DOOM OF DEVORGOIL BY SIR WALTER SCOTT CONTINUED COMPLIMENTS OF ARCHIVE.ORG SCENE II.] THE DOOM OF DEVORGOIL. 55 Gull. Kind sir — or, good my lord — my band is ruffled, But yet twas fresh this morning. This fell shower Hath somewhat smirchd my cloak, but you may note It rates five marks per yard ; my doublet Hath fairly scaped — tis three-piled taffeta. [Opens his cloak and displays his doublet. Os. A goodly inventory — Art thou a preacher ? Gull Yea — I laud Heaven and good Saint Mungo for it. Os. Tis the times plague, when those that should weed follies Out of the common field, have their own minds Oerrun with foppery — envoys twixt heaven and earth, Example should with precept join, to show us How we may scorn the world with all its vanities. Gull. Nay, the high heavens forfend that I were vain ! When our learnd Principal such sounding laud Gave to mine essay on the hidden qualities Of the sulphuric mineral, I disclaimd All self-exaltment. And [turning to the women] when at the dance, The lovely Saccharissa Kirkencroft, Daughter to Kirkencroft of Kirkencroft, Graced me with her soft hand, credit me, ladies, That still I felt myself a mortal man, Though beauty smiled on me. 56 THE DOOM OF DEVORGOIL. [ACT II. Os. Come, sir, enough of this. That youre our guest to-night, thank the rougli heavens, And all our worser fortunes ; be conformable Unto my rules ; these are no Saccharissas To gild with compliments. Theres in your pro- fession, As the best grain will have its piles of chaff, A certain whiffier, who hath dared to bait A noble maiden with love tales and sonnets ; And if I meet him, his Geneva cap May scarce be proof to save his asss ears. Kat. [aside, ,] Umph — I am strongly tempted ; And yet I think I will be generous, And give his brains a chance to save his bones. Then theres more humour in our goblin plot, Than in a simple drubbing. El [apart to Flora.] What shall we do ? If he discover him, Hell fling him out at window. Flora. My fathers hint to keep himself un- known Is all too broad, I think, to be neglected. EL But yet the fool, if we produce his bounty, May claim the merit of presenting it ; And then were but lost women for accepting A gift our needs made timely. Kat Do not produce them Een let the fop go supperless to bed, And keep his bones whole. SCENE II.] THE DOOM OF DEVORGOIL. 57 Os. [to his wife.~] Hast thou aught To place before him ere he seek repose ? El. Alas ! too well you know our needful fare Is of the narrowest now, and knows no surplus. Os. Shame us not with thy niggard housekeep- ing ; He is a stranger — were it our last crust, And he the veriest coxcomb ere wore taffeta, A pitch hes little short of — he must share it, Though all should want to-morrow. Gull, [partly overhearing what passes between them.] Nay, I am no lover of your sauced dainties : Plain food and plenty is my motto still. Your mountain air is bleak, and brings an appe- tite: A soused sows face, now, to my modest thinking, Has neer a fellow. What think these fair ladies Of a sows face and sausages ? [Makes signs to Eleanor. Flora. Plague on the vulgar hind, and on his courtesies, The whole truth will come out ! Os. What should they think, but that youre like to lack Your favourite dishes, sir, unless perchance You bring such dainties with you. Gull. No, not with me ; not, indeed, Directly with me ; but — Aha ! fair ladies ! [Makes signs again- 58 THE DOOM OF DEVORGOIL. [act n. KaU Hell draw the beating down-- Were that the worst, Heavens will be done ! [ Aside - Os. [apart. - ] What can he mean ? — this is the veriest dog- whelp — Still he s a stranger, and the latest act Of .hospitality in this old mansion Shall not be sullied. Gall Troth, sir, I think, under the ladies favour, Without pretending skill in second sight, Those of my cloth being seldom conjurers Os. HI take my Bible-oath that thou art none. [Aside, GuU. I do opine, still with the ladies favour, That I could guess the nature of our supper: I do not say, in such and such precedence The dishes will be placed ; housewives, as you know, On such forms have their fancies ; but, I say still That a sows face and sausages Os. Peace, sir ! Oer-driven jests (if this be one) are insolent. Flora [apart, seeing her mother uneasy.] The old saw still holds true — a churls benefits, Sauced with his lack of feeling, sense, and cour- tesy, Savour like injuries. [A horn is winded without ; then a loud knocking at the gate. SCENE ii.] THE DOOM OF DEVORGOIL. 59 Leo. [without] Ope, for the sake of love and charity ! [Oswald goes to the loop-hole. GuU. Heavens mercy! should there come another stranger, And he half starved with wandering on the wolds, The sows face boasts no substance, nor the sau- sauges, To stand our reinforced attack ! I judge, too, By this starved Barons language, theres no hope Of a reserve of victuals. Flora. Go to the casement, cousin. Kat. Go yourself, And bid the gallant who that bugle winded Sleep in the storm-swept waste ; as meet for him As for Lance Blackthorn. — Come, Ill not distress you, Ill get admittance for this second suitor, And well play out this gambol at cross purposes. But see, your father has prevented me. Os. [seems to have spoken with those without, and answers.] Well, I will ope the door ; one guest already, Driven by the storm, has claimd my hospitality, And you, if you were fiends, were scarce less welcome To this my mouldering roof, than empty ignorance And rank conceit — I hasten to admit you. [Exit. El. [to Flora.] The tempest thickens. By that winded bugle, 60 THE DOOM OF DEYORGOIL. [act ii. I guess the guest that next will honour us. Little deceiver, that didst mock