The Poetical Works of William Wordsworth
Chapter 75 : ELDRED He must have fallen, I fancy, for his head was cut; but I think his malady was c

ELDRED He must have fallen, I fancy, for his head was cut; but I think his malady was cold and hunger.

ELEANOR Oh, Eldred, I shall never be able to look up at this roof in storm or fair but I shall tremble.

ELDRED Is it not enough that my ill stars have kept me abroad to-night till this hour? I come home, and this is my comfort!

ELEANOR But did he say nothing which might have set you at ease?

ELDRED I thought he grasped my hand while he was muttering something about his Child--his Daughter-- (starting as if he heard a noise).

What is that?

ELEANOR Eldred, you are a father.

ELDRED G.o.d knows what was in my heart, and will not curse my son for my sake.

ELEANOR But you prayed by him? you waited the hour of his release?

ELDRED The night was wasting fast; I have no friend; I am spited by the world--his wound terrified me--if I had brought him along with me, and he had died in my arms!----I am sure I heard something breathing--and this chair!

ELEANOR Oh, Eldred, you will die alone. You will have n.o.body to close your eyes--no hand to grasp your dying hand--I shall be in my grave. A curse will attend us all.

ELDRED Have you forgot your own troubles when I was in the dungeon?

ELEANOR And you left him alive?

ELDRED Alive!--the damps of death were upon him--he could not have survived an hour.

ELEANOR In the cold, cold night.

ELDRED (in a savage tone) Ay, and his head was bare; I suppose you would have had me lend my bonnet to cover it.--You will never rest till I am brought to a felon's end.

ELEANOR Is there nothing to be done? cannot we go to the Convent?

ELDRED Ay, and say at once that I murdered him!

ELEANOR Eldred, I know that ours is the only house upon the Waste; let us take heart; this Man may be rich; and could he be saved by our means, his grat.i.tude may reward us.

ELDRED 'Tis all in vain.

ELEANOR But let us make the attempt. This old Man may have a wife, and he may have children--let us return to the spot; we may restore him, and his eyes may yet open upon those that love him.

ELDRED He will never open them more; even when he spoke to me, he kept them firmly sealed as if he had been blind.

IDONEA (rus.h.i.+ng out) It is, it is, my Father--

ELDRED We are betrayed (looking at IDONEA).

ELEANOR His Daughter!--G.o.d have mercy!

(turning to IDONEA)

IDONEA (sinking down) Oh! lift me up and carry me to the place.

You are safe; the whole world shall not harm you.

ELEANOR This Lady is his Daughter.

ELDRED (moved) I'll lead you to the spot.

IDONEA (springing up) Alive!--you heard him breathe? quick, quick--

[Exeunt.]

ACT V

SCENE--A wood on the edge of the Waste

Enter OSWALD and a Forester.

FORESTER He leaned upon the bridge that spans the glen, And down into the bottom cast his eye, That fastened there, as it would check the current.