What! Conrad? unannounced! This is too bold! Peace! I have lent myself--and I must take The usury of that loan: your pleasure, master? Con. Madam, but yesterday, I bade your presence, To hear the preached word of God; I preached-- And yet you came not.--Where is now your oath? Where is the right to bid, you gave to me? Am I your ghostly guide? I asked it not. Of your own will you tendered that, which, given, Became not choice, but duty.--What is here? Think not that alms, or lowly-seeming garments, Self-willed humilities, pride's decent mummers, Can raise above obedience; she from God Her sanction draws, while these we forge ourselves, Mere tools to clear her necessary path. Go free--thou art no slave: God doth not own Unwilling service, and His ministers Must lure, not drag in leash; henceforth I leave thee: Riot in thy self-willed fancies; pick thy steps By thine own will-o'-the-wisp toward the pit; Farewell, proud girl. [Exit Conrad.] Eliz. O God! What have I done? I have cast off the clue of this world's maze, And, like an idiot, let my boat adrift Above the waterfall!--I had no message-- How's this? Isen. We passed it by, as matter of no moment Upon the sudden coming of your guests. Eliz. No moment! 'Tis enough to have driven him forth-- And that's enough to damn me: I'll not chide you-- I can see nothing but my loss; I'll to him-- I'll go in sackcloth, bathe his feet with tears-- And know nor sleep nor food till I am forgiven-- And you must with me, ladies. Come and find him. [Exeunt.] SCENE V A Hall in the Castle. In the background a Group of diseased and deformed Beggars; Conrad entering, Elizabeth comes forward to meet him. Con. What dost thou, daughter? Eliz. Ah, my honoured master! That name speaks pardon, sure. Con. What dost thou, daughter? Eliz. I have been washing these poor people's feet. Con. A wise humiliation. Eliz. So I meant it-- And use it as a penance for my pride; And yet, alas, through my own vulgar likings Or stubborn self-conceit, 'tis none to me. I marvel how the Saints thus tamed their spirits: Sure to be humbled by such toil, but proves, Not cures, our lofty mind. Con. Thou speakest well-- The knave who serves unto another's needs Knows himself abler than the man who needs him; And she who stoops, will not forget, that stooping Implies a height to stoop from. Eliz. Could I see My Saviour in His poor!