University of Virginia Library

ACT III.

SCENE I.

—The Gardens of a Casino at Nicosia, in Cyprus. On the O. P. side a sort of vine arbour, having the appearance of a green tunnel, extends up the stage from the first to the sixth wing. On the P. S., massive trees, clumps of verdure, &c., two large tables in front O. P. and P. S.. On the P. S., steps leading to the interior of the Casino. Rich moonlight, the arbour lighted with splendid candelabra from the trees, &c. &c. On the rising of the curtain, groups of Cypriots and Venetians are discovered at the tables drinking and playing, while others are standing about. Pages are serving each table.

Chorus.
The world is only after all
A game—
Its end—how high the stake, or small—
The same.
And love and joy, fly off with pace
Of wind,
And leave not in their flight a trace
Behind.
Your sage will blame the world, and will with rigour view it
Your fool is with it pleased, and all belonging to it.
[During the latter part of this chorus a body of Dancers enter down the arbour, mixing with the Chorus, and then retiring from, and returning to, them.
Second Verse.
Although we may the ills we seek
Deplore,
Will all that make us live one week
The more?
If pleasure is, as people deem,
Soon gone,
And life itself be but a dream—
Dream on.
[Here the Dancers join in again to the termination of the chorus.
Your sage will blame the world, and will with rigour view it,
Your fool is with it pleased, and all belonging to it.

[As the Chorus and Dancers mingle together, and exeunt, and as the sounds are dying away, Moncenigo enters through the arbour attended by Strozzi and followed by the three Assassins in the distance, in cloaks and masks.
Str.
(bowing respectfully)
Of Venice's Ambassador, the ear
I claim one moment—

Mon.
—Speak—

Str.
—Adolphe is here!

Mon.
What dost thou say? At Cyprus dost thou mean?

Str.
The tongue will answer what the eye hath seen—
Thyself be judge—for see where musing there,
Beneath yon porch, he stands upon the stair.

[Pointing to a Knight who, wrapped up in a cloak, is seen slowly descending the staircase, P. S.
Mon.
(aside in agitation)
Ah, this may mar my plans, for should he dare,
The secret of that love, once his, declare,
And in some jealous, frantic mood, disclose
Things in oblivion, or at least repose,
The King, thus undeceived, may break the chain
Which Venice will have round him wove in vain—
And that great rite the morning's sun had blest
(pausing—then to Strozzi)
Your poignards?

Str.
Are at hand—

[Pointing to a group of Assassins standing near the P. S.
Mon.
—You heed the rest!

[Strozzi makes a sign to the Assassins to follow the footsteps of Adolphe, who has crossed to the end of the garden. Strozzi at the back listening,
Mon.
(thoughtful)
Air.
“Uncertain fate! how blindly is he led
“Who deems one moment that he holds thy thread—
“The wealth we own, the power we wield to-day,
“To-morrow sees despoiled, or wrenched away,
“Yet, from her edicts we may learn this fact,
“He who would safely live must firmly act!
[Here is heard in the distance, the Burthen of the Chorus.
“Your sage will blame the world, and will with rigour view it,
“Your fool is with it pleased, and all belonging to it.”
Second Verse.
“Laugh on, laugh on, oh, little do ye know
“The puppets here you are, or where ye go—
“Before your griefs though young affections fly,
“The tears they shed ye have no power to dry,
“And soon or late ye will at length discern
“All you deemed knowledge you have yet to learn!”
[Exit Moncenigo, O. P., making a sign to Strozzi to remain.
Chorus. (Heard again somewhat louder)
“Your sage will blame the world, and will with rigour view it,
“Your fool is with it pleased, and all belonging to it.”

[At the termination, a clashing of swords is heard outside.
Ado.
—Assassins on my track—help, give me aid!

Chorus of Assassins.
Strike through his heart, each blow will well be paid.

[On hearing the noise, Strozzi is seen to go off in the direction of Moncenigo, when Adolphe rushes in sword in hand, followed by Lusignano, who is in armour and masked.
Ado.
(to Lusignano)
Oh let my lip its grateful homage speak
For succour, when the strong oppressed the weak.

