University of Virginia Library

SCENE THE FOURTH.

Romilda, Ildovaldo, Rosmunda. The Followers of Ildovaldo.
Rom.
Ah! come art thou
Victorious?—am I thine?

Ros.
Hast thou fulfill'd
The task that I enjoin'd? Hast thou destroyed
That traitor?

Il.
I? He is not for my sword
A worthy victim. Almachilde fights
Uselessly in the camp: I have imposed
The task on other faithful partizans
To conquer him; an easy task to them.
Not to a warrior's sword, to a vile axe
His life is due. On thee I thought alone.
Romilda; and have consecrated first
To thee this sword. Come; let me lead thee now
From these abominable walls. My heroes
Are competent to clear for thee a passage.
Come with me, thou art truly mine at length.

Ros.
Stop: she is not yet thine: I bid thee stop:
I should bestow her with my hand. Romilda,
Thou art mine only while I hold thee here;
And hence thou shalt not stir. And thou, oh coward,
When I release thee from thy chains, and promise
Whate'er thou wishest in the world, to give thee,
Recreant, dost thou refuse to serve my fury?
Thou shunn'st, instead of murdering, thy rival?
For an unmerited reward, while he
Is living, com'st thou here?

Rom.
Oh from her hands
Now drag me quickly, Ildovaldo.

Il.
Come,
Cease, oh Rosmunda; loose her; 'tis in vain:
Thou canst not now suffice to be a hindrance
To her departure hence. Enough of foes
Has Almachilde; in his recreant blood
Others will not refuse to soil their hands.
Be not perplex'd, Rosmunda.

Ros.
What!—Dost thou
Intend to cheat me?

Rom.
Loose me ...

Il.
Yield, or I ...

Ros.
I loose thee? no, no, never.—But already
I hear approaching shouts ... fierce and more fierce,
And nearer they approach ... Oh joy to me,
If thus perchance thy hope may be deceived!

Rom.
Alas, alas!

Il.
Who comes thus arm'd?

Ros.
Oh joy!
See Almachilde: I perceive he's victor:
And he, I hope, will punish thee.