ACT THE THIRD.

Fab.Assure her, that the man, who sav'd her life,Is dear to Fabian as his vital blood.

Fab.Assure her, that the man, who sav'd her life,

Is dear to Fabian as his vital blood.

[Exit.

EnterAdelaide.

Adel.I sent thee to his prison. Quickly tell me,What says he, does he know my sorrow for him?Does he confound me with the unfeeling crew,Who act my father's bidding? Can his lovePity my grief, and bear this wrong with patience?

Adel.I sent thee to his prison. Quickly tell me,

What says he, does he know my sorrow for him?

Does he confound me with the unfeeling crew,

Who act my father's bidding? Can his love

Pity my grief, and bear this wrong with patience?

Jaq.I strove in vain to enter. Fabian holds him,By the count's charge, in strictest custody;And, fearful to awake his master's wrath,Though much unwilling, bars me from his presence.

Jaq.I strove in vain to enter. Fabian holds him,

By the count's charge, in strictest custody;

And, fearful to awake his master's wrath,

Though much unwilling, bars me from his presence.

Adel.Unkind old man! I would myself entreat him,But fear my earnest look, these starting tears,Might to the experience of his prying ageReveal a secret, which, in vain, I striveTo hide from my own breast.

Adel.Unkind old man! I would myself entreat him,

But fear my earnest look, these starting tears,

Might to the experience of his prying age

Reveal a secret, which, in vain, I strive

To hide from my own breast.

Jaq.Alas, dear lady,Did not your tongue reveal it, your chang'd mien,Once lighter than the airy wood-nymph's shade,Now turn'd to pensive thought and melancholy,—Involuntary sighs,—your cheek, unlikeIts wonted bloom, as is the red-vein'd rose,To the dim sweetness of the violet—These had too soon betray'd you. But take heed;The colour of our fate too oft is ting'd,Mournful, or bright, but from our first affections.

Jaq.Alas, dear lady,

Did not your tongue reveal it, your chang'd mien,

Once lighter than the airy wood-nymph's shade,

Now turn'd to pensive thought and melancholy,—

Involuntary sighs,—your cheek, unlike

Its wonted bloom, as is the red-vein'd rose,

To the dim sweetness of the violet—

These had too soon betray'd you. But take heed;

The colour of our fate too oft is ting'd,

Mournful, or bright, but from our first affections.

Adel.Foul disproportion draws down shame on love,But where's the crime in fair equality?Mean birth presumes a mind uncultivate,Left to the coarseness of its native soil,To grow like weeds, and die, like them, neglected;But he was born my equal; lineag'd high,And titled as our great ones.

Adel.Foul disproportion draws down shame on love,

But where's the crime in fair equality?

Mean birth presumes a mind uncultivate,

Left to the coarseness of its native soil,

To grow like weeds, and die, like them, neglected;

But he was born my equal; lineag'd high,

And titled as our great ones.

Jaq.How easy is our faith to what we wish!His story may be feign'd.

Jaq.How easy is our faith to what we wish!

His story may be feign'd.

Adel.I'll not mistrust him.Since the bless'd hour, that brought him first to save me,How often have I listen'd to the tale!Gallant, generous youth!Thy sport, misfortune, from his infant years!—Wilt thou pursue him still?

Adel.I'll not mistrust him.

Since the bless'd hour, that brought him first to save me,

How often have I listen'd to the tale!

Gallant, generous youth!

Thy sport, misfortune, from his infant years!—

Wilt thou pursue him still?

Jaq.Indeed, 'tis hard.

Adel.But, oh, the pang, that these ungrateful wallsShould be his prison! Here, if I were aught,His presence should have made it festival;These gates, untouch'd, had leap'd to give him entrance,And songs of joy made glad the way before him.Instead of this, think what has been his welcome!Dragg'd by rude hands before a furious judge,Insulted, menac'd, like the vilest slave,And doom'd, unheard, to ignominious bondage.

Adel.But, oh, the pang, that these ungrateful walls

Should be his prison! Here, if I were aught,

His presence should have made it festival;

These gates, untouch'd, had leap'd to give him entrance,

And songs of joy made glad the way before him.

Instead of this, think what has been his welcome!

Dragg'd by rude hands before a furious judge,

Insulted, menac'd, like the vilest slave,

And doom'd, unheard, to ignominious bondage.

Jaq.Your father knew not of his service to you?

Adel.No, his indignant soul disdain'd to tell it.Great spirits, conscious of their inborn worth,Scorn by demand, to force the praise they merit;They feel a flame beyond their brightest deeds,And leave the weak to note them, and to wonder.

Adel.No, his indignant soul disdain'd to tell it.

Great spirits, conscious of their inborn worth,

Scorn by demand, to force the praise they merit;

They feel a flame beyond their brightest deeds,

And leave the weak to note them, and to wonder.

Jaq.Suppress these strong emotions. The count's eyeIs quick to find offence. Should he suspectThis unpermitted passion, 'twould draw downMore speedy vengeance on the helpless youth,Turning your fatal fondness to his ruin.

Jaq.Suppress these strong emotions. The count's eye

Is quick to find offence. Should he suspect

This unpermitted passion, 'twould draw down

More speedy vengeance on the helpless youth,

Turning your fatal fondness to his ruin.

Adel.Indeed, I want thy counsel. Yet, oh, leave me!Find, if my gold, my gems, can ransom him.Had I the world, it should be his as freely.

Adel.Indeed, I want thy counsel. Yet, oh, leave me!

Find, if my gold, my gems, can ransom him.

Had I the world, it should be his as freely.