my troubles, Tis now thy turn to fear ! Flora, Mother, if I knew less or more of this Unthought of and most perilous visitation, I would your wishes were fulfiTd on me, And I were wedded to a thing like yon. GuU. [approaching .] Come, ladies, now you see the jest is threadbare, And you must own that same sows face and sausages Re-enter Oswald with Leonard, supporting Bauldie Durward. Oswald takes a view of them, as formerly of Gullcrammer, then speaks. Os. [to Leonard.] By thy green cassock, hunting-spear, and bugle, I guess thou art a huntsman ? Leon, [bowing with respect] A ranger of the neighbouring royal forest, Under the good Lord Nithsdale ; huntsman, there- fore, In time of peace, and when the land has war, To my best powers a soldier. Os. Welcome, as either. I have loved the chase, And was a soldier once. — This aged man, What may he be ? Dar. [recovering his breath.] Is but a beggar, sir, an humble mendicant, Who feels it passing strange, that from this roof, Above all others, he should now crave shelter. SCENE II.] THE DOOM OF DEVORGOIL. 61 Os. Why so ? Youre welcome both — only the word Warrants more courtesy than our present means Permit us to bestow. A huntsman and a soldier May be a princes comrade, much more mine ; And for a beggar — friend, there little lacks, Save that blue gown and badge, and clouted pouches, To make us comrades too ; then welcome both, And to a beggars feast. I fear brown bread, And water from the spring, will be the best ont ; For we had cast to wend abroad this evening, And left our larder empty. Gull. Yet, if some kindly fairy, In our behalf, would search its hid recesses, — [Apart] Well not go supperless now — were three to one. — Still do I say, that a soused face and sausages Os. [looks sternly at him, then at his wife.] Theres something under this, but that the present Is not a time to question. [To Eleanor.] Wife, my mood Is at such height of tide, that a turnd feather Would make me frantic now, with mirth or fury ! Tempt me no more — but if thou hast the things This carrion crow so croaks for, bring them forth ; For, by my fathers beard, if I stand caterer, Twill be a fearful banquet ! 62 THE DOOM OF DEVORGOIL. [ACT II. El Your pleasure be obeyd — Come aid me, Flora. [Exeunt. {During the following speeches the women place dishes on the table. Os. [to Durward.] How did you lose your path? Dur. Een when we thought to find it, a wild meteor Danced in the moss, and led our feet astray. — I give small credence to the tales of old, Of Friars-lantern told, and Will-o-Wisp, Else would I say, that some malicious demon Guided us in a round ; for to the moat, Which we had passd two hours since, were we led, And there the gleam flickered and disappeard Even on your drawbridge. I was so worn down, So broke with labouring through marsh and moor, That, wold I nold I, here my young conductor Would needs implore for entrance ; else, believe me, I had not troubled you. Os. And why not, father ? — have you eer heard aught, Or of my house or me, that wanderers, Whom or their roving trade or sudden circum- stance Oblige to seek a shelter, should avoid The House of Devorgoil? Dur. Sir, I am English born — SCENE II] THE DOOM OF DEVORGOIL. 63 Native of Cumberland. Enough is said Why I should shun those bowers, whose lords were hostile To English blood, and unto Cumberland Most hostile and most fatal. Os. Ay, father. Once my grandsire ploughd, and harrowd, And sowd with salt the streets of your fair towns ; But what of that ? — you have the vantage now. Bur. True, Lord of Devorgoil, and well believe I, That not in vain we sought these towers to-night, So strangely guided, to behold their state. Os. Ay, thou wouldst say, twas fit a Cumbrian beggar Should sit an equal guest in his proud halls, Whose fathers beggard Cumberland — Graybeard, let it be so, Ill not dispute it with thee. [To Leonard, who was speaking to Flora, but on being surprised, occupied himself with the suit of armour. What makest thou there, young man ? Leon. I marvelld at this harness — it is larger Than arms of modern days. How richly carved With gold inlaid on steel — how close the rivets — How justly fit the joints ! I think the gauntlet Would swallow twice my hand. [He is about to take down some part of the armour, Oswald interferes. Os. Do not displace it. 64 THE DOOM OF DEVORGOIL. [ACT n. My grandsire, Erick, doubled human strength, And almost human size — and human knowledge, And human vice, and human virtue also, As storm or sunshine chanced to occupy His mental hemisphere. After a fatal deed, He hung his armour on the wall, forbidding It eer should be taen down. There is a prophecy, That of itself twill fall, upon the night When, in the fiftieth year from his decease, DevorgoiPs feast is full. This is the era ; But as too well you see, no meet occasion Will do the downfall of the armour justice, Or grace it with a feast. There let it bide, Trying its strength with the old walls it hangs on, Which shall fall soonest. Dur. [looking at the trophy with a mixture of feeling,] Then there stern Ericks harness hangs untouched, Since his last fatal raid on Cumberland ! Os. Ay, waste and want, and recklessness — a comrade Still yoked with waste and want — have strippd these walls Of every other trophy. Antlerd skulls, Whose branches vouchd the tales old vassals told Of desperate chases — partisans and spears — Knights barred helms and shields — the shafts and bows, Axes and breastplates, of the hardy yeomanry — The banners of the vanquishd — signs these arms SCENE II.] THE DOOM OF DEVORGOIL. 