Page:A Series of Plays on the Passions Volume 3.pdf/173

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THE DREAM: A TRAGEDY.
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every side, and after a violent struggle disarm him.)

Wov. What a noble fellow this would be to defend a narrow breach, though he shrinks with such abhorrence from a scaffold. It is a piteous thing to see him so beset.

Prior. (to Wovelreid.) What sayest thou, fool?

Wov. Nay, it is no business of mine, my Lord, I confess. Shall we conduct him to the prison chamber?

Prior. Do so; and see that he retain no concealed arms about him.

Wov. I obey, my Lord: every thing shall be made secure.

(Exit Osterloo, guarded by Wovelreid and Soldiers; and at the same time enter Benedict, by the opposite side, who stands looking after him piteously.)

Prior. (sternly to Benedict.) What brings thee here? Dost thou repent having refused to concur with us in an act that preserves the community?

Ben. Say rather, reverend Father, an act that revenges your brother's death, which the laws of the empire should revenge.

Prior. A supernatural visitation of heaven hath commanded us to punish it.—————What! dost thou shake thy head? Thou art of a doubting and dangerous spirit; and beware lest, sooner or later, the tempter do not lure thee into heresy. If reason cannot subdue