University of Virginia Library

SCENE THE THIRD.

Rosmunda, Almachilde, Romilda, Ildovaldo.
Ros.
Dost thou thus here
Loiter with her? thou, also, dost thou lend
An ear to her seditious words? This is
A day of joy; what boots it then, my champions,
To tarry 'mid the everlasting groans
Of this devoted daughter of misfortune?
Sigh'st thou, poor girl? and wherefore dost thou sigh?
Ragauso, with a royal retinue,
Prepared to obey my orders, waits already
There to conduct thee, where auspicious nuptials,
And where another more illustrious throne,
Court thy acceptance.

Al.
But of Alaric? ...

Ros.
What, does not such a king deserve her hand?

Al.
So cruel ...

Ros.
Cruel e'en as Alboino?
She from a blood doth spring, in whom the sight
Of cruelty, whatever shape it wear,
Can ne'er excite surprise.

Il.
Such marriage rites ...

Al.
To all disastrous ...

Ros.
Dost thou disapprove them?

Al.
She her consent refuses.

Ros.
And dost thou
Refuse it? I consent.

Rom.
Does it annoy thee
That he is less inflexible than thou?

Ros.
And dost thou think that he for thee feels pity?
Pity for thee? What darest thou to say?
For thee he feels no pity: woefully
Thou art deceived ...

Al.
As far as human breast
Can, in its fullest force, I feel it all;
And I avow it; and, if thou compel me,
I also will display it. Who can see,
Nor feel compassion for her, who can do it,
Such insults heap'd upon a royal virgin? ...

Ros.
All men may pity her, save Almachilde.

Il.
If yet thou bear'st in mind the plenteous laurels
Which, for thyself, my sword has reap'd to-day,
My councils thou wilt hear. Much loss to thee,
If thou dost wrong Romilda, may accrue.

Al.
Yes, fatal loss.

Il.
Thou wilt, if wise, abstain.

Ros.
Wise is Romilda; and she will obey me.
Keep thou for others thy advice. Dost thou
Already magnify thy services?
What hast thou done? thy duty. Thou, my husband,
Dissentest thou from me? and dar'st thou say it?
And must I lofty arguments of state
Discuss with thee before these witnesses?
Let us depart; ah come: for a short time
Leave her to penitence and wiser thoughts:
Her fears will give her, when she is alone,
Suggestions more judicious. Leave her now.—
Romilda, heard'st thou? Or by dawn of day
Go willingly from hence, and thou shalt have
An honourable escort by thy side,
Led by Ragauso; or refuse to go,
And he shall be enjoined to drag thee hence.