Lus.
Sir Knight, I trust that all like me had felt,
And turn'd aside the blows assassins dealt—

[Here Lusignano lifts up his vizor, and both sheath their swords.
Duet.
Ado.
Oh! you who knighthood's honors grace,
Who follow knighthood's laws,
Who danger's front can boldly face
In glory's dazzling cause,
Tell me your name?

Lus.
The sole reward
For this slight service shown,
I ask you now, is your accord
To keep that name unknown.

Ado.
May I not ask to whom I owe my life?

Lus.
A friendly hand.

Ado.
Your country then?

Lus.
France gave me birth.

Ado.
(with transport)
Mine own—mine ever lovely land!
Oh, joy that few can know,
When those of that blest spot of earth
Meet on a foreign strand!

Lus.
Oh, what ennobling thoughts
My soul entrance,
To clasp here in mine arms
A son of France!

Ado.
(with expression)
“And ever blest be Heav'n,
“Which deigned to send,
“Where all were reckoned foes,
“A fearless friend.”

Ado. and Lus.
(Ensemble)
Hail to that noble land,
To the free and happy there;
The dwelling of the good and grand,
Of the spotless and the fair.

Ado.
“Are you a knight?

Lus.
“I am!

Ado.
“In heart and arms
“Twofold a brother, whom the double charm
“Of country and of honour now unite.

Lus.
“In feeling constant and in glory bright,
“For fate one common parent both ordained,
“And gave the same heart, dauntless and unstained.”
Ensemble.
“Hail to that noble land,
“To the free and happy there;
“The dwelling of the good and grand,
“Of the spotless and the fair.”

Cantabile.
Lus.
Sad exile on the stranger's shore,
How often have I sighed
For days that can return no more,
And hopes that with them died;
For scenes whereon my childhood basked,
In bliss so far beyond
My dreams of joy, I never asked
If others were as fond.
(then to Adolphe)
Oh! do thou, with my words proclaim
Though here condemned to dwell,
That I've an arm to shield her fame,
A heart that loves her well.

Ado.
(dejected)
Vain hope, though gladly I her shores would fly,
Yet on this isle fate chains me down to die!

Lus.
(surprised)
To die!—

Ado.
(burthen of the Cantabile)
Like you, upon the stranger's shore,
How often have I sighed
For days that can return no more,
And hopes that with them died;
For scenes whereon my childhood basked
In bliss, so far beyond
My dreams of joy, I never asked
If others were as fond.
(then to Lusignano)
“And with thy words I would proclaim
“The pangs my breast which swell,”
I had an arm to shield her fame,
A heart that loved her well.

Ado.
(Ensemble)
I had an arm to shield her fame,
A heart that loved her well.

Lus.
(Ensemble)
Your arm should ever shield her fame,
Your heart still love her well.

Lus.
Are you unhappy?—say—

Ado.
I must conceal,
Save from my God, the grief 'tis mine to feel.

Lus.
If or my rank or sword can ever speed
Thee or thy sorrows, in their utmost need,
Come thou and claim them, and thy wishes bring
E'en to the very palace of the King.

Ado.
(aside)
The King! that rival who had doom'd my life
To the vile thirst of the assassin's knife—
“Who broke my peace, my heart with anguish rent,
“And for revenge my footsteps here I bent.

[Flourishes of trumpets and salvos of artillery are heard.
Lus.
List to the distant, but the joyous sound
Which doth from sphere to sphere thus startling bound.

Ado.
What signal doth it bear?

Lus.
It is—to say
Unto the empire, that with early day
A Queen is theirs, the cannons now give breath—

Ado.
(aside)
For me the signal of revenge, or death.

Ensemble.
[Accompanied by the distant ringing of bells, sound of trumpets, and firing of artillery.
Lus.
(aside) (Ensemble)
The cannon rebounding
Enkindles my soul
As, far away sounding,
Its loud echoes roll:
Beloved and lovely woman,
Thy smile doth dispel
All the fears of thy people,
And monarch as well.

