University of Virginia Library

ACT IV.

SCENE, the Tomb.
Malvina alone.
MALVINA.
What desolation one night's rage hath done,
O'er sea and land! it dashed my Erragon
Upon a rock; uprooted yon tall pines;
And rived the tough arms of the gnarled oaks.
The coot that braves the storm; the cormorant,
And scudding roe that ranges the wild heath,
In the close umbrage, round this ancient vault,
Took shelter, where, in mournful musings wrapt,
I've looked for my dear lord. He comes not yet.
The tyrant's jealous eye still scans him o'er.
Each moment with a thousand dangers teems,
That raise a thousand terrors. Surely love,
Imperious love, within the gentlest heart,
Most highly sets his throne.

Enter Virgin.
MALVINA.
Why loiters Minla,
My trustiest friend, at this alarming hour?
Didst thou deliver my impatient message?
Intreat an instant interview? Her kindness
Ever till now outwent my warmest wish;
And now can she be changed?

VIRGIN.
In such a time,
Never did I behold so sad a change.
Mute and amazed she stood with tearful eyes.
Her looks staid not on any object long;
And quick from red to pale her colour turned.
Trembling and hoarse and broken was her voice,
As she groaned forth your name. Then all at once
She started from my sight.

MALVINA.
Virgin, thy words
Strike terror through my bosom. Every friend
Catches th'infection of Malvina's woe.
Even Erragon perhaps—he comes, he comes;
Leave me.

Enter Erragon.
MALVINA.
Oh, never to my eyes more welcome!
Thy presence banishes a thousand fears.
Yet art thou safe from Connal's jealousy?

ERRAGON.
Earth never groaned beneath a blacker monster.
Would'st thou believe? his horrid love, Malvina,
Would make me my own murderer. I'm resolved—

MALVINA.
On what?

ERRAGON.
I'll instantly unfold myself.
The terror of an injur'd husband's eye
May strike him with dismay. A mighty fear
Has power to quell the confidence of lust,
And bold imperious sin.

MALVINA.
Oh, if there lived,
Within his savage breast, one generous spark,
Not quite extinct;—but virtue's hallowed fire
Burns not upon such altars. Trust thee rather
To the gaunt wolf, that prowls for midnight prey.
His ravening rage of pity savours more,
Than this barbarian's. Ah! my Erragon
Fears, like myself, our fortune at the worst,
Desperate of what may follow.

ERRAGON.
Different ways
Dost thou distract my mind. In this disguise
If peaceably my passion rests, the tyrant
Drags my dear wife to his adulterous bed.
Should it flame forth in vengeance—Ah, Malvina,
I'm driven with thee to the dread precipice;
And headlong both must down. I'll call him forth.

MALVINA.
On death thy fury drives thee.—

ERRAGON.
Die I must.—
Whether this present hour, or what comes next,
Weighs not with me.

MALVINA.
But, who alas! remains
Malvina's guardian then? robb'd of my lord,
The rocks in vain would echo back my cries.
Thou know'st him not as I do, Erragon;
Else would'st thou fear the fellness of his wrath.

ERRAGON.
Fear!—tho' his wrath could hurl a thunderbolt,
Thy Erragon's proud heart would scorn to fear.
Cease to persuade. My honor is at stake;
Let not thy apprehensions for my life
Rob me of that,—the all that's left me now.

MALVINA.
No; by my love! Malvina's awful vow!
Dead with thee in the grave I'd rather lye,
Thus honoured as thou art: for we were born
Heirs of illustrious praise. Yet spent, o'erpower'd,
And hurried to th'extreme; thro' Fortune's cloud
One glimmering ray I spy. Yes, Erragon,
There is a man.

ERRAGON.
What man!

MALVINA.
Speak not so rash.
In Selma I have found one faithful friend;
The brother of this king; good Everallin.
Fain would Malvina rest a trembling hope
On that brave prince.—And lo, where he approaches.
Retire, my Erragon. Perhaps—alas!
My thoughts are all bewilder'd; my heart bodes
I know not what. But destiny's at work,
And soon will finish;—one tremendous hour
Teems with the fate of both.

