University of Virginia Library

SCENE III.

A hall, or ante-room in the imperial palace.
Enter Petronius and Marthon disguised.
Pet.
So far hath this well-counterfeited signet,
And this disguise, befriended us: here stop:
Whilst Constantine and his mad band are absent
On their religious ceremony, here
We will remain conceal'd until that Ella,
Returning (for 'tis near her wonted time,
As they have told us) from Valeria's chamber,
Shall give us fair occasion.—Rouse thee, Marthon;
Thou seemst like one bereaved of all sense;
What is the matter with thee?

Mar.
Nothing; but thus to pass with culprit feet
Beneath the shade of night, these well-known courts,
Which I so oft have trod in front of day,
With the firm footsteps of an honest man,
Doth make me—

Pet.
Fy! thou art become a fool.
Shake off such weakness: we're compell'd to this.
We shall beneath the Sultan's iron sway,
Disgraced from the late failure of our plots,
Live like lash'd slaves, if the bewitching beauty
Of my young Ella come not to our aid
To bend his rugged nature. Strong in her,
We shall not merely safe protection find,
But highest favour and authority;
And though by stealth I needs must bear her hence,
Being my daughter, I, in nature's right—

Mar.
Hush! now I hear a lightly-sounding step.
Draw back a little space.

[They step aside, whilst Ella enters, and walks across the stage.
Pet.
(in a half voice, stealing softly up to her).
Ella!

Ella
(starting).
What voice is that which names me?

Pet.
Ella!

Ella.
Oh! 'tis the sound that I most dread to hear!

Pet.
Sayst thou so, Ella, of thy father's voice?
Have my misfortunes, with the world's fair favour,
Deprived me also of my only child?

Ella.
No, no! they have not: had misfortune only
Cast its dark shade upon thee, I had loved thee
And cherish'd thee in a lone desert, father!
But—but thou art—

Pet.
Ha! wherefore dost thou pause?
What wouldst thou say? what is there in thy mind?

Ella.
Thoughts which I will not utter—Oh, depart!
Thou'rt not in safety. All men do condemn thee.
Thou art not come for good.—Oh, fly from hence!
Ruin, and shame, and death abide thee here:
Oh, fly, my wretched father!

Pet.
Yes I will fly, but thou shalt go with me;
If not, I will remain and meet my fate.

Ella.
Good heaven forbid! thou'lt drive me to distraction.
O misery!

[Wrings her hands in great distress, whilst Marthon advances to Petronius with supplicating look.
Pet.
(to Marthon).
Away! thou art a fool: we must be firm. (To Ella.)

Wring not thy hands thus wildly, simple maid:
Thou goest to be with me no wand'ring outlaw,
But one in splendour greater than a queen:
The favour'd mistress of the mighty Sultan.

[Ella gives a loud shriek, and struggles to escape from him.
Enter Rodrigo.
Rod.
Audacious villain! quit thy cursed hold,
Or take death for thy pains.
Ha! thou shrinkst back, and mufflest up thy face.
Say who thou art, or through thy villain's heart
I'll thrust this rapier.

Ella
(pulling Rodrigo back).
Hold, I do beseech thee.
For pity, hold! it is my wretched father.

Rod.
Wretched indeed!

Ella.
Ay, therefore pity him.
Let him escape: he hath done me no harm.
He is here as a fox in his last wiles,
Who shelter seeks within the very kennel
Of the roused pack: Oh, have some pity on him!
He is my father.

Rod.
Sweet Ella, hang not thus upon mine arm:
It hath no power to strike whom thou callst father,
Shame as he is unto that honour'd name.
But there are ties upon me, gentle maid:
The safety and the interests of Constantine
I am bound to defend: and shall a traitor—

Ella.
Oh! oh!

Rod.
Fear not: our royal master is return'd
From blessed rites of holiest charity
With meekly chasten'd soul: whate'er his crimes
He is in safety—safety as assured
As thine own harmless self.

