Page:Miscellaneous Plays 1.pdf/107

In the cleft crevice of a savage den,
Where coils the snake, and bats and owlets roost,
And cheerful light of day no entrance finds.
But would'st thou have me live degraded also;
Humbled and low? No, liberty or nought
Must be our boon.

HARDIBRAND.

And thou shalt have it too, my noble youth:

Thou hast upon thy side a better advocate
Than these grey hairs of mine.(To Elizabeth.)
Bless that fair face! it was not made for nothing.
We'll have our boon; such as befits us too.
No, hang them if we stoop to halving it!
(Taking her eagerly by the hand.)
Come with me quickly; let us lose no time:
Angel from heaven thou art, and with heav'ns power
Thou'lt plead and wilt prevail.

RAYNER.

In truth thou wilt expose thyself, my love,

And draw some new misfortune on thy head.
(Endeavouring to draw her away from Hardibrand.)

ELIZABETH (to Hardibrand).

What new misfortune? can they kill thee twice?

We're tardy: O move quickly! lose no time.

HARDIBRAND.

Yes, come, and Bertram here will guide our way:

His heart is in the cause.