IDONEA Between us stood, I thought, A cup of consolation, filled from Heaven For both our needs; must I, and in thy presence, Alone partake of it?--Beloved Marmaduke! MARMADUKE Give me a reason why the wisest thing That the earth owns shall never choose to die, But some one must be near to count his groans. The wounded deer retires to solitude, And dies in solitude: all things but man, All die in solitude. [Moving towards the cottage door.] Mysterious God, If she had never lived I had not done it!-- IDONEA Alas! the thought of such a cruel death Has overwhelmed him.--I must follow. ELDRED Lady! You will do well; (she goes) unjust suspicion may Cleave to this Stranger: if, upon his entering, The dead Man heave a groan, or from his side Uplift his hand--that would be evidence. ELEANOR Shame! Eldred, shame! MARMADUKE (both returning) The dead have but one face. (To himself.) And such a Man--so meek and unoffending-- Helpless and harmless as a babe: a Man, By obvious signal to the world's protection, Solemnly dedicated--to decoy him!-- IDONEA Oh, had you seen him living!-- MARMADUKE I (so filled With horror is this world) am unto thee The thing most precious, that it now contains: Therefore through me alone must be revealed By whom thy Parent was destroyed, Idonea! I have the proofs!-- IDONEA O miserable Father! Thou didst command me to bless all mankind; Nor to this moment, have I ever wished Evil to any living thing; but hear me, Hear me, ye Heavens!-- (kneeling) --may vengeance haunt the fiend For this most cruel murder: let him live And move in terror of the elements; The thunder send him on his knees to prayer In the open streets, and let him think he sees, If e'er he entereth the house of God, The roof, self-moved, unsettling o'er his head; And let him, when he would lie down at night, Point to his wife the blood-drops on his pillow! MARMADUKE My voice was silent, but my heart hath joined thee. IDONEA (leaning on MARMADUKE) Left to the mercy of that savage Man! How could he call upon his Child!--O Friend! [Turns to MARMADUKE.] My faithful true and only Comforter.