University of Virginia Library

SCENE THE THIRD.

Guglielmo, Bianca.
Bi.
I seek for Raymond, and he flies from me.
Oh tell me wherefore, and with whom he flies!—
What do I see? Thou seem'st bereft of reason!
What troublous thoughts estrange thee from thyself?
Ah, speak: does any danger threaten us? ...
O'er whom does it impend? ...

Gu.
If agony
Heavily sits upon my pallid face,
Why should'st thou be surprised at this? I fear,
And cannot hide my fears; and who fears not?
If thou look round, a pallidness like mine
On every face is painted.

Bi.
But for fear
What fresh occasion? ...

Gu.
'Tis not fresh, oh daughter.

Bi.
But I have always seen thee hitherto
Immoveable: thou fearest now, and say'st it.
And Raymond, who like an impetuous storm
Of violent discordant impulses
Seem'd hitherto to me, I now behold
Assume the semblance of a tranquil man.
Not long ago, words breathing nought but peace
He spake to me: and he, of all suspense
The instinctive enemy, professes now
To expect alleviation from delay:
With one unknown he flies from me; and thou
Stay'st agitated here. ... Ah yes, there is
Too certainly a secret; ... and thou hid'st it,
From me thou hidest it? My sire, my spouse,
Vie in deluding me. May heaven permit ...

Gu.
Check these suspicions, check these tears: in vain
Should I, alarm'd, exhort thee not to fear.
Fear thou, but fear not us.—Well said my son,
That time alone can bring us palliatives.
Go to thy children: thou canst not perform
A task more grateful to us than to guard them,
To love them well, and nourish them to virtue—
Useful advice, if thou from me regard it,
'Twill be to thee, that thou should'st persevere,
Where words avail not, in profoundest silence ...
Thus, oh Bianca, thou wilt surely win
All our affections; and at once escape
The persecution of thy cruel brothers.