Jaq.Trust to my care. The countess comes to seek you;Her eye is this way bent. Conceal this grief;All may be lost, if you betray such weakness.

Jaq.Trust to my care. The countess comes to seek you;

Her eye is this way bent. Conceal this grief;

All may be lost, if you betray such weakness.

[Exit.

Adel.O love! thy sway makes me unnatural.The tears, which should bedew the grave, yet green,Of a dear brother, turning from their source,Forget his death, and fall for Theodore.

Adel.O love! thy sway makes me unnatural.

The tears, which should bedew the grave, yet green,

Of a dear brother, turning from their source,

Forget his death, and fall for Theodore.

Enter theCountess.

Countess.Come near, my love! When thou art from my side,Methinks I wander like some gloomy ghost,Who, doom'd to tread alone a dreary round,Remembers the lost things, that made life precious,Yet sees no end of cheerless solitude.

Countess.Come near, my love! When thou art from my side,

Methinks I wander like some gloomy ghost,

Who, doom'd to tread alone a dreary round,

Remembers the lost things, that made life precious,

Yet sees no end of cheerless solitude.

Adel.We have known too much of sorrow; yet, 'twere wiseTo turn our thoughts from what mischance has ravish'd,And rest on what it leaves. My father's love——

Adel.We have known too much of sorrow; yet, 'twere wise

To turn our thoughts from what mischance has ravish'd,

And rest on what it leaves. My father's love——

Countess.Was mine, but is no more. 'Tis past, 'tis gone.That ray, at last, I hoped would never set,My guide, my light, through, fortune's blackest shades:It was my dear reserve, my secret treasure;I stor'd it up, as misers hoard their gold,Sure counterpoise for life's severest ills:Vain was my hope; for love's soft sympathy,He pays me back harsh words, unkind, reproof,And looks that stab with coldness.

Countess.Was mine, but is no more. 'Tis past, 'tis gone.

That ray, at last, I hoped would never set,

My guide, my light, through, fortune's blackest shades:

It was my dear reserve, my secret treasure;

I stor'd it up, as misers hoard their gold,

Sure counterpoise for life's severest ills:

Vain was my hope; for love's soft sympathy,

He pays me back harsh words, unkind, reproof,

And looks that stab with coldness.

Adel.Oh, most cruel!And, were he not my father, I could rail;Call him unworthy of thy wondrous virtues;Blind, and unthankful, for the greatest blessingHeaven's ever-bounteous hand could shower upon him.

Adel.Oh, most cruel!

And, were he not my father, I could rail;

Call him unworthy of thy wondrous virtues;

Blind, and unthankful, for the greatest blessing

Heaven's ever-bounteous hand could shower upon him.

Countess.No, Adelaide; we must subdue such thoughts:Obedience is thy duty, patience mine.Just now, with stern and peremptory briefness,He bade me seek my daughter, and dispose herTo wed, by his direction.

Countess.No, Adelaide; we must subdue such thoughts:

Obedience is thy duty, patience mine.

Just now, with stern and peremptory briefness,

He bade me seek my daughter, and dispose her

To wed, by his direction.

Adel.The saints forbid!To wed by his direction! Wed with whom?

Adel.The saints forbid!

To wed by his direction! Wed with whom?

Countess.I know not whom. He counsels with himself.

Adel.I hope he cannot mean it.

Countess.'Twas his order.

Adel.O madam! on my knees——

Countess.What would my child?Why are thy hands thus rais'd? Why stream thine eyes?Why flutters thus thy bosom? Adelaide,Speak to me! tell me, wherefore art thou thus?

Countess.What would my child?

Why are thy hands thus rais'd? Why stream thine eyes?

Why flutters thus thy bosom? Adelaide,

Speak to me! tell me, wherefore art thou thus?

Adel.Surprise and grief—I cannot, cannot speak.

Countess.If 'tis a pain to speak, I would not urge thee.But can my Adelaide fear aught from me?Am I so harsh?

Countess.If 'tis a pain to speak, I would not urge thee.

But can my Adelaide fear aught from me?

Am I so harsh?

Adel.Oh no! the kindest, best!But, would you save me from the stroke of death,If you would not behold your daughter, stretch'd,A poor pale corse, and breathless at your feet,Oh, step between me and this cruel mandate!

Adel.Oh no! the kindest, best!

But, would you save me from the stroke of death,

If you would not behold your daughter, stretch'd,

A poor pale corse, and breathless at your feet,

Oh, step between me and this cruel mandate!

Countess.But this is strange!—I hear your father's step:He must not see you thus: retire this moment.I'll come to you anon.

Countess.But this is strange!—I hear your father's step:

He must not see you thus: retire this moment.

I'll come to you anon.

Adel.Yet, ere I go,O make the interest of my heart your own;Nor, like a senseless, undiscerning thing,Incapable of choice, nor worth the question,Suffer this hasty transfer of your child:Plead for me strongly, kneel, pray, weep for me;And angels lend your tongue the power to move him!

Adel.Yet, ere I go,

O make the interest of my heart your own;

Nor, like a senseless, undiscerning thing,

Incapable of choice, nor worth the question,

Suffer this hasty transfer of your child:

Plead for me strongly, kneel, pray, weep for me;

And angels lend your tongue the power to move him!

[Exit.