Ado.
(aside) (Ensemble)
The cannon rebounding
Enkindles my soul,
Whose fury is bounding
Beyond my control;
Deceitful, perjur'd woman,
Whose heart could rebel,
And break the vows my sorrows
Remember too well.

Lus.
(to Ado.)
Brother in arms, adieu! though call'd away,
And forc'd that call of duty to obey,
Meet where we may, for ever I extend
The faith of knighthood, and the hand of friend.
[Lusignano and Adolphe clasping each other by the hand.
Ensemble.
Yes, here I swear, for ever to extend
The faith of knighthood, and the hand of friend!

Reprise of the previous ensemble.
Lus.
(aside) (Ensemble)
The cannon rebounding
Enkindles my soul,
As far away sounding
Its loud echoes roll.
Beloved and lovely woman,
Thy smile doth dispel
All the fears of thy people,
And monarch as well!

Ado.
(aside) (Ensemble)
The cannon resounding,
Enkindles my soul,
Whose fury is bounding
Beyond my control.
Deceitful, perjured woman,
Whose heart could rebel,
And break the vows my sorrows
Remember too well!

[Lusignano and Adolphe again grasp each other by the hand—the sounds of the cannon, trumpets, &c. continues, and the ringing of bells, when Lusignano exit O. P., and Adolphe is about to rush off, P. S., when he perceives Catarina descending the stairs, and he reels back to the O. P. side.
Ado.
(aside)
Great Heaven! some film hath shrouded o'er mine eyes,
Some chance hath stirred my heart with wild surprise,
Almost too much to bear,—'tis she—'tis she!
And thoughts of madness and of memory
Rush back at once upon me—

Cat.
—The calm night,
The freshness of the air, that solitude
On which no sick'ning revel can intrude,
Suit best my soul—unfettered, I can think,
Amidst the conflicts which my spirits sink,
On other scenes, contrasted as they are,
Remembered always, though divided far!
[Turns round, sees Adolphe, and draws her veil over her.
A stranger here! some spy, perchance, to bear
The words with which I fear to trust the air;
(turning round to Adolphe)
What is't ye seek here?

Ado.
—Nothing more of you!

Cat.
(recognising his voice and shrieking)
Adolphe! (almost falling)


Ado.
—A principle 'twere vain to guess,
Maintained by honor, and despair no less,
Has led me here, but Heaven my witness be,
The shaft was aimed at others, not at thee.

Cat.
Have pity on me?—

Ado.
—I've essayed, in vain,
The peace I once could boast of to regain;
The dreams of night, the visions of the day
Have all, but one remembrance, chased away;
Which clings around me, till my senses wake,
Then weep themselves to rest—

Cat.
—Some pity take.

Ado.
And where each furrow of despair appears,
Its lines can never be effaced by tears;
But if the darkened light once more should break
Upon these aching eyes—

Cat.
—Oh, pity take!

Ballad.
Ado.

Cat.
(starting up)
This is too much, and now despite the oath
Which fettered one, and broke the peace of both,
I will my soul unburthen—on that night
When urged by thee to trust our fate to flight,
With thee my honor, hope, and all to lose,
I dared myself of faithlessness accuse;
When shunning truths I was forbid to tell,
I lisped—I could not speak—words false as hell!

Ado.
Say on! say all!—

Cat.
—Assassins were concealed
Within my chamber, where, had I appealed,
Or spoken word, or made one gest, or sign,
Thy days were lost (I gave no thought of mine)
For thee, I prized e'en then all things above,
More than my life, I sacrificed my love!

Ado.
(falling at Catarina's feet)
Forgive me, Catarina!
(then rising) (Ensemble)
Despite this tortured brain—
Each pang I feel—
Despite mine honor's stain
No time can heal;
Although she can her vow
No more fulfil,
Though lost for ever now,
I love her still!
Despite his tortured brain—
All he can feel—
Despite his honor's stain,
No time can heal;
Although I can my vow
No more fulfil,
Though lost for ever now,
He loves me still!