65 Were not assumed in vain, have disappeard. Yes, one by one they all have disappeard ; And now Lord Ericks harness hangs alone, Midst implements of vulgar husbandry And mean economy ; as some old warrior, Whom want hath made an inmate of an alms-house, Shows, mid the beggard spendthrifts, base me- chanics, And bankrupt peddlers, with whom fate has mixd him. Dur. Or rather like a pirate, whom the prison- house, Prime leveller next the grave, hath, for the first time Mingled with peaceful captives, low in fortunes, 1 But fair in innocence. Os. [looking at Durward with surprised] Friend, thou art bitter ! Bur. Plain truth, sir, like the vulgar copper coinage, Despised amongst the gentry, still finds value And currency with beggars. Os. Be it so. I will not trench on the immunities I soon may claim to share. Thy features, too, Though weather-beaten, and thy strain of language, Relish of better days. 2 Come hither, friend, [They speak apart. And let me ask thee of thine occupation. 1 [MS. — Mingled with peaceful men, broken in fortunes.] 2 [MS. — Both smack of better days, &c] VOL. IX. 5 $6 THE DOOM OF DEVORGOIL. [act 11. [Leonard looks round, and seeing Oswald engaged with Durward, and Gullcrammer with El- eanor, approaches towards Flora, who must give him an opportunity of doing so, with obvious attention on her part to give it the air of chance. The by-play here will rest with the lady, who must engage the attention of the audience by playing off a little female hypocrisy and simple coquetry. Leon. Flora Flora. Ay, gallant huntsman, may she deign to question Why Leonard came not at the appointed hour ; Or why he came at midnight ? Leon. Love has no certain loadstar, gentle Flora, And oft gives up the helm to wayward pilotage. To say the sooth — A beggar forced me hence, And Will-o-wisp did guide us back again. Flora. Ay, ay, your beggar was the faded spectre Of Poverty, that sits upon the threshold Of these our ruind walls. Ive been unwise, Leonard, to let you speak so oft with me ; And you a fool to say what you have said. Een let us here break short ; and, wise at length, Hold each our separate way through lifes wide ocean. Leon. Nay, let us rather join our course together, And share the breeze or tempest, doubling joys, Relieving sorrows, warding evils off With mutual effort, or enduring them With mutual patience. SCENE II.] THE DOOM OF DEVORGOIL. 67 Flora. This is but flattering counsel — sweet and baneful ; But mine had wholesome bitter int. Kat. Ay, ay ; but like the sly apothecary, Youll be the last to take the bitter drug That you prescribe to others. [They whisper. Eleanor advances to interrupt them, followed by Gullcrammer. El What, maid, no household cares ? — Leave to your elders The task of filling passing strangers ears With the due notes of welcome. Gull Be it thine, O, Mistress Flora, the more useful talent Of filling strangers stomachs with substantiate ; That is to say, — for learn d commentators Do so expound substantials in some places,-^- With a sousd bacon-face and sausages. Flora. [apart.~\ Would thou wert sousd, in- tolerable pedant, Base, greedy, perverse, interrupting coxcomb ! Kat Hush, coz, for well be well avenged on him, And ere this night goes oer, else womans wit Cannot oertake her wishes. [She proceeds to arrange seats. Oswald and Duk- ward come forward in conversation. Os. I like thine humour well. — So all men beg Dur. Yes — I can make it good by proof. Your soldier Begs for a leaf of laurel, and a line 68 THE DOOM OF DEVORGOIL. [act II. Iii the Gazette. He brandishes his sword To back his suit, and is a sturdy beggar — The courtier begs a riband or a star, And, like our gentler mumpers, is provided With false certificates of health and fortune Lost in the public service. For your lover, Who begs a sigh, a smile, a lock of hair, A buskin-point, he maunds upon the pad, With the true cant of pure mendicity, u The smallest trifle to relieve a Christian, And if it like your ladyship ! [In a begging tone, KaU [apart.~\ This is a cunning knave, and feeds the humour Of my aunts husband, for I must not say Mine honourd uncle. I will try a question. — Your man of merit though, who serves the com- monwealth, Nor asks for a requital ? [To Durward. Dur. Is a dumb beggar. And lets his actions speak like signs for him, Challenging double guerdon. — Now, Ill show How your true beggar has the fair advantage Oer all the tribes of cloakd mendicity I have told over to you. — The soldiers laurel, The statesmans riband, and the ladys favour, Once won and gaind, are not held worth a farthing By such as longest, loudest, canted for them ; Whereas your charitable half penny, 1 1 [MS. — Whereas your genuine copper halfpenny.] SCENE ii.] THE DOOM OF DEVORGOIL. 69 I Which is the scope of a true beggars suit, Is worth two farthings, and, in times of plenty, Will buy a crust of bread. Flora, [interrupting him, and addressing her father. ~] Sir, let me be a beggar with the time, And pray you come to supper. El. [to Oswald, apart.