 | The Shipwreck |  |
284
SCENE VI.
Enter AMPELISCA, coming forward from among the Cliffs, at the other End of the Stage.Can I do better? were't not for my good
To put an end at once to my existence?
I am so wretched, and so many cares
Distract my breast, that weary out my soul!—
I'm prodigal of life; for I have lost
That hope, which was my comfort.—All around
In quest I've rambled, crawl'd with patient step
Through ev'ry covert place, with voice, eyes, ears
Trying to trace her out, my fellow-slave.
Yet no-where can I find her!—I am puzzled
Which way to take, or where to seek her further.
I cannot meet a soul, that I might question:—
Never was place so desart and forlorn
As these dread wilds!—yet will I not desist
From searching, till at length I've found her out,
If haply she's alive.
Pal.
(at a distance.)
What voice is that
Sounds near me?
Amp.
(overhearing.)
I am mightily afraid.—
Who speaks there?
Pal.
I beseech you, gentle Hope,
O come to my assistance—
Amp.
'Tis a woman;—
A woman's voice.—
Pal.
And free me from my dread.
285
(listening.)
Sure 'tis a woman's voice, that strikes my ear.
Pal.
Is it Ampelisca?
Amp.
Is it you, Palæstra?
Pal.
Why don't I call her by her name aloud,
That she may know me? (calling.)
Ampelisca!
Ama.
Ha!
Who's that?
Pal.
'Tis I,—Palæstra.
Amp.
Say, where are you?
Pal.
Environ'd with misfortunes.
Amp.
I'm your partner;
Nor is my share of sorrow less than your's.—
I long to see you.
Pal.
In that wish we're rivals.
Amp.
Our voices be our guides.—Where are you?
Pal.
Here.—
Come forward,—here,—come meet me.
Amp.
I am coming.
[They meet.]
Pal.
Give me your hand.
Amp.
Here,—take it.
Pal.
Prithee tell me,
Are you alive?
Amp.
Aye, and would wish to live,
Since 'tis permitted me to feel and touch you:—
(They embrace.)
O how you ease me now of all my troubles!
286
You are before-hand, have prevented me
In what I would have said.—But let us go.
Amp.
Go? whither, sweet?
Pal.
We'll keep along the shore.
Amp.
I'll follow where you please.
Pal.
And shall we roam
In these wet garments?
Amp.
That which is befall'n us
We must perforce endure.—But prithee now
What's that? (looking.)
Pal.
What?
Amp.
Don't you see a temple yonder?
There,—don't you see it?
Pal.
Where?
Amp.
Upon the right.
Pal.
It seems, 'tis deck'd unto some God.
Amp.
Then men
Cannot be far off.— (They advance towards it.)
And the site so charming!—
I'll pray unto this God, whoe'er he be,
That he would succour us poor, helpless wretches,
And free us from our sorrows.
[They kneel before the Temple.
| The Shipwreck | |