Page:Miscellaneous Plays 1.pdf/89

HARDIBRAND.

In better days!—Well, do thou lead the way.

(As they are about to go off the stage, they are stopped by a voice singing from one of the highest windows.)

SONG.

Sweetly dawns the early day,
Rise, my love, and come away:
Leave thy grim and grated tower,
Bounding walls, and step-dame's lower;
'Don thy weeds and come with me,
Light and happy are the free.

No fair mansion hails me lord,
Dainties smoke not on my board;
Yet full careless by my side,
Shalt thou range the forest wide;
Tho' finer far the rich may be,
Light and happy are the free.

HARDIBRAND.

Alas, poor soul! I would that thou wert free!

What weary thrall is this that sings so sweetly?

KEEPER.

A restless, daring outlaw;

A fellow who hath aw'd the country round,
And levied contributions like a king,