[Exit Erragon.
Enter Everallin.
EVERALLIN.
Abruptly thus
To break upon Malvina's privacy
Requires the kind indulgence of her pardon.
But Minla, whom I secretly dispatched
Upon an embassy of such nice moment,
No answer yet returning—

MALVINA.
Everallin!
Art thou my friend? I trust thou art. That look
Confirms my trust; and I will try thee home.—
Oh, Everallin!

EVERALLIN.
With the smallest doubt
Wrong not my friendship, whose sincerity
This instant hour of trial shall prove true.—
I will restore Malvina's liberty.

MALVINA.
Thou promisest, alas! thou know'st not what.—
Wilt thou indeed restore my liberty?

EVERALLIN.
Friends, brother, country, I for thee renounce.

MALVINA.
Oh!

EVERALLIN.
Wound me not with such another sigh.
Insensible were I as the brute earth,
Did not that countenance rouze every power,
To minister relief. By each good spirit!
To save such suffering virtue, I would die.—
Still can Malvina doubt?

MALVINA.
No, Everallin;
Mistrust in friendship is dishonourable.
I'd rather be deceived.

EVERALLIN.
Hear then in brief,
Sweet mourner; and, if possible, be happy.
By private means I have prepared a vessel,
Which by the moon's auspicious light shall bear us,
At midnight's secret hour, secure from Selma.

MALVINA.
Thy friendship sinks into my very soul.
Leave, leave me, while 'tis friendship.

EVERALLIN.
While 'tis friendship?

MALVINA.
Oh Everallin! I was born the bane
Of all that I most honour. Thou beholdest,
Prostrate the lost Malvina thou beholdest
Before that tomb; a sanctuary no more
For two the most forlorn of humankind.

EVERALLIN.
Nay, lady, rise.

MALVINA.
But when I've spoke the secret;
Have trusted thee with what my happiness,
My more than life itself, depends upon;
Then, Everallin, sure thou wilt not then,
(How sharp soe'er the trial!) wilt not part
With every soft sensation that does grace
And honour to thy heart, thy feeling heart;
Thou wilt not then betray me?

EVERALLIN.
Wrapt in wonder,
My spirits all stand listening.

MALVINA.
—He who brought
Tidings that Erragon in Sora died—
Fain would I speak the rest; but my fears check
My fault'ring tongue. Ah, then prepare thine eyes
For such a scene of wonder.—Now come forth,
Thou whom thy wayward destiny hath brought
To this high hour of peril.—Everallin,
Turn thee on who comes here!

Enter Erragon.
In him behold
My life, my lord, the husband of my heart!

EVERALLIN.
Hah! Erragon?

MALVINA.
Alas! that fearful start!
—Oh my dear lord! Malvina has undone thee!
Yes we must perish both!

ERRAGON.
Malvina, no;
We must not perish both. Forth from the eyes
Of this brave prince a generous spirit beams,
Bright from the soul of honour.—By that honour!
That sacred honour! I conjure thee, save
A virtuous matron! save a dear-loved wife!

MALVINA.
Who lives but in her lord! that solemn promise
Of freedom, from a dying father's tongue,
Let filial duty pay! to his blest manes,
Reverent I bow me.—Venerable shade!
Hear from thy sepulchre Malvina's sighs,
At this dread hour!

ERRAGON.
Or if the chains of death
Hold thee incapable; do thou inspire,
Tremendous spirit of Loda! this young prince,
Whose virtues emulate his father's virtues,
To execute that father's will; and rescue
His captive from dishonour!

MALVINA.
Yet he speaks not;
Looks not; indignantly aside he turns.

ERRAGON.
Then there's no more but this.—Here thou beholdest us,
Husband and wife, to the extremest verge
Of desperation driven. If, in defiance
Of the red thunderbolt, the tyrant dares
This last asylum violate, we swear,
A sword shall here decide our mutual doom.

