IDONEA You know, Sir, I have been too long your guard
              Not to have learnt to laugh at little fears. 
              Why, if a wolf should leap from out a thicket,
              A look of mine would send him scouring back,
              Unless I differ from the thing I am
              When you are by my side.

HERBERT Idonea, wolves
              Are not the enemies that move my fears.

IDONEA No more, I pray, of this.  Three days at farthest
              Will bring me back—­protect him, Saints—­farewell!

[Exit IDONEA.]

HOST ’Tis never drought with us—­St. Cuthbert and his Pilgrims,
              Thanks to them, are to us a stream of comfort: 
              Pity the Maiden did not wait awhile;
              She could not, Sir, have failed of company.

HERBERT Now she is gone, I fain would call her back.

HOST (calling) Holla!

HERBERT No, no, the business must be done.—­
              What means this riotous noise?

HOST The villagers
              Are flocking in—­a wedding festival—­
              That’s all—­God save you, Sir.

[Enter OSWALD]

OSWALD Ha! as I live,
              The Baron Herbert.

HOST Mercy, the Baron Herbert!

OSWALD So far into your journey! on my life,
             You are a lusty Traveller.  But how fare you?

HERBERT Well as the wreck I am permits.  And you, Sir?

OSWALD I do not see Idonea.

HERBERT Dutiful Girl,
              She is gone before, to spare my weariness. 
              But what has brought you hither?

OSWALD A slight affair,
              That will be soon despatched.

HERBERT Did Marmaduke
              Receive that letter?

OSWALD Be at peace.—­The tie
              Is broken, you will hear no more of him.

HERBERT This is true comfort, thanks a thousand times!—­
              That noise!—­would I had gone with her as far
              As the Lord Clifford’s Castle:  I have heard
              That, in his milder moods, he has expressed
              Compassion for me.  His influence is great
              With Henry, our good King;—­the Baron might
              Have heard my suit, and urged my plea at Court. 
              No matter—­he’s a dangerous Man.—­That noise!—­
              ’Tis too disorderly for sleep or rest. 
              Idonea would have fears for me,—­the Convent
              Will give me quiet lodging.  You have a boy, good Host,
              And he must lead me back.