[During this ensemble Moncenigo, attended by Strozzi, has appeared in the back ground—he gives Strozzi directions, on perceiving Adolphe at the feet of Catarina, and exit Strozzi.
Cat.
(to Adolphe, tenderly)
Now fly!—

Mon.
(advancing between them)
—It is too late—

Cat.
What brought you here
Unbidden?—

Ado.
(to Moncenigo)
Face to face at length we meet,
And vengeance long delayed is doubly sweet!

Mon.
Speak on—

Ado.
—Canst thou deny that all this scene
Of torture, madness, injury, has been
Thy work, and that, as creature of the king,
Her sad consent by menace thou didst wring?
That bravo's in thy service and thy pay,
Extorted oaths to lie her life away—
That spies pursued her steps—and, by thee planned,
My days were doomed to the assassin's hand?
Canst thou deny—

Mon.
—I came prepared to tell
Each deed and word by thee detailed so well—

Cat.
This tissue then of horrors now I see,
This hellish plot was all conceived—

Mon.
—By me!

Cat.
And when these acts, remorseless, as they're great,
I to the king, my lord, and thine relate—

Mon.
The king will not believe you—but when told
The scene I chanced this moment to behold—
When, bending at your foot, a rival came
To stamp upon his crown the mark of shame—
When his betrothed, the dame so pure who seemed,
Is by the Cyprus laws “adultress” deemed—

Cat.
Great Heavens!—

Mon.
—When thy treason to the throne,
To him who sways its sceptre shall be known.
Monarch and subject, acting then one part,
Will, to the world, proclaim thee what thou art!

[Adolphe and Catarina stand as if petrified, while Moncenigo makes a sign for Strozzi to advance with the Guards who have entered at the back during this scene.
Mon.
On to the citadel—in parted cell,
See both these traitors watched and guarded well.

[Exit Moncenigo up the stage, as a party march off with Adolphe on the O. P. side, and another party, headed by Strozzi, with Catarina, on the P. S. and the scene closes.

SCENE II.

—Anti-room in the Palace.
Enter Lusignano, meeting Andréa, followed by a Page, O. P.
Lus.
“Lord Moncenigo seeks an audience?

Page.
“—Sire,
“He comes in haste—

Lus.
“—Admit him, and retire—
[The Page crosses, and exit P. S.
“—What does this haste imply? comes he to chide
“The cold delay which chills a chosen bride?
“Or, with some Venice gossip, or some plot
“Of rival states, she fears—no matter what—
“My heart is light and happy now—
[Moncenigo enters P. S., ushered in by the Page, who retires, O. P.
“Your hand—
“My lord ambassador—I understand
“You would confer with us, and none can be
“In worth, or service, prized so much by me.
“What canst thou ask? thy power, it is known,
“To act, is second only to mine own—
“To-morrow's work is thine—my throne, my life,
“And, what upholds and honours both, a wife;
“Endowed beyond what other states bestow,
“And any dowry worth, to thee I owe.

Mon.
“And may that fate, which all our thoughts can sift,
“Will, that it may not prove a fatal gift.

Lus.
“What mean you?—

Mon.
“—To the point: perchance
“You may have heard a chevalier of France
“Whilome paid court to that illustrious dame
“Whose hand from Venice you now seek to claim.

Lus.
“Of France?—

Mon.
“—I had the matter to you brought,
“But that I deem'd it scarcely worthy thought;
“Now, it must fix attention—

Lus.
“—Plainer speak—

Mon.
“And action nerve the heart if that be weak.

Lus.
“Thou sett'st my blood on fire—I charge thee speak.

Lus.
“Adolphe de Courcy—he—that knight—was seen
“With her whom Cyprus calls to-morrow Queen,
“In yon casino's gardens, at her feet,
“Mingling those sighs of lovers when they meet.

Lus.
“'Tis false as hell!—

Mon.
“—I should have deemed it so had not
“These eyes beheld their guilt upon the spot.