Countess.What can this mean, this ecstacy of passion!Can such reluctance, such emotions, springFrom the mere nicety of maiden fear?The source is in her heart; I dread to trace it,Must then a parent's mild authorityBe turn'd a cruel engine, to inflictWounds on the gentle bosom of my child?And am I doom'd to register each dayBut by some new distraction?—Edmund! Edmund!In apprehending worse even than thy loss,My sense, confused, rests on no single grief;For that were ease to this eternal pulse,Which, throbbing here, says, blacker fates must follow;

Countess.What can this mean, this ecstacy of passion!

Can such reluctance, such emotions, spring

From the mere nicety of maiden fear?

The source is in her heart; I dread to trace it,

Must then a parent's mild authority

Be turn'd a cruel engine, to inflict

Wounds on the gentle bosom of my child?

And am I doom'd to register each day

But by some new distraction?—Edmund! Edmund!

In apprehending worse even than thy loss,

My sense, confused, rests on no single grief;

For that were ease to this eternal pulse,

Which, throbbing here, says, blacker fates must follow;

EnterCountandAustin, meeting.

Count.Welcome, thrice welcome! By our holy mother,My house seems hallow'd, when thou enter'st it.Tranquillity and peace dwell ever round thee;That robe of innocent white is thy soul's emblem,Made visible in unstain'd purity.Once more thy hand.

Count.Welcome, thrice welcome! By our holy mother,

My house seems hallow'd, when thou enter'st it.

Tranquillity and peace dwell ever round thee;

That robe of innocent white is thy soul's emblem,

Made visible in unstain'd purity.

Once more thy hand.

Aust.My daily task has been,So to subdue the frailties we inherit,That my fair estimation might go forth,Nothing for pride, but to an end more righteous:For, not the solemn trappings of our state,Tiaras, mitres, nor the pontiff's robe,Can give such grave authority to priesthood,As one good deed of grace and charity.

Aust.My daily task has been,

So to subdue the frailties we inherit,

That my fair estimation might go forth,

Nothing for pride, but to an end more righteous:

For, not the solemn trappings of our state,

Tiaras, mitres, nor the pontiff's robe,

Can give such grave authority to priesthood,

As one good deed of grace and charity.

Count.We deem none worthier. But to thy errand!

Aust.I come commission'd from fair Isabel.

Count.To me, or to the Countess?

Aust.Thus, to both.For your fair courtesy, and entertainment,She rests your thankful debtor. You, dear lady,And her sweet friend, the gentle Adelaide,Have such a holy place in all her thoughts,That 'twere irreverence to waste her senseIn wordy compliment.

Aust.Thus, to both.

For your fair courtesy, and entertainment,

She rests your thankful debtor. You, dear lady,

And her sweet friend, the gentle Adelaide,

Have such a holy place in all her thoughts,

That 'twere irreverence to waste her sense

In wordy compliment.

Countess.Alas! where is she?Till now I scarce had power to think of her;But 'tis the mournful privilege of grief,To stand excus'd from kind observances,Which else, neglected, might be deem'd offence.

Countess.Alas! where is she?

Till now I scarce had power to think of her;

But 'tis the mournful privilege of grief,

To stand excus'd from kind observances,

Which else, neglected, might be deem'd offence.

Aust.She dwells in sanctuary at Saint Nicholas':Why she took refuge there——

Aust.She dwells in sanctuary at Saint Nicholas':

Why she took refuge there——

Count.Retire, Hortensia.I would have private conference with Austin,No second ear must witness.

Count.Retire, Hortensia.

I would have private conference with Austin,

No second ear must witness.

Countess.May I not,By this good man, solict her return?

Countess.May I not,

By this good man, solict her return?

Count.Another time; it suits not now.—Retire.[ExitCountess.You come commission'd from fair Isabel?

Count.Another time; it suits not now.—Retire.

[ExitCountess.

You come commission'd from fair Isabel?

Aust.I come commission'd from a greater power,The Judge of thee, and Isabel, and all.The offer of your hand in marriage to her,With your propos'd divorce from that good lady,That honour'd, injur'd lady, you sent hence,She has disclos'd to me.

Aust.I come commission'd from a greater power,

The Judge of thee, and Isabel, and all.

The offer of your hand in marriage to her,

With your propos'd divorce from that good lady,

That honour'd, injur'd lady, you sent hence,

She has disclos'd to me.

Count.Which you approve not:So speaks the frowning prelude of your brow.

Count.Which you approve not:

So speaks the frowning prelude of your brow.

Aust.Approve not! Did I not protest against it,With the bold fervour of enkindled zeal,I were the pander of a love, like incest;Betrayer of my trust, my function's shame,And thy eternal soul's worst enemy.

Aust.Approve not! Did I not protest against it,

With the bold fervour of enkindled zeal,

I were the pander of a love, like incest;

Betrayer of my trust, my function's shame,

And thy eternal soul's worst enemy.

Count.Yet let not zeal, good man, devour thy reason.Hear first, and then determine. Well you know,My hope of heirs has perish'd with my son;Since now full seventeen years, the unfruitful curseHas fallen upon Hortensia. Are these signs,(Tremendous signs, that startle Nature's order!)Graves casting up their sleepers, earth convuls'd,Meteors that glare my children's timeless deaths,Obscure to thee alone?—I have found the cause.There is no crime our holy church abhors,Not one high Heaven more strongly interdicts,Than that commixture, by the marriage rite,Of blood too near, as mine is to Hortensia.

Count.Yet let not zeal, good man, devour thy reason.

Hear first, and then determine. Well you know,

My hope of heirs has perish'd with my son;

Since now full seventeen years, the unfruitful curse

Has fallen upon Hortensia. Are these signs,

(Tremendous signs, that startle Nature's order!)

Graves casting up their sleepers, earth convuls'd,

Meteors that glare my children's timeless deaths,

Obscure to thee alone?—I have found the cause.

