Page:Miscellaneous Plays 1.pdf/152

MESSENGER.

Is the execution over?

FIRST CROWD.

Yes, it is over.

MESSENGER.

Ah! then I am too late.

FIRST CROWD.

What mean ye by that?

MESSENGER.

I brought a pardon for him.

HARDIBRAND (rushing upon the messenger and collaring him).

A pardon! O confound your tardy speed!

Had you upon some paltry wager strove,
You had run faster.—O, thou cursed fool!
O had'd thou sped, I'd made a rich man of thee!

MESSENGER (disentangling himself).

My steed and I across the high-swoln flood,

Those on the shore shrieking to see our boldness,
Have fearless swam some miles short of the pass
Which we must else have gain'd, or, by my faith,
I had been later.