~\ Must he sit with us ? [Looking at Dun ward. Os. Ay, ay, what else — since we are beggars all? When cloaks are ragged, sure their worth is equal, Whether at first they were of silk or woollen. El. Thou art scarce consistent. This day thou didst refuse a princely banquet, Because a new-made lord was placed above thee ; And now Os. Wife, I have seen, at public executions, A wretch that could not brook the hand of violence Should pu3h him from the scaffold, pluck up courage, And, with a desperate sort of cheerfulness, Take the fell plunge himself — Welcome, then, beggars, to a beggars feast ! Gull, [who has in the meanwhile seated himself.] But this is more. — A better countenance, — Fair fall the hands that sousd it ! — than this hogs, Or prettier provender than these same sausages, (By what good friend sent hither, shall be name- less, 70 THE DOOM OP DEVORGOIL. [ACT II. Doubtless some youth whom love hath made pro- fuse,) [Smiling significantly at Eleanor and Flora. No prince need wish to peck at. Long, I ween, Since that the nostrils of this house (by metaphor, I mean the chimneys) smelld a steam so grateful — By your good leave I cannot dally longer. [Helps himself. Os. [places durward above gullcrammer.] Meanwhile, sir, Please it your youthful learning to give place To grey hairs and to wisdom ; and, moreover, If you had tarried for the benediction Gull, [somewhat abashed.] I said grace to my- self. Os. [not minding him.] — And waited for the company of others, It had been better fashion. Time has been, I should have told a guest at Devorgoil, Bearing himself thus forward, he was saucy. [He seats himself and helps the company and himself in dumb-show. There should be a contrast betwixt the precision of his aristocratic civility, and the rude under-breeding of Gullcrammer.] Os. [having tasted the dish next him.] Why, this is venison, Eleanor! GuU. Eh ! What ! Lets see— [Pushes across Oswald and helps himself. It may be venison — Im sure tis not beef, veal, mutton, lamb, or pork. SCENE II.] THE DOOM OF DEVORGOIL. 71 Eke am I sure, that be it what it will, It is not half so good as sausages, Or as a sows face sousd. Os. Eleanor, whence all this ? El Wait till to-morrow, You shall know all. It was a happy chance That furnishd us to meet so many guests. [Fills wine. Try if your cup be not as richly garnishd As is your trencher. 1 Kat. [apartJ] My aunt adheres to the good cau- tious maxim Of,— Eat your pudding, friend, and hold your tongue. Os. [tastes the wine.] It is the grape of Bor- deaux. Such dainties, once familiar to my board, Have been estranged from t long. [He again Jills his glass, and continues to speak as he holds it up.] Fill round, my friends — here is a treacherous friend now, Smiles in your face, yet seeks to steal the jewel, Which is distinction between man and brute — I mean our reason — this he does, and smiles. But are not all friends treacherous? — one shall cross you Even in your dearest interests — one shall slander you — 1 Wooden trenches should be used, and the quaigh, a Scot- tish drinking-cup. 72 THE DOOM OF DEVORGOIL. [act ii. This steal your daughter, that defraud your purse ; But this gay flask of Bordeaux will but borrow Your sense of mortal sorrows for a season, And leave, instead, a gay delirium. Methinks my brain, unused to such gay visitants, The influence feels already ! — we will revel ! — Our banquet shall be loud ! — it is our last. Katleen, thy song. Kat. Not now, my lord — I mean to sing to- night, For this same moderate, grave, and reverend clergyman ; Ill keep my voice till then. El. Your round refusal shows but cottage breed- ing. Kat. Ay, my good aunt, for I was cottage nur- tured, And taught, I think, to prize my own wild will Above all sacrifice to compliment. Here is a huntsman — in his eyes, I read it, He sings the martial song my uncle loves, What time fierce Claverse with his Cavaliers, Abjuring the new change of government, Forcing his fearless w ay through timorous friends, And enemies as timorous, left the capital To rouse in Jamess cause the distant Highlands. Have you neer heard the song, my noble uncle ? Os. Have I not heard, wench? — It was I rode next him, SCENE ii.] THE DOOM OF DEVORGOIL. 73 Tis thirty summers since — rode by his rein ; We marched on through the alarmd city, As sweeps the osprey through a flock of gulls, Who scream and flutter, but dare no resistance Against the bold sea-empress — They did murmur, The crowds before us, in their sullen wrath, And those whom we had passd, gathering fresh courage, Cried havoc in the rear — we minded them Een as the brave bark minds the bursting billows, Which, yielding to her bows, burst on her sides, And ripple in her wake. — Sing me that strain, [To Leonard. And thou shalt have a meed I seldom tender. Because theyre all I have to give — my thanks. Leo. Nay, if youll bear with what I cannot help, A voice thats rough with hollowing to the hounds, Ill sing the song even as old Rowland taught me. SONG. 1 Am — u The Bonnets of Bonny Dundee. To the Lords of Convention twas Claverse who spoke, Ere the Kings crown shall fall there are crowns to be broke; 1 [ Dundee, enraged at his enemies, and still more at his friends, resolved to retire to the Highlands, and to make prep- arations for civil war, but with secrecy; for he had been ordered by James to make no public insurrection until as- sistance should be sent him from Ireland. u Whilst Dundee was in this temper, information was brought him, whether true or false, is uncertain, that some 74 THE DOOM OF DEVORGOIL. [act II. So let each Cavalier who loves honour and me, Come follow the bonnet of Bonny Dundee. Come fill up my cup, come fill up my can, Come saddle your horses, and call up your men ; Come open the West Port, and let me gang free, And its room for the bonnets of Bonny Dundee ! of the Covenanters had associated themselves to assassinate him, in revenge for his former severities against their party. He flew to the Convention and demanded justice. The Duke of Hamilton, who wished to get rid of a troublesome ad- versary, treated his complaint with neglect; and in order to sting him in the tenderest part, reflected upon that courage which could be alarmed by imaginary dangers. Dundee left the house in a rage, mounted his horse, and with a troop of fifty horsemen who had deserted to him