Page:Passions 2.pdf/348

Listen to friendly counsel, and the while,
Within these walls where ev'ry pleasure courts you,
Like a magnificent and royal king,
Your princely home enjoy.

Ethw. Out on it man, thou know'st not what thou say'st!
Home hath he none who once becomes a king!
Behind the pillar'd masses of his halls
The dagger'd traitor lurks; his vaulted roofs
Do nightly echo to the whisper'd vows
Of those who curse him; at his costly board
With grinning smile the damned pois'ner sits;
Yea, e'en the void recesses of his chamber,
Void tho' they be unto all eyes but his,
Are peopled———(stopping short.)

Thane. (eagerly.) Good, my Lord! what do you mean?

Ethw. In the confusion of tumultuous war,
'Midst the terrific shouts of closing foes,
And trampling steeds, and din of bick'ring arms;
Where dying warriours groan unheard, and things
Horrid to nature are as tho' they were not,
Unwail'd, unheeded:
Where the rough chance of each contentious day
Blots out all irksome mem'ry of the past,
All fear of that to follow: where like herds
Of savage beasts, on the bleak mountain's side,
Drench'd with the rain, the weary warriours lie,
Whilst nightly tempests howling o'er their heads
Lull them to rest; there is my home, good Thane.