There is no crime our holy church abhors,

Not one high Heaven more strongly interdicts,

Than that commixture, by the marriage rite,

Of blood too near, as mine is to Hortensia.

Aust.Too near of blood! oh, specious mockery!Where have these doubts been buried twenty years?Why wake they now? And am I closettedTo sanction them? Take back your hasty words,That call'd me wise or virtuous; while you offerSuch shallow fictions to insult my sense,And strive to win me to a villain's office.

Aust.Too near of blood! oh, specious mockery!

Where have these doubts been buried twenty years?

Why wake they now? And am I closetted

To sanction them? Take back your hasty words,

That call'd me wise or virtuous; while you offer

Such shallow fictions to insult my sense,

And strive to win me to a villain's office.

Count.The virtue of our churchmen, like our wives,Should be obedient meekness. Proud resistance,Bandying high looks, a port erect and bold,Are from the canon of your order, priest.Learn this, for here will I be teacher, Austin;Our temporal blood must not be stirr'd thus rudely:A front that taunts, a scanning, scornful brow,Are silent menaces, and blows unstruck.

Count.The virtue of our churchmen, like our wives,

Should be obedient meekness. Proud resistance,

Bandying high looks, a port erect and bold,

Are from the canon of your order, priest.

Learn this, for here will I be teacher, Austin;

Our temporal blood must not be stirr'd thus rudely:

A front that taunts, a scanning, scornful brow,

Are silent menaces, and blows unstruck.

Aust.Not so, my lord; mine is no priestly pride:When I put off the habit of the world,I had lost all that made it dear to me,And shook off, to my best, its heat and passions.But can I hold in horror this ill deed,And dress my brow in false approving smiles?No: could I carry lightning in my eye,Or roll a voice like thunder in your ears,So should I suit my utterance to my thoughts,And act as fits my sacred ministry.

Aust.Not so, my lord; mine is no priestly pride:

When I put off the habit of the world,

I had lost all that made it dear to me,

And shook off, to my best, its heat and passions.

But can I hold in horror this ill deed,

And dress my brow in false approving smiles?

No: could I carry lightning in my eye,

Or roll a voice like thunder in your ears,

So should I suit my utterance to my thoughts,

And act as fits my sacred ministry.

Count.O father! did you know the conflict here;How love and conscience are at war within me;Most sure, you would not treat my grief thus harshly.I call the saints to witness, were I master,To wive the perfect model of my wish,For virtue, and all female loveliness,I would not rove to an ideal form,But beg of Heaven another like Hortensia.——Yet we must part.

Count.O father! did you know the conflict here;

How love and conscience are at war within me;

Most sure, you would not treat my grief thus harshly.

I call the saints to witness, were I master,

To wive the perfect model of my wish,

For virtue, and all female loveliness,

I would not rove to an ideal form,

But beg of Heaven another like Hortensia.——

Yet we must part.

Aust.And think you to excuseA meditated wrong to excellence,By giving it acknowledgment and praise?Rather pretend insensibility;Feign that thou dost not see like other men;So may abhorrence be exchang'd for wonder,Or men from cursing fall to pity thee.

Aust.And think you to excuse

A meditated wrong to excellence,

By giving it acknowledgment and praise?

Rather pretend insensibility;

Feign that thou dost not see like other men;

So may abhorrence be exchang'd for wonder,

Or men from cursing fall to pity thee.

Count.You strive in vain; no power on earth can shake me.I grant my present purpose seems severe,Yet are there means to smooth severity,Which you, and only you, can best apply.

Count.You strive in vain; no power on earth can shake me.

I grant my present purpose seems severe,

Yet are there means to smooth severity,

Which you, and only you, can best apply.

Aust.Oh no! the means hang there, there by your side:Enwring your fingers in her flowing hair,And with that weapon drink her heart's best blood;So shall you kill her, but not cruelly,Compar'd to this deliberate, lingering murder.

Aust.Oh no! the means hang there, there by your side:

Enwring your fingers in her flowing hair,

And with that weapon drink her heart's best blood;

So shall you kill her, but not cruelly,

Compar'd to this deliberate, lingering murder.

Count.Away with this perverseness! Get thee to her;Tell her my heart is hers; here deep engrav'dIn characters indelible, shall restThe sense of her perfections. Why I leave her,Is not from cloy'd or fickle appetite(For infinite is still her power to charm;)——But Heaven will have it so.

Count.Away with this perverseness! Get thee to her;

Tell her my heart is hers; here deep engrav'd

In characters indelible, shall rest

The sense of her perfections. Why I leave her,

Is not from cloy'd or fickle appetite

(For infinite is still her power to charm;)——

But Heaven will have it so.

Aust.Oh, name not Heaven!'Tis too profane abuse.

Aust.Oh, name not Heaven!

'Tis too profane abuse.

Count.Win her consent.(I know thy sway is boundless o'er her will,)Then join my hand to blooming Isabel.Thus, will you do to all most worthy service;The curse, averted thus, shall pass from Narbonne;My house again may flourish; and proud Godfrey,Who now disputes, will ratify my title,Pleas'd with the rich succession to his heirs.

Count.Win her consent.

(I know thy sway is boundless o'er her will,)

Then join my hand to blooming Isabel.

Thus, will you do to all most worthy service;

The curse, averted thus, shall pass from Narbonne;

My house again may flourish; and proud Godfrey,

Who now disputes, will ratify my title,

Pleas'd with the rich succession to his heirs.