from his regiment in England, galloped through the city. Being asked by one of his friends, who stopt him, Where he was going V* he waved his hat, and is reported to have answered, Wherever the spirit of Montrose shall direct me. In passing under the walls of the Castle, he stopt, scrambled up the precipice at a place difficult and dangerous, and held a conference with the Duke of Gordon at a postern-gate, the marks of which are still to be seen, though the gate itself is built up. Hop- ing, in vain, to infuse the vigour of his own spirit into the Duke, he pressed him to retire with him into the Highlands, raise his vassals there, who were numerous, brave, and faith- ful, and leave the command of the Castle to Winram, the lieutenant-governor, an officer on whom Dundee could rely. The Duke concealed his timidity under the excuse of a sol- dier. A soldier, said he, * cannot in honour quit the post that is assigned him. The novelty of the sight drew num- bers to the foot of the rock upon which the conference was held. These numbers every minute increased, and in the end, were mistaken in the city for Dundees adherents. The Convention was then sitting: news were carried thither that Dundee was at the gates with an army, and had prevailed on the governor of the Castle to fire upon the town. The Duke SCENE ii.] THE DOOM OF DEVORGOIL. 75 Dundee he is mounted, he rides up the street, The bells are rung backward, the drums they are beat; But the Provost, douce man, said, Just een let him be, The Gude Town is weel quit of that deil of Dundee. Come fill up my cup, &c. As he rode down the sanctified bends of the Bow, Ilk carline was flyting and shaking her pow; of Hamilton, whose intelligence was better, had the presence of mind, by improving the moment of agitation, to over- whelm the one party and provoke the other, by their fears. He ordered the doors of the house to be shut, and the keys to be laid on the table before him. He cried out, That there was danger within as well as without doors ; that traitors must be held in confinement until the present danger was over: but that the friends of liberty had nothing to fear, for that thousands were ready to start up in their defence, at the stamp of his foot. He ordered the drums to be beat and the trumpets to sound through the city. In an instant vast swarms of those who had been brought into town by him and Sir John Dalrymple from the western counties, and who had been hitherto hid in garrets and cellars, showed them- selves in the streets ; not, indeed, in the proper habiliments of war, but in arms, and with looks fierce and sullen, as if they felt disdain at their former concealment. This unex- pected sight increased the noise and tumult of the town, which grew loudest in the square adjoining to the house where the members were confined, and appeared still louder to those who were within, because they were ignorant of the cause from which the tumult arose, and caught contagion from the anxious looks of each other. After some hours, the doors were thrown open, and the Whig members, as they went out, were received with acclamations, and those of the opposite party with the threats and curses of a prepared populace. Terrified by the prospect of future alarms, many of the adherents of James quitted the Convention and re- tired to the country ; most of them changed sides ; only a very few of the most resolute continued their attendance.-— Dalrymple s Memoirs, vol. ii. p. 305.] 76 THE DOOM OF DEVORGOIL. [ACT II. But the young plants of grace they lookd. couthie and slee, Thinking, luck to thy bonnet, thou Bonny Dundee ! Come fill up my cup, &c. With sour-featured Whigs the Grassmarket was crammd, As if half the West had set tryst to be hangd; 1 There was spite in each look, there was fear in each ee, As they watch d for the bonnets of Bonny Dundee. Come fill up my cup, &c. These cowls of Kilmarnock had spits and had spears, And lang-hafted gullies to kill Cavaliers ; But they shrunk to close heads, and the causeway was free, At the toss of the bonnet of Bonny Dundee. Come fill up my cup,«&c. He spurrd to the foot of the proud Castle rock, And with the gay Gordon he gallantly spoke ; Let Mons Meg and her marrows speak twa words or three, For the love of the bonnet of Bonny Dundee. Come fill up my cup, &c. The Gordon demands of him which way he goes — Whereer shall direct me the shade of Montrose ! Your Grace in short space shall hear tidings of me, Or that low lies the bonnet of Bonny Dundee. Come fill up my cup, &c. There are hilts beyond Pentland, and lands beyond Forth, If theres lords in the Lowlands, theres chiefs in the North; There are wild Duniewassals three thousand times three, Will cry koigh ! for the bonnet of Bonny Dundee. Come fill up my cup, &c. ** Theres brass on the target of barken d bull-hide, Theres steel in the scabbard that dangles beside ; i [Previous to 1784, the Grassmarket was the common place of execution at Edinburgh.] SCKNE II.] THE DOOM OF DEVORGOIL. / / The brass shall be burnish d, the steel shall flash free, At a toss of the bonnet of Bonny Dundee. Come fill up my cup, &c. Away to the hills, to the caves, to the rocks — Ere I own an usurper, Ill couch with the fox; And tremble, false Whigs, in the midst of your glee, You have not seen the last of my bonnet and me! Come fill up my cup, &c. He waved his proud hand, and the trumpets were blown, The kettle-drums clashd, and the horsemen rode on, Till on Kavelstons cliffs and on Clermistons lee, Died away the wild war-notes of Bonny Dundee. Come fill up my cup, come fill up my can, Come saddle the horses and call up the men ; Come open your