Lus.
“A knight of France—'tis he whose life I saved
“Not long ago—has he my fury braved,
“And paid me with dishonor? on me cast
“Anguish and infamy for years to last.

Mon.
“This outrage upon Venice, shame on thee,
“And treason to the state, atoned must be.

Lus.
“Did not thy love for me, thy blush for them,
“At once revenge the crime thou must condemn?

Mon.
“Thy kingdom hath its laws, which have decreed
“That death alone can expiate such deed.
“I placed a guard upon them, and they wait
“Thy word to lead them to their fitting fate.

Lus.
“Accomplished be it then, be death her doom,
“And banishment be his. The silent tomb
“Shall end her guilt— (aside)
but, oh! what time can heal
“The deepening anguish it is mine to feel.
“Summon the council, not an hour shall stay
“My deadly vengeance—

Mon.
“—I your will obey.

[Moncenigo bows to the King and exit P. S. rapidly with exultation.
Lus.
“Distracted, yet perplexed, my soul still yearns
“To spare a crime whose object though it spurns;
“But no—no—all shall see, if some beweep,
“That heart whose love was fond, has hate as deep—”

[As Lusignano is rushing out O. P., he encounters Andréa.
Lus.
We meet again, but not as once we met,
And when and why, the task is to forget.

And.
What moves your Highness?—

Lus.
—Sorrow, shame, and guilt,
Blood that I fain would save, but must be spilt.
“Thy niece, thy Catarina—

And.
“What of her?
“And who upon her name would dare to slur?

Lus.
Know'st thou Adolphe de Courcy?

And.
Once I knew
A Knight so called, to faith and honor true!

Lus.
That Knight, thy niece's paramour, has dared
To shame the crown, which I with her had shared—
Hither he's come, those scenes to play once more
Which Venice saw, without a blush, before—
“But Cyprus ne'er shall know—for morning's sun
“Sees what the headsman, not the priest, has done.

And.
Not more in her than him do I confide,
And any tongue, but thine, had darkly lied,
To pass this crime upon them—

Lus.
—For the fact
Lord Moncenigo vouches, and will act!

Duet.
Lus.
(Ensemble)
Before these bursting eyes,
High in the gaze of all,
She, deemed of worth the prize,
Shall in her beauty fall:
The blow which parts the links of life,
Its fondest ties may sever,
But better years of lasting life,
Than live dishonored ever.

And.
(Ensemble)
She, whom so much I prize,
If once contemned of all,
Unpitied, in mine eyes,
Shall in her beauty fall:
In scenes of sorrow and of strife
From fond ties doomed to sever,
'Twere better burst the bonds of life,
Than live dishonored ever.

And.
Should Moncenigo's word with thee prevail!
For as he told, so hath he forged this tale—
Bring him before my face—

Lus.
—Be well assured
That thou shalt see him, and with her secured
Now in her dungeons, Cyprus too shall see
The doom is just, though dread its course may be.

And.
Encircled by some plot, pursued by hate
That raised at first, and now completes her fate,
Has Moncenigo lured his victim still—
But there is one can thwart him, and who will,
Be thou but just—

Lus.
—Full justice shall thou find,
For though embittered now, this heart was kind!

(then aside)
Solo.
He who has ever felt
Those joys the heart which melt
The anguish can define
Such rapture to resign—
That anguish now is mine!

And.
(aside)
If false, her name let none again protect;
If true, her honour they shall still respect;
For tho' no child of mine, yet fond and dear
Her charms of youth have found a parent here—

(laying his hand on his heart, with energy)
Solo.
He who has ever felt
Those ties the heart which melt
The torture can define,
Those ties when bid resign—
That torture now is mine!

Lus.
No more then, and begone! upon the brink
Of fate as now she stands, if I could think
Thy—mine no longer—Catarina, free
From crime, tho' now with crime accused she be,
A load were off my heart; but, 'tis in vain,
And mine the grief, the madness, and the stain!

And.
She shall not fall alone (aside)
for now her birth
Those papers will attest, perhaps her worth.
[to Lusignano.
Let all beware this shame on me who cast,
For those who wrong'd her most may aid her last.