Aust.Has passion drown'd all sense, all memory?She was affianc'd to your son, young Edmund.

Aust.Has passion drown'd all sense, all memory?

She was affianc'd to your son, young Edmund.

Count.She never lov'd my son. Our importunityWon her consent, but not her heart, to Edmund.

Count.She never lov'd my son. Our importunity

Won her consent, but not her heart, to Edmund.

Aust.Did not that speak her soul pre-occupied?Some undivulg'd and deep-felt preference?

Aust.Did not that speak her soul pre-occupied?

Some undivulg'd and deep-felt preference?

Count.Ha! thou hast rous'd a thought: This Theodore!(Dull that I was, not to perceive it sooner!)He is her paramour! by Heaven, she loves him!Her coldness to my son; her few tears for him;Her flight; this peasant's aiding her; all, all,Make it unquestionable;—but he dies.

Count.Ha! thou hast rous'd a thought: This Theodore!

(Dull that I was, not to perceive it sooner!)

He is her paramour! by Heaven, she loves him!

Her coldness to my son; her few tears for him;

Her flight; this peasant's aiding her; all, all,

Make it unquestionable;—but he dies.

Aust.Astonishment! What does thy phrensy mean?

Count.I thank thee, priest! thou serv'st me 'gainst thy will.That slave is in my power. Come, follow me.Thou shalt behold the minion's heart torn out;Then to his mistress bear the trembling present.

Count.I thank thee, priest! thou serv'st me 'gainst thy will.

That slave is in my power. Come, follow me.

Thou shalt behold the minion's heart torn out;

Then to his mistress bear the trembling present.

[Exeunt.

A Hall.

EnterAdelaide,Jaquelinefollowing.

Jaq.Where do you fly? Heavens! have you lost all sense?

Adel.Oh, 'would I had! for then I should not feel;But I have sense enough to know I am wretched,To see the full extent of misery,Yet not enough to teach me how to bear it.

Adel.Oh, 'would I had! for then I should not feel;

But I have sense enough to know I am wretched,

To see the full extent of misery,

Yet not enough to teach me how to bear it.

Jaq.I did not think your gentleness of natureCould rise to such extremes.

Jaq.I did not think your gentleness of nature

Could rise to such extremes.

Adel.Am I not tame?What are these tears, this wild, dishevel'd hair?Are these fit signs for such despair as mine?Women will weep for trifles, bawbles, nothing.For very frowardness will weep as I do:A spirit rightly touch'd would pierce the air,Call down invisible legions to his aid,Kindle the elements.—But all is calm;No thunder rolls, no warning voice is heard,To tell my frantic father, this black deedWill sink him down to infinite perdition.

Adel.Am I not tame?

What are these tears, this wild, dishevel'd hair?

Are these fit signs for such despair as mine?

Women will weep for trifles, bawbles, nothing.

For very frowardness will weep as I do:

A spirit rightly touch'd would pierce the air,

Call down invisible legions to his aid,

Kindle the elements.—But all is calm;

No thunder rolls, no warning voice is heard,

To tell my frantic father, this black deed

Will sink him down to infinite perdition.

Jaq.Rest satisfied he cannot be so cruel(Rash as he is) to shed the innocent bloodOf a defenceless, unoffending youth.

Jaq.Rest satisfied he cannot be so cruel

(Rash as he is) to shed the innocent blood

Of a defenceless, unoffending youth.

Adel.He cannot be so cruel? Earth and heaven!Did I not see the dreadful preparations?The slaves, who tremble at my father's nod,Pale, and confounded, dress the fatal block?But I will fly; fall prostrate at his feet;If nature is not quite extinguish'd in him,My prayers, my tears, my anguish, sure will move him.

Adel.He cannot be so cruel? Earth and heaven!

Did I not see the dreadful preparations?

The slaves, who tremble at my father's nod,

Pale, and confounded, dress the fatal block?

But I will fly; fall prostrate at his feet;

If nature is not quite extinguish'd in him,

My prayers, my tears, my anguish, sure will move him.

Jaq.Move him indeed! but to redoubled fury:He dooms him dead, for loving Isabel;Think, will it quench the fever of his rage,To find he durst aspire to charm his daughter.

Jaq.Move him indeed! but to redoubled fury:

He dooms him dead, for loving Isabel;

Think, will it quench the fever of his rage,

To find he durst aspire to charm his daughter.

Adel.Did I hear right? for loving Isabel?I knew not that before. Does he then love her?

Adel.Did I hear right? for loving Isabel?

I knew not that before. Does he then love her?

Jaq.Nothing I heard distinctly; wild confusionRuns through the castle: every busy fool,All ignorant alike, tells different tales.

Jaq.Nothing I heard distinctly; wild confusion

Runs through the castle: every busy fool,

All ignorant alike, tells different tales.

Adel.Away, it cannot be. I know his truth.Oh! I despise myself, that for a moment(Pardon me, love!) could suffer mean suspicionUsurp the seat of generous confidence.Think all alike unjust, my Theodore,When even thy Adelaide could join to wrong thee!

Adel.Away, it cannot be. I know his truth.

Oh! I despise myself, that for a moment

(Pardon me, love!) could suffer mean suspicion

Usurp the seat of generous confidence.

Think all alike unjust, my Theodore,

When even thy Adelaide could join to wrong thee!

Jaq.Yet be advis'd——

Adel.Oh, leave me to my grief.—To whom shall I complain? He but preserv'dMy life a little space, to make me feelThe extremes of joy and sorrow. Ere we met,My heart was calm as the unconscious babe.

