Gentle as her I lost. Then for his sake I'll willingly endure While Zorada is in this pitying and "Thy words are wild, I do not comprehend them." Thrown off his guard, he narrates the story, and tells her how glad a sight it was to him to find it was butBeatrice. ro. Zorada is indignant, but grants pardon, and the Nurse re-enters, busily arranging her basket, and then looking up, starts on seeing RomieHe puts his hand into the basket, and is puzzled and perplexed to find it full of delicate viandsand, concealed beneath leaves-a picture of Zorada. The Nurse prevaricates-and Romiero's madness comes back on him in fearful force-and he now knows that Zorada is criminal. Soon after he says to Guzman, "I'll tell thee more When I have breath to speak. My dame, my wife, she whom I made my wife, Hath secret mysteries-hath a beldame nurse Hath one concealed to whom she sends- Outrageous, frontless shame! the very Which I have gazed upon a thousand times, Tears in my eyes, and blessings on my lips. How little thought I once-vain, vain remembrance! It is a thing most strange if she be honest!" With the assistance of his everready friend, Guzman, Romiero, in his uttermost abasement, resolves to bring out the secret from the Nurse-and the worthy old woman, doing her best to baffle all enquiries, happens to allude to a son of hers who, when an infant," with fair Zorada played like a brother." Rom. (looking upon her). Vile wretch, thou liest; but thou shalt tell the truth. I'll press the breath from out thy cursed Unless thou tell me where thy son is hid! Rom. Ay, witch; I say thy son; upon. Tell me, and instantly, if thou wouldst breathe Another moment. Tell me instantly." Here he shakes her violently, while Guzman interposes, and Romiero struggling with him, falls to the ground, and Nurse escapes off the stage. On the ground he lies, cursing the Nurse's son "This hateful, vulgar, shapeless creature― whom he believes in his insanity to Who is bereft of virtue, gross, debased. It was here intended to picture and wringing her hands, disappears from the presence of her infuriated husband. But poor Zorada's visits to the Abbey have raised suspicions of her virtue, even in the minds of her faithful domestics. And here comes the catastrophe : SCENE III. An old Gothic Chapel: SEBASTIAN and ZORADA are discovered in earnest conversation. Seb. And wilt thou bear these lessons in thy mind? Zor. I shall forget to say my daily prayers When I forget to think of thee, dear father! And when I think of thee, thy words of kindness, And words of counsel too, shall be remember'd. Seb. Sweet child! stand back and let me look upon thee. Ay; so she look'd. O! it is sweet in thee To look so like thy mother, when mine eyes Zor. I still remember her; the sweetest face Seb. Be good as she was; and when I am gone, Our minds shall still hold intercourse, dear Zada, Zor. Alas! alas! When I shall read thy letters, my poor heart Will but the more yearn after thee, dear father! Many looks But spare my life. Re-enter SEBASTIAN, while ROMIERO has, in his rage, strode to the front of the stage. ZORADA, uttering a shriek, runs to her father, and throws her veil over his face, endeavouring to push him back. Seb. What! fly and leave thee in a madman's power? I heard his stormy voice, and could not leave thee. (ROMIERO turns round, and, running furiously at them, stabs ZORADA in aiming at SEBASTIAN, GUZMAN, who enters in alarm, followed by MAURICE and BEATRICE, endeavouring, in vain, to prevent him). Guz. Hold! hold! thou wilt not strike a covered foe! Zor. (still clinging round her father). Strike me again; I will not quit my hold. I'll cling to him; within my dying grasp I'll hold him safe: thou wilt not kill him there. (Sinking to the ground, while the veil drops from the face of SEBASTIAN.) Rom. Her father! (Endeavouring to kneel, but prevented and supported by Nurse and BEATRICE.) Bea. My dear, dear friend, forbear. He heeds thee not. Some horrible delusion. Zor. (aside to SEBASTIAN). Fly, fly, dear father, while he is so wild, Seb. No, dearest child! let death come when it will, I'll now receive it thankfully. Romiero, Thou wretched murd'rer of thy spotless wife Romiero de Cardona! Rom. Who is it calls me with that bitter voice? (Gazing on him; and then with a violent gesture of despair). I know thee;-yes, I know what I have done. Guz. Forbear such wild and frantic sorrow now, And speak to her while she is sensible, And can receive thy words. And looks imploringly. She looks on thee, Rom. Zorada, my Zorada! spotless saint! A wretch bereft of reason. Bea. She makes a sign as if she fain would speak, She strives again to speak. Fetch some water [Exit MAURICE. Rom. (stooping over her). What wouldst thou say? What means that gentle motion ? Zor. Come close to me; thou'rt pardon'd, Love, thou'rt pardon'd. Rom. No, say that I am blasted, ruin'd, cursed, Hateful to God and man. Re-enter MAURICE with water, which she tastes. Zor. Thou art not cursed; O no! then be more calm. Look here he is my father: think of that. (Endeavouring to raise herself up). [Dies. Rom. She call'd me Love. Did she not call me so? Guz. Yes, most endearingly. Rom. And she is gone, and I have murder'd her! (Throws himself on the body, and moaning piteously, then starts up in despair, and looks furiously at SEBASTIAN.) Thou restless, selfish, proud, rebellious spirit! The bane of love so bless'd! Draw, wretched man, I've sworn an oath, which I will sacred hold, Or, failing that, one of the twain should die. (Drawing his sword fiercely upon him). Guz. (holding him back). Hold, madman, hold! thy rage is cruel, monstrous, Outraging holy nature. Rom. (breaking from him). Off! think'st thou to restrain or bind despair With petty strength like thine ?-Proud rebel, draw. I am thy daughter's murderer, and thou Destroyer of us both. Seb. Yes, Don Romiero, we are match'd in ruin, And we will fight for that which cures despair. He who shall gain it is the conqueror. (They fight, each exposing himself rather than attacking his adversary.) Rom. No; to't in earnest, if thou would'st not have me Deliver thee a felon to the law. Defend thine honour, though thou scorn thy life. (They fight again, and ROMIERO falls.) I thank thee, brave Sebastian: O forgive [The Curtain drops. Printed by Ballantyne and Company, Paul's Work, Edinburgh. PARIS MORNINGS ON THE LEFT BANK OF THE SEINE, 296 EXTRACTS FROM THE JOURNALS OF AN ALPINE TRAVELLER. No. II. 335 A WORD FOR WINTER. BY THE SKETCHER, 350 HINTS TO AUTHORS. No. V. HOW TO BE PHILOSOPHIC. No. VI. ON THE HISTORICAL, 357 JOB PIPPINS; THE MAN WHO "COULDN'T HELP IT," 370 TRANSLATIONS FROM THE GREEK ANTHOLOGY. BY WILLIAM HAY, 404 WILLIAM BLACKWOOD AND sons, no. 45, GEORGE STREET, EDINBURGH; AND T. CADELL, STRAND, LONDON. To whom Communications (post paid) may be addressed. SOLD ALSO BY ALL THE BOOKSELLERS OF THE UNITED KINGDOM. PRINTED BY BALLANTYNE AND CO. EDINburgh. |