gates, and let me gae free, For its up with the bonnets of Bonny Dundee ! El. Katleen, do thou sing now. Thy uncled cheerful ; We must not let his humour ebb again. KaL But Ill do better, aunt, than if I sung, For Flora can sing blithe ; so can this huntsman, As he has shown een now ; let them duet it. Os, Well, huntsman, we must give to freakish maiden The freedom of her fancy. — Raise the carol. And Flora, if she can, will join the measure. When friends are met oer merry cheer, And lovely eyes are laughing near, And in the goblets bosom clear The cares of day are drownd ; 78 THE DOOM OF DEVORGOIL. [ACT rr. When puns are made, and bumpers quaff d, And wild Wit shoots his roving shaft, And Mirth his jovial laugh has laugh d, Then is our banquet crownd, Ah gay, Then is our banquet crownd. When glees are sung, and catches trolld, And bashfulness grows bright and bold, And beauty is no longer cold, And age no longer dull ; When chimes are brief, and cocks do crow, To tell us it is time to go, Yet how to part we do not know, Then is our feast at full, Ah gay, Then is our feast at full. Os. [rises with the cup in his hand.~\ Devor- goils feast is full — Drink to the pledge ! [A tremendous burst of thunder follows these words of the song ; and the lightning should seem to strike the suit of black armour, which falls with a crash. 1 All rise in surprise and fear, except Gullcrammer, who tumbles over backwards and lies still. Os. That sounded like the judgment-peal — the roof Still trembles with the volley. JDur. Happy those 1 1 should think this may be contrived, by having a trans- parent zig-zag in the flat-scene, immediately above the armour, suddenly and very strongly illuminated. SCENE ii.] THE DOOM OF DEVORGOIL. /9 Who are prepared to meet such fearful sum- mons. — Leonard, what dost thou there ? Leon, [supporting Flora.] The duty of a man — Supporting innocence. Were it the final call, I were not misemployed. Os. The armour of my grandsire hath falln down, And old saws have spoke truth. — (Musing.) The fiftieth year — Devorgoils feast at fullest ! What to think of it Leon, [lifting a scroll which had fallen with the armour.~\ This may inform us. [Attempts to read the manuscript, shakes his head, and gives it to Oswald. But not to eyes unlearnd it tells its tidings. Os. Hawks, hounds, and revelling consumed the hours I should have given to study. [Looks at the manuscript. These characters I spell not more than thou. They are not of our day, and, as I think, Not of our language. — Wheres our scholar now, So forward at the banquet ? Is he laggard Upon a point of learning ? Leon. Here is the man of letterd dignity, Een in a piteous case. [Drags Gullc rammer forward. 80 THE DOOM OF DEVORGOIL. [act II. Os, Art waking, craven ? canst thou read this scroll ? Or art thou only learned in sousing swines flesh, And prompt in eating it ? Gull. Eh — ah !• — oh — ho ! — Have you no better time To tax a man with riddles, than the moment When he scarce knows whether hes dead or living ? Os. Confound the pedant ! — Can you read the scroll, Or can you not, sir ? — if you can, pronounce Its meaning speedily. Gull. Can I read it, quotha ! When at our learned University, I gaind first premium for Hebrew learning, — Which was a pound of high-dried Scottish snuff, And half a peck of onions, with a bushel Of curious oatmeal, — our learnd Principal Did say, Melchisedek, thou canst do any thing ! Now comes he with his paltry scroll of parch- ment, • And, Can you read it ? — After such affront, The point is, if I will. Os. A point soon solved, Unless you choose to sleep among the frogs ; For look you, sir, there is the chamber window, Beneath it lies the lake. El. Kind Master Gullcrammer, beware my husband, SCENE II.] THE DOOM OF DEVORGOIL. 81 He brooks no contradiction — tis his fault, And in his wrath hes dangerous. Gull, [looks at the scroll, and mutters as if reading.] Hashgaboth hotch-potch — A simple matter this to make a rout of — Ten rashersen bacon, mish-mash venison, Sausagian soused-face — Tis a simple catalogue Of our small supper — made by the grave sage Whose prescience knew this night that we should feast On venison, hashd sows face, and sausages, And hung his steel-coat for a supper-bell — Een let us to our provender again, For it is written we shall finish it, And bless our stars the lightning left it us. Os. This must be impudence or ignorance ! — The spirit of rough Erick stirs within me, And I will knock thy brains out if thou palterest ; Expound the scroll to me ! Gull. Youre over hasty ; And yet you may be right too — Tis Samaritan, Now I look closer ont, and I did take it For simple Hebrew. Bur. Tis Hebrew to a simpleton, That we see plainly, friend — Give me the scroll. Gull. Alas, good friend ! what would you do with it ? Dur. [takes it from him.~] My best to read it, sir — The character is Saxon, Used at no distant date within this district ; vol. ix. 6 82 THE DOOM OF DEVORGOIL. [act II. And thus the tenor runs — nor in Samaritan, Nor simple Hebrew, but in wholesome English : — Devorgoil, thy bright moon waneth, And the rust thy harness staineth ; Servile guests the banquet soil Of the once proud Devorgoil. But should Black Ericks armour fall, Look for guests shall scare you all ! They shall come ere peep of day, — Wake and watch, and hope and pray. Kat. [to Flora.] Here is fine foolery — an old wall shakes At a loud thunder-clap — down comes a suit Of ancient armour, when its wasted braces Were all too rotten to sustain its weight — A beggar cries out, Miracle ! and your father, Weighing the importance of his name and line- age, Must needs believe the dotard ! 