University of Virginia Library

SCENE II.

Glanville, Isabella, Ragozin.
Glanville.
What news,
Dear Ragozin? How did Sifroy receive
My letters? What was their effect? O speak!
My vast impatience would know all at once—
What said he? What does he intend?

Ragozin.
All you could wish. A whirlwind's rage is weak
To the wild storm that agitates his breast.
At first indeed he doubted—swore 'twas false—
Impossible—But as he read, his looks
Grew fierce; pale horror trembled on his cheek;
And with a faultering voice at length he cry'd,
O she is vile!—It must, it must be so—
Then threw him on the ground, in speechless woe.

Glanville.
Good, very good!—I knew 'twould gall—proceed.

Ragozin.
His smother'd grief at length burst forth in rage.
He started from the floor—he drew his sword—
And fixing it with violence in my grasp—
Plunge this, he cry'd, O plunge it in the heart
Of that vile traitor, Paulet!—Yet forbear—
That exquisite revenge my own right hand
Demands, nor will I give it to another!
This said—push'd on by rage, he to her sire
Dispatch'd a letter, opening to him all
Her crime, and his dishonour. This to you.

[Gives a letter.
Glanville.
How eagerly he runs into the toils,
Which I have planted for his own destruction!
O Ragozin, success shall double all
My promises; and now we are embark'd,
We must proceed, whatever storms arise.

Isabella.
But read the letter.
[Glanville opens the letter and reads.

Tho' thou hast stabb'd me to the heart, I cannot but
thank thy goodness for the tender regard thou hast
shown to my honour. The traitor Paulet shall die
by my own hand: that righteous vengeance must
be mine. Mean time, forbid the villain's entrance
to my house. As to her who was once my wife, let
her go to her father's, to whom I have written;
leaving it to him to vindicate her virtue, or conceal
her shame. I am in too much confusion to add more.

SIFROY.

Glanville.
This is enough—by heaven! I sought no more.
It is the point at which my wishes aim'd.
The death of Paulet must include his own;
Justice will take that life my injuries seek,
Nor shall suspicion cast one glance on me.
But does he purpose soon to leave the army,
Or let his vengeance sleep?

Ragozin.
All wild, he raves
That honour should forbid to quit his charge.
Yet what resolves the tumult in his breast
May urge, is hard to say.

Glanville.
We must prepare
For his arrival; well I know his rage
Will burst all bounds of prudence. Thou, my friend,
(For from the hour which shall compleat our business,
Thy servitude shall cease) be diligent
To watch all accidents, and well improve
Whatever may arise.

Ragozin.
Trust to my care.

[Exit.
Glanville.
O Isabella! the important hour
To prove my truth, now rises to my wish.
No longer shalt thou live the humble friend
Of this Cleone, but her equal born,
Shalt rise by me to grace an equal sphere.

Isabella.
Her equal born I am—nor can my heart
A keener pang than base dependence feel.
Yet weak by nature, and in fear for thee,
I tremble for th' event.—O should'st thou fail—

Glanville.
Dear Isabella, trust to me the proof
Of her conceal'd amour. I know full well
Her modesty is mere disguise, assum'd
To cheat the world; but it deceives not me.
I shall unveil her secret wickedness,
And her dark deeds expose to open day.

Isabella.
Scarce can my heart give credit—

Glanville.
Thou, alas,
Art blinded by the semblance she displays
Of truth and innocence; but I see thro'
Her inmost soul, and in her secret thoughts
Read wantonness. Believe me, this gay youth,
Mask'd in the guise of friendship to Sifroy,
Is her vile paramour. But I forget;
Tell Ragozin, my love, to wait without;
This business asks dispatch, and I may want
His useful aid.

Isabella.
I go; but still my heart
Beats anxious lest the truth of thy suspicions
Should fail of proof.

[Exit Isabella.
Glanville.
Fear nothing, I'm secure.
Fond, easy fool! whom for my use alone,
Not pleasure, I've insnar'd; thou little dream'st,
That fir'd with fair Cleone's heaven of charms,
I burn for their enjoyment. There, there too,
Did this Sifroy, this happy hated rival,
Defeat the first warm hopes that fir'd my bosom.
I mark'd her beauties rising in their bloom,
And purpos'd for myself the ripening sweetness;
But ere I could disclose the secret flame,
He stole into her heart. And O would fate
But now permit my wishes to succeed,
Vengeance were satisfy'd. I will attend her,
And urge my suit, tho' oft repuls'd, once more.
If she's obdurate still, my slighted love
Converts to hatred: I will then exert
The power which her deluded lord hath given,
Drive her this instant hence, and in her flight,
To glut my great revenge, she too shall fall.

[Exit.