University of Virginia Library

SCENE II.

—A WIDE STREET IN MANTUA IN WHICH IS COLONNA'S HOUSE.
Enter Angiolina and Imelda disguised as pages.
ANGIOLINA.
Escaped! escaped! the saints be praised for this!
But Oh, my father!—Oh, my poor lost father!
Thy terrible tidings, mine Imelda! chill me.
No! to that house I could not bend my steps,
I could not bear the agony of thoughts
That then should rush on my bereaved—wrung soul!
Best—first of fathers! noblest—kindest—truest!

IMELDA.
Nay, sweet! be comforted—have prudence—prudence!
Be silent! we may be perceived, suspected.
There stands Colonna's house, and lo! behold,
Against the balcony seems some one leaning!—

ANGIOLINA
(eagerly).
Is't him? Oh! I am safe!

IMELDA.
No! 'tis not him!
Some menial of the household. Let me speak,
Thy quivering voice might fatally betray thee.
Good friend! a messenger from the honour'd Duke!
His Highness hath commanded the Signor,
If now at home, should instantly admit him.

SERVANT.
Thy name?

IMELDA.
'Tis Hyacinth! this youth's is Andrea!
He bears despatches for Signor Colonna,
Sent from his royal master!

SERVANT.
Wait one moment!
The doors shall be unbarr'd.

[Servant leaves the balcony.
ANGIOLINA.
And shall I see him?
Oh! are we safe? Shall we escape together?
But oh! my poor—poor father!

[Servant opens door.
SERVANT.
Enter!

IMELDA.
Go!
[Angiolina enters the house with the servant.
Now may her wits work well,—and work well mine!—
I am for home to acquaint my worthy guardian
That he may have a gentle guest to-night,
And make swift preparations carefully
For well bestowing her in secret safety,
With unsuspected, prompt accommodation—
Lest there should chance some strait that should require it:
May there be no occasion for't!—'twere best!
Now let me think: the Duke's own private signet
Hath Angiolina (by my care secured)
Now safe in her possession; thus can they,
If prompt and prudent now in their proceedings,
Pass—aye! Colonna (though detained in durance
He may be, by the Duke's unjust commands)
By aid of this same signet shall pass free!
All will be well!—Who is't approaches softly?
I tremble!—Ha! good Pietro, is it thou?

PIETRO.
Yea, gracious madam! I am bade to haunt
The precincts of this house and give th' alarm,
Should any violence be here attempted
Against the inhabitants from outward foes!

IMELDA.
'Tis good! Thy master, where remains he,—say?
The Count di Castagnola?—where's his post?

PIETRO.
Hard by the mansion of the Count Durazzo;
Signor Emmanuel Lorio keeps good watch
Near to the ducal palace, which, thou know'st,
Is not from hence far distant.

IMELDA.
And thine orders?

PIETRO.
Are, lady, to remain the night through here,
And stir not save the house should be attack'd,
Or any scenes of violence take place.

IMELDA.
Mind well thine orders—still be on the alert,
Guard well thy post, good Pietro, be most cautious—
And oh! most vigilant—have hundred eyes,
And thousand ears—and Oh! within thine arm,
If need should be, the unconquerable strength
Of twenty thousand arms, for such the cause,
'Tis as a host in its own hallow'd self—
The unvanquishable strength of right is in it,
And standing 'gainst th' unrighteous must o'erthrow him,
Though tower'd he legions strong, and mountain-stablish'd!
Be mighty! 'tis a strong—bless'd—righteous cause!

PIETRO.
Lady! I yield not till the death, Heaven speeding!—

IMELDA.
Watch not too near the dwelling of Colonna,
(Though within hearing), lest it rouse suspicion!

[Exeunt severally.