What may this mean ? Earl Douglas has enjoin 'd thee To meet him here in private ? Since my short sojourn here , I 've mark 'd this earl , And though the ties of blood unite us closely , I shudder at his haughtiness of temper , Which not his gentle wife , the bright Elwina , Can charm to rest . Ill are their spirits pair 'd ; His is the seat of frenzy , her 's of softness , His love is transport , her 's is trembling duty ; Rage in his soul is as the whirlwind fierce , While her 's ne'er felt the power of that rude passion . Though every various charm adorns Elwina , And though the noble Douglas dotes to madness , Yet some dark mystery involves their fate : The canker grief devours Elwina 's bloom , And on her brow meek resignation sits , Hopeless , yet uncomplaining . Once , not long since , she thought herself alone ; ‘ Twas then the pent-up anguish burst its bounds ; With broken voice , clasp 'd hands , and streaming eyes , She call 'd upon her father , call 'd him cruel , And said her duty claim 'd far other recompence . Often , But hitherto in vain ; and yet she shews me The endearing kindness of a sister 's love ; But if I speak of Douglas —— Crossing the portico I met Lord Douglas , Disorder 'd were his looks , his eyes shot fire ; He call 'd upon your name with such distraction , I fear 'd some sudden evil had befallen you . I ne'er beheld Your gentle soul so ruffled , yet I 've mark 'd you , While others thought you happiest of the happy , Blest with whate'er the world calls great , or good , With all that nature , all that fortune gives , I 've mark 'd you bending with a weight of sorrow . What do I hear ? On that fam 'd spot where first the feuds commenc 'd Between the earls ? Indeed ‘ twas most unjust ; but say what follow 'd ? Did Douglas know , a marriage had been once Propos 'd ‘ twixt you and Percy ? Should he now find he was the instrument Of the Lord Raby 's vengeance ? Nor will return before his sov'reign comes . The king returns . You needs must go . I know not . I dispatch 'd young Harcourt to him , To bid him quit the castle , as you order 'd , Restore the scarf , and never see you more . But how the hard injunction was receiv 'd , Or what has happen 'd since , I 'm yet to learn . Be calm ; Douglas this very moment left the castle , With seeming peace . Should Percy once again entreat to see thee , ‘ Twere best admit him ; from thy lips alone He will submit to hear his final doom Of everlasting exile . If he remains , As I suspect , within the castle walls , ‘ Twere best I sought him out . Harcourt , t ’ elude his watchfulness , Might prudently retire . May Heaven restore that peace thy bosom wants ! Of woe , indeed ! Your husband lives . Still are you wrong ; the combat is not over . Stay , flowing tears , and give me leave to speak . What a task is mine ! How shall I speak ? Thy husband —— When all was ready for the fatal combat , He call 'd his chosen knights , then drew his sword , And on it made them swear a solemn oath , Confirm 'd by every rite religion bids , That they would see perform 'd his last request , Be it whate'er it would . Alas ! they swore . Then to their hands he gave a poison 'd cup , Compounded of the deadliest herbs and drugs ; Take this , said he , it is a husband 's legacy ; Percy may conquer — and — I have a wife ! If Douglas falls , Elwina must not live . O spare , for pity spare , my bleeding heart : Inhuman to the last ! Unnatural poison ! Hark ! what alarm is that ? Douglas is fallen . Never . Whose entrance ? He 's single , we have hosts of friends . O unexampled virtue ! Monster ! Barbarian ! leave her to her sorrows . Unfortunate indeed , but O most innocent ! What means my lord ? This day ? That fatal scarf Was given long since , a toy of childish friendship ; Long ere your marriage , ere you knew Elwina . But now , when we believ 'd thee dead , she vow 'd Never to see thy rival . Instantly , Not in a state of momentary passion , But with a martyr 's dignity and calmness , She bade me bring the poison . I obey . O horror , horror , horror ! Elwina — Her grief wrought up to frenzy , She has , in her delirium , swallow 'd poison !