# Dramas (Baillie)/The Homicide/Act 2

ACT II.
SCENE I.—The Deck of a Ship, with a stormy Sea seen dimly beyond it. Sailors and Passengers are discovered, some on their knees, some clinging to the shrouds, some staggering about with wild gestures of despair, whilst some are endeavouring to work the ship, and disputing about what should be done; and a great confusion of voices is heard through the noise of the storm. The whole light should proceed from one part of the deck; viz. the binnacle, by which means want of expression of countenance in the under-actors will not be discovered, as none need come within the gleam of its light but those who can give expression. Claudien is discovered busy in assisting those who are endeavouring to save the vessel, near the bottom of the Stage.
CAPTAIN (on the front).
BOATSWAIN.
CAPTAIN.
BOATSWAIN.
CAPTAIN.
MANY VOICES (at once).
CAPTAIN.
[Great noise and confusion, and they begin to cut down the mast and cast things overboard.]
FIRST SAILOR (with a loud voice).
CAPTAIN (catching hold of him).
FIRST SAILOR (pointing to Claudien).
CAPTAIN.
FIRST SAILOR.
MANY VOICES (as before).
FIRST SAILOR.
CAPTAIN.
FIRST SAILOR.
CAPTAIN (beckoning Claudien to the front).
Sir passenger, come hither. This man (pointing to First Sailor) has heard thee utter such words as compels him to accuse thee of murder. We may all be summoned few moments hence into the presence of our Great Judge, who cannot be deceived: if thou art guilty, cry to God for mercy and confess it; a ship in peril may not be laden with such an unblessed freight. Art thou innocent of blood?
CLAUDIEN.
FIRST SAILOR.
MANY VOICES.
OTHER VOICES.
CLAUDIEN.
VOICES (again).
FIRST SAILOR.
[They surround Claudien to bind him, when he draws his sword.]
CLAUDIEN.
CAPTAIN.
[They again close round him to seize him, and he still keeps them off with his sword.]
CLAUDIEN.
[He retires to the farther side of the deck, with his face to the crew and his back to the sea; then holding up his hand, as if uttering a short prayer, turns quickly rounds and jumps overboard, the whole crew raising a wild cry, and remaining for a few moments after it in deep silence; the sound of the storm only heard.]
CAPTAIN.
BOATSWAIN.
SECOND SAILOR.
THIRD SAILOR.
SECOND SAILOR.
THIRD SAILOR.
[The sound of the storm as before, very loud.]
CAPTAIN.
[A great clamour and commotion among the crew, and the scene closes.]
SCENE II.
A Lawyer's Study, lumbered with tables, books, and papers, &c.
Enter Borion, a scroll in his hand, which he examines attentively. He then pauses, and considers before he speaks to himself.
BORION.
Enter Kranzberg.
KRANZBERG.
BORION.
KRANZBERG.
BORION.
KRANZBERG.
BORION.
KRANZBERG.
BORION.
KRANZBERG.
Enter a Servant, showing in the two Officers of Justice.
BORION (waving his hand).
[Exeunt Officers. ​
KRANZBERG.
You are cautious, I see, and would question them apart from me. But you are right; I am nowise offended; on the contrary, even your distrust of myself gives me confidence in your integrity. [Exit Borion, following the Officers, while Kranzberg looks angrily after him.] The devil take his incredulous nature! who would demur on such flagrant proof as this? If it were not that the trial comes on to-morrow, and I dare not delay it, lest he should, after all, be innocent, I would put it into other hands that would undertake it more heartily. (After consideration.) No, no! I must press him to retain it. Were it known that he had given it up, that would create a strong prejudice against me. I must press him to retain it. [Exit.
SCENE III.
A Prison: Van Maurice is discovered at the bottom of the Stage in a thoughtful disconsolate posture; he then comes forward and remains a short time, muttering to himself before he speaks aloud.
VAN MAURICE.
And infamy and death must be my portion
For my adherence to the manly ties
Of honour and of friendship!—No alternative!
Betray his confidence to save my life!
Do what is base to save me from disgrace!
Surely, some fiend of darkness must be dealing
With my necessity, when thoughts like these
Contaminate my mind.
He came to me in misery; in secret
His soul pour'd out its bitterness before me.
Away, away! ye base and mean suggestions!
God will deliver me.—Or should his will
Appoint my life to be the sacrifice,
The mem'ry of the just shall be at length
Or the good priest; have I not told thee so?
