University of Virginia Library

SCENE XI.

Antonia and Teresa.
ANTONIA.
Why does he weep, Teresa?

TERESA.
Sad fears and bodements hang on all our minds,
And wilder fancies overcome our thoughts,
Than the grim night-mare brings in troubl'd dreams.

ANTONIA.
Last night, Teresa, as I lay asleep,
Methought my noble lord, the Count Urbano,
The Count Urbano, my dear wedded lord,
Came in unheard, and softly sought my couch;
But when I woke before the dawn of day,
I was alone, and sinking back in sleep,
Dreamt that the devil had usurp'd my breast.
The fearful image startled me awake;
And, clearing swift the hazy drouze that still
Hung like a vapour on my faculties,
I had persuasion horrible of things
Which have infected me with desp'rate death.

TERESA.
Oh my dear lady!—Oh! alas! alas!

ANTONIA.
But still bright Hope rose like the hectic bloom,
That tints the cheek of a consuming fair;
And spite of conscious sense beguil'd my wish,
Till I had learnt who had profan'd my room.
Then like the flame that burst upon the sight
Of wretched Hecuba, when she unclos'd
Her window on the final night of Troy,
The hideous certainty shone full upon me,
And show'd the ruin and the sack atchiev'd.

TERESA.
Oh devilish serpent that could so invade
The hallow'd Eden of your wedded faith!