Adel.Oh, leave me to my grief.—

To whom shall I complain? He but preserv'd

My life a little space, to make me feel

The extremes of joy and sorrow. Ere we met,

My heart was calm as the unconscious babe.

EnterFabian.

Fab.Madam, my lord comes this way, and commandsTo clear these chambers; what he meditates,'Tis fit indeed were private. My old ageHas liv'd too long, to see my master's shame.

Fab.Madam, my lord comes this way, and commands

To clear these chambers; what he meditates,

'Tis fit indeed were private. My old age

Has liv'd too long, to see my master's shame.

Adel.His shame, eternal shame! Oh, more than cruel!How shall I smother it! Fabian, what means he?My father—him I speak of—this young stranger—

Adel.His shame, eternal shame! Oh, more than cruel!

How shall I smother it! Fabian, what means he?

My father—him I speak of—this young stranger—

Fab.My heart is rent in pieces: deaf to reason,He hears no counsel but from cruelty.Good Austin intercedes, and weeps in vain.

Fab.My heart is rent in pieces: deaf to reason,

He hears no counsel but from cruelty.

Good Austin intercedes, and weeps in vain.

Jaq.There's comfort yet, if he is by his side.Look up, dear lady! Ha! that dying paleness——

Jaq.There's comfort yet, if he is by his side.

Look up, dear lady! Ha! that dying paleness——

Adel.It is too much—Oh, Jaqueline!

Jaq.She faints;Her gentle spirits could endure no more.Ha! paler still! Fabian, thy arm; support her.She stirs not yet.

Jaq.She faints;

Her gentle spirits could endure no more.

Ha! paler still! Fabian, thy arm; support her.

She stirs not yet.

Fab.Soft, bear her gently in.

[Adelaideis carried out.

EnterCount, followed byAustin.

Aust.I do believe thee very barbarous;Nay, fear thy reason touch'd; for such wild thoughts,Such bloody purposes, could ne'er proceedFrom any sober judgment;—yet thy heartWill sure recoil at this.

Aust.I do believe thee very barbarous;

Nay, fear thy reason touch'd; for such wild thoughts,

Such bloody purposes, could ne'er proceed

From any sober judgment;—yet thy heart

Will sure recoil at this.

Count.Why, think so still;Think me both ruffian-like, and lunatic;One proof at least I'll give of temperate reason,—Not to be baited from my fix'd designBy a monk's ban, or whining intercession.

Count.Why, think so still;

Think me both ruffian-like, and lunatic;

One proof at least I'll give of temperate reason,—

Not to be baited from my fix'd design

By a monk's ban, or whining intercession.

Aust.Thou canst not mean to do it.

Count.Trust thine eyes.Thybalt! bring forth the prisoner; bid my marshalPrepare an axe. The ceremony's short;One stroke, and all is past. Before he die,He shall have leave to thank your godliness,For speeding him so soon from this bad world.

Count.Trust thine eyes.

Thybalt! bring forth the prisoner; bid my marshal

Prepare an axe. The ceremony's short;

One stroke, and all is past. Before he die,

He shall have leave to thank your godliness,

For speeding him so soon from this bad world.

Aust.Where is the right, the law, by which you doom him?

Count.My will's the law.

Aust.A venerable law!The law by which the tiger tears the lamb,And kites devour the dove. A lord of France,Dress'd in a little delegated sway,Strikes at his sovereign's face, while he profanesHis functions, trusted for the general good.

Aust.A venerable law!

The law by which the tiger tears the lamb,

And kites devour the dove. A lord of France,

Dress'd in a little delegated sway,

Strikes at his sovereign's face, while he profanes

His functions, trusted for the general good.

Count.I answer not to thee.

Aust.Answer to Heaven.When call'd to audit in that sacred court,Will that supremacy accept thy plea,"I did commit foul murder, for I might?"

Aust.Answer to Heaven.

When call'd to audit in that sacred court,

Will that supremacy accept thy plea,

"I did commit foul murder, for I might?"

Count.Soar not too high; talk of the things of earth.I'll give thee ear. Has not thy penitent,Young Isabel, disclos'd her passion to thee?

Count.Soar not too high; talk of the things of earth.

I'll give thee ear. Has not thy penitent,

Young Isabel, disclos'd her passion to thee?

Aust.Never.

Count.Just now, her coldness to my son,You said, bespoke her heart preoccupied.The frail and fair make you their oracles;Pent in your close confessionals you sit,Bending your reverend ears to amorous secrets.

Count.Just now, her coldness to my son,

You said, bespoke her heart preoccupied.

The frail and fair make you their oracles;

Pent in your close confessionals you sit,

Bending your reverend ears to amorous secrets.

Aust.Scoffer, no more! stop thy licentious tongue;Turn inward to thy bosom, and reflect—

Aust.Scoffer, no more! stop thy licentious tongue;

Turn inward to thy bosom, and reflect—

Count.That is, be fool'd. Yet will I grant his life,On one condition.

Count.That is, be fool'd. Yet will I grant his life,

On one condition.

Aust.Name it.

Count.Join my handTo Isabel.

Count.Join my hand

To Isabel.

Aust.Not for the world.

Count.He dies.

Theodorebrought in.

Come near, thou wretch! When call'd before me first,With most unwonted patience I endur'dThy bold avowal of the wrong thou didst me;A wrong so great, that, but for foolish pity,Thy life that instant should have made atonement;But now, convicted of a greater crime,Mercy is quench'd: therefore prepare to die.

