University of Virginia Library

SCENE VI.

Siffredi. Osmond. Rodolpho, with Guards.
Rodolpho.
My Lord High Constable of Sicily,
In the King's Name, and by his special Order,
I here arrest you Prisoner of State.

Osmond.
What King? I know no King of Sicily—
Unless he be the Husband of Constantia.

Rodolpho.
Then know him now—Behold his Royal Orders
To bear you to the Castle of Palermo.

Siffredi.
Let the big Torrent foam its Madness off.
Submit, my Lord—No Castle long can hold
Our Wrongs—This, more than Friendship or Alliance,
Confirms me thine; this binds me to thy Fortunes,
By the strong Tie of common Injury,
Which nothing can dissolve—I grieve, Rodolpho,
To see the Reign, in such unhappy sort,
Begin.

Osmond.
The Reign! the Usurpation call it!
This Meteor King may blaze awhile, but soon
Must spend his idle Terrors—Sir, lead on—
Farewel, my Lord—More than my Life and Fortune,
Remember well, is in your Hands—my Honour!

Siffredi.
Our Honour is the same. My Son, farewel—
We shall not long be parted. On these Eyes
Sleep shall not shed his Balm, till I behold Thee
Restor'd to Freedom, or partake thy Bonds.
Even noble Courage is not void of Blame,
Till nobler Patience sanctifies its Flame.