1 Flora, Mock not, I pray you ; this may be too serious. KaU And if I live till morning, I will have The power to tell a better tale of wonder Wrought on wise Gullcrammer. Ill go prepare me. [Exit. Flora. I have not Katleens spirit, yet I hate i [MS. — A begging knave cries out, a Miracle! And your good sire, doting on the importance Of his high birth and house, must needs believe him.J SCENE n.] THE DOOM OF DEVORGOIL. 83 This Gullcrammer too heartily, to stop Any disgrace thats hasting towards him. Os. [to whom the Beggar has been again read- ing the scroll.] Tis a strange prophecy ! — The silver moon, Now waning sorely, is our ancient bearing — Strange and unfitting guests — Gull, [interrupting him.] Ay, ay, the matter Is, as you say, all moonshine in the water. Os. How mean you, sir ? (threatening.) Gull. To show that I can rhyme With yonder bluegown. Give me breath and time, I will maintain, in spite of his pretence, Mine exposition had the better sense — It spoke good victuals and increase of cheer ; And his, more guests to eat what we have here — An increment right needless. Os. Get thee gone ; To kennel, hound ! Gull. The hound will have his bone. [Takes up the platter of meat, and a flash. Os. Flora, show him his chamber — take him hence, Or, by the name I bear, Ill see his brains ! Gull. Ladies, good night! — I spare, you, sir, the pains. [Exit, lighted by Flora with a lamp. Os. The owl is fled.— Ill not to bed to-night ; There is some change impending oer this house, 84 THE DOOM OF DEVORGOIL. [act III. For good or ill. I would some holy man Were here, to counsel us what we should do ! Yon witless thin-faced gull is but a cassock StufFd out with chaff and straw. Dur. [assuming an air of dignity.~] I have been wont, In other days, to point to erring mortals The rock which they should anchor on. [He holds up a Cross — the rest take a posture of devotion, and the scene closes. ACT III. Scene I. — A ruinous anteroom in the Castle — Enter Katleen, fantastically dressed to play the character of CocMedemoy, with the visor in her hand. Kat. Ive scarce had time to glance at my sweet person, Yet this much could I see, with half a glance, My elfish dress becomes me — Ill not mask me Till I have seen Lance Blackthorn — Lance ! I say — [Calls. Blackthorn, make haste ! Enter Blackthorn, half dressed as Owlspiegle. Black. Here am I — Blackthorn in the upper half, Much at your service ; but my nether parts SCENE I.] THE DOOM OF DEVORGOIL. 85 Are goblinized and Owlspiegled. I had much ado To get these trankums on. I judge Lord Erick Kept no good house, and starved his quondam barber. Kat. Peace, ass, and hide you — Gullcrammer is coming ; He left the hall before, but then took fright, And een sneakd back. The Lady Flora lights him — Trim occupation for her ladyship ! Had you seen Leonard, when she left the hall On such fine errand ! Black. This Gullcrammer shall have a bob extraordinary For my good comrades sake. — But tell me, Katleen, What dress is this of yours ? Kat. A pages, fool ! Black. Im accounted no great scholar, But tis a page that I would fain peruse A little closer. [Approaches her. Kat. Put on your spectacles, And try if you can read it at this distance, For you shall come no nearer. Black. But is there nothing, then, save rank imposture, In all these tales of goblinry at Devorgoil ? Kat. My aunts grave lord thinks otherwise, supposing That his great name so interests the Heavens, That miracles must needs bespeak its fall — 86 THE DOOM OF DEVORGOIL. [act hi. I would that I were in a lowly cottage Beneath the greenwood, on its walls no armour To court the levin-bolt Black. And a kind husband, Katleen, To ward such dangers as must needs come nigh. — My fathers cottage stands so low and lone, That you would think it solitude itself; The greenwood shields it from the northern blast, And, in the woodbine round its latticed casement, The linnets sure to build the earliest nest In all the forest. Kat. Peace, you fool, they come. [Flora lights Gullcrammer across the stage. Kat. [when they have passedJ] Away with you — On with your cloak — be ready at the signal. Black. And shall we talk of that same cottage, Katleen, At better leisure ? — I have much to say In favour of my cottage. Kat. If you will be talking, You know I cant prevent you. Black. Thats enough. [ AsideJ] I shall have leave, I see, to spell the page A little closer, when the due time comes. Scene II. — Scene changes to Gullcrammers sleeping apartment — He enters, ushered in by Flora, who sets on the table a flask, with the lamp. Flora. A flask, in case your Reverence be athirsty; SCENE II.] THE DOOM OF DEVORGOIL. 87 A light, in case your Reverence be afeard ; — And so sweet slumber to your Reverence. Gull Kind Mrs. Flora, will you ?— eh ! eh ! eh ! Flora, Willi what? Gull Tarry a little? Flora, [smiling.] Kind Master Gullcrammer, How can you ask me aught so unbecoming? Gull. Oh, fie, fie, fie!