 | The Dramatic and Poetical Works of Joanna Baillie |  |
SCENE VI.
The house of Montebesa; who enters, meeting a servant from the opposite side.Mont.
What com'st thou to impart? thy busy face
Is full of mingled meaning, grief and gladness.
Serv.
My Lord Rasinga, madam, is returned,—
Return'd victorious; and the fair young bride
Again is rescued by his matchless valour.
Mont.
All this is good; hast thou no more to tell?
Serv.
Alas! I have; for, by his spearmen guarded,
Loaded with chains, most rueful to behold,
Comes Samarkoon. For now it doth appear,
That he, enleagued with robbers, was the spoiler,
Who beat the gallant train of Ehleypoolie,
And bore away their prize.
Mont.
Oh, this is dreadful! Clouds o'erlapping clouds
Are weaving o'er our house an evil woof,—
A fearful canopy. It was to us
That ominous sign was sent, but few days past,
When Boodhoo's rays, beneath the noon's blue dome
With shiv'ring motion gleam'd in streaky brightness,
Surpassing mid-day splendour. Woe is me!
I saw it not unmoved; but little thought,
Ah! little thought of misery like this. Enter Juan de Creda.
Welcome, De Creda; thou in hour of need
Art ever wise and helpful. Dost thou know
Of this most strange event? Of Samarkoon
As lawless spoiler by Rasinga conquer'd,
And led—
Juan.
I do; and come to entreat thee, lady,
That thou with thy enchafed and vengeful son
Mayst use a mother's influence to save him.
Mont.
Entreaties are not wanted, good De Creda,
For herein I am zealous as thyself.
Juan.
He must not die.
Mont.
Nor shall, if I can save him.
Juan.
Then let us meet Rasinga, as he passes,
Ere he can reach the shelter of his chamber,
Where men are wont to cherish moody wrath;
And we will so beset him with our prayers,
That we shall move his soul, if it be possible.
The fair Artina too must come with us
To beg her brother's life.
Mont.
Yes, be it so; but first let us apprise her,
And do it warily, lest sudden grief
O'erwhelm her totally.
Juan.
That will be necessary.
And, lady, let us find her instantly;
We have no time to spare.
[Exeunt.
| The Dramatic and Poetical Works of Joanna Baillie | |