Come near, thou wretch! When call'd before me first,

With most unwonted patience I endur'd

Thy bold avowal of the wrong thou didst me;

A wrong so great, that, but for foolish pity,

Thy life that instant should have made atonement;

But now, convicted of a greater crime,

Mercy is quench'd: therefore prepare to die.

Theod.I was a captive long 'mongst infidels,Whom falsely I deem'd savage, since I findEven Tunis and Algiers, those nests of ruffians,Might teach civility to polish'd France,If life depends but on a tyrant's frown.

Theod.I was a captive long 'mongst infidels,

Whom falsely I deem'd savage, since I find

Even Tunis and Algiers, those nests of ruffians,

Might teach civility to polish'd France,

If life depends but on a tyrant's frown.

Count.Out with thy holy trumpery, priest! delay not,Or, if he trusts in Mahomet, and scorns thee,Away with him this instant.

Count.Out with thy holy trumpery, priest! delay not,

Or, if he trusts in Mahomet, and scorns thee,

Away with him this instant.

Aust.Hold, I charge you!

Theod.The turban'd misbeliever makes some showOf justice, in his deadly processes;Nor drinks the sabre blood thus wantonly,Where men are valued less than nobler beasts.—Of what am I accused?

Theod.The turban'd misbeliever makes some show

Of justice, in his deadly processes;

Nor drinks the sabre blood thus wantonly,

Where men are valued less than nobler beasts.—

Of what am I accused?

Count.Of insolence;Of bold, presumptuous love, that dares aspireTo mix the vileness of thy sordid leesWith the rich current of a baron's blood.

Count.Of insolence;

Of bold, presumptuous love, that dares aspire

To mix the vileness of thy sordid lees

With the rich current of a baron's blood.

Aust.My heart is touch'd for him.—Much injur'd youth,Suppress awhile this swelling indignation;Plead for thy life.

Aust.My heart is touch'd for him.—Much injur'd youth,

Suppress awhile this swelling indignation;

Plead for thy life.

Theod.I will not meanly plead;Nor, were my neck bow'd to his bloody block,If love's my crime, would I disown my love.

Theod.I will not meanly plead;

Nor, were my neck bow'd to his bloody block,

If love's my crime, would I disown my love.

Count.Then, by my soul, thou diest!

Theod.And let me die:With my last breath I'll bless her. My spirit, freeFrom earth's encumbering clogs, shall soar above thee.Anxious, as once in life, I'll hover round her,Teach her new courage to sustain this blow,And guard her, tyrant! from thy cruelty.

Theod.And let me die:

With my last breath I'll bless her. My spirit, free

From earth's encumbering clogs, shall soar above thee.

Anxious, as once in life, I'll hover round her,

Teach her new courage to sustain this blow,

And guard her, tyrant! from thy cruelty.

Count.Ha! give me way!

Aust.Why, this is madness, youth:You but inflame the rage you should appease.

Aust.Why, this is madness, youth:

You but inflame the rage you should appease.

Theod.He thinks me vile. 'Tis true, indeed, I seem so:But, though these humble weeds obscure my outside,I have a soul, disdains his contumely;A guiltless spirit, that provokes no wrong,Nor from a monarch would endure it, offer'd:Uninjur'd, lamb like; but a lion, rous'd.Know, too injurious lord, here stands before thee,The equal of thy birth.

Theod.He thinks me vile. 'Tis true, indeed, I seem so:

But, though these humble weeds obscure my outside,

I have a soul, disdains his contumely;

A guiltless spirit, that provokes no wrong,

Nor from a monarch would endure it, offer'd:

Uninjur'd, lamb like; but a lion, rous'd.

Know, too injurious lord, here stands before thee,

The equal of thy birth.

Count.Away, base clod.—Obey me, slaves.—What, all amaz'd with lies?

Count.Away, base clod.—

Obey me, slaves.—What, all amaz'd with lies?

Aust.Yet, hear him, Narbonne: that ingenuous faceLooks not a lie. Thou saidst thou wert a captive—Turn not away; we are not all like him.

Aust.Yet, hear him, Narbonne: that ingenuous face

Looks not a lie. Thou saidst thou wert a captive—

Turn not away; we are not all like him.

Theod.My story's brief. My mother, and myself,(I then an infant) in my father's absence,Were on our frontiers seiz'd by Saracens.

Theod.My story's brief. My mother, and myself,

(I then an infant) in my father's absence,

Were on our frontiers seiz'd by Saracens.

Count.A likely tale! a well-devis'd imposture!Who will believe thee?

Count.A likely tale! a well-devis'd imposture!

Who will believe thee?

Aust.Go on, say all.

Theod.To the fierce bashaw, Hamet,That scourge and terror of the Christian coasts,Were we made slaves at Tunis.

Theod.To the fierce bashaw, Hamet,

That scourge and terror of the Christian coasts,

Were we made slaves at Tunis.

Aust.Ha! at Tunis?Seiz'd with thy mother? Lives she, gentle youth?

Aust.Ha! at Tunis?

Seiz'd with thy mother? Lives she, gentle youth?

Theod.Ah, no, dear saint! fate ended soon her woes,In pity, ended! On her dying couch,She pray'd for blessings on me.

Theod.Ah, no, dear saint! fate ended soon her woes,

In pity, ended! On her dying couch,

She pray'd for blessings on me.

Aust.Be thou blessed!O fail not, nature, but support this conflict!'Tis not delusion, sure. It must be he.—But one thing more; did she not tell thee too,Thy wretched father's name?

Aust.Be thou blessed!

O fail not, nature, but support this conflict!

'Tis not delusion, sure. It must be he.—

But one thing more; did she not tell thee too,

Thy wretched father's name?