MALVINA.
Yes, will die both!

ERRAGON.
O'er thy dead father's ashes
Our blood shall stream; his tomb shall be our tomb.
Outrage eternal to his honoured shade.
If not to Sora, we'll together go
To death. I've spoke, our fates are in thy hands,
Live we? or do we perish?

EVERALLIN.
Thy demeanour,
Thy gallant spirit, thy high turns of fortune,
Passing the change and chance of mortal lots,
Strike me with wonder. But at once to quiet,
Far as I can, your apprehensive hearts,
From me fear nothing. Everallin's powers
All shall go forth t'oppose a brother's will,
And execute a father's. You're both free,
If I can give you freedom.

MALVINA.
Thy words quicken
A dying heart within me.

EVERALLIN.
Heedfully,
Brave prince, attend my words. By my command
A vessel's ready. Go thou to that vessel,
Which close to thy own wreck at anchor lyes,
And shew this signet, at the midnight hour:
There I'll Malvina lead: and while the morn
Lights the white sails upon the wave of night,
May that propitious spirit, who rides the storms,
Secure from every peril, hence convey you,
To Sora's happy haven.

ERRAGON.
Gratitude,
That should inspire with thanks, makes mute my tongue.
Thy feeling heart must speak for Erragon.

[Exit.
MALVINA.
And oh, for his Malvina!—from th'abyss,
Where fortune deep had plunged us, by thy hand
Both are upraised to life and liberty;
The creatures of thy providential care.

EVERALLIN.
'Twas a hard struggle! I've strained every nerve,
And to thy virtues sacrificed indeed!
'Tis past. Whate'er the colour of my fate,
May thine for ever flourish!—Ah, Malvina!
Another fear were fatal.

Enter Connal attended.
CONNAL.
See my eyes
As they are wont? or to their doubtful sight
Forms some illusive spirit of the clouds
A false presentment?—can this be Malvina?
The model this of matron modesty,
Infolded with that traitour? Seize him, guards;
Who, in defiance of his king's command,
Presumes on such bold conference. Instantly
To prison with him and his paramour.

EVERALLIN.
If I've presumed against my king's command,
On me let fall thy rage. But harm not her,
Whose innocence is pure as unsunn'd snow.

CONNAL.
Whose innocence? Rash man, close I beheld you
In amorous dalliance. Still the guilty blush
Is crimson on her cheek. But that proof needs not,
What subterfuge has power to cancel this?
While thy own hand bears witness to thy treason.
[shews a letter.
What further will thy bold tongue speak?

EVRALLIN.
The truth;
That scorns all subterfuge. I own, at once,
And glory in the truth. Malvina's charms,
Her virtues, her misfortunes, in my breast
A friendship raised, firm and immutable.
And the brute rage of thy licentious passion
Urged me to snatch the noblest of her sex
From tyranny's foul grasp. Within the bay,
A ship, by my command, this night had borne her
For ever from thy reach; and this last conference,
Here at my father's awful sepulchre,
Was our eternal farewell.

CONNAL.
False; 'tis false.
You both are leagued in black conspiracy;
For which you both shall suffer.

MALVINA.
He is leagued
In no conspiracy.—wonder a while,
And consternation, mute have held my tongue;
But from the very stones a voice would break;
Should mine be longer silent; and not vouch
The words of this good prince; that, from this night,
He and Malvina never would have met
In this world more.

CONNAL.
And never shall you meet.
This very hour, an everlasting bar
I'll fix between you; if a dungeon's gloom
For life be such a bar; with wary watch
On all the traitour's motions. While for thee
A different scene shall open.

Enter Erragon guarded.
ERRAGON.
Will no one lend a sword.
To rid me of these ruffians?

EVERALLIN.
Erragon!

[aside.
MALVINA.
Oh, death to every hope!—

[aside.
CONNAL.
Why bring'st thou hither
That man a prisoner?

OFFICER.
By your royal order,
We seized the vessel anchored in the bay;
Which, with fierce menace and assault of arms,
He would have forced from us.