Lus.
Upon her head the guilt, on mine the grief,
Which seeks no solace, and hopes no relief. (Ensemble.)

Before these bursting eyes,
High in the gaze of all,
She, deemed of worth the prize,
Shall in her beauty fall:
The blow which parts the links of life
Its fondest ties may sever,
But better years of lasting strife,
Than live dishonored ever!

And.
(Ensemble.)
She whom so much I prize,
If once contemned of all,
Unpitied in mine eyes,
Shall in her beauty fall:
In scenes of sorrow and of strife
From fond ties doomed to sever,
'Twere better burst the bonds of life,
Than live dishonored ever!

At the end of this ensemble, Lusignano rushes off, O. P., Andréa, P. S.

LAST SCENE.

—Public place in Nicosia. Scaffold erected on an elevated stage, lined with Soldiers, and an avenue of Soldiers, extending from scaffold to front of stage, where Catarina is discovered kneeling in the centre—on either side are erected pavilions for the King, Court, Archbishop, and Clergy— in the square formed by the Soldiery, Black and Grey Penitents are kneeling—Herald at back—the populace crowd on either side up to the extreme extent and height of stage—the King conceals his face in his hands—Moncenigo stands by his side—deep bell tolling—muffled drums beating.
Chorus of Penitents.
Pray for the soul's repose,
Pray for the peace of those
Whose thoughts on Heaven are bent.

Cat.
That Heaven knows
I am innocent.

Chorus of Women.
Pray for a sister's woes,
Whose erring days now close.
May Heaven forgive a life mis-spent!

Cat.
“That Heaven knows
I am innocent!”

Herald.
For treason to the State,
Deem'd fatal in the Council's eyes,
For dishonour to the King,
Catarina Cornaro dies!
[Addressing Catarina.
Wherefore the law should stop its dread intent,
What canst thou plead?—

Cat.
—That I am innocent.

Herald
(aloud)
Who can allege a reason why
The guilty should not perish?—

And.
(rushing frantically through the Soldiers.)
—I!
[General movement. The King rises and comes down, Andréa kneels at his feet, then rises. Moncenigo crosses to the centre, while Catarina springs up and reels towards the P. S. followed by the Priest, the Herald retires up the centre.
Your pardon, mighty liege, (then to Catarina)
poor blighted thing,
Almost without a hope to which to cling—
Without a hope? 'tis false! this speaking proof
May soften hate, and keep revenge aloof—
[turning round upon Moncenigo.
Inhuman fiend! by lips through fear though sealed
In Venice, here the truth shall be revealed—
“Not fear of thee, nor for myself, but dread
“Of secret death, of blood in darkness shed,
“Of rack and wheel, those crimes thy rule hath stained,
“In which the limbs of others thou hadst chained—
“Now I can speak unfettered.—”

Mon.
“—Have a care,
“And of that rule, diminished not, beware.

And.
Know'st thou Bianca Sforza?
[Moncenigo staggers.
—Ha, that name
Flings o'er thy cheek the deepened blush of shame.
That heiress of her noble house, e'en as she died,
Had barely strength her secret to confide:
As the last words of parting life she gasp'd,
In sudden energy my hand she clasp'd,
Gave me this protest, blest her babe to light
Just born, then sunk in endless night.

Mon.
(partially recovering and addressing the King)
“Heed not, my liege—

Lus.
“His tale doth move my soul,
“And may the pages of dark crimes unroll.

And.
“Dark as they can be—see how Heaven hath work'd,
“This moral in a soul where guilt so lurk'd—
“True to my trust this fondling I have reared,
“By love, by youth, by purity endeared,
While “poor Bianca Sforza, she whom art
Ruined, and left to die with broken heart,
She was her mother, speciously beguiled—
(pointing to Moncenigo)
He the betrayer— (pointing to Catarina)
—and there stands their child!
(rushing up to Moncenigo with desperation)
“Although to me and mine thy hate is known,
“She whom thou now would'st murder is thine own!”

