peasant, Pilgrims, etc. IDONEA. Female Beggar. ELEANOR, Wife to ELDRED. SCENE--Borders of England and Scotland TIME--The Reign of Henry III. ACT I SCENE--Road in a Wood WALLACE and LACY LACY The Troop will be impatient; let us hie Back to our post, and strip the Scottish Foray Of their rich Spoil, ere they recross the Border. ---Pity that our young Chief will have no part In this good service. WALLACE Rather let us grieve That, in the undertaking which has caused His absence, he hath sought, whate'er his aim, Companionship with One of crooked ways, From whose perverted soul can come no good To our confiding, open-hearted, Leader. LACY True; and, remembering how the Band have proved That Oswald finds small favour in our sight, Well may we wonder he has gained such power Over our much-loved Captain. WALLACE I have heard Of some dark deed to which in early life His passion drove him--then a Voyager Upon the midland Sea. You knew his bearing In Palestine? LACY Where he despised alike Mohammedan and Christian. But enough; Let us begone--the Band may else be foiled. [Exeunt.] [Enter MARMADUKE and WILFRED] WILFRED Be cautious, my dear Master! MARMADUKE I perceive That fear is like a cloak which old men huddle About their love, as if to keep it warm. WILFRED Nay, but I grieve that we should part. This Stranger, For such he is-- MARMADUKE Your busy fancies, Wilfred, Might tempt me to a smile; but what of him? WILFRED You know that you have saved his life. MARMADUKE I know it. WILFRED And that he hates you!--Pardon me, perhaps That word was hasty. MARMADUKE Fy! no more of it.