Page:Miscellaneous Plays 1.pdf/66

And fixed eyeballs starting in their sockets,
Who speak'st thus wildly to the vacant space,
Say rather, what art thou.

OLD MAN.

I am a murderer. (Rayner starts back from him and drops his sword.)

Ah! wherefore dost thou stare so strangely on me?

There's no blood on me now! 'tis long since past.
Hast thou thyself no crime, that thus from me
Thou dost in horror shrink?

RAYNER.

Most miserable man!

OLD MAN.

Thou truly say'st, for I am most miserable.

RAYNER.

And what am I?(After a disturbed pause.)

The storm did rage and bellow thro' the air,
And the red lightning shiver'd:
No traveller would venture on his way
In such a night.—O, blessed, blessed storm!
For yet it hath not been, and shall be never.
Most great and Merciful! sav'd from this gulf,
May I to thee look up?—No: in the dust—

(As he bows himself to the earth, and is about to kneel, the report of fire arms is heard without, and he starts up again.)

'Tis done!—O, it is done!—the horrible act!

(Exit, beating his forehead violently.)