Cat.
(with a convulsion of feeling).
What do I hear? Oh, nature, how thy laws
Bring back our feelings to their primal cause—
Bewildered—almost mad—pursued by hate,
Standing through him upon the verge of fate,
Whate'er his guilt—whate'er my lot may be,
Oh—Heaven—he is my father!—

(staggers over to Moncenigo, and falls in his arms.
Lus.
“—Heaven's decree
“Accomplish'd is.” (to Officer)
Adolphe de Courcy hither call,
And on the guilty retribution fall.

[Exit Officer, after bowing to the King, O.
Trio.
Lus.
(astounded) (Ensemble)
If true his tale—unstained her name—
My deep remorse I would proclaim,
Atone for blood my rage had spilt,
In deep conviction of her guilt!

Mon.
(Catarina senseless in his arms) (Ensemble)
Too true his tale—her tender fame
I spotless deem, and will proclaim;
And thus atone for years of guilt
And blood a false revenge had spilt!

And.
(with energy) (Ensemble)
Too true my tale—her noble name
As spotless, I aloud proclaim—
Free from dishonour, and that guilt
For which they now her blood had spilt!

[At the end of Trio, Adolphe de Courcy is conducted in by the Officer, and escorted by a file of Soldiers; he is greatly excited on seeing Catarina, and beholding the King.
Lus.
Well may'st thou shrink, when he thy life who gave,
Has, for thy baseness, stripped thee of thy glaive!

Ado.
(erect, and with great pride)
I will not now disguise, whate'er the shame,
It was, to take thy life, I hither came;
“I knew thee not, the pangs alone I knew
“That soul and body pierced me madly through—
“My Saviour now I see—and 'neath the axe,
“In life, till death, thou might'st my service tax—”
I do not seek thy pardon, but, to spare
Her life, so good, I solemnly declare
Before that Judge who hidden hearts can see,
Her soul is pure as virtue's e'er can be—

Lus.
I do believe thee, and the world shall find,
To justice, station cannot make me blind.
(pointing to Officer, and then addressing Adolphe)
Adolphe de Courcy, sheath thy sword again,
Which thou hast worn thus far without a stain;
“Though I endure what time alone can heal,
“Others no more shall bear the grief I feel—”
Lord Moncenigo, in oblivion now
The past I bury, and do here avow
My will, to all announced, by all here heard,
Her hand be on the heart loved best conferred.

[Here Lusignano passes to the centre, and joins the hands of Catarina and Adolphe, Moncenigo, stands on O. P., Andréa, P. S.
Largo.
Ado.
“O'erwhelmed with thoughts too great,
“Crushed by thy nobleness of soul,
“I sink beneath the weight
“Of feeling I no more control.
“My guilty aim—my crime,
“Oh, pity and forgive!
“My spirit, body, life-blood, all,
“Thine own are while I live!”

Quintette.
Lus.
(Ensemble)
“All idle rancour now I cast aside,
“And give that happiness to me denied.

Ado.
(Ensemble)
“Unshaken fondness to my spotless bride,
“And faith to him who gave her, be my guide!

Cat.
(to Lusignano) (Ensemble)
“And while my days in peacefulness shall glide,
“All gratitude to thee shall be my pride!

Mon.
(to Lusignano) (Ensemble)
“By thy decision gladly I abide,
“Confirming happiness so long denied.

And.
(exultingly) (Ensemble)
“The will of Heaven doth o'er her fate preside,
“And grants that happiness so long denied.”

Rondo.
Cat.
(advancing)
There is no human joy,
No bliss the soul which fills,
No hope the heart can buoy,
Like that each sense now thrills;
My thought almost o'erleaps
The barrier reason keeps.

Full Chorus.
Envied for ever be
Her noble name!
Afar her purity
Let all proclaim!

Cat.
“This spell too bright to bear,
“This sudden vast excess
“Of love's beyond the share
“Of mortal happiness.”

[A long shout from the assembled multitude, the flourishing of trumpets, beating of drums, waving of banners, and a general display of animation continues until the curtain falls.