University of Virginia Library

SCENE III.

A Square in the City, and Place of general Rendezvous.—
LORENZO and MENTZEL meeting.
LORENZO.
Mentzel well met, and at th'appointed place
For all my zealous messengers to come,
And bring report if brave Alberti's sword
Shall on this day another conquest gain;
Or in a bold encounter with Colredo,
Shall for the first time suffer a defeat.

MENTZEL.
'Twill be thought more than bold, rebellious deem'd,
To force Colredo 'gainst our sov'reign's mandate
To such forbidden act of violence—
Good Heav'n! that passion can so far prevail
On the all-polish'd temper of Alberti,
Thus obstinate to seek another's fall!—

LORENZO.
Alas! thou little know'st the grating cause
That irritates his soul to noble vengeance:
Had he declin'd, I, must wipe off the stain
Which vain Colredo cast upon us both.

MENTZEL.
In what, my Lord, or how? Your words amaze me,
Nor can I well interpret what they mean,
But just returned to Vienna's court,
From regimental duty that had call'd
To a far distant province—You'll excuse me,
An ignorance of most transactions here.

LORENZO.
I do most frankly—will succinctly tell
The origin of this dire altercation.
Between Colredo and the Count Alberti,
Men once in friendship link'd, and two the most
Of all our German officers renown'd
For courtly polish, and heroic prowess,
With other lords of court they woo'd my sister,
Constantia, reigning beauty of the time.
She to Alberti's vows alone prov'd kind,
And made a virtuous choice of him for husband;
For which she had my warm approving voice:
That stung Colredo's overbearing pride
To terms of most outrageous insult.

MENTZEL.
There's some excuse for disappointed love,
Whose rage oft hurries to unguarded words
That calm returning reason blushes for.

LORENZO.
Granted—in many cases—but not when
They tend to blast a noble house's fame
With such foul hints—as if Alberti had
Obtain'd a favour 'fore the marriage rites.
The which, I knowing, dar'd not to resent,
And act an honourable brother's part.

MENTZEL.
That's gross, and casts forgiveness at defiance;
Too plain I see that one or both must perish.

LORENZO.
I meant to first engage; Alberti stop'd,
And said, as husband, that the right was his.
But who hastes hither?—Anxious, out of breath?
One of my zealous emissaries—Say—
Did you soon find the place where they agreed
To meet? And know'st thou aught of what is pass'd?

MESSENGER.
Colredo, Sir, is fall'n.—Alberti triumphs.

LORENZO.
I ask no more—Come, Sir.—Be you our guide.

[Exeunt.