University of Virginia Library

SCENE I.

“An ancient Gothic Apartment in the Castle.
“(Victoria enters, followed by Perez and Moncalde bearing lights—she gazes round at the desolate appearance of the chamber, and speaks to Perez.)
“Vic.
Set down thy light, and hasten to my father.

“(Perez sets down the light on a table—Victoria sits down exhausted.)
“Mon.
How fares the ancient lord?—How fares his mind?

“Vic.
I tended him unknown on his sad journey,
“He knew me not, Moncalde!— (in tears)

“But, when we reach'd these walls, he turn'd on me
“Such piercing looks of piteous recognition,
“I could not bear the sight, and hasten'd on.
“Had it pleased Heav'n to try us with all maladies
“That shake the frame, and rack the quiv'ring nerve,
“Me his sole watcher, by his straw-wove pallet
“I would have borne and bless'd it.
“But oh, his mind, Moncalde!—it doth stab me
“To use the language of usurp'd authority,
“Unfilial and irreverent, from these lips,
“Needful to parley with his wayward moods—

“Mon.
It is a trial sharp and terrible,
“Yet sink not thou beneath it, but have hope.

“Vic.
(Gazing gloomily around the apartment).
“Is this th'abode to which they have banish'd him?
“Is this then doom'd my father's last retreat?
“The gloomy grandeur of its ruined pride
“Might check the pulse of youth, and chill its blood;
“Yea, unto Fancy lend such wizard potency,
“Unblenched Reason holds weak mastery o'er.
“How will it work on his— (increasing terror)

“Dark walls our prison, and perhaps our tomb?
“The voice of by-gone time, that sweeps your confines,
“Murmurs of deeds long buried in its lapse;
“Each step I print upon your marble floor
“Seems as it trod the unexplored dwelling
“Of some unearthly tenant, whose roused voice
“Peals on the thunder of the answering echoes,
“To bid me pause— (gazing round.)


“Mon.
Oh, lady! is it thus
“Thou wouldst uphold thy father's failing steps?
“Wake from thy fearful vision, for he comes!—

“Manuel enters feebly, supported by Perez; they place him in a chair; he looks round him vacantly.
“Vic.
How fares it with my father?

“Man.
Very well!

“Vic.
Oh! answer not thus calmly.

“Per.
Do you note him?
“He is much chang'd.

“Vic.
Oh!—I do dread such change:
“Far more I fear this sullen hopeless melancholy
“Than insane impotence of wildest passion.

“As she continues to speak, Manuel observes her attentively, and his countenance becomes gradually illuminated with reason. He turns to her.
“Man.
You weep; nay, then, your heart's wound is not mortal:
“Why do I strike, in vain, this rock for water?
“(Striking his heart.)
“Back, back! ye press too much upon my brain.

“Perez.
This murky chamber's airless gloom o'er-powers him.

“Vic.
Wilt thou walk forth upon the terrassed rampart?
“It still is light abroad, though here is night.
“See! the rich beauty of the ev'ning wooes thee!
“Even the full glory of the twilight Heaven,
“Most beautiful when faint!—Come, ere it fade.

“Man.
He loved to gaze upon the twilight Heaven!
“Beautiful in its faintness. Then I lov'd it!—

“Vic.
Oh, come with me, my father, forth in light,
“And the pure breeze shall whisper healthful thought,
“Cool thy parch'd lip, and fan thy fev'rous breast.—

“Man.
I've seen the pure breeze lift his raven locks,
“As fairy fingers with their ringlets play'd,
“Enamour'd.—I've by twilight gaz'd on him—
“His eyes' dark glories wild, his godlike form—
“Till love resembled grief, and spoke in tears!
“That dark eye had misfortune's doubtful presage;
“It had that troubled melancholy loveliness;
“'Twas like the fabled flow'r of woe, that lines
“Of sorrow in its cup of beauty bears.
“Great God!—What man could lift his hand against him?

“Vic.
Nay, list to me!
“We'll wander forth with light step and free heart,
“Tun'd to impulsive and spontaneous joy;
“Sweetest when most unlooked for.

“Man.
(Sternly.)
Why should I go?
“I shall meet a father!—he'll cross my path,
“Blessing his age's hope, and leaning on him:
“That blessing will be as a curse to me—
“And, when my lips in agony shape the sound
“That habit still makes sweet—starting, I'll feel
“I have no son to bless!

“Vic.
(Falling at his feet.)
Thou hast a daughter!—

“Man.
Where is she?—Yes—but she is not Alonzo!

“Vic.
Then kneeling hear me—At the solemn rite,
“That peals its requiem o'er the parted dead,
“Be not thou present.

“Man.
Ask Perez if I hold not constant speech:
“Nay, I will be as docile as school'd infancy.

“Per.
Yield to him, lady.

“Vic.
(weeping.)
Oh! my father!—speak not
“With such unnatural humility,
“Torturing your daughter's heart, and she will yield
“To aught you will.—

“Man.
(on seeing her tears.)
I fear I have offended!
“I feel I have—I pray you, pardon me!—
“I know I should not kneel, but you will pardon me.—

“Vic.
Oh! hold!—nor drive me mad—

“Man.
I did not think of thee—
“In my soul's agony forgot thy pangs;
“I saw thy dimmed eye, nor thought thy tears
“Could flow for aught but for Alonzo's loss.
“Torrismond!—aye—he was a gentle youth—
“But was his harvest like Alonzo's gleanings?

“Vic.
(In a sudden agony of tears)
“I think not of him!—

“Man.
(Viewing her with doubt and grief)
“Ah!—thou think'st not thus.
“(approaching her with melancholy tenderness)
“Wed him when I am dead!—

“Vic.
Rend not my heart in twain—nay, doubt me not—

“Man.
There is a voice, the only one I hear;
It calls me to his tomb
“(Is rushing out, and feels his weakness.)
“But I must lean on thee!

“[Exeunt.”