SCENE I.
STRENI.
What's to be done? Good God! these news confound me!
I cannot yet believe my eyes. Let me read
This letter again.—There's nothing in the world
But villainy and delusion: knaves and dupes
Maintain this foolish farce of human life.—
Let me see—
“I am this moment in formed that Count CLAUDIO is
accused of some embezzlements and other perfidious
practices during the late war, which render him
obnoxious to the State; and that warrants are actually
issued out to apprehend him. I am sorry this piece
of news did not reach me till after my sister
VICTORIA's departure; but hope it will not come too late
to prevent your engaging in so fatal an alliance. At
least, whether my information prove true or false, I
thought myself obliged to give you this notice.”—
Well, this cuts deep indeed! There all my hopes
My flattering schemes lie blasted and o'erthrown.
The shock so stuns me that I yet scarce feel it.
Is it so then, CLAUDIO? Well, I find at last
This world is all a cheat, and there's no trusting
To fair appearances.—Would this had happened
A twelvemonth sooner! what an anxious year
It would have saved me and my poor OLYMPIA!
Yet better now than a twelvemonth hence;—nay, than
To-morrow.—Bless me! how nearly have we 'scaped
The crush of this man's ruin!—It grieves my soul
When I look back on what my child has suffered,
And all for nothing. But, Heaven knows! whate'er
Was harshly managed was still kindly meant.
I long to lighten of a deadly weight
Her labouring breast, that flutters now with fear
T' approach me, and retards her trembling steps.
Could she but guess the purpose of my message
She'd make more haste to meet me.—But she comes.