CONNAL.
Who sent thee thither!
[to Erragon.
How dar'dst thou to assault them?

OFFICER.
To that question
Insultingly he answered by this ring.

EVERALLIN.
Then all's discovered.

[aside.
MALVINA.
Miserable Malvina!

CONNAL.
That ring? give me the ring—'tis my own signet;
Which, Everallin, thou alone could'st lend.
Treason is round me—you are traitours all.
—But thee, whose forfeit life my mercy spared,
[to Erragon.
What could tempt thee, in such a daring plot,
To rise against me?

ERRAGON.
Liberty! the right,
The natural right of man. That strikes a fire
Thro' the cold coward's heart; and gives the slave
To turn upon the tyrant.

CONNAL.
Kill him, guards;
And set his slavish soul at liberty.

MALVINA.
Kill him!

CONNAL.
How's this? why, wherefore these emotions?—
Their eyes are riveted!—hast thou betray'd me?
[to Erragon.
Thy insolent rash daring at the ship;
That wild disorderd mien—oh, if thou hast!
A Villain, who art thou?

ERRAGON.
One, whose lightest look
Thy spirit should appal! while vengeance thus,
Like heaven's own fire flames on thee!

[Snatches a sword to stab him, and is disarmed.
CONNAL.
Cursed slave!
But my sword shall not end thee. Bring the tortures.

MALVINA.
Barbarian! tortures? at the horrible act,
Nature would shrink! the midnight-ghosts of murder
Turn thy brain wild! and in a frantic start
Make thee th'avenger, with thy own life-blood,
Of my dear lord, my tortured Erragon?

CONNAL.
How! Erragon?

MALVINA.
Distraction! ah, my frenzy,
My frenzy has undone him!

CONNAL.
Erragon!
Is't possible? again let me behold thee.
Turn'st thou aside in scorn? insolent man!
Connal shall make thy haughty spirit shrink.

ERRAGON.
That thou canst never do.—Behold again!
Search, with thy sharpest eye, if thou canst see
The shadow of a fear. No; tho' unarmed,
And manacled, with all thy guards around,
I'll brave thee still. My wrongs shall call for justice!
Shall thunder in thy ears, Restore my wife!
Whom thy adulterate lust would violate.
Tyrant! restore my wife! or I'll rush on thee,
And dash these desperate chains!

CONNAL.
On thy first motion,
Thou diest.

MALVINA.
These arms shall snatch him from the blow;
Or we'll together die

CONNAL.
Asunder force them.

MALVINA.
He is my husband! dread the bursting bolt!

CONNAL.
Villains, beware,

MALVINA.
Yet, dearest Erragon!
My life's in my own power.

CONNAL.
Away; and watch her,
With strictest guard.

MALVINA.
A little while, farewell!
We soon shall meet, my love, in yonder clouds,
'Mid troops of blessed souls; where fiends like him
Can never come to part us!

[Exit guarded.
EVERALLIN.
Yet recall her!
Anguish like hers would melt a savage heart!

CONNAL.
To prison bear the rebel.

EVERALLIN.
Aye, to death.
A welcome sanctuary from such a king!

[Exit guarded.
CONNAL.
And now, proud man, prepare thee.

[to Erragon.
ERRAGON.
Tyrant, yes.
I mark thy fiery eyeballs; see my death
Dark in thy gloomy breast! come, with my murder
Finish the bloody scene. While from the desart,
Night-ghosts start forth, and fix the fated hour,
To sink thy soul in all its full-blown crimes!
Till when; hung round with horrors, think on me!
And live the general curse!

[Exit guarded.
CONNAL.
What starts are these?
And throbs, unfelt before? Methinks, his curse
Takes place already. Night and her grim spectres
Seem to invest me—what! shall womanish dreams,
And fabled ghosts fright Connal?—hence, remorse!
Vain phantasms, again I am a king.
And conscience, tyrant conscience, shall obey.

[Exit.