Methought I heard the midnight raven cry ;
Waked with the imagined noise, my curtains seemed
To start, and at my feet my sons appeared.
Like ghosts, all pale and stiff : I strove to speak,
But could not ; suddenly the forms were lost.
And seemed to vanish in a bloody cloud.
'Twas odd, and for the present shook my thoughts ;
But was the effect of my distempered blood ;
And, when the health's disturbed, the mind's unruly.
Enter Polydore.
Good-morning, Polydore.
Pol, Heaven keep your lordship !

A cast. Have you yet seen Castalio to-day ?



138 THE ORPHAN. [act iv.
Pol, My lord, 'tis early day ; he's hardly risen.
A cast. Go, call him up, and meet me in the chapel.
[Exit POLYDORE.
cannot think all has gone well to-night ;
For as I waking lay (and sure my sense
Was then my own) methought I heard my son
Castalio's voice ; but it seemed low and mournful ;
Under my window too I thought I heard it :
My untoward fancy could not be deceived
In everything ; and I will search the truth out.
Enter Monimia and Florella.
Already up, Monimia ! you rose

Thus early surely to outshine the day \

Or was there anything that crossed your rest ? [sleep.
They were naughty thoughts that would not let you

Mon. Whatever are my thoughts, my lord, I've
By your example to correct their ills, [learnt

And morn and evening give up the account.
