OSWALD The mask, Which for a season I have stooped to wear, Must be cast off.--Know then that I was urged, (For other impulse let it pass) was driven, To seek for sympathy, because I saw In you a mirror of my youthful self; I would have made us equal once again, But that was a vain hope. You have struck home, With a few drops of blood cut short the business; Therein for ever you must yield to me. But what is done will save you from the blank Of living without knowledge that you live: Now you are suffering--for the future day, 'Tis his who will command it.--Think of my story-- Herbert is _innocent_. MARMADUKE (in a faint voice, and doubtingly) You do but echo My own wild words? OSWALD Young Man, the seed must lie Hid in the earth, or there can be no harvest; 'Tis Nature's law. What I have done in darkness I will avow before the face of day. Herbert _is_ innocent. MARMADUKE What fiend could prompt This action? Innocent!--oh, breaking heart!-- Alive or dead, I'll find him. [Exit.] OSWALD Alive--perdition! [Exit.] SCENE--The inside of a poor Cottage ELEANOR and IDONEA seated IDONEA The storm beats hard--Mercy for poor or rich, Whose heads are shelterless in such a night! A VOICE WITHOUT Holla! to bed, good Folks, within! ELEANOR O save us! IDONEA What can this mean? ELEANOR Alas, for my poor husband!-- We'll have a counting of our flocks to-morrow; The wolf keeps festival these stormy nights: Be calm, sweet Lady, they are wassailers [The voices die away in the distance.] Returning from their Feast--my heart beats so-- A noise at midnight does _so_ frighten me. IDONEA Hush! [Listening.] ELEANOR They are gone. On such a night, my husband, Dragged from his bed, was cast into a dungeon, Where, hid from me, he counted many years, A criminal in no one's eyes but theirs-- Not even in theirs--whose brutal violence So dealt with him. IDONEA I have a noble Friend First among youths of knightly breeding, One Who lives but to protect the weak or injured. There again! [Listening.]