— Believe me, Mistress Flora, Tis not for that — but being guided through Such dreary galleries, stairs, and suites of rooms, To this same cubicle, Im somewhat loath To bid adieu to pleasant company. Flora. A flattering compliment ! — In plain truth you are frightend. Gull What ! frightend ? — I — I — am not timo- rous. Flora. Perhaps youve heard this is our haunted chamber ? But then it is our best — Your Reverence knows > That in all tales which turn upon a ghost, Your traveller belated has the luck To enjoy the haunted room — it is a rule : — To some it were a hardship, but to you, Who are a scholar, and not timorous Gull. I did not say I was not timorous, I said I was not temerarious. — Ill to the hall again. Flora. Youll do your pleasure. But you have somehow moved my fathers anger, 88 THE DOOM OF DEVORGOIL. [ACT III. And you had better meet our playful Owlspiegle — So is our goblin calld — than face Lord Oswald. Gull. Owlspiegle ? — It is an uncouth and outlandish name, And in mine ear sounds fiendish. Flora. Hush, hush, hush ! Perhaps he hears us now — [in an under tone] — A merry spirit ; None of your elves that pinch folks black add blue, For lack of cleanliness. Gull. As for that, Mistress Flora, My taifeta doublet hath been duly brushd, My shirt hebdomadal put on this morning. Flora. Why, you need fear no goblins. But this Owlspiegle Is of another class ; — yet has his frolics ; Cuts hair, trims beards, and plays amid his antics The office of a sinful mortal barber Such is at least the rumour. GulL He will not cut my clothes, or scar my face, Or draw my blood ? Flora. Enormities like these Were never charged against him. Gull. And, Mistress Flora, would you smile on me, If, priced by the fond hope of your approval, I should endure this venture ? Flora. I do hope, I shall have cause to smile. SCENE II.] THE DOOM OF DEVORGOIL. 89 Gull Well ! in that hope I will embrace the achievement for thy sake. [She is going. Yet, stay, stay, stay ! — on second thoughts I will not — Ive thought on it, and will the mortal cudgel Rather endure than face the ghostly razor ! Your crab-trees tough but blunt, — your razors .polishd, But, as the proverb goes, tis cruel sharp. Ill to thy father, and unto his pleasure Submit these destined shoulders. Flora. But you shall not, Believe me, sir, you shall not ; he is desperate, And better far be trimmd by ghost or goblin, Than by my sire in anger ; there are stores Of hidden treasure, too, and Heaven knows what, Buried among these ruins — you shall stay. \_Apart.~\ And if indeed there be such sprite as Owlspiegle, And, lacking him, that thy fear plague thee not Worse than a goblin, I have missd my purpose, Which else stands good in either case. — Good night, sir. [Exit, and double-locks the door. Gull Nay, hold ye, hold !— -Nay, gentle Mistress Flora, Wherefore this ceremony ? — She has lockd me in, And left me to the goblin ! — [Listening.] — So, so, so ! I hear her light foot trip to such a distance. 90 THE DOOM OF DEVORGOIL. [ACT III. That I believe the castles breadth divides me From human company. Im ill at ease — But if this citadel {Laying his hand on his stomach] were better victuald, It would be better mannd. [Sits down and drinks. She has a footstep light, and taper ankle. [Chuckles. Aha ! that ankle ! yet, confound it too, But for those charms Melchisedek had been Snug in his bed at Mucklewhame — I say, Confound her footstep, and her instep too, To use a cobblers phrase. — There I was quaint Now, what to do in this vile circumstance, To watch or go to bed, I cant determine ; Were I a-bed, the ghost might catch me napping, And if I watch, my terrors w T ill increase As ghostly hours approach. Ill to my bed Een in my taffeta doublet, shrink my head Beneath the clothes — leave the lamp burning there, [Sets it on the table. And trust to fate the issue. [He lays aside his cloak, and brushes it, as from habit, starting at every moment ; ties a napkin over his head; then shrinks beneath the bed-clothes. He starts once or twice, and at length seems to go to sleep. A bell tolls one. He leaps up in his bed. Gull. I had just coaxd myself to sweet forget- fiilness, And that confounded bell — I hate all bells, Except a dinner bell — and yet I lie, too, — I love the bell that soon shall tell the parish SCENE II.] THE DOOM OF DEVOROOIL. 91 Of Gabblegoose, Melchisedeks incumbent — And shall the future minister of Gabblegoose, Whom his parishioners will soon require To exorcise their ghosts, detect their witches, Lie shivering in his bed for a pert goblin, Whom, be he switchd or cocktaild, hornd or polld, A few tight Hebrew words will soon send packing ? Tush ! I will rouse the parson up within me, And bid defiance [_A distant noise.] In the name of Heaven, What sounds are these ! — O Lord ! this comes of rashness ! [Draws his head down under the bed-clothes. Duet with- out, between Owlspiegle and Cockledemoy. OWLSPIEGLE. Cockledemoy I My boy, my boy COCKLEDEMOY. Here, father, here. OWLSPIEGLE. Now the pole-stars red and burning, And the witchs spindle turning, Appear, appear ! Gull, [who has again raised himself, and listened toith great terror to the duet.] I have heard of the devils dam before, But never of his child. Now, Heaven deliver me ! The Papists have the better of us there, — They have their Latin prayers, cut and dried, 92 THE DOOM OF DEVORGOIL. [ACT HI. And pat for such occasion — I can think On nought but the vernacular. OWLSPIEGLE. Cockledemoy ! My boy, my boy, Well sport us here — COCKLEDEMOY. Our gambols play, Like elve and fay ; OWLSPIEGLE. And domineer, BOTH. Laugh, frolic, and frisk, till the morning appear. COCKLEDEMOY. Lift latch — open clasp — Shoot bolt— and burst hasp ! [The door opens with violence. Enter Black- thorn as Owlspiegle, fantastically dressed as a Spanish barber, tall, thin, emaciated, and ghostly ; Flora, as Cockledemoy, attends as his page. All their manners, tones, and motions, are fantastic, as those of goblins. They make two or three times the circuit of the room, without seeming to see Gullcrammer. They then resume their chant, or recitative. OWLSPIEGLE. Cockledemoy, My boy, my boy, What wilt thou do that will give thee joy? Wilt thou ride on the midnight owl ? TO BE CONTINUED
Posted on: Wed, 04 Dec 2013 22:29:35 +0000
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