Page:A Series of Plays on the Passions Volume 1.pdf/377

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DE MONFORT: A TRAGEDY.
375

I'll call on you myself and give it back;
And then, if I am charg'd with any wrong,
I'll justify myself. Farewell, strange man!
[Exit.

(De Monfort stands for some time quite motionless, like one stupified. Enter to him a Servant: he starts.)


De Mon. Ha! who art thou?

Ser.'Tis I, an' please your honour.

De Mon. (Staring wildly at him.) Who art thou?

Ser. Your servant Jacques.

De Mon.Indeed I know thee not.
Leave me, and when Rezenvelt is gone,
Return and let me know.

Ser.He's gone already, sir.

De Mon. How, gone so soon?

Ser.Yes, as his servant told me,
He was in haste to go, for night comes on,
And at the ev'ning hour he must take horse,
To visit some old friend whose lonely mansion
Stands a short mile beyond the farther wood;
And, as he loves to wander thro' those wilds
Whilst yet the early moon may light his way,
He sends his horses round the usual road,
And crosses it alone.
I would not walk thro' those wild dens alone
For all his wealth. For there, as I have heard,
Foul murders have been done, and ravens scream;
And things unearthly, stalking thro' the night,
Have scar'd the lonely trav'ller from his wits.
(De Monfort stands fixed in thought.)