He led me to a bower of Paradise, And held a cup of joy, which, he exclaimed, Was mingled by himself;-i quaffed: 'twas nectar, PES. Then within my arms methought I pressed thee. FLOR. Hold! this violence PES. Nay, do not talk of violence: You seemed a willing and a tender bride, FLOR. Count Pescara. I must not hear this mockery! do not speak PES. Mark me! there's oft a prophecy in dreams. [Exit, R. FLOR. (alone). Ha! this means something. Well I know Pescara: His voice doth sound like fate within my soul, O Heaven, don't let me know it; leave me still Should treacherously seize him? Would that the rite were done! (a distant symphony is heard.) What seraph music floats upon my soul? Methinks it is the organ's solemn swell, That from the churh's aisles ascends to heaven. The holy rite proceeds! sweet sounds, awake! THE LATEST WAR-NEWS. ANONYMOUS. [The author of the following lines is unknown. There is an exquisite pathos in both thought and expression, admirably suited for sweetly modulated and pathetic recital.] Oh pale, pale face! Oh helpless hands! Sweet eyes by fruitless watching wronged, Yet turning ever toward the lands She shudders when they tell the tale She sees no conquering flag unfurled, Ever there comes between her sight The midnight glory of his hair, Where late her fingers, like a flood She must not shriek, she must not moan, She must not wring her quivering hands; But, sitting dumb and white alone, Be bound with viewless bands. Because her suffering life enfolds In death-strong grasp her heart she holds, Last eve, they say, a field was won, Who lay out in the night. In mercy tell her that his name Oh poor, pale child! Oh woman's heart! Love teaching pain discipline's art And conquering at length! THE ROMAN FATHER. From PAYNE'S Tragedy of BRUTUS. CHARACTERS: BRUTUS, a Roman Consul, TITUS, his Son, COLLATINUS, a Roman Consul, VALERIUS, a Roman Officer. [This noble tragedy recals glimpses of the Eternal City in its grandest days. The plot of the piece is founded upon the infamous crime of Tarquin, the death of the virtuous Lucretia, the attempted flight of Titus with Tarquina, and the subsequent condemnation to death of the young soldier, by his patriotic father. The tender resignation of Titus is in great contrast to the granitefirmness of the grand old Roman, and calls for a very different style of elocution. COSTUMES of all the characters, should be very similar in formthe white Roman toga and mantle; except that Titus should have his dress somewhat richer in material, and of a bright color.] SCENE.-An apartment in the house of BRUTUS. Enter BRUTUS, R. BRU. (alone). Like a lost, guilty wretch, I look around And start at every footstep, lest it bring The fatal news of my poor son's conviction! Oh, Rome, thou little know'st-No more-It comes. Enter VALERIUS, L. VAL. My friend, the Senate have to thee transferre The right of judgement on thy son's offence. BRU. To me! VAL. To thee alone? BRU. What of the rest. VAL. Their sentence is already passed. E'en now, perhaps, the lictor's dreaded hand Cuts off their forfeit lives. BRU. Say'st thou, that the Senate have to me referred The fate of Titus? VAL. Such is their sovereign will. They think you merit this distinguished honor. Rome will approve whatever you decree. BRU. And is his guilt established beyond doubt ? BRU. (with a burst of tears). Oh, ye gods! ye gods! (collecting himself). Valerius! VAL. What would'st thou, noble Roman? BRU. "Tis said thou hast pulled down thine house, Va lerius, That stately pile that with such cost was reared. VAL. Yes, Brutus, I conceive The awful aim and drift of thy discourse- Scene changes to [Exeunt, B Exterior of the Temple of Mars.-SENATORS, CITIZENS, COLLATINUS and LUCRETIUS, discovered. At L. of stage, a tribunal, with a Consular Chair upon it. * * On a small stage, or in a school, it is not by any means necessary to have all the Senators, &c. visibly present. They can be addressed as if they were off at the side The tribunal to which Brutus ascends should be a very plain structure; as it would be abhorent to the mind of this austere Republican to ape the trappings of royalty. BRUTUS enters R., followed by VALERIUS-he bows as he passes, and ascends the Tribunal. BRU. Romans, the blood which hath been shed this day Their acts as bold and daring; and though villains, [A pause TITUS is brought in by the LICTORS, R., with their axes turned edgeways towards him. Pris-on-er- -(the voice of BRUTUS falters, and is choked, and he exclaims with violent emotion. Romans, forgive this agony of grief My heart is bursting-Nature must have way— I cannot feel less than a father ought! He becomes more calm. Gives a signal to the LICTORS to fall back, and advances from the Judgment-Seat to the front of the stage, on a line with his son. Well, Titus, speak-how is it with thee now? Tell me, my son, art thou prepared to die? TIT. Father, I call the powers of heaven to witness Titus dares die, if so you have decreed. The gods will have it so? BRU. They will, my Titus: Nor heav'n, nor earth, can have it otherwise. It seems as if thy fate were pre-ordained To fix the reeling spirits of the people, And settle the loose liberty of Rome. "Tis fixed;-oh, therefore, let not fancy cheat thee: So fixed thy death, that 'tis not in the power Of mortal man to save thee from the axe. TIT. The axe!—Oh, heaven!-Then must I fall so base ly? What, shall I perish like a common felon! BRU. How else do traitors suffer?-Nay, Titus, more |