Theod.The lord of Clarinsal.Why dost thou look so eagerly upon me?If yet he lives, and thou know'st Clarinsal,Tell him my tale.

Theod.The lord of Clarinsal.

Why dost thou look so eagerly upon me?

If yet he lives, and thou know'st Clarinsal,

Tell him my tale.

Aust.Mysterious Providence!

Count.What's this? the old man trembles and turns pale.[Aside.

Theod.He will not let his offspring's timeless ghostWalk unappeas'd; but on this cruel headExact full vengeance for his slaughter'd son.

Theod.He will not let his offspring's timeless ghost

Walk unappeas'd; but on this cruel head

Exact full vengeance for his slaughter'd son.

Aust.O Giver of all good! Eternal Lord!Am I so bless'd at last, to see my son?

Aust.O Giver of all good! Eternal Lord!

Am I so bless'd at last, to see my son?

Theod.Let me be deaf for ever, if my earsDeceive me now! did he not say his son?

Theod.Let me be deaf for ever, if my ears

Deceive me now! did he not say his son?

Aust.I did, I did! let this, and this, convince thee.I am that Clarinsal; I am thy father.

Aust.I did, I did! let this, and this, convince thee.

I am that Clarinsal; I am thy father.

Count.Why works this foolish moisture to my eyes?[Aside.Down, nature! what hast thou to do with vengeance?

Count.Why works this foolish moisture to my eyes?[Aside.

Down, nature! what hast thou to do with vengeance?

Theod.Oh, sir! thus bending, let me clasp your knees;—Now, in this precious moment, pay at onceThe long, long debt of a lost son's affection.

Theod.Oh, sir! thus bending, let me clasp your knees;—

Now, in this precious moment, pay at once

The long, long debt of a lost son's affection.

Count.[Aside.]Destruction seize them both! Must I beholdTheir transports, ne'er, perhaps, again to knowA son's obedience, or a father's fondness!

Count.[Aside.]Destruction seize them both! Must I behold

Their transports, ne'er, perhaps, again to know

A son's obedience, or a father's fondness!

Aust.Dear boy! what miracle preserved thee thus,To give thee back to France?

Aust.Dear boy! what miracle preserved thee thus,

To give thee back to France?

Theod.No miracle,But common chance. A warlike bark of SpainBore down, and seiz'd our vessel, as we rov'dIntent on spoil: (for many times, alas!Was I compell'd to join their hated league,And strike with infidels.) My country known,The courteous captain sent me to the shore;Where, vain were my fond hopes to find my father:'Twas desolation all: a few poor swainsTold me, the rumour ran he had renounc'dA hated world, and here in Languedoc,Devoted his remains of life to Heaven.

Theod.No miracle,

But common chance. A warlike bark of Spain

Bore down, and seiz'd our vessel, as we rov'd

Intent on spoil: (for many times, alas!

Was I compell'd to join their hated league,

And strike with infidels.) My country known,

The courteous captain sent me to the shore;

Where, vain were my fond hopes to find my father:

'Twas desolation all: a few poor swains

Told me, the rumour ran he had renounc'd

A hated world, and here in Languedoc,

Devoted his remains of life to Heaven.

Aust.They told thee truth; and Heaven shall have my prayers,My soul pour'd out in endless gratitude,For this unhoped, immeasurable blessing.

Aust.They told thee truth; and Heaven shall have my prayers,

My soul pour'd out in endless gratitude,

For this unhoped, immeasurable blessing.

Count.Thus far, fond man! I have listen'd to the tale;And think it, as it is, a gross contrivance—A trick, devis'd to cheat my credulous reason,And thaw me to a woman's milkiness.

Count.Thus far, fond man! I have listen'd to the tale;

And think it, as it is, a gross contrivance—

A trick, devis'd to cheat my credulous reason,

And thaw me to a woman's milkiness.

Aust.And art thou so unskill'd in nature's language,Still to mistrust us? Could our tongues deceive,Credit, what ne'er was feign'd, the genuine heart:Believe these pangs, these tears of joy and anguish.

Aust.And art thou so unskill'd in nature's language,

Still to mistrust us? Could our tongues deceive,

Credit, what ne'er was feign'd, the genuine heart:

Believe these pangs, these tears of joy and anguish.

Count.Or true, or false, to me it matters not.I see thou hast an interest in his life,And by that link I hold thee. Wouldst thou save him,Thou know'st already what my soul is set on,Teach thy proud heart compliance with my will:If not—but now no more.—Hear all, and mark me—Keep special guard, that none, but by my order,Pass from the castle. By my hopes of heaven,His head goes off, who dares to disobey me!Farewell!——if he be dear to thee, remember.

Count.Or true, or false, to me it matters not.

I see thou hast an interest in his life,

And by that link I hold thee. Wouldst thou save him,

Thou know'st already what my soul is set on,

Teach thy proud heart compliance with my will:

If not—but now no more.—Hear all, and mark me—

Keep special guard, that none, but by my order,

Pass from the castle. By my hopes of heaven,

His head goes off, who dares to disobey me!

Farewell!——if he be dear to thee, remember.

[ExitCount.

Aust.If he be dear to me! my vital blood!Image of her, my soul delighted in,Again she lives in thee! Yes, 'twas that voice,That kindred look, rais'd such strong instinct here,And kindled all my bosom at thy danger.

Aust.If he be dear to me! my vital blood!

Image of her, my soul delighted in,

Again she lives in thee! Yes, 'twas that voice,

That kindred look, rais'd such strong instinct here,

And kindled all my bosom at thy danger.

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