Elwina!

  Elw. Then I'm undone indeed! How stern his looks! I will not be repuls'd, I am your child, The child of that dear mother you ador'd; You shall not throw me off, I will grow here, And, like the patriarch, wrestle for a blessing.   Raby. [holding her from him.] Before I take thee in these aged arms, Press thee with transport to this beating heart, And give a loose to all a parent's fondness, Answer, and see thou answer me as truly As if the dread inquiry came from heaven,— Does no interior sense of guilt confound thee? Canst thou lay all thy naked soul before me? Can thy unconscious eye encounter mine? Canst thou endure the probe, and never shrink? Can thy firm hand meet mine, and never tremble? Art thou prepar'd to meet the rigid Judge? Or to embrace the fond, the melting, father?   Elw. Mysterious Heaven! to what am I reserv'd!   Raby. Should some rash man, regardless of thy fame, And in defiance of thy marriage vows, Presume to plead a guilty passion for thee, What would'st thou do?   Elw. What honour bids me do.   Raby. Come to my arms![they embrace.   Elw. My father!   Raby. Yes, Elwina, Thou art my child—thy mother's perfect image.   Elw. Forgive these tears of mingled joy and doubt; For why that question? who should seek to please The desolate Elwina?   Raby. But if any Should so presume, canst thou resolve to hate him, Whate'er his name, whate'er his pride of blood, Whate'er his former arrogant pretensions?   Elw. Ha!   Raby. Dost thou falter? Have a care, Elwina.   Elw. Sir, do not fear me: am I not your daughter?   Raby. Thou hast a higher claim upon thy honour; Thou art Earl Douglas' wife.   Elw. [weeps.] I am, indeed!   Raby. Unhappy Douglas!   Elw. Has he then complain'd? Has he presum'd to sully my white fame?   Raby. He knows that Percy——   Elw. Was my destin'd husband; By your own promise, by a father's promise, And by a tie more strong, more sacred still, Mine, by the fast firm bond of mutual love.   Raby. Now, by my fears, thy husband told me truth.   Elw. If he has told thee, that thy only child Was forc'd a helpless victim to the altar, Torn from his arms who had her virgin heart, And forc'd to make false vows to one she hated, Then I confess that he has told the truth.   Raby. Her words are barbed arrows in my heart. But 'tis too late. [aside.] Thou hast appointed Harcourt To see thee here by stealth in Douglas' absence?   Elw. No, by my life, nor knew I till this moment That Harcourt was return'd. Was it for this I taught my heart to struggle with its feelings? Was it for this I bore my wrongs in silence? When the fond ties of early love were broken, Did my weak soul break out in fond complaints? Did I reproach thee? Did I call thee cruel? No—I endur'd it all; and wearied Heaven To bless the father who destroy'd my peace.   Enter Messenger.   Mes. My lord, a knight, Sir Hubert as I think, But newly landed from the holy wars, Entreats admittance.   Raby. Let the warrior enter.[exit Messenger. All private interests sink at his approach; All selfish cares be for a moment banish'd; I've now no child, no kindred but my country.   Elw. Weak heart, be still, for what hast thou to fear?   Enter Sir Hubert.   Raby. Welcome, thou gallant knight! Sir Hubert, welcome! Welcome to Raby Castle!—In one word, Is the king safe? Is Palestine subdu'd?   Sir H. The king is safe, and Palestine subdu'd.   Raby. Blest be the God of armies! Now, Sir Hubert, By all the saints, thou'rt a right noble knight! O why was I too old for this crusade! I think it would have made me young again, Could I, like thee, have seen the hated crescent