Enter Ardusoffe.
ARDUSOFFE.
VAN MAURICE.
ARDUSOFFE.
apartments, unhappily, having a private door leading to the garden, and from thence into the street.
VAN MAURICE.
ARDUSOFFE.
VAN MAURICE.
ARDUSOFFE.
VAN MAURICE.
ARDUSOFFE.
VAN MAURICE.
ARDUSOFFE.
VAN MAURICE.
ARDUSOFFE.
VAN MAURICE (shuddering).
(Turns away from him much distressed.)
ARDUSOFFE.
VAN MAURICE.
ARDUSOFFE.
VAN MAURICE (supporting himself on the shoulder of Ardusoffe).
ARDUSOFFE (after a pause).
[A pause, in which Van Maurice, sinking from the shoulder of Ardusoffe, covers his face with both his hands.
O, have mercy on thyself, and let this conflict cease!
VAN MAURICE (raising himself suddenly, with vehemence of gesture and voice).
I will die honour'd in my inward mind,
And in the sight of heaven. Betide what will,
I'll not betray my trust!
ARDUSOFFE.
Since thou repell'st all pity for thyself!
Enter Rosella.
ROSELLA.
Like one possessing hope; what is the matter?
ARDUSOFFE.
VAN MAURICE.
ARDUSOFFE.
ROSELLA.
O for my sake, if not thine own, my brother,
For my sake be entreated! In thy ruin
I shall be ruin'd, agonised, and crush'd;
Think not I could survive it!
VAN MAURICE.
With mine own thoughts to commune. Your entreaties
Do but the more distract me.
(Aside to Ardusoffe.)
Return to me again, but leave me now.
[Exit Ardusoffe.
ROSELLA.
[A pause.]
Why dost thou shake thy head, and look on me
So ruefully? there is a meaning in it.
VAN MAURICE.
ROSELLA.
Not else; for if thou die a felon's death,
I never can survive it.—For my sake
And for the sake of him, thine absent friend,
Our gentle Claudien: would that he were here
To join with mine his earnest, strong entreaties!
VAN MAURICE (putting his hand upon her lips in an alarmed manner, and speaking low).
That he is absent.
ROSELLA.
Is he concern'd in this?
VAN MAURICE.
Thou hast enough already.
ROSELLA.
VAN MAURICE.
How fix'd and pale that lovely countenance,
More like my mother's than I ever saw it.
Like her who loved us both and rear'd us tenderly,
Who daily shed her widow's blessing o'er us,
And little thought for what calamities
We both might be reserved.
But she revives. How art thou, sweet Rosella?
ROSELLA.
Was girding me.——O no! it was not sleep:
I know it now distinctly.
VAN MAURICE.
ROSELLA.
I shall not faint again.
VAN MAURICE.
ROSELLA.
Is any thing more precious than thyself?
No, right is right; thou shalt not die for Claudien.
Thank God he's absent! let him so remain:
I'll to the judges; I'll declare the truth;
I'll vindicate thy innocence, my Maurice.
VAN MAURICE (embracing her).
Were altogether fruitless.—
Who would give credit to thy testimony?
For they will deem, to save a brother's life,
Thou dost accuse an absent man. Beside,
Who will corroborate what thou aver'st?
And what could'st thou aver? I've told thee nothing,
And, so God strengthen me! I never will.
ROSELLA.
And beg respite till I can write to Claudien.
VAN MAURICE.
That he may put himself into my place?
ROSELLA (distractedly).
But thou, my noble Maurice, shalt not die.
VAN MAURICE.
Enter the Confessor, shown in by the Turnkey.
You're welcome, reverend Father. (To the Turnkey.) Does any attendant on this lady wait without? ​
TURNKEY.
VAN MAURICE.
(Speaking aside to Rosella, as he leads her to the Friar.)
Let nothing pass your lips that hath a reference
To what we spoke of: take good heed; be secret.
Sooth her, good Father; thou hast words of consolation for every earthly affliction.
Enter Margaret.
I thank thee, friendly Margaret, for thy kind attendance on my poor distressed sister. Come near to me. (Draws her to the front of the Stage, whilst the Confessor speaks in dumb show to Rosella behind.) Rosella is not well; there is fever upon her spirits, and her mind wanders wildly. Be not alarmed at this, but give her an opiate,—a very powerful opiate: she has need of rest, and nature has no sleep for one so distracted with anxiety.