Enter Constantine.
Con.
(to Rodrigo).
Thou speakst with an unwonted earnestness;
I've mark'd thy gestures; something moves thee much.
Who are these strangers?
[Turning to Petronius and Marthon, who, uncovering their faces, stand confessed before him.
Ha! Marthon and Petronius! What new treason
Is now on foot, that here—but judge I harshly?
Ye are, perhaps, struck with the circumstances
Of these most solemn times, repentant grown,
And if ye be, in a good hour ye come;
I am myself a wean'd and pardon'd man.
Marthon, thou once wast wont to speak the truth;
What brought you hither?

Mar.
Most gracious prince, with no repentant mind
We hither came; but one of us, at least,
Shall hence depart with a heart deeply smitten.

Con.
Confess then what new treason ye devised.

Ella.
No treason; none to thee, most royal Constantine.
For me he came, arm'd with a parent's right,
To bear me to the haughty Sultan's camp,
To live in queenly state. But, Oh protect me!
Let me remain and die with those I love
In decent maiden pride. Retain me here,
But pardon him: no treason brought him hither.

Con.
Petronius, has thy daughter told me true;
Was this thine errand?

Pet.
(approaching Constantine).
Yes, most gracious prince.

Con.
Off then, disgrace to nature and to manhood!
Wouldst thou to shameful and degrading slavery
Betray thy virtuous child? Say thou cam'st hither
To thrust i' the dark thy dagger through my heart,
And I will call thee sinless.

Pet.
Wherefore this stern and bitter execration?
I came to place her but a few hours sooner,
Saved from th' approaching storm, where your high dames,
Yea, with their royal mistress at their head,
Full shortly shall be placed.

Con.
Detested wretch! what fiend has whisper'd to thee
Such hideous thoughts? man durst not utter them.

Pet.
Man might, at least, surveying the position
And aspect of these times, in his own mind
This plain and shrewd conjecture form. But not
On such loose bottom do I ground my words;
Mah'met himself hath sworn that your Valeria
Shall at the head of his most favour'd wives—

Con.
Hold thy detested tongue! for one word more
Is instant death. Tempt me not with these hands,
Which hath the symbols touch'd of blessed peace,
To do a horrible act.

Pet.
I but repeat that which the Sultan hath
In public said.

Con.
Forbear! forbear! I tell thee.
[Wrenching his sword, scabbard and all, from his side, and tossing it from him.
There! there! Rodrigo: cast it from my reach:
Let not a weapon be within my grasp,
Or I shall be accursed.
[After a violent struggle of passion.
I dare speak to him now.—Ho! guards without!

Ella.
Oh, mercy! mercy!

Enter Guards.
Con.
(to guards).
Take these two men, Petronius and his friend,
And through the city to our outmost post
Conduct them safely: there, in perfect liberty,
Permit them to depart where'er they list. (To Petronius.)

Now, I'm revenged upon thee: get thee hence,
And utter not a word.—Go thou, Rodrigo,
And with the gentle Ella in thy hand,
Conduct them to the palace gate. Hence quickly!

Mar.
Nay, let Petronius go: I will remain,
And with the meanest soldier on your walls
Spend my last blood, if a true penitent—

Con.
(waving him off impatiently).
Well, be it as thou wilt: but hence and leave me!

Rod.
(to Ella, as he leads her out).
Did I not tell thee he was safe, my Ella?

[Exeunt all but Constantine, who, after walking up and down for some time in a perturbed manner, starts at the sound of Valeria 's voice without.
Con.
Ha! here she comes! alas! how shall I now
Look on her face, and hear her voice of love!
It is distraction!

Enter Valeria.
Val.
My Constantine, art thou so long return'd,
And yet to me no kindly summons sent,
Long as I've watched for it? What is the matter?
Thy brow is dark: these are disturbed looks:
What is the matter?

Con.
Nothing, nothing.
I am, thou knowst, with many cares perplex'd.
Follow me to thine own apartment; here
I cannot speak to thee.

Val.
(aside, looking eagerly at him as they go out.)
What may this be?

[Exeunt.