University of Virginia Library

SCENE II.

Siffredi, Sigismunda, Laura.
Siffredi.
[To an Attendant as he enters.
Lord Tancred then
Is found?

Attendant.
My Lord, he quickly will be here.
I scarce could keep before him, tho' he bid me
Speed on, to say he would attend your Orders.

Siffredi.
'Tis well—retire—You, too, my Daughter, leave me.

Sigismunda.
I go, my Father—But how fares the King?

Siffredi.
He is no more. Gone to that awful State,
Where Kings the Crown wear only of their Virtues.

Sigismunda.
How bright must then be his!—This Stroke is sudden.
He was this Morning well, when to the Chace
Lord Tancred went.

Siffredi.
'Tis true. But at his Years
Death gives short Notice—Dropping Nature then,
Without a Gust of Pain to shake it, falls.
His Death, my Daughter, was that happy Period
Which few attain. The Duties of his Day
Were all discharg'd, and gratefully enjoy'd
It's noblest Blessings; calm, as Evening Skies,
Was his pure Mind, and lighted up with Hopes
That open Heaven; when, for his last long Sleep
Timely prepar'd, a Lassitude of Life,
A pleasing Weariness of mortal Joy,
Fell on his Soul, and down he sunk to Rest.
O may my Death be such!—He but one Wish
Left unfulfill'd, which was to see Count Tancred—

Sigismunda.
To see Count Tancred!—Pardon me, my Lord—

Siffredi.
For what, my Daughter?—But, with such Emotion,
Why did you start at Mention of Count Tancred?

Sigismunda.
Nothing—I only hop'd the dying King
Might mean to make some generous just Provision
For this your worthy Charge, this noble Orphan.

Siffredi.
And he has done it largely—Leave me now—
I want some private Conference with Lord Tancred.