MARGARET.
VAN MAURICE.
I thank thee, Margaret. But do not tarry here! lead her away immediately. I do not wish to see her till the trial is over. (Returning to Rosella.) Farewell, dear sister! I must now give my thoughts to things which regard not this world. [Exeunt Rosella and Margaret.] We will, if you please, good Father, retire to the inner cell. [Exeunt.
SCENE IV.
The House of Kranzberg.
Enter Kranzberg, followed by Corman, bearing a salver with wine, &c. which he sets upon a table.
KRANZBERG (speaking as they enter).
CORMAN (pouring out wine and presenting it).
KRANZBERG (after drinking).
CORMAN.
KRANZBERG.
CORMAN.
KRANZBERG.
CORMAN.
KRANZBERG.
CORMAN.
KRANZBERG.
CORMAN.
KRANZBERG.
CORMAN.
KRANZBERG.
CORMAN.
KRANZBERG.
CORMAN.
KRANZBERG.
CORMAN.
KRANZBERG.
CORMAN.
KRANZBERG.
CORMAN.
KRANZBERG.
Enter Ardusoffe.
ARDUSOFFE.
KRANZBERG.
ARDUSOFFE.
KRANZBERG.
ARDUSOFFE.
KRANZBERG.
ARDUSOFFE.
KRANZBERG.
ARDUSOFFE.
KRANZBERG.
ARDUSOFFE (drawing back from him).
KRANZBERG.
ARDUSOFFE.
KRANZBERG.
ARDUSOFFE (drily).
KRANZBERG.
ARDUSOFFE.
KRANZBERG.
Have I cozened that suspicious fellow at last? [Re-enter Corman, who had retired upon Ardusoffe's coming in.] I have cozened that suspicious fellow at last. If Van Maurice be caught making his escape, the trial will proceed immediately. The bright thought came into my head of a sudden; I wonder I did not think of it before.
CORMAN.
KRANZBERG.
CORMAN.
KRANZBERG.
CORMAN.
SCENE V.
Before the walls of a Prison: a Sentinel is discovered walking to and fro by an arched Gateway, and several Men muffled in cloaks, peeping occasionally from behind an outer buttress near the front. A small Door at the further end of the arch opens slowly, and Ardusoffe enters by it, through the gateway, his face hid by his cloak.
SENTINEL.
ARDUSOFFE (in a feigned voice).
SENTINEL.
ARDUSOFFE.
[Going close to the Sentinel and turning his back to the front of the Stage, he uncovers his face for a moment, on which the other, with a nod, suffers him to pass. He then proceeds on his way, and is about to go off when Corman and his companions burst upon him from behind the buttress.]
CORMAN.
ARDUSOFFE (still concealing his face).
CORMAN.
[They drag him towards the light, he making great resistance, when Kranzberg enters suddenly and lays hold of him.]
KRANZBERG.
ARDUSOFFE (uncovering his face, and speaking in his natural voice).
KRANZBERG.
ARDUSOFFE.
Yea, the same, and thy accomplice in endeavouring to persuade a prisoner to escape from the hands of justice. (Seeing him look round significantly to Corman, who, thereupon, draws the other men to a distance.) What, art thou afraid those men should hear us; thou who art so free and open, even to imprudence? Thou wilt become a character of perfection by and by, since thou correctest thy errors so completely.
KRANZBERG.
ARDUSOFFE.
KRANZBERG.
ARDUSOFFE.
KRANZBERG.
ARDUSOFFE (smiling archly).
KRANZBERG (furiously).
[Great hustle; running different ways, while the alarm bell rings from the tower.]
ARDUSOFFE (aside, as he goes off).
CORMAN (to Kranzberg).
KRANZBERG.
[Exeunt.
SCENE VI.
The House of the Senior Judge. Enter the Judge with a paper in his hand, followed by his Secretary.
JUDGE (as they enter).
While the Judge employs himself reading other papers, re-enter Secretary.
SECRETARY.
JUDGE.
SECRETARY.
JUDGE.
Enter Kranzberg.
You come in good time, Kranzberg: know you any thing of this escape, or attempted escape, of Van Maurice?
KRANZBERG.
JUDGE.
KRANZBERG.
JUDGE.
KRANZBERG.
JUDGE.
KRANZBERG.
JUDGE.
KRANZBERG.
JUDGE.
KRANZBERG.
JUDGE.
[Exit.
KRANZBERG.