 | The Star of Seville |  |
SCENE IV.
—A CHAMBER IN ESTRELLA'S HOUSE.Enter Estrella.
ESTRELLA.
So, so—alone!—they have not followed me.
The day grows dim, but yet I know 'tis morning.
We've not been married yet—an hour ere noon
Will be the wedding. Look I not brave, think ye?—
Shall I not be a handsome bride? You're there,
Brother;—why do you wear that bloody cloak?
You're pale, you're pale—ah! I'd forgot—he's dead;
But he will give the bride away. Again—
They're come again. I'll hide myself—down—down—
Here i' the ground!
Enter Nurse and Gentlewoman.
NURSE.
Sweet virgin! on the earth.
Let's take her back to her chamber.
ESTRELLA.
Take her! is't me ye'll take against my will?
I am not mad, minion: d'ye hear, I'm not:
I want no keepers, good ye mistress Lynx!
They watch me! they watch me! but I'll cozen them.
Faith, 'tis hot—I'm weary—I would sleep,—
Faint, faint,—good night, sweet jailors, I will sleep.
NURSE.
For the first time this day she's still. Mercy on us,
here be events! here be befallings! The young tree is
cut down, blossom and all, and the old bark's left to
rot standing. Hark! 'tis the bell tolling for the execution.
O what a tide of folks is pouring towards the
place! I'd fain step and hear what's saying. Juana, sit
thou by her while she sleeps—I'll be back anon.
GENTLEWOMAN.
Poor lady, 'tis a troubled sleep, in sooth, and will not
better her much. Who's there?
Softly, my lady sleeps.
LIVIO.
O Juana, if ever thou didst see brave sight, come
to the balcony in the east front: the streets be full
of gazers, and the procession will be passing even anon.
GENTLEWOMAN.
A brave sight!—a sad sight, and a solemn, I think.
Why, Livio, I wonder at thee,—thou that hast seen
gates to him in thine office. I think she sleeps soundly.
LIVIO.
Come, an' thou lov'st me, for a minute.
GENTLEWOMAN.
Well, I will come; I would fain see him once again,
poor gentleman; he was a lovely young nobleman,—
heaven save us all,—to come to such an end!
[Exeunt Livio and Gentlewoman.
ESTRELLA.
They're gone away—there's none left to watch me.
Marry, I was not wont to be so guarded.
What bell is that? I shall be late at the church!
Fie, the bride come too late! Sweet marriage bells,—
They've a strange twang withal—they should be faster.
Bind up my hair, give me my rosary.
Ha! ha! thou look'st but ill i' thy bloody cloak,
Pedro! Now, then, I'm ready, give thy hand—
Cold, cold, clay cold, with lying i' the earth!
So—so—now then to church to make me a wife.
[Exit.
| The Star of Seville | |