# Dramas (Baillie)/The Stripling/Act 5

ACT V.
SCENE I.—Bruton's Lodgings. Bruton and his friend, a Justice of the Peace, are discovered in earnest conversation.
JUSTICE.
BRUTON.
JUSTICE.
BRUTON.
Enter a Servant.
BRUTON.
SERVANT.
BRUTON.
[Exit Servant.
JUSTICE.
BRUTON.
JUSTICE.
BRUTON.
Enter Morgan and a Labourer.
BRUTON.
MORGAN.
LABOURER.
JUSTICE.
LABOURER.
JUSTICE.
LABOURER.
JUSTICE.
LABOURER.
JUSTICE.
BRUTON.
JUSTICE.
LABOURER.
BRUTON.
LABOURER (to Bruton).
JUSTICE.
LABOURER.
JUSTICE.
LABOURER.
BRUTON (starting as he looks on it).
JUSTICE.
BRUTON.
SERVANT (to Bruton, after examining it).
JUSTICE.
BRUTON.
I am so.—(Aside.) Is it possible that the wretched boy has sacrificed himself for his father? (To the Justice.) I'll follow you presently.
JUSTICE.
[Exeunt. ​
SCENE II.
The Street before Arden's House.
Enter Humphry, meeting Robert, who comes out from the house.
ROBERT.
HUMPHRY.
ROBERT (skipping about).
HUMPHRY.
ROBERT.
HUMPHRY.
ROBERT.
HUMPHRY.
ROBERT (calling after Humphry as he goes off).
HUMPHRY (turning back).
ROBERT.
HUMPHRY (pushing him off the Stage by the shoulders).
[Exeunt severally.
SCENE III.
A small Court or Garden behind Arden's House.
Enter Madaline from the house.
MADALINE (looking about).
Enter Humphry.
MADALINE.
HUMPHRY.
MADALINE.
HUMPHRY.
MADALINE.
HUMPHRY.
MADALINE.
HUMPHRY.
MADALINE.
HUMPHRY.
MADALINE.
HUMPHRY.
MADALINE.
HUMPHRY.
MADALINE.
HUMPHRY.
MADALINE.
HUMPHRY (listening).
MADALINE.
HUMPHRY.
MADALINE.
HUMPHRY.
MADALINE.
HUMPHRY
MADALINE.
HUMPHRY.
MADALINE.
HUMPHRY.
MADALINE.
HUMPHRY.
MADALINE.
HUMPHRY.
MADALINE.
HUMPHRY.
[Runs and opens a small gate at the bottom of the Stage, and enter Arden and Mrs. Arden, who both receive the embraces of Madaline.]
ARDEN (looking about).
Enter Young Arden, who runs to his father, and throwing himself upon his neck, bursts into tears.
ARDEN.
YOUNG ARDEN.
ARDEN.
YOUNG ARDEN.
ARDEN.
MRS. ARDEN (taking her son's hand tenderly).
YOUNG ARDEN (with kindled animation).
MRS. ARDEN.
ARDEN.
(As they are about to go into the house, a party of men hurst in upon them from the small gate, which has been left unlocked, and lay hold of Young Arden.)
FIRST MAN.
ARDEN (catching hold of his Son, to pull him from the men).
FIRST MAN.
ARDEN (looking at the warrant).
HUMPHRY.
FIRST MAN.
HUMPHRY.
[A violent struggle ensues between Humphry and Arden on one side, and the officers of justice on the other, in which Young Arden, between the two parties, is wounded.]
YOUNG ARDEN.
[A general outcry and panic; and they all close about him, Arden supporting him as he sinks to the ground, and Mrs. Arden kneeling by him distractedly.]
MRS. ARDEN.
YOUNG ARDEN.
MRS. ARDEN.
YOUNG ARDEN.
MRS. ARDEN.
YOUNG ARDEN.
MRS. ARDEN.
YOUNG ARDEN.
How many mother's sons, not much older than me, die far distant on the ocean, on the field of battle, with many terrible wounds; and here I am beside you, mother, and shall look upon you, and keep hold of your hand till the last.—My father; where are you? Give me your hand. (Taking Arden's hand, and joining it with his wife's.) There, mother; I have earned him for you, and he will take care of you.—Will you not now be united in steady unbroken affection? This cheers me; this makes death almost pleasant to me.
ARDEN.
YOUNG ARDEN.
ARDEN.
YOUNG ARDEN.
MADALINE.
YOUNG ARDEN.
HUMPHRY.
YOUNG ARDEN.
HUMPHRY.
YOUNG ARDEN.
MRS. ARDEN.
YOUNG ARDEN.
[Mrs. Arden sinks down in a state of insensibility by the body, while Arden paces about